Phrenology. 363 



with phrenology. We know that there are pecuhar temperaments, 

 and that these affect intellectual development. 



Thus, an individual having the lymphatic temperament, is slow 

 in his intellectual operations, and instruction mu^t be adapted to 

 this condition of mind. The nervous temperament, on the con- 

 trary, so common in this country, uniformly co-exists with activity 

 of intellect; while the bilious temperament is most frequently ac- 

 companied by an excellent judgment, but bad memory. Now 

 the phrenologist perceives shnilar and remarkable corresponden- 

 ces between the mind and another physical portion, the brain ; and 

 he asserts that this cerebral partis the organ of the higher faculties, 

 and absolutely necessary to their manifestation. Among the ev- 

 idences on which he bases his theory are — that idiots and persons 

 whose mental vigor has declined through age, are' deficient in 

 brain. Remarkable differences of mind, are observable in man, 

 and a corresponding difference in cerebral organization. It is as 

 impossible, however, notwithstanding certain prevalent notions, 

 to measure the developments mathematically, as to attempt the 

 tSLine thing, in regard to the muscles or optic nerve; the size of 

 which, is, by no means, proportional to their powers. ■' 



*" To the objection of' medical men that the brain being impaired 

 or injured, the mind still manifests itself, the phrenologist answers, 

 that the brain is double, and consequently one organ may be de- 

 stroyed while the other remains, and the mental operations will 

 go on as when a like accident happens to one eye, ear, or olfac- 

 tory nerve. Again, it is said, that skulls are hot equally thick, 

 and therefore no just idea can be formed respecting the cerebral 

 development, by exterior measurement. If thick skulls or even 

 unequally thick ones, were common, the argument would be more 

 weighty; and when such instances are adduced^ the history of the 

 individual should be known, in order to enforce them. Phrenolo- 

 gists consider children, six months old, as subjects for observation; 

 and experience bas proved that important cerebral changes occur 

 until the age of forty years. Among animals there is observable, 

 throughout nature, a peculiar instinct vv^hich leads them to take 

 care of their young. In some species this is only displayed by 

 the female, in others by both sexes, as the canary birds, who 

 share not only the labor of rearing, but also of hatching their off- 

 spring. This instinct is also universally prevalent among the hu- 

 man race. But there is a striking diflerence in this respect. 

 Some mothers consider the care of their children as the greatest 

 happiness, while others view the same duty as a burden. And 

 there are persons who immediately take an interest in every little 

 being they meet, while in other minds no such sentiment is exci- 



