70 Phrenology. 



Although I could not always follow the facial angle through 

 the various orders of animals, — still, I entertained, at the time, 

 no doubt, that my admired instructor was right in his main argu- 

 ment, and I was delighted to see it sustained through such beau- 

 tiful gradations and coincidences of structure and intelligence. 



I do not recollect that I then entertained the smallest concep- 

 tion of the application of the doctrine to man, as an individual, 

 and far less of distinguishing in the same individual, structural 

 proofs of different mental manifestations. The enlargement and 

 rise of the frontal and superior regions, in some general ratio to 

 the advancing intelligence of animals and men, appeared to be 

 established, and this structure seemed decidedly to predominate 

 in the Caucasian or European race, as compared with the barba- 

 rous nations. 



We have been informed by Mr. Combe that Dr. Barclay was 

 not friendly to phrenology — a fact, which I suppose appeared in 

 subsequent years. Still, it was remarkable that no man in Britain, 

 and few men, any where, had then done more to lay the founda- 

 tions of this science, and therefore it is not surprising that his re- 

 sults should appear so valuable to the phrenologists of the present 

 day. 



Mr. Chairman, I have no claim to be called a phrenologist, for 

 I have not studied the subject sufficiently to form an opinion 

 upon the science as a whole, and it is not probable that my en- 

 gagements will ever permit me to give it a thorough investigation. 

 All I know of it is derived from the courses of lectures which I 

 have heard, and of which this is the fourth ; from observation of 

 such facts as have come in my way ; from credible attestations 

 of its practical applications published in various works, and from 

 personal communications with some of its cultivators. Among 

 these, our late respected lecturer is, after Dr. Spurzheim, the most 

 distinguished, whom it has been ray good fortune to know; for, 

 that eminent man, soon after his arrival in this country, in 1832, 

 spent many hours in my family, on which occasions, however, 

 (such was his modesty) he never, of his own accord, introduced 

 phrenology into conversation, and spoke of it only when invited j 

 then indeed, he was frank respecting it, as he was always instruc- 

 tive on every subject ; for, his great knowledge, rendered attrac- 

 tive by his perspicuity, simplicity and benevolence, was sure to 

 delight his hearers. 



