1881.] PHRENOLOGY AMONG THE SCIENCES. 17 part by no means unimportant; but these requirements of experiment and observaare questions of detail, for which full tion more fully, perhaps, than any other allowance has been made, and which do science—more fully, at any rate, than any not affect the scientific value of the other mental science. These have been theory. It is, however, upon these ques- its methods from the very beginning It tions of detail and not upon broad gener- has first ascertained its facts by observaal principles that the opposition to this tion, and then verified them by experiscience has been based, and assailed, too, ment, and back of all this there has been with what weapons? Often with ridicule, a philosophy which removes the results which is supposed to supply the place of far from the domain of mere empiricism. proof. We can find just as much to ridi- If we read its history, we find that it was cule in many of the leading theories of not formulated, as is too often the case, physical science of the present day: for the theory being first constructed and example, that of an universal elastic then facts found or invented to bolster it. ether pervading all space, yet without up. No. First there were the facts, and weight or appreciable resistance, while at the life of its founder was spent in close the same time perfectly rigid and elastic; observation. The results of these obserthat of the vibratory motion of heat, or vations were confirmed by experiment, Newton's great law itself of gravitation, and are still continuously and daily being which is a flat contradiction of one of the confirmed, and as observation and experifundamental laws of physics, and yet we ment progressed, the theory emerged, to believe them. Ridicule proves nothing. be still further tested and still more comBut we can show that here, as in the pre-pletely verified. This is the history of ceding steps, we have the testimony of all true science, and it is the history of generally admitted facts on our side. In this science. After it has passed through fact, there is scarcely a person in the these tests, after it has grown by these world who does not admit that there is methods, we may accept it unhesitatingly some connection between the shape of and apply it fearlessly. the head and the mental powers. What else does this common talk about an intellectual head mean? How is it that in the pictures of the great the artist paints the high, expansive brow? How is it that we associate intellectual power with some heads, and naturally expect to find | them when brought into contact with men of scholarly attainments and mental grasp? How is it that as soon as we see them, we set down some people as rascals and sneaks, and others as upright and honest, if not that we have a belief, perhaps more or less unconscious, in the facts of Phrenology? We may not understand the particular developments, but we take in the general effect. If we understood Phrenology better, our decisions would be more correct. We thus find that Phrenology, in its completest devel- it is much in every way. As the prinopments as well as in its more element-ciples of Phrenology spread—as its influary truths, rests upon the testimony of ence widens-as its warnings and instrucgenerally admitted facts. If we proceed tions are heeded, we may expect more farther, we will find also that it meets the perfect knowledge of ourselves and of Phrenology, then, we have shown to be scientific in its evolution, which was by observation and experiment; scientific in its methods, which are general and systematic; and scientific in its results, which are universally applicable and, so far as it has been developed, universally correct. There is another point to which we referred in the beginning-the question of practical benefit-that question cui bono asked by thousands of voices in all parts of the world respecting every conceivable subject. In many an inquiry and scientific speculation, in which years of time have been spent, and money and health lost, and things more precious still, faith and hopes which money could not buy, the answer must be none, but in this case our fellow-men, fewer mistakes in life, fewer incompetent persons filling positions for which they are totally unfit, more health, more happiness, more harmony in all the relations of life. And still more, knowing ourselves as we have never before known ourselves, understanding the secret springs of character which have tinged our conduct, we shall see our deficiencies and needs, and know what is necessary in order to develop a full, perfect, complete, symmetrical character. Then the education of children will be conducted in a proper manner, and their character become something else than the uncertain product of caprice, affection, and passion, alike unreasoning, and alternating by turns. We do not claim for Phrenology all that has been claimed for it by some men who have never been regarded as the true exponents of its teachings; but we do claim for it all the results that have been mentioned, and many others as important as these. Phrenology has been assailed on various sides. Some say that it makes man a mere automaton, the sport of his functions, impelled by them, with no power, no responsibility. But this is not the case. These organs are not the mind; they are the instruments of the mind, and over and above all is the soul, the personality, the immaterial principle, and it does not destroy this to suppose that it acts through one organ to accomplish this. Our responsibility, our individuality, all that gives life its dignity and importance, remain. That there is difference in character, difference in intensity and direction of mental power, difference in moral sentiments, every one admits, and Phrenology claims no more. shows, however, where the seats of these powers are, and what is necessary to control and regulate them. Phrenology is It a true science; it fulfills, and fulfills completely, all that is demanded of a science. It has been tested, and it has stood the test. In nothing is there less chance for fraud, more opportunity for detection, than in this science. If it had been false, it would have long ago forfeited the respect and confidence of all thoughtful people. Its existence and success are a proof of its genuineness. If we neglect it, we do ourselves a wrong; if we accept and apply it, we will prove ourselves to be not hare-brained visionaries, but wise and practical people. J. H. C. LIFE OF THE PATRICIAN IN ROMEWhen Horace and Juvenal walked the streets of Rome, and drew from life the thoughts that come to us now with the same force and vividness with which they struck the literati of the empire, Rome was mistress of the world. Her armies held in check on the northern border the ravages of savage Goths and Huns. They held with an iron grip the eastern provinces of the Empire, and laid on them day by day a heavier tribute. In the south the Roman soldier scorched and burned under the blazing sun of Africa, and fought and died for the glory of the Roman name, and the extension of the Roman Empire. In the city of Rome, the patrician, in his palace of marble, with rooms whose walls were frescoed in rich colors, and hung with heavy silken draperies, opening on a court cooled by the splashing of a fountain, and shaded by the foliage of plants of tropical growth and beauty, lolled at his ease on downy couches, wrapped in embroidered and jeweled robes, breathed in an atmosphere of most fragrant perfumes, drank himself into a heavenly oblivion with delicious wines, watched with indifferent eyes the sensual movements of fair dancing-girls, surrounded by obsequious flatterers, served by obedient, bending slaves, and listened and and sweet songs of caged birds. In the fell asleep to the soft music of the lute, street, the litter which carried a noble lord or senator was preceded and followed by a train of slaves, who cleared the way with shouts and blows for their patrician masters. The plebeian toiled and labored from early morn till dewy eve for a mean pittance. If he succeeded in keeping body and soul together, and maintaining a decent covering for himself, he was rich among his fellows. The annual compensation of a laborer in Rome was $44.—Argonaut. 1881.] THE TONGANS. THE TONGANS. 19 ONE NE of the important groups of Isl- | Cook, and although fierce and cruel in ands in the great Polynesian section many respects, there was more humanity is Tonga, popularly known as the Friendly in their treatment of strangers than was generally shown by Polynesians. The organization of Tongan society is much more complex than is customary among uncivilized peoples. There are two distinct orders, the civil and religious, the latter taking the precedence. In the civil order from How, or king, down to the Tovas, or menials, there are five grades or ranks, while in the religious there are three, the lowest A TONGAN VILLAGE. Islands. The Tongans are geographical neighbors of the Fijians, but entirely dif rank being com posed strictly of the priests. Strangely ferent in racial characteristics; the latter | enough the first and second rank in are Papuans, with the very crisp hair, very the religious division are each held by but one man, who is regarded as a de HEAD OF A CHIEF. being by no means oppressed or compelled to severe toil, like those in most barbarous nations; consequently their bodies are more symmetrically formed and their movements more graceful than those of women who are merely drudges. They perform the lighter tasks of the household, such as preparing gwatoo or the bark which is converted into the garment worn in folds around the waist, plaiting baskets, making crockery, etc. Besides their religious ceremonies and feasts and dances they have meetings at certain seasons where there are games, wrestling and boxing matches, and other doings which are analogous to the athletic sports of civilized life. Their boxing and wrestling are conducted on the principles of fair play. A plebeian meets a chief on a perfectly equal ground in these matches, and he who displays ill-feeling when beaten is looked upon as a surly fellow. The women frequently join in the games and boxing matches, and are proud of their physical strength and beauty. The accompanying illustrations are from authentic sources. The head of a chief shows a profile of no mean proportions, and intimates susceptibility to civilized training and development. In fact, the majority of the Tongans have accepted Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church having long ago established missions upon their islands. Other denominations, however, have sent missionaries to them. Many of the natives have learned to read and write in both their own language and English, and some have made good progress in arithmetic, geography, and other branches of education. In the chief's daughter and the warrior we have examples of the costumes which are worn by the men and women. Some slight distinctions are introduced to indicate rank, but these are matters of ornament rather than modifications of the style of wearing their scanty garments. The Tongan Islands are largely of volcanic origin, their surface being broken by the remains of many extinct craters. Otherwise the soil is fertile and produc DAUGHTER OF A CHIEF. |