How to Become Rich: A Treatise on Phrenology, Choice of Professions and MatrimonyWindsor, William
Science
How to Become Rich: A Treatise on Phrenology, Choice of Professions and Matrimony
Windsor, William
Phrenology
It is found by dissection that the brain of an intellectual man exhibits
a larger number of convolutions than one of small intellectual calibre,
and that the convolutions are deeper and the layer of gray substance
thicker, and in consequence of the increase in number and depth of
convolutions there is a wider expanse of surface as well, for the
distribution of gray matter. Hence the relative proportion of gray
matter in different brains has come to be regarded by physiologists as a
test of mental power. Many idiots have large and well formed brains but
the convolutions are shallow and few and the gray matter small in
quantity and extent of surface. Physicians often ask me how I can
estimate the relative quantity of gray matter in a living head without
cutting into it. I refer them to the study of quality and temperament
which I have clearly expounded in this lecture. Do you ever find hickory
leaves growing on a pine tree? Show me the bark of a tree and I'll tell
you the quality of the wood within; show me the skin, the hair, the eyes
of a man and I'll tell you the quality of every organ in his body as
well as the quality of the brain. I recently astonished the
superintendent of an insane asylum by pointing out to him that the
quality of the hair, the eyes and the skin of idiots was essentially
different from the quality of those of more highly endowed persons, and
could be told in the dark by a person of educated sensibilities. The
quality and texture of the brain being determined, the next step is the
consideration of its size.
Other things being equal in all natural objects, size is the measure of
power. By the term "other things" in relation to the brain, we mean
temperament, quality and health. This simple principle explains why a
great many people who carry large heads are endowed with but little
intellectual power. Their heads are filled with "sawdust," in other
words, a brain of poor quality, supported by a feeble body, or vitiated
by excessive temperamental conditions.
Men who carry small and misshapen heads are often brilliant in certain
directions, and this limited brilliancy in special lines causes them to
be spoken of by superficial observers as men of great ability and
apparent exceptions to the phrenological rule. The fact remains,
however, that in no case is comprehensive greatness ever exhibited in a
head of small dimensions.
[Illustration: Small Head. Brilliant in Observation, Deficient in
Reflection.]
Large size of brain, accompanied with robust health, high quality and
good temperamental conditions, gives the highest phase of powerful
mentality and comprehensive greatness. Small size of brain, with poor
health, low quality and erratic temperamental conditions gives the
lowest form of mentality and constitutional inferiority. Between these
two extremes we may find every conceivable modification and form of
human character according to the various combinations of normal and
abnormal conditions.
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