contrary, feel confident that the odour proceeded from the rose, and was not merely produced by an accidental coincidence, giving rise to an apparent connexion. Should he, however, frequently perceive the same scent, under precisely similar circumstances, he must naturally conclude that it does proceed from the rose, and expect that with the same flower the same scent will invariably be found; and this he will still believe, although you did prove to him an apparent impossibility in the connexion. Now, the evidence of phrenology is precisely of this nature. From a number of instances in which a certain form of head is connected with a certain turn of mind, (no examples, or such only as are capable of explanation being adduced against them,) we conclude that when a similar configuration is again observed, it will indicate a similar character. The parallel will hold good in every part. When for the first time a head of any peculiar shape falls under our notice, as existing in an individual whose character is known to us, it would be absurd to assert on this evidence any connexion; but when, throughout a series of observations, the same external form is found belonging to persons whose characters correspond, the conviction by degrees grows upon us that there must be some hidden connexion, till at length, as instances multiply, this faint suspicion swells into absolute certainty. Let, then, the assertion so frequently adduced as irresistible evidence of the absurdity of phrenology be granted, namely, that the size and conformation of the brain cannot affect the external appearance of the head. If this be proved, the system which has been built on phrenological facts does certainly fall to the ground,-the practical science, and the deduction from a series of instances on which it is founded, remain untouched. We may be induced to deny that the brain is the seat of the mental powers, but we have precisely the same amount of reasoning as before for believing that the head is their index. We may be led to scrutinize more accurately each part of the evidence, but not compelled to reject it altogether, if once it be satisfactorily established. There is yet another class of objections which, admitting the general dogmas of phrenology, throw a doubt on its practical use and application to individual cases, as likely to be impeded by irregularities in the physical conformation of man, which are not discoverable during life. To such, the answer is twofold. In the first place, the operations of nature are uniform ; and any great deviation from them is, in animated beings, almost invariably found connected with disease. Here, therefore, the

physician's judgment and experience must be called in to aid those of the phrenologist. Again, if such deviations were numerous, they must necessarily affect, and, in short, destroy the evidence on which phrenology is founded. The fact (which in these observations regarding the objections brought against the science, we assume), that the proof from instances is complete, shows that such irregularities must be extremely rare, if not totally unknown.

In like manner we may meet all moral objections, however apparently strong, by an appeal to the evidence of facts, all well authenticated, and all coinciding; inasmuch as such proof, if correctly and carefully deduced, is from its very nature irresistible to the human mind. If this practical phrenology, of which we are speaking, does necessarily lead to materialism (though such a connexion has never been established), then, still supposing the evidence to be complete, we must admit, however startling it may appear, that materialism is true. We may hence observe, that those who fancy that by attacking on general grounds the pursuit of this science, and restraining others from entering upon it, they are serving the cause of truth and religion, are in fact unintentionally undermining the very system they are anxious to support. By refusing to examine a subject, which rests its claim to belief on testimony of this nature, on its own ground, and by creating an impression that an opposition exists between dogmas which in reality agree, they may induce some, compelled by the force of experience to admit the truth of phrenology, to reject those other truths which they are so anxious to uphold. That some persons have, by the study of phrenology, been led from sound opinions into systems of infidelity, is no sound argument against the study in general, unless it be proved that the science logically leads to such conclusions. It may, nevertheless, be with reason adduced as a caution to persons of certain turns of mind not to plunge into this study, and to all as a warning to proceed in it with care, shunning needless speculation, and adhering closely to the investigation of facts. It is this habit of speculating-of drawing prohable or possible conclusions from insufficient evidence-which constitutes the real danger arising from devotion to this or any other kindred science, a danger which is greatly diminished by a strict adherence to that method of investigating the question which it has been the object of these observations to recommend. It is worthy of remark that the founder, or, to speak more correctly, the discoverer of phrenology, formed his system, not, as has been

frequently asserted, on a theory, which he subsequently endeavoured to confirm by examples, but on a long-continued series of observations, on which he built his theory. It was from instances casually brought under his notice, that Dr. Gall first derived the idea of that system which he afterwards maintained, and which has, under his successors, been brought to such a comparative state of perfection. Those who will correctly observe facts relative to phrenology cannot thereby injure themselves, and may greatly benefit the science itself.

SONG.

WHAT have frowns to do with youth?
Youth and scowling can't agree :
Frowns beget a doubt of truth;

Youth is open, frank, and free.
Drive thought's wrinkles from thy brow,
For joyaunce claims thee wholly now!

Downcast looks and anxious tread
Are the gifts of care:

Youth upholdeth well his head;

Youth is blithe and fair.
Why go forth to meet old age?

Fast enough he cometh on:
Youth is not a stern-eyed sage;

Youth can hardly grieve or groan.
Ripe the fruit hangs on the bough,
Why refuse to pluck it now?

When thy brow is furrowed o'er

With pencillings of time,

Then thou'lt think (why not before?)

Neglected joy a crime!

Then will aching wild desire,

Set thine aged thoughts afire

With feeble fantasy;

Fruitless dreams shall haunt thy bed,

Fickle fancies tease thy head,

Bright visions mock thine eye!
When the blooming flower is near,
Why wait you till the leaf be sere?

L. Y. N.

F. F.

SCENES AND SKETCHES. No II.

THERE is still so much to say on the subject I took for the first paper, that I may perhaps be excused for again insisting upon it. It is too one in which my feelings are so readily interested, that I am insensibly drawn to it whenever I attempt a formal writing. And though I do not expect to find my powers of language adequate to the task I am about to undertake, and some may perhaps smile at my homely expression, I would remind them that many a good idea is clothed in sorry words, as many an honest man walks abroad in soiled and tattered clothing.

It is often the custom of men who, like myself, have exhausted much fruitless energy, and wasted much unproductive time, on a favourite pursuit, and have found themselves at the end of their toil falling short of what they so eagerly aimed at, to watch carefully the attempts and exertions of others in the same path. And when their contemporaries and competitors have, one by one, insensibly glided away from the scene, they still,-from the force of habit and interest which they have acquired, still gaze with anxiety at those who used to fill their places. Though in some degree a disappointed man, I do not feel any ill-will or jealousy at the success of one who has set out in life with, perhaps, no better prospect than myself; and though I must confess that some bitter feeling does occasionally arise at the thought of so much exertion thrown away and wasted, at other times I feel glad that it has left me taste to relish and take interest in whatever passes before my view, in this generation. Cast, as it were, entirely behind the scenes of life, I can yet look, without envy or displeasure, on those more fortunate in youth and strength, who are acting their part before admiring thousands.

This state of mind, and the prevailing turn of my thoughts, lead me much to examine the state of oratory, and the different descriptions of speakers at the present day; and I often frequent public places of literate and illiterate men, that I may hear the bursts of native eloquence, as well as the more correct imaginations, more accurate reason, and elegant diction of the refined and disciplined speaker. From being much conversant with such scenes, I have concluded that there are few men who have not

in them a spring of innate feeling which would make them eloquent when they were nearly interested; but that this age, and indeed most ages, have not known how to call it forth. I am aware that a great master of oratory decides against this opinion,-in the words "fieri enim potest, ut rectè quis sentiat et id quod sentit politè eloqui non possit," Cicero ;-but I have the authority of a child of nature in asserting that "omnes in eo quod sciant satis esse eloquentes:" and he was Socrates. But to proceed with my design: I have already made classifications of different orators, and various styles of speaking; and from them I will endeavour to illustrate the two extremes to which an entire surrender to natural impulse, and a perfect subjugation to the fetters of art, will, in most cases, lead. Having personal acquaintance with two young men, who will serve as tolerable examples of either class, I may be enabled, from my knowledge of their minds, to draw the distinction more accurately. The first is a man of warm and sensitive disposition, of active habits and energetic purpose, but unfortunate in having received a very inferior education. He is easily affected and soon interested; his manner of conversation is always forcible, and sometimes violent; yet he throws so much of heart into it that it always excites attention. He feels a lively sympathy for distress and misfortune and has thus been naturally led, by his thoughts, to the politics of the present day, and the state of the country. These traits of disposition appear very strikingly in his conduct whilst speaking: his diction is rough, and indeed often uncouth, and his style homely, yet he is always eloquent, for his feelings are interested his gestures are always impassioned, and natural, for he has not the power of regulating them by art. Such a man as this has often a fertile fancy, and a power of vivid description of scenes with which he is familiar: and this my friend possesses in an eminent degree. But, with these advantages, he has defects which go far to counterbalance them: his impetuosity often outruns that of his hearers: and, pitching his imagination too high from the very outset, a discordance and jarring is apparent often throughout the whole. In short, he has not the power of restraining his exuberance and fire; and this often makes him seem ridiculous, and his mind over-straining itself, but I would not wish him to be more tied down by the cautious rules of art, lest his style should lose much of the beauty which it derives from natural feeling.

The other is one whose style of thought and language has been