Phrenological Developments of James McKendrick, Esq. of Galt (manuscript)
6 leaves, 8 x 6.5 inches with rivet fastener. All but 1 leaf recto-only. Fingersoil and age toning with corner creases and a few small snags to the exterior leaves, Very Good overall.
Hagarty was a well-regarded phrenologist who appears as a supporting character in many journals and documents from the period, but limited biographical information is readily available. An 1867 profile of him in Human Nature: A Monthly Record of Zoistic Science (London, ed. James Burns) establishes him as a student of Orson Squires Fowler who practiced in Ontario before moving to England around 1865 to lecture on Phrenology, Physiology and Psychology. He frequently visited manufacturing districts, and his “delineations of character” were recommended as “comprehensive, useful, and exceedingly correct.”
Hagarty published two phrenological charts in the 1860s based on Fowler’s Phrenological Register, but this early manuscript references no system and does not give any numeric assessment of the “organs” or categorical divisions along the usual phrenological lines. His statements paint a strong portrait of the subject, with some easily presumptuous notes like, “you are ardent and strong in your sexual feelings and would highly enjoy the marriage relations.” He also writes, “you are not inquisitive and curious, no believer in Ghosts and Witches have an utter contempt for such fallacies”—an unusual mention that seems like a quick dig at the rise of Spiritualism, which was eclipsing Phrenology in terms of public fascination.
The heavy focus on the subject’s suitability for occupations foreshadows Hagarty’s presence in industrial towns after his move to Britain. Galt (Ontario), the agricultural-turned-industrial hub where this delineation was given, was known as “The Manchester of Canada.” Hagarty outlines specific trades and cautions about his mental disposition, especially his lack of confidence. Hagarty’s interests ultimately shifted toward diet, natural health interventions, and quackery—his lecture Magnetism and Health was published in 1873 by Edgar & Co., "Sole Manufacturers of the 'Magneticon' Curative Appliances."
Full transcription:
Phrenological Developments of James McKendrick, Esq. of Galt
By Prof. Hagarty, May 1858
You are a Gentleman whose development is strongly marked and characteristic — [Motive Mental temperament predominating, showing great powers of Bodily and Mental endurance.
You are one of those whose social qualities colors your whole life —you are fond of the domestic hearth and you like to see it happy and comfortable if you form an attachment — for a friend, you will [?] yourself [?] that friend. If you marry, you will be true and constant to your wife — if you have children, you would be anxious to see them well trained and educated — you are ardent and strong in your sexual feelings and would highly enjoy the marriage relations.
You are fond of a good dinner and are bound to live well — in fact, you are essentially a Gentleman of domestic habits—You lack self-confidence, you never place as much reliance on your own judgment as it deserves anything you merit— it is a great gratification for you to receive full credit for it —you love Property, but not for its intrinsic value—you can find a way to get clear of your money without difficulty—yet you are not needlessly extravagant—you are as firm as a rock—you can be lead by a Child but a Giant could not compel you against your will.
Melancholy never affects you—nor will not only in the loss of new friends.
You are gratified for a first class Mechanic —you want no model—you can originate them yourself—yet can do anything after a pattern—would excel as a practical draftsman, engineer, machinist, architect, engraver—in fact, your qualifications are found very seldom—you would also excel as an artist—anything that can be made or manufactured you would have but little difficulty in learning to make or imitate—you have a poor recollection of events and what you read—hesitate for the use of words— are a good judge of human nature—first impressions are apt to be correct—you cannot speak half of what you think—in fact, you are too cautious in some things too afraid that what you say will not be appreciated—you should never lose an opportunity of informing your judgement—are very fond of reasoning and eloquence—a great deal of reflection—yet your thoughts will sometimes wander— avoid this —you look upon a man’s practical work as his only recommendation—would worship no man—you have been religiously trained and educated—have always been taught the Beauty of truth—you are not inquisitive and curious, no believer in Ghosts and Witches have an utter contempt for such fallacies not very fond of the ludicrous and have more fondness for common sense—in fact you would do a great deal for the advancement of knowledge & think there is nothing like education—you cannot recollect names—but can remember places faces [nouns, or names (in contradiction-ed.)] and objects—you are in every respect qualified for a neighbor—good citizen, and friend, and you will go through with a great many friends and very few enemies.