tone singularly at variance with belief in its own favourite doctrine of the necessity of men's conduct and actions) against its fellow-investigators of the same great branches of science. We find it, for instance, at one time manifesting displeasure towards Mr George Combe, on account of the silence which he has hitherto observed in reference to the topics which have latterly so much agitated the phrenological world; at another reprobating Mr Spencer Hall (who, in avoiding Scylla, has got into Charybdis), for the opposite offence of venturing to proclaim what he imagines he has discovered; and then declaiming against this journal, for-perhaps the Zoist can say what? as no specific or recognisable charge is to be gathered from its pages. Now, surely, it would be more consistent with propriety, if the Zoist would condescend to inform us of its own views and discoveries (if any) in this branch of science, before assuming the office of public censor, blaming some for its own sin of silence, and others for manfully declaring what they have observed. Let us hope, however, that these gentlemen are repeating experiments in private, and carefully maturing their views; and that they will, erelong, in that candid and independent spirit which pervades most of their articles, inform us of the conclusions to which they have been led.

WOLVERHAMPTON, 17th Nov. 1843.

III. On the Application of Phrenology to History and Politics. By Dr GUSTAF KOMBST.

Phrenology has now arrived at a stage of development, where the results of thousands of observations should be generalized, and made the basis of new operations. In this respect, the progress of Phrenology has not kept pace with that made within the last 40 years by another inductive science,-Geology. Both started with a comparatively small number of well-ascertained facts; but, whilst the one has run a wonderful race of development, accumulating facts and forming theories, which again led to the discovery of new facts, the other has, to a great extent, been satisfied with collecting details. Let it not be said, that it is more easy to go about and collect geological specimens; heads, not only individual but national, are even more frequently to be met with than minerals, more especially where, as in flat countries, little or no aid is given by surrounding objects in the study of geology. Do not men continually travel about in their own and other countries? Where is a spot on the earth that has not been visited, of late years, by

enterprising Britons? And yet what advantage has Phrenology derived from this extent of British dominion or enterprise?

As long as Phrenology is confined to ascertaining the faculties of individual man, it certainly will produce the most salutary consequences as a physiology of the brain or an organology of the human mind, as far as regards a correct knowledge of any nation, and the mental progress of man, which may result from such knowledge. But the views which it will open up to us, when applied not only to individual, but national, organization, cannot fail to be at once grand and surprising. Nor will the consequences and practical results be of less importance. Phrenology has already shewn that there exist the most different individual organizations. The consequences and conclusions to be drawn from this fact have engaged the attention of the most able and indefatigable phrenologists, and have resulted in much that it is most practical with respect to education and general intercourse in society. These conclusions have also been made to bear very distinctly upon the social and political state of individual countries.

But it remains to be shewn, that the cerebral organization of nations is as different as that of individuals. Indeed, an excellent beginning in this way has been made by Mr Combe and Dr Morton; by the former, in his chapter "On the coincidence between the natural talents and dispositions of nations, and the development of their brains" (System of Phrenology, ii. 327. 5th edit.), and by the latter in his Crania Americana.* Both, however, at the present stage of Phrenology could only point the direction to be pursued, by making observations on the formation of skulls of different nations. What remains to be done is, to demonstrate that this difference of natural cerebral organization among nations can be traced back as far as we have any historical knowledge of man; what influence it has exercised in the progress and fate of these nations; how it came to be modified either by crossing of races, or by moral influences, or, finally, by local circumstances. Thus applied, Phrenology would become the best key to a philosophy of the history of the human race, or, if you like, it would be that philosophy itself. Hitherto, we have had, indeed, the fine phrase, History is the instructor of mankind. But, pray,

how are mere facts, results, and effects, without a knowledge of causes and agencies, to enlighten us on any one point connected with the most important interests of our own country or our own race? And in this state it is, that we still find history. Nothing but names, dates, and facts, more or less dryly put together, arranged according to some arbitrary cur

See also a paper by Dr G. M. Paterson, "On the Phrenology of Hindostan," in the Transactions of the Phrenological Society,

rent philosophical system. What was the organization of individual great men and of nations, we hear nothing of, except perhaps in the form of some peculiar virtue or failing, which enables us to conclude back upon organization. But to make up for the want of knowledge in historians of former ages, we are by no means without materials. Just as Niebuhr has succeeded in throwing greater light upon the ancient history of the Romans, and of Italy generally, than we can gain from any one of the ancient Roman historians; so may a skilful phrenologist of the present day accomplish the task of reconstructing or reproducing from literature, monuments of every kind, sculpture, paintings, medals, nay, casual descriptions, and sometimes from an examination of the present inhabitants of the same country, a pretty correct phrenological character of nations which lived long before us. But by far more easy will be the task with nations which, although their organization in some parts of a country may have undergone some changes, do still essentially represent the original national character. But, for what purpose? it may be asked. Do we learn any thing new by such investigations? Do we not, perhaps, collect only materials for proving that things just have happened as they ought to have happened? By no means. find by such inquiries, among other things, also the causes of very surprising facts, the explanation of which has hitherto puzzled our brains in vain. To mention only two: the difference of religious creeds even among Christians, and the circumstance that Protestantism hitherto has been confined to the Teutonic tribes, will find a very simple, and, at the same time, satisfactory solution in consequence. Farther, a con

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viction will be forced upon us, that man can be educated or developed only to the extent of his natural organization. The consequences, both practical and theoretical, which flow from this proposition, need not be farther dwelt upon at present, but will be striking enough to every one. Now, if history, in consequence of a proper application of Phrenology being made to historical studies, become something intelligible, and comprehensive, a well-connected series of causes and effects, in short, something worthy to be called a science, how eminently useful will its lessons be to ourselves and future generations! Again; if we have ascertained that there is as great a natural difference of organization between nations as between individuals, it follows that, as much as these nations differ in appearance and perhaps language, so much will they differ in the result of their respective national development or mental labour. It will follow, quite simply, that institutions, manners, in short, every thing which distinguishes one nation from another, is the natural growth of its organization; nothing ex

traneous, nothing that has been forced upon it in the course of time by the mere action of external circumstances. However simple this conclusion may appear, yet it is far from being generally recognised by so-called philosophers as an incontrovertible proposition. On the contrary, almost all philosophical systems of the last century, the influence of which reaches down to our very days, are built on assumptions, the conclusions from which tend quite to the contrary. There can then be no form of government, no external mode of religious worship, which is equally applicable to all nations, or even to one nation during all stages of its development. No system of education, however perfect with an individual nation, in consequence of its being quite in accordance with that particular nation's natural organization, can consequently, with the same prospect of success, or even with reasonableness, be employed among the ancient Greeks and Romans and the modern nations, or among Englishmen and the South Sea Islanders. And yet, however simple this is, it is but too frequently overlooked, and immense sums are thrown away abroad, which might be more profitably employed nearer home.

But does it not follow from all this, that Nature seems to act upon an aristocratic principle of inequality? We do not know. To us it seems, that this variety of organizations, individual and national, by whatever names we may choose to designate it, is a providential arrangement for the purpose of ultimately bringing about a higher development of the human race, and making it consequently more capable of that destiny which is to begin after the fulfilment of our mission here on earth.

This is not the place for entering into details as to a science of politics, as based upon the science of man. Suffice it to say, for the present moment, that it was such views as those alluded to above, which induced the author of these lines to construct and publish an Ethnographic Map of Europe.* Ethnology has of late begun to attract public attention, as it at last has been felt to be a serious reproach, that we are far better acquainted with the natural history, organization, and habits of many animals, than with those of men. To promote the study of man, two Ethnological societies, the one at Paris, the other at London, have of late been established; but unless the members of these societies are enlightened enough to make Phrenology the principal guide in their investigations as to the intellectual and moral peculiarities of the different races of men,

* An Ethnographic Map of Europe, or the different nations of Europe traced according to race, language, religion, and form of government, &c.; by Dr Gustaf Kombst. Edinburgh: J. Johnstone and W. & A. K. Johnston. 2d edition, 1842. To which are added four sheets of explanatory letter-press.

VOL. XVII.-N. S. NO. XXV.-JAN. 1844.

B

the results of their inquiries will by no means be adequate to the present state of science in general, nor applicable to purposes of the highest practical utility. As Physiology, in general, must be one of the principal, if not the principal, auxiliary of Ethnology, so must the physiology of the brain, as the highest concentration of the organs and powers of man, be especially attended to in enquiring into the nature of different nations or races.

The only work as yet extant, in which proper use has been made of physiological researches for practical purposes of society, and with a recommendation of which to our readers we conclude these observations, is "La Science politique fondée sur la Science de l'Homme; ou Etude des Races humaines, &c.; par V. Courtet, de l'Isle. Paris: Arthus Bertrand, 1838." We would direct the attention of phrenologists especially to p. xii. of the preface.

IV. Observations on the Phenomena of Phreno-Mesmerism. By Mr JAMES BRAID, Surgeon, Manchester. (From the Medical Times of Nov. 11, 1843.)

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MEDICAL TIMES.

SIR, In the preface of my work on "Hypnotism, or Nervous Sleep," lately published, I promised to institute a farther series of experiments on the phenomena of Phreno-Mesmerism, and to publish the results. Judging from the rapid sale of my book (nearly eight hundred copies having been disposed of in a few months) that the subject of Hypnotism and Mesmerism is now commanding general attention, both from the public and the profession, I feel anxious to redeem the pledge referred to as soon as possible, and know no better mode of doing so than by publishing the results in your liberal and widely-diffused journal. Your inserting my paper at your earliest convenience will oblige, Sir, your most obedient Servant,

JAMES BRAID, M.R.C.S.E., &c.

3 St Peter's Square, Manchester, 4th Nov. 1843.

The power we acquire during mesmeric, hypnotic, or nervous sleep, of exciting the passions, emotions, and mental manifestations, through impressions made on different parts of the body, has produced much speculation as to the cause from whence it springs: 1st, Some have attributed it to the will of