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6
PHRENOLOGY. Bi
teienes is often loosely applied to know.edge of all sorts; but
they believed that there was a stricter sense in which it should
be used; and in behalf of the committee, I would propose that
the definition of science shall be, “certain knowledge—know-
lalge founded on facts.” .
Mn. Crangy. Mr President!
Preament. Mr. Crancy, gentlemen.
Mn. Cranzy. The definition, sir, that the gentleman litte
given, Is certainly very strict; but I shall not object to it, if
we be required to prove no more than can be proved of the
other sciences. 'To open a debate, therefore, sir, I assert that
phrenclogy is a science, founded on facts, and as certain as any
human knowledge. It is founded on facts, sir, inasmuch aa
most of the important discoveries in anatomy are the basis of
it; and its truths are demonstrable to the senses. Tt is certain,
sir, in so far as its principles, if understood, may be uncrringly
applied to estimate the mental power by the size, and form, ©
and other peculiarities of the head, JI think, sir, no one will
be bold enough to deny that Doctors Gall and Spurzheim were
skillful anatomists, and that they examined the structure of the
brain, of the nerves, and of the skull, more carefully than any
otuer had done; and this, surely, did not disqualify them for
judging of the usrs of the brain and nerves. It is customary
for quacks and impostors, sir, to start with less knowledge than
those who are called regular practitioners ; but they started,
sir, with more. And if their opponents, whom I may also call
their enemies, have since confessed that their discoveries in ana .
tomy are real and important, we have reason to hope, sir, that
they will, ere long, be also compelled to confess, that the ap-
plication of their facts ta the illustration of mind, is only fool-
inh; because it is above the comprehension of fools.
Mr, STIFFLIP. Mr. President! .
Preswent. Mr. Stifilip, gentlemen.
Mr. Sturrii. I rise, sir, to reply to the gentleman last up,
end I shall endeavor to do go effectually ic a few words. I
acknowledge, sir, that the researches of Gau and Spurzhein
threw some light upon the structure and operations of the
brain and nerves. But, sir, this acknowledgment may be
made, without any obligation to follow them into the mazes
whither they wandered after they left the sure basis of facts, to