as we have opportunities of judging; but at present our collections of
national skulls are not sufficiently extensive to draw any very remarkable
conclusions; the most prejudiced observer cannot fail to remark the great
difference among the skulls of different people--thus, the ancient Greek
with _Ideality and Constructiveness_ large, when opposed to the deficient
skull of the New Hollander, shews as striking a contrast, as the hovels of
the one, do to the architectural remains of the other.[1]
To estimate national peculiarities properly, travellers competent to
examine heads, and classify temperaments are much wanted: the size of
individual organs and their combinations are also required: the skulls
that we possess shew that the brain is in exact agreement with the
characters given to their various people by travellers of observation and
experience.--The subjugation of a free people to a foreign yoke,--the
introduction of new customs by conquerors,--the revolutions of states and
empires, and the intercourse of nations, with many other matters to be
gathered from the history of the world, all aid in assisting us to
determine national character and from this to deduce the natural
tendencies of individuals.
MENTAL FACULTIES.
DIVISION I. FEELINGS AND PROPENSITIES.
_Common to man and the inferior animals._
1. AMATIVENESS. LOVE.
This organ is situated in the cerebellum, about half way between the
centre of the occipital bone and the large long process behind the ear. It
manifests itself by the thickness or width of the back part of the head;
it is produced as the human frame approaches full developement, being
small in children, and generally on the increase between the ages of
sixteen and twenty four,--it frequently diminishes in old age. USE,--This
organ is properly exercised in virtuous affection:--the endearments of a
domestic circle, and the society of those we love;--it softens the proud,
irascible, anti-social principles of human nature, and aids the benevolent
affections,--it causes a respectful, and honourable deference to the
softer sex;--inspires the poet in his best conceptions of the purity, and
self devotedness of Love, and produces that quiet but effectual influence
in society, which is shown in the kind interest taken by either sex in the
proceedings of the other. When abused, or allowed only to act as an animal
propensity, the absence of the higher feature is a very unamiable trait in
the human character,--no deference is paid to age or sex and woman
regarded only as the minister to illicit lust. Love to God is shown by
overcoming these baser feelings, "they who love me, are such as follow my
commands" were the words of the Christian's pattern, and the exercise of
this mental faculty is best shown by those who practise charity or
universal love without which we are but as "a sounding brass or tinkling
cymbal." ABUSE.--An encouragement of animal and debasing sensuality which
soon leads to a loss of modesty, and personal respect, and virtue: the
worship due to the Creator is lavished on the creature; Jealousy and its
myriad evil attendants originate chiefly in the abuse of this faculty.
2. PHILOPROGENITIVENESS, LOVE OF OFFSPRING.
In animals this organ is termed _instinct_, and instinct means an original
propensity impelling an animal to a particular action without intention or
purpose. This organ is situated over the cerebellum, and corresponds to
the protuberance of the occiput, rather above and between the duplex organ
of amativeness. As a faculty inherent in the human race it is beautifully
shown in parental affection; women have it larger than men, and it is
found to be larger in the female, than in the male skulls of animals. The
interest of this feeling is often proportionate to the helplessness of
infancy;--a mother doats on her infant in the earliest months of existence
when few beside herself can see any attractions in it: it is generally
manifested in large families where the youngest is invariably the
favourite, unless when sickness causes another to share in maternal
tenderness. It seems probable that the fondness lavished by maiden ladies
on animals, originates in this faculty: for they often nurse and pamper
their pets quite as excessively as parents do children. The mutual love or
affection for the same offspring is the bond of union in marriage--a
step-parent seldom exhibits any thing more than regard towards the child
of another: it has been observed by Spurzheim that he found it small in 29
infanticides whom he had been able to examine: but as the faculty in its
proper use produces feelings of the most delightful and exquisite
character so is it the more liable to ABUSE. Children are thus spoiled by
indulgence, their prospects are raised by a parent's mistaken affection;
and instead of protection and happiness to children and attention and
deference from them, it too often terminates in a spoiled child on the one
side, and disrespect towards the other. Through mistaken opinions parents
often prefer to make their children _rich_ rather than _good_ thus
sacrificing their temporal and eternal welfare, leading them to put their
trust in things "which the moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves do
break in and steal," rather than in that Rock of ages without whose
knowledge not one sparrow dies.
3. ADHESIVENESS, ATTACHMENT.
This organ is located at the middle of the posterior edge of the parietal
lobe, or each side of Concentrativeness, higher than Philoprogenitiveness,
and just above the lambdoidal suture. USE--This faculty is marked in those
individuals who exhibit permanent attachment to beings and objects around
them--it gives a permanence to friendship, a steady adherence to opinions,
and a dislike to change whether of objects or persons: a person with this
faculty well developed will manifest friendship to another even in the
greatest depression of fortune when friendship is most severely tried: it
is on the average larger in females than in men, and this is shewn in the
permanence of their attachments, "Man," it is said "may love, but it is
too often with a view to his own gratification, but when a woman loves,
she does so with all her soul."--The absence of this organ shews an
individual to be of a cold, indifferent character in his friendship, and
one not to be depended upon in the hour of misfortune, it is only where
the organ is well developed that an attachment is sustained through evil
report and good report: when regulated by judgment rather than passion, it
produces the noblest examples of disinterestedness and devotion.--The
ABUSE of this organ is shown in the unworthy attachment of man to the
fleeting things of this life--he places not his affections upon high, but
on the conections of party, the interests, the advantages of this life--he
loves life to an erroneous extent, perhaps degenerates into a recluse,
shews a devoted attachment to the good things of this life and but little
for him who was the true friend as "the way, the truth, and the life."
4. INHABITIVENESS.--LOVE OF HOME.
Inhabitiveness is by many persons considered as a modification of the
preceding organ or of _Concentrativeness_: it can hardly be considered a
definite organ, or a distinct mental faculty: it is observed particularly
in the attachment of individuals to some particular spot,--their home,
country, or abode of those whom they love;--as the Swiss have been known
to pine for the mountain heights of their father land, or, as all men
desire their ashes to repose at the side of their dearest kin. Dr.
Spurzheim in his late work published in America is inclined to attribute a
more extensive sphere of action to this organ than can be yet decided; and
in fact, it is a decided manifestation of mental energy in many persons--a
dislike of change, especially of abode; a disinclination to travel, an
attachment to the place of birth, of long residence, or the spot where
life has been spent, leads many persons to live and die in the same spot
where their fathers lived and died before them;--it is this organ that
gives a _Home_ to Englishmen, _Home_, for which some languages have not
even an expression, _Home_, in defence of which, Englishmen have so
bravely fought, so nobly died. Many animals are attached to peculiar
situations, the chamois, on the Alpine cliff,--the eagle, soaring to his
eyrie,--and the beaver located by some unfrequented stream, give evidence
of a similar tendency.
The faculty when ABUSED, or allowed to be excessive leads to peculiarity
of disposition, an avoidance of strangers, a dislike to necessary duties
that interfere with domestic arrangements, nervous ideas, susceptibility
of insult, and in some cases, by the neglect of external objects, the mind
dwelling upon its own internal emotions only, has declined to monomania
or even temporary alienation.
5. COMBATIVENESS.
Combativeness is situated on each side of Philoprogenitiveness, a little
behind, and up from the ear; being the result of great mental energy, it
is indicative of physical courage; it enables an individual to contend
with difficulty and danger, prompts to repel whatever is inimical, and
opposed to his exertions. The instinctive tendency is doubtless to oppose,
and thus produce courage; in its lowest activity it leads simply to
resistance; in a higher degree to attack the measures, sentiments, or
opinions of others; it is generally more developed in men than in women,
although individual instances occur among women with this organ largely
developed: the name given to this faculty originally by Dr. Gall was,
"_the instinct of self defence, and defence of property_," but the
definition was regarded by Spurzheim as too limited; and its operation in
connection with other faculties is very extensive indeed--because
_courage_ when properly directed is useful to preserve the right, and Dr.
Johnson speaking of courage, says, "it is a quality so necessary for
maintaining virtue that it is respected even when associated with
vice."--On this account it lends _energy of character_, and is necessary
to all great actions; for even in the most virtuous designs, how
frequently is opposition manifested, which it requires every energy to
subdue; those who fight for virtue, require courage as much, or more than
those who fight for vice;--when this organ is deficient, the individual is
unfitted for the bustles and fatigues of active life, he shrinks from
hostility and from any course that opposes the feelings, the prejudices or
even the vices of human society. It is very powerful in combination,
lending its aid to the designs of a Howard, lending _energy_ to the
application of talent, or _courage_ to the opponent of sin;--the most
perfect and useful member of society, is formed by the full developement
of moral sentiments, due allowance of reflective power, and a stimulative
degree of this organ. Useful, however as it is, when well used, so is its
action dangerous when unchecked, and in abuse. It inspires a love of
contention, and controversy, so that the social hours become embittered by
strife; a tendency to anger and provocation by irritating conduct; to
rashness in designs from miscalculation of their effects. An individual
knowing this organ to be large, should always _think_ before he _acts_,
and always keep before him the illustrious example of _Him_, who "being
reviled, reviled not again."--The energy given him, should be employed
well, he should never "be weary of well doing," but remember that "the
fruit of the spirit, is love, joy, and peace."
6. DESTRUCTIVENESS.
The organ of destructiveness is immediately over the external opening of
the ear, being more or less forward as the developement is more or less
intellectual. The faculty is indispensable to all animals who live on
flesh, and it differs from the preceding organ in being more permanent.
Combativeness gives courage to meet danger, or oppose it without terror.
Destructiveness lends a _constant power_ of overcoming and destroying as
long as the object of opposition remains; its energy is thus a permanent
stimulus to exertion, so as to overcome whatever object is in view--if
learning, indefatigable perseverance; if riches, a constant plodding in
the pursuit; if virtue, a firm and unvarying opposition to the myriad
phases of sin. Combativeness is the _active_ momentary stimulus that
requires excitement. Destructiveness, the _passive_ energy that supports
continued exertion. The organ is thus valuable when rightly used, but
unfortunately it lends its energy to evil pursuits as well as good
ones--it is found in the hardened and unrepentant sinner, as well as in
the noble and energetic patriot; it is thus highly dangerous in persons
whose organization is not under the government of moral principle; a good
endowment is indispensable for a proper discharge of duty, as the sword,
the emblem of destructiveness is often combined with the scales of
justice, the one to measure the offence, the other to punish the
contemners of the law; those who have the organ small, are deficient of
energy, incapable of fighting with the turmoils of the world.--on the
other hand the abuse of it is recognised in petty tyranny, a desire to
trample on those beneath us; a carelessness to the happiness of others,
and a severity of punishment for the minutest fault; In common life we may
trace the operation of this faculty; a preacher, with the organ large and
benevolence small, would hold out the _threatenings_ of the Gospel, a
preacher of the opposite organization would dwell upon its _promise of
pardon_; the ill-treatment of animals and children, results from this
faculty, uncontrolled by moral sentiments; the crowds of ignorant persons
who assemble at bull-baits, cock fights, and other species of cruelty are
led to gratify the organ from a want of moral principle: the dreadful
practice of swearing, uttering threats of vengeance far beyond human
power, and calling down imprecations on the heads of others, arises from
the same cause, and how rarely are these seen (to any extent) in educated
society--where the energy of character has been directed by moral training
into useful channels;--The abuse of this organ is therefore to be
earnestly cautioned against, because, lending its energy to evil, it is
productive of the worst results. Destructiveness itself is rarely found as
a principle of destruction, but the various degrees of vice and crime are
often persevered in till they become more evil than this organ. A person
therefore should endeavour to break off rooted habits (if bad ones) by
directing the energy of the mind into other channels, they must walk in
the Spirit, and not fulfil the lusts of the flesh, knowing that, "they
that are Christ's crucify the flesh and the affections, and lusts that
belong to it." Let them put on the whole armour of God, so that they may
stand against the wiles of the devil, let them take the helmet of
salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD.
7. SECRETIVENESS.
This organ is situated immediately above Destructiveness, in the lateral
portion of the brain; when both organs are fully developed, it becomes
difficult without practice to distinguish them, it may therefore be
mentioned that Secretiveness is higher and more forward than the other. It
seems to result from some instinctive tendency existing in the mind, to
conceal from the public eye, its own emotions and ideas. It is essential
to a prudent character, for as Solomon says, "A fool uttereth all his
mind; but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards."--In the lower order
of animals the same faculty is termed _cunning_, and it not only aids them
in their pursuit of food, but also enables them to combat force by
prudence. It enforces a salutary restraint against undue manifestation of
other propensities which are best maintained within an individual's own
bosom, and it serves likewise to guard against the prying curiosity of
others; those persons in whom it is deficient are blunt and unrestrained
in their opinions, exhibit great want of tact in society, expressing their
sentiments without regard to propriety of time, or place, or person. When
properly employed, this organ tends to shew a reserved disposition, it
suspects the secret design of others, and exhibits the secrecy which is
indispensable to prudent conduct and success: a deficiency of this organ
is shown among tale bearers, gossips, and newsmongers, and to the want of
it some portion of scandal may be attributed. Secretiveness is necessary
for the confidence of friendship, it is an essential element of
politeness, much of which consists in avoiding the expression of what is
disagreeable. It is however liable to ABUSE, and then it leads to much
evil: a love for concealment, intrigue, cunning, and mystery in the
details of every day life; hypocrisy and dissimulation to hide what has
been done on the sly; persons with overweening _Self Esteem_ always
conceal their affairs from the eye of the world, are anxious to support
appearances, and maintain a fair character outwardly even if their private
acts are of the grossest kind; if associated with want of moral sentiment
it leads to lying and theft: it is often manifest to a surprising extent
among the insane. Persons having the organ large will do well to keep a
check upon any unnatural reserve: and they should always see that they do
nothing that requires concealment: if the organ _must be_ exercised, let
them lay up the word of God in their hearts which is the seed, that sown
in an honest and good heart, brings forth fruit to perfection.
8. ALIMENTIVENESS.
This organ is only a probable one: a love for food hardly appears to be a
natural function of the mind, and most of the known instances of enormous
appetite appear to have resulted from organic disease (in nearly every
instance that is quoted by Phrenologists.) There appears to be some
grounds for supposing that this part of the brain is connected with the
sensations of hunger and thirst, and perhaps also with the sense of
taste. Spurzheim says of it, "This organ though indicated by reason and
comparative anatomy, is merely probable and can be confirmed or rejected
like every other, according to direct observations alone, in comparing
cerebral developement to the special propensity. I possess many facts in
confirmation."
9. CONSTRUCTIVENESS, MECHANICAL SKILL.
It requires some little experience to tell the precise spot of this organ,
it is situated in the frontal bone above the spheno-temporal suture, but
its position varies with the developement; and it is somewhat covered by
the temporal muscle, so that it is difficult to judge except from
experience. Constructiveness is the application of the inventive faculty,
and since necessity is the mother of invention, Constructiveness is that
talent possessed by man for constructing and fabricating whatever his
wants or his desires may originate. It is this organ that is exercised by
the architect, the painter and the poet in refined life, by the artisan of
humble life, by the beaver in their huts, birds in their nests and even
spiders in their webs: it is a most valuable faculty: and to it we are
indebted for the ability to carry out what the mere intellectual faculties
have conceived: it depends for its value upon the organs wherewith it is
associated, with language and Ideality, it gives poetical ability; with
form, the art of sculpture; or with colour, painting--where the organ is
in excess it determines to ABUSE; such as, the attempting to do what an
acquaintance with philosophy would prove impossible; the construction of
ingenious, but useless or even mischievous articles; the application of
constructive ability in imitating valuables for base purposes; throwing
away great labour on articles of curiosity, and innumerable other ways in
which mis-application of ability is productive of injury: it should be
remembered that ability in any way is a talent, for us to improve against
the time when our Lord comes to require it of us, and we should remember
that misapplication will be a more serious fault, than that of the servant
who hid his lord's talent in a napkin, or of him who buried it in the
ground.
10. ACQUISITIVENESS.
This organ is situated at the inferior range of the parietal bone. The
faculty of the mind is a tendency to _acquire_ whatever is regarded
valuable and whether riches or learning or articles of vertu be the object
of acquisition, there appears to be little doubt, that such a faculty is
natural to the nature of man. Although such an instinctive desire presents
the aspect of meanness we must in some measure look at its effects; what
would England or any civilized country be, if there had never been a
desire for storing up the products of intellect and philosophy,--and the
wealth that enables England to send out millions in spreading the word of
God over a benighted and barbarous world?--If industry were to be limited
by present wants, man would always continue the creature of mere impulse;
it is the faculty of acquisitiveness that directs a systematic aim at
supplying the comforts and elegancies of life, and to this, accumulation
is necessary: when however the pursuit of wealth becomes the chief
business of life the moral sentiments are deadened, the intellect and the
nobler faculties of the mind become engrossed in a debasing pursuit, the
sympathy that characterizes a true christian is lost sight of. To provide
for immediate wants of ourselves and those dependant upon us, to furnish
the means of some repose for the body so as to enable the mind to enjoy
cultivation, and to provide for the education of offspring:--to give a
natural tendency for learning, for religious instruction, or the
acquisition of that knowledge which is power, may be set down as the
proper objects of this faculty: where the faculty of acquisitiveness is
unduly exercised, and the propensity to acquire is not balanced by
veneration and conscientiousness, the character is often influenced to
dishonesty. In ABUSE; a miserly hoarding and total neglect of charity is
evident, covetousness which St Paul condemns as idolatry, avarice and
selfishness, a total disregard of distress, of conscientious principle,
and of honour and duty are first and foremost;--from this organ, the weak
fall a prey to the strong, the poor to the avarice of the lovers of mammon
as they are called, that riches are valued more than public virtue or
private integrity--that riches are pursued to the total ruin of the
loftier principles of human nature, and to this prostitution of spirit and
of soul is owing the difficulty of a rich man's entering the kingdom of
heaven. If there be such an instinctive tendency of the human mind, no
better advice can ever be offered than that of the christian's pattern
"seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all other
things shall be added unto you." "For what shall it profit a man, if he
gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"--
Besides these organs of the propensities, phrenologists have imagined the
existence of a peculiar instinct termed _Vitativeness_, or love of life:
the fact is probable but requires much caution and much experience before
it can be definitely decided: the existence of a few isolated facts does
not necessarily include the whole human race as being like a few
individuals, and there is great necessity for not increasing the number of
organs without due confirmation, because the simplicity of arrangement and
the plainness of the science is thereby disturbed. Of this organ Spurzheim
says "I look for this organ at the basis, where the middle and posterior
lobes of the brain meet each other, at the internal border of
Combativeness."
DIVISION II. INTELLECTUAL AND PERCEPTIVE FACULTIES OF THE MIND.
11. LANGUAGE.