COMMENTS ON THE FINE ARTS. 
187 
out the faculties of observation and admiration. Elementary 
instruction in drawing should be made an essential part of our 
national education. The minor decorative arts calculated to lessen 
the effect of 'over-pressure. Measurement, or judgment of length, 
an important acquisition. Model drawing and drawing from 
memory makes accurate observation a necessity. 
BRIAN BORU: A TRAGEDY BY J. T. B. 1 
SYLLABUS OF PAPER BY REV. S. VINCENT. 
(Read March 12th, 1885.) 
How I saw the MS. What is tragedy 1 Mention of Prometheus 
Bound and Macbeth. Is Brian Boru a worthy attempt at tragedy 1 
The scene is laid in Ireland in the eleventh century. The play 
has some historical basis. Factions abound, and the land is 
invaded by the Danes. Brian Boru is at first Chief of Thomond. 
Mahon, Brian's brother, is King of Munster. Malachy is King of 
Ireland. The play describes how Brian Boru becomes King of 
Munster, and finally King of Ireland, and dies in the battle of 
Clontarf, where he defeats the Danes. An outline of the play, 
with extracts. Merits of the tragedy. 
COMMENTS ON THE FINE ARTS. 
SYLLABUS OF PAPER BY GODFREY EVANS. 
(Read March 19th, 1885.) 
Introduction. Local indifference to art : reasons assigned and 
corrected. Some principles of art : technical and sesthetical. 
Imitation of nature : its possibility and desirability ; instances 
from sculpture and painting. The representation of motion. 
Truthfulness in art relative, not positive. Works of old masters : 
why admired. Narrow-mindedness in art to be avoided. A word 
to students. Consideration of all the arts recommended. The 
common-place in art. Defects and excuses. Contemplation of 
pictures. Suggestion for a local art society. On collecting old 
china and paintings : their manufacture. Notes on the selection 
and hanging of pictures. Summary. Conclusion. 
1 Published by Longmans, 1879. 
