Immediately after the repast, and with a little circumlocution, Kopfstirn, who was not to be put off, said-' You have not seen my sanctum yet, young gentleman: after our wine, I shall have much pleasure in showing you a few curiosities which I have had the happiness to collect.'

The stranger acquiesced, and almost immediately followed his impatient host through sundry dark and narrow passages, until they arrived at a massive oaken door, studded with immense nails. This door was secured by a couple of patent locks, of intricate machinery, to guard the treasures within. When opened, the visiter beheld a small triangular apartment, furnished with an octagon table, two arm-chairs, covered with dog-skin, and a number of shelves stuck against the bare walls. The back of each chair was ornamented with the representation of a skull, carved with much cunning. The arms of the same were similarly decorated. On the shelves were displayed a vast number of skulls, large and small, round and oval, some human, some animal, some under glass cases, some not so distinguished; it was indeed a Golgotha-a place of skulls! On the table were scattered a miscellaneous assemblage of books, pamphlets, and manuscripts, with materials for writing.

The stranger could not but admire the contrivance for holding ink a china skull contained the immortalizing fluid. It had all the various organs distinctly marked, not according to either Spurzheim or Gall, but after a new system which boasted the Doctor as its inventor, 'and which he took infinite pains to reduce to the stranger's capacity; but like many others, he had the art of amplifying to such an extent, and involving illustration within illustration, that what might have been previously comprehensible was so effectually obscured by his method of explanation, that not a glimpse of meaning remained.

Having glanced at the characteristic appendages of the craniologist's triangular study, the countenance of the stranger suddenly assumed an extraordinary appearance of emotion. The Doctor became alarmed. The stranger endeavored to control it, but in vain. He sunk on a chair, and gave way to an uncontrollable burst of laughter. Two cats and a pug-dog were lying on the rug before the fire-with shaven

crowns!

'Experiments for the advancement of science,' said the Doctor, as both cause and effect manifested themselves,' are not legitimate subjects for laughter;' and he looked displeased. 'I have operated on these animals myself, to the temporary destruction of their crinose honors, for the sake of a more minute examination.'

"And I hope your discoveries have amply rewarded you for the trouble, remarked his companion, composing his face to seriousness. "Truly they have, beyond my most sanguine expectations. I have detected an organ in the feline species which hath escaped all previous studiers of craniology-I mean the organ of reflectiveness.' He was about to take up one of the cats, for the purpose of point

ing out this organ, when she unceremoniously launched forth a paw, and left deep marks of her indignation on the scientific man's cheek sinister.

'That is odd,' exclaimed he, with the utmost composure and most imperturbable gravity, very odd. I do not recollect to have seen it, but it must be there.' And in defiance of the cat's evident reluctance, he took her up, seated himself in one of the arm chairs, confined his victim in a sort of wooden cage, so contrived as to leave only the head at liberty, and patiently began a scrutiny.

Long and carefully did Ernest Kopfstirn search. At last he triumphantly called out, Well, I may exclaim with the heathen of old, Eureka! I have found it!' Look here-observe this slight prominence. It is, though very faintly developed, a sufficient indication that this specimen hath a pugnacious propensity.'

'I was quite convinced of that before,' remarked the stranger. 'Thus ever judge the ignorant!' exclaimed Kopfstien. "I know it hath, not because I see the effect, but because 1 see the cause.'

The cat now liberated, screaming with rage and pain, forthwith dashed through a pane of the study window, followed by the pug and the other cat, while the doctor, fully satisfied with his investigation, without taking further notice of the malcontents, said, as he took an almost shapeless mass from one of the shelves, 'This is the greatest rarity in my whole collection. It is invaluable. I purchased it from an indigent man, who dwells at Knaresborough, and who found it embedded in a calcareous substance. After having bestowed the proper consideration due to such an important subject, no doubt remains on my mind but it is the skull of some antediluvian animal, genus not known. It is therefore valuable on that account. But what is the most remarkable--you see this organ ?--Well, Sir--this organ denotes, that the specimen belongs to conscientious irrationality! You may smile, Sir, but it is evidently a skull; evidently not human. It consequently follows, that it must have appertained to the animal creation; and the organ, I have pointed out, is indicative of conscientiousnessa contradiction not easily reconciled, I grant I am, however, com. mencing a treatise on the subject, which must carry conviction to the mind of the most hardened sceptic.'

Reader! the treatise already extended to six hundred folio pages, closely written !

My dear Sir,' said the stranger, who had been attentively examining the specimen of conscientious irrationality, 'this is no more a skull than a windmill and, before the horror-stricken phrenologist had time to exclaim against this heresy, he continued, this identical specimen was offered me last summer at Knaresborough as a specimen of the petrifying spring, and is nothing more than part of a duck's egg!' The indignation and secret dismay which the doctor felt at this blunt overthrow of his favorite theory he had great difficulty in restraining; but, assuming a smile anything but humorous, he said, with forced composure, 'Truly, my young friend, I admire your candor; but I pity your

discrimination. The glories of science are not yet made manifest to you: but let us change the subject. I have an affair to discuss with you on which we shall better agree. It strikes me we are not such strangers as I at first supposed. During your illness I observed the traces of a wound in your head with which I ought to be familiar; and your features, though altered, I can surely recognize. If I do not deceive myself, you are the son of my friend and neighbor, Mr. Trevor.'

'You are right, Sir, said the stranger, who seemed agitated by a variety of emotions; I had no idea you would have recognized me, I intended, however, this very day, to have confided to you the reason of my present situation, and asking your assistance; but I fear the reports which have doubtless reached this place to my prejudice have already deprived me of your good opinion.'

'Why, I must be candid with you,' returned the doctor; 'reports are indeed to your prejudice; you are stated to be the seducer of the daughter of that poor old woman on the beach, Mary Aldridge, with many other irregularities which

They are false, Sir!' said Mr. Trevor vehemently, as I hope for mercy. I was quite assured of that,' said the phrenologist, in a very decided tone. 'I am ready to stake my reputation that the accusations against you are wholly disproved, on scientific principles'

'My dear Sir,' said Mr. Trevor, warmly, to whom am I indebted for your good opinion? We have met but rarely, and long ago;—I' thought I was almost unknown to you,'

The doctor, with much gravity, reached a large folio, and, turning. a few leaves, said, ' You are indebted to one whom you must henceforward call friend. I shall be indeed happy to acknowledge my gratitude-name my benefactor,' said Trevor, 'To Science-to whom you have hitherto been a stranger,' returned the doctor; 'listen.' He then read from the open page: 'Charles Trevor-moral and intellectual organs fully developed-benevolence and veneration very conspicuous-baser propensities inconsiderable, and under controlabove conformation, denoting a worthy and estimable character,' 'There, my young friend,' continued the man of science, 'can anything be more conclusive of your innocence of these diabolical inventions?' and his little eyes twinkled with triumph. I am sorry to say the next in my register is just the reverse; it treats of your cousin, Frank Trevor a bad fellow, decidedly;' and he kept muttering extracts from the folio.

'My dear Doctor,' interrupted Charles Trevor earnestly, you will indeed make me a convert, since Science has been my friend, when I could least have expected it. My cousin, Frank Trevor, is as you describe him. I have now good reason to know that he is the secret cause of my present distress-I know he was originally my rival for the hand of Lady Emily; but I little thought him capable of such base revenge. By some means he has succeeded in fixing the guilt of the seduction of Mary Aldridge's daughter on me and the father of my

affianced wife, Lord Rickworth, has dismissed me his house with the most humiliating contempt. Maddened with grief and indignation, I mounted my horse, and fled I knew not whither. I had some vague idea of burying myself in solitude, but I knew not how I came in the situation in which you found me.

"Animal propensities largely developed-moral and intellectual, small,-destructiveness-yes, yes, it's all clear enough,' muttered the doctor at intervals, and recounting a catalogue of vices enough to have stocked a Pandemonium.'-' He is a bad fellow, my dear young friend,' said he, addressing his companion. You need not trouble yourself further in this affair; you may consider your reputation already established; I hold proofs sufficient to clear you from these slanders in any court in Christendom.'

'Good heavens! is it possible?' exclaimed Trevor; 'am I so fortunate?—what are the proofs ?-where are they?'

Here they are--irrefragable,' said the doctor, gravely, pointing to the folio register.

The countenance of Trevor suddenly fell when he saw the nature of the doctor's proofs. The excitement of joy suddenly vanished, as he said, faintly, I very much fear

Come, come,' interrupted the Doctor, you need not despond. Although, with the scientific, this folio would be conclusive,-for those who doubt such testimony I have other evidence.' He then drew from his pocket-book a letter. I told you,' he continued, that I utterly scouted the idea of your being the guilty person, knowing, as I did, that it was not possible,-that it was contrary to the laws of science. I have, therefore, anxiously sought for proofs to establish my opinion, which I have found. Thus, the pain you have suffered will be of signal benefit to mankind, by promoting the cause of science and truth. Read-I have received it from the mother of this unhappy individual; I have attended her in illness, brought on by grief for her daughter's conduct.'

Trevor eagerly cast his eyes over the contents of the letter, and his countenance brightened at every line. It was indeed from the unfortunate daughter of Mary Aldridge to her poor stricken mother, imploring her forgiveness, and begging her to go to Lord Rickworth, and confess to him, that, by alternate lures and threats, she had been prevailed upon to denounce Mr. Charles Trevor as the author of her ruin and subsequent abandonment; that she had reaped no reward for such additional guilt, for that, after his object was accomplished, she had been again deserted by Mr. Frank Trevor, who had originally taken her from her home. Overwhelmed by remorse, and in utter destitution, she confessed her guilt, and implored forgiveness.

My benefactor, my friend,' exclaimed Trevor in hurried accents, as he held in his hands this proof of his innocence, I must immediately haste to town. I cannot rest till I have proved to Lord Rickworth the fabrication, which has nearly been my ruin, and again claim my Emily,-- now, indeed, my own.

'Stay, young man,' said the Phrenologist, detaining him, for he was rising to depart; from the formation of your cranium, I should hardly have expected such impetuosity. I do not remember to have seen the organ of

But, my dear Doctor, we lose time; every moment is an age till I can explain

'Be calm, my young friend,' interrupted the Doctor,' you are nearer your explanation than you think, Lord Rickworth is now at his seat in our neighborhood. I must be candid with you; I have myself spoken with Lord Rickworth, who has himself seen this letter, and examined the mother of the unfortunate girl who has been the cause of so much calamity. Need I say, that, from this document, he is fully convinced of all the other falsehoods which have been so industriously circulated, and which may be traced to the same source. In fact, Lord Rickworth is now in my house, and longs to take you by the hand, and restore you at once to his confidence and esteem.'

The emotion of Trevor prevented him from giving utterance to his thanks. He could have fallen and embraced the old man's kneeshe could have done more, he could have confessed himself a Phrenologist! But little time, however, was given him to compose himself, for the door of the study opened, and Lord Rickworth entered. That day was a day of explanation and reconciliation. The party was shortly increased by the arrival of the father of Charles Trevor, who had posted from town at the Doctor's summons. Lord Rickworth had removed to his seat near Ariesport from town, only two days previous, in consequence of the health of Lady Emily, which had suffered materially, from the shock she had received at the supposed unworthiness of her lover. It was reported that he had fled to France. So artfully had the machinations of Frank Trevor been carried on against his more successful rival for the hand of the daughter of Lord Rickworth, that they had escaped the suspicion of all parties but him who they had injured; and Charles's last interview with Lord Rickworth was too hasty and angry to admit of accusation or explanation. It was now rendered shorter and more satisfactory, by the confession of the unfortunate victim of Frank Trevor's depravity.

The rest is easily told. There was a certain ceremony performed shortly afterwards, at St. George's, Hanover-square; and a paragraph went the round of the newspapers, headed—' Marriage in high life,' &c. The bells at Ariesport rung merrily--that is, as merrily as their infirmities would permit them, on the arrival of Charles Trevor, Esq. and Lady Emily, at their mansion in the neighborhood, some little time subsequent to the event mentioned above; and, within an hour after, did Charles Trevor, waving all ceremony, find himself vis à vis the Phrenologist, in his triangular study, at Occiput House.

'Now, my dear Doctor,' said he earnestly, to you I am indebted for my life, and to your kind services I am indebted for its greatest blessing-my wife. Suffer me to ask you in what manner I can best show my gratitude to you.'