Preface to: Familiar Lessons on Physiology Designed for the Use of Children and Youth in Schools and Families Illustrated by Numerous Engravings, by Mrs. L.N. Fowler, 1848.

Orson and Lorenzo Fowler, the antebellum era's pre-eminent spokesmen for phrenology, operated a publishing house, mail-order business, and museum of human and animal skulls. The Fowler brothers' publishing endeavors extended to their families as well. This book by Dr. Lydia Folger Fowler (Mrs. Lorenzo Fowler) is part of two volumes, directed toward parents and teachers, designed to aid children in using the principles of phrenology "to know themselves" and achieve moral, useful lives.

FAMILIAR LESSONS
ON

PHYSIOLOGY,
Designed for the use of

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES.

ILLUSTRATED BY NUMEROIUS ENGRAVINGS.

BY MRS. L. N. FOWLER.

VOL. 1

STEREOTYPE EDITION.

1848

Children are generally ignorant of the simplest laws which relate to their bodies, and to the functions of their minds. They are sent to school it is true, but are seldom instructed in these things there; and it is too often the case that they grow to maturity with habits which undermine their health, and bring them to an early grave; which might have been avoided if they had received proper instruction in early life.

That it is important for children "to know themselves," mentally and physically, is self-evident to every reflecting mind, and this being admitted, the most direct means should be used to accomplish this object. A correct knowledge of the laws and principles of Physiology and Phrenology is undoubtedly the most effectual medium through which this light can be obtained, and should, therefore, be extensively diffused and disseminated.

The design of these two volumes, is, to present these subjects in a clear and familiar manner, to explain their general laws, to illustrate them by cuts and familiar examples, such as occur in every-day life, to impress the truths inculcated on the conscience, so that children may not only feel their importance, and that it is their duty to obey the laws of their being, but that they may also feel that they have responsibilities, from which they cannot free themselves. I have affixed questions to each page for a two-fold purpose, namely, to enable teachers and parents to ascertain how far and how much the principles have been understood by them, and also to impress these principles deeply on their minds.

As the truths of Phrenology and Physiology are fully established in other works, I have drawn my inferences and conclusions from premises which I have not deemed it necessary to prove. I have written in a colloquial style, and have studied simplicity; yet I think that in addressing children we should not always adhere strictly to this; for while they learn and repeat, when very young, long and unmeaning expressions, it is time to speak to them of words which convey instruction as well as [illegible]. A child can comprehend that the petals of a flower are its leaves, and that the cuticle is the outer membrane of the first skin.

The opinion that a knowledge of the mind, its laws and functions, should, and must of necessity, be confined to the Stoic, the Philosopher, and the Sage, has prevailed too long in society. The mind of man is but a development of the elements of his nature, and these elements can be understood by children.

Said a reverend gentlemen when speaking of little children, "Here is the replenishing of the world, here is a new wave of existence. From these little children will be selected our future rulers and judges of the next half century." Another talented and eloquent writer also said — "What a magazine of energies is a little child. How many journeys across continents, if need be, on errands or mercy, may be snugly packed away in those little feet. From between that little right thumb and finger, what volumes may yet flow out — poetry, history, philosophy, ethics, etc.!"

Parents and teachers, the minds of children are placed in your hands to mould and direct! They have, as all must allow, natural tendencies of mind, natural propensities, natural predispositions; yet they are not "fated" to act only as these dictate; but they can be so trained, cultivated, or restrained, that their influence is often greatly modified or entirely counterbalanced. Will you train them for usefulness and happiness; or will you suffer them tares of ignorance and vice to grow and expand in their little minds, till they eventually root out all the good? It is for you to say. The responsibility rests on you. Do not, therefore, for the love you bear your little ones "those links between angels and men" neglect your duty to them.

That these volumes may serve, in some degree, as a pilot to enable children to avoid the shoals and quicksands of life, is the sincere wish of their friend,

L.F. F.