LECTURE III.
THE MYSTERY OF LIFE AND ITS ARTS.
Lecture delivered in the theatre of the Royal College of Science, Dublin, 1868.
96. When I accepted the privilege of addressing you to-day, I was not aware of a restriction with respect to the topics of discussion which may be brought before this Society[1]—a restriction which, though entirely wise and right under the circumstances contemplated in its introduction, would necessarily have disabled me, thinking as I think, from preparing any lecture for you on the subject of art in a form which might be permanently useful. Pardon me, therefore, in so far as I must transgress such limitation; for indeed my infringement will be of the letter—not of the spirit—of your commands. In whatever I may say touching
- ↑ That no reference should be made to religious questions.
144