SPURZHEIM, Johann Kaspar (1776-1832). German physician; cofounder with Franz Gall of phrenology.
Autograph Letter Signed in English to Hutton in Dublin, 3 pages 4to with integral address-leaf (small seal tear), Edinburgh, 1 July 1816. A chronicle of his travels since leaving Dublin, taking him to Liverpool, Manchester, Lancaster to Edinburgh, describing the reception he received at each place, with reference to the opposition from Edinburgh.
On arriving in Edinburgh, Spurzheim bravely presented himself to the man who wrote the unfavourable review about his work:

'... Little dogs everywhere make the greatest noise, but they run away when they see opposition. I naturally was very anxious to face my Conscientious Reviewer. ... He evidently was greatly embarrassed and does not understand the laws of the natural language. I put him at his ease as much as I could ... .'

Spurzheim's impression of the editor Jeffrey is enthusiastic approbation and includes the measurements of his 'fine forehead':

'... He: We are infidel, we are incredulous. A: But I hope you like truth, and in natural history there is no belief, no faith, the things must be seen. ...'
[No: 7892]