Phrenology. 65 



Art. X. — Phrenology. 



This curious and interesting branch of physical, intellectual 

 and moral philosophy, has attracted much attention since the early 

 years of the present century. The death of its great founder 

 Dr. Gall in 1828, left the cause in the hands of his pupil, friend and 

 coadjutor, the late Dr. Spurzheim, whose ability was equal to his 

 zeal, and whose splendid and beneficent career was terminated in 

 Boston in this country in 1833.* During the few months that he 

 survived after his arrival in the United States, he made a strong 

 impression both in favor of phrenology, and of his own elevated 

 and noble character, while a deep sentiment of grief and disap- 

 pointment pervaded the country when, by a mysterious providence, 

 he was suddenly cut down, in the full maturity of his powers. 

 Notwithstanding the labors of several ingenious and eloquent men, 

 especially Dr. Charles Caldwell, Dr. Jonathan Barber and Mr. 

 Christopher Dunkin, many persons were desirous of hearing this 

 subject explained and enforced by the distinguished writer and 

 teacher, George Combc; Esq., of Edinburgh, who was therefore 

 invited to cross the Atlantic for this purpose. 



Since his arrival, about eighteen months ago, he has given nine 

 full courses of lectures on phrenology, in different cities and towns 

 in the United States ; in our last number, (p. 390,) we mention- 

 ed the course with which he has now closed his labors in this 

 country, and that it was attended with high interest by a large 

 and intelligent audience. At the conclusion of the last lecture, 

 and after Mr. Combe had taken leave and withdrawn, the audience 

 was called to order by the Hon. Henry W. Edvfards, late Gov- 

 ernor of Connecticut. 



The Hon. David Daggett, late Chief Justice of the State, 

 was called to the chair, when the following resolutions were laid 

 in by Gov. Edwards, seconded by Prof. Silliman, and carried 

 by an unanimous vote. We trust that our readers will agree with 

 us that it is not inappropriate to the object of a Journal of Sci- 



* See an interesting memoir of him by the late lamented Dr. Follen, an abstract 

 of which is given in Vol. xxiii, at p. 356 of this Journal. 



Our foreign readers may not be aware that Dr. Follen was a countryman of Dr. 

 Spurzheim, and met his tragical death, in the nocturnal conflagration of the Steam 

 Boat Lexington in Long Island Sound, January 13, 1840, with one hundred and 

 twenty-three otiier sufferers; "multis ille bonis flebilis occidit." 



Vol. xxxix, No. 1.— April-June, 1840. 9 



