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donk, of New York, has published a letter highly recommending it to the public. I have personally recommended and requested of many booksellers in both the Canadas to import and sell these books, and some of them I know have done so, and it may be that all have. If they have not, I now, more earnestly than ever, recommend them to do so on the opening of the navigation.

Many months have since elapsed, and my mind has become more deeply impressed than ever with the vast importance of having those books studied forthwith by every human being at all capable of appreciating their value, and of acting in furtherance of the views of the benevolent writers.

Should any of the readers of this letter entertain opinions unfavourable to phrenology, I nevertheless request of them to give Mr. Warne's book one perusal, at least, and this, I very confidently hope, will convince them that the writer is a sincere Christian, that the book teaches a truly Christian doctrine, and that the lessons given in it, if followed assiduously, will produce results the most happy and delightful to a fond parent.

And here let me add, by way of parenthesis, that in the first ten years of life must the foundation be laid of what is usually called good temper; by giving due exercise to benevolence, justice, and to all the moral sentiments, and by watchfully keeping inactive the animal propensities until they shall become duly enfeebled, and perfectly subjected to the control of the moral sentiments and intellectual faculties. instructed mother and nurse can best accomplish this highest and most The wellimportant of all duties. Thus will mothers be hereafter the great formers of human character, and, with Divine aid, they will become the chief benefactors of our race. mothers, even, will suffice to enable them to do much towards bringing A few plain lessons to uneducated up their infant children in love to God, and love to one another.

I verily believe that by the universal circulation and perusal of these two small books, now selling at half a dollar each, an amount of good would be done to the rising generation, and even to the parents themselves, which would exceed all my expectations, sanguine as I confess I am on this very important subject, to our hitherto discordant and wrongly educated fellow-beings.

I earnestly call on every gentle, generous, noble-minded man and woman to turn their immediate attention to these books-to read them, to study them; and if they shall appreciate them as highly as I hope and believe they must, I am sure they will exert their best energies in recommending them to the rich, and also in employing their money in procuring them for such as can make use of, but may not be able to purchase them.

I entreat of every man, who desires the improvement and happiness of those he loves, and the advancement in goodness of all mankind, to purchase and read these books, even by way of experiment; the cost is small, and the mere amusement will amply repay it. Let benevolent men every where come out from themselves, if I may so speak, and strive to turn the young every where from the ways of vice to the paths of virtue. If there be a duty which may, above all others, be characterised as God-like, it is surely this.

Morbid Activity of Destructiveness.-An interesting article on Insanity, by Dr. Milligen, is published in the last number of the (English) Polytechnic Journal, from which we make the following extracts:

There cannot be the least doubt that many a murderer has forfeited his life on a scaffold, when he should have been confined in a lunatic asylum. For such is the character of this terrific form of insanity, that the culprit appears of sound mind on every other subject, without any other appreciable disorder of mind or body.

A young German girl, in the family of Baron Humboldt, begged to speak to her mistress, when, falling upon her knees, she supplicated her to turn her out of the house, or otherwise she felt convinced that she would tear her infant to pieces; she added, that it was the whiteness of the child's skin that inspired her with the horrible desire.

Marc relates the case of a young lady who, on the approach of this dreadful propensity to shed blood, begged to have a strait-waistcoat put on; and Mr. R- -, a distinguished chemist, committed himself a prisoner in an asylum, to avoid the commission of some murder. He would often prostrate himself at the foot of the altar, and implore the Divine assistance to resist this atrocious propensity. When he felt the desire for blood, he always requested the medical attendant to tie his hands together. This unhappy man at last endeavoured to kill one of his friends, and died in a paroxysm of fury.

Dr. John Abernethy.-This celebrated physician, after a candid and thorough examination of the principles involved in phrenology, made this public statement:-"I readily acknowledge my inability to offer any rational objection to Gall's and Spurzheim's system of phrenology, as affording a satisfactory explanation of the motives of human action."

Organ of Watchfulness.-In Vol. I, page 467, of this Journal, we presented an article containing remarks by Dr. Powell on this organ. We have since received two communications commenting on Dr. P.'s views, and suggesting additional considerations. One writer (W. R.) attributes chiefly to Wonder, the functions which were ascribed by Dr. P. to Watchfulness; the other writer (O.) communicates some remarks favouring the existence of a new organ as described by Dr. P., but regards his views of its functions as incorrect in part, and offers sundry considerations for calling it the "organ of Discovery." The reasoning in both these communications is too speculative and hypothetical, and not sufficiently supported either by positive facts or extended observations; and we cannot conceive that the interests of the science will be promoted by their publication.

Presentation of a Vase to Mr. Combe.-The personal labours of Mr. Combe in behalf of phrenology in this country have closed. The science is greatly indebted to the influence of his lectures and writings. We are highly gratified that some individuals in New York have united in procuring and presenting Mr. Combe with a beautiful silver vase, as a testimonial of their respect. The New York Signal of March 27th gives the following account of its presentation :

The exquisite vase, subscribed for by the class in attendance on Mr. Combe's phrenological lectures in this city, was presented to the distinguished writer and lecturer, on Monday evening, 23d March, at Howard's Hotel, in presence of the subscribers, by a committee consisting of the following gentlemen:-Mr. E. P. Hurlbut, Rev. T. J. Sawyer, Dr. Foster, Dr. Boardman, Mr. S. W. Dewey, Mr. E. C. Benedict. And as

this may be considered the termination of Mr. Combe's lectures in the United States, we present our readers with the following accurate report of the proceedings.

The chairman of the committee, Mr. Hurlbut, thus addressed Mr. Combe:

SIR,-The members of the class who attended your lectures, delivered in this city during the past year, have instructed us to present you with this vase, which, in their names, we now beg you to accept.

It bears upon one side three medallic likenesses, exquisitely wrought: one of Gall, to whose great discoveries in nature we are indebted for the true science of mind; one of Spurzheim, who first aided in illustrating and establishing it; and the other of yourself, their first and favourite British disciple.

This high and just association will ever endure. He who founded, and they who first illustrated and advanced, the true science of intellectual and moral philosophy, will descend the stream of time together, shedding lustre upon future ages, and living in the grateful memories of generations to come after us.

Upon this vase are also presented other medallic likenesses: one of Rush, whose far-seeing eye, penetrating the veil of nature, which Gall afterward lifted, had visions of some of the great truths which he demonstrated; and the other of Caldwell, who was the first among our countrymen to embrace and defend the doctrines of the great German, with a boldness and vigour peculiarly his own.

We feel a patriotic pride in associating the names of two of our own countrymen with the most distinguished names of Europe, connected with mental science.

You are soon to return to your native land-to your and our fathers' country.

Your visit here has awakened the interest of thousands in your welfare -of thousands who are not wanting in gratitude for the instruction and delight which your discourses have afforded them-but who have had no opportunity to manifest, as we do on this most favoured occasion, their high appreciation of your character and attainments, and the enduring impression which your visit has made upon their minds. Their and our best wishes attend you.

Receive, then, this vase-(the subscription upon which is also graven upon our hearts)-and bear it to your home, a tribute to truth, and to the champion of truth; and rest assured, that in our estimation, we could be called to perform no prouder office, than to render a just tribute of respect and admiration to the author of "The Constitution of Man."

Mr. Combe received the vase, and spoke to the following effect:GENTLEMEN,-Although I cannot correctly say that I am unused to public speaking, yet, on occasions like the present, words fail me to express what I feel. I accept of your handsome and generous gift with the highest gratification. The classical elegance of form, the exquisite workmanship, and the appropriate devices which it bears, render it a gem of beauty. As a mere physical object, indeed, its merits in this respect have been appreciated in this city; it has gained the gold medal offered for the encouragement of art, and it will successfully sustain the strictest scrutiny of the distinguished artisans of the country to which I am about to carry it. But it is as a moral monument of your favourable estimation of my labours among you, and of the interest which you have taken in the science of mind, that it possesses to me an inestimable value. To Dr. Gall alone belongs the glory of having discovered the functions of

the brain; Dr. Spurzheim generously devoted his whole life to the extension, improvement, and diffusion of this splendid project of Gall's originality and genius; and it is difficult to do justice to the noble sacrifice which he made to the cause of truth. When Dr. Spurzheim became the disciple of Gall, no human being defended phrenology except its author; and he not only stood alone, but encountered the hostility of civilised Europe, from the emperor to the peasant, a few high minded individuals only excepted, who were silenced by the hand of power if they rose superior to the influence of scorn. It is no slender honour to me that you associate me with such men. Mine has been a flowery path compared with theirs. It is true that, when still a young man, without name, fortune, high associations, or any external advantages to sustain me against public disapprobation, I fearlessly risked every prospect which the future held forth to my ambition, and became the defender of phrenology when it had few other friends in the British Isles. Professional ruin was prophesied as the inevitable consequence of this, as it was then styled, rash and inconsiderate step. But for the encouragement of the young and ardent worshippers of truth, I am enabled to say that these auguries never were realised. Many were the shafts of ridicule that were hurled against me, and bitter the taunts poured forth by a hostile press; but they never penetrated to my soul, disturbed my peace, nor impeded my prosperity. I mention this, not in the spirit of vain glory, but to confirm the young in the assurance, that the path of truth and independence may be safely trodden even against a world in arms, if courage and perseverance be added to prudence in the advance.

I have sojourned among you now for the greater part of two years, and I am about to leave your country. That I have experienced some inconvenience, and encountered several disagreeable incidents during my stay, is only what belongs to the lot of humanity; but these sink into insignificance when contrasted with the generous cordiality and enlightened sympathy which have been showered upon me by yourselves and your fellow citizens. I have held converse with many enlightened minds in this country-minds that do honour to human nature; whose philanthropy embraces not only patriotism, but an all-pervading interest in the advancement of the human race in knowledge, virtue, religion, and enjoyment in every clime. Many of these admirable men are deeply interested in phrenology. The gifted individual to whom Massachusetts owes an eternal debt of gratitude for his invaluable efforts in improving her educational establishments, has assured me that the new philosophy is a light in his path to which he attaches the highest value. You, sir, have shown, in a late valuable work that has issued from your pen, that you are penetrated to the core with this last and best of human sciences;† and many who now hear me, have expressed similar testimonials to its worth. I return, therefore, highly gratified with much that I have experienced among you, and I shall not need this emblem of your respect to maintain the recollection of such men as I have described, engraven on my affections forever. Allow me to add one brief expression of admiration and gratitude to a young countryman of my own, Mr. William Morrison, from Edinburgh, whose exquisite skill chased these admirable ornaments on your gift. Among his first efforts in art was a wax model, which he executed of my head in Edinburgh. Many years ago he came to this country, was highly esteemed as a man and an artist, and the

* Hon. Horace Mann.

+Mr. Combe here referred to a work recently published by Mr. Hurlbut, Civil Office and Political Ethics."

embellishment of this vase was almost the last act of his life. Ten days have scarcely elapsed since he was laid in a premature grave. It would have delighted me to have addressed to his living ear, the tribute which I now offer to his memory.

Again, gentlemen, I assure you of my heartfelt gratitude and lasting respect, and with best wishes for your happiness and prosperity, bid you farewell.

The vase is of exquisite workmanship, being of Grecian model, with three medallic likenesses on one side-one of Gall, one of Spurzheim, and one of Combe, with the motto, "res non verba quæso;" and two medallic likenesses on the other-one of Dr. Benjamin Rush, and one of Dr. Charles Caldwell, with the following inscription:

Presented
to

George Combe, of Edinburgh,
by the class in attendance upon
his lectures delivered in the
City of New York,

in 1839, on the subject of
Phrenology;

In testimony of their profound respect for the
distinguished Lecturer, and of their
belief in, and admiration of,

the noble science

of which he is the ablest living
teacher and expounder.

Around the base of the vase are chased the heads of several animals, as emblematic of comparative phrenology.

Cast of Whitefield.-The character of this celebrated divine is well known. He died at Newburyport, Mass., and an accurate cast of his head was taken at the time of his death. We find in a recent number of Zion's Watchman, of New York, the following observations by Mr. L. N. Fowler, on the phrenological developements of Whitefield as indicated by this cast:

Whitefield had a large, uneven head, and, apparently, an active mind. His character was marked. He was distinguished for originality of thought, moral discernment, regard for principles, justice, and attachment to friends. He was ambitious, loved distinction; had great independence of feeling and moral courage, sympathy and interest in the welfare of others.

He was energetic, forcible, and possessed of rather strong passions and propensities; and had considerable tact and management.

His great fort lay in his persuasive powers, and his success in affecting the feelings, which was the result of predominant Language, Causality, Ideality, Conscientiousness, Approbativeness, and Adhesiveness.

He should have been distinguished for his ability to make friends, and to convert persons to his way of thinking. His strong religious feelings were manifested through his Benevolence and Conscientiousness. His enthusiasm was greater than his credulity, and his imagination stronger than his devotional feelings. Veneration is rather weak; he had not much regard for rank, title, honours, &c.; and even in his religious exer'cises, there could not have been that deep-toned piety, and holy devotional feeling, which characterised Payson, Brainard, and some others.