Miscellaneous

Abstract

First section: This report details a phrenological experiment conducted by Dr John Elliotson, President of the London Phrenological Society, to assess the character of a deceased individual solely based on the examination of their skull structure. The skull belonged to a notorious convict named "Jack Turpin."

Ignoring details about the deceased's life, Dr Elliotson provided a detailed character analysis:

1. Strong Passions: Excessively strong and an overbalance for his intellect.
2. Disposition: Prone to great violence, but not courageous; extremely cautious and sly, and fond of "getting" (acquisition/covetiveness).
3. Animal Propensity:
4. Positive Quality: A very remarkable love of offspring (children).
5. Intellectual Quality: Great, probably dry wit and the potential to be a good mimic.

Upon receiving the analysis, Elliotson's correspondent confirmed that the description was "singularly correct in every particular," affording a new and powerful proof of phrenology. The report addresses sceptics who suggested Elliotson had prior knowledge, with the Doctor formally asserting that his conclusions were drawn "solely from the size of the various parts of the skull," and he was "totally uninformed" about the individual's life until after the assessment. Subsequent observation of the convict's character confirmed his severe, sarcastic wit, mimicry of others, and strong attachment to his children, evidenced by his last act of devoting his property to them.

The report concludes with a resolution from the Rochester Literary Club, stating that the exact correspondence between the phrenological analysis and the convict's history suggests the coincidence is not chance, offering a strong foundation for the truth of phrenology.

Second section: This extract details the research recommendations proposed by the Sub-Committees of the British Association for the Advancement of Science (BAAS) to systematically advance several key scientific fields.

Meteorology

The committee stressed the need for systematic direction in Meteorology, proposing:

1. Establishing an hourly register of the thermometer at a military/naval station in Southern England to better understand the phenomena and distribution of diurnal temperature.
2. Requesting the Committee in India to establish similar hourly meteorological registers, especially to study inter-tropical climate and the horary oscillations of the barometer near the equator.
3. Recommending a series of experiments by Mr Phillips and Mr William Grey to study the comparative quantities of rain falling at different heights (e.g., on top of York Minster vs. the ground).
4. Calling for a satisfactory exposition of the theory of the moistened bulb hygrometer and comparative experiments on the indications of the moistened thermometer and the dew point (using Mr Dalton’s or Mr Daniell’s Hygrometer).
5. Recommending experiments on the decrease of temperature at increasing heights in the atmosphere.
6. Encouraging observations on the temperature of springs at different heights and depths, noting its importance for studying the progressive increase of temperature within the globe (geothermal gradient) and the difference between the earth's and air's mean temperatures in various latitudes.

Magnetism and Electro-Magnetism

The committee recommended:

1. Undertaking a series of observations on the Intensity of Terrestrial Magnetism in various parts of England using a standard needle (like the one constructed under Professor Hansteen).
2. Making observations with the Dipping Needle across Britain to reduce the horizontal magnetic intensity to the true magnetic intensity.
3. Further prosecuting the examination of the Electro-Magnetic condition of Metalliferous Veins, building upon the work of Mr Fox.