Reminiscences of Dr. Spurzheim and George Combe : and a review of the science of phrenology, from the period of its discovery by Dr. Gall, to the time of the visit of George Combe to the United States, 1838, 1840 / by Nahum Capen.

  • Capen, Nahum, 1804-1886.
Date:
1881
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Reminiscences of Dr. Spurzheim and George Combe : and a review of the science of phrenology, from the period of its discovery by Dr. Gall, to the time of the visit of George Combe to the United States, 1838, 1840 / by Nahum Capen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    States, to cross the Atlantic, for their instruction in the true philosophy of mind. He could not resist so favor- able an opportunity of doing good. He assented ; and resolved to visit America during the summer of 1832. He was always a sufferer from sea-sickness, says Carmichael, even in the shortest voyages; and to en- counter a long one, with such a constitutional predis- position, required some magnanimity. In the spring of 1832, some friends of mine, who were greatly at- tached to Spurzheim, visited him in Paris. He had at that time come to the determination of crossing to the United States; and my friends were remonstrating with him on his imprudence, in braving the inconveniences and hazards of such a voyage, and asked him what could possibly compensate him for all that he must necessarily endure? His simple and emphatic reply was, Shall 1 not see Channing ? On the 20th of June, 1832, Dr. Spurzheim sailed from Havre for the United States, and arrived at ]S^ew York on the 4:th of August. This was a quick passage for a sailing ship. Steamships on the Atlantic, at that time, were generally deemed to be not only unsafe, but impracticable. On board the ship he proved himself a friend in need to a number of poor emigrants, many of whom, being taken sick on their passage, experienced his kind and successful medical assistance. The sailing packets from the United States did not provide a phy- sician, and passengers on a voyage incurred great risks for the want of one, unless supplied by a chance travel- er of the profession. That Spurzheim would be prompt to meet such an emergency, was a fact in harmony with his nature. When his usefulness on board ship was