Report on the phrenological classification of J. Stanley Grimes / by E.N. Horsford ... ; adopted by the Albany Phrenological Society, September 3, 1840.

  • Horsford, Eben Norton, 1818-1893.
Date:
1840
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the phrenological classification of J. Stanley Grimes / by E.N. Horsford ... ; adopted by the Albany Phrenological Society, September 3, 1840. 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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    PREFACE. The enlightened philanthropist, as well as the philo- sopher, has much cause for rejoicing, that the great principles of phrenology are at length estahlished in the minds of our most eminent and learned citizens, and are rapidly extending their ennobling influences among the great mass of the people. But while thousands are satisfied of the truth of the general principles of the science, we have been forced to confess, that it is yet in a crude and imperfect state. Though the infant Hercules has triumphed over the monster that sought its destruction, we cannot permit our admiration of its juvenile strength to render us blind to the errors which are naturally incident to inexperi- ence. Every science has its origin, its progress, and its important eras. At first, it presents a collection of ill- arranged facts and conjectures, the true bearing and re- lations of which are not fully understood; then the pro- vidential discovery of some new truth throws light over the chaotic mass, and enables some master genius to give form and connexion and system to the whole. Mr. Grimes has done for phrenology, what Newton did for astronomy, Linnaeus for natural history, Lavosier for chemistry, and Cuvier for zoology. The difficulty and the importance of the task which, according to the decision of the committee and the so- ciety, he has performed, may be inferred from the fact,