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    1096 THE LEADER. [Satubdav,

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    Among the serials of tins month let nn n...

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    The erotic correspondents of the Record ...

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    Aratgng the crowd of books and brochures...

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    BOOKS ON OTJll TABLE. J'Yasrr's Magazine...

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  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

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    The. Current Number Of The North British...

    " With regard to the large head and small head controversy , we must say we have never been able to come to any tangible conclusion . Cuvier ' s head must have been large , for his brain weighed sixty-five ounces . This is generally accounted the heaviest known healthy brain ; . but we were recently told of a working-man who died in University College Hospital , London , and whose head was so large that the students had the brain weighed , out of curiosity , when they found it to Veigh sixty-seven ounces , though perfectly healthy . On inquiry , all that they teould learn about the man was , that he was said by his neighbours to have had a remarkably good memory . The brain of l ) r . Abercromby ; of Edinburgh , 3 veighed sixty-three ounces . Dr . Chalmers had a very large head indeed ( Joseph Hume and he were said to have the largest heads in the kingdom ) ; and yet his brain weighed but fifty-three ounces—almost under the average . On the other hand , Byron had a small head , at least Mr . Leigh Hiint informs us that his hat ,

    which is not a very large one , used to go quite over Byron ' s head , but his brain is said to have weighed nearly four pounds , Keats and Shelley had very small heads , Mr . Leigh Hunt ' s hat going over them too . Kaffaelle had a small head ; Sir Walter Scott had a small head ; so had Neander , the church- historian ; so , also , if we recollect aright what Bernal Diaz says , had Cortez the conqueror of Mexico . Wellington ' s head is said to have been under the average size . The brain of Mrs . Manning , the murderess , was a pound lighter than her husband ' s . The skull of Rush was very large , measuring , we think , upwards of twenty-four inches round . Pericles , as we know , had a large head ; so had Mahoinet ; so had Mirabeau ; so had O'Connell . Lamartine describes Napoleon ' s as a small head which had bul ged out . The skull of the poet Burns was carefully measured when it was disinterred on the burial of his wife ; it measured twenty-two and a quarter inches round , which , allowing half an inch for the integuments , would make the

    circumference of the living head twenty-two and three-quarter inches , a largish head , but not extraordinary . Goethe ' s head , we believe , was not remarkable for size . About Shakspeare ' s head our only information must be from the Stratford bust , which Chantrey pronounced , from certain signs , to be almost certainly modelled from an original cast taken after death . It is a curious example of a foregone conclusion , that Mr . Hugh Miller , speaking of this bust , in his admirable work , entitled First Impressions of England and its People , describes the head , from personal inspection , as a very large one . The skull , he says , must have been of a capacity to contain all Dr . Chalmers ' s brains . This , as Dr . Chalmers was then alive , was tantamount to saying it was of the largest known dimensions . Now , with this ver y description in our memory , we have ourselves examined the Stratford bust with the utmost closeness and care , and we unhesitatingly declare , that the head in that bust is , if not a smallish one , at least such as any avera « -e lish hat could easil

    Eng y fib . We believe it is a smallish head . In short , from all the statistics-we hiwe at command respecting- large and small heads , including our own private observations among- our acquaintances , we have never been able to obtain any presentable conclusion on the point . The opinion of David Scott , the painter , was , that large heads were generally found'in successful men of the world , such as statesmen , bankers , and the like , and that the fineness of nervous tissue requisite for the purely intellectual lives of artists , thinkurs , and literary men generally , connoted a . small or average size of head . Even thirs " opinion , however ^ will break down , if applied in pmctice . We know very energetic , prudential , and weighty men , with smallish heads ; and we know men with ' very large heads who seem at home only in the most exquisite and ornamental kinds of mental activity . More sure than any conclusion that can be come to on this point of . size , seems to be a notion we have heard advanced with respect to the form , of heads . Length of head from front to back , we have heard an eminent ' and very observing man declare to U \ according ' to his experience , the most constant" physiognomic sign of ability . < hily in oho eminent head , that of Sir Walter Scott , had lie found this

    sitfn wanting ; and it ; this case , if properly considered , the want wan si ^ niiicant . Next to length or depth , his idea was , that height over the ears , as in Scott ' s head , was the hast sign , although lie had not found this nearly so essential . To us it appears , that if to the two dimensions irt length or depth and hcif / Jit , as thus expounded , we add the third diiiitjimiou of breadth , and if we attach to the three terms their corresponding popular meanings when used in speaking of mental character—regarding a deep head , or ahead long from front to back , or from the forehead to the ears , as significant of depth or astuteness ; a high head , or ; i , head rising high over the cars , as significant or moral elevation ; arid a broad head as measured across and behind the temples , as significant of what is called width or generality of vi « w—wo . shall have as tolerable a system of practical cminolo . ry as the facts will warrant ; not very dilferent either from that propounded by the ordinary phrenologists , though thoy would carry us much farther . Tien ; also however , let uh not be too certain in our judgments . Wo have . seen ' foreheads villainnu * low on very noble fellowH , and grand domes of head . s on mere blocks and q-norauiUHeR . These discordances arc all intelligible as soon an wo understand the fact that size is only an index " other tiling being equal "—that there 1 b nervous tissue and nervous tissue , or as Moliisrjs says , il y a fa not et jagot . . / . /• . /

    1096 The Leader. [Satubdav,

    1096 THE LEADER . [ Satubdav ,

    Among The Serials Of Tins Month Let Nn N...

    Among the serials of tins month let nn note that the munificent Poultry Book , edited by the Rev . W . Win ( ipii ; m ) and G- . W . Johnson is completed with l . his , the seventh part . We have already expressed our opinion on the utility and . interest of lhiH work , and lm . ve only to add , that the execution of the coloured lithogrnpliH ] mrt ll () J . Mlcn ! lW ! ly jy () 1 )) ' the promise of the early numbers . It may not be nuper ( luoii , s to remind the lover of natural history that the JCujlhh Ct / clopmliir , now in course of publication , contains as 11 separate division , purchjiseable separately -i

    complete Cydopa'dia of JNalum ! History , executed hy men of eminence , and profusely illustrated willi woodcuts . We have twice spoken of this re-issue of the Paint ; Cj / i-f . ojucilitr , but we return to it , because we Know of no other dictionary in"the language wherein na ' tura . 1 history \» treated with such completeness and excellence .. The plan of issuing the Om \ h > - im'dut in separate divisions is a , boon to the public . A new serial han'beeri started by , Iohjn ( Lushiom ,, called the ll ' nlovu-al Educator , in which history is treated with care , but in a , NO'inewlmt miscellaneous tflyh , ' , as if " information" were the only thing desirable |()

    he impressed on the . reader , it eomprises a history of America , lferodotus's description of iO ^ yp fc , I Fanno the Oarl . ha . giniau , Discovenea , Geography , Manners and Customs of the Greeks , and If istory of English Jjitoraiuro , A now aerial , not of the most fascinating literature , but of undeniable

    utility , is the A . B . C . Railway Ghvide . Tliose who have lost themselves in the systematic incomprehensibility of Bradshaw , need only glance at this rival to perceive the enormous superiority in . point of facilit y of reference . It is truly as simple as A . B . 0 ., but it only , shows you how you can go to and from London to the various stations . Some plan is necessary for exhibiting cross roads .

    The Erotic Correspondents Of The Record ...

    The erotic correspondents of the Record continue their prurient crusade . One emphatically informs the Editor that he quite agrees with every word on the " public exhibition of indecent figures and nasty pictures . " Why hasty pictures , < 3 reverend sir ? Greek Slaves and Ariadnes are nasty only to . " nice" minds , and what such minds will prove to be nasty may be gathered from the following :

    " To the Editor of the Mecord . " Sir , —While directing the attention of the public to the indecency of naked statues , you will oblige a few in the North by speaking of the impropriety of improper pictures in churches . '' In the parish church of Ulverston there is over the communion-table a picture of Christ being taken from the cross , in which the body of the Redeemer is represented as being very scantily covered . Indeed , it appears more than half naked . * 'L . T . " November 7 , 1853 . "

    This is really significant . Here is a man whose thoughts run so readily in the erotic train , that not even the most sacred figure his eye can rest upon fills Ms mind to the exclusion of such suggestions , unless the clothing be abundant . How vain of us to expect that Art should fill such a spectator ' s mind , when even his Hedeemer cannot ! We , in our simplicity , believed that a statue being intended to excite the emotions attendant upon beauty , and not to stimulate the erotic imagination of Recordites , wquld necessarily effect its purpose by filling the spectator ' s mind ; and so far from exciting any voluptuous thoughts , would be absolutely powerless to excite them . That , as far as we can learn , is the effect on all minds less " nice" than Recordites ; but we now learn that to the

    thoroughly " nice" mind , not even the partial nakedness of Christ can prevent a blushing-sense of impropriety . Well , this at any rate is consistent . We like consistency- —even in dirt !

    Aratgng The Crowd Of Books And Brochures...

    Aratgng the crowd of books and brochures fast issuing from the Press on the question of the day , there is one which on all accounts deserves special mention . To all tliose who desire to know Russia as she is , not as she seems , we recommend M . Heijzen ' s Dlweloppemenb des IdSes Revolutiovnaires en Rusnie , of which ho has , in compliance with a wish , expressed-by the Democratic Society of Poland , published a second edition . The essay contains a rapid sketch of Russian history from the ninth century down to the year 1825 , and an account of the subsequent groAvth of public ? opinion , as exhibited in the literature of the country . The future of Pan-slavism is ably discussed , and the concluding chapter glances at the influence exercised by the revolutions of Western Europe upon the condition of the Russian , serf . In the introduction to this edition , M .

    Berzen has added a striking picture of the miserable degradation in which the Livonmn peasantry are sunk , and of the contrasts between the pure Russians and the liusso-Germans of the Baltic provinces . Tho re-publication of this essay has the merit of opportunity . M . Herzen lias supplied us with a mass of useful information on a subject which is engaging public interest ; and his writing is glowing , vivid , and picturesque .

    Books On Otjll Table. J'Yasrr's Magazine...

    BOOKS ON OTJll TABLE . J'Yasrr ' s Magazine . 2 « . Cxi . j , w . Parker and Son The Dithliu University Mtttjazine . 2 * . Gil . J . M'Gl'iHhfni Thn National Mixccllany , ' Ik . j . jj . Parker Jfoytj ' s Jvxtrttctor . 1 « . . laineH llofW Tim illiiKlratvd ^ ftti / nzinr . ( hi . 1 'ipor and Co Tim Home . Circle . "( 1 . 7 . w . 8 . JolniHOii JihirkwooiV' » Jiilitifiitrfffi M < iyazine > 2 h . Oil . W . IJlackwood nnd Hoiih North Jh'ltinh Itiwicw . ' . w . Kennedy ' . lirifhh Quarterly ILrmr . w . ( In . JiiekHon and Wiillonl Tuifa JStliiiliiiri / li Mm / itzhie . 1 * . Piirlridpe and Oakey , ' Laii'Hiii /' H Merchants' Miujitzhu :. In . T . I ' . A . . U : iy , The- Mmj l ' nh Oyr / opinlia . ' 2 x . Hradhury and KvanH , Jlimtllry Ctohh ; or , Mr . Jorrochti ' H Jlitmt . 1 r . Jtnidbury and KvaiiH . The . ' N ( ' ircamen . In . Itnidbury and JOvaiiH , ( Viiivihsrx ' x J ' orJeet MhcrlUtny . ( i , l . \ V . and It . Cliainliern . ( fhatuheru ' n ' . lidinhurtth Journal . \) il . W . and It . OlminberH .

    The Jittiumtiinml l < h-im * itot \ ( it / . i Longman and Co The Dtii / tl t <\ nni / ;/ AhriHtit . Ik . Chapman and Hull Jzimk Ijiihiitlaw . Ik . Vizelelly and Co IVritinya ijf Do / ii / f nK Jin-old .- I' / aj / ii . Id . Pun ch OUlce . //(/ I . ' m ' nl Adventure * of I tick Dimihi ) . Cut . llaeinq Time * Office . // own TIioiii / Mh . ' -id . ' ' jCont nnd Co Jtolwrt . Owen ' n liiitiiiind Qjmrtrrl y ' Ue-iiiew . 1 a , . 1 . Clayton and Son Thn Joiimei / o / 'Joliii ll ' nrd / e ; or , ttm / 'i / i / rim ' u J'roi / renti . Ik . <( e Jure llclli ,-t /' iivin l , i . lirl 'I'rea Accompanied l > y an Abrid / red TraiiHlafion . ' lty W . ' Whcvvoll , I ) . D . I ) voIh . ' ' . 1 . W . Parker and Hon . jtfuvlUti Jloiimi ; lit J / in / orieal Uomuiiee <)/ 'thn Tinm ii / ' ( Jnor // n t / u ) Virtit . Hy A . Hill . ' £ voln . 7 k ' U . Iloullo « lKO mid Co . . Liy / itn mill Shallow * qfArtint LiJ ' e and Character . Ify . lumen Hmil . Ii . it . IlenUey . ft ' alter Mwtyn ; or , thn Louif Minority . It voIh . 10 k ' . ( id . Jt . Ilenl . lcy . Letturujrom Spain , to hin Nii ) hi ; en ut ' lloiniK ity A . Kenyon . it . Deiilloy . T / m Jtitmtiau Short : * qfllui lilach Sen in thn Autumn ti / ' Jsha . Hy I ; auronco Ollnlimii .

    W . lJJacltwood and tfonH God with Men ; or , I'hof / iriitt * ijf Providential Under * . Hy S . OHgood . ( JroHby , MioholN , an < l Co An Account of the i'i / i / niit (' e / chratian at I'ltinwuth , AuiiuU 1 , IHOIl . CroHbj , Ni (! tiotH , and (<» Tim 1 'ronjnmt . ivo Review . 2 h . ( id . ' ' John Clmpnian Thn Charm . M- Ad < ley and Co Thn Human Hair . Hy A . Rowland . J'ipor ^ UroUieiH , and Co Tho Jrinh Kxhitntion Almanac . <[ , / . , John CaHHi ) Thn Waiutzine ( f Art Almwniu- f \ , r 1 H 54 . \ W . John < J » HHeJ The llirtnricnt Kditcutor . 1 ((/ ' . Jolin (!« hho 1 I . ' / ' //< , Hltidratnd Maijazine qf Art . in . Jolin CaHfle , Tho Jimuirmd' Afmanavkfor IHM . Oil . Jolm CayuoJI .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 12, 1853, page 16, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_12111853/page/16/