To TEACH LEARNERS those organic conditions which indicate character, is the first object of this manual; and in order to render it accessible to all, it condenses facts and conditions, rather than elaborates arguments—because to EXPOUND Phrenology is its highest proof—states laws and results, and leaves them upon their naked merits; embodies recent discoveries; and crowds into the fewest possible words and pages just what learners need to know; and, hence, requires to be STUDIED rather than merely read. “Short, yet clear,” is its motto. Its numerous illustrative engravings give the results of very extensive professional observations and experience.

To RECORD CHARACTER is its second object. In doing this, it describes those organic conditions which affect and indicate character in SEVEN degrees of power—large, very large, full, average, moderate, small, and very small, and refers those who have their physiological and phrenological conditions correctly marked in the accompanying tables, to those paragraphs which both describe themselves, and also contain specific directions how to PERFECT THEIR characters and improve children. Its plan for recording character is seen at a glance in the following

EXPLANATION OF THE TABLES.

Those physiological and phrenological conditions marked LARGE have a powerful and almost CONTROLLING influence over feelings and conduct, both single and in combination, and engross weaker ones into their service. Very large organic conditions are sovereign kings over character and conduct, and singly and in combination with each other, or with large organs, direct and sway their possessor. Full organs play subordinate parts, yet are seen and felt, and exert more real than apparent influence. Average ones have considerable, yet a limited influence, but it is mainly in COMBINATION with large ones though they affect character more than they seem to. Moderate faculties are below par in fact, and still more so in appearance; exert a limited influence; and leave character defective in these respects. Small organs are so deficient as easily to be perceived; leave their possessor weak and faulty in these points; and should be assiduously cultivated; while VERY SMALL ones render him almost idiotic in these functions.

This table is so constructed as to record the ACTUAL POWER, or quality and quantity of the physical and mental functions, as deduced from size and activity combined, and this is done by means of dots or written figures placed opposite the names of the organs and temperaments, and the printed figures in the squares thus marked, designate the number of the page in this work which contains the corresponding description of character; and these paragraphs, thus referred to in the body of the work, have figures attached to them, referring to the pages of “Fowler’s Phrenology,” where an elaborate description of the several functions are discussed at length, with numerous combinations which shade and tone the character.

The six left hand columns refer to the pages of this work, while the two right hand ones refer to those NUMBERED PARAGRAPHS found throughout “Physiology,” “Self-Culture,” and “Memory,” which contain directions for cultivating, restraining, and rightly directing whatever physical functions or mental faculties may require either, both in adults and children; so that these works, in conjunction with a correct marking in these tables, furnish a complete directory for obviating faults, supplying defects, developing excellencies, and perfecting one’s self and children.

Faculties marked with an upward curve, thus, ?, in the several squares, are deficient, and require cultivation; while those marked with a downward curve, thus, ?, are liable to excess or perversion, and should be carefully guarded and rightly directed; while + signifies about one third larger; and — one third smaller than a dot would indicate in the same place, thus rendering one scale equal to twenty-one.

MARKING THE CHART BY FIGURES.

Some persons who record examinations prefer to use numerals to indicate the size of the organs. We describe the organs in seven degrees of power, and to indicate those degrees, employ the written figures, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. When thus used, 1 means VERY SMALL; 2, SMALL; 3, MODERATE; 4, AVERAGE; 5, FULL; 6, LARGE; 7, VERY LARGE. The signs +, —, ?, ?, mean the same as in the above table.

THE SELF-INSTRUCTOR.