THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 3?3 



in no other way ; just as we may learn much of the external form 

 of the human body by looking at ourselves, and cannot learn 

 what are the feelings of hunger and thirst, heat and cold, except 

 from our own consciousness. But it is only by extensive ob- 

 servation of others, of different sexes, ages, races, education, 

 occupations, and habits, in addition to the study of ourselves, 

 that this knowledge is to be acquired. Nor would much pro- 

 gress have been made without the discovery that strength of 

 individual talent and disposition was associated with proportionate 

 development of particular portions of the brain. By this re- 

 mark, confirmed by the opposite observation of deficient deve- 

 lopment of the same portions of the brain being accompanied by 

 deficiency of talent or disposition, the existence of particular 

 faculties was firmly established ; and indeed Gall discovered them 

 by observing persons conspicuous in some mental points to have 

 certain portions of the head extremely large. I did but allude 

 to craniology while detailing Gall's account of the mind, because 

 the arrangement may be perfectly accurate, although craniology 

 be false ; nor when speaking of the brain as the organ of the 

 mind, because that fact also is independent of Gall's system. 

 But, if the account of the mind, the use of the brain, and the 

 development of the brain, generally observed by that of the cra- 

 nium by craniology, be now viewed together, they will all be 

 seen mutually and beautifully to confirm each otlieiv 



Much ignorant invective, but no argument, has been written 

 against the doctrine ; nor a single fact adduced in opposition to 

 it. We are presented with a simple statement that constant 

 strength of certain parts of the mind is accompanied by strong 

 development of certain parts of the brain, and, consequently, of 

 the skull, except in disease and old age ; and deficient development 

 of certain parts of the brain, and, consequently, of the skull, accom- 

 panied by deficient strength of certain parts of the mind. The truth 

 must be ascertained, not by speculating, quibbling, and abusing, not 

 by giving improper way to the lower feelings of our nature, but by 

 observing whether this is the case; and every one has it in his power 

 to make the necessary observations. Those who pretend to have 

 facts to offer in objection, must first be so well acquainted with cra- 

 niology as to be able to judge accurately of the development which 

 they adduce, and have carefully ascertained the character and 

 exact talents of the individual whom they fancy to be an exception. 

 Yet accounts the most absurd, and the most remote from truth in 



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