The natural history of the human temperaments : their laws in relation to marriage, and the fatal consequences of their violation to progeny, with the indications of vigorous life and longevity : followed by a fugitive essay on the protection of society against crime / by W. Byrd Powell.

  • Powell, W. Byrd (William Byrd), 1799-1866.
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The natural history of the human temperaments : their laws in relation to marriage, and the fatal consequences of their violation to progeny, with the indications of vigorous life and longevity : followed by a fugitive essay on the protection of society against crime / by W. Byrd Powell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    PREFACE. These pages were prepared to constitute a part of a large work on Cerebral Physiology and Phrenology, but having delivered a few lec- tiires, to a large audience in Cincinnati, upon the subjects of which they treat, and as the doctrines taught secured the most profound attention, and the conviction that they were of the highest practical importance, we were importuned to suffer them to appear in a little volume for the benefit of the people; thousands of whom could not have the advantage of them, if they appeared only as a part of a large work, as at first contemplated; and we have yielded to the importunity. It is well known that all new discoveries have to contend with the vanity of some, the selfishness of others, and the incredulity or ignor- ance of many. Therefore, the author hopes that his readers will appeal to Nature for the truth of the doctrines herein taught; that they will exercise their own capacity for observation—will give attention to the opinion or discussion of no one, because the truth of no question Involved in the subject can any more be determined in this way than can the altitude of the Rocky Mountains. Every question suggested by the subject is one of fact—the existence of which can alone be determined by observation. The philosophy the author has advanced in explanation of the facts, may or may not be con-ect; but a ques- tion of this kind can not affect the value of the facts themselves— they will stand as the unalterable decrees of Him who has ordained all things. In proportion as we value our domestic felicity, the health, longevity, and prosperity of our children, is the value of the discoveries we have fvii)