3d, Mr Wood's conduct on this occasion shows the animus with which he was affected towards Phrenology, also the latitude of practice which he conceives legitimate in order to refute it; and by these our readers will judge of the weight due to Mr Wood, as an authority against the science, and of the philosophical character as well as candid spirit of any other representations, which he or his assistants may make on the subject. And,

4th, The exposure we have been compelled to make of this notable attempt to refute Phrenology, by passing off an idiot as an ordinary pupil, ought to afford a practical lesson to those who have chosen to declare themselves hostile to the science, to make themselves masters of its first principles before they attempt to put it down, either by argument or by experiment.

ARTICLE XII.

CHRONICLES OF THE CANONGATE, SECOND SERIES, BY

THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY, &c.

This work is interesting to the Phrenologist, not only on account of the admirable delineation of individual character which it contains, but of the light which it throws on the condition of society in common life in feudal times. Advancing in civilization is just rising in the scale of faculties. The savage acts habitually from motives furnished by the animal propensities, the moral sentiments and reflection being nearly dormant. The barbarian, to which class we assign our feudal ancestors of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, is still a savage in the general tone of his character, but the higher sentiments and intellect have begun to mingle their influence in his actions, although their sway is unsteady and their direction often absurd:

Man, when fully civilized, will acknowledge the moral sentiments and reflecting intellect as his predominating motives ; and civilization is at all times perfect or imperfect in proportion to his approach to this standard.

The author remarks, “ that men rarely advance in civiliza“ ţion or refinement beyond the ideas of their own age;"> and hence each generation in succession appears to itself to have attained the limits of human perfection; it looks back, and sees that it has advanced, but it has not profundity nor comprehensiveness sufficient to look forward and perceive how far its successors are destined to surpass it in virtue and attainments. If the present generation could discover and embrace the extended views of morality and science which their successors a century hence will practically entertain, they could not remain as they now are; they would rapidly advance to the highest point which they could clearly perceive as attainable. But it is impossible for the great mass of mankind to realize ideas or maxims much in advance of those of their own age; might they not, however, be induced at least to offer less resistance to improvement than they generally do ? This salutary end might, perhaps, be attained by making them acquainted with the philosophy of human nature and its highest capabilities, by leading their minds over the page of history, exhibiting past generations acting from inferior motives and narrow views, and enforcing the conclusion,

that as we who now live have not attained the limits of improvement, we ought to admit, as a practical principle, that succeeding generations will surpass us; and, instead of being offended with new doctrines, new principles, and new practices, we ought to regard them with liberal toleration, and leave them free scope for operation, under the firm conviction that experience and discussion will extinguish all that are not conducive to human enjoyment.

“ We talk of a credulous vulgar," says Mrs Baliol, in the introductory chapter, “ without always recollecting that there is a “ vulgar incredulity, which, in historical matters, as well as in those ” of religion, finds it easier to doubt than to examine, and endea

vours to assume the credit of an esprit fort, by denying whatever

happens to be a little beyond the very limited comprehension of “ the sceptic." We add " science" to Mírs Baliol's catalogue of subjects, in which vulgar incredulity finds it easier to doubt

a

a

a

than to examine; and if the histories of Galileo, Harvey, and Newton, are not sufficient to establish our position, we appeal to that of Dr Gall and Phrenology.

Our readers cannot have forgotten the intense ridicule with which, a few years ago, Phrenologists were assailed for exhibiting organs of Combativeness and Destructiveness coexisting with organs of Benevolence, Veneration, and Conscientiousness, in the same individuals, and for asserting that the same man might be impetuous, combative, and wrathful, yet kind-hearted, courteous, and just. The character of Henry of the Wynd contains an admirable representation of these elements in combination :

"It is not my part, father," returned the Maid of Perth, "to "decide who had the right or wrong in the present brawl; nor did "I see what happened distinctly enough to say which was assailant

or which defender; but surely our friend, Master Henry, will "not deny that he lives in a perfect atmosphere of strife, blood, and " quarrels. He hears of no swordsman but he envies his reputation, "and must needs put his valour to the proof. He sees no brawl "but he must strike into the midst of it. Has he friends, he fights "with them for love and honour; has he enemies, he fights with "them for hatred and revenge. And those men who are neither "his friends nor his foes, he fights with them because they are on "this or that side of a river. His days are days of battle, and doubt"less he acts them over again in his dreams.

"Daughter," said Simon," your tongue wags too freely. Quar"rels and fights are men's business, not women's, and it is not maid"enly to think or speak of them."

"But if they are so rudely enacted in our presence," said Catherine," it is a little hard to expect us to think or speak of any thing "else. I will grant you, my father, that this valiant burgess of "Perth is one of the best-hearted men that draws breath within its "walls that he would walk a hundred yards out of the way rather "than step upon a worm-that he would be as loath, in wanton

ness, to kill a spider as if he were a kinsman to King Robert of "happy memory-that in his last quarrel, before his departure, he "fought four butchers to prevent their killing a poor mastiff that "had misbehaved in the bull-ring, and narrowly escaped the fate of "the cur that he was protecting. I will grant you also, that the poor never pass the house of the wealthy armourer but they are "relieved with food and alms. But what avails all this when his "sword makes as many starving orphans and mourning widows as "his purse relieves ?”

"Nay, but, Catherine, hear me but a word before going on with "a string of reproaches against my friend, that sound something "like sense, while they are, in truth, inconsistent with all we hear

"and see around us. What," continued the glover, " do our king "and our court, our knights and ladies, our abbots, monks, and "priests themselves, so earnestly crowd to see? Is it not to behold "a display of chivalry, to witness the gallant actions of brave knights "in the tilt and tournay ground, to look upon deeds of honour and "glory achieved by arms and bloodshed? What is it those proud knights do, that differs from what our good Henry Gow works "out in his sphere? Who ever heard of his abusing his skill and strength to do evil and forward oppression; and who knows not "how often it has been employed in the good cause of the burgh? " and shouldst not thou, of all women, deem thyself honoured and <6 glorious that so true a heart and so strong an arm has termed " himself thy bachelor? In what do the proudest dames take their "loftiest pride save in the chivalry of their knights; and has the "boldest in Scotland done more gallant deeds than my brave son "Henry, though but of low degree? Is he not known to Highland "and Lowland as the best armourer that ever made a sword, and "the truest soldier that ever drew one?"

"My dearest father," answered Catherine, your words contra"dict themselves, if you will permit your child to say so. Let us "thank God and the good saints, that we are in a peaceful rank of "life, below the notice of those whose high birth, and yet higher "pride, lead them to glory in their bloody works of cruelty, which "the proud and lordly term deeds of chivalry. Your wisdom will "allow that it would be absurd in us to prank ourselves in their "dainty plumes and splendid garments; why then should we imitate "their full-blown vices? Why should we assume their hard-hearted "pride and relentless cruelty, to which murder is not only a sport "but a subject of vainglorious triumph? Let those whose rank "claims as its right such bloody homage take pride and pleasure in "it; we, who have no share in the sacrifice, may the better pity the "sufferings of the victim. Let us thank our lowliness, since it se"cures us from temptation. But forgive me, father, if I have step"ped over the limits of my duty in contradicting the views which "you entertain, with so many others, on these subjects.”—Vol. i. p. 64.

Catherine Glover and the old King of Scotland present striking contrasts to the warlike ferocity of the other actors in the drama of the novel. Both are represented as eminently animated by benevolence, veneration, and justice, and possessed of very moderate animal propensities; they sigh after peace, happiness, and truth, as the only qualities fitted to afford them satisfaction, and feel deep disgust at the wild ferocity which animates every class of society, from the meanest citizen to the highest noble. They speak forth sentiments, which we of this generation recognise to be true, prac

tical, beautiful, and Christian, but which seemed to the barbarians to whom they were addressed as weak enthusiastic dreams.

The preparation for the judicial combat, by which the murder of Oliver Proudfoote was to be avenged, is highly characteristic of the manners of the age:

"Speak for the poor woman, Sir Patrick Charteris,” said the king, " and tell us the cause of her seeking our presence.”

"So please you, my liege," answered Sir Patrick, rising up, " this woman and these unhappy orphans make plaint to your "highness upon Sir John Romany of Romany, Knight, that by him

or by some of his household, her umquhile husband, Oliver Proud. “ foote, freeman and burgess of Perth, was slain upon

the streets of “ the city on the eve of Shrove Tuesday, or morning of Ash Wed“ nesday.'

“ Woman!” replied the king with much kindness, “thou art

gentle by thy sex, and shouldest be pitiful even by thy affliction ; “ for our own calamity ought to make us nay, I think it doth make “ us—merciful to others. Thy husband hath only trodden the path

appointed to us all.”

" In his case,” said the widow," my liege must remember it has “ been a brief and a bloody one."

“ I agree he hath had foul measure. But, prince, I have been “ unable to protect him, as I confess was my royal duty. I am

willing, in atonenient, to support thee and these orphans, as well, “ or better, than you lived in the days of your husband; only do “ thou pass from this charge, and be not the occasion of spilling

more life. Remember, I put before you the choice betwixt prac

tising mercy and pursuing vengeance, and that betwixt plenty " and poverty.

“ It'is true, my liege, we are poor,” answered the widow with un- shaken firmness;

“ but I and my children will feed with the beasts “ of the field ere we live on the price of my husband's blood. I “ demand the combat by my champion, as you are belted knight ~ and crowned king.”

“ I knew it would be so !” said the king aside to Albany. “In “ Scotland, the first words stammered by an infant, and the last « uttered by a dying graybeard, are, 'Combat-blood-revenge.'“ It skills not arguing further. Admit the defendants.”—Vol. ii.

p. 269.

The judicial combat accordingly took place amidst thousands of spectators of all ranks ; and, in this instance, victory declared for justice; the murderer was defeated, and Harry of the Wynd, who fought as champion of the widow, proved victorious. The descriptions of Sir Walter Scott are invalu