Obituary JVotice of Dr. Gaspar Spurzheim. 365 



organ, by tracing its gradual development from its lowest and sim- 

 plest beginning in the spinal marrow, to its continually increasing, 

 various and harmonious ramifications. This scientific demonstration 

 of the brain, which was made without any reference to the peculiar 

 doctrines of Phrenology, together with his discoveries of some of the 

 constituent parts of this organ, obtained for Dr. Spurzheim here the 

 same high respect as an anatomist of the brain, which had been ac- 

 corded to him in Europe by the eminent men in that department." 



His lectures on Phrenology were attended by large numbers, who 

 listened with high interest to his powerful, natural eloquence, flowing 

 with " impressive earnestness and persuasive sweetness." He had 

 a "fulness of thought and action embodied in a frame which nature 

 herself seemed to have made a strong hold of life and health." His 

 course of reasoning was the Baconian or inductive, founded on facts; 

 he rejected metaphysical speculations founded on nominal distinc- 

 tions — his maxim being res non verba. The principal topics in Phre- 

 nology are, the anatomical structure of the brain ; — the variety of 

 talents and dispositions among men, and their conformity with par- 

 ticular dispositions and talents, — the latter constituting the physiology 

 of the brain. Having never studied phrenology, we are not entitled 

 to pronounce any opinion upon its merits. Dr. Follen remarks that 

 *' its results can never amount to more than probable conjectures, and 

 that the great subject which lies at the foundation of moral philoso- 

 phy, the moral freedom and responsibility of man cannot be deter- 

 mined by the physiology of the brain, however true to nature." He 

 adds, that should phrenology be rejected, the important facts and 

 principles which they have advanced, and among them eminently, 

 "Dr. Spurzheim's principles of education will ever hold a distinguish- 

 ed place. The merits of Gall and Spurzheim as anatomists and ob- 

 servers of man, will never be forgotten." 



The great object of Dr. Spurzheim's instruction was the improve- 

 ment and happiness of mankind and " universal benevolence to the 

 whole family of man was the burthen of his life and of his philoso- 

 phy." He thought that his system had prevented him from being a 

 misanthrope, and had taught him to love, respect and pity his fellow 

 beings. He evinced himself to be " a true friend of human freedom 

 and universal happiness," and the light that shone in his countenance 

 " was the spirit of truth and goodness." 



He was kind even to animals ; in his visits to Cambridge, his horse 

 was placed under a warm shelter when he was sometimes regardless 

 of himself. 



