57 
pure sources of genuine diction. From the authors who rose in 
the time of Elizabeth a speech can be formed adequate to all the 
purposes of use and elegance, and capable of expressing almost 
every thought and aspiration of the human mind. ‘This 
language is our precious inheritance, for which we are the 
trustees for posterity. 
THE HISTORY OF SCULPTURE AND 
PICTORIAL ART. 
(Illustrated by Lantern.) 
By CHARLES ROWLEY. November 29th, 1892. 
Some apology is necessary for speaking about Art since every- 
body speaks about it. In such a case silence is often best. But 
Iam here to show you a few examples in a few only of the 
various branches which spring from the Art tree. I shall not 
indulge in definitions about the undefinable, but shall trust to a 
few general statements and fall back on the examples themselves. 
Several matters seem to be overlooked in our common speech on 
such subjects. The first is that Art is a much more general and 
inclusive thing than we should suppose from the popular talk 
aboutit. Do we mean by the term Art, ‘ pictures and statuary ?” 
If so let us say so, and to-night I am showing you a few 
examples only in those departments. But it is a grievous error 
to narrow the term to this, and much evil has resulted from such 
carelessness of expression. If we take the definition of Art from 
one of our chief writers, it will serve to illustrate what is meant. 
He says: ‘‘The Fine Arts are those in which the head, the 
hand, and the heart have worked together.” That is, there 
must be technical skill, brain power, and emotion cast into, and 
clearly expressed in the work. Now we can apply this rule to 
almost every effort of man, except to the most homely. and to 
the simple, useful work of our hands; but even there it is not 
safe to be exclusive, for you may infuse all these high qualities 
into the making of a dress, a table, or in doing up a woman's 
hair, and certainly into the arranging of one’s room. So it 
seems constantly necessary to insist that some right and wrong 
in taste may be and is shown in nearly every action of our life. 
Some of us are born clumsy and awkward ; many of us remain 
willingly so. Others seem to do everything with a grace and a 
rightness which is simply delightful, this being the result of gifts 
and good training. 
