298 APPENDIX. [No. XXI. 



rapid and graceful movements, and which we have opportunities of observing 

 by keeping them in my glazed plant-cases. Even fish may be brought 

 within the range of this kind of observation. Here is a very great 

 favourite of my family, a little fish from the Thames, called a Pope, who 

 has banished his natural shyness. The moment he sees us he comes up to 

 the top of the water to receive his accustomed food. By watching animated 

 beings, we find that everything possessing life has its own proper interest ; 

 for everything is beautiful. Even that which at first appears ugly and 

 deformed on a more intimate acquaintance is found to be perfectly 

 adapted to its end, and endowed with the highest interest. 



The young ladies and young gentlemen who this day attend in our 

 theatre, have all of them their own different and particular objects to 

 attain; and should therefore make their knowledge subservient t'o a 

 different end. You are all of you the sons and daughters of persons 

 holding a good position in society. As for the youths, some of you will 

 be blessed with independence, and live upon the fruits of your own estates. 

 To you botany will be invaluable, for enabling you rightly to manage your 

 woods and fields. Mineralogy and geology will also be extremely useful, 

 to guide you to the knowledge of the qualities of various soils and of the 

 mineral products of the land. Others of you may be destined to be 

 merchants, and send your ships over every quarter of the globe. To 

 all of you a knowledge of the sciences will be an invaluable acquisition. 

 Some again will become engineers ; others will be manufacturers ; and 

 some will enter into the medical, legal, or clerical professions : but in every 

 path of life which any of you are likely to follow, the subjects which will 

 be taught at these lectures will certainly come into every- day use. 



The duties of the young ladies will hereafter be not less important, 

 though, perhaps, less stirring than those of the young gentlemen. Your 

 knowledge of chemistry will enable you to conduct your households with 

 economy. In the sick-room, the knowledge of the laws of life will enable 

 you to comfort the afflicted ; and your knowledge of Nature and Nature's 

 works will render each of you a fitting mistress for your respective house- 

 holds, suitable teachers of children, and worthy companions for the 

 intellectual man. 



In your study of Nature you cannot but be deeply impressed with the 

 beauty of the objects which you must observe. You will find the most 

 marvellous design in the favourite theme of philosophical speculation for 

 more than 2000 years. Shakespeare's immortal " Seven Ages " is a fitting 

 monument to an unrivalled genius ; but in the Transactions of the Society 

 of Antiquaries for 1853 are many very interesting examples of the manner 

 in which the division of the life of man was anciently regarded. Of these 

 the following is a very remarkable composition. The original was written 

 in Hebrew 900 years ago ; and is especially curious from the states of man 

 at his different ages being compared in their characteristics to those of 

 various animals. 



" At the age of One Year he resembles a King on a Dais, whom every 

 one kisses and adores. 



" At the age of Two or Three he resembles a Pig, routing in dirt. 



" At the age of Ten he capers about like a Goat. 



" At Tioenty, a Neighing-horse, he attires himself, and looks out for a 

 wife. 



