in those approaching and passing the body. They presented as great
a variety of faces, both in old and young, as the most zealous
physiognomist could have wished for in his studies. Some hesitated at
the entrance, half inclined to retrace their steps, as if appalled
at their own audacity in venturing so nearly into the presence of a
corpse. The crowd behind, however, and their own curiosity urged them
on, and they were almost borne past with uncovered head and pallid lip.
Others walked boldly forward, viewing the body with a malicious smile,
which spoke plainly their disgust at the crimes of the individual, and
that this aversion overcame every sentiment of horror they might have
felt at another time in looking on a similar spectacle.
The immense concourse of people whose curiosity induced them to visit
this sad and humiliating spectacle of fallen and degraded man may
be judged of, when it is mentioned, that by actual enumeration it
was found that upwards of sixty per minute passed the corpse. This
continued from ten o’clock until darkening, and when we left at nearly
four o’clock the crowd was increasing, we cannot compute the number at
less than twenty-five thousand persons, and counting the other days on
which many saw him, though the admissions were not so indiscriminate,
the amount cannot be reckoned under thirty thousand souls. A greater
number of males probably than was present at the execution, and a far
greater concourse perhaps than ever paid homage to the remains of any
great man lying in state.
We understand, though we did not witness it, that some women whose
curiosity presented a stronger impulsive motive than could in them be
counteracted by the characteristic grace of a female,--modesty, found
their way with the mob into the room where the naked body was exposed.
It is not likely, however, that their curiosity will, in such a case,
again get the better of their discretion, as the males, who reserve
to themselves the exclusive right of witnessing such like spectacles,
bestowed such tokens of their indignation upon them as will probably
deter them from again visiting an exhibition of the sort; seven in all
is said to be the number of females in Edinburgh so void of decency;
but in justice even to them we may presume that they did not anticipate
such an exposure. Several more however cast a longing look into the
University, and even ascended the steps, but had the prudence again to
retire.
Next day, Saturday, all ingress was denied, and again the front of
the College presented a scene of confusion sufficiently annoying to
those in the neighbourhood, and to passers by. Long after they had
ascertained that no admission was allowed, the people continued gazing
at the outer walls, and when their curiosity was abundantly gratified
by this, or their patience exhausted, fresh arrivals of unwearied
spectators arrived.
The phrenologists have, as a matter of course, seized with avidity this
opportunity of, as they imagine, through it exhibiting the advantage of
their favourite science, and thereby advancing it in public estimation.
We will, out of the descriptions of the number given forth, confine
ourselves to the two following.
PHRENOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS OF BURKE.
For the following measurement of the head of Burke, with the
development deduced from it, we are indebted to an ingenious friend who
has taken some interest in the science of Phrenology, without, however,
becoming a convert to its doctrines. The measurement was taken with
the greatest care, in the presence and with the assistance of an able
Phrenologist: so that its accuracy may, we believe, be confidently
relied upon:--
MEASUREMENT.
Inches.
Circumference of the head 22.1
From the occipital spine to lower Individuality 7.7
From the ear to lower Individuality 5
From ditto to the centre of Philo-progenitiveness 4.8
From ditto to Firmness 5.4
From ditto to Benevolence 5.7
From ditto to Veneration 5.5
From ditto to Consciousness 5
From Destructiveness to Destructiveness 6.125
From Cautiousness to Cautiousness 5.3
From Ideality to Ideality 4.6
From Acquisitiveness to Acquisitiveness 5.8
From Secretiveness to Secretiveness 5.7
From Combativeness to Combativeness 5.5
DEVELOPMENT.
Amativeness, very large. Philo-progenitiveness, full.
Concentrativeness, deficient. Adhesiveness, full. Combativeness,
large. Destructiveness, very large. Constructiveness, moderate.
Acquisitiveness, large. Secretiveness, large. Self-esteem, rather
large. Love of approbation, rather large. Cautiousness, rather large.
Benevolence, large. Veneration, large. Hope, small. Ideality, small.
Conscientiousness, rather large. Firmness, large. Individuality, upper,
moderate. Do. lower, full. Form, full. Size, do. Weight, do. Colour,
do. Locality, do. Order, do. Time, deficient. Number, full. Tune,
moderate. Language, full. Comparison, full. Casualty, rather large.
Wit, deficient. Imitation, full.
The above report, it may be necessary to observe, was taken a few hours
after the execution. In consequence of the body having been thrown
on its back, the integuments not only at the back of the head and
neck, but at the posterior lateral parts of the head were at the time
extremely congested; for in all cases of death by hanging, the blood
remaining uncoagulated, invariably gravitates to those parts which are
in the most depending position. Hence, there was a distension in this
case over many of the most important organs which gave, for example
_Amativeness_, _Combativeness_, _Destructiveness, &c._ an appearance of
size which never existed during life, and, on the other hand, made many
of the moral and intellectual organs seem in contrast relatively less
than they would otherwise have appeared. In this state, a cast of the
head was taken by Mr. Joseph; but although for Phrenological purposes
it may do very well, yet no measurement either from the head itself
in that condition, or a cast taken from it, can afford us any fair
criterion of the development of the brain itself. We know that this
objection applies to the busts of all the murderers which adorn the
chief pillars of the Phrenological system, and in no case is it more
obvious than in the present.
Our able Professor, Dr. Monro, gave a demonstration of the brain to
a crowded audience on Thursday morning, and we have, from the best
authority, been given to understand, that it presented nothing unusual
in its appearance. We have heard it asserted, that the lateral lobes
were enormously developed, but having made inquiry on this subject, we
do not find they were more developed than is usual. As no measurement
of the brain itself was taken, all reports on this subject must be
unsatisfactory; nor could the evidence of an eye-witness in such a
matter prove sufficient to be admitted as proof either in favour of or
against Phrenology.
The question which naturally arises is, whether the above developments
correspond with the character of Burke? It is not our intention
to enter into any controversy on this subject; yet we cannot help
remarking, that it may be interpreted, like all developments of a
similar kind, either favourably or unfavourably for Phrenology, as
the ingenuity or prejudices of any individual may influence him. We
have the moral organs more developed certainly than they ought to
have been; but to this it is replied, that Burke, under the benign
influence of these better faculties, lived upwards of thirty years,
without committing any of those tremendous atrocities which have so
paralysed the public mind. He is neither so deficient in Benevolence
nor Conscientiousness as he ought to have been, phrenologically
speaking, and these organs, which modified and gave respectability
to his character for as many as thirty years, all of a sudden cease
to exercise any influence, and Acquisitiveness and Destructiveness,
arising like two archfiends on both sides, leave the state of
inactivity in which they had reposed for so long a period, and gain a
most unaccountable control over the physical powers under which they
had reposed for so many years succumbed. But, is the size of the organ
of Destructiveness in Burke larger than it is found in the generality
of heads?--and are his organs of Benevolence and Conscientiousness less
developed than usual?--We hope to have it in our power, at an early
period, to adduce sufficient evidence to determine these questions;
and in the mean time, leave our readers, who have the inclination and
leisure, to amuse themselves, like the astrologers of old, with the
above phrenological horoscope of this atrocious criminal.
* * * * *
It is an old saying that Doctors differ; nor has our recent experience
tended, in any degree, to abate our confidence in this maxim. As it is
desirable, however, to show both sides of a question at once, we insert
the following “Observations on the Head of William Burke,” from the pen
of a distinguished Phrenologist:--
Public attention has been so strongly attracted by the atrocious
crimes of Burke, that the other incidents of his life, and his general
character as a man, are liable to be altogether overlooked. In viewing
his character, however, with a philosophic eye, the whole mental
qualities manifested by him in the different situations in which he was
placed, must be taken into account.
Burke was born in the parish of Orrey, county of Tyrone, in Ireland,
in the spring of 1792. When at school, he was distinguished as an apt
scholar--a cleanly, active, good-looking boy; and though his parents
were strict Catholics, he was taken into the service of a Presbyterian
clergyman, in whose house he resided for a considerable time. He
was recommended by the minister to a gentleman in Straban, in whose
employment he remained for several years.
He subsequently tried the trade of a baker, at which he continued
only for five months. He thereafter became a linen-weaver, but soon
got disgusted with the close application that was essential to earn a
livelihood at that poorly-paid, irksome employment, and he enlisted in
the Donegal militia. He was selected by an officer as his servant, and
we are told that he demeaned himself with fidelity and propriety. While
in the army, he married a woman in Ballinha, in the county of Mayo, and
after seven years’ service, the regiment was disbanded, and he went
home to his wife. He shortly afterwards obtained the situation of groom
and body-servant to a gentleman in that vicinity, with whom he remained
three years.
He subsequently came to work at the Union Canal in Scotland, and
there formed an acquaintance with the woman M‘Dougal, who became
remarkably fond of him, deserted her paternal roof for his society,
and attached herself to him, partaking of his various fortunes during
the last ten years of his life. It is mentioned that Burke treated
her with kindness, and acknowledged her as his wife; and that she was
passionately fond of him in return.
Being reduced to much wretchedness and poverty, Burke and M‘Dougal
lodged for a few nights in Hare’s house, and during his stay, a
fellow-lodger died, whose body was sold by Hare and Burke for
dissection. At this point, his career of villany commenced. The price
of the body being expended, Burke decoyed a woman into Hare’s den and
murdered her, and sold her body. He and Hare repeated similar tragedies
twelve or thirteen times during the course of a year, till at last they
were detected.
Nothing can exceed the intense selfishness, cold-blooded cruelty,
and calculating villany of these transactions; and if the organs of
Selfishness and Destructiveness be not found in Burke, it would be as
anomalous as if no organs were found for the better qualities which he
had previously displayed.
Phrenology is the only science of mind which contains elements and
principles capable of accounting for such a character as that before
us; and it does so in a striking manner. We have seen a measurement and
development of the head of Burke, taken by an experienced Phrenologist
from the living head; also a very accurate cast of the head with the
hair shaven, taken by Mr. Joseph after the execution; and we have
conversed with a medical gentleman who saw the brain dissected. The
head was rather above than below the middle size. The middle lobe
of the brain, in which are situated the organs of Destructiveness,
Secretiveness and Acqusitiveness, was very large; at Destructiveness,
in particular, the skull presented a distinct swell, and the bone was
remarkably thin. The cerebellum, or organ of Amativeness, was large,
and Burke stated that, in some respects, his ruin was to be attributed
to the abuses of this propensity, because it had led him into habits
which terminated in his greatest crimes. The organs of Self-esteem
and Firmness were also largely developed. It is mentioned in all the
Phrenological works, that Self-Esteem and Acqusitiveness are the grand
elements of Selfishness. The anterior lobe, or that in which the
intellect is placed, although small in proportion to the middle lobe,
was still fairly developed, especially in the lower region, which is
connected with the perceptive faculties. In accordance with this fact,
Burke displayed acuteness and readiness of understanding. He could
read and write with facility, and his conversation was pertinent and
ready. The upper part of the forehead, connected with the reflecting
organs, was deficient. The organ of Ideality, which gives refinement
and elevation, was exceedingly small; that of Wonder, which prompts to
admiration, is also deficient; and the organ of Wit is small.
Here we find the organs, which, when abused, lead to selfishness,
cruelty, cunning, and determination, all large; but we have still
to account for the faculties which enabled him to act a better part
in life. Accordingly, Combativeness is considerably inferior to
Destructiveness in size, and Cautiousness is large. These, acting in
combination with great Firmness and Secretiveness, would give him
command of temper; and, accordingly, it is mentioned that he was by
no means of a quarrelsome disposition, but when once roused into a
passion, he became altogether ungovernable; deaf to reason and utterly
reckless, he raged like a fury, and to tame him was no easy task;
that is to say, when his large Destructiveness was excited to such an
extent that it broke through the restraints of his other faculties,
his passion was elevated into perfect madness. Farther, looking at the
coronal surface of the brain--the seat of the moral sentiments--we find
it narrow in the anterior portion, but tolerably well elevated; that is
to say, the organ of Benevolence, although not at all equal in size
to the organs of the animal propensities before mentioned, is fairly
developed. Veneration and Hope are also full; while Conscientiousness
is, in Phrenological language, “rather full,” or, in common speech,
not remarkably deficient. Love of Approbation also is full. In these
faculties, we find the elements of the morality which he manifested
in the early part of his life; and also an explanation of the fact,
remarked by all who saw him, that he possessed a mildness of aspect and
suavity of manner, which seemed in inexplicable contradiction with his
cold-blooded ferocity. If there had been no kindness at all in Burke’s
nature, this expression would have been an effect without a cause.
The organ of Imitation is well developed; and it is mentioned in the
Phrenological works that Secretiveness (which in him is likewise
large,) in combination with Imitation, produces the power of _acting_,
or simulation. It is curious to observe that Burke possessed this
talent to a considerable extent. He stated that he was fond of the
theatre, and occasionally represented again the acting which he had
seen. _He_ also, and not Hare, was the _decoyer_, who, by pretended
kindness, fawning, and flattery, or by _acting_ the _semblance_ of a
friend, inveigled the victims into the den. This quality enabled him
also to _act a part_ in his interviews with the various individuals who
visited him in jail. He showed considerable tact in adapting himself to
the person who addressed him; and from the same cause it was sometimes
difficult to discover when he was serious and when only feigning. His
great Self-Esteem, Firmness, Cautiousness, and Secretiveness, produced
that self-command and unshaken composure which never forsook him during
his trial and execution.
One of the most striking tests of the degree in which the moral
sentiments are possessed by a criminal, is the impression which
his crimes make upon his own conscience when the deeds have been
committed. In John Bellingham, who murdered Mr. Percival, the organ of
Destructiveness is very large, while that of Benevolence is exceedingly
deficient; and Bellingham could never be brought to perceive the
cruelty and atrocity of the murder. Burke, in whom Benevolence is
better developed, stated, that “for a long time after he had murdered
his first victim, he found it utterly impossible to banish for a single
hour the recollection of the fatal struggle--the screams of distress
and despair--the agonizing groans--and all the realities of the
dreadful deed. At night, the bloody tragedy, accompanied by frightful
visions of supernatural beings, tormented him in his dreams. For a long
time he shuddered at the thought of being alone in the dark, and during
the night he kept a light constantly burning by his bed-side.” Even to
the last, he could not entirely overcome the repugnance of his moral
nature to murder, but mentioned that he found it necessary to deaden
his sensibilities with whisky, leaving only so great a glimmering of
sense as to be conscious of what he was doing. He positively asserted
that he could not have committed murder when perfectly sober.
Burke was considerably muscular, and in the cast with the hair shaven,
taken after death, the measurement of destructiveness is two-eighths of
an inch larger than the measurement taken during life, which must be
abated in the estimate of the organ.
* * * * *
We confess that we do not possess enough of science to enable us
either to vindicate or refute the reasoning contained in the above
developments. It is understood that a gentleman who has already
distinguished himself as an opponent of Phrenology, is to appear
again as an impugner of the doctrine given forth in the above
description, and questionless he will be replied to by the amateurs
of the science. One thing must be apparent in the above account, that
while Phrenology is pompously announced as “the only science of mind
which contains elements and principles capable of accounting for such
a character as that before us,” the utmost that is attempted is to
give a Phrenological description of the head, and to explain some
traits of the character of Burke, and to endeavour to reconcile some
discrepancies in the development, which seem not only inconsistent
with each other, but which, taken in connection with his character and
actions, would appear to any one but a Phrenologist to be positive
contradictions.
It does not appear in this instance at least, that Phrenology possesses
any peculiar aptitude in accounting for such a character; as the
knowledge that a man may commit atrocious crimes and bear a different
semblance to the world; that he may be actuated by a powerful motive
at one time which gives place to another at a different season, and
that again yielding to a third, is a fact that was sufficiently known
before the science was promulgated, and would have been as intelligible
as Phrenology has made it though we had never heard of the science,
and merely telling us that such and such protuberances on the skull
denote such and such faculties, does not at all account for the
character. Many ignorant people also who cannot “view his character
with a philosophic eye,” might inform us, that frequently a man does
not get desperately wicked all at once, and that there is nothing very
uncommon in a person behaving tolerably well for a length of time, and
afterwards abandoning himself to the most profligate courses, neither
is it unusual with an ignorant man, when once roused into a passion, to
become “altogether ungovernable.” We have seen such a thing occur where
“large destructiveness” was never exhibited nor suspected.
The learned Phrenologist then goes on to reconcile what has usually
been accounted incompatible qualities, his “full Benevolence and
large Destructiveness.” It is rather too much to assume that the
existence of the affection benevolence is sufficiently proved, even for
phrenological purposes, by quoting the story that Burke himself told
of his horror after committing the first murder. Surely, though this
tale was implicitly credited, the mere fact of a murderer’s slumbers
being haunted with the image of his victim for a brief space, cannot
prove the existence of benevolence; but we shrewdly surmise that the
whole is a fiction of Burke’s, and that he narrated it at a time
when the well developed organ of Imitation, combined with his large
Secretiveness, was excited to such a degree as to produce _acting_
or simulation, and that it furnishes an illustration of “the tact he
showed in adapting himself to the person who addressed him.” We happen
to know that he spoke quite freely about this as well as his other
murders; that he went about it in the most cool and heartless manner;
that the two monsters not only enticed the poor old woman into the
house, and allured her with a show of kindness, but that they actually,
in this their first essay, when they were just about to perpetrate
it, jested upon the subject. Hare asking Burke “to go _ben_ and
see how his mother-in-law was this morning,” surely then was the time
for benevolence to exhibit itself, but we presume that his “large
Destructiveness was excited to such an extent, that it broke through
the restraints of his other faculties,” and forced him to suffocate a
helpless and infirm female, without even the miserable palliation of
having previously intoxicated himself for the purpose, and on the next
opportunity they could discover to perform the same bloody tragedy,
without being ever troubled with compunction or remorse, until his
organ of Imitation, in combination with Secretiveness, produced the
power of _acting, or simulation_, in the condemned cell in the
Calton-hill Jail.
We suppose that this _acting or simulation_, of which so much is made
by the eminent Phrenologist, means neither more nor less than that
he was an accomplished liar, and that faculty seems to have been in
full operation when he averred, “that he could never entirely overcome
the repugnance of his moral nature to murder, but that he found it
necessary to deaden his sensibilities with whisky, leaving only so
great a glimmering of sense as to be conscious of what he was doing.”
“His moral nature” must have been of a very accommodating description,
if it could without repugnance allow him to prowl about continually
literally seeking whom he might devour, and “by pretended kindness,
fawning and flattery, or by acting the semblance of a friend, to
inveigle the victims into the den,” and when there, to entertain them
with a show of kindness and hospitality, and then prompt him “to
deaden his sensibilities with whisky” before it could permit him to
complete the scene. But perhaps it was his benevolence that induced
him to behave in this kind manner until the whisky should excite his
destructiveness at the moment that the sacrifice was prepared.
But the truth is that there was neither “ungovernable fury” nor
intoxication to excuse or account for his murders; they were all
committed in cold blood, and without one palliating circumstance; and
although he might have been drunk when some of them were concluded, he
was generally sober during the preparatory process of kidnapping, and
instigating them to drink.
He was continually drunk, because from his seldom working he had
leisure for drinking, and an abundant supply of money, and with these
he would have indulged in the same vice although there had been no
reason for “deadening his sensibilities.”