84 EDUCATION, AS IT IS AND AS IT SHOULD BE. 



science by JSIr. Combe. His System of Phrenology is a beautifnl 

 exposition of the phenomena of mind, and constitutes, in my humble 

 opinion, by far the best system of mental philosophy in the English 

 language." Another work which I may mention is the Conslilulion 

 of Man, a work which, next to the New Testament, I would re- 

 commend to every one's perusal. Dr. Macnish continues thus : — 

 " His volume on the Constitution of Man is a performance of an 

 equally high order of intellect, and may be justly considered one of 

 the most remarkable productions of the present day. Few works 

 have met with such a circulation ; and when we consider its extra- 

 ordinary merits, this fact is no way wonderful." The Anthropologi- 

 cal Magazine is a periodical that should be possessed by every one 

 in the island. 



If the time or opportunities of any one, but especially of any one 

 connected with teaching, are limited, the works which might be 

 studied with most advantage are IMacnish's Introduction to Phreno- 

 logy, and Combe's Constitution of Man. These two works, to a 

 reflecting mind, will furnish all that is necessary to frame a com- 

 plete and successful system of education. And if teachers could be 

 persuaded to take these for their guide, they would be astonished at 

 the entii'e and radical change which would take place in their whole 

 manner of thinking, and the different light in which they would 

 view the actions of their pupils. Dr. Elliotson has, in a few words, 

 summed up some of the advantages which Phrenology will confer 

 on the human race. "None but those," says he, "who are totally 

 ignorant of Phrenolog)' regard it as a means of merely discovering 

 natural powers and dispositions by external signs. Those who have 

 studied it know, indeed, that the natural powers and dispositions 

 are, cwteris paribus, in conformity with the size of the various parts 

 of the brain ; but they know likewise that Phrenology unfolds the 

 only satisfactory account of the mind, human and brute ; that it 

 contributes to establish the surest foundation for legislation, educa- 

 tion, and morals, and presents a large department of nature in the 

 noblest, grandest, and the only satisfactory point of view ; and that 

 those who reject or neglect Phrenology are lamentably ignorant of 

 much \\ hich they fancy they know, and deprive themselves not only 

 of much intellectual delight, but of much practical utility, and, 

 compared with phrenologists, remain as men of some centuries past." 



Man has all the capacities for reaching the topmost pinnacles of 

 knowledge, and fathoming its inmost depths ; consequently, he 

 possesses the fountains of happiness and enjoyment : and yet he re- 

 mains ignorant, and, therefore, unhappy. Why does he not put 



