society, as well as to those who have given lectures, were agreed upon; after which, the officers of the Society for the ensuing year were elected. Mr. Lomas was chosen president of the Society, Mr. James Livesey, secretary, Mr. Dobson, treasurer, and Mr. Myles Pennington, curator. The following gentlemen were elected members of the council:- Messrs. Corless, Kenyon, Halsall, Harris, Thomas, M'Arthur, Jackson, Pollard, and Breakell.Preston Chronicle, May 18.

Cambridge. An interesting debate took place at the Union Society, last evening, on the question, "Is Phrenology a science worthy of our belief?" There were five speakers in the affirmative, and three in the negative; each side maintained its argument with considerable ability and much wit, but to a Phrenologist, it was very apparent that the want of knowledge of the subject on the part of the opponents of Phrenology, was but ill supplied by their greater share of humour. The discussion lasted for above two hours, when the question was put to a division, the numbers being twentytwo in the affirmative and seven in the negative. The Phrenological Journal is regularly taken in by the Reading Room of the Society; it has also, during the present month, been voted (not without opposition) into the Mechanics' Institute, which consists principally of townspeople. lecturer on Phrenology is wanted to give an impulse to the spirit of inquiry which is thus gradually working its own way amongst the members of this University. A Correspondent, Feb. 27. 1839.

An able

Mr. Simpson's Lectures on Education, in London.-In May last, Mr. James Simpson delivered a course of six lectures on Education, at Willis's Rooms, and repeated the course, as evening lectures, at the City of London Literary Institution. The average attendance did not exceed two hundred, but many of those present at Willis's Rooms were persons of much influence, either in particular côteries, or in society at large; and although it is commonly said that the English clergy are hostile to any liberal or rational plan of education, the presence of the Bishops of Durham and Norwich, `and other churchmen, would seem to indicate that any such hostility does not include the whole clergy. Mr. Simpson kept up the interest and attention of his hearers with great skill; the last lecture in particular was highly effective. On conclusion of the course at Willis's Rooms, a vote of thanks to the lecturer, for his exertions in the cause of Education, during several years, was proposed by Mr. Wyse, M. P., in a suitable address, seconded by Sir John Boileau, Bart., and cordially responded to by the audience. A handsome piece of platea silver salver, in value between one and two hundred guineas, was afterwards presented to him by the subscription of members of his committees and general audience. We should have made a fuller report of these lectures, and the proceedings arising out of their delivery, were it not that Mr. Simpson desires them to be regarded in the light of lectures on general education (as they really were), and not on phrenological education : hence any report of them would be rather out of place here. We were glad to hear Mr. Simpson give a tribute of approbation to our science, though it would have been more acceptable if given boldly to Phrenology, instead of being given to the " Physiology of the Brain," a form of expression not intelligible to such of his audience as were ignorant of the department of science intended by the allusion. We trust that Mr. Simpson, now his attention has been called to the subject, will in future courses of lectures clearly explain that the list of mental faculties given in his Syllabus, and copiously illustrated from the writings of phrenologists, has been obtained from Phrenology, and exists in none other but the phrenological works, and that to the discoveries of Gall and Spurzheim he is indebted for the list. We do not deem it incumbent on Mr. Simpson or any other phrenologist,

while lecturing on another topic, to be continually telling his hearers that he is one of that fraternity; but that which he borrows from phrenological works, and which nowhere else exists, should undoubtedly be assigned explicitly to its owners. We do not ask him to eulogise Phrenology, but to render to Cæsar that which is truly Cæsar's, by a simple statement of the fact, that it is Cæsar's. Mr. Simpson has been too long and too zealous a supporter of Phrenology, for any one to question his good-will and sincerity in its cause; but we may be allowed thus to express an opinon on the method, without in any way doubting the good motives of Mr. Simpson. We sincerely believe that he will ultimately find it sound judgment and policy, as much as possible to let the claims of his views to attention, rest on a phrenological basis. It is the only way of demonstrating their soundness, and showing them to result from knowledge, not blind opinion; and in taking this ground, he stands forward as the public expounder of views backed by a class of persons, if individually not of much power, yet still influential by their numbers, activity, enthusiasm, and intelligence, and rapidly increasing in strength in all these points. They are the phrenologists who lend their shoulders to Mr. Simpson, who procure him his large audiences, and who create for him his power of doing good, to a much greater extent than is effectedby another class of occasional supporters, whose motives are different. Perhaps the best proof we can give our readers, of the value we (individually) attach to Mr. Simpson's exertions, is the fact, that being in the country, fifteen miles from town, we nevertheless made a point of hearing Mr. Simpson, though returning immediately after each lecture, and thus travelling nearly two hundred miles for the purpose of attending the six lectures.

Phrenological Lectures and Discussions. We have not heard of many phrenological lectures during the past quarter. Mr. Barber, of the United States, gave a course of twelve lectures in Greenock, in April, a report of which, at the request of a correspondent, we copy from a newspaper, in the next paragraph. In the early part of the same month, Mr. Hewett Watson gave six lectures, in the theatre at Warrington-metamorphosed into a "Lecture Hall to humour the conscientious scruples of those, who object to sitting in a theatre. Audience at first about one hundred, gradually increasing to two hundred. It may be worth while to mention, as a hint to others, that the "Lecture Society" of Warrington deemed the subject of Phrenology not sufficiently popular to authorize the risk of engaging a lecturer. In consequence, the Phrenological Society hired the Lecture Hall, and took on itself the whole expences, which were more than repaid by the sale of tickets. On April 2d, Mr. Meymott delivered a lecture in defence of Phrenology, at the Dover Philosophical Institution, in reply to a lecture against the science by Mr. O'Callaghan. Mr. Logan has also lately been busy in Kent, as stated in a paragraph below. On the 9th of April, the Rev. S. Hunter read a paper, against the science, before the members of the Wolverhampton Literary and Philosophical Society. A discussion also took place at the Doncaster Lyceum, in February; Mr. Morey, surgeon, bringing forward the usual worn-out arguments of the frontal sinus, temporal muscle, &c., in which he was supported by the Rev. Mr Brooksbank, of Tickhill. In February and March, Mr. R. Beamish, F.R.S., gave a series of lectures on the application of Phrenology to Education, in the Town Hall, Buckingham, which (judging by the reports in the Bucks Herald) made a most favourable impression on the audience.

Mr. Barber's Lectures in Greenock. On Friday evening Mr. Barber concluded an interesting course of twelve lectures on Phrenology_to_a numerous class. The lecturer possesses, in an eminent degree, all the requisites of an efficient teacher. Combined with a thorough knowledge of

his subject, he obviously entertains a deep feeling of the truth and importance of the system, which gave an earnestness and force to his prelections, and added largely to their charms. He is gifted with reasoning powers of a high order, which enables him to discriminate between the specific actions of these different faculties with remarkable acuteness, as well as to indicate, with great precision, the extent and mode in which the different faculties aided or modified and controlled the operation of each other. His felicity of expression, and intimate and extensive acquaintance with our standard literature, afforded him a medium of communicating his views to his audience, which has never been surpassed by any lecturer to whom it has been our fortune to listen. His elocution also was faultless, and his management of a voice, naturally silver-toned, and of considerable compass, left nothing to be desired to complete the charm. His masterly refutation of the objections that have been brought against Phrenology, were only equalled by his distinct and satisfactory exposition of the principles of the science which he taught. He was listened to throughout with the most gratifying attention, and, at the close, a vote of thanks, moved by the Rev. Mr. Gilmour, and seconded by Baillie M'Callum, was carried with an enthusiasm that could not fail to convince Mr. Barber of the estimation in which his prelections were held by those who have had the advantage of them, as well as of the respect in which he was held personally. This course has done much to rouse the attention of our townsmen to an inquiry, yielding to none of the present day in interest and importance; and in order to assist in gratifying still further the feeling which he has excited, Mr. Barber has, we understand, with great kindness and generosity, transferred his excellent and well-selected collection of casts to the Managers of our Mechanics' Institution, by which a valuable auxiliary has been secured to such of our townsmen as may desire to prosecute the investigation of the system. - Greenock Advertiser, April 23d.

Mr. Logan's Lectures in Kent. At the Sheerness Mechanics' Institution, on Wednesday evening, Mr. S. Logan concluded a course of lectures on the application of Phrenology to education, insanity, and social intercourse. The lectures throughout were attended by a numerous and attentive audience. - Since the lectures delivered at this institution by Mr. Logan, last summer, phrenology has made rapid progress here, and seems to be a general topic of conversation. Chatham Telegraph.

At the Chatham and Rochester Mechanics' Institution, on Thursday evening last, Mr. S. Logan, of the London Phrenological Society, delivered a lecture on Phrenology. The lecture was illustrated by a large collection of casts, skulls, and beautifully executed diagrams of the brain. The lecturer commenced by explaining the various systems promulgated by the ancients for ascertaining the mental capabilities of man, exhibiting their fallacy, and their contradiction of the laws of nature. After demonstrating the error of Camper's facial angle, and various other theories, the lecturer proceeded to show the principles upon which Phrenology is based, illustrating his position by numerous examples, and more particularly the fourth principle of Phrenology, viz., that by the external form of the head we are enabled to ascertain the character of the individual: this he happily illustrated by exhibiting the skulls of persons who had rendered themselves notorious by their actions, more particularly the skull of a person which had been sent from the Chatham Philosophical Institution to the Phrenological Society of London, to ascertain if the character could be inferred from the form of the skull; and stating that the character returned by Dr. Elliotson, the President, was in strict accordance with the known habits and disposition of the individual. He concluded by deprecating the practice of ridiculing the science without testing its truth by inquiry. The lecturer

was listened to with the greatest attention by a most numerous and respectable audience, who retired apparently highly gratified at the lecturer's lucid and eloquent explanation of the science. Chatham Telegraph, June 8.

Phrenology in Cornwall. The purpose for which I write, is to acquaint you with the progress of Phrenology in this remote part of the kingdom; and from the lively interest you take in the science, doubtless you are ever anxious to receive such information. About two years since, a surgeon gave a lecture at Falmouth, and about the same time another gentleman, of the same profession, lectured twice at Truro. In January last, I spoke on the subject, for about two hours, before the Literary Institution, at St. Austell. The doors were open for the admission of the public also, upon payment of sixpence each person to the funds of the Institution, and about a hundred and fifty assembled. An account of this meeting appeared in the Cornish newspapers. A discussion followed my exposition of the outlines of the science, in which Mr. J. H. Drew (eldest son of the late Author of "An Essay on the Immortality of the Soul") took a prominent part; and at the conclusion of the discussion, he stated that several of the objections arising in his mind had been removed. While this spoke candour on his part, it also acknowledges the force of truth. — Mr. T. W. P. Taylder (Penzance, June 8.).

Dr. Voisin's "Orthophrenic Lectures.” — Dr. Voisin, of Vanvres, near Paris, accompanied by M. Merle, has been lecturing in London and other English towns, apparently for the purpose of advertising an institution with which he is connected in France, and which he designates Etablissement Orthophrenique. The object of this institution is stated to be the education or management of persons requiring especial attention on account of mental weakness, vicious habits, peculiarity of mental endowments, or hereditary predisposition to insanity. Having seen his printed advertisements only, we cannot say any thing either in recommendation of his scheme or in objection to it; though we are at a loss to conceive what becomes of his Model Establishment at Vanvres, and of his Orthophrenic Establishment at Grenelle, whilst he and his "colleague" in the latter are making a tour of orthophrenic lecturing, in this country.

Phrenological Advertisements. If the advertisements of phrenological manipulators may be taken as any test of the condition of the public mind, in reference to Phrenology, we must pronounce an egotistical curiosity to be enormously predominant over good sense in the mind of that august body

the said public. The following exquisite specimen of composition and philosophy lately appeared as an advertisement in The Argus and other London papers; and copies on small slips of paper are circulated about London, by various methods:

"PHRENOLOGY.- Public attention is solicited to this Science as practised on Christian principles, by Mr. Bunney, 62, Regent's Quadrant. Phrenology is emphatically the Science of Mind; and it enables persons to ascertain what points of their character are defective without being deceived by selflove or flattery; because, the brain being the agent through which the mind operates, acts as an index to the general state of the mind at any particular period; and since unhappiness—ill success in life—monomania · nervousness -erroneous or evil actions are all the results of mis-directed mental energy --so Phrenology is, under Divine Providence, the means of detecting those slight wanderings of the intellectual faculties into particular channels, which frequently terminate in permanent estrangement, or lasting mental misery and discontent. Phrenological Advice, as practised by Mr. Bunney, is an examination of the state of the mind, through its agent the

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brain, and a recommendation of those pursuits which are calculated to restore a disarranged unity or an unequal balance among the organs or dispositions of the mind. Mr. Bunney having examined many thousand heads during the last ten years, and witnessed the very great success attending phrenological advice when rightly administered and properly followed, desires to announce that he is at home from Ten till Five daily, at his Lecture Room, 62, Regent's Quadrant, where he will be happy to examine and advise persons as his long experience in accordance with the Holy Scriptures may render necessary. Mr. B. is well aware that many persons are deterred from visiting him by pecuniary reasons, but he begs to add that his invitation is for public good only, and that he expects no remuneration unless it is perfectly agreeable to the wishes and circumstances of the inquirer. Having examined one half the members of our leading universities, Oxford and Cambridge, with valuable results to the parties themselves, Mr. B. must consider any further comment unnecessary."

We also "must consider any further comment unnecessary," unless it be added that Mr. Bunney, for any thing we know to the contrary, may be a very estimable and well-meaning person; but he is certainly not a phrenological luminary.

The County Asylum at Hanwell. Dr. Conolly has been appointed Superintendent, in room of Dr. Millingen who resigned the office after a short trial. On the occasion of the latter gentleman being appointed, an opinion was expressed in this Journal, from which it was copied into some of the newspapers, that the successor of Sir W. Ellis ought to have been a phrenologist ; and we afterwards intimated an intention of watching the consequences of this substitution of a physician avowedly hostile to Phrenology (which ordinarily implies total ignorance of the subject), in place of one who professed to have derived advantage from his knowledge of it, in the management of the patients under his care. Whilst we were assuredly not anticipating the like successful management of the Asylum, under the superintendency of Dr. Millingen, we were not expecting his trial of the duties to be so very brief as scarcely to afford the means of making comparisons, by figures, of the number of patients in confinement, employed, cured, &c. We were particularly desirous to ascertain how many were placed under restraint by the respective superintendents, but have not been able to ascertain these numbers; but that the phrenologist was really more successful in his management of the Asylum, must be inferred from the following passages in the Forty-ninth Report of the Visiting Justices; whilst they also help to show that "medical skill" will not alone suffice for the best superintendency of an Asylum, as it is expressly stated that “the medical skill of Dr. Millingen was in no way compromised by the inquiry." The passages are these:

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"It is with great regret that your Committee are now called upon to state, that since the appointment of the new Superintendent and Steward, great irregularities have taken place in the issuing of various orders for the supplies of the Asylum; and the rules and regulations which were established on the appointment of these officers for their guidance, and which required all orders to be in writing, and signed by the Superintendent, were neglected by them. The irregularities were unknown to the Committee for some months (no report of them having been made by the Superintendent), but immediately upon the appointment of the Committee at the Michaelmas Sessions, an inquiry was instituted into the circumstances attendant upon them, which terminated in a formal discharge of the Steward on the 29th of November.".... "Your Committee have to report in addition to the dismissal of the Steward, the resignation of the Superintendent, Dr. Millingen. As the resignation of this gentleman was the result of an investigation into the state of the Asylum, conducted by a Sub-Committee, appointed ex