Phrenology!

So this morning I fell down a rabbit hole. I mean, there I was minding my own business, perusing Burt’s seemingly random list of countries, when I noticed São Tomé and Príncipe and thought, “I know where that is (roughly), and from the name I can tell it must have been a Portuguese colony, but I know nothing else. I should look it up.” So to Wikipedia I went, and that led to a search for the 1897 issue of Scientific American, which led me to Archive.org (cool foldable bicycle!), which… wait, every issue of Scientific American through 1906 is available on Archive.org? Well, there goes my career.

Seriously, how did I not know this? Did you know this? If not, did I just cost you your job as well? (When I learned that I could read 19th century issues of academic journals on JSTOR, an intervention was required to keep me from failing out of grad school.)

Anyway, after reading the March 1897 issue, I went back to 1846 and started from the beginning, and quickly came across this gem among the advertisements in the June 25, 1846 edition (back then it was a 4-page weekly):

To reform and perfect Man—to develop, by culture, the original beauties and capabilities of his nature—is a work the most arduous and exalted that can possibly engage human intellect or effort. To do this effectually, however, his nature must be known; and since Phrenology and Physiology imbody his entire constitution, there is no way by which we can so easily become acquainted with ourselves, or for what occupation in life we are best qualified, as by aid of these sciences.
To these subjects and their various applications will this Journal be devoted. It will present,

Each number will analyze one or more of the phrenological organs, both singly and in their various combinations, illustrated by engravings showing their location. Each number will also contain the Phrenological developments and character of some distinguished individual accompanied by their likeness. This department will give just that practical view of Phrenology which is required in order to fully understand its proper application.

To know and obey those laws of lifef and health, unfolded by these sciences, constitutes the main basis and superstructure of talent, virtue, and happiness. This department will also be illustrated by engravings.

Will receive its due attention; and our readers will receive, through this medium, all that is new, interesting and important.

Her character, influence, sphere, and consequent duties; the government and education of children, &c., will be presented in this Journal.

Our field is indeed the world, physical, intellectual, and moral. Human improvement and happiness we shall endeavor to promote. Those, therefore who are interested in the advancement of our race, and would ameliorate their condition, may do so, perhaps more effectually by circulating this Journal than by any other means; for it will imbody the principles of all reform.
This work will be issued monthly, containing thirty-two or more pages, on good type and paper, at the extreme low price of $1.00 per year, in advance.

Subscriptions should, in all cases, be addressed, post paid, to                                              FOWLER & WELLS

Editors and Postmasters are authorized Agents for this work.
Editors who will give the above three inscrtions [I can’t tell what this is supposed to say. – Chris], or who will notice the Journal regularly, shall be entitled to an exchange.
A liberal discount will be made to agents & clubs.
Sample Numbers of the work will be sent gratis when requested.

Words cannot express how cool I think this is. “Our field is indeed the world, physical, intellectual, and moral… Those, therefore who are interested in the advancement of our race, and would ameliorate their condition, may do so, perhaps more effectually by circulating this Journal than by any other means.” Undoubtedly.