356 MENTAL FUNCTIONS OF 



follow me in the career which I have opened, will discover some 

 fundamental forces and some organs which have escaped my 

 researches." 



He doubts, however, whether so many will be discovered as 

 some apprehend. A modification of a faculty must not be mis- 

 taken for a faculty, nor the result of the combined action of 

 several faculties for a particular faculty. " If," he says, " we 

 reflect on the number of possible combinations which may result 

 from the twenty-seven or thirty fundamental faculties or qualities, 

 from the reciprocal action of as many organs, we shall not be 

 surprised at the infinite number of shades of character among 

 mankind. How many different combinations result from the ten 

 ciphers, from the twenty-four letters. How many different coun- 

 tenances result from the different combination of the small number 

 of parts which compose the human face : how many shades of 

 colours and tones result from the small number of primitive 

 colours and fundamental tones." m They, moreover, may be 

 variously modified in different animals. 



This view of the mental faculties may be considered quite in- 

 dependently of the peculiar doctrines of Gall respecting the 

 cerebral organs of each faculty, and even quite independently of 

 the fact of the brain being the organ of the mind. It may be 

 examined precisely like the metaphysics of Locke, Reid, Stewart, 

 Brown, &c. n 



siders that what Dr. S. names secretiveness is a disposition to artfulness and 

 stratagem) can explain it. There must be a positive propensity. The dis- 

 ciples of Dr. S. must allow that the want of a disposition to conceal would 

 not impel a person to communicate; as they maintain, in opposition to Gall, 

 that the deficiency of combativeness will not give fear, nor of any feeling its op- 

 posite. Again, some persons, not at all remarkable for attachment, cannot bear 

 to be alone ; they have a propensity to society too strong to allow them to 

 be alone a moment, though they have no regard for the person whose presence 

 may suffice them. Gall is decidedly of this opinion (1. c. 4to. vol. iii. p. 175. 

 sq., 8vo. t. iii. p. 492. sq.); and, having been unable to localise the tendency, 

 is inclined to regard it as a modification of attachment. Solitariness and silence 

 are dreadful punishments. 



m 1. c. 4to. vol. iv. p. 275., 8vo. t. v. p. 406, sq. Bacon, De Dignit. et Aug. 

 Sc> 1. vii. cap. ii. is striking on this point. 



11 It is remarkable that nearly every one of these faculties has been admitted 

 by one metaphysician or another. See Mr. G. Combe's Letter in reply to Mr. 

 Jeffrey, the editor of the Edin. Review, reprinted in the Edin. Phrenol. Journal, 

 1827. 



Notwithstanding, too, that memory, like judgment, attention, &c., was con- 



