Phrenological Development of Robert Burns: From a Cast of His Skull Moulded at Dumfries, the 31st Day of March 1834 — John Shaqi
Phrenological Development of Robert Burns: From a Cast of His Skull Moulded at Dumfries, the 31st Day of March 1834Combe, George
Science
Phrenological Development of Robert Burns: From a Cast of His Skull Moulded at Dumfries, the 31st Day of March 1834
Combe, George
Burns, Robert, 1759-1796; Phrenology
The cast of a Skull does not show the temperament of the individual, but
the portraits of Burns indicate the bilious and nervous temperaments--the
sources of strength, activity, and susceptibility; and the descriptions
given by his contemporaries of his beaming and energetic eye, and the
rapidity and impetuosity of his manifestations, establish the inference
that his brain was active and susceptible.
Size in the brain, other conditions being equal, is the measure of mental
power. The Skull of Burns indicates a large brain. The length is 8, and
the greatest breadth nearly 6 inches. The circumference is 22-1/4 inches.
These measurements exceed the average of Scotch living heads, _including
the integuments_, for which four-eighths of an inch may be allowed.
The brain of Burns, therefore, possessed the two elements of power and
activity.
The portions of the brain which manifest the animal propensities are
uncommonly large, indicating strong passions, and great energy in action
under their influence. The group of organs manifesting the domestic
affections (Amativeness, Philoprogenitiveness, and Adhesiveness), is
large; Philoprogenitiveness uncommonly so for a male head.
The organs of Combativeness and Destructiveness are large, bespeaking
great heat of temper, impatience, and liability to irritation.
Secretiveness and Cautiousness are both large, and would confer
considerable power of restraint, where he felt restraint to be necessary.
Acquisitiveness, Self-Esteem, and Love of Approbation, are also in ample
endowment, although the first is less than the other two; these feelings
give the love of property, a high consideration of self, and desire of the
esteem of others. The first quality will not be so readily conceded to
Burns as the second and third, which, indeed, were much stronger; but the
Phrenologist records what is presented by nature, in full confidence that
the manifestations, when the character is correctly understood, will be
found to correspond with the development, and he states that the brain
indicates considerable love of property.
The organs of the moral sentiments are also largely developed. Ideality,
Wonder, Imitation, and Benevolence, are the largest in size. Veneration
also is large. Conscientiousness, Firmness, and Hope, are full.
The Knowing organs, or those of perceptive intellect, are large; and the
organs of Reflection are also considerable, but less than the former.
Causality is larger than Comparison, and Wit is less than either.
The Skull indicates the combination of strong animal passions, with
equally powerful moral emotions. If the natural morality had been less,
the endowment of the propensities is sufficient to have constituted a
character of the most desperate description. The combination, as it
exists, bespeaks a mind extremely subject to contending emotions--capable
of great good or great evil--and encompassed with vast difficulties in
preserving a steady, even, onward course of practical morality.
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