Responsive to its mighty breath, The hopes, the passions, and the springs The power that grasps the monarch's crown; The bright, the dark, the good, the vile; MESSRS. FOWLERS: 'Tis HERE that I behold THE MAN! 66 GENTLEMEN-I have lately commenced the study of your Phrenology." Formerly I was a skeptic, regarding the science as a humbug; but every advance I make in the study convinces me that my skepticism was the offspring of ignorance only. Phrenology is the true science of mind; this I am convinced of. But I confess I meet with some difficulties as I advance-seeming difficulties, doubtless, yet, nevertheless, somewhat embarrassing to me. For instance, I have Firmness full, or large; in my brother's head, where this organ is located there is a flatness, if not a depression. The organ of Continuity is also as full in my head as in his. This ought to give me the larger share of perseverance, of tenacity. Yet the contrary of this is the fact. As long as a thing is new, I labor at it with energy, but I soon flag, become weary, and throw it aside. If my brother commences a piece of work, he will drive it through, and never rest or pause until it is finished. But if any thing at which he is engaged is interrupted, ten chances to one if he will ever resume it; whereas I generally have a number of things going on at the same time. I will often throw a work aside, and again resume it, sometimes finish a job; but just as likely, after making a beginning, throw it aside altogether. I have commenced so many projects, and completed so few, that some persons call me fickle. And yet 1 think I am not; for, in regard to principles and leading objects, I am not changeable, and I am not as easily swayed by advice as he is. Now, why is it, that my brother, having a smaller organ of Firmness than myself, has more perseverance? Will a difference of temperament account for it? My head is fully as large as his; I am taller, but thinner in the face, and not so full in the chest. He has a predominance of what you call the Vital temperament; I, of the Motive, I think.(a) I think my manner of studying the science is a little peculiar. The location of the organs and the functions they perform are soon learned; but the effect of the combinations of organs is not so easily surmounted. With a bust, and your work on Phrenology, I find the former only an amusement. My plan for learning the effects of the various combinations is as follows: I suppose a head, for instance, with large Benevolence, Approbativeness, Conscientiousness, and Adhesiveness. Having a slate before me, I write down the characteristics I suppose such a combination would give, then, referring to "Phrenology Illustrated," I compare the character there given with mine. Thus, when the learner writes down the character correctly, his Self-Esteem is vastly gratified, and this gives a zest to the study it would not otherwise possess, and, besides, gives him a faculty for writing out characters with facility, if he ever should desire to make a practical use of his learning.(b) I like your plan of Americanizing the science, and I hope you will carry to still greater lengths. You long since suggested the alteration of the name it Destructiveness to Executiveness. I am convinced the latter term is more expressive of the function than the former; why, then, not adopt it in your classification? Shall we cling to a misnomer, merely because it is of European origin? I had more to say, but I feel myself flagging; (c) so here I subscribe myself, Yours, very respectfully, D. (a) If I could see these subjects, I could probably solve the difficulty, and I think I can as it is. The writer is probably of a highly active and excitable, but not enduring temperament, while his brother is doubtless more cool and steady in his organic constitution. Mental manifestations quite analogous to each other may spring from different conditions. Thus, a very fervid temperament creates that intensity of desire which begets an importunity and tenacity easily mistaken for Firmness, yet a close analysis of the manifestation will show its cause to be ardent FEELING, instead of cool decision. Let these feelings subside, and this apparent obstinacy becomes flexibility. So Combativeness may be mistaken for Firmness; yet in such cases the manifestation subsides when the opposition which caused it ceases. Students of Phrenology are required to exercise their Comparison vigorously and perpetually, by way of ascertaining these MAIN-SPRINGS of conduct. Yet we shall discuss this and kindred points more fully in our articles on the Temperaments and Combinations, announced for this volume. (b) This mode of procedure is indeed excellent, and furnishes a most admirable school for that discipline of Comparison which the student of Phrenology requires more than any other faculty. (c) Evidently not a want of decision, but a "flagging" of his constitutional excitability. RESOLUTIONS OF THANKS. AFTER the closing lecture of Mr. H. Wisner, on Saturday evening, the 15th inst., the meeting was called to order by Jno. W. Bell, Esq., on whose motion Dr. Jacob Kirby was called to the chair, and De Witt C. Johnston appointed secretary. After which Mr. Bell moved the adoption of the following resolutions: Whereas, Mr. Wisner has, during the past week, entertained our citizens with a course of instructive and highly entertaining lectures on the subject of Phrenology, and kindred topics, therefore, be it Resolved, That we regard Mr. Wisner as a courteous gentleman, a pleasing and instructive lecturer, a profound Phrenologist, and a correct delineator of human character. 2. That we tender him our sincere thanks for the course of lectures delivered in our town, and. 3. That we recommend him to the consideration and patronage of all to whom he may present himself. 4. That these resolutions be published in the Hillsborough papers, and that a copy be furnished Mr. Wisner. Which were unanimously adopted. DE WITT C. JOHNSTON, Sec'y. JACOB KIRBY, Ch'n. EXTRACT FROM A PRIVATE LETTER.--THAT WORK ON RELIGION is just the thing that is needed in community, and if I were able I would like to place a copy of it in every family. If we could have such preaching as is contained in that work, I should not be compelled to stay at home every Sunday for want of interest in the sermons. Oh, I long for the time when all dogmas, creeds, and sectarian walls shall be broken down and scattered to the four winds, and mankind can come together and examine, with unprejudiced minds, those subjects which concern their future welfare, both temporal and spiritual. And that time is coming-"the good time coming." God speed the day. NEW BOOKS. A DEFENCE OF PHRENOLOGY, Containing, 1st, an Essay on the Nature and Value of Phrenological Evidence; 2d, a Vindication of Phrenology against the Attack of Dr. John Augustine Smith; 3d, View of Facts Relied on by Phrenologists as a Proof that the Cerebellum is the Seat of the Re-productive Instinct. By ANDREW BOARDMAN. Price 75 cents. Mailable. Mr. A. Boardman, of New York, the author of this book, whom we recognize as a tried soldier, who has been battling for years, in defence of a system that will stand as long as men are born with heads, still exhibits a praiseworthy valor. When Spurzheim died, a host of strange people started from hiding-. places, and boldly kicked the dead lion; still Phrenology lives, and it is admitted by its opposers, that it cannot die while philosophy is taught, or the elements of physiology and anatomy are recognized as elements of a finished education. This comprehensive book is an interesting record of the views of such as entertain a well-founded belief in the truths revealed by this extraordinary science.-PHILADELPHIA ADVERTISER. THE PARENT'S GUIDE for the Transmission of Desired Qualities to Offspring, and Childbirth made Easy. By Mrs. HESTER PENDLETON. 12mo., pp. 212. New York: Fowlers & Wells. Mailable. Price 50 cents. The subjects treated in this volume are of the highest moment to the physi cal and moral well-being of the human race, and worthy the most careful study and investigation. The theory which Mrs. P. endeavors to establish, is understood and applied in the improvement of domestic animals-as the horse, hog, sheep, etc.—and it would seem that the analogy of improving our own kind, in accordance with the theory, was as capable of demonstration as any problem in Euclid. The present work, we are told-and it bears internal evidence of truthfulness—is the result of long and mature reflection, and a well-grounded induction from history, from observation, and from experience." We earnestly commend its perusal to parents, and, indeed, all who desire to become the progenitors of a noble race.-HUNT'S MERCHANT'S MAGAZINE. THE WATER-CUKE JOURNAL, and Herald of Reforms, edited by Dr. Shew, has just been enlarged from sixteen to thirty-two large octavo pages, monthly. The terms will remain the same as formerly, viz: ONLY ONE DOLLAR a year, in advance. Please address FOWLERS & WELLS, Clinton Hall, 131 Nassau street, New York. As the new volume commenced on the first of July, it is desirable that subscriptions be forwarded as soon as possible, in order to obtain the volume complete. See Prospectus on third page of this cover. PHRENOLOGY AT SARATOGA SPRINGS.-The editor intends to give a course of lectures at Saratoga the last part of July and first of August. TOBACCO AND EDUCATION.-The Board of Education at Syracuse, have refused to employ any man in that city who uses tobacco in any form. ARTICLE XLV. PHRENOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF JAMES E. MURDOCH, WITH A LIKENESS,* AS GIVEN BY S. R. WELLS, NEW YORK, JULY, 1848. James & Murdoch. MR. MURDOCH has a strong constitution, inherited from a long-lived ancestry; is capable of enduring much mental and physical exertion, and generally carrying into practice the promptings of his intellect; but being built on the high-pressure principle, is enthusiastic, and liable, under exciting circumstances, to go to extremes, and perhaps to overdo From a Daguerreotype by Plumbe. VOL. X.-NO. VIII.-16 and produce necessity for subsequent reinvigoration. He has more taste for mental than manual labor; would engage in a profession requiring the use of his brain, rather than his hands; prefers the enjoyments and pleasures, instead of the drudgeries of life; would do better for a manager than an operator, and endeavor to make a hard job easy. He is formed for social life-appreciates the society of friends; is fond of domestic enjoyments-of wife and children—a kind and affectionate 'husband and father; would be interested in the welfare and improvement of woman, and is decidedly a domestic man in his feelings. He is rather impulsive, and his impulses quickly wrought to action; is very decided and positive in the expression of his opinions; not a noparty man, but takes his position, and does not fear to maintain it—no reference is here had to his politics; is candid, open-hearted, and hardly non-committal enough for his own interest at times; and would be better fitted to cope with the world if he had more of the restraining influences of Secretiveness and Cautiousness, to correspond with the propelling, high-pressure principle that governs his actions. He is highly ambitious, and desirous to excel in whatever he undertakes; wants to be number one, or not at all, and would exert him. self strenuously to accomplish his object, and to have his motives and efforts appreciated; can't endure to be suspected, or to have his motives impugned, and feels a censure very keenly, whether deserved or not, but endeavors to do his utmost to secure the approbation of his friends; still, he would be very unwilling to sacrifice dignity, honor, or principle, for praise. I said he would feel censure very keenly, which is true; yet he is not afraid of opposition, but courts rather than shrinks from it; is quick and spirited in his resentments, but does not harbor the feelings of revenge or cruelty. He is very fond of fun; is jovial, buoyant, cheerful, and witty. He fully appreciates a joke, and is fond of repartee. His partialities for persons or objects are strong, and he wants to be constantly with those he likes; but his dislikes are equally strong. He has a strong tenacity for life, and all its pleasures, such as eating, drinking, sleeping, breathing; but can endure a privation of the former three better than most persons, if he can only have a plenty of fresh air. He is fond of money, and knows how to make it; but all his desires are very strong, and call loudly for gratification. What he wants at all, he feels that he MUST HAVE that there is a necessity in the case-and is satisfied with no half-way or second-best articles; hence, finds much use for money, and is in no danger of being wealthy, unless almost by accident, for if he does not need it for his own he will to supply the wants of others; because it is difficult for him to say no, or to refuse a request, even though his judgment-if he would wait to consult it would dictate such a course. use, He has a very susceptible taste with regard to appropriateness in the |