men. So complimentary were the notices of the public press, both of the doctor and his science, that the latter became everywhere a subject of attention; and, on the announcement of his death, lecturers on the subject found curious and willing hearers in almost every considerable city and town in the country. Literally it might be said, "many were running to and fro, and knowledge was increasing," for itinerant phrenologists could scarcely be found in sufficient numbers to gratify the popular rage for this literary novelty; and, much to the disadvantage of phrenology, the merest tyros, and even pretenders to the subject, became objects of public patronage. Books, pamphlets, plates, and busts without number, have ever since deluged the country; and scarcely a school-boy could be found whose bumps have not been phrenologically examined by some real or pretended savan in the science. Meanwhile the greatest contrariety of opinion has been entertained and expressed in relation to the whole subject; for, while some learned and excellent men in all the learned professions have enthusiastically embraced the entire system, and regarded it as the most magnificent discovery of ancient or modern times, by far the greater number of American philosophers and scholars have rejected the whole as a visionary and silly conceit, altogether unworthy of sober criticism or refutation. Hence, the treatment the subject has received from such has - been a subject of unceasing complaint on the part of phrenologists. They have remonstrated, and not without some reason, against the summary way of disposing of their "facts and arguments," by deny. ing the former and ridiculing the latter. They have insisted that the light confessedly thrown upon the physiology of the brain, and the improvements in the philosophy of the mind, which they claim for Dr. Gall and other phrenologists, entitle them to a fair and candid hearing. And they are ever and anon proclaiming alleged "facts," as confirming and establishing the science, and to these they importunately claim the public attention. Under such circumstances, the lectures of Dr. Sewall must be regarded by all parties as a most timely publication. The subject is, undoubtedly, one of high and commanding importance in every aspect. It involves physical, mental, and moral science; for if phrenology be true, in whole or in part, all the learning of the schools on these several topics is exploded, and "the world is turned upside down ;" and on the other hand, if it be false, it is calculated, by its specious plausibility and pedantic pretensions, to inflict irremediable wounds both upon philosophy and religion. It is, therefore, strictly within the province of science and philanthropy to give to the whole subject a rigid investigation. This its enemies need, to arm them in the conflict with its zealous advocates, from which it is impossible to escape; and the honest friends of the science ought not to shrink from such an ordeal, if conducted with candor and liberality. Professor Sewall, in these two lectures, has taken a course the most unexceptionable in all respects that can well be conceived. In the first lecture he gives a succinct, but comprehensive history of phrenology, together with a brief exhibition of its nature, its claims, and the argu. ments by which it is vindicated by its authors and disciples. And in the second lecture he examines the science by the only true criterion, the anatomical structure and organization of the cranium and brain. The warmest admirer of phrenology will be constrained to admit that the author has not misrepresented the science in his first lecture, and such will read it without finding any want of candor or magnanimity in the exhibition of its principles or claims. Indeed, it is obviously his design to give the true character of phrenology, so that the reader may discover its multiplied and important bearings, and appreciate the propriety of a patient and sober examination. And, indeed, the author attaches censure to those who have caricatured and satirised the science and its votaries, and maintains that it is entitled to other treatment than that of ridicule. But, in the second lecture, Professor Sewall has grappled with the "science" in a style of manly and logical reasoning which shows him to be a master of the subject. As an able and practical anatomist, he has dissected both phrenology itself, and the human head, of which it speaks with such oracular dogmatism; and as a physiologist and metaphysician, he has contented himself with environing the science with inextricable difficulties; and although this is accomplished by a few brief hints, yet the sect will find them to be absolutely unanswerable. Indeed, the plates which accompany the volume, even if unaccompa nied by the argument, would be sufficient to overthrow the whole fabric of phrenology; for it is impossible to examine these drawings, and the summary explanations which accompany them, without perceiving the physical impossibility of determining, from any inspection or admeasurement of the scull, either the "volume of the brain," whether absolute or relative, or the size, much less the configuration of the organs into which "the science" has arbitrarily divided the structure of the brain. By the publication of these lectures, Professor Sewall has greatly added to his well-earned professional reputation, and performed an essential service to the cause of science and religion. He deserves and will receive the thanks of the public for thus interposing the shield of science, to protect the young and rising generation from the ingenious and mischievous influence of a species of philosophy which might else deceive by its learned empiricism, and beguile from the truth by the gaudy plumes it has borrowed from true philosophy, to conceal its errors and follies under the name of discoveries and facts. Phrenologists can no longer clamer for candid and liberal opposition, for these lectures have furnished facts and arguments which will give employ. ment to the whole clique for a century. R. For want of room we are obliged to close this article here, though it contains several additional paragraphs.-EDs. |