in the reach of many, but frequent reference to which is absolutely necessary to the practical phrenologist. Measures might be adopted to render the utility of these societies much more extensive than at present. This is an important point, but being one not connected immediately with the subject of the present article, its farther consideration shall be avoided. It would be well if every phrenologist who possesses the power of clothing his ideas in perspicuous and ready language, would take every opportunity that may fall within his power of volunteering a public lecture upon the subject, in the different localities which he may chance to visit. It is highly desirable, however, that none should attempt this course who do not possess a competent,-a thorough knowledge of the subject in all its bearings. Much harm has been and will be done to the cause by the well-meant but ill-advised efforts of different individuals in this way. Those who do possess the competent knowledge of the subject, however, cannot do a greater service to the cause--we should rather say to their fellow-creatures— than by exerting themselves thus to promote the diffusion of a knowledge of the principles of Phrenology. Attention is, by these public lectures, attracted to the subject. Demonstration is offered to all with little difficulty, and numbers, who would otherwise have neglected the science as speculative, or as too laborious a matter for investigation, or who would haps have remained in utter ignorance of its existence, will be induced to give some attention to the subject. Their curiosity will be excited, and the probability will be that a large proportion will finally leave the lecture-room in a very different state of mind from that in which they first entered it. per Thus it has, we apprehend, been shewn that, while there are some classes and localities which appear unfavourable to the rapid diffusion of Phrenology, the progressive diffusion of that science has yet in general been great, and is becoming daily greater. It has been shewn that the popularity of the science, and the numbers who yield credence to its doctrines, must be very considerably under-estimated in the calculations made by Mr Watson. Finally, it has been shewn how much lies in the power of each individual; how much each true and zealous advocate of Phrenology may effect towards contributing to the diffusion of the science; and in contributing to that diffusion, how each will pursue the most effectual means toward the fulfilment of that object, which should be constantly present to the every philanthropist and every Christian,—the increasing of the means of life and health and happiness and enjoyment to every member of the human race. mind of J. T. S. ARTICLE III. REMARKS ON THE POSSIBILITY OF INCREASING THE DE- BY ANDREW A good deal of interest has lately been excited on a question of very great practical importance, and which has too little occupied the attention even of practical phrenologists. It is, Whether, by regulated exercise of a mental power, the cerebral organ by which it is manifested can be increased in size-and, on the other hand, whether, by inaction of any faculty, the magnitude of its organ may be reduced? On these points a diversity of opinions is entertained. By some it is affirmed that the nutrition and growth of an organ may be promoted or retarded almost at will, in proportion to the degree of exercise of its corresponding faculty. By others it is contended that exercise gives facility and readiness of action in the organ, but does not increase its size. It is, however, only by positive facts that the question can be settled, and I beg therefore to direct the reader's attention to their careful observation and more extensive collection, and to add a few remarks illustrative of the nature and tendency of the inquiry. It is admitted on all hands, that different parts of the brain arrive at their full growth in succession; that the faculties corresponding to them increase in vigour in proportion as the organs advance; and that, in all cases in which the latter fail to attain an average size, the mind remains to a like degree deficient in power. It is farther agreed upon by physiologists, that in old age, when the mental faculties become impaired, a decrease in the size of the brain, and especially of its anterior lobes, also takes place, and in some instances to so great a degree as to excite surprise. Hence we may safely assume,1st, that the brain grows and decays; and, 2dly, that its different parts grow and decay unequally as to both time and extent. The next point to be ascertained is, whether exercise alone is in all cases sufficient to excite growth, and whether the same result is obtainable at every period of life? In youth, when by the great law of nature growth is going on at any rate, in order to complete the development of the body, it is reasonable to suppose that organic increase will be more easily promoted in any given direction, than at a more advanced age when nutrition is already becoming secondary to decay. Such, accordingly, we find to be the case with the muscular system, variations in the size of which are perfectly obvious to our senses and recognised by all. The probability that the same law applies equally to the rest of the animal structure, and therefore also to the brain, is supported by many direct facts, shewing the closely concomitant progress of mental power and cerebral development. But that even after ma turity, when growth is no longer so energetic, any given portion of the brain may be rendered larger by assiduous exercise of its faculty, is a proposition which, however reasonable in itself, can be established only by the accumulation of well-observed and indisputable facts. That growth is easily promoted in early life by well-directed exercise, we have ample evidence. We often see the arms, for example, greatly increased in volume by reiterated exercise, while in the same individual the legs, from being left in partial inaction, remain rather under the average bulk. Of this I lately saw a remarkable instance in a young Cambridge student, the muscles of whose arms and chest had, by dint of constant rowing in a boat, become developed in an extraordinary degree, while his lower extremities, from comparative inaction, remained rather slender in form and bulk. In blacksmiths the same contrast is observable and from a similar cause; while in dancing-masters and pedestrians, on the other hand, the legs assume the predominance and the arms remain undeveloped. In like manner; we often see the chest enlarged in youth by indulgence in athletic exercises in the open air giving rise to full and frequent respiration. For the same reason, the larynx and voice may be developed and strengthened by loud recitations, singing, and public speaking, all of which excite increased vascular and nutritive action in the organs chiefly exercised. These facts, then, tend to shew that at least in other structures than the brain, well-directed activity leads to increase of organic development. The brain, however, offers no exception to the general law; for we find by observation, not only that the mind improves in capacity and vigour by the systematic exercise of its faculties, but that its cerebral organs advance in development in proportion as the mind advances from the weakness of childhood to the vigorous energy of mature age. In the forehead, accordingly, a great change of shape and dimensions frequently occurs during the transition from youth to maturity, and corresponds exactly with the greater depth of reflection which begins at that time to impart to the character the comprehensiveness and solidity of manhood. The general size of the brain, indeed, is increased, and hence the distinction made by hatters in the size of "youths" and "men's" hats-the latter being considerably larger than the former. In youth, then, we may hold it as almost, if not altogether, certain, that increase of size in immature organs will generally follow judicious and sustained mental exercise. But as cases occur in which bodily exercise has little effect in augmenting muscular development, so there are also some in which the effects of mental exercise in promoting growth in the cerebral organs are equally unappreciable; on the causes of these apparent exceptions I shall afterwards offer a few remarks, and in the mean time pass on to consider the organic results of exer, cise in mature age. The influence of exercise in adding to the development of organs in middle or mature life when nutrition and decay are nearly equal, although decidedly less marked in rapidity and extent than in youth, is nevertheless in many instances still perfectly obvious. In the muscular system, for example, a longer period of regularly recurring exercise is undoubtedly required to increase its development; and the enlargement, when it does occur, rarely proceeds so far as after similar exertion in earlier life. The same rule holds with the chest and lungs. Their capacity is more easily and largely increased in youth than after growth is finished; but still, in the great majority of cases, a very visible increase may be obtained by the persevering fulfilment of the required conditions, and of this fact every one must have seen examples in his own experience. If then (as it is quite logical to presume) the same law presides over nutrition in all parts of the body, the strictest analogy leads us directly to the inference, that even in mature age the size of the individual organs of the brain may be increased by adequate exercise of the corresponding faculties, though, as a gene ral rule, not so rapidly, or to the same extent, as at an earlier period of life. It is consequently not absurd, but, on the contrary, perfectly in accordance with the ascertained laws of physiology, to believe that changes to a certain extent, in the proportions of the different cerebral organs, may occur from a continued and marked difference in their opportunities of action. But the fact can be established only by direct and undeniable evidence, and hence it becomes a matter of deep interest to the phrenologist to procure, at intervals of a few years, careful and accurate casts of the heads of such individuals as have been subjected to any change of pursuits or circumstances, sufficiently permanent and considerable to have called into play a different order of mental powers from that formerly in activity. If, on comparing such casts, distinct changes in form and proportion are perceptible, a practical result of immense value to the educationist and legislator will be incontrovertibly established; and if, on the other hand, no difference appears, the fact will still be useful in shewing us clearly the limits by which our power of modifying development and character is bounded, and thus relieve us from aiming at the accomplishment of objects which in the very nature of things may be un attainable. In the museum of the Phrenological Society very few casts of the description alluded to are to be found, and those which bear upon the point refer chiefly to the period antecedent to mature age. In several living heads I have remarked what, from very attentive inspection, I consider as undeniable increase of size in individual organs, but, casts not having been obtained at the time of the first observation, it is now impossible to substantiate the reality of the change to the satisfaction of others. The presumption of accuracy is strengthened, however, by the concurring statements of several phrenologists, each of whom, unknown to the others, took notice of the alteration. But to that enterprizing phrenologist Mr Deville of London, the honour is especially due of having for several years past devoted great attention, and not more than it deserves, to the question under consideration. By unwearied exertion that gentleman has now collected a considerable number of casts taken from the same individuals at different intervals of time, and, as I am informed, demonstrating an extent of change in many of them, of which till lately no adequate conception was entertained; and along with this change there has been in every instance as decided an alteration of the mental character. I am not sufficiently acquainted with the details of Mr Deville's collection to be able to enumerate the individual instances as evidence but it is said that some of them are of a very striking and conclusive description, and it is much to be wished that an authentic account of them, with lithographic outlines of the heads, and a statement of the circumstances attending the alteration of character, were given to the public. Such an account would be both a guide and a stimulus to other observers, and would form a nucleus for a body of very instructive evidence. I have heard that some of the cases shew that even in advanced age an organ may become enlarged by due exercise, although the probability of such increase is then greatly smaller than in youth. In proof of this Mr Deville shews casts of the forehead of the late Sir William Herschel, who, it is well known, devoted himself to astronomical studies after the age of fifty, and then laid aside that of music, to which he had previously been addicted; and, on comparing the cast taken at the age of fifty-six with one taken some years earlier, a marked increase in the organs required for the mathematician is observable in it, while the organ of Tune has decreased. I have seen these casts, and, if they be really taken from the same head, the great difference in the development cannot be disputed. The celebrated Broussais is an ; |