Lectures on phrenology / by George Combe ; including its application to the present and prospective condition of the United States, with notes, an introductory essay, and a historical sketch by Andrew Boardman.

  • Combe, George, 1788-1858.
Date:
1889
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Lectures on phrenology / by George Combe ; including its application to the present and prospective condition of the United States, with notes, an introductory essay, and a historical sketch by Andrew Boardman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    V] way sentiments upon he matter, nor are we disposed to suppress tvhal we unfhncliingly acknowledge to be true, viz. that Mr. Combe is a profound man, who gains upon the understanding from day to day, by the simple presentations of truth. lie must be regarded as an able, • lay, unrivalled teacher of a system which can alone explain the pheno- mena of mind.” At the close of this course, November 14th, 1839, the audience passed a series of resolutions highly commendatory of himself and of his lectures. I wrote to the secretary of that meeting requesting a copy of the resolutions, which unfortunately he had misplaced. On the succeeding evening, a social entertainment was given to Mr. Combe at the Tremont House, at which he was presented with a valuable silver vase of chaste and elegant workmanship. Mr. Combe’s second course of lectures commenced in Nevv-York, mi the 19th of November, and closed on the 24th of December. 1838. Here his audience was much of the same character as at Boston. At the close of his course, the following resolutions were unanimous ly adopted : Resolved, That the members of the class who have attended the course of phr*i nological lectures delivered by George Combe, Esq., at Clinton Hall, entertain 3 lively sense of obligation to the distinguished lecturer for the valuable informaiim he has communicated to us during the lectures just closed; that we have been greatly pleased and instructed by the clear, felicitous, and convincing manner id which he has imparted to us his varied and profound knowledge of the philosophy of mind; and that we regard phrenology as eminently calculated to advance the oause of education, to improve the institutions of society and of government, a*, i to elevate the condition of the human race. ‘‘ Resolved, That in Mr. Combe we recognize the most successful advocate <~ phrenological science, the philosopher and the philanthropist; and that phrenoi >g as explained and illustrated by him, claims, in our opinion, the attention of ad those who would investigate mind philosophically, and who desire the diffusion o( truth and the exaltation of the moral and intellectual faculties of man. “ Resolved, That in the application of phrenology to the investigation of human character, and the practical purposes of life, we perceive a new era in mental and physiological science, in which we believe human enquiry will be greatly facilitated, and the amount of human happiness essentially increased. “ Resolved, That inasmuch as prejudice may deter many individuals from attend- ing Mr. Combe’s lectures in other cities of our country, which he proposes to visit and as the truth and importance of phrenology can be understood and appreciated only after an exan ination of its principles, we recommend to such citizens an attendance upon his entire course; being convinced that they will find their own advantage in doing so, and that they wiil thereby become better able to judge of the truth and practical utility of the science. “ Resolved, That entertaining these views and feeiings, we take great pleasure in tendering an expression of them to Mr. Combe, and in adding our most hearty wishos for his personal happiness, and for Ins long-continued usefulness to hit ’ellow-mcn. “ Rseohol, That Silas Jones, Esq., Counsellor at Law and Superintendent o*