Sir William Hamilton and phrenology. I. Correspondence published in the Caledonian Mercury between Sir William Hamilton and Dr. Spurzheim, and between Sir William Hamilton and Mr. George Combe.

  • Hamilton, William, Sir, 1788-1856.
Date:
1828
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sir William Hamilton and phrenology. I. Correspondence published in the Caledonian Mercury between Sir William Hamilton and Dr. Spurzheim, and between Sir William Hamilton and Mr. George Combe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    “ will remove this objection. If, however, you decline this “ proposal, I am ready to proceed. Mean time, remain, &c. (Signed) “ Geo. Combe. “ LETTER—SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON TO GEORGE COMBE, ESQ. “ My dear Sir,—I have to apologize for allowing your note <e of 22d November to lie so long unanswered. I wished, pre- “ viously to writing you, to see Dr Christison, and to ascertain “ whether he was prepared to proceed with the arbitration, “ which he is. I am also quite ready to meet you and the um- “ pires whenever it suits their convenience and yours. “ Your proposal of surrendering the defence of the arbitra- “ tion to Dr Spurzheim, I must beg leave to decline, for various “ reasons which it is here needless to enumerate. I certain- “ ly never said ‘ that I did not attack Phrenology, but solely “ the statements of Drs Gall and Spurzheim ; for I know not “ where Phrenology is to be found except in the statements of “ its authors ; nor can I imagine any other expositor entitled to “ represent their doctrine with an authority equal to that of its “ founders. It is, however, only in so far as you coincide with “ Drs Gall and Spurzheim in regard to the most fundamental “ positions and the plainest facts that we have any controversy ; “ and you agreed to enter into the arbitration because you were “ willing to peril their credibility, and the possibility of the “ system, on the truth of the assertions which I offered to dis- “ prove. Hoping that we may soon bring the points at issue to “ proof, I remain, &c. (Signed) “ W. Hamilton.” _ The meeting of the umpires suggested in my letter of the 22d November did not take place till 22d December. It was then held in the Clyde Street Hall; but I positively affirm that Sir William Hamilton only referred again to the crania that had been previously rejected, and did not produce one jot of addi- tional evidence to substantiate any of his propositions. Sir William says, that Dr Spurzheim was actually present “ at one of the meetings of the umpires. This is correct: but he forbears to state what occurred. Owing to a previous engage- ment, it was impossible for me to be present; but Dr A. Combe, accompanied by Dr Spurzheim, attended, not as par- ties, but as spectators. These gentlemen waited with much pa- tience to hear and see Sir William’s evidence; but they assure me, that, though personally present, he neither said any thing, nor did any thing, in furtherance of the objects of the refer- ence. Sir William proceeds—“ Mr Combe does not state that every <f facility was offered him to examine the crania on which I was “ to found my public demonstration, and that he was pressed “ and goaded, and even taunted into an acceptance of the same “ specimens for the use of his own lecture in the Assembly “ Rooms.”