Page:The Harveian oration for 1874.djvu/15

 A compendious theme this, and one making large demands upon the head and heart of him who would aspire to treat it.

When your commands, Sir, were first laid upon me to undertake this most honourable, most arduous office, I studied, as a preparation for its accomplishment, all the Harveian Orations that I could meet with. But the study yielded me scant comfort. I found that the first Harveian Orator had incurred grave displeasure for having indulged in unseemly criticisms on the control of the army, and the government of the country at a time when Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector. There was much need doubtless that the performance of so indiscreet a person should be submitted to the censors for