§ VI. The Civilization of the Middle Ages, and Gothic Architecture. Decline of Antique Society--Invasions of Barbarians--Feudal Excesses--Universal Misery. Distaste for Life--Exalted Sensibility--The Passion of Love--Power of the Christian Religion.. Birth of Gothic Architecture--The Cathedral--Universality of Gothic Architecture 138 § VII. French Civilization in the Seventeenth Century, and Classic Tragedy. The Courtier--Ruling Taste--Tragedy--The Aristocratic Sentiments of Society--Importation of French Tragedy into other European Countries 154 § VIII. Contemporary Civilization and Music--The French Revolution--Effect of Civil Equality, Machinery, and the Comforts of Existence--Decay of Traditional Authority. The Representative Man--Development of Music--Its Origin in Germany and Italy; and its Dependence on Modern Sentiments. Universality of Music 168 § IX. The Law of the Production of Works of Art--The Four Terms of the Series--Practical Application of the Law to a Study of all the Arts and of every Literature. 180 § X. Application of the Law to the Present--The Social Medium renewing itself constantly, Art renews itself--Hopes for the Future 186 ON THE NATURE OF THE WORK OF ART. GENTLEMEN: In commencing this course of lectures I wish to ask you two things of which I stand in great need: in the first place, your attention; afterwards, and especially, your kind indulgence. The warmth of your reception persuades me that you will favor me with both. Let me sincerely and earnestly thank you beforehand. The subject with which I intend to entertain you this year is the history of art, and, principally, the history of painting in Italy. Before entering on the subject itself, I desire to indicate to you its spirit and method. I. The principal point of this method consists in recognizing that a work of art is not isolated, and, consequently, that it is necessary to study the conditions out of which it proceeds and by which it is explained.