the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

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Johann Spurzheim : [work on phrenology]

[Having heard some lectures on Spurzheim's ideas] 'I have since looked into the Dr's book, and if possible the case is worse. Certainly, it is not true, that, our intellectual & moral & physical powers are jumbled in such huge disorder - surely it will be marvellous if these powers can be defined and estimated with such Mathematical precision, from the size & figure of the scull; but it is very silly to say that Spurzhiem has demonstrated all this - Spurzhiem has demonstrated nothing; -for any thing he knows to the contrary, the faculties of the soul are to be ascertained from the figure & size of the abdomen - if the venerable science of palmistry is not to be revived - It is in vain to rail against the opposition shewn to novelties?the doctrine is not to be rejected for its novelty, but for its want of truth'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

Johann C. Spurzheim : Phrenology

'I have been engaged by Spurzheims new Edition of his Phrenology: he does not write English Accurately & even where I understand, I cannot always agree & that in Assertions which do not immediately relate to the Science to which I lean sceptically.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Crabbe      Print: Book

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