5. MARVELLOUSNESS.
This organ produces credulity of mind. It predisposes to believe without sufficient testimony, and delights in contemplating the strange and wonderful. It has been supposed, that this organ is given to enable the mind to believe in those passages in Revelation, in which supernatural performances are related, and that consequently it increases the zeal and fervour of the devout and religious. Its more general manifestations, are to give a fondness for supernatural stories, and a love of the strange, the new and the marvellous, and sometimes leads to a desire to visit mysterious and unfrequented countries.
Predominant.—With Marvellousness predominant, one will be exceedingly credulous and visionary in all his views. He will readily take for granted whatever is told him of a wonderful character. He will disregard simple causes, and be disposed to account for any thing a little unusual by a forced and unnatural conclusion.
Large.—With Marvellousness large, and Veneration large, a person, if religious, will be eminently devout and superstitious. He will readily believe in special providences, divine agency, &c. With large Eventuality and Ideality, will be passionately fond of reading marvellous accounts, hair-breadth escapes, &c. With large Cautiousness, and small Causality, will be afraid of ghosts, and will profess often to see apparitions.
Moderate.—With but a moderate developement of this organ, and with large Causality and Comparison, one will be rather sceptical in his views, requiring much proof before his assent can be gained, yet at the same time, will keep his mind open to conviction, and will be willing to give subjects a considerate examination. If Causality is small, he will often adopt principles upon insufficient grounds; and with Ideality large, will be exceedingly fond of marvellous tales, and of fictitious excitement of a mysterious character.
Small.—With Marvellousness small, one will be exceedingly incredulous and sceptical. It will be impossible for him to believe any thing but what is susceptible of the clearest demonstration. With Ideality moderate or small, he will have great aversion to marvellous stories and fictitious works generally. With Veneration small, he may be religious, but his mind will be peculiar. He will not submit to the teaching of any man, and will form his creed from the results of his own reading and reflection.
INTELLECTUAL SENTIMENTS.
1. IDEALITY.
This organ imparts a relish and a desire for the beautiful, the elevated and the exquisite. It renders its possessor constantly alive to impressions of beauty, and leads to a desire of improvement. Those who possess it large are never satisfied with sober reality; but delight to revel in the illusions of fancied existence.
Predominant.—With Ideality predominant, one will live in a state of constant illusion. He will be enthusiastic and chimerical in all his views and opinions. His enjoyments will be of the most intense description, and his suffering of the same character. Plain matter of fact and sober reality will disgust him. He will be ever striving after the refined and the ideal. He will be an enthusiastic admirer of poetry and the fine arts, and all objects of taste.