victim, who, till the waters closed over them, continued their fierce struggles, and sunk at length, locked in each other's arms.'

'Mr. Tackle!' said the officer of the deck, popping his head above the break of the forecastle, 'what! sitting down in your watch? I am ashamed of you, Sir. I have hailed the forecastle three several times, and yet could get no answer. I really thought all hands forward had tumbled overboard. If this should occur again, I will send you below.'

'Smith,' said Tackle to the look-out, when the officer had gone, 'I thought I told you to keep an eye aft?'

'That 's true, Sir,' replied he, touching his hat, respectfully; but I got so taken up by the story of the poor young lady, that I forgot all about it, Sir.'

W. J. P.

PEDEOLOGY.

FIAT JUSTITIA RUAT COLUM.'

To the Editors of the Knickerbocker:

GENTLEMEN: Feeling himself seriously aggrieved, the undersigned takes the liberty of addressing you, and asking justice at your hands.

The important, interesting, and novel science of Pedeology was first introduced to the attention of the public about eighteen months ago, by the undersigned, who has since been explaining its principles in different parts of the country, with great success, and to its doctrines he has made innumerable converts. Knowing himself to be the discoverer of this new science, it was with no little surprise that he read in your magazine for February, an article over the signature of 'M. H.,' in which the writer claims to be the original discoverer, and is thus endeavoring to rob the true author of the fame he has been at so much pains to establish.

With much self-satisfaction your correspondent exclaims, ' I too am a discoverer!' But what has he discovered? I answer, that which had been discovered before; a science which had been familiarly explained to wondering thousands, and which had been publicly announced, not only in the newspapers of the west, but in your own city. He must have been aware of these facts, and yet he has the effrontery to announce himself as the discoverer and founder of the science of pedeology, in the face of the rightful claims of another. But it has been the fate of genius to be trampled upon by impudence, and impudence has often accomplished what has been denied to modest merit. The undersigned trusts, however, that his countrymen will do him justice, and not permit an empiric to filch from him his laurels, and usurp a title to which he has not the shadow of legitimate claim.

Expanded as is the intellect of man, and powerful as are his reasoning faculties, still he cannot instinctively know all that appertains to the works of nature, or the operations of the mind; he cannot know the mode of action, or the final destination of the immortal part of man. His unassisted reason can comprehend but few things in nature. Hence the Supreme Being has kindly raised up philosophers, in different ages of the world, whose superior genius has enabled them to draw aside the veil which conceals the mysteries of nature, make important discoveries in science, and proclaim principles for the more complete and profound elucidation of the wonderful works of creation, continually presented to their view, and which, without their aid, would be forever concealed from the knowledge of mankind. For such purposes, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras, and a host of others, appeared in the old world, and Bacon, Newton, Locke, Descartes, La Place, and, though last not least, myself, in modern times. This may sound like egotism to some ears; but egotism is pardonable, when a man is about to be robbed of the honor of a discovery, the result of a long and profound study, and which is destined to affect all future ages. Even to the charge of egotism I may plead justification, on another score-that of following the example of men better known to fame.

Your correspondent, although he claims to be the discoverer of the science of pedeology, is manifestly ignorant of its fundamental principles, or he would never have placed the most important organs on the heel. He has shown conclusively, that instead of being at the head of his profession, he is himself at the heel. He has probably read some of my former publications, in which I threw out some hints, and he has thus obtained a smattering of the science; but he has been unable to comprehend its extent, or its value in ameliorating the moral condition, and exalting the intellectual character of man. Pedeology, gentlemen, is a most noble science, unfolding in its progress most astonishing discoveries, which it would take a volume to display. It is not, like some sciences, limited in its sphere of action, but is capable of embracing every people and every nation; and every rank and profession, grade and order of society, would derive important benefits from its study. It concerns the most important functions of man's nature, and involves considerations connected with his present and future welfare. It concerns the manifestations of his physical powers, as exhibited in the connection of one of the most useful members of the human body with the seat of thought; the development of his intellectual faculties, and his animal propensities and passions - subjects of deep interest to man during his brief sojourn in this vale of tears' - all which are explained, according to the sound principles of inductive philosophy. An accurate acquaintance with the principles of this science better fits man for the discharge of his duties to his Creator and to his fellow men, than any other system of philosophy that has been proposed for his consideration, either in ancient or modern times.

The term pedeology, as applied to the new science, is compounded of the Latin word pede, signifying, in the vulgar tongue, the feet, and the Greek word logos, a discourse, meaning a discourse on the feet. I am thus particular in explaining the derivation of the word, for the benefit of your unlearned readers, and defy any of the disciples of Horne Tooke, Noah Webster, or the most skilful philologist of the age, to compound a word more expressive. The term phrenology, applied to a boasted science of itinerant lecturers and scientific quacks, is not so skilfully compounded, because it is not so expressive. Phrenology indicates a discourse on the mind, whereas, according to the aforesaid itinerants, one of the leading objects of the science is to infer the intellectual powers, feelings, and propensities of man, from the bumps on the cranium, which bumps, as can be readily proved, have no connexion whatever with the operations of the mind. Hence, phrenology is a misnomer. Bumpology would be a term much more applicable. I admit, as has been observed, that there is a remarkable coincidence between my own name and that of the science. It was, in fact, the peculiarity of my name, (for which I am indebted to my ancestors,) that first led me to reflect upon the connection between the feet and the brain, and in my own person I first made the discovery.

It is an ancient doctrine, that the mind and body exert a mutual influence, each upon the other; that they are so closely united, that nothing but death can separate them. Upon this foundation rested the most celebrated systems of ancient philosophy; upon this founda

tion, also, rest the most approved of modern systems; but others are so ethereal that, fearful of being rendered obnoxious to the charge of materialism, they discard the union of mind and matter. The connection between mind and matter is a fundamental doctrine of the noble science of which I am the originator, for the obvious reason, that mind cannot exist without matter, and matter without mind is but a senseless mass.

Pedeology asserts, and not only asserts, but incontestibly proves, by a series of well-established facts, by analogy, by induction, by anatomical demonstrations, that there is an intimate connection between the brain of man and his feet, and that this connection also exists between the feet and brain of the lower animals, from the mouse to the mammoth, the humming-bird to the condor of Peru: and hence, that in the organs of the feet are clearly displayed the intellectual powers and capabilities, and the prevailing propensities of man, and other animals. I have examined the feet of the humming-bird, and the paw of the lion, and have thus ascertained, beyond question, the truth of the fundamental position I have laid down. In the important particular above alluded to that is, the connexion between the feet and the brain-pedeology differs from the kindred science of phrenology, which refers every thing to the protuberances on the cranium a doctrine utterly fallacious and unsound, continually leading to false conclusions. So plainly do the nerves, toes, and joints of the foot, declare the character of man, that he who runs may read. In the true system of pedeology, the heel constitutes but a single organ, and that of the lowest grade. It is there the organ of theft is situated, and if M. H.' will examine his own heel, he will no doubt find a powerful development of the organ.

If I had leisure, I would enter into a full and minute description of the various theories recognised by the science; but I will only remark, that a man's physical as well as mental powers are more certainly indicated by the shape of his feet, than by the conformation of the skull, the form of the nose, or the glance of the eyes. Pedeology is much more certain in its deductions than either phrenology or physiognomy. If Lavater were now living, I am sure he would abandon his favorite doctrines as unsound and unphilosophical, and embrace those of pedeology. I am equally sure, that the comprehensive and discriminating mind of Spurzheim would have admitted their truth, without hesitation.

As my learned rival has said, it is a new science. It has not yet had time to make its way among the learned and the unlearned. It is to be expected that its leading principles will be assailed by wouldbe philosophers, and would-be wits. Such has been the fate of other sciences and other discoveries. Gallileo was imprisoned by the holy fathers of the inquisition, for maintaining that system of astronomy now universally acknowledged as the true system of the universe. Fulton was ridiculed as a visionary, when he first applied steam to the propulsion of boats against the current of our mighty rivers. But philosophy and genius triumphed over ignorance and prejudice; and the Ohio and Mississippi, the Hudson and the St. Lawrence now proclaim his glory. Thus will it be with pedeology. As its principles and doctrines are more diffused, the learned and the

unlearned will unite in its support. It is a science of facts, not speculations of philosophical deductions, not visionary theories. Thus supported, it must be successful. Magna est veritas et prevale

bat.

DARK fossil flower! I see thy leaves unrolled,
With all their lines of beauty freshly marked,
As when the eye of Morn beained on thee first,
And thou first turn'dst to meet its welcome smile.
And sometimes in the coals' bright rain-bow hues,
I dream I see the colors of thy prime,
And for a moment robe thy form again
In splendor not its own. Flower of the past!
Now as I look on thee, life's echoing tread
Falls noiseless on my ear; the present dies;
And o'er my soul the thoughts of distant time,
In silent waves, like billows from the sea,
Come rolling on and on, with ceaseless flow,
Innumerable. Thou mayest have sprung unsown
Into thy noon of life, when first earth heard

Its Maker's sovereign voice; and laughing flowers
Waved o'er the meadows, hung on the mountain crags,
And nodded in the breeze on every hill.

Thou may'st have bloomed unseen, save by the stars
That sang together o'er thy rosy birth,

And came at eve to watch thy folded rest.

None may have sought thee in thy fragrant home,
Save light-voiced winds, that round thy dwelling played,

Or seemed to sigh, oft as their winged haste

Compelled their feet to roam. Thou may'st have lived
Beneath the light of later days, when man,
With feet free-roving as the homeless wind,

Scaled the thick-mantled height, coursed plains unshorn,
Breaking the solitude of nature's haunts

With voice that seemed to blend, in one sweet strain,
The mingled music of the elements.

And when against his infant frame they rose,

Uncurb'd, unawed by his yet feeble hand,

And when the muttering storm, and shouting wave,
And rattling thunder, mated, round him raged,
And seemed at times like demon foes to gird,
Thou may'st have won with gentle look his heart,
And stirred the first warm prayer of gratitude,
And been his first, his simplest altar-gift.

For thee, dark flower! the kindling sun can bring
No more the colors that it gave, nor morn,
With kindly kiss, restore thy breathing sweets:
Yet may the mind's mysterious touch recall
The bloom and fragrance of thy early prime :
For HE who to the lowly lily gave

A glory richer than to proudest king,
He painted not those darkly-shining leaves,
With blushes like the dawn, in vain; nor gave
To thee its sweetly-scented breath, to waste
Upon the barren air. E'en though thou stood
Alone in nature's forest-home untrod,

The first-love of the stars and sighing winds,
The mineral holds with faithful trust thy form,
To wake in human hearts sweet thoughts of love,
Now the dark past hangs round thy memory.

Salem, (Mass.,) 1837.

J.