Page:The Harveian oration ; delivered at the Royal College of Physicians, June 26th, 1879 (IA b24976465).pdf/48

 a man renowned in literature two centuries after Harvey's exactly opposite incitation to discovery ! I should feel almost ashamed to speak of the literature which flooded the houses of society three years ago, did it not reflect the opinion of a large class of the public, and of those who are influenc- ing many persons through their writings in the magazines. A contributor of one of these papers supported by good and educated people writes as follows: "Professor Huxley produces artificial blushing in a rabbit by cutting the sympathetic nervc. And what a discovery has he presented us with here. Maiden, that delicate tinge with which nature has taught you consciously, yet involun- tarily to mantle your cheek with ever superadded loveliness, a loveliness which has hitherto been accounted too exquisite to be gazed on profanely is found to be after all but a vulgar thing capable of being produced mechanically! But truly what sacred mystery of your being will not these magicians of science disclose next?" The writer continues then in the most logical manner to declare that it was the culling this forbidden fruit of knowledge which brought the curse upon man.

I should have been ashamed to have quoted this