every community, that much of its intellectual and moral power is spent in resisting the advance of improvement. All persons hold some kind of ready-made opinions, on questions of moral and political philosophy. They may be totally unable to give any reason for the faith which is in them; they may not be able to explain, or even may not themselves clearly know, what their real opinions are: from extreme ignorance or defective capacity, they may be utterly incompetent to form a correct judgment; nevertheless, they will have some vague notions or feelings of their own, by which every proposition novel to themselves is at first to be tried, and is then to be received, doubted, or rejected, according as it may chance to chime in more or less harmoniously with opinions which they have earlier adopted. It is only in the minds of the young, which are still comparatively unoccupied, that we usually see any fair estimate of rival doctrines. The history of Phrenology itself affords an example of this. Few elderly persons have quietly allowed its progress, when the subject has been brought before them; fewer still have in any way assisted to advance it; almost none of such have made. themselves duly acquainted with its real merits. It is the young who have adopted the science; who have studied it; and who have exerted themselves to diffuse a knowledge of it. There are now excellent phrenologists advanced in years; but they are phrenologists of long standing, indeed, excellence implies this,who early imbibed the principles of their science. The difficulty of inducing persons to adopt ideas which may conflict with others before taken up, has become proverbial in the oftrepeated couplet, slightly altered here,— "A man convinced against his will Remains but half-converted still." Our comments upon this familiar topic may appear to be longer than needful. We dwell upon it, because the judgment of every person is influenced thus; and we are desirous of drawing especial attention to the circumstance, as one of the greatest difficulties with which all have to contend, who would either expound new views in moral science, or modify and correct older ones which they deem erroneous. Perhaps every reader will admit this tendency of his fellows to reject all propositions which are at variance with their pre-conceived notions; and, perhaps, at the same time-even for that sole reason-every reader will at first be inclined to dispute something that he may find in our pages. We can only beg of those who would do so, to take the course which we shall now recommend to them. Let us suppose one of our readers to have met with some statement or suggestion which appears not exactly conformable to his own opi nions. Either he or we must be in fault; but is it just in him to decide that we, and not he, must be so? We should rather say, let him first determine exactly (the better, if in form of written propositions) what are his own ideas on the subjectmatter, and what grounds he has for keeping to them. This done, he may examine whether there really exists any variance between his own and our conceptions. Supposing a discord actually existing, he may then consider whether he is able to prove his own views, and to show that ours are false or fallacious, either by a direct appeal to the realities of nature, or by fair inferences from undoubted facts. Some such process as this, carried on by the minds of persons who dispute each other's opinions, would no doubt often remove the obstacles to concord. Men will inevitably feel differently; but thoughts ought to be uniform, if such have been reached by a process of correct reasoning. For our own share, we can say to any of our readers inclined to disagree with us on ethical questions, that we shall be glad to offer them the opportunity of appealing through our pages to the same parties to whom our own remarks are addressed. We stipulate only that their grounds of dissent shall be based on something real and demonstrable to others, and not merely upon the egotistic arguments of "I think," or "I feel," which are often so freely used in moral discussions. Such are undoubtedly always very convincing reasons to the parties who do use them in the light of arguments; but there is no legitimate claim to force them upon others, either as argument or as demonstrative evidence. We do not here enter into detailed explanations as to what may be the proper objects and full scope of phrenological inquiries. That we esteem them most comprehensive will be evident from the tenor of our present allusions, and from the varied subjects treated of in former volumes. Our purpose just now is rather to indicate the direction which it is wished that our own labours should receive. The subjects to which they will relate will be in some measure apparent from the remarks already made; and the order of arrangement, in which it seems most convenient to introduce them, will be as follows: :- - Miscellaneous Papers Cases and Facts Notices of BooksShort Communications- Notes on Opinions - Intelligence. Although such may be taken as a general plan of arrangement, it may happen that examples of each of these sections will not be found in every successive Number of our Journal. They will appear rather from time to time, in accordance with the accumulation of our materials; and, though wishing to give a seasonable diversity to our matter, we shall be averse to the sacrifice of value or importance for the sake of variety alone. - The two first sections do not seem to require much explanation. They will be especially devoted to the elucidation and improvement of the science of Phrenology and its practical applications. But cases and papers relating to the structure and functions of the nervous system in general, whether in a state of health or disease, will not be considered as beyond our proper sphere; and disquisitions on ethical subjects, by others, will be held admissible, even when they are discussed without direct refer to organization; although we should certainly much prefer to have the physical conditions kept closely in view. In our "NOTICES OF BOOKS," we shall not hesitate to step beyond the range of phrenological literature, when works on any other subject will afford us the opportunity of illustrating some fact or principle of Phrenology, or for pointing out some useful application of the science. Comments upon works not written by phrenologists will thus from time to time find place here, especially if such works in any way relate to mental philosophy, or serve to illustrate the progress or peculiarities of mind. All works on the philosophy of mind, or on ethics, that may be sent to us for notice, shall be placed in the hands of persons whom we deem competent to express a correct and impartial opinion on their merits, and be noticed accordingly. We do not, let it he remembered, restrict ourselves to works which professedly adopt the cranioscopical department of phrenology, although the strictly phrenological treatises will be held entitled to earlier notice whenever a preference becomes unavoidable. The "SHORT COMMUNICATIONS" are designed to be a miscellaneous assemblage of such hints, suggestions, observations, criticisms, and prospective or retrospective notes, as occur to the minds of our correspondents, and which it may appear desirable to put on permanent record, or to bring into temporary notice, although singly too brief or too incomplete for putting forward in a more formal manner. To these we may add occasional extracts from published works, illustrative of mental philosophy. It is trusted that some useful ideas may thus be communicated from mind to mind, such as may at least have the good effect of stimulating readers to observe and investigate points which might not otherwise have obtained their attention. This section has already been introduced into some of our later Numbers; and referring to these for examples, we invite such communications from all quarters, expressed as briefly as possible; though without positively engaging to print everything that may be sent, lest the introduction of more important subjects should be thus interfered with. "NOTES ON OPINIONS" is the title adopted to express an occasional section, intended to receive quotations of such opinions put forth by writers, or current in society, as are connected with phrenology, or which may admit of illustration on phrenological grounds, whether by way of confirmation or refutation. If we reflect how greatly the current maxims and opinions of society have varied from age to age, and how utterly discordant with each other are the ideas and beliefs of men in our own day, in relation to subjects connected with mind and morals, there will seem to be ample ground here for the application of general reasoning and phrenological tests. And this will also be the proper section, under which to introduce any comments that we may deem it advisable to make upon isolated opinions put forth against phrenology. In reference to this section, we must forewarn our friends that it may be expected to consist chiefly of notes in dissent, notes of assent being seldom called for; and that when we select a particular passage from any work, in order to oppose or qualify an opinion of its author, the difference of our own, on a single point, must not be construed as implying any general censure or disrespect. Some persons are so wondrously sensitive, that if another differ from them in a single idea, they will instantly take fire at the supposed disrespect to their judgment; wholly overlooking ninety and nine other points in which there may be full concord. "INTELLIGENCE" will embrace miscellaneous notices respecting the diffusion of Phrenology, proceedings of Phrenological Societies, lectures, discussions, and any other local or personal news, touching the science or its supporters, or otherwise interesting to phrenologists. Obituaries, with brief biographical notices of persons who have been distinguished as phrenologists, will be acceptable records from those whose opportunities may enable them to draw up such notices with accuracy. We do not mean fulsome eulogies, but plain and matter-of-fact statements. It is usual for the editors of journals devoted to other subjects, thus to record the services of men who have attained to celebrity and usefulness in their own branches of science, and they who devote their time and talents to Phrenology are certainly entitled to the same respect. Moreover, a philosophical biography is a display of the mental qualities of the individual, and thus the shortest biographical notice ought in fact to be a phrenological analysis of character. As we are not possessed of the power of ubiquity, we must rely on the good-will of our correspondents for the chief supply of local and personal news. We have further to remind our friends, that a public journal of this description is necessarily the united work of several individuals; that no one person can be held answerable for the correctness of every alleged fact or opinion put forth in it; and still less can the general body of phrenologists be held thus responsible for its contents. Though we shall be averse to giving an editorial sanction to any of those peculiar and unsettled views likely to cause discord amongst phrenologists, properly so called, yet being supporters of John Bull's habitual demand for "fair play," we shall certainly not refuse to receive and print the opinions of our friends, merely because we ourselves, or some others, may happen to dissent therefrom. At the same time, we reserve the right of expressing our nonacquiescence in the views of any correspondent, in whatever form is agreeable to ourselves. Reference may be made to the "Notice to Correspondents," on the cover of this Number, for directions how to address communications to us; and we may at the same time request attention to the regulations there mentioned. We have entered thus far into explanations, in consequence of wishing this Journal to be viewed rather as the literary voice of phrenologists, than as a mere "speculation" on the part of its conductors; and we must yet advert to some private considerations, such as journalists do not usually intrude upon the public, but which we have felt called upon to mention in two or three former Numbers, to account for alleged defects in our publication. The peculiar position of Phrenology, as a very controversial subject, and one which is only now beginning to receive the countenance of the "Great in Science and Literature," has hitherto been a serious impediment to the circulation of this Journal. For many years it was carried on at a considerable pecuniary loss annually, and a debt has thus accumulated which there is very small prospect of discharging. The proprietors of the Work preferred to suffer this pecuniary loss, rather than to cease a publication which they esteemed — and undoubtedly with correctness- of much benefit to the cause of Phrenology. The circulation has latterly much increased; but on account of the debt above alluded to, there can be no probability of any pecuniary advantage to the parties now engaged in conducting the Work, and responsible for its expences. We make this explanation, in order that our own motives may not be misconstrued, when we earnestly call on our well-wishers to assist the circulation of this Journal by all proper means in their power. If we devote our time to it without remuneration, and take upon ourselves all the pecuniary risks and liabilities, from a sincere conviction of the vast importance of the science advocated, and the beneficial consequences to mankind ultimately to result from its diffusion, we may certainly expect to be acquitted of merely selfish motives, while urging phrenologists to exert themselves in giving effect to our labours, by aiding to diffuse |