Sixth Period:

FROM TWENTY-NINE TO THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS OF AGE.

1825 TO 1834.

'Phrenology is one of a group of sciences, different from anatomy, and its truths are of a larger stature. It belongs to the doctrine not of the human body, but of man, and is one of the lesser departments of Anthropology.

'Considered as a branch of observation, it has never been assailed successfully, because no one has paid so much attention to its facts as the Phrenologists themselves. The word of the phrenological student may be taken, since the oppugners have formed no contrary induction, which in destroying Phrenology, might supplant it by a better practical system. The world will give it a long trial, were it only that it deals with the substances of character, and seems to create a solid play-ground, away from the abstractions of the old metaphysics. Color and life, substance and form, are dear to mankind, as homes against the wind of cold speculation. We cannot give them up for patches of sky a thousand miles from the earth, or for anything, in short, but still more substantial houses.'

DR. WILKINSON.

AFTER passing my first night at Dawson's Hotel, which with a splendid exterior, was one of the dirtiest houses I had ever been in, I began to arrange my letters of introduction, preparatory to my entering on the business of a school in Dublin.

My engagement was with Mr. Thomas Hutton, an eminent coach maker, in Summer Hill, and who afterwards, I believe, was M.P. for Dublin. I had letters to many of the nobility, and to people of the highest standing in Dublin; among others, to Sir M- S- of Bushy Park, Lady Powerscourt, of Enniskerry, and to a

Mr. Ha banker. These letters I first left with my card, and then proceeding to Summer Hill, had an interview with my principal, but I was by him turned over to the care of Mrs. H., and for a few days had apartments at this gentleman's house. The school not being ready for my operations, it was resolved that I should deliver a Lecture on Education, at the Rotunda. I had an audience of about a thousand persons, and though timid at the commencement, as, indeed, I always am even to this day, I soon acquired confidence, and went through an outline of Pestalozzi's plans with apparent satisfaction to the audience. After the lecture, I was closely questioned by several of the Roman Catholic clergy who were present, to whom, as I was afterwards told, I had given entire satisfaction. I had a fortnight at this time at my own disposal, the school not being ready for occupation.

I had a letter of introduction to Lady Powerscourt (as before noted) at Enniskerry; and I resolved to walk this journey with the view of seeing the country, but by so doing I missed seeing the lady, who had left for the continent about an hour before my arrival. On my return to Dublin, I found a letter inviting me to dine with Mr. H, the banker; it was to be what was called a family dinner. I went, and was perfectly dazzled with the assemblage of ladies in the drawing-room, and felt myself grievously embarrassed, and in a fever of perspiration. Mr. Hhimself, however, soon set me at ease, and dinner being served, handed me his youngest daughter to conduct to the dining-room. All went well enough with me till the ladies left the room, and the gentlemen set in for a regular bout of whisky punch. For my part, I believe I had not so much as tasted this potent compound before. now every one had to drink his wine-glass full at each toast that was given. Mr. H. would not allow me to escape, told me I should have a sample of Irish hospitality, that it would do me good, and that I need not fear, for he would himself see me home; in short, the party had

But

determined to make me merry, and something more. I sat with them an hour, but I declined returning to the drawing-room, and at last, after much demur, the carriage was ordered, and I was sent home. I think I was not myself again for a week, and I resolved I would go no more to Irish bankers' dinners. I considered this to be a splendid illustration of killing by kindness.' I afterwards found that the company had resolved to see what was in me. They started with the view of making me declare myself (in vino veritas); and I cannot tell exactly how I conducted myself. I was at Mr. H's table several times after this, but I had a strict watch over them, and determined they should no more send me to my lodgings in a carriage.

Besides the parties just named, I had also letters of introduction to Mr. Radley, Mr. Norton, and Mr. O'Connor; they were Swedenborgians, and I thought I would call upon them previous to entering on my school duties. I did so, and was most hospitably received. At that time there was a meeting of about a dozen Swedenborgians, which was held at Mr. O'Connor's house. I went on the Sunday, and was invited to conduct the service, which I did. I recollect well that I discoursed from 2 Kings iv, 29. The discourse was entirely extempore, and at its conclusion I was overwhelmed with thanks, and in these approvals, no one was more vehement than Mr. O'Connor. I was recommended, nay earnestly requested, to report my visit to the Intellectual Repository,' which I did. I mention this so pointedly because I shall have to return to it again shortly. I was now told I could have apartments at the house of a Swedenborgian friend, which would be better for me than being at an hotel, and I at once took them. That friend is now a member of Cross Street Swedenborgian Church.

After a fortnight's residence in Dublin, the school was ready for occupation, and I entered at once upon its duties, remaining for seven weeks, until the school was in such a

Before sailing from Dublin

state of order that it could be left. Having accomplished that for which I came, previous to leaving I was invited to take tea with a small party of Swedenborgian friends, and at this meeting some fourteen shillings odd was contributed to the school funds. I breakfasted with Mr. H- and his family, and on the same morning received ten pounds from the Duke of Leinster, which, with the fourteen shillings received from the Swedenborgian friends, I paid into the hands of the Treasurer, but did not deem it necessary to take a receipt for the fourteen shillings, as all benefactions were inscribed in the school room on a black board, where they could be With many presents and thanks from all my friends in Dublin, and leaving the school under the care of a female who had been trained at Bristol, but who afterwards, not suiting, was succeeded by a young lady of Dublin, I returned to England, where I found many letters and more occupation than I could attend to. But I agreed with a lady of the name of T to organise two schools for her, one at Wantage in Berkshire, and one at Hackney near London. After which I had engagements at New Lanark, in Scotland, and finally at Liverpool.

seen.

I spent six weeks at Wantage, and thought it the pleasantest village I ever was in. The Vicar, whose name was Shaw, paid great attention to me. He often visited the school. He was perfectly amazed at the order to which the children were reduced, and astonished at the progress* they had made during the short period I was in the village, and when I left presented me with a testimonial of his approval. From Wantage I proceeded to London, and here I had an interview with Mr. J. P. Greaves; he was then Secretary of the Infant School Society, a most intelligent but very eccentric man. I visited in company with him several of the Infant Schools, and after about eight hours walking from school to school, at the close of the day I invited him to go with me to a chop-house to dine. 'No, no,' said he, 'come home with me. I ⚫His own words were, 'I am terrified at the progress of these little boors.'

will give you a dinner." So I returned with him to Bucklesbury, where he then resided, quite spent with hunger and fatigued with walking. I saw no preparations for dinner, but he told me it would soon be ready, and after about a quarter of an hour two covered soup plates appeared. Upon removing the cover, instead of a steak or a chop as I anticipated, lo, there appeared a round of sopped toast, covered with sugar.

There, my boy,' said he, 'that is a dinner will do you more good then beef-steaks or mutton-chops, besides keeping clear your intellect; don't wait; this is my dinner daily, and a capital dinner it is.'

'No, thank you, Sir,' said I; 'I have left off pap, I am really hungry, and shall go and get something more substantial.' I left him more angry than I ought to have been; but determined I would never spend another day with him, and I kept my word.

I remained at Hackney three months, and then departed for Liverpool; here I embarked on board the Henry Bell steamer for Glasgow. I had a commission to investigate the schools at New Lanark, then under the control of Mr. Robert Owen. I was to note how they were conducted, and to introduce such of the plans as I thought would be useful into the schools at Liverpool. It was in the beginning of the month of October; we set sail from Liverpool about six o'clock on the evening of Saturday, and after a most stormy passage of forty hours, arrived at Greenock. Never shall I forget this passage. I rolled in an agony of sickness on the floor of the cabin. I was perfectly reckless as to what might happen so that I could but escape the sickness. There were only two gentlemen in the cabin beside myself, but very many passengers on deck. It was the night on which the Comet' was lost, and, as I have said, we were forty hours on the passage; a passage which now is performed in sixteen. But reaching Greenock, after washing and shaving, I had an appetite like an ogre, and in an hour after landing I never remembered to have felt better. We embarked again in a river steamer, and in about four hours