_Mr. Combe’s Second Course of Lectures._—In our last number, we gave
a particular account of the reception of Mr. Combe’s first course of
lectures in this city. The second course (then in a state of progress)
was completed on the evening of April 6th, at the Musical Fund Hall. A
very large audience was in attendance. After the close of the lecture,
and Mr. Combe had retired, on motion, Dr. Wylie, professor of ancient
languages in the University of Pennsylvania, was called to the chair, and
Dr. M’Clellan, professor of surgery in the Jefferson Medical College of
this city, was appointed secretary.
The chairman addressed the audience in a few brief remarks upon the
propriety of making some expression of the satisfaction which the very
numerous class had derived from Mr. Combe’s lectures. On motion, the
following resolutions, offered by Thomas Fisher, Esq., were unanimously
adopted:—
“_Resolved_, That this class have listened with great interest
to the able and highly instructive exposition of phrenology
which Mr. Combe has offered us.
“_Resolved_, That whatever may have been our previous
acquaintance with the subject, the lectures of Mr. Combe have
impressed us with much respect for its practical importance,
and with the kindliest feeling for the learned lecturer.
“_Resolved_, That phrenology is recognised and commended as
a science founded in nature, by a large portion of the most
distinguished anatomists on both sides of the Atlantic, and
that we believe it to be the only adequate illustration of the
existing, wonderfully various manifestations of the human mind.
“_Resolved_, That it will afford us pleasure, and that we
believe it will be highly acceptable to this community, that
Mr. Combe should make it consistent with his arrangements in
other cities, to give, during next winter, another course in
Philadelphia.
“_Resolved_, That a committee of seven gentlemen be appointed
to communicate to Mr. Combe a copy of these resolutions.
“The following gentlemen were accordingly appointed:—
“Samuel B. Wylie, D. D., Samuel George Morton, M. D., George
M’Clellan, M. D., Charles S. Coxe, Esq., Joseph Hartshorne, M.
D., Thomas Gilpin, Esq., Thomas Fisher, Esq.”
Thus have closed two most interesting and valuable courses of lectures on
phrenology in this city. Their reception has been of the most gratifying
character. Some may be disposed to think that their influence will be of
transitory effect, and that the interest will soon subside. But if such
should be the fact, it would be an anomaly in the history of the science.
Its principles have thus far proved too true, and too important, to share
such a fate. And they have fallen, we believe, into too many and too
able hands in this city to be so soon forgotten or easily neglected. The
interest in the subject has resulted, not from idle curiosity, nor the
mere excitement of feeling, but from the sober and deliberate exercise
of the intellect. And wherever the truth of such principles is firmly
lodged, there it will live, and its effects will be felt and seen.
We cannot but express a strong desire that Mr. Combe will favour the
citizens of Philadelphia with another course of lectures during the
ensuing winter.
_Lectures of Rev. J. A. Warne._—This gentleman has just closed in this
city, a course of six lectures upon the “Aspects of Phrenology on
Revelation.” This department of the science appropriately belongs to
the clergy. It is peculiarly _their_ duty to investigate the moral and
religious bearings of every science, but more especially of one that
professes to unfold _the laws of mind_. And it would seem, that if any
class of persons ought to be thoroughly acquainted with such a subject,
it is the clergy. For their various duties lead them to deal almost
constantly with _mind_, and, of all others, _they_ should understand its
laws.
We are therefore gratified in seeing one of this profession engaged in
discussing the merits of phrenology, and showing that its principles are
not only not inconsistent, but in striking harmony with the truths of
Christianity. Mr. Warne is favourably known to the public as the author
of a chapter on the harmony between phrenology and revelation, appended
to a Boston edition of “Combe’s Constitution of Man.” These lectures
have been attended by an audience, very respectable both as to numbers
and character. The subjects of the different lectures were handled in an
able manner. That our readers may better understand their nature, we give
below the leading topics discussed.
It was the object of the lecturer to show, that phrenology does not
teach materialism, nor fatalism, nor infidelity, either atheistical or
deistical; but that, on the contrary, it furnishes arguments refutatory
of each of these errors, and even affords advantages in assailing
them, not elsewhere found; that this science does not deny or destroy
human accountability, or teach the _irresistibility_ of motives, but
_demonstrates_ man to be a free agent, by proving him to possess all the
conditions of liberty—viz. _will_, _plurality of motives_, and _power
over the instruments_ of voluntary action; and, consequently, he _is_
and _must_ be accountable for his conduct.
The lecturer proceeded also to show, that the Scriptures agree with
phrenology in classifying the faculties of man into moral sentiments,
intellectual faculties, and animal feelings; that they invest, as
phrenology does, the moral sentiments with the dominion; that they
recognise and address the respective faculties which phrenology has
ascertained to belong to our nature; and that the principles of this
science are in harmony with the fundamental doctrines of Christianity,
such as human depravity, indwelling sin, regeneration, &c.
This is, to some extent, new ground, and as far as our knowledge extends,
no person in Europe, or in this country, has devoted so much attention to
this part of the science as Mr. W. And we are gratified in being able to
state, that he intends to prosecute the investigation of this subject, as
his other duties may permit, for some years.
_Dr. Elder’s Address._—We lately received a copy of an address, delivered
before the Penn Institute of Pittsburgh, Pa., February 28th, 1839, by
William Elder. It is truly encouraging to find so many friends and
advocates of our new science. It is now becoming the theme of many public
addresses and lectures, as well as leading articles in our regular
periodicals. There are also some who make a free use of its principles,
and very advantageously too, without employing its technical language,
or even giving due credit to the science. It is a fact, that whenever
and wherever truth on any subject is presented, in harmony with the
principles of phrenology, it will appear clearer, more consistent and
convincing to every mind, and consequently will be more powerful in its
effects. It is as certain as any mathematical demonstration can be,
that if phrenology is a _true interpretation_ of human nature, that all
truth connected with mind, and presented in harmony with the laws of its
correct interpretation, must touch a cord that will vibrate in every
person, though perhaps feebler in some than in others. We have known
many individuals very much pleased, and even captivated by a certain
production or performance, and to affirm repeatedly that the subject was
never discussed before so clearly and satisfactory to their minds; but
when they were afterwards informed that it was treated upon _strictly
phrenological principles_, they are much surprised, and sometimes seem
_mortified_. How true, in spite of prejudice and opposition, is the Latin
proverb—“_Magna est Veritas et prævalebit_.”
But to return to Dr. Elder’s address. We have perused it with much
interest. It appears that this address was delivered before an
association of young men, formed for mutual improvement. The principal
object of the author was to unfold the great laws of mind, a knowledge
of which is so important to mental and moral improvement. A subject
more appropriate to the occasion could not well have been selected; and
how far the author succeeded in accomplishing his object, we shall take
pleasure in giving our readers an opportunity to judge for themselves, by
presenting several extracts in the next number of the Journal.
The article promised in our last, on the “Elementary Principles of
Phrenology,” is necessarily deferred till the next number.