Part 3

These national differences have been attributed to the influence of soil and climate:--but although these exercise some influence, they are inadequate to explain the whole--climate would materially affect the customs of the people, and these customs would influence the organization of those parts of the brain influenced by the operations of the mind in procuring animal comforts,--the developement of constructiveness is greatly affected by the cause. But when we remember how certainly the same causes produce the same results throughout the works of nature, we are often unable to explain much of this influence, the Europeans and native Indians have lived for centuries under the influence of the same physical causes--the one has progressed like their brethren of the old continent,--the other remains stationary in savage and uncivilized wildness.

Religious and political institutions again, have been brought forward as the causes of these differences; but this is a superficial view of the matter, because it will be granted that all our institutions have been framed as the minds of man require them, not anteriorly: and when we except institutions like that of christianity, the direct gift of God himself, from what cause do we consider human institutions to emanate except from the minds of those who legislate for the wants of a people, or who impose institutions upon them by right of arbitrary power.

That national character accords with Phrenological rules, is true as far as we have opportunities of judging; but at present our collections of national skulls are not sufficiently extensive to draw any very remarkable conclusions; the most prejudiced observer cannot fail to remark the great difference among the skulls of different people--thus, the ancient Greek with _Ideality and Constructiveness_ large, when opposed to the deficient skull of the New Hollander, shews as striking a contrast, as the hovels of the one, do to the architectural remains of the other.[1]

To estimate national peculiarities properly, travellers competent to examine heads, and classify temperaments are much wanted: the size of individual organs and their combinations are also required: the skulls that we possess shew that the brain is in exact agreement with the characters given to their various people by travellers of observation and experience.--The subjugation of a free people to a foreign yoke,--the introduction of new customs by conquerors,--the revolutions of states and empires, and the intercourse of nations, with many other matters to be gathered from the history of the world, all aid in assisting us to determine national character and from this to deduce the natural tendencies of individuals.

MENTAL FACULTIES.

DIVISION I. FEELINGS AND PROPENSITIES.

_Common to man and the inferior animals._

1. AMATIVENESS. LOVE.

This organ is situated in the cerebellum, about half way between the centre of the occipital bone and the large long process behind the ear. It manifests itself by the thickness or width of the back part of the head; it is produced as the human frame approaches full developement, being small in children, and generally on the increase between the ages of sixteen and twenty four,--it frequently diminishes in old age. USE,--This organ is properly exercised in virtuous affection:--the endearments of a domestic circle, and the society of those we love;--it softens the proud, irascible, anti-social principles of human nature, and aids the benevolent affections,--it causes a respectful, and honourable deference to the softer sex;--inspires the poet in his best conceptions of the purity, and self devotedness of Love, and produces that quiet but effectual influence in society, which is shown in the kind interest taken by either sex in the proceedings of the other. When abused, or allowed only to act as an animal propensity, the absence of the higher feature is a very unamiable trait in the human character,--no deference is paid to age or sex and woman regarded only as the minister to illicit lust. Love to God is shown by overcoming these baser feelings, "they who love me, are such as follow my commands" were the words of the Christian's pattern, and the exercise of this mental faculty is best shown by those who practise charity or universal love without which we are but as "a sounding brass or tinkling cymbal." ABUSE.--An encouragement of animal and debasing sensuality which soon leads to a loss of modesty, and personal respect, and virtue: the worship due to the Creator is lavished on the creature; Jealousy and its myriad evil attendants originate chiefly in the abuse of this faculty.

2. PHILOPROGENITIVENESS, LOVE OF OFFSPRING.

In animals this organ is termed _instinct_, and instinct means an original propensity impelling an animal to a particular action without intention or purpose. This organ is situated over the cerebellum, and corresponds to the protuberance of the occiput, rather above and between the duplex organ of amativeness. As a faculty inherent in the human race it is beautifully shown in parental affection; women have it larger than men, and it is found to be larger in the female, than in the male skulls of animals. The interest of this feeling is often proportionate to the helplessness of infancy;--a mother doats on her infant in the earliest months of existence when few beside herself can see any attractions in it: it is generally manifested in large families where the youngest is invariably the favourite, unless when sickness causes another to share in maternal tenderness. It seems probable that the fondness lavished by maiden ladies on animals, originates in this faculty: for they often nurse and pamper their pets quite as excessively as parents do children. The mutual love or affection for the same offspring is the bond of union in marriage--a step-parent seldom exhibits any thing more than regard towards the child of another: it has been observed by Spurzheim that he found it small in 29 infanticides whom he had been able to examine: but as the faculty in its proper use produces feelings of the most delightful and exquisite character so is it the more liable to ABUSE. Children are thus spoiled by indulgence, their prospects are raised by a parent's mistaken affection; and instead of protection and happiness to children and attention and deference from them, it too often terminates in a spoiled child on the one side, and disrespect towards the other. Through mistaken opinions parents often prefer to make their children _rich_ rather than _good_ thus sacrificing their temporal and eternal welfare, leading them to put their trust in things "which the moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves do break in and steal," rather than in that Rock of ages without whose knowledge not one sparrow dies.

3. ADHESIVENESS, ATTACHMENT.

This organ is located at the middle of the posterior edge of the parietal lobe, or each side of Concentrativeness, higher than Philoprogenitiveness, and just above the lambdoidal suture. USE--This faculty is marked in those individuals who exhibit permanent attachment to beings and objects around them--it gives a permanence to friendship, a steady adherence to opinions, and a dislike to change whether of objects or persons: a person with this faculty well developed will manifest friendship to another even in the greatest depression of fortune when friendship is most severely tried: it is on the average larger in females than in men, and this is shewn in the permanence of their attachments, "Man," it is said "may love, but it is too often with a view to his own gratification, but when a woman loves, she does so with all her soul."--The absence of this organ shews an individual to be of a cold, indifferent character in his friendship, and one not to be depended upon in the hour of misfortune, it is only where the organ is well developed that an attachment is sustained through evil report and good report: when regulated by judgment rather than passion, it produces the noblest examples of disinterestedness and devotion.--The ABUSE of this organ is shown in the unworthy attachment of man to the fleeting things of this life--he places not his affections upon high, but on the conections of party, the interests, the advantages of this life--he loves life to an erroneous extent, perhaps degenerates into a recluse, shews a devoted attachment to the good things of this life and but little for him who was the true friend as "the way, the truth, and the life."

4. INHABITIVENESS.--LOVE OF HOME.

Inhabitiveness is by many persons considered as a modification of the preceding organ or of _Concentrativeness_: it can hardly be considered a definite organ, or a distinct mental faculty: it is observed particularly in the attachment of individuals to some particular spot,--their home, country, or abode of those whom they love;--as the Swiss have been known to pine for the mountain heights of their father land, or, as all men desire their ashes to repose at the side of their dearest kin. Dr. Spurzheim in his late work published in America is inclined to attribute a more extensive sphere of action to this organ than can be yet decided; and in fact, it is a decided manifestation of mental energy in many persons--a dislike of change, especially of abode; a disinclination to travel, an attachment to the place of birth, of long residence, or the spot where life has been spent, leads many persons to live and die in the same spot where their fathers lived and died before them;--it is this organ that gives a _Home_ to Englishmen, _Home_, for which some languages have not even an expression, _Home_, in defence of which, Englishmen have so bravely fought, so nobly died. Many animals are attached to peculiar situations, the chamois, on the Alpine cliff,--the eagle, soaring to his eyrie,--and the beaver located by some unfrequented stream, give evidence of a similar tendency.

The faculty when ABUSED, or allowed to be excessive leads to peculiarity of disposition, an avoidance of strangers, a dislike to necessary duties that interfere with domestic arrangements, nervous ideas, susceptibility of insult, and in some cases, by the neglect of external objects, the mind dwelling upon its own internal emotions only, has declined to monomania or even temporary alienation.

5. COMBATIVENESS.

Combativeness is situated on each side of Philoprogenitiveness, a little behind, and up from the ear; being the result of great mental energy, it is indicative of physical courage; it enables an individual to contend with difficulty and danger, prompts to repel whatever is inimical, and opposed to his exertions. The instinctive tendency is doubtless to oppose, and thus produce courage; in its lowest activity it leads simply to resistance; in a higher degree to attack the measures, sentiments, or opinions of others; it is generally more developed in men than in women, although individual instances occur among women with this organ largely developed: the name given to this faculty originally by Dr. Gall was, "_the instinct of self defence, and defence of property_," but the definition was regarded by Spurzheim as too limited; and its operation in connection with other faculties is very extensive indeed--because _courage_ when properly directed is useful to preserve the right, and Dr. Johnson speaking of courage, says, "it is a quality so necessary for maintaining virtue that it is respected even when associated with vice."--On this account it lends _energy of character_, and is necessary to all great actions; for even in the most virtuous designs, how frequently is opposition manifested, which it requires every energy to subdue; those who fight for virtue, require courage as much, or more than those who fight for vice;--when this organ is deficient, the individual is unfitted for the bustles and fatigues of active life, he shrinks from hostility and from any course that opposes the feelings, the prejudices or even the vices of human society. It is very powerful in combination, lending its aid to the designs of a Howard, lending _energy_ to the application of talent, or _courage_ to the opponent of sin;--the most perfect and useful member of society, is formed by the full developement of moral sentiments, due allowance of reflective power, and a stimulative degree of this organ. Useful, however as it is, when well used, so is its action dangerous when unchecked, and in abuse. It inspires a love of contention, and controversy, so that the social hours become embittered by strife; a tendency to anger and provocation by irritating conduct; to rashness in designs from miscalculation of their effects. An individual knowing this organ to be large, should always _think_ before he _acts_, and always keep before him the illustrious example of _Him_, who "being reviled, reviled not again."--The energy given him, should be employed well, he should never "be weary of well doing," but remember that "the fruit of the spirit, is love, joy, and peace."

6. DESTRUCTIVENESS.

The organ of destructiveness is immediately over the external opening of the ear, being more or less forward as the developement is more or less intellectual. The faculty is indispensable to all animals who live on flesh, and it differs from the preceding organ in being more permanent. Combativeness gives courage to meet danger, or oppose it without terror. Destructiveness lends a _constant power_ of overcoming and destroying as long as the object of opposition remains; its energy is thus a permanent stimulus to exertion, so as to overcome whatever object is in view--if learning, indefatigable perseverance; if riches, a constant plodding in the pursuit; if virtue, a firm and unvarying opposition to the myriad phases of sin. Combativeness is the _active_ momentary stimulus that requires excitement. Destructiveness, the _passive_ energy that supports continued exertion. The organ is thus valuable when rightly used, but unfortunately it lends its energy to evil pursuits as well as good ones--it is found in the hardened and unrepentant sinner, as well as in the noble and energetic patriot; it is thus highly dangerous in persons whose organization is not under the government of moral principle; a good endowment is indispensable for a proper discharge of duty, as the sword, the emblem of destructiveness is often combined with the scales of justice, the one to measure the offence, the other to punish the contemners of the law; those who have the organ small, are deficient of energy, incapable of fighting with the turmoils of the world.--on the other hand the abuse of it is recognised in petty tyranny, a desire to trample on those beneath us; a carelessness to the happiness of others, and a severity of punishment for the minutest fault; In common life we may trace the operation of this faculty; a preacher, with the organ large and benevolence small, would hold out the _threatenings_ of the Gospel, a preacher of the opposite organization would dwell upon its _promise of pardon_; the ill-treatment of animals and children, results from this faculty, uncontrolled by moral sentiments; the crowds of ignorant persons who assemble at bull-baits, cock fights, and other species of cruelty are led to gratify the organ from a want of moral principle: the dreadful practice of swearing, uttering threats of vengeance far beyond human power, and calling down imprecations on the heads of others, arises from the same cause, and how rarely are these seen (to any extent) in educated society--where the energy of character has been directed by moral training into useful channels;--The abuse of this organ is therefore to be earnestly cautioned against, because, lending its energy to evil, it is productive of the worst results. Destructiveness itself is rarely found as a principle of destruction, but the various degrees of vice and crime are often persevered in till they become more evil than this organ. A person therefore should endeavour to break off rooted habits (if bad ones) by directing the energy of the mind into other channels, they must walk in the Spirit, and not fulfil the lusts of the flesh, knowing that, "they that are Christ's crucify the flesh and the affections, and lusts that belong to it." Let them put on the whole armour of God, so that they may stand against the wiles of the devil, let them take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD.

7. SECRETIVENESS.

This organ is situated immediately above Destructiveness, in the lateral portion of the brain; when both organs are fully developed, it becomes difficult without practice to distinguish them, it may therefore be mentioned that Secretiveness is higher and more forward than the other. It seems to result from some instinctive tendency existing in the mind, to conceal from the public eye, its own emotions and ideas. It is essential to a prudent character, for as Solomon says, "A fool uttereth all his mind; but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards."--In the lower order of animals the same faculty is termed _cunning_, and it not only aids them in their pursuit of food, but also enables them to combat force by prudence. It enforces a salutary restraint against undue manifestation of other propensities which are best maintained within an individual's own bosom, and it serves likewise to guard against the prying curiosity of others; those persons in whom it is deficient are blunt and unrestrained in their opinions, exhibit great want of tact in society, expressing their sentiments without regard to propriety of time, or place, or person. When properly employed, this organ tends to shew a reserved disposition, it suspects the secret design of others, and exhibits the secrecy which is indispensable to prudent conduct and success: a deficiency of this organ is shown among tale bearers, gossips, and newsmongers, and to the want of it some portion of scandal may be attributed. Secretiveness is necessary for the confidence of friendship, it is an essential element of politeness, much of which consists in avoiding the expression of what is disagreeable. It is however liable to ABUSE, and then it leads to much evil: a love for concealment, intrigue, cunning, and mystery in the details of every day life; hypocrisy and dissimulation to hide what has been done on the sly; persons with overweening _Self Esteem_ always conceal their affairs from the eye of the world, are anxious to support appearances, and maintain a fair character outwardly even if their private acts are of the grossest kind; if associated with want of moral sentiment it leads to lying and theft: it is often manifest to a surprising extent among the insane. Persons having the organ large will do well to keep a check upon any unnatural reserve: and they should always see that they do nothing that requires concealment: if the organ _must be_ exercised, let them lay up the word of God in their hearts which is the seed, that sown in an honest and good heart, brings forth fruit to perfection.

8. ALIMENTIVENESS.

This organ is only a probable one: a love for food hardly appears to be a natural function of the mind, and most of the known instances of enormous appetite appear to have resulted from organic disease (in nearly every instance that is quoted by Phrenologists.) There appears to be some grounds for supposing that this part of the brain is connected with the sensations of hunger and thirst, and perhaps also with the sense of taste. Spurzheim says of it, "This organ though indicated by reason and comparative anatomy, is merely probable and can be confirmed or rejected like every other, according to direct observations alone, in comparing cerebral developement to the special propensity. I possess many facts in confirmation."

9. CONSTRUCTIVENESS, MECHANICAL SKILL.

It requires some little experience to tell the precise spot of this organ, it is situated in the frontal bone above the spheno-temporal suture, but its position varies with the developement; and it is somewhat covered by the temporal muscle, so that it is difficult to judge except from experience. Constructiveness is the application of the inventive faculty, and since necessity is the mother of invention, Constructiveness is that talent possessed by man for constructing and fabricating whatever his wants or his desires may originate. It is this organ that is exercised by the architect, the painter and the poet in refined life, by the artisan of humble life, by the beaver in their huts, birds in their nests and even spiders in their webs: it is a most valuable faculty: and to it we are indebted for the ability to carry out what the mere intellectual faculties have conceived: it depends for its value upon the organs wherewith it is associated, with language and Ideality, it gives poetical ability; with form, the art of sculpture; or with colour, painting--where the organ is in excess it determines to ABUSE; such as, the attempting to do what an acquaintance with philosophy would prove impossible; the construction of ingenious, but useless or even mischievous articles; the application of constructive ability in imitating valuables for base purposes; throwing away great labour on articles of curiosity, and innumerable other ways in which mis-application of ability is productive of injury: it should be remembered that ability in any way is a talent, for us to improve against the time when our Lord comes to require it of us, and we should remember that misapplication will be a more serious fault, than that of the servant who hid his lord's talent in a napkin, or of him who buried it in the ground.

10. ACQUISITIVENESS.