1915] on Music and Poetry 527 



develop along ways which enable them to supply each other's wants 

 and enhance each other's abilities. There is no end to the treasures 

 of melody, harmony, rhythm, light and shade. They are truly as 

 vast as the universe. Poetry has, it is true, linguistic limits, but her 

 very limitations give her the power of definite appeal which music 

 often lacks. In a word the compact is this : While music can 

 illumine and strengthen words which otherwise might want wings, 

 poetry can give definiteness to high-flying music in a way which links 

 it to man's immediate needs. Only let one fact at least stand as an 

 axiom, that whenever poetry and music are to be heard together no 

 violence shall be done to either. A'erbal plus musical veracity should 

 be exacted in this sacred compact. That they have identity of attri- 

 butes, divergence of aptitudes, and unalterable differences of dimen- 

 sion as they pursue their aptitudes — these are, after all, armchair facts, 

 frankly to be acknowledged and made a practical basis of under- 

 standing between poets, composers and audiences. 



They can serve each other to perfection, now by blend, and now 

 by alternation of interests. It is a vital and mystical union which, 

 as Milton has expressed it for all time, enables them together to 

 pierce dead things with inbreathed sense — 



And to our high-raised fantasy present 

 That undisturbed song of pure consent. 



[H. ^y. D.] 



GENERAL MONTHLY MEETING, 

 Monday, July 5, 1915. 



His Grace the Duke of Northumberlat^d, K.G. P.O. 

 D.C.L. LL.D. F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 



William H. Glaser, 

 Mrs. Skinner, 



were elected Members of the Royal Institution. 



The Managers reported, That in conformity with the Trust Deed, 

 they had appointed Sir James Dewar, LL.D. D.Sc. F.R.S., Fullerian 

 Professor of Chemistry. 



2 M 2 



