There is great acuteness and truth in these remarks, especially in the latter, in which Dr Blair observes, that differ ence of circumstances brings forth a discovery of the real character, rather than operates a radical alteration of it; while, at the same time, there is a change, in so far as one set of feelings gain the ascendency in the new situation which were subordinate in the old. In Burk, poverty, habits of vicious pleasure, intoxication, and the example of Hare, gave an ascendency to Destructiveness which in happier circumstances it did not possess.

This case is highly instructive to the Phrenologist, and shows the effect of external circumstances in bringing into predominance different elements of the mind. We have ne ver taught, that a man cannot commit murder who has an organ of Benevolence, for every individual has all the organs; but that a man cannot commit cool murder without possess ing Destructiveness largely developed, and here Destructiveness is very large. If it had been small, this case would have afforded a strong objection against that organ, because the propensity would have been manifested strongly without a corresponding development of the organ. It is true that Phrenologists have hazarded the conjecture as probable, that if the moral organs possess a sufficient predominance in size over Destructiveness and Combativeness, the individual will not be capable of committing a deliberate murder while sane; but they have made no pretensions to tell the exact proportion of moral power which in given circumstances will be sufficient to restrain a given development of the animal organs from abuse. The present case is pregnant with instruction on this point. We perceive that a considerable degree of moral feeling has been as dust in the balance when weighed against the excitement of the animal powers of Burk, stimulated by the external temptations offered to them.

Having laid before our readers a phrenological sketch of the character of Burk, as compared with his cerebral development, we beg now to add a few remarks on the indications

1

presented by that of his infamous accomplice and companion, Hare. We were allowed to examine the head, and our esti mate was afterwards corrected by a comparison with a very faithful cast taken by Mr Joseph, with the hair so closely cropped as completely to present the appearance of a cast moulded on the shaven scalp, except along a marginal line in front, where Hare would not allow the hair to be cut away; but even there it is so thin as to present no ob stacle,:

A

At a glance, the proportion of brain in the lower and back part, where the organs of the inferior propensities are situated, is perceived to be very great, compared with the top of the head, or region of the organs of the moral sentiments, which is low and flat, indicating a preponderance of the self ish and grovelling over the higher faculties of his mind. The organ of Acquisitiveness, which lies in the temples, and which gives the love of gain, is very large, and stands broadly out, much surpassing the same part even in Burk, in whom it was very considerable. The temporal muscle lies over it, and throws some difficulty in the way; but, making every allowance for its thickness, (which is generally moderate so high up,) the organ is unquestionably very large. The prominence which it occasions is so remarkable, that an inexperienced or superficial observer might easily confound it with the organ of Ideality, which is far from being large in Hare, and indeed not more than moderate. Next to Ac quisitiveness, the organs of Destructiveness, Combativeness, and Self-esteem are the most remarkable, forming altogether a combination of the lowest of the propensities, which, unguided as it was in Hare by any considerable endowment of moral sentiment, was abundantly strong to fit him for the scènes in which he acted so brutal a part. The hope of gain would be an inducement too strong for his powers of resist+ ance, no matter what the means were by which the end was to be obtained. The organ of Benevolence is decidedly smaller in Hare than in Burk; and it is well known that he

was the more brutal and disgusting of the two. Burk in his confessions mentions, that Hare could sleep soundly after a murder, but that he could not ; which indicates less of the moral feelings in the former than in the latter. Hare's Combativeness is also larger, and his Cautiousness rather smaller than Burk’s-giving greater warmth of temper, hastiness, and proneness to fighting; and in proof of this having been his character, his head, on being cropped for casting presented no fewer than six distinct scars, the remains of wounds sustained in his numerous squabbles and fights, chiefly in the Cowgate. The anterior lobe of the brain, containing the organs of intellect, is much shorter and smaller than that of Burk, although when viewed in front it presents a more perpendicular aspect, and may seem to be well developed. It presents - no indication of the acuteness and readiness by which Burk was distinguished even to the last. In short, the development of Hare turns out to be as complete a key to his mental character as that of Burk has been shown to be to his, and harmonizes in every respect with what is known of his manifestations.

This history strongly suggests the indispensable necessity of making arrangements to withdraw the temptations which stimulated the baser principles of these men's nature to such unprecedented excesses. A ·Phrenologist would say, that there are still Burks and Hares in society, that is, individuals who, while preserved from temptation, may pass through the world without great crimes, but in whom the capability exists of similar atrocities, if similar facilities are afforded them. In short, the case before 'us is instructive, in showing what a particular combination of human qualities is capable of performing in certain circumstances; and society ought to take the lesson to itself, that it is its duty, by means of education and rational institutions, to remove excitement to crime from such wretches to the greatest possible extent. The wild cry of indignation, and the amazement of horror manifested by the public, are mere ebullitions of

feeling, which lead to nothing. It is a cheap and easy way of being virtuous to express strong detestation of vice; but the true lesson to be learned from this dreadful and disgusting tragedy is to inquire into and remove the causes which gave it rise. This is active practical goodness; the other is mere indulgence of excited feelings, fleeting as the day on which they arise, and leaving no trace behind after time has caused them to subside.

ARTICLE V...

PRACTICAL PHRENOLOGY.*

To the Editor of the Phrenological Journal.

SIR,-Having observed, with much interest, the indisputable and undisguised manifestation of a number of the phrenological faculties in a child of my own, now only seventeen months old; and, farther, not having detected the manifestation in her of any faculty not already forming part of the phrenological analysis of the human mind;-I am not without a hope, that it may be interesting to you to hear what sort of exhibitions I did witness, that you may judge of the justice

of my reference of each to the primitive impulse or impulses from which it appeared to me to spring. My attention was first led to this matter, by observing the infant, whose general voice is unusually soft and gentle, begin, about ten months of age, to growl like an offended dog, if her little sisters interfered with any thing she held in her hand, or in any way thwarted or annoyed her. In a few days more she grasped her property firmly, and growled; and not long after I saw her attempt to bite one of her sisters. These

We insert with great pleasure the following communication from a married lady of much intelligence and talent, who has studied Phrenology for several years, and who, we know, applies it with great success in the education of her family, from 10 years of age downwards to 17 months.

were clearly the manifestations of Destructiveness and Acquisitiveness. I took an interest in farther observations; something new was always coming forth, and each faculty was very palpably attended by its appropriate natural language. Caution had before appeared (and, for wise reasons, it is among the first faculties manifested,) in the dread of strangers, and tendency to take alarm and evince fear. Combativeness appeared in thumping her toys upon the tables, chairs, or her sisters' heads, if they came in the way. Ad, hesiveness was visible in her attachment to her nurse and her father, and in her practice of caressing and even kissing of her own accord. These, with the earliest of all, the In stinct for food, were six innate primitive faculties, so free of combination, that they were easily distinguished; and I was encouraged to watch for the others with yet greater attention. Acquisitiveness, which formerly preserved property, now desired to acquire it; the little hands were held out, palms uppermost, with the fingers working, manifest, ing impatience to grasp and obtain the thing in sight,the very pathognomy laid down in the phrenological books. At 16 months she would not allow her sisters to touch her bonnet, her shoes, &c. though she did not object to older persons touching her property. Imitation occurred early, and gave rise to the imitation of actions, sounds, and cries of animals. Mirthfulness, or Love of the Ludicrous, was mapifested in hearty laughter at the antics of her sisters, and little absurdities which they performed for the purpose; and Firmness, in persevering in her object, by holding and bawling; and also, in proportion as memory increased, by the mind being with more difficulty diverted from its first object. · Individuality was obvious in her recognition of objects, and in the serious intense gaze of inquiry when any thing new was presented to her. Form also acted in combination with Individuality. She took up a piece of new narrow tape, which, being tight folded, she mistook for a paper to light a taper with, (an operation she had witnessed,) and insisted upon having it lighted, till a folded paper was put