he was prevailed upon to consent to do that which a short time previously he would have spurned with horror. They went to the house agreed to, and by some unforeseen occurrence, they were frustrated in their undertaking and he was seized to suffer for the whole. He was shortly afterwards tried, and notwithstanding the good character which his late employer gave him (but which he now found to be useless) he was transported for his first and only theft, or rather attempt at one. After this William neglected his labour. He was ashamed to speak to his neighbours. When he resumed his labour, it was not with such fervour as he was once wont to do. He did not join in the laugh which his fellow-workmen created, he shunned their jollity, and when evening arrived, he would return to his once happy home, but which had become as an asylum to him. A short time after the son's departure, a young man came to reside in the same neighbourhood as William. He previously had a slight acquaintance with him which he now renewed, but it was perceptible what his reasons were, for so doing. William's daughter was possessed of every thing which adorns a female, beauty, gracefulness, and above all a kind heart. Scarce an evening but she would be seen sitting at her father's fire, listening very attentively to what her father's acquaintance would say. When this young man had been residing near William some five or six months, he departed to see, as he stated, an aunt who was then on her death bed, and by whose decease he expected to inherit a small income. Where she resided he forgot to mention. He had been gone scarcely a month when the rose which was once so fresh on the girl's tender cheeks grew pale, her whole frame seemed to be labouring under some malady, and she seldom or ever appeared outside of the house. At this period she received a letter from her admirer, the contents of which she let no person know. A day or two after she had received the letter, she retired to her bed, from whence she never arose. It was supposed that this acquaintance, previous to his departure, had, under the promise of marriage deprived her of her virtue, and that the letter which he sent her, was a refusal of that which he had promised. Whatever the contents were, she took them deeply to heart, and in a month after receiving the letter, she was added to the long number of the dead. Thus the parents' fond hopes were for ever blasted, the pride which they once had in their children was for ever laid low. The remainder of their days were a burthen to them. They grew wearied of their life. Their house, which they once took a delight in keeping clean, soon grew as dirty as the meanest hovel. The neighbours who once had pleasure while in their company, shunned their presence, and they were left to pass the remainder of their days in wretchedness and obscurity, until that seldom welcome messenger Death arrived, and put an end to their sufferings. They both died on the same day. They were placed side by side in the same coffin, and deposited in a corner of the old Church yard. No mourners followed to their last abode two as kind hearts as ever occupied a mortal tenement. A B C.

THE SONGS OF CHARLES DIBDEN. Who has not heard of Dibdin, the author of twelve hundred songs s? Who has not heard of the name associated with all that is patriotic and tender in the lyrical compositions of Great Britain, but particularly with the "jolly blue jackets" and "the wooden walls of Old England"? In the work now current we are to have not only all the fine old sea-songs of this extraordinary lyrist, but all his songs of every description.-Albion.

INSTITUTIONS.

MECHANIC'S, MOUNT STREET.

On Saturday, November 6, J. S. Knowles, Esq., delivered the fourth of his course of Lectures on the Drama, at this Institution. "Dramatic critics are constantly advancing opinions as to the grand ingredient, which determines the effect of the play, without considering that effect is made up of several ingredients, and not depending upon any particular one. It has been considered that the perfection of the plot is the grand requisite of a drama; now we have many effective plays, the plots of which are by no means powerful. For instance, Shakspere's tragedy of Julius Cæsar is but a link of incidentsthe interest may be said to have finished at the termination of the fourth act; and yet how much is said of the manly patriotism of Brutus, compared with our imperfect history of that man. How much advantage has the dramatist over the historian-history merely informs you that Brutus lived, did such and such actions, and died-but the dramatist sets him before you, shows you those actions, places before your eye those patriotic feelings; and many who have never before read a page of history, have been led to that knowledge, and become able historians, merely from the interest caused by the representations of such dramas." The lecturer recited with his usual correctness, some of the principal passages from Hamlet, and next proceeded to point out the source of failure in dramatic composition; remarking "That those authors, whose works have the stamp of genius, will be found to have written for their own amusement only, without any view of aggrandizement,-while the principal authors of these days, are desirous of displaying their own greatness, without one spark of natural genius. Such call themselves also critics, although they are merely able to look at the surface of language, and as it appears, so they call it-they admire Shakspere, and yet condemn all those who make use of housewords, forgetting that that poet is remarkable for his liberal use of them. A large number of monosyllables in a sentence they also style poor language; we beg to refer them to Milton's works, wherein they will find that his most beautiful sentences are composed principally of monosyllables; an example also may be seen in that beautiful poem, first brought into notice by Lord Byron, called "The burial of Sir John Moore," and many others.

On Wednesday, November 10th, J. S. Knowles, Esq. delivered the fifth of his course of Lectures on the Drama, at this Institution.

'In the reading of a novel, what account do we take of time and place, and yet the novel and the drama are but two different ways of presenting the same thing. We become acquainted with our hero, while yet a boy, when ten to one he falls head and ears in love, you become his confidant and are made the receptacle of all his woes, he makes you his companion, and some hundreds of miles are passed by his side; thus ten, twenty or thirty years fly over our heads between breakfast time to-day and dinner to-morrow, the space occupied by reading the novel. In painting, the same holds good,—if we peruse Hogarth's twelve pictures of the Idle and Industrious Apprentice, we find the one raised to the high station of Lord Mayor of London, and the other proceeding to his last account-hanged at Tyburn. We may pass it over in an hour or halfan-hour, or a minute, and yet we have proceeded through the space of a life. Now the drama is the same,-the difference being that pictures are of flesh and blood; and the great beauty in an actor is to appear as if it were reality. The Coriolanus of John Kemble was as near to life as any thing could be. Poetry is the same, it

is found in nature, for art never made a poet, it might improve one, but it cannot make one, it may-and it does often, spoil one. I have often heard it asserted, that the statue of a man was the great essential of an actor; that a good figure is a great point in an actor no one will or dare dispute, but that it is the principal essential, none but a child who looks at the surface would assert." The lecturer next proceeded to sketch the career of an actor, who, from his being only five feet four inches, was destined to occupy one-half of his life in a provincial company; and when at last he did succeed in getting an engagement, the manager would have recalled his word upon seeing his diminutive size. When the night arrived, even the actors themselves laughed at his attempts to appear before a London audience. His reception was as might be expected, scorn from every eye, and laughter from many, but great was the surprise when his mouth was opened, and his audience heard his astonishing eloquence-the applause was such few had before witnessed when the curtain fell on the Shylock of the late Edmond Kean.

LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC AND COMMERCIAL

INSTITUTION, ST. ANNE STREET.

Last evening Mr. Thomas Venables delivered a Lecture at this Institution on the subject of English Minstrelsy. In the course of his lecture he gave an interesting outline of the history of the rise, progress and decline of the minstrels, and anecdotes of our early monarchs. The lecture was illustrated with Songs, Duetts, Trios, &c., and a variety of ancient English National Airs, sung in a sweet manner by Miss Sarah Venables and several gentlemen Amateurs. which was select, seemed highly gratified.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

A CHILD'S DEATH BED.

The audience,

She breathed not a sigh-not a word did she speak
As the spirit of death passed o'er her;
But a brilliant flush lit her cold palid cheek,
As she smiled on those kneeling before her.

Her white hands were raised toward heaven in prayer,
Her lips gently moved in devotions:

And scarce could you tell that the spirit was there,-
So slight was that young heart's emotions.

Her blue eye once bright, was now dim with a tear;
She gazed calmly and sweetly around her :

But none could have deemed that death was so near-
So mildly his fetters had bound her.

Each small hand was clasped in her parents', who kneeling,
Strove vainly their grief to repress;

But down whose worn cheeks, fast and silently stealing;
Were tokens of bitter distress.

Not a feature was changed-but a heavenly smile
On the sufferer's lips seemed to play,
As her gaze fondly turned on her parents awhile,
Ere her spirit would speed on its way.

That lovely child died, and returned to its God;
The spirit that he had not given
But lent, till released from mortality's sod,
It winged its bright flight up to heaven.

H. R.

VERSES.

ON A CORNELIAN HEART.

Gift of her who now lies colder

Than the marble o'er her head:
Pledge of love-returned-oft told her-
Now, alas! for ever fled.

She, like thee, was pure and simple;

Naught of folly there to trace ;Native smiles of peace would dimple

In maiden blushes o'er her face, When 'gainst my heart I fond caress'd herShe who ne'er again can know What then I felt-as there I press'd her, Or now she's fled-my weight of woe. Then come, thou little heart, unheeding, Like to her's-now silent grown: Let me now, chill mem'ry feeding, Paint each virtue-once her own.

INSTITUTIONS.

LECTURES FOR THE WEEK.

MECHANICS', MOUNT STREET.

R. C.

This day, (Saturday) November 13th, J. S. Knowles', Esq. sixth and last lecture on the Drama.

Wednesday, 17th, the first of a course of four lectures on Magnetism and Electricity, by John Murray, F.S.A., F.L.S.

JUNIOR LITERARY & PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, 8, TRAFALGAR ST., RUSSELL ST. Tuesday, November 16th, Private business of the Society. LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC, AND COMMERCIAL, 58, ST. ANNE STREET.

Mr. Venables will deliver his third lecture on Friday, the 26th.

NORTHERN MECHANICS'.

This Evening, an Attractive Concert, Recitations, &c.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

J. J. B. is not aware of the difficulties under which we frequently labor, or he would make allowance for the typographical errors of which he complaius. Owing to a press of other work, it frequently happens that we are driven late with our Journal, and have not a proof ready for reading until near midnight on the Friday evening. He may easily imagine that we are then compelled to make our corrections hastily, and that amid the variety of interruptions to which we are subject, errors of various kinds, sometimes may pass unnoticed. If he ask "why do we not, on such occasions, procure additional assistance?" we answer, that to make this work remunerating it is necessary to use the utmost economy. We are, nevertheless, obliged to him for the censure he has bestowed, because he is evidently influenced by a friendly motive.

T. D. W. ought to pre-pay his notes-in future we shall refuse all communications which are not pre-paid; we have no objection to insert questions and answers relative to abstruse points of science.

Beta's letter on "Hours of Business," will appear in our eighth number.

Price of this paper, twopence per week, or two shillings per quarter in advance. Liverpool:-Printed at HUGH GAWTHROP's General Printing Office, Clarence Buildings, 34, North John-street. Published by CHARLES DAVIES, 32, North John Street.

No. 8.

PHRENOLOGY.

IS IT A DANGEROUS SCIENCE? DOES IT LEAD TO MATERIALISM? IS IT A USEFUL SCIENCE?

Let us first fearlessly examine the claims which Phrenology has upon our attention, and the grounds for supposing that there be any truth in it.

We all know that the brain is the seat of the intellect; of this there cannot be a shadow of a doubt, since experience teaches us that all persons born without brains are idiots. It is not to Phrenology that we are indebted for this discovery-this has long been known. The doctrine of phrenologists is that different parts of the brain have different functions—that a particular quantity of brain situated behind the head operates very differently, and produces very different results to the same quantity of brain situated at the front of the head; they tell you to examine for yourselves and see if it be not so. By further observation, they have found that different individuals whose heads have been full at one particular part, have been remarkable for the similarity of their capacities in a certain way. Persons with protruding eyes are able to learn off quickly or speak fluently-persons with eyes deeply sunk in their heads find a difficulty in expressing their thoughts-persons broad at the bridge of the nose and immediately above, can remember features very well-those full above the ears are cruel -those who are high at the crown of the head possess great self-esteem, and so on. Now the only question we have first to answer is, Are these observations correct, not merely in a few instances, but in all? If it be true in all, sneering against the science will not overthrow it-if it be not, it cannot stand the test of trial. But it has stood the test of trial, and so well authenticated are the facts in favor of Phrenology that converts to the belief of its truth are daily being made. Mesmerism, on the contrary, though for a-while the subject was thought worthy the attention of the learned, was soon discovered to be an imposture, because the magnetiser can only work his wonders on the persons of his hired attendants. His experiments on the public are failures, and there is every reason for supposing that the french young gentleman and english goung lady are clever, hardened actors, trained to suffer much without expressing the symptoms of pain.

1841

The phrenologist will stake his reputation upon the correctness of his judgment of natural character, from observing the developments on the heads of persons with whom he has never before been in company.

From the proofs of the truth of phrenology which we have frequently witnessed, we have no hesitation in expressing our opinion of its truth. To mention what those proofs are would occupy too much space at present, we may, perhaps, in some future number, dwell at greater length on the subject of this essay. We will now ask what are the inferences to be drawn from the science, and to what end does the study of it lead? Different men have, of course, different opinions, therefore the inferences some men may draw from the study of the science ought never to induce one absurdly to deny the truth of the brain being the organ of the mind. It is foolish to deny that the intellect is dependent upon the brain because the knowledge of this fact has caused some men to be materialists. To deny the truth is in our opinion as injurious as the error to which that truth sometimes leads. It has the effect of more firmly establishing the error, for who can reasonably expect that errors can be exploded by first waging war against the truth? logy had the same kind of opponents as phrenology has, because, when in its infancy, many thought that the science would ultimately invalidate the scriptures, by revealing inconsistencies with the Mosaic account of the creation. For our part we firmly believe, that the better it is known the more it will be found to corroborate that account. One of the most celebrated geologists of the present day, states that his researches convince him more and more of the truth of the scriptures. Some contend that the appearance of man upon the face of the globe is, geologically speaking, a very recent event, and that the earth had previously been inhabited by various families of plants and tribes of animals. "Though it could be proved to a demonstration that the materials of which the present system of our globe is composed, have existed for millions of years, it would not in the least invalidate the Mosaic account of the arrangement of our world. For Moses nowhere affirms that the materials or substance of the earth were created, or brought into existence from nothing, at the period when his history commences. His language on the contrary evidently implies that

the materials which enter into the composition of our globe, did exist at the epoch at which he commences his narration. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep." This proves that the atoms of which the world is composed, were then in existence: how long they had been so is not stated.

But we are digressing too far from our subject; we have been led to make these remarks because there is some similarity between the objections made against phrenology now, and those which used to be made against geology, and we wish to show how the arguments against the latter have been confuted.

It has frequently been asserted by the enemies of Phrenological science that the study leads to Materialism. Let us enquire how far there is just ground for such apprehensions. It is the opinion of Materialists that man is only a superior animal and has no more reason to look for futurity than any of the brute creation that his superiority over the other animals is only owing to his possessing more brainthat he is in short the head of the monkey tribe, for all animals display a rationality in proportion to the quantity of brain they possess. In vain do we argue in opposition that man has language, it is well known that many animals can make themselves understood by there own species, and it may be said that man has only carried language to a higher degree of perfection; some may contradict the assertion of brutes having the power to reason and attribute all their sagacity to instinct, but they must not forget that in doing so they deny reason to man, for there are only the same proofs of the one having reason as there are for the other; there are many anecdotes told of animals, which clearly prove their power of reasoning. We will give one or two. J. M. had a dog which was remarkable for its great sagacity-this dog was taught by some boys in the neighbourhood to steal, and so apt a pupil did they find it that in a short time they could make him understand the slightest hint. One day they saw a woman with a shoulder of lamb, they hinted to the dog to steal it, the dog followed the woman home, crept in at the door along with her, and the moment the lamb was out of her hands, the dog seized it, made its escape and ran to an old boat, which was the hiding place of these boys, who used to kindle a fire and cook whatever they thus obtained. At other times they sent it to steal herrings out of cellars, &c. which feats it used to perform by the display of a quick understanding. The following anecdote is more surprising. A cat had been brought up in a house with a canary bird, the instinct of the cat would have led it to des

troy the bird, but it had been taught not to hurt it. They lived together for some months. One day the family to whom they belonged were surprised at seeing the cat spring up, seize the bird in its jaws, and run away with it. They could not at first account for this act, but on looking round they saw a strange cat present which was crouching down, and in another moment would, in all probability, have put an end to the bird's existence. When this cat went away, the other returned with the bird and let it go again uninjured. We mention these instances because they are new, and not because they are the most striking examples. Do not these facts prove the capability of the inferior race of animals to reason-do they not prove them to have both judgment and memory? It is a positive fact that all animals show a degree of rationality in proportion to the height of their foreheads. Then how are the arguments of those philosophers to be confuted, who say that man is the head of the monkey race, and who believe in materialism? Phrenology tends to overthrow the reasonings of these philosophers; phrenology strengthens the conviction of a future existence. By examining the skulls of all races of animals except the human race, phrenologists find that though their brains correspond with ours in a great measure, yet they do not possess those organs which lead them either to venerate a deity to hope for a future being. Man does possess these two organs, and that is the reason why men in all ages and in all countries, from the most civilized to the most barbarous, those who have had the Gospel preached to them and those who never had an opportunity of knowing the true God, have always been in the habit of praying and have always had some notion of a life beyond the grave. Some nations among the savages have thought that men after death changed to stars, some to beasts, &c. Now God has never created any thing in vain, and the conclusion to which we come is that as we have organs which not only lead but even compel us to worship a deity and to hope for a life hereafter, that there is both a God and a future state. The scriptures then are a light to direct our hope and veneration in a right direction. The inferences we draw from Phrenology and from the study of human nature are, that man is the creature of circumstances and of organization, according to his organization so is his will, according to his circumstances so are his actions; and will any one who has been accostomed to reflection deny that there is truth in this? Is it to be supposed that two children born with exactly the same organization but the one educated by vice, the other by virtue, should both conduct themselves with equal propriety? or

one born of Mohammedan parents, the other of Christian, that when they come to years of discretion, they would both be of the same religion? Experience But let us not be daily teaches us the contrary. misunderstood, we do not hold the opinion that man ought, therefore, to be an irresponsible being, or think that he possesses no control whatever over his actions. Those who wish to enquire further into this subject, may refer to Combe's excellent work on the Constitution of Man.

a

We are not aware that these views are, as some suppose, at all contrary to scripture. Many portions of the scriptures have been quoted in support of the truth of phrenology, and if other portions seem to be contradictory, we had better take the advice of Butler who in his anology of Religion says,-" If in revelation there be found any passage the seeming meaning of which is contrary to natural religion, we may most certainly conclude such seeming meaning not to be the real one." Solomon says you may tell man by his countenance. Aristotle, Cicero, and Leibintz and many other ancient and modern writers have said the same. Some discountenance the study of Phrenology not because it is not true, but because they think it useless,-reason teaches that no truth is useless or dangerous. "Jesus, the son of Sirach, long ago said we ought not to demand what is this good for? the usefulness of every thing will be known in its due time." Malebranche says "None but the ignorant, superstitious and hypocritical, condemn what they do not understand."

LECTURES.

Lectures are the means of conveying information to the public in an extremely popular manner, and have consequently been very instrumental in advancing the progress of knowledge amongst the millions. By means of Lectures very much valuable information has been disseminated in a concise, impressive, and pleasing form; very much information which most persons would never have taken the trouble to acquire has been diffused, and a stimulus has been given to many to extend their knowledge beyond the mere outline to which lectures are generally confined.

It is no wonder that persons in general would rather receive instruction through the medium of lectures than by going through a course of reading in their closets, for independent of the animated scene, which a lecture room often presents and which is of itself pleasing and exciting; independent of the less amount of trouble required to listen than to read, which would be a great object with some; independent of these important considerations the lecturer is frequently able to give as much information in one or two lectures, by familiar explanations and condensing into

a small compass the most valuable portions of the best authors on his subject, than could be acquired by a general reader in the course of a long laborious study. The pleasing and improving effect of illustrations is a great argument in favor of lectures. A picture or an experiment, while they invariably interest, oftentimes in a single moment give the beholder a clear conception of some most important truth, which otherwise he might not have seen without a long and tiresome explanation, or perhaps might never properly be brought to understand. There is one drawback from the pleasure and profit to be derived from lectures. We allude to the circumstance, which but too often happens, of the lecturer's defective mode of delivery. If lecturers would but pay more attention to this portion of their duty lectures would soon become a more popular medium for receiving instruction than they even are at present.

TEMPER.

Very few blessings with which the most favored mortals are gifted can be placed in comparison with the possession of an amiable temper. The man so gifted sees with different eyes, and hears with different ears to the one who is of an unamiable disposition. The latter finds fault with all that he sees, and gives an unfavourable construction to all that he hears, thereby making himself and every one about him miserable. The former on the contrary finds something to admire in what his eye rests upon, and extracts the poison from the malignant representations which have a tendency to hurt another man's feelings or character. When we are in mixed company and hear a bad-tempered person railing in violent language at one who has accidentally put him out of humour and see the contagion spreading quickly around, clouds of dissention gathering with fearful rapidity, and a storm evidently about to burst, oh, how sweet then it is to see one present whose happy temper remains unruffled, who by mild expostulations and by calm reasoning dispels all appearance of angry feeling, and restores peace and sunshine into the little assembly, Happy it is for society that while there are a great many bad tempers in the world there are a great many good ones also, and that so often as the former are at enmity with each other and with all the world " sowing destruction and casting arrows, firebrands and death," the latter are continually acting as peacemakers, and by their unassuming and gentle conduct effectually working their way into the esteem and affection of those associated with them. The amiable are the preservers of tranquillity. Let every one ask himself the question, who is the more deserving our esteem, he who creates a disturbance or he who quells one? Who is the happier, he who is unreasonably dissatisfied at all he comes in contact with, or he who looks at the bright side of every thing and loves to dwell on its beauties and merits? he who frowns or he who smiles? As happiness is one of the grand objects at which we all aim, let us be vigilent in guarding our tempers.