226 Madras Literary Sociely^ 



foundation. Had the reviewer of the physiognomical system kept 

 in his recollection a declaration made in a previous number, he 

 would not so hastily, unwarrantably, and unfairly have traduced 

 Dr. Spurzheim. The following is the passage alluded to : 



" ' The most effectual way of persuading the public that their 

 opinions are refuted out of a regard to human happiness, is to 

 treat their authors with some small degree of liberality and gen- 

 tleness. It is also pretty generally taken for granted, that a very 

 angry disputant is usually in the wrong ; that it is not a sign of 

 much confidence in the aigument, to take advantage of the unpo- 

 pularity or legal danger of the opposite doctrine ; and that when 

 an unsuccessful and unfair attempt is made to discredit the ge- 

 neral ability or personal worth of an antagonist, no great reliance 

 is understood to be placed on the argument by which he may be 

 lawfully ojjposed.' " — (Edinburgh Rev., No. 26. page 352.) 



Our correspondent, after some other remarks, proposes that, 

 " for the satisfaction of n)any, it is highly desirable that an as- 

 sociation should be formed in London on a plan somewhat similar 

 to that of Edinburgh ; which, by the number, the accuracy, and 

 the extent of its observations, sliall soberly decide, whether or no 

 the many respectable individuals who have espoused the doctrines 

 of Spurzheim have been the dupes of designing and artful per- 

 sons ? Whether those who have so long opposed it shall be 

 proved wrong ? and, as a necessary consequence of the whole. 

 Whether the science of phrenology is to sink entirely, or be fully 

 established as a branch of general science ? Those who may ap- 

 prove of this suggestion are requested to make their wish known 

 by letter addressed to A. Z., to be left at the Star Office, Picket 

 Place; and should a small additional number of individuals be 

 found willing to associate themselves with a few who are already 

 collected, they will receive notice of any future arrangement for 

 connecting themselves with the Friends of the Study of Man." 



London, March 23, 1821. A. Z. 



MADRAS LITERARY SOCIEXy. 



This society met at the College Hall on the evening of the 1st 

 Sept. last; v.hcn the Hon. Sir John Newbolt presided for the 

 last time, previous to his embarkation for Europe. 



The meeting was very numerously attended, and throughout 

 its proceedings evinced the high respect and regard entertained 

 by all present for their learned and worthy president, whose ap- 

 proaching departure from India could not but be felt as a great 

 loss to the institution, and a source of much regret to every in- 

 dividual connected with it. 



The following conununications were read or laid before the so- 

 ciety at this and the previous meeting : 



Two 



