temperament. Examining without the eye is indeed like running a race on one foot, impeding his progress, and rendering him liable to stumble; but let it be remembered that he has a mass of incredulity and prejudice to contend against; that his other hits are attributed to his shrewdness and knowledge of human nature, physiognomy, &c.; that by these blindfolded tests only can this class of objectors be reached; and that, if successful, they are seen and felt to be conclusive and final, leaving no grounds of appeal, no room for evasion. If decidedly marked subjects are brought forward, (and on no account should any others be selected,) the natural character, besides being strongly indicated upon the head, will burst forth spontaneously in action and expression, disdaining all artificial restraints, so that no mistakes need occur. In such cases we never fail to hit the true character, and find them to be productive of deeper and more univerversal conviction than any other means that can be employed.

But these philosophizing, anti-practical phrenologists still farther object to this "examining heads," and "charging one dollar per caput," alleging that it lowers down the dignity of this high-toned and pre-eminently philanthropic science, by prostituting it to the degrading level of a mere catchpenny humbug. Now if practical phrenologists had no bills to pay, if they were not compelled to eat and sleep like other men, or if they had their thousands in bank, and could live upon the interest of their money, they might indeed afford to spend their time in prosecuting this noble science gratis. But every man must live by his calling, and the practical phrenologist no more compromises the dignity of his science by requiring pay for services rendered, than the lawyer degrades the law by requiring his fee, or the physician by sending in his bill.

But to charge "fifty cents per lecture," and "five dollars for the course," and to require "three hundred subscribers" beforehand at that, and to hold phrenological works twenty-five per cent. higher than other books, not only does not compromise the dignity of the science, but is even deemed necessary by some in order to impart dignity to it; whilst to take pay for examining heads, furnishing a chart, and indicating upon it the relative size of one's phrenological developements, greatly "alters the case," and savors strongly of quackery and humbuggery. Now the fact is that to require pay for examining the head no more degrades the science than to take pay for books or lectures, or for services rendered in any other profession or calling. The laborer, here, as well as elsewhere, "is worthy of his hire."

When in Boston, the immortal Spurzheim expressed his opinion that the time would come when phrenology, in common with medicine, and law, would become a regular profession, having not only its professorships

in our seats of learning, but its regular practitioners in our cities and villages, who would be consulted by parents touching the education and choice of occupation adapted to their children, and by persons employing appprentices, servants, &c., as much as the physician now is in sickness. This very state of things, this practical phrenology is now producing. No one, however, can regard with deeper indignation, or hold in higher contempt than the writer does, this getting a smattering of phrenology, and going about the country merely to make money. This practice has become a very common, but is a most despicable one, and constitutes one of the greatest barriers which obstructs the onward progress of this noble science. But the season for such empiricism has nearly gone by. Such pretenders cannot now, as formerly, rely upon the mere novelty of phrenology for their success, and hence are fast becoming unable to defray expenses; and judicious minds will not hold the science responsible for their blunders. But to say the least, this examining heads affords a great amount of innocent amusement, and a very interesting subject of conversation and discussion; and, more than any and every other method that could be devised, is calculated to promulgate the science by bringing it in a tangible and exciting form before the community at large. And may it not be that the extraordinary rapidity with which a knowledge of, and a belief in, its doctrines have spread throughout our country within the last eight years, is owing mainly to this same cause?

MISCELLANY.

Mental and Moral qualities transmissible from Parents to Children. This is the title of a series of articles now being published in the Mothers' Magazine, at New York. It appears by an editorial note, that they are extracts from a work in manuscript prepared by a Lady on the subject, and which will ere long be published. It is truly gratifying to find so much good sense and sound philosophy emanating from such a source; and, judging from the specimens here presented, we predict it will be a work of no ordinary interest and value. We sincerely hope that the female sex, as they value their own happiness and the best interests of the race, will take up this subject and examine it thoroughly; they will find that it involves principles of the highest magnitudeprinciples which are a part of the will and moral government of God, and which, when correctly understood and generally obeyed, will constitute the most efficient means which can possibly be brought into operation for the improvement and elevation of man as an intellectual and moral being.

Professor Smith of New York.-An able and extended review of this gentleman's Select Discourses on the Functions of the Nervous System, is now in progress of publication in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. The writer under the signature of " Candidus," notices Professor Smith's objections to Phrenology in a manner which, to say the least, cannot be very gratifying to their author. Says the reviewer in relation to Dr. Smith's whole course of procedure: "He has, we may be allowed to say, set up a man of straw, of his own foundation, and then proceeded, secundem artem, to demolish it; but he has left unscathed the system of phrenology as taught by its advocates. He "expunged" from their propositions enough to render them vulnerable, and then set fiercely to work to overthrow, not the doctrines of phrenology, but such as he himself has substituted in their place; and then in conclusion, from his lofty perch, chanticleer-like, he crows "Io triumphe," and chuckles over his victory!" And after noticing another objection, the reviewer adds, "We regard our author's whole course of reasoning on this subject as disingenuous, unfair, and consequently unsound. He first misinterprets, then perverts, then attacks. resembles more the quibbing, the petty pleading of a third-rate pettyfogger, than the manly reasoning of a philosopher, intent upon truth, and not victory."

It

British Phrenological Association.-This body held its annual meeting the first week in June, the particulars of which have not as yet come to hand. The meeting, we learn, was fully attended; Dr. Conolly, formerly Professor in the London University, and who is distinguished as a writer on Medicine, was chairman; Dr. Otto, of Copenhagen, who stands at the head of the medical profession in Denmark, and who has long been an able and decided advocate of Phrenology, was present and addressed the meeting. Dr. Charles Caldwell, from the United States, was also present and made several speeches. A very interesting report of the proceedings of this Association may soon be expected.

Phrenological Almanac for 1842, by L. N. Fowler.-This little annual is already before the public, and contains a great amount of valuable reading matter. This work, though small, and seemingly unworthy of notice, is calculated to be of essential service in advancing Phrenology, and we are happy to learn that from present prospects, it bids fair to have a very extensive circulation the ensuing year.

The Northern Light for July-a monthly periodical published at Albany, N. Y.-contains a well written article on Mental and Moral Philosophy. The writer, S. S. Randall, Esq., speaks of the old systems of philosophy as "abstract conceptions of isolated intellect, captivating, indeed, and beautiful to the fancy, but cheerless and uncongenial to the heart;" while Phrenology is spoken of in terms of warm commendation.

First-Book of Natural History, prepared for the use of Schools and Colleges, by W. S. W. Ruschenberger, M. D. This is an excellent elementary work on Anatomy and Physiology, illustrated with numerous plates, and should have an extensive circulation, as it justly merits.

The present number closes the subscriber's connection with the American Phrenological Journal and Miscellany. With the exception of the matter contained in the first number of volume 1st, he alone is responsible for whatever has appeared in its pages; but with what success or ability the work has been conducted, it is left for the public to judge. While many things have conspired to render his editorial duties arduous and difficult, he has been constantly encouraged and cheered on in his labors by the patronage and communications of the friends of the science, as well as from an increasing conviction, on his own part, of the truth and importance of the principles which he has labored to disseminate. In taking his leave of the Phrenological Journal, he would embrace this opportunity to tender his kind regards to its readers generally, and to the conductors of the public press in particular, for their favorable notices of the work; and, especially, he would return his grateful acknowledgments to all whose contributions have enriched its pages, hoping they will find their reward in the satisfaction of having advanced the cause of truth and science. N. ALLEN.

PROPRIETOR'S NOTICE.

In closing the third volume of the American Phrenological Journal and Miscellany, its proprietors may be allowed to say, that, thus far, its expenses have exceeded its receipts by several thousand dollars. Indeed, so great and unremitted have been their sacrifices in sustaining it, that one of them, L. N. Fowler, feels compelled by a sense of duty, to decline any farther responsibility on its account. But though from its commencement it has called into requisition only to exhaust his utmost energies, even to the neglect of his family and to the injury of his health, still the other proprietor feels that he really CANNOT yet give up this moral lever, this means of good, for which he has so long lived and labored, be the sacrifice what it may, short of life.

"It is NOT with the desire or expectation of GAIN," therefore, but it is partly because he loves Phrenology as he loves his own life, and this Journal as its life-guard, and partly in the hope that the friends of the science, not by good wishes alone, but by their subscriptions and exertions in its behalf, will yet place it upon a permanent foundation, but mostly to advance this science of sciences by rescuing from oblivion its most valuable facts and suggestions, that he will sustain it ANOTHER YEAR, thereby continuing the probation which it holds out to phrenologists in which to solve the eventful problem: WILL THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SUSTAIN A PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL? O. S. FOWLER, L. N. FOWLER.

N. B. For particulars as to some contemplated changes, the reader is referred to the pages following the index.

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INDEX

TO VOLUMES I. II. & III.

OF THE

AMERICAN PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL

AND

MISCELLANY.