THE ESTHETIC CLUB. 143 



and his Friends), E. S. Dallas (author of The Gay 

 Science), Sheriff Gordon, and four or five artists of 

 distinction. The number of the club was limited 

 to twenty, and its members met at each other's 

 houses once a-month to discuss their subjects and to 

 enjoy an aesthetic symposium with Scotch tipple. 

 Goodsir read two papers " On the Natural Principles 

 of Beauty," based on D. K. Hay's work — " Geometric 

 Beauty of the Human Figure."'"' These essays must 

 have been pleasantly viewed by the author, judging 

 from the fact that they were printed wholly or in part ; 

 but, for reasons best known to himself, he would not, 

 though earnestly solicited by the club, consent to their 

 publication. It is to be regretted that he destroyed 

 these papers, which had cost him so much thought and 

 no less labour to develop by both pen and pencil. 

 Among other contributions was one " On Actual and 

 Eelative Beauty," which Mr. Hay read in his absence at 

 Mr. Ballantine's house ; this was also in a complete 

 form, and considered a worthy effort. He read several 

 other papers — e. g. " The .^Esthetics of Smell," and an 

 " Inquiry into the General Principle which regulates 

 the Approbation or Disapprobation of Sounds ;" occa- 

 sionally his work occupied two nights' discussion, so 

 that he appears to have been one of the most pro- 

 minent members of the club. 



* D. l;. Bay owed a greal deal t<> Qoodair. Devoid of anatomical know- 

 edge, Hay coold nut have carried onl the principles of lii* theory to a legiti- 

 mate issue withonl the aid of an anatomi t, and one imbued with large aesthetic 



vision. Good or fulfilled these indications, I ao1 only helped the purport as 



well, l'ut furnished the anatomical details foi .Mr. Hay's remarkable book. 



