and with an exhortation to the Fellows and 

 Members of the said College to search and study- 

 out the Secrets of Nature by way of experiment." 



Such are the directions, framed nearly two-and- 

 a-half centuries ago, which bring us together here 

 to-day. Himself a munificent benefactor in various 

 ways to the College, and an ardent explorer of 

 nature, Harvey desired that others should be 

 incited to follow in the path that he had trodden. 

 He was not content to quit life without taking 

 steps to encourage others in succeeding generations 

 to pursue the objects which he so strove by his 

 own endeavours to promote. By this oration 

 which he established, and which, notwithstanding 

 the lapse of time that has occurred, may be said, 

 I think, still to elicit as much reverential con- 

 sideration within the College as at any period, 

 an annual reminder is afforded that keeps his 

 desire alive before us. 



Honoured by the invitation of our President this 

 year to deliver the oration, I am here to perform 

 the task. Whilst highly appreciating the mark of 

 distinction conferred, I must however, confess, 



