The pilgrim's progress in phrenology / by Uncle Toby [pseud.].

  • North, Elisha, 1771-1843.
Date:
1836
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The pilgrim's progress in phrenology / by Uncle Toby [pseud.]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    How general the above rules maybe correct, and, on the other hand, how frequently there may be exceptions, is not yet fully established by phrenologists. Our science is imper- fect in this respect. Mobility of the interior lobes of the brain are necessary to give genius; yet judgment may exist where there is devoidness of such nimbleness. Compactness of structure and vigor of the vital spirit, or vital juices, in any living organization, whether animal or ve- getable, are properties necessary to give great strength and elasticity. Form and size alone cannot do this thing. A large brain, of good form, cannot make a talented or great man, unless its structure and sentient spirit be each good. It must have nimbleness or mobility. We cannot judge very accurately in regard to the compact- ness and elasticity, or nimbleness of a firm brain, unless we frequently make observations upon it, when in action; or notice the greater or less effects, which may be the result of such action. And yet we can form a pretty good guess, to use a yankee phraseology, with respect to mental power, by the form and size of the dead skull, merely ; and from paint- ings, or plates, as portraits, &c. I am of opinion that both Drs. Gall and Spurzheim have too much neglected to teach properly the physiological nature of the sentient spirit, which moves cerebral organs in life. This is what gives nimbleness to the organs. When this spirit is plentiful and powerful, even if the cerebral organs be not large, mind may, sometimes, be vigorous.* Men who have a plenitude of intellectual talents and moral worth, like Gall and Spurzheim, are very liable, in the first place to be deceived themselves, and in the second place, to deceive others, by their instructions. Suitable caution is therefore * My views in regard to the animal and sentient spirit of man are fully developed in my outlines of the >ciei ce of Life, &c, published in 1829, by Collins h Co., iXew- \ 01 k city. This book of truisms has not hitherto been properly studied by unprofes- sional person?. It may he more instructive to them than to professional gentlemen, i believe there is little or nothing, save, truth, in that book. This may be a reason why some readers may dislike it. lis author has been highly applauded by some of his readers, or critics ; and yet the feelings of an imbecile critic were injured because the book contained a truism in regard to free-masonry, snd a patriotic sentiment in favor of Capt. William Morgan, the martyr. Again : The book has likewise been attacked, although not mentioned, in the National Preacher. So the priest drives the philosopher to a lurch, By means of fulminations of the church. Tn.UiIBl'1.1.. Since this note nras written, and likewise very rer-ently, the respectable editor of the Annals of Phrenology ha«e made it very manifest to the public, that tiiey are materialists, by haying applied sue') words as '• stupid stuff, to the writing? of some of their opponent?, who are technically called iuimntenalist*. Moreover: Funny persons, to wit, those who have, in fait, loo much fume \ senti- ent spirit,] in their organizations, may often write against phrenology.