HENDERSON BEQUEST. ON 27th May 1829, the late W. R. Henderson, Esq. younger of Warriston and Eildon Hall, executed a deed of settlement, by which he conveyed to certain trustees such funds as he should die possessed of; and, in the event of his dying without leaving children, he appointed them to pay certain legacies and annuities to individual friends, and gave the following instructions regarding the application of the residue of his funds. 'And, lastly, the whole residue of my means and estate shall after answering the purposes above written, be applied by my said trustees in whatever manner they may judge best for the advancement and diffusion of the science of Phrenology, and the practical appiication thereof in particular; giving hereby and committing to my said trustees, the most full and unlimited power to manage and dispose of the said residue, in whatever manner shall appear to them best suited to promote the ends in view: Declaring, that if I had less confidence in my trustees, I would make it imperative on them, to print and publish one or more editious of an “Essay on the Constitution of Man, considered in relation to External Objects, by George Combe,”—in a cheap form, so as to be easily purchased by the more intelligent individuals of the poorer classes, and Mechanics' Institutions, &c. but that I consider it better only to request their particular attention to this suggestion, and to leave them quite at liberty to act as circumstances may seem to them to render expedient; seeing that the state of the country, and things impossible to foresee, may make what would be of unquestionable advantage now, not advisable at some future period of time. But if my decease shall happen before any material change affecting this subject, I request them to act agreeably to my suggestion. And I think it proper here to declare, that I dispose of the residue of my property in the above manner, not from my being carried away by a transient fit of enthusiasm, but from a deliberate, calm, and deeprooted conviction, that nothing whatever hitherto known can operate so powerfully to the improvement and happiness of man. kind, as the knowledge and practical adoption of the principles disclosed by Phrenology, and particularly of those which are developed in the Essay on the Constitution of Man, above men tioned.' ; and Mr. Henderson died on 28th May 1832, and his Trustees, having recently realized his funds, have assigned a sum for publishing an edition of the present work in a cheap form. The ordinary selling price of this volume would have been they have contributed so much towards the expense of it as to lower the price to which they hope will place it within the reach of the operative classes of the United Kingdom, and fulfil the intention of the testator. This has been named the "Henderson Edition," to distinguish it from a separate impression intended for sale to the general public; and those who desire to obtain the cheap edition are requested to order it by this appellation. It may be proper to explain to readers who take an interest in the progress of Phrenology, that the annuitants for whom Mr. Henderson designed his funds in the first instance, are all alive, and likely to live for many years; and that during their lives only a small annual surplus will remain applicable to the promotion of this science. The contribution to the present work has anticipated that surplus for more than one year. CONTENTS. Page 1 IV. The Faculties of Man compared with each other; or 37 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. GENERAL VIEW OF THE CONSTITUTION OF HUMAN NATUKE, AND ITS RELATIONS TO EXTERNAL OBJECTS. In surveying the external world, we discover that ever creature and every physical object has received a definit constitution, and been placed in certain relations to other objects. The natural evidence of a Deity and his attrbutes is drawn from contemplating these arrangemen Intelligence, wisdom, benevolence, and power, characte ize the works of creation; and the human mind ascené by a chain of correct and rigid induction to a great Firs Cause, in whom these qualities must reside. But hither to this great truth has excited a sublime yet barren admi ration, rather than led to beneficial practical results. Man obviously stands pre-eminent among sublunary objects, and is distinguished by remarkable endowments above all other terrestrial beings. Nevertheless no creature presents such anomalous appearances as man. Viewed in one aspect he almost resembles a demon; in another he still bears the impress of the image of God. Seen in his crimes, his wars, and his devastations, he might be mistaken for an incarnation of an evil spirit; contemplated in his schemes of charity, his discoveries in science, and his vast combinations for the benefit of his race, he seems a bright intelligence from Heaven. The lower animals exhibit a more simple and regulated constitution. The lion is bold and ferocious, but he is regularly so; and, besides, is placed in circumstances suited to his nature, in which at once scope is given and limits are set to the gratification of his instincts. The sheep, as a contrast, |