362 Phrenology. 



Phrenologists, dealing as they do, in spiritual subjects, state 

 facts generally, more or less, and not with perfect precision as in 

 the exact sciences. This necessarily results from the very nature 

 of their science, but does not, in any degree, impair the confidence 

 due to genuine phrenological deductions. 



That philosophy of the mind which is called metaphysics, is un- 

 satisfactory for three very cogent reasons. In the first place, there 

 is little or no unaninimity among the metaphysicians. Some rec- 

 ognize the existence of a power in the mind, which others deny, 

 and vice versa. Hence there must be a radical error in the system, 

 since the true philosophy must be universally and unalterably the 

 same. Besides, the language of metaphysicians is variously inter- 

 pjreted, which renders the diversity of opinion still greater. But 

 the chief objection to the old theory or rather theories of mind, 

 i^ that they are totally unsusceptible of practical application. Such 

 surely would not be the case with a just and true analysis of the 

 human faculties. Some of the most modern works indeed, are im- 

 provements upon the ancient speculations, and inasmuch as they 

 are so, they are strictly phrenological. , As long as we.go with .re- 

 ceived opinions we are considered right; yet the rational method 

 obviously is to go to nature, and observe, compare, and infer. We 

 perceive therefore that the fundamental error of metaphysicians was 

 that they prepared a system, in their closets, founded solely on 

 individual consciousness. Dr. Gall proceeded in a manner dia- 

 metrically opposite, but, like most philosophers at the outset of 

 their systems, he committed some faults. One of the principal 

 of these, was the habit of naming the powers from the actions. 

 As the latter are generally the result of combinations and not of 

 individual powers, this was evidently an inconsistent method. 

 The effect of this procedure was also very prejudicial to phrenol- 

 ogy, for Dr. Gall recognized an organ of thieving he thereby 

 conveying an idea, that certain bad propensities were, in, his view, 

 inherent in our natures. The powers, however, in themselves are 

 neither good nor bad, properly speaking; their design however is, 

 like all the Creator's beneficent purposes, eminently and truly ex- 

 cellent. Their evil action is a perversion and not a legitimate ef- 

 fect. 



Little need be said of the importance of an accurate and exten- 

 sive knowledge of human nature to the medical man, the teach- 

 er, and the divine. Such a knowledge would produce a most com- 

 plete but auspicious revolution in education and popular opinions; 

 and such a knowledge the phrenologist confidently believes it in 

 his power to afford. 



In the first place, there are several familiar instances analogical 



