XII 



DEATH 



THE subject of my address is I admit open to 

 objection from more than one standpoint. It is 

 commonly regarded as dull and uninviting ; and 

 although in the long run it must concern us all, 

 there would seem to be little reason for urging 

 its consideration prematurely. Then again it 

 may be objected that having, from the nature of 

 the case, no personal experience of the pheno- 

 menon, I am not in a position to speak about it 

 with authority. 



I can only reply that a matter which concerns 

 vitally all living things, animal or vegetable, cannot 

 be devoid of interest. The problems of life are the 

 most fascinating of all scientific enquiries ; and 

 surely death, the cessation of life, must have some- 

 thing to teach us, must throw some light on the 

 nature of life itself. The beginnings of life are at 

 present hidden from us ; the other end of the series, 

 the termination of life, we have daily opportunities 

 of studying. With regard to the second objection, 



