Chapter XIV — Prof. Crane, The Phrenologist

 After supper Ben and his young charge took their seats in the main salon¹. The passengers were grouped about the tables, many of them reading the New York evening papers. Among them Ben observed a tall man, wearing a full beard, and attired² in a suit of rather rusty³ black, who presently sat down beside him. From his appearance Ben fancied that he might be a clergyman or a missionary⁴.

 

"My young friend," said the stranger at length, "are you traveling to Boston?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Ahem! Do you live in Boston?"

 

"No, sir; I live in Milltown, a manufacturing town."

 

"Did you ever have your head examined?"

 

Ben stared at the questioner in surprise.

 

"What should I have my head examined for?" he asked.

 

"I see you don't understand me," said the gentlemen of clerical appearance. "I am a phrenologist."

 

"Oh, yes, I understand," said Ben.

 

"I lecture on phrenology and examine heads, describing the character and prominent traits of my subjects on phrenological principles. For instance, I can readily tell by the help of my science your leading tendencies, and in what career you would be most likely to meet with success."

 

"I would like to know that myself," said Ben, becoming interested.

 

"My terms for an ordinary examination are twenty-five cents. For a written description I charge a dollar."

 

"If I had plenty of money," said Ben, "I wouldn't mind getting a written description."

 

"A dollar spent that way may save you hundreds of dollars, nay⁵, perhaps thousands," said the phrenologist insinuatingly⁶.

 

Ben shook his head.

 

"I haven't any money to spare," he said. "I have some money, but it was given to me to pay traveling expenses."

 

"Surely you can spare twenty-five cents," said the phrenologist. "You can remember what I say and write it down yourself afterward⁷."

 

"So, I can," said Ben. "I guess I can afford a quarter; but where can we go?"

 

"Stay here," said Prof. Crane, for this was his self-chosen designation. "It will probably bring me other customers."

 

"I don't know," said Ben, looking about him doubtfully. "I don't think I should like to have all these people hear about me."

 

"You need not be afraid. You have a very good heard. Besides, it is no more public than at my lectures."

 

"All right then!"

 

"Move your chair forward a little. There, that is right."

 

Prof. Crane arose, and assumed the attitude of a speaker.

 

"Ladies and gentlemen," he commenced, after clearing his throat.

 

The gentlemen in the saloon looked up from their newspapers in some surprise at this unexpected interruption.

 

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Prof. Crane, the phrenologist. I trust you will pardon the interruption if I publically examine the head of this young man, and describe his character as indicated by his phrenological development."

 

"Go on," said a stout⁸ gentlemen opposite. "It will help to pass the time."

 

"Thank you, sir. I trust that what I may say will not only help to pass the time, but lead you to reflect seriously upon the great importance of this science, and its claims upon your attention."

 

All eyes were turned upon Ben, who bore the ordeal⁹ very well.

 

"This lad has an excellent head. All the organs are well balanced, none being in great excess. His temperament¹⁰ is nervous-sanguine. Hope predominates with him. He will not be easily discouraged, but when he has an object in view he will pursue it perseveringly¹¹ to the end. He is not quarrelsome, but will not allow himself to be trodden upon. He has plenty of courage. He is not bashful, but respectful to his elders and superiors. He is conscientious¹², and more likely to do right than wrong. Of course he might yield to temptation, but it would have to be a powerful one. He has a fondness for pets, and will be kind to younger children. He will find no pleasure in ill-treating or tyrannizing over them He has not much invention, and would make a poor machinist, but is likely to succeed in general business. He will probably be steady and reliable, and faithful to the interests of his employer."

 

This was the substance of Prof. Crane's description of our hero. Ben listened with satisfaction, feeling that it was a very good character indeed. He was sorry that some business man could not hear it, as it might lead him to offer him employment.

 

When the examination was over, Ben tendered the professor twenty-five cents in payment.

 

"Now," said the professor, looking around him, "is there any other lady or gentleman whose head I can examine, for the small sum of twenty-five cents? My usual terms are fifty cents, but as I am traveling, and this is out of office hours, I don't mind reducing the price for this occasion."

 

Among those present was a rustic¹³ couple, who appeared to be on a wedding trip. The bridegroom was dressed in a full suit of blue cloth, the coat being decorated with brass¹⁴ buttons, while the bride was resplendent in a dress brilliant in color and with large figures.

 

"Sally," said the young husband, "I want you to have your head examined. It only costs a quarter."

 

"Oh, Jonathan, how can I before all them folks?" said Sally bashfully. "Suppose he should say something bad about me."

 

"If he does, I'll bu'st his head," said Jonathan. "He can't say nothin' but what's good about you, Sally.

 

"All right, Jonathan, just as you say."

 

"My wife will have her head examined," said Jonathan, with a proud glance at his radiant bride.

 

"Please sit here, madam," said the professor. "Now I will trouble you to remove your bonnet¹⁵."

 

"Don't tumble up my hair," said Sally solicitously¹⁶.

 

"That will not be necessary," said Prof. Crane. "This lady has a very harmonious¹⁷ head."

 

"What's that?" inquired Sally, in a low voice, of Jonathan, who stood at her side.

 

"Something good, I reckon," whispered her husband.

 

"She has those sweet domestic virtues¹⁸ which fit the possessor to adorn¹⁹ the family circle and lend a luster²⁰ to the home."

 

"How nice he talks!" murmured Sally, in a tone of gratification.

 

"Yes, Sally, he's smart," said Jonathan, "and can read you like a book."

 

"This lady has a great taste for music. She would be like to excel as a musician. Am I right, sir?"

 

"I guess you are," said Jonathan. "You'd ought to hear her sing in the choir²¹ to hum. She's got a powerful voice, Sally has. She can almost raise the rafters of the old meetin'-house."

 

"You see, ladies and gentlemen, that the husband of the lady confirms what I say of her. Phrenology never errs²². A phrenologist is never mistaken in character. Nature has stamped her impress upon each one of us, and declares unmistakably what we are."

 

"Go ahead, professor," said Jonathan impatiently.

 

"The lady has a taste for strong and decided²³ colors. What is showy attracts her admiration²⁴."

 

"That's so!" commented Jonathan.

 

"She has a good deal of firmness, and likes to have her own way; as most of use do," added the professor. "Still she would yield to strong persuasion²⁵."

 

It will be unnecessary to go farther in the examination which proved quite satisfactory to the young couple, and a source of amusement to the rest of the passengers.

 

Jonathan next submitted himself to the professor's skill, and was highly delighted in being told that he was fitted to shine in public life, and might hereafter become a member of Congress.

 

"I guess the folks at home will think more of me when they hear that," he remarked to Sally. "The professor has given us good characters."

 

"So he has. Do you think it's all true, Jonathan?"

 

"Of course it is. It's a wonderful science, Sally. I didn't know I had so many bumps."

 

"Nor I. I can't feel 'em myself."

 

"That's because you're not used to it. It takes the professor to do it."

 

Other subjects were forthcoming, and the professor cleared three dollars during the evening. He understood human nature well enough to flatter all, without absolutely contradicting the science of which he claimed to be the exponent²⁶.

1 salon   

n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室

参考例句：

• Do you go to the hairdresser or beauty salon more than twice a week?你每周去美容院或美容沙龙多过两次吗？
• You can hear a lot of dirt at a salon.你在沙龙上会听到很多流言蜚语。

2 attired   

adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The bride was attired in white. 新娘穿一身洁白的礼服。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It is appropriate that everyone be suitably attired. 人人穿戴得体是恰当的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 rusty   

adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的

参考例句：

• The lock on the door is rusty and won't open.门上的锁锈住了。
• I haven't practiced my French for months and it's getting rusty.几个月不用，我的法语又荒疏了。

4 missionary   

adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士

参考例句：

• She taught in a missionary school for a couple of years.她在一所教会学校教了两年书。
• I hope every member understands the value of missionary work. 我希望教友都了解传教工作的价值。

5 nay   

adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者

参考例句：

• He was grateful for and proud of his son's remarkable,nay,unique performance.他为儿子出色的，不，应该是独一无二的表演心怀感激和骄傲。
• Long essays,nay,whole books have been written on this.许多长篇大论的文章，不，应该说是整部整部的书都是关于这件事的。

6 insinuatingly   

参考例句：

• Corell said insinuatingly,"Are you afraid, Colonel?" 科雷尔很婉转地说：“你害怕了吗，上校？” 来自辞典例句

7 afterward   

adv.后来；以后

参考例句：

• Let's go to the theatre first and eat afterward. 让我们先去看戏，然后吃饭。
• Afterward,the boy became a very famous artist.后来，这男孩成为一个很有名的艺术家。

9 ordeal   

n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验

参考例句：

• She managed to keep her sanity throughout the ordeal.在那场磨难中她始终保持神志正常。
• Being lost in the wilderness for a week was an ordeal for me.在荒野里迷路一星期对我来说真是一场磨难。

10 temperament   

n.气质，性格，性情

参考例句：

• The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
• Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。

11 perseveringly   

坚定地

参考例句：

• The Chinese people perseveringly support the just struggles of the oppressed people and nations the world over. 中国人民坚持不渝地支持全世界被压迫人民和民族的正义斗争。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Men should have high aspirations; students should study perseveringly. 人贵有志，学贵有恒。 来自互联网

12 conscientious   

adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的

参考例句：

• He is a conscientious man and knows his job.他很认真负责，也很懂行。
• He is very conscientious in the performance of his duties.他非常认真地履行职责。

13 rustic   

adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬

参考例句：

• It was nearly seven months of leisurely rustic living before Michael felt real boredom.这种悠闲的乡村生活过了差不多七个月之后,迈克尔开始感到烦闷。
• We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust.我们希望新鲜的空气和乡村的氛围能帮他调整自己。

14 brass   

n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器

参考例句：

• Many of the workers play in the factory's brass band.许多工人都在工厂铜管乐队中演奏。
• Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc.黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。

15 bonnet   

n.无边女帽；童帽

参考例句：

• The baby's bonnet keeps the sun out of her eyes.婴孩的帽子遮住阳光，使之不刺眼。
• She wore a faded black bonnet garnished with faded artificial flowers.她戴着一顶褪了色的黑色无边帽，帽上缀着褪了色的假花。

16 solicitously   

adv.热心地，热切地

参考例句：

• Eyeing Hung-chien he said solicitously, "Hung-chien, you've lost a lot of weight." 他看了鸿渐一眼，关切的说：“鸿渐兄，你瘦得多了。” 来自汉英文学 - 围城
• To their surprise Hung-chien merely asked Jou-chia solicitously, "Can the wine stains be washed out? 谁知道鸿渐只关切地问柔嘉：“酒渍洗得掉么？ 来自汉英文学 - 围城

17 harmonious   

adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的

参考例句：

• Their harmonious relationship resulted in part from their similar goals.他们关系融洽的部分原因是他们有着相似的目标。
• The room was painted in harmonious colors.房间油漆得色彩调和。

18 virtues   

美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处

参考例句：

• Doctors often extol the virtues of eating less fat. 医生常常宣扬少吃脂肪的好处。
• She delivered a homily on the virtues of family life. 她进行了一场家庭生活美德方面的说教。

19 adorn   

vt.使美化，装饰

参考例句：

• She loved to adorn herself with finery.她喜欢穿戴华丽的服饰。
• His watercolour designs adorn a wide range of books.他的水彩设计使许多图书大为生色。

20 luster   

n.光辉；光泽，光亮；荣誉

参考例句：

• His great books have added luster to the university where he teaches.他的巨著给他任教的大学增了光。
• Mercerization enhances dyeability and luster of cotton materials.丝光处理扩大棉纤维的染色能力，增加纤维的光泽。

21 choir   

n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱

参考例句：

• The choir sang the words out with great vigor.合唱团以极大的热情唱出了歌词。
• The church choir is singing tonight.今晚教堂歌唱队要唱诗。

22 errs   

犯错误，做错事( err的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Man errs so long as he strives. 人只要奋斗就会犯错误。 来自每日一句
• He that talks much errs much. [谚]言多必有失。

23 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

24 admiration   

n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕

参考例句：

• He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
• We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。

25 persuasion   

n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派

参考例句：

• He decided to leave only after much persuasion.经过多方劝说，他才决定离开。
• After a lot of persuasion,she agreed to go.经过多次劝说后，她同意去了。

26 exponent   

n.倡导者，拥护者；代表人物；指数，幂

参考例句：

• She is an exponent of vegetarianism.她是一个素食主义的倡导者。
• He had been the principal exponent of the Gallipoli campaign.他曾为加里波利战役的主要代表人物。