THE EDINBURGH LOGIC CHAIR AND MR. COMBE THE PHRENOLOGIST.

THE approaching election of a Professor of Logic in the Univer- sity of Edinburgh, is exciting much interest, beyond its own lccality. The chief candidates are Sir WILLIAM HAMILTON and Mr. GEORGE COMBE ; and the interest arises front the pi etensions of the latter to establish the Phrenological Philosophy of Mind and Morals, for the first time, in a University chair. We think this question an important one; for the days of an ignorant ridi- cule of Phrenology, and of dogmatic prejudice against it, as leading to "materialism," and what not, are, by the common consent of thinking men, gone by. Mr. Comas, rightly consider-

ing the patrons of the Chair (the Town-Council), whatever may be their private opinions, as placing no Professor in their Univer-

sity on their own judgment of the truths of his philosophy, but

as being determined by the evidence of trustworthy authorities, has laid before them a whole volume of Testimonials, prefaced by

a very philosophical and sensible letter from himself. At his own request, the evidence is directed more in favour of his science than of his own qualifications. Indeed, all will agree, that if this science shall be installed in the University, it must be so in the person of its most celebrated teacher, GEORGE COMM. The number, and, whot is more, the weight of the certificates, have, in our degree of belief of the progress of the science, much sur- prised us, and would s:ag.ger the most sceptical. The testimonialists, sixty in number, are of various countries,— for fifteen are eminent Frenchmen, some are Danish, others Ame- rican; they are of various walks in science, religion, literature, and life; many of them are the well-known heads and officers of phi- losophical institutions, and teachers of the great schools of me li- eine and general science, throughout Europe ; and some of them Members of Pailiantent. Among them are the present philoso- phical and high-minded Archbishop of DUBLIN, himself the chief authority on Logic, as a writer upon it; and AMORAL, one of the most eminent gu des of the medical student. Such men, abd all of them, declared it to be their deliberate opinion, on long and patient study, that Phrenology is the true science of mind and analysis of the human faculties; and many of them, that it is the only discovered physiology of the brain, for which organs no certain use was previously known. The testimonials are classed as they support one or other or both of these claims, and yet more particularly, as they bear testimony to the value of the science in different departments of human affairs,—as Education, Criminal Legislation, and Insanity. On these three, the authority of prac- tical men is very strong. It cannot be said, according to the Baconian test, that Phrenology, like the other systems of mental philosophy, " is false because it is barren." We recommend the volume (published at Lorsumsses) to the perusal of our readers and the sc:entific world, as a very singular document. We wish we had room to extract a fair portion of it; we can only afford a few bits.

FROM THE ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN.

"habib. 14t1, April I5361. " Dear Sir—I have no hesitation in repeating what I have often said hmorer that I have derived both entertainment and instruction limn the perusal of your works. In sonic points I differ from you, and in several others I remain in doubt ; but touch that you have said I consider as highly valuable.

" The anatomical physiological portion of Phrenology—what I believe you call Olganology—demands more attention than I have had leisure to bestow, to enable a cautious inquirer to make up his mind upon it. But I am con- vinced, that even if all connexion of the brain with mind were regarded not merely as doubtful, but as a perfect chimera, still the treatises of many phreno- logical writers, and especially yours, would be of great value, from their em- ploying a metaphysical nomenclature far more logical, accurate, and convenient, than Locke, Stewal t, and other writers of their schools.

" That the reiigioua and moral objections against the phrenological theory are uttetly futile, I have from the first been fully convinced. " That clever article in the Edinimr.$ Review* to which you replied, I consider you as having completely and decisively refuted. Your answer did not indeed establish the truth of your theoiy, nor appeared to have such a de- sign; but in repelling those particular objections against it, you were triumphant.

" Belie:e me to he, with much respect, your faithful humble servant, "To George Ccmhe, Esq. RICHARD DUBLIN."

FROM DR. F.VANSON, PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE OF PHYSIC, IN THE ROYAL COLLF.GE OF PHYSICIANS, IRELAND.

"I conceive that a knowledge of Phrenology, as the true science of Mind, must not only be highly conducive to the successful teaching of a Logic class, but I do not think that metaphysical science cm be adequately taught, as it is now understood, without such knowledge ; and, therefore, consider that no greater improvetneot could be made in academic education, than the introduc- tion of the new philosophy of Mind."

moat MR. MACLAREN, EDITOR OF "THE SCOTSMAN."

"Phrenology, in my opinion, is chiefly valuable when regarded as a system of mental phitosophy. Even though I had no faith in its Organology,II should still hold that it possesses the following advantages : 1st, That at eshibits a more scientific and consistent classification of the human faculties than any other system of philosophy ; 2.1, That it gives a more lucid and satisfactory explana- tion of those varieties of national and individual character which we lind in the world ; Od, Ti it it has a more immediate and practical hearing on human con- duct amt the business of life, on morals, education, and legistation. We have the testimony both of the learned and*the unlearned to its merits in this

• • respect." •

6"flie Professor of Logic must teach some system of mental philosophy ; and the question for the Council is, not whether Phrenology is a perfect system_, but wlisther it not preferable to any of the others presently known, which are numerous and discordant."

FROM MR. ROBERT CHAMBERS, ONE OF THE CONDUCTORS OF " CHAU-. BERS'S EDINBURGH JOURNAL."

" Nor is this system of mind so much limited in its acceptance as may be supposed. I have reason to know, that without the Organology, it is mak- ing rapid progress amongst the more thinking portion of the middle and lower ranks; so that, while the elder schools of mental Indent* never consisted of any but a few learned persons, the new may be considered as tending, with- out the sanction of the learned, ta embrace the great bo ly of the people. Its progress would, in my opinion, have been much greater, if its pretensions as a means of discovering character from external signs had not hems ignorantly con- &untied with those of the false sciences of the middle ages. Were the meta- physics presented alone, this obstacle would be in a great measure overcome."

FROM DR. JAMES JOHNSON, PHYSICIAN EXTRAORDINARY TO THE KING, &C.

•

" I have been long acquainted with the writings of Mr. Combe, and have considered them as exhibiting the most rational and enlightened views of the human mind, as levealeal through the organ of Mind, in this. our sublunary state of existence."

• By Lord, ,in

PROM M. NICHOL, PROFESSOR OF PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW.

" Mr. Combe's succean as a teacher is demonstrated ; for he ham during a succession of years fixed the attention of large audiences nn disqMsitions front which, however important and necessary to be thought of and understood, the public had by entnnion consent been formerly debarred. Ilia power consi.ts partly in the simplicity and effectivernew of Int language; partly in hie poa- session of a comprehensive intellect, which enables him to mistier details, and waboidinate them to principle ; but chiefly, perhaps, to the manifestation of

thetee moral qualities which impelled him to assume the position he has occu- pied..

FROM 'THE HON. D. G. HALLYBURTON, M.P. FOR TORFARSHIRE.

" If Mr. Comhe shall be the fortunate choice of a majority of the patron', they may not, it is true, just at poesent be cneeted on by the unanimous voice of popular opinion,—the new doctrine not having use the sanction of fashion. able acquiescence ; hut I would respectfully beg leave to ask your Lordship, whether the Newtonian philosophy, for example. was less true, or less impor- tant, towards the latter part of the erventeenth century, when it was rumpled at and oppugned by many a mathematieian and self.styled philosopher in Europe, than it was come thirty or forty years later, when enthroned with all acade- mical pomp and honours, in Cambridge, its birth-place and its cradle?"

FROM MR. FERGUSON OF RAITH, M.P.

" This T will say, that I consider the chair would be filled, if the Omit* was made of yourself, in a way the most conducive to the progrest of the Philmophy of the Human Mind, more than by the appointment of any man I know. The important science which you have an taweessfully followed up, may not yet have obtained that general confidence which it must ultimately acquire; butt I cannot doubt that the Philosophy of Mind, founded on the functions of the brain, so ably, an eloquently, and so philosophically maintained by you, must ete long become the bolls of Mental Philosophy, and prove highly condoeive to the wseful teaching of the Logic ellss. Edinbutgls will do itself high honour if you are the.asecessful candidate."

The letters from Sir WILLIAM Eters, of the Hanwell Lunatic Asylum, Mr. BROWIVE, of the Montrose,and some others, are very striking; and not less so are those from persons who have the charge of criminals and of schools. A ppended to the Testimonials, there are certificates from printers and publishers (NEIL and Co., CHAMBERS and Co., LONGMAN, SIMPIElls1 and MARSHALL, and ANDERSON) of the immense sale of Mr. COMHE'S various works— above thirty-eight thousand conies ; each certificate stating that the demand is on the increase, and the interest in the subject extend- ing among all ranks of the people. Can any thing like this be said of the old philosophy ? Though we ourselves are not physi- ologists of the brain—in other words, organologists—we are not incompetent to judge of the abstract faculties, and above all of the results; which Mr. WYSE, the Chairman of the Irish Educational Committee of Parliament, certifies to be his condition. We can observe, too, the signs of the times, in a more enlightened treat- ment of both lunatics and criminals, based on phrenological principles; and above all, a system of education gaining popu- larity, which is nothing but the training and improvement of the faculties of the phrenological analysis, in physical, moral, and in- tellectual education. We see the Legislature giving that educa- tion an unusually patient investigation; and, as stated in another part of this number, a disciple of the same system honoured by a public expression of favour, by one of the most intelligent and im- portant communities in the empire. The old pedag,oguism re- ceived no such distinctions.

Our readers may ask what has all this to do with the Chair of Logic ? The certificates answer this question. Logic is the right use of the intellectual faculties in knowing and reason- ing; and a just analysis of the faculties forms an essential part of the instruction of a Logic chair. The present position of the patrons is most interesting. The old philosophies of mind hitherto taught in their University have all been " barren ;" and, if they ever had much, have lost authority in the scientific world. DUGALD STEWART himself held that " the philosophy of mind was yet in expectation." Shall error, admitted error, be entailed upon an- other generation? or shall a new, and a generally admitted fruitful philosophy, have a trial? There never was a more important question; and many an eye is fixed on the patrons.

Some, it is said, object to Mr. Cosine's religious opinions. If

it were not the chair of Logic, but of a specific theology, which he aspired to fill, there would be sense and consistency in this objec- tion. But it is utterly illogical, as applied to the teacher of any science w Mel' rests, like mathematics, on a natural and not a Scriptural foundation. The previous, the only questions, are—does Mr. COMBE, in his own department, teach truth? and does he in- terfere with no other department of instruction ? Truth in its es- sence is of God, and is not less truth that there may be errors in other opinions held by the same mind that teaches it. We have supposed, (what we know not, and have not the impertinence to inquire.) that Mr. Comes's religious faith actually differs from the standards of the Church of Scotland; and we ask what then? That of many conscientious Christians, some of them Professors in the same University, does so too. In the diversities of human faculties and their combinations, the Book of Life is, and must be, variously read. Who has a right to judge his brother, and escape being judged himself? Who dares to say to his neighbour, " To me, and not to thy master, thou standest or tallest?" There must be an end of this pharisaical gossiping—this prying into our neighbour's conscience—this eavesdropping to learn or coojecture his religious opinions. It is a persecution worse than the Popish ; which, other- wise. the Reformation has only cast off to replace,—although the basis of the Reformation is the right of private judgment. But Sir. eosins has not to declare his philosophy for the first time from the Logic chair ; it is known to the world. Mr.Comme has never questioned a religious doetrine. He has shown that the ethics he teaches are coincident with Preceptive Christianity,—indeed, some of his testimonigliste consider his Constitution qf Mun as the Philosophy of Preceptive Christianits,—but he has never im- pugned the peculiar dogmas of any religious sect. But his philo- sophical views, it is replied, tend to certain heresies, and are there- fore dangerous. This illogicality of intolerance, this mere twaddle of dogmatism, is di-graceful in an enlightened age. Are his views true If they ure,—and they can only be shown to be false by philosophical facts or reasonings, not by theological persecution,— they are of the Creator's establishing ; and we may ask ally can- did and sensible man to explain to us what is meant by a dangerous truth I If the objection were that Mr. Co KM'S views are erroneous, he would, doubtless, respect the objection mid meet it, provided it were philosophically, and not theologically urged; but nothing can be moie absurd than an attempt to quash philosophical opinions, on the sole ground of their alleged tendeuey to affect theological conclusions or Scriptural interpretations. If the phi- losophical views are sound, then let the theologians look to their interpretations. Since the Reformation, we have not heard of in- fallible theologians, more than infallible philosophers. Judging Mr. COMHE by his writings and lectures, we consider the odium theologicum for some time past raised around him as a crying in- justice. It is not, however, uninstructive, that the religious world are themselves divided in their opinion of the tendency of Mr. COMBE'S philosophical views. 111.:st sincere Christians have de- clared in our own hearine, that, without in the least shaking its foundations, these views have rendered heir religion more clear arid practical. We have heard, on go. :d authority, that the letters Mr. COMBE has received from religious persons alone, would if published neutralize the theological vituperation. Is this able and conscientious man, then, not to be allowed to have an opinion of his own ? Is a mass of inferior minds, because it is a mass, to be per- mitted to control, nay extinguish, a mind which seems raised up to enlighten them all ? We hope and trust that such a blot is not to forma page of the University's history in the second quarter of the nineteenth century ; but that the patrons,—whom we know to be liberal, independent, ay, and enlightened men,—u ill not, from deference to Mr. COMBOS persecutors either scientific or religious, lose hold of the noble opportunity, which will be speedily seized by some other seat of science, of anticipating the vet diet of posterity, and opening the same gates to the new Philo- sophy of Mind which had the immortal hoiosur to be the first to admit the Principle of NEWTON.