306 Dr. Spurzheim's demonstrative Course of Lectures 



sequences of the operations of the mind, which is itself invisible. 

 This deduction of the character of mind from the visible appear- 

 ances of the body,*iieither favours materialism nor fatahsm, as al- 

 leged by the opponents of the science ; the organs of the brain 

 being onlv the material conditions of the nund's peculiar manifes- 

 tations. This Dr. S. proves, by observing, that althovigh the five 

 •enses exist in all men, yet they are not necessarily obliged always 

 tobe active: we are not under the necessity of perpetually enjoying 

 odours or music, although the senses of hearing and smelling must 

 alvvavs exist in the living body. The anatomists, and not the 

 moralists or divines, have been the first to accuse physiognomy 

 of having an injurious tendency. The moralists possess most 

 knowledge of human nature, are the most enlightened and best 

 informed class of men : the philosophers, solely engrossed with 

 some favourite pursuit, judge of all other men by their own 

 feelings; whereas the moralists observe the maimers and actions 

 in general, compare, reason, and draw just conclusions on the 

 conduct of men in society. Yet physical and moral truth ara^ 

 the same ; both must be founded in nature : laws and religious 

 opinions are permanent, according as they have this foundation, 

 or are only founded on extraneous circumstances. Dr. S. proved the 

 advantages ofphvsiognomy to artists, physicians, teachers, moralists, 

 and legislators, as all knowledge is useful when well applied. He 

 «howed various skulls and models, to prove that where there 

 was little or no brain tltere was a corresponding want of mental 

 faculties; theheads of idiots withoutalmost any forehead illustrated- 

 this truth, especially when contrasted with those of philosophers, 

 as Bacon, Newton, Shakcspear, Milton, Voltaire, Haydn, &;c. 

 The skulls of malefactors were also contrasted with those of di- 

 vines ; the general diflforence between the skulls of males and 

 females clearly ascertained. Women in general are less profound 

 reasoners than men, and indulge more in feeling ; their skulls 

 are therefore longer and smaller, they are less elevated before, 

 and project more behind, than men's. The ancients correctly 

 observed this difference, as appears by the statues of their gods 

 and goddesses, heroes, philosophers, and gladiators ; the latter 

 have always the back part of the head strongly marked and pro- 

 tuberant. The bust of NeUon, if correct, he observed, differed 

 from that of the heroes of antiquity ; but its accuracy is more 

 than problematical. 



iec/. 1. Dr. S. exhibited Lavater's supposed gradation of tho 

 head of a frog to that of the Apollo Belvidere, through nearly 

 50 changes. The object, he said, of his lectures is double ; to 

 present anatomical demonstration ; and the proofs that mind 



manifests 



