The Phrenological character of Mrs. Emery, “Temperament chiefly nervous” written Nov 8, 1864 (manuscript)

[12] manuscript pages, 7 x 4.5 inches, pamphlet stitched. Very Good with residual creases from being folded into quarters, light age toning and fingersoil. With a billowingly ornamented heading, “Names of the organs,” otherwise unadorned. The first four pages contain boilerplate information about Perry’s services, which could be done in the comfort of clients’ homes. Based in London and presumed to be a man, this is identified as his “7601st statement.” Absent from period records, the proliferation of phrenological societies and practitioners in Victorian Britain makes Perry’s modern anonymity unsurprising—but if that figure is accurate, it’s staggering evidence of popular demand.

The chart is arranged on George Combe’s system of 35 organs established in his Constitution of Man. Two pages are dedicated to numeric scores, with 8 pages outlining their implications. Perry goes in order up to number 22, then, running out of paper, lumps “the following 10 (all full)” organs together to get to 35 just as the page ends. The assessment makes no strong observations other than stating Mrs. Emery was of “chiefly nervous” temperament. The majority of her “organs” are scored 14-15. The delineation rather suggests a conservative character with pleasant interest in friends and morality, suited to “either of the ladies usual occupations,” smart enough, but not necessarily ambitious—a perfectly middle-of-the-road assessment unlikely to anger or inspire the client.

Transcription

The Phrenological character of Mrs. Emery, by D Perry of 34 Hyde Rd., (late Lucan Place) Hoxton, where letters sent will be punctually attended to and ladies and gentlemen waited on at their own residences.
This is the 7601st statement by D Perry

Note
The numbers following the organs names give their size or strength; and the principal organs of the intellect, if rated under five, would be down to idiocy; but between 5 and 10 would denote a low degree of sense. 11 and 12 would mean intelligence for plain things, 13 and 14 talent for the general trades. 15 and 16 would empower for the professions and superior callings and 17 and 18 capacitate to be authors, Editors, &c. Whole 19 and 20 would imply the highest mental strength.

[Names of the organs]

Temperament, chiefly, nervous

Written November 8, 1864

To Mrs. Emory

In your development, Organ No 1 is of about usual size. It is creative of sexual love which affection is in you much enhanced by combining with strong friendship, as friendly feeling forms part of love, and makes it enduring and nature towards the selected one. This regard in you is united also with high moral principal, and consequently fits you to be a good partner still to one who may lose your esteem, you would show a strong will.

Organ No 2 betoken by its size a fondness for agreeable children, there is however strictures, as well as parental love, manifested to your offspring.

The 3rd organ combined with all the domestic affections makes your love of home more than your taste for travelling, and the 4th prove the value for a confidential friend intimated to exist.

Organ No 5 is rather small, therefore you love peace and harmony, still the 6th being more fully developed and your feelings being rendered the more acute by your Nervous temperament. They together create a sharp but not very lasting anger, it should however be subdued, by cultivating calmness under opposition for it often leads to faults and instead of settling questions, places the one at first in the right, in the wrong.

The 7th shows some discretion and secrets, but they are up to come out to friends, the8th is but ordinary, and the moderate amount of self interestedness it implies, is well controlled by your conscientiousness.

The 9th organ is but of ordinary fullness, still as it is assisted by the intellect generally, it becomes a degree of skill, that could be successfully applied to either of the ladies usual occupations; [shop?] management, you are well fitted for, and if superior learning has been acquired, you would not be deficient as a governess.

Organ No 10 evidence about due self esteem, but the 11th is large, proving so strong a love of respect and approval that it is very painful to know yourself spoken against; strive therefore to prize the opinions of superior of minds only.

The 13th organ is of common size, but being helped by a high sense of duty, and by religious tendency, you do good willingly, but you do it from principle as much as compassion. The 14th (very full) inclines to the piety intimated to exist, to filial regard, and to thoughtfulness, as it makes the mind impressible by what are deemed important truths; and the 15th which denotes a firm will, may be rendered to a great extent good resolution, by that diligent improvement which is required to make the 13th, 14th, and 16th organs, act with their full power. The 16th proves that conscience speaks loudly, preventing all great faults, and you need avoid small ones as your happiness require you to be as free from them as possible.

Organ No 17 betoken due hopefulness, 18 and the 19th evidence a taste for the interesting and sublime and assisted by the 33rd, 34th and 35th would empower you with strength to write verses &c.

The 20th shows ordinary mirthfulness, the 21st helped by the 23rd, 26th and the 19th capacitates well for drawing and painting; the 22nd and following 10 (all full) renders your eye very quick, and among those 10, the organs which create a love of order, of flowers, of new scenes, and of music are prominent.

The 33rd bespeak a love of conversation, and of eloquent language, and it empowers you to learn another tongue; while the 34th and 35th full-proves the needful intelligence for all things named.

D Perry