Page:The Harveian oration (electronic resource) - Royal College of Physicians, 1881 (IA b20411911).pdf/23

 or gravitation, which is quite unknown, is always acting in a certain definite method, while the law of its action may seem to be modified for the time being. Hence it follows that when a true induction has been reached, these exceptions tend to prove its truth; in other words, the exception proves the rule.

I trust that in endeavouring to call your attention to these points I shall not be judged to have deviated too far from the objects that ought to claim our attention on this Anniversary. I have but sought to bring out Harvey's own ideas in the language of modern thought. If we turn to his Deed of Gift, by which this annual Celebration was originally constituted, we find him saying of the person appointed to deliver the Oration that he shall make it "publicly in the said College, wherein shall be a commemoration of all the benefactors of the said College by name, and what in particular they have done for the benefit of the said College, with an exhortation to others to imitate those benefactors, and to contribute their endeavours for the advancement of the Society according to the example of those benefactors. 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; and also, for the honour of the profession, to continue in mutual love and affection among themselves, without which neither the dignity