A collection of essays covering a wide range of topics including music, literature, art, and society. Huxley combines intellectual rigor with lyrical prose, reflecting on the role of aesthetics and culture in modern life.

Contents

Section I

TRAGEDY AND THE WHOLE TRUTH

THE REST IS SILENCE

ART AND THE OBVIOUS

‘AND WANTON OPTICS ROLL THE MELTING EYE’

MUSIC AT NIGHT

MEDITATION ON EL GRECO

Section II

MEDITATION IN ARUNDEL STREET

MEDITATION ON THE MOON

ON GRACE

SQUEAK AND GIBBER

BELIEFS AND ACTIONS

NOTES ON LIBERTY AND THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PROMISED LAND

ON THE CHARMS OF HISTORY AND THE FUTURE OF THE PAST

Section III

OBSTACLE RACE

TO THE PURITAN ALL THINGS ARE IMPURE

DOCUMENT

POINTS OF VIEW

ETHICS IN ANDALUSIA

Section IV

FOREHEADS VILLAINOUS LOW

THE NEW ROMANTICISM

SELECTED SNOBBERIES

THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

THOSE PERSONAL TOUCHES

WANTED, A NEW PLEASURE

SERMONS IN CATS

VULGARITY IN LITERATURE