148 OF THE FUNCTIONS OF 



and disposition ; in some way or other they must be obtained, 

 and if the way is discovered, the case does but remain the same 

 as before.* But whatever may be our innate propensities and 

 powers, we know how much various circumstances influence the 

 developement of faculties and the strength of dispositions, and 

 we know that we are free agents : we can move our right hand 

 or our left, and sit still or walk, exactly as we chuse, and we 

 possess conscience to guide our conduct. 



" Reason in man obscured or not obeyed, 

 Immediately inordinate desires 

 And upstart passions catch the government 

 , From reason : and to servitude reduce 



Man, till then free" Par ad. Lost. xii. 



Those who have so little soul as always to ask what is the 

 good of any discovery in nature, may be told that craniology is 

 calculated to assist parents in the choice of occupations for their 

 children. And it may be of much service in confirming some 

 moral views which good sense indeed ought previously to have 

 suggested. Humility and benevolence are two leading duties. 

 If we detect the signs of mental deficiency and vice in our own 

 heads, we may learn to think humbly of ourselves ; and if we 

 detect the signs of great talents and virtues in the heads of 

 others, we may love them the more as superior and highly fa- 

 voured beings : whereas if we detect the signs of great virtues 

 and talents in our heads, we may learn to take no praise to our- 

 selves, but be thankful for the gift ; and if we detect the signs 

 of intellectual deficiency and vice in others,. we may learn to pity 

 rather than to censure. We may learn not to judge others, nor 

 even our own-selves, but to leave judgment to Him who only 

 knows what natural strength of evil inclination, what weakness of 



* All know that sexual desires are so connected with the genital organs as to 

 commence when these become mature, and be prevented by their removal 

 doling childhood : but we do not therefore exculpate fornicators and adulterers. 

 The circumstincca nrc precisely the same with all the cerebral organs of pro- 

 pensity. 



