vi Preface. 



All lovers of art will be glad to read the lectures on The Evolution 

 of Art, of Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, and Music, wherein the 

 progress of art in general and of these special arts has been traced by 

 able and sympathetic pens. Though aware of many gaps and imper- 

 fections in the discussion of themes so vast and various, it is believed 

 that the average merit of these lectures as a whole is fully up to the 

 standard of previous years ; and it is confidently hoped that they will 

 prove wisely educational, stimulating, and suggestive to thoughtful 

 and inquiring minds. 



The important bearing of many of the topics herein treated on 

 human life has also been constantly borne in mind, with a view to 

 giving to these discussions a value not merely speculative, but also 

 practical and useful. 



