27 



proof of this, he stated that they sometimes amused themselves with 

 chess, but on these occasions they did not, as other persons, play 

 one against the other, but both of them played on both sides. As no 

 human beings have their sympathies so frequently appealed to, or in 

 such constant exercise, they must be peculiarly strong in both. These 

 brothers thus furnish the most perfect example of disinterested friend- 

 ship that has ever existed, and they exhibit a phenomenon of moral 

 beauty that is singularly pleasing. 



Mr. Hale further stated, that Cheng was the most quick tempered 

 of the two, to which they both assented. He is also a trifle the tall- 

 er and the stronger, and may have the most energy of purpose. If 

 so, the habitual exercise of his will in directing their actions, may in- 

 sensibly give to him a greater desire of command, and to his brother 

 a greater willingness to submit to it. But this exertion of authority 

 would not be likely to pass beyond a certain point, as it would meet 

 with a ready counteraction in the sympathetic feelings referred to. 

 As each is to each almost another self, neither can take much plea- 

 sure in that which does not please the other, and while this extraor- 

 dinary degree of fellow-feeling is not incompatible with the exertion 

 of as much authority on the part of one brother, as the other may 

 willingly submit to, it is inconsistent with a surrender of that other's 

 decided wishes and desires. 



But, on the other hand, the greater energy of will and of purpose, 

 which has been supposed, may not exist, or if it does, it may be ba- 

 lanced by the greater powers of reflection possessed by Eng. Though 

 the questions here propounded are too few to warrant any confident 

 conclusions, we cannot but perceive that nearly half of his answers 

 exhibit somewhat more of thought, or of precision than the answers 

 of his brother. If this be a just inference, it affords persuasive evi- 

 dence against the theory of Helvetius. How far these twins may 

 support or refute the principles of phrenology, I did not inquire; not 

 only because an examination of their heads, before their mental cha- 

 racters were accurately compared, would be premature, but also be- 

 cause it would be more satisfactory if made by those whose minds are 

 more undecided about the merits of Gall's system than mine can pre- 

 tend to be. 



In conclusion, the author remarks, that his memoir was written not 

 so much on account of the success of the experiment it details, as by 

 way of suggesting its repetition to some other inquirer, under more 

 favourable circumstances. Such a one would have the advantage of 

 the greater strength which the peculiarities of these twins may be sup- 



