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Phrenology. 81 
be nugatory without the mind to issue its orders through them to 
the members, and to receive in turn communications from them, 
and the circulation of the blood through an useless organ, would 
be quite superfluous. 
Many persons are alarmed, lest phrenology should produce an 
influence hostile to religion, by favoring materialism. It is sup- 
posed that our organization may be pleaded in bar, against our mor- 
al responsibility, since, if we have strong dispositions to do wrong 
and no power to do right, we are like machines and are not re- 
sponsible. When there is no intellectual power, as in the case of 
an idiot, or a subversion of reason, as in the instance of a maniac, 
it is agreed by all, that the individual is not amenable to human 
Jaws. This opinion has no reference to phrenology, and is em- 
braced by all mankind. 
If we have rightly understood Mr. Combe, he holds that the 
individuals in whose heads the intellectual and moral sentiments 
predominate, are highly responsible; those in whom the three 
of organs are in equilibrio, are considered as still respon- 
sible, but entitled to much mercy combined with justice, on ac- 
count of their strong temptations ; while those who are sadly de- 
ficient in the moral and intellectual organs, are regarded as moral 
patients. 
From the latter class we slide down insensibly to intellectual 
idiots, whom all regard as not responsible. Where shall we draw 
the line?) The common sense of mankind is agreed upon the 
principle, but some difficulty is found in the application to partic- 
ular cases on account of the sarees varying pee of intgllog: 
treated with indulgence and exempted, to a certain extent, from 
responsibility, while there are also other cases still, of a doubtful 
character, which must be judged under their peculiar circumstan- 
ces, and cannot easily be brought under any general rules. As re- 
gards organization, it is obvious that our condition in this world is 
dependent upon it, and that it influences all our actions and ar- 
rangements. Organization is the foundation of human society ; 
upon it depend our dearest relations in life, many of our highest en- 
joyments, all our intellectual: efforts, * and our most exalted virtues ; 
* Since we have no vilowitdge of a human mind unconnected with a brain. 
Vol. xxx1x, No. 1.—April-June, 1840, ll 
