Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Phrenology, Government, Human Development

    Responds to George Combe's claim that 'in less than a hundred years' public affairs will be run by the 'rules of phrenology'. Proposes ways in which the 'science ought to be applied'. Thinks ministers of state should be rejected if they have the slightest 'bump of benevolence', royal speech-makers should possess the largest bumps of 'secretiveness', and that Chancellors of the Exchequer with a well-developed faculty of 'number' will be reliable. Expresses concern that the practice might be abused 'by parties bumping their own heads and raising tumours for the sake of obtaining credit for different qualities'.