Begins with a tribute to Ruskin before concerntrating on the centrality of the human form to the study of art. Urges the college to develop its collection of scutlpural exempla. Seeks to anchor the importance of art in contemporary civilisation and British society. Employs
Michelangelo as an example for emulation before conducting a comparative analysis of the usefulness of
Rembrandt and
Leonardo da Vinci. Returns to the study of sculpture, highlighting the importance in modern art of
Flaxman and his
Shield of Achilles. Asserts that he will spend one day a fortnight in Oxford to lecture or teach. He also hopes to use time during the summer to demonstrate the techniques of fresco, tempera, oil and modelling in clay. He advises the students to buy the Bohn edition of Vasari's
Lives of the Artists. Closes with a caution not to imitate
William Hogarth.