PHYSIOGNOMY AND CRANIOLOGY.

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of the two subjects we treat upon, is derived from a'Grecian compound in that language, fumoyw/Ma, comingfrom Qucrif, natura, nature, and ytvutrxu, gno, I know; velgnaratis , knowledge. Physiognomy refers to the surfaceof the head; and Craniology goes to its basis, or interior.Those sciences suffer the fate of most newly adopted disco-veries, not being yet sufficiently identified by popular beliefLike the doctrine of Harvey, the illustrious discoverer of thecirculation of the blood, they are reviled, mis-stated, andvilified, as was that noted discovery in the time of Harvey ;and for years after his death, the college of physicians andsurgeons, previous to their admission of new members,compelled them to swear by solemn oath that they did notbelieve in its circulation!' and treated as merely visionary,and their supporters derided with the sneers and abuse ofthe would-be scientific world. 1 In the present state of pub-lic opinion, we do not mean to impose our belief as thecriterion of truth ;■ nor do we wish to place obstacles in theway to the perfection of those sciences, of which their sup-porters appear to be firmly persuaded of their evident exist-ence ; but, on the contrary, advise an impartial investiga-tion. All we can do, shall be done without prejudice,which is—impartially to state the evidence of their professorsin their favour, with such ostensible arguments that havebeen urged against them. Having done this, we hope todischarge our duty to science, and not be found wanting inthat respect we feel for a liberal-minded and enlightenedpublic.

The supporters of physiognomy first state, that they re-gard the human face as the index to the mind; they addthat it bears an evident analogy to the dial-plate of a re-corder of the progress of time: whilst the feelings whichoperate on the mind, give impulses to the will, and directthe corporeal motion of the frame, they say, these are to beregarded as the mechanism in the interior of a clock, whichdirects the hand to the hour: by a frequent repetition ofour feelings, they say, the features acquire a habitude toevidence certain expressions in the countenance, superioror paramount to all other feelings, impressing the face withan unfailing index to the prevailing temperament of themind. This statement appears to be extremely probable

* This we state on the authority of Dr. Thornton, in his popular lectures upon

the circulation of the blood.”

4 Innumerable other instances could be adduced of the folly of the humanspecies, and of the sufferings of illustrious individuals; to instance only the exam-ples of SocrateSy Galileo, and Copernicus ,