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Uniform Penny-postage. "We conclude with one word to Mr. Spring Rice and the ministry, on their conduct in this matter. This is not a party question, it is not even a political one unless they make it so; and while we can easily imagine the difficulties which stand in their way, when a reform proposed in a department of fiscal administration, is opposed by the man they have themselves put at the head of it, we cannot shut our eyes to the fact, that if they continue ill-affected, or indifferent, or inactive, on Post-Office reform, they will afford the Conservatives an opportunity of acquiring a popularity pervading all ranks, and interest among the poorest, and they will give Mr. Croker one grain of truth to be put into his next catalogue of good deeds done by the Tories and left undone by the Whigs. We beg them to remember that no reduction short of what Mr. Hill proposes can effect the desired end; a twopenny postage will not try the principle of his plan, because it will not defeat the smuggler, and a union of payment in advance with any rate of postage higher than a penny, would probably not call forth the increase of correspondence necessary to compensate the revenue. Any such half measure, if it failed, would [could not] be considered as the failure of Mr. Hill's plan, and the imperfect experiment would disgust and outrage the views of the whole of the men most active and energetic in pursuing this reform, because they would consider it, though professedly a trial, really a betrayal of the principle they support. Even if Ministers regard merely the revenue itself (and no supposition could on a question like this be more degrading to them, nor further from the real feeling of some of their number), they will look at the revenue after a very narrow and contracted fashion, indeed, they will consider a small part, and not the whole, if they do not see that the reductions in the expenses of the Post-Office, the increase of correspondence, the additional consumption of paper, and the stimulus imparted to trade of all kinds, will amply enable them to meet the dreaded defalcation. But this is not a matter to be argued solely on such grounds, - Ministers profess themselves, and have represented the Queen, as having much at heart the education of the people, a uniform penny postage will give motives, strong as the best affections of the human breast, to the poor for the acquisition of elementary instruction it will waft to the ears of tempted youth the suasive whispers of parental love and goodness; it will circulate thought, knowledge, friendship, virtue, and by bringing thinkers and friends nearer to each other, promote very greatly the formation of a noble and beautiful civilization among the people."Westminster Review, No. 60, pp. 263-4.

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VI. INTELLIGENCE, ETC.

ABERDEEN. Mr. Andrew Moir, surgeon, delivered a course of lectures on the Anatomy and Physiology of the Brain, during the past summer. His class consisted of fifty auditors, forty of whom were members of the Phrenological Society.

BIRMINGHAM. In May and June last, Mr. Combe delivered a course of fourteen lectures on Phrenology, to a class of 300 auditors, in this town. At the conclusion of the last lecture, an elegant piece of plate was presented to Mr. Combe by his auditors, in testimony of their respect and gratitude. On receiving the present, Mr. Combe was addressed by Dr. Birt Davies, "who (according to the report in the Birmingham Journal, of June 23.) declared the high satisfaction he felt in being selected as the representative of the audience on that occasion. He was commissioned to offer to Mr. Combe the thanks of his hearers, for the very eloquent and clear manner in which he had explained the doctrines of the important science of Phrenology. It was probable, that in many the impression received would be permanent, and would lead to the best possible tribute they could offer, namely, the establishment of a PHRENOLOGICAL SOCIETY, in order to give the means of preserving and increasing the stock of information obtained. It had, however, been thought desirable to request Mr. Combe's acceptance of a small but tangible and unperishing testimonial of their grateful respect. This he had now the pleasure of offering to him, in the name of his delighted auditory, as an evidence that he was estimated, not only for his talents as a lecturer, but as a benefactor of mankind at large.”

BLACKBURN. "A society for the study of this interesting and intellectual science has recently been established in Preston, under very distinguished patronage, and there is every prospect of its taking an important position in the Scientific Institutions of that town. Blackburn could once boast of a Phrenological Society, but we believe its operations were suspended at the time our Scientific Institution was brought to the hammer. There are, however, many admirers of Phrenology amongst us, and we hope they will, ere long, resuscitate the dying embers of the former society, and prosecute the study of a science which will amply repay them for the time and attention they may devote to it."— Blackburn Standard.

CAMBRIDGE. The progress of Phrenology in this place is advancing at a sure though slow pace; it is taken up principally by the younger members of the University, and large quantities of Phrenological works, casts, and lettered busts, with several copies of this Journal, are disposed of in sale. This is all we could look for, considering the short time since the revival of the science in the place, for it had almost perished till within the last two years, as was stated in a former number. What is now wanting, is an efficient course of public lectures on the subject. An attempt was made to secure Mr. Combe's attendance last May, but his other arrangements prevented his visiting the University before the dispersion of its members for the Long Vacation. We still hope, however, to see an able lecturer undertaking the task; what we most fear is, lest, while such a one delays coming, some empiric should make the attempt, and so injure instead of promoting the cause. (From a Correspondent.)

CERES.

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On the 4th of July Mr. W. B. Hodgson delivered a lecture on

the evidences and applications of Phrenology.

CUPAR. — Mr. W. B. Hodgson delivered a lecture on Education in the Academy, at Cupar, on the 9th of July.

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DUMFRIES.- Phrenology. On entering the Theatre, on Thursday evening, the 14th current, to hear Mr. Aitken's introductory lecture on Phrenology, we were delighted to see it filled that there were hundreds even in Dumfries willing and anxious to gain information on this subjectnumbers of whom, a few years ago, would have laughed at the idea that they would yet sit for two hours and hear a lecture on a subject whose only use then appeared to them to be the creation of a joke upon bumps."Dumfries Courier, July 4.

GUERNSEY. Mr. T. S. Prideaux lectured on Phrenology here, in May. The Guernsey Star, of May 10., commences a report of the first lecture, by saying, that it was delivered "to a very small, but very attentive audience, who were amply repaid by his clear and judicious remarks. We are sorry for the absentees, who lost a rich intellectual treat; but when we consider the little patronage bestowed on the Mechanics' Institution, and the total failure of the Scientific Society, we are not astonished that the inhabitants of Little Athens should be perfectly indifferent to Phrenology."

KIRKCALDY.-During the month of May Mr. W. B. Hodgson delivered a course of nine lectures to an Association of the Working Classes. They were attended by an audience of upwards of 700. At their conclusion, a general wish was expressed that the subject should be resumed at some future period.

LEEDS. Some discussions on Phrenology have recently occurred in this place, in the way of lectures or essays read at the Literary Institution; some for, and others against, the science. Dr. Thorpe, of Leeds, (as we learn from a friendly correspondent,) reproduced, for the thousandth time, the objections of Rudolphi, Barclay, and others, refuted over and over again, and now quite given up, as objections, by all the more intelligent men who still oppose the science. Mr. W. R. Scott, we hear, replied to Dr. Thorpe's essay, and showed that his objections were inconclusive. Country physicians, who are ignorant of Phrenology, and prejudiced against_it, frequently presume on the supposed ignorance of their neighbours. But the more intelligent amongst the young medical men are first embracing and learning Phrenology; and we beg them to make a point of meeting and exposing the objections and misconceptions of their seniors.

LEVEN. Mr. W. B. Hodgson, of Edinburgh, concluded on Tuesday last a course of nine lectures on the science of Phrenology, under the auspices of the Leven Mechanics' Institution. The lectures were attended by about 200 individuals, amongst whom we observed many of the fair sex. Mr. H. is deservedly esteemed as a lecturer. He has the faculty of rendering himself easily understood, and the perspicacity and aptness of his illustrations were such as to convey to his audience a very favourable opinion of the superior talent of the lecturer indeed, we could with great relish hear the same course over again - and we experienced a feeling of regret when the concluding lecture was announced. - Scotsman, July 7.

NEW YORK. -" Dr. Caldwell's Phrenological Lectures draw towards a close, and we regret that they have not been quite so numerously attended as

we expected. The great and respectful attention of his audiences, however, is evidence that he labours not in vain. He may rest assured that the seed sown will produce an abundant harvest. The professor's mode of lecturing is distinguished by great earnestness. He accumulates fact upon fact and argument upon argument. He illustrates with such clearness, and reasons with such force, that it seems impossible that any one should remain unconvinced. As a speaker, however, he is not faultless. He sometimes commences to illustrate a subject, proceeds for a time with great vigour; but suddenly another idea crosses his mind, and the first subject he will let drop to take up the intruder. He occasionally reminds us of the simile of Swift, who likened the man of many ideas to a well filled church, and the man of few ideas to one nearly empty. The people coming out of the first so crowd and push each other as to occasion some irregularity and confusion; from the second they walk out with order and deliberation. Upon the whole, however, his lectures may be characterised as rich in fact, rich in argument, and rich in expression." — New York Whig, April 28.

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PHILADELPHIA. -"We have received the prospectus of a work to be entitled, The American Phrenological Journal and Miscellany,' which will be issued on the 1st of July next, by A. Waldie, of Philadelphia. We wish the undertaking entire success. We highly approve of the general objects which the editor states himself to have in view. But we must express our entire disagreement with one of his implied opinions. He says, prominent object in giving it existence is to wrest Phrenology out of the hands of those, who, in ignorance of its true nature and tendencies, suppose that they find in it an instrument by which to subvert the truths of revealed religion, and lessen the bonds of human accountability, and moral obligation.' This clearly implies that Phrenology is now in the hands of unchristian, irreligious, and immoral men ; -else there would be no occasion to wrest it from them. A calumny which we little expected to hear from an advocate of the science." - New York Whig, April 28.

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Phrenological Society.

PRESTON. A society for the study and furtherance of this important and highly interesting science has been established in this town with every prospect of success. A meeting of the members was held on Monday evening last, when Mr. Corless was appointed president of the council; Mr. W. Harris, the secretary, and Mr. Lomas the treasurer of the society. It is intended to supply the library with the most popular phrenological periodicals and other publications of the day. A sufficient number of busts, casts, &c. will also be procured in due time. Ladies are eligible to be elected members, and it is hoped that the fair portion of the town who are attached to scientific pursuits will join the society without delay. Ladies and gentlemen wishing to become members will have an appointment of being ballotted for at the first general meeting, which will take place in about a week. James Simpson, Esq., of Edinburgh, has consented to act as corresponding member to the society."-Preston Chronicle, May 26. [The Society was formally opened on the 18th of July, by an eloquent and very able address from Mr. Corless.]

SHEPPEY ISLE. — “ On Wednesday, the 23d inst., Mr. Logan, of the London Phrenological Society, delivered his concluding lecture, to a crowded and highly interested audience, at the Isle of Sheppey Institution, Sheerness. The lecture throughout was received with the most marked attention, being illustrated by a numerous collection of skulls, casts, busts, &c.; and the science seems to be making some progress in Sheerness, if we may judge by the opinions expressed by some of the members of the Institution.". Kent Advertiser, May 26.

West

WISBECH.-Mr. Craig delivered a lecture on Phrenology, to the Wisbech Mental Improvement Society, in June last. In a report of his lecture, introduced into the Star in the East newspaper, the caliper measurements of the head of an idiot are given, in confirmation of the influence of size of head on mental power; but, by the alleged measurements, the idiot's head is not less than are the heads of some persons of good sense and ability.

Mr. Aitken's Lectures. "Mr. Aitken has finished his course of lectures at Thornhill to a numerous, and, considering the size of the place, a respect-able audience. Mr. A. deserves the thanks of phrenologists for the exertions he makes to extend a knowledge of their science, followed, as these exertions are, with so much success; perhaps as many works on phrenology were purchased during Mr. A.'s visit to Dumfries and Thornhill as in all the time before. We understand Mr. Aitken is now lecturing in Annan, and proceeds afterwards to Carlisle. We saw a few days ago a cast of the brain, very ingeniously contrived, made for Mr. Aitken, by Mr. Fraser, plasterer, Maxwelltown. This cast is composed of about twenty different pieces; each piece represents a group of organs, and centres to the medulla oblongata, so that by removing one of the pieces an audience would see in a moment distinctly the position and form of the group which it represents. This cast shows, in a beautiful manner, the connection of those organs in the brain which harmonize in their functions. We hope the phrenologists of this town will bestir themselves. There is a small society in the town at present, but so secret as to be almost unknown. We hope there will soon be a large one. The Dumfries phrenologists will receive a great accession of strength when W. F. Brown, Esq., surgeon to the new Lunatic Asylum, joins them.”—Dumfries Times, Aug. 1. 1838. [These casts representing the phrenological organs, as cones, extended from surface to centre of the brain, must be regarded at present as purely fanciful anatomy; and they are certainly better calculated to please the vulgar, than to render Phrenology credit-worthy in the eyes of anatomists and physiologists,]

Editorial Ignorance. In a captious and most blundering notice of Mr. Hodgson's Lecture on Education, introduced into the Fifeshire Journal, of July 28th last, we have this passage quoted from the Lecture : —“ Astronomy and geology have been brought to bear on history — the one fixing the date of certain events by the calculation of an eclipse, the other carrying back the creation of our world into remoter periods of antiquity than had formerly been imagined."

On this extract, the following very silly remark is made :— "That the stricter sciences, especially that of astronomy, throw light upon history, by defining and verifying dates, has been abundantly admitted for three centuries at least; but that geology, itself the most uncertain of all sciences, in regard to the truth of whose doctrines we are utterly destitute of any evidence whatever, should be considered to elucidate any point of date or of historical evidence, could be asserted only by one capable of believing the nonsense of phrenology or animal magnetism, or any of the modern quackeries by which weak or ill-informed minds seek to attain eminence which they were incapable of reaching by the highways of regularly recognised science." The writer of this remark, in all likelihood, is profoundly ignorant of the "doctrines" of geology, and, by a customary procedure of ignorant dogmatists, imputes the destitution of his own mind to the sciences which he

names.

The Encyclopædia Britannica on Phrenology. It was stated, in our last number, that Dr. Roget's article on Cranioscopy, published many years ago

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