Valuable Tes imony.—Dr. John Mackintosh, the author of two octavo volumes on the "Principles of Pathology and Practice of Medicine"work which has passed through several editions in Great Britain, as well as in our own country-pays, in Vol. II, page 79, the following just tribute to Drs. Gall and Spurzheim:

The brain has been divided by those distinguished anatomists and physiologists, Gall and Spurzheim, into a number of organs which they conceive to be separate ganglions; and although I must confess that I have had neither time nor opportunity to examine their system with that care and attention which the importance of the subject demands, and which might enable me to give a decided opinion respecting the truth of all its parts, yet experience obliges me to state, that much of their doctrine appears to be true, and that science owes a great deal to the labours of the gentlemen who have been engaged in phrenological inquiry.

Some years after the above was written, and when Dr. Mackintosh had given phrenology a thorough investigation, we find the following sentiments expressed by him in relation to the science, in a letter addressed to Mr. Combe, at the time the latter stood as a candidate for the chair of logic in the University of Edinburgh. Says Dr. M.:

The more closely I study nature, in health and disease, the more firm are my convictions of the soundness of phrenological doctrines. I regard phrenology as the true basis of the science of the mind, and as such am persuaded it will be found highly conducive to the successful teaching of logic. *** I know no one who has devoted the energies of his mind to the careful study of phrenology, who has not become a convert, and I anticipate, at no very distant date, the triumph of truth over the prejudices which have been so assiduously heaped upon the science by crafty men, or those quite ignorant of the subject. *** I may add, that a great revolution has taken place within these few years, not only in this country, but also on the continent, in favour of phrenological doctrines; the number of opponents has diminished, and the disciples have increased in a remarkable manner-in so much, that in Paris there is scarcely an illustrious name connected with medicine, or any of the sciences, that is not found enrolled in the list of members of the Phrenological Society.

Massachusetts State Lunatic Hospital.-We have just received the seventh report of this admirably managed institution, from its superintendent, Dr. S. B. Woodward. As it is our intention to give, in a future number of the Journal, a full account of this institution, and show the application of phrenological principles to the treatment of the insane, we can now make only one extract from this report. The intelligent reader, after perusing so lucid and correct an explanation of the nature of insanity, as is contained in this extract, will not be surprised at the remarkable success which has attended Dr. Woodward's labours. In this report, on page 65, Dr. W. remarks as follows:-"We must not for a moment overlook the fact, that insanity is a physical disease, that the mind, in the most deplorable case, is not obliterated; its integrity is only disturbed; it remains the same; its faculties ready, as soon as the physical structure shall have regained health and soundness, to resume operations, and exhibit the manifestations which legitimately belong to them. If the senses are deluded, false impressions are conveyed to the mind, but the senses are physical organs, and the mind is no more at fault if they lead it astray, than it is in believing the false representations of another individual; so of any other function of the brain; false per

ceptions, morbid activity, or depression of the animal propensities, or of 383 he higher sentiments, depend upon physical influences wholly beyond the power of the individual to control; as soon, however, as the physical imperfection is removed, and a healthy condition of the brain restored, reason again resumes its empire, and the integrity of the mind becomes apparent. It is only when the organic structure of the brain, and its appendages, have undergone such physical changes as to be permanent and enduring, that insanity is utterly hopeless. Death only can then cure insanity. The mind is still unharmed, and as soon as its connection with this diseased incumbrance shall be dissolved, who can doubt that the author of its being will furnish it an immortal medium of action in another state of existence, fitted for the sphere of its future enjoyments? The diseased brain in insanity, the worn-out brain of the aged, and the imperfect brain of the idiot, are the only reasons why the mind is not as active and intelligent in these individuals as in the rest of mankind; in another state of existence all will be changed, this corruptible will put on incorruption, and this mortal, immortality.'"

And on page 100, Dr. Woodward, in alluding to the introduction and influence of religious exercises on the insane, speaks thus :-" As I have elsewhere remarked, his whole mind is not always insane; there are cords in his intellect and moral feelings which can be made to vibrate by proper touches, and the response may change his whole character, and influence his whole conduct. His moral feelings may be sound and healthy, if his intellect is disturbed by allusions, or his understanding may, to a great extent, be rational, when his feelings are perverted and his moral nature estranged. It is by appeals to the understanding, and the sensibilities through the healthy avenues, that the mind is reached by the moral influence which we exert, and this is also the avenue for religious influence."

Address delivered before the Albany Phrenological Society, at its meeting in the Female Academy, on the evening of April 2, 1840. By THOMAS W. OLCOTT, President of the Society.

We are indebted to Mr. E. N. Horsford for a copy of this very appropriate and well-written address. In speaking of the progress of the science, Mr. Olcott remarks as follows:

Phrenology, or the physiology of the brain, considered in connection with its mental manifestations, may be said to have passed in triumph the days of its severest trial, and fiercest opposition. Many of the most distinguished medical men and journals give it a cordial support. It is acknowledged and adopted as a science in the London Hospital, the London Institution, Granger's Theatre of Anatomy and Medicine, and its principles are taught in the London University as applicable to the treatment of insanity, and are advocated by the Medical and Surgical Journal of London. The Medico-Chirurgical Review of the same city speaks of the science "as the most intelligent and self-consistent of mental philosophy ever presented to the contemplation of inquisitive men, and commends its utility especially in reference to purposes of system education, legislation, political economy, criminal jurisprudence, history, legal and theological elocution, and above all, to the true philosophy of medicine."

And again: Mr. O., after remarking that, if a single organ of the brain is correctly designated as the seat or instrument of a particular faculty, then is phrenology early and firmly established, proceeds thus:

I knew a boy who was born with St. Vitus' Dance, in the poor-house at Hudson, and who could neither read nor write, but who discovered, at an early age, arithmetical powers nearly equal to those of Colburn. Mozart began to compose at the age of four years; Handel, at even an earlier period of life; and several of the most eminent poets, painters, and philosophers of former days, evinced precocious genius in some particular department. Phrenology offers a ready explanation of these phenomena, as also of partial insanity or monomania.

"The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul, created in the image of God." It is the mysterious operations of the machinery of this wonderfully formed being, that phrenology would study and unfold-a being created but a little lower than the angels, and reflecting in the grandeur of moral excellence, the likeness and glory of the Creator -a being deriving life, and soul, and mind, from the immediate emanation of the Divine perfections. Such was man as originally created, and fitting was Eden as the place of his abode. But from the fall of Adam sin became a constituent element of man's nature, and defaced the heavenly impress of moral rectitude and beauty. Man, to be happy must be virtuous, and doubtless even in this life our enjoyment keeps pace with our advance in holiness. Hence "the proper study of mankind is man," in order that we may know ourselves, and become acquainted with the force and bias of the various springs of human action. Either from its peculiar adaptation, or from adventitious circumstances, phrenology appears to be identified with the cause of education, and it certainly furnishes a convenient nomenclature for the study and illustration of the functions and operations of the mind.

Phrenological Association.-There has existed for some years past in Great Britain, what is called the "British Association for the Advancement of Science," being composed of the most scientific men from England, Scotland, and Ireland. Among these are quite a number of phrenologists, who last August united and formed themselves into a society, to be called "The Phrenological Association," which should meet annually at the same time and place of the British Association. The objects of this association, as stated in the January number of the English Phrenological Journal, are these:-"1, The advancement of phrenological science; 2, The diffusion of an accurate knowledge of that science; 3, The elevation of phrenology to that degree of consideration and dignity before the public mind, to which it is entitled as a branch of philosophy; 4, To promote intercourse amongst phrenologists of this and other countries. The ultimate objects of the association to be effected by thus promoting a knowledge of man's mental constitution, is the improvement of the human race in intelligence, morality, and consequent happiness."

London Phrenological Journal.-We are requested to mention that this journal is published on the first of January, April, July, and October, regularly, by Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, & Co., of that city, price in London 2s. 6d. per copy for each number, or $2.50 per annum. Messrs. Wiley & Putnam, booksellers, Broadway, New York, have agreed to act as agents for the work in this country, to the effect of procuring, through their house in London, copies for American subscribers who place the requisite funds in their hands in advance; but they do not receive or execute orders on any other terms.

We hail this work as the most extensive and valuable contribution to the natural history of man, which has yet appeared on the American continent, and anticipate for it a cordial reception by scientific men, not only in the United States, but in Europe. The subject is one of great interest, and Dr. Morton has treated it in a manner at once scientific and pleasing, while the beauty and accuracy of his lithographic plates are not surpassed by any of the modern illustrations of science.

The principal design of the work, says Dr. Morton, has been "to give accurate delineations of the crania of more than forty Indian nations, Peruvian, Brazilian, and Mexican, together with a particularly extended series from North America, from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, and from Florida to the region of the Polar tribes. Especial attention has also been given to the singular distortions of the skull caused by mechanical contrivances in use among various nations, Peruvians, Charibs, Natches, and the tribes inhabiting the Oregon Territory." His materials, in this department, are so ample, that he has been enabled to give a full exposition of the subject. He has also bestowed particular attention on the crania from the mounds of this country, which have been compared with similar relics, derived both from ancient and modern tribes, "in order to examine, by the evidence of osteological facts, whether the American aborigines, of all epochs, have belonged to one race, or to a plurality of races."

The introductory Essay, "on the varieties of the human species,"

From the American Journal of Science and Arts, No. 2, Vol. 38. Edited by Benjamin Silliman, M. D., LL. D.

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occupies ninety-five pages. It is learned, lucid, and, like the whole work, classically written. The author notices the great diversity of opinions that have existed among naturalists regarding the grouping of mankind into races; Linnæus referred all the human family to five races; Buffon proposed six great divisions; subsequently, however, he reduced it to five; while Blumenbach, adopting the arrangement of Buffon, has changed the names of some of the divisions, and designated, with greater accuracy, their geographical distribution. Cuvier admitted three races only, the Caucasian, Mongolian, and Ethiopian ; while Malté Brun enumerates sixteen. A French professor, Broc, in his Essai sur les Races Humaines, published in 1836, has attempted to establish several sub-genera. The cause of these wide diversities of opinion obviously lies in the imperfect knowledge yet possessed of the subject.

Dr. Morton adopts the arrangement of Blumenbach in so far as regards the great divisions, substituting, however, the word race for the term "variety" of the German author, and changing the order in which Blumenbach considers some of them. He considers the human species as consisting of twenty-two families, which he arranges under the heads of the Caucasian. Mongolian, Malay, American, and Ethiopian races.

I. The CAUCASIAN RACE is characterised by a naturally fair skin, susceptible of every tint; hair fine, long, and curling, and of various colours. The skull is large and oval, and its anterior portion full and elevated. The face is small in proportion to the head, of an oval form, with wellproportioned features. The nasal bones are arched, the chin tull, and the teeth vertical. The race is distinguished for the facility with which it attains the highest intellectual endowments."

The subdivisions of this race are into-1st, The Caucasian; 2d, The Germanic; 3d, The Celtic; 4th, The Arabian; 5th, The Lybian; 6th, The Nilotic, (Egyptian); and 7th, The Indostanic families.

II. "The MONGOLIAN RACE.-This is characterised by a sallow or olive coloured skin, which appears to be drawn tight over the bones of the face; long, black, straight hair, and thin beard. The nose is broad and short; the eyes are small, black, and obliquely placed, and the eye-brows arched and linear; the lips are turned, the cheek bones broad and flat, and the zygomatic arches salient. The skull is oblong-oval, somewhat flattened at the sides, with a low forehead. In their intellectual character the Mongolians are ingenious, imitative, and highly susceptible of cultivation."

The subordinate divisions are into-8th, The Mongol-Tartar; 9th, The Turkish; 10th, The Chinese; 11th, The Indo-Chinese: 12th, The Polar families.

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