Phrenological Reading, July 28, 1876. Jane Addams Papers Microfilm Edition, Reel 28, Section F, “Other Personal Documents.”

Document:

The Contents of Jane Addams’ Head, as examined by John L. Capen, Phrenologist,

July 28, 1876. Age--15 Years, 8 Months, 22 Days.

Size of head ¼ to ½ inch larger than average adults. Mental powers greater than physical. With care will enjoy a good degree of health through out her life. Vital powers not great; but still an element of toughness in her that will endure a good deal. Rather an evenness of temperament but shows market traits of character. Has strength of feeling and energy. Large positiveness if she thinks a thing is true, she thinks it with all her might. Great sensativness and timidity, lack of self esteem consequently lack of confidence in her self. Social, but not fond of general society, fond of her own select society and circle of friends and home folk. Intellect beyond average, inclined to be sober, serious and earnest. Strong will and inclined to be very obstanate. As a business women would be a good bookkeeper, financier and arithmetician, but a lack of sharpness as in making bargains or trading. Strong in her likes and dislikes, very affectionate, thinks a great deal of her friends and will always stand by them. Womanly and matronly. True, steady and uniform, self sacrificing until she finds she is imposed upon then would become very indignant. Strong reasoning powers. Gratitude large; conscienciousness great, form medium, very large firmness. Memory average, large originality dislikes to imitate others, or memorize, prefer to be original. Inclined to be inventive especially of things of a mechanical nature. Dislikes to be over persuaded. She would make her mark in drawing designs, although her ideas of size and form are too poor to become a good copyist. Not enthusiastic, in any project will become slowly interested and by reason, but when interested will be jealous and persevering and loath to abond it. Her mind will always become interested before she takes hold with her hands. Small [‘large’ crossed out] veneration and great perseverance. Prudent and careful. Moral faculties very much larger than religious. Inclined to be skeptical, as for instance, if some one was trying to make her believe a thing against her principle of right and wrong, and even say that the Lord said so. She would begin to doubt if the Lord ever did say such a thing whether it wasn’t man that said it. She would never be a proselyte, not sectarian, thinks every one has the right to believe what they please. Will do anything from principle, believe nothing without a good reason. Melody poor, but good harmony, would hardly come up to the average through the first courses of music but do better afterward. Large imagination but under good control, if she builds castles in the air always has a some good foundation for them. She will be a good chess player, in philosophy and mathematics very good; as a linguist in foreign languages would hardly come up to the average. If subject to mortifications, great disappointment or anxiety in the next five years would be apt to stunt the growth of her mind and injure its strength; inclining then to become melancholy. Hope large, if it has any foundation. Natural disposition cheerful. At school among a large number will not be showy or brilliant on account of her lack of confidence in her self, being sensitive and easily mortified, also not being able to memorize so easily as others; but will be steady and persevering, sticking to a thing when the majority give it up, and will come out near the head at last.

Philadelphia Penna.

922 Chestnut Street

P.S. July 30

Prespective faculties fair but not so large as reflective, Should cultivate her talent for drawing and music.