452 Phrenological Society of Edinlurgh. 



cerebral Development; and, in particular, on the Genius of certain 

 living Characters whose Development is known ; by Mr. A.Bu- 

 chanan. 



" 5. Further Observations on the Progress of Civilization in 

 different Nations, as illustrated by Casts of their Skulls ; by Mr. 

 G. Combe. 



" 6. On the Tendency which Phrenology is supposed to have 

 towards Materialism, and on the Means which it affords of ac- 

 counting for the Diversity of Characters and intellectual Endow- 

 ments observable among Mankind ; by Mr. Brownlee. 



" 7. On Dr. Thomas Brown's System of Metaphysics and 

 Morals, as connected with Phrenology; by Mr. Ritchie. 



" 8. Observations on Mr. Owen's Plan for banishing Vice and 

 Misery from Society, as affected by the Doctrine of innate Dis- 

 positions, and on the other Means which remain of improving the 

 Condition of the human Race ; by Mr. G. Combe. 



" One of the most obvious truths in the philosophy of man is, 

 that the character and conduct of individuals are the results of 

 their innate dispositions and talents exercised by themselves, and 

 modified by the circumstances in which they are placed. It fol- 

 lows from this principle, that crimes arise from unfortunate na- 

 tural dispositions ; from neglected education ; from the influence 

 of unfavourable circumstances; or from the joint action of all 

 these causes. The causes of crimes must be known before ef- 

 fectual measures can be adopted for their prevention ; and hence 

 it becomes an important object to discover, in wliat respect, or 

 to what extent, the actions of criminals arise from natural ten- 

 dencies, and to what extent from excitement produced by the 

 circumstances in which they are placed. The first of these in- 

 quiries has hitherto been altogether neglected, from the impos- 

 sibility experienced of attaining philosophical knowledge upon 

 the subject ; and while the first is unknown, any opinion formed 

 upon the second must necessarily be imperfect. Phrenology 

 affords the means of overcoming the difficulties of attaining in- 

 formation respecting the natural dispositions. The natural energy 

 of the propensities, sentiments, and intellectual faculties, is in 

 proportion to the size and activity of the organs, and these can 

 be ascertained bv observation. 



'•TheSociety, therefore, with the view of ascertaining the spe- 

 cial combination of mental faculties, which exposes individuals 

 most particularly to the temptation of committing crimes, have 

 endeavoured to procure casts of the heads and skulls of as many 

 criminals as possible. Reports on the conduct and development 

 of four individuals of this description, illustrated by casts of their 

 heads, were read to the Society. 



" The 



