Phrenology. 81 



be nugatory without the mind to issue its orders through them to 

 the members, and to receive in turn communications from them, 

 and the circulation of the blood through an useless organ, would 

 be quite superfluous. 



Many persons are alarmedj lest phrenology should produce an 

 influence hostile to religion, by favoring materialism. It is sup- 

 posed that our organization may be pleaded in bar, against our mor- 

 al responsibility, since, if we have strong dispositions to do wrong 

 and no power to do right, we are like machines and are not re- 

 sponsible. When there is no intellectual power, as in the case of 

 an idiot, or a subversion of reason, as in the instance of a maniac, 

 it is agreed by all, that the individual is not amenable to human 

 laws. This opinion has no reference to phrenology, and is em- 

 braced by all mankind. 



If we have rightly understood Mr. Combe, he holds that the 

 individuals in whose heads the intellectual and moral sentiments 

 predominate, are highly responsible ; those in whom the three 

 classes of organs are in equilibrio, are considered as still respon- 

 sible, but entitled to much mercy combined v/ith justice, on ac- 

 count of their strong temptations ; while those who are sadly de- 

 ficient in the moral and intellectual organs, are regarded as moral 

 patients. 



From the latter class we slide down insensibly to intellectual 

 idiots, whom all regard as not responsible. Where shall we draw 

 the line ? The common sense of mankind is agreed upon the 

 principle, but some difficulty is found in the application to partic- 

 ular cases on account of the infinitely varying degree of intellec- 

 tual and moral power. 



There are also peculiar cases, as those of monomania, which are 

 treated with indulgence and exempted, to a certain extent, from 

 responsibility, while there are also other cases still, of a doubtful 

 character, which must be judged under their peculiar circumstan- 

 ces, and cannot easily be brought under any general rules. As re- 

 gards organization, it is obvious that our condition in this world is 

 dependent upon it, and that it influences all our actions and ar- 

 rangements. Organization is the foundation of human society ; 

 upon it depend our dearest relations in life, many of our highest en- 

 joyments, all our intellectual efforts,* and our most exalted virtues; 



* Since we have no knowledge of a human mind unconnected with a brain. 

 Vol. XXXIX, No. 1.— April-June, 1840. 11 



