10 DISCOVERY 



boldly all difficulties and is undaunted by danger. 

 During an epidemic of cholera in Paris in 1865, Pasteur 

 for a time undertook the study of the disease above 

 the cholera ward of a hospital. Henri Saint Claire 

 Deville once said to him, " Studies of that sort require 

 much courage." " What about duty ? " said Pasteur 

 simply. Danger is disregarded by the man of science 

 as by the soldier when duty calls ; and the spirit of 

 both is reflected in the words of the battle- hymn : 



Grant that with zeal and skill this day I do 



What me to do behoves, what thou command' st me to : 



Grant that I do it sharp at moment fit, 



And, when I do it, grant me good success in it. 



Huxley was a warrior of science throughout his life. 

 When he was thirty-one years of age, while awaiting the 

 birth of his first child, on December 31, 1856, he entered 

 in his journal his ambitions for the future. 



To smite all humbugs, however big ; to give a nobler tone to 

 science ; to set an example to abstinence from petty personal 

 controversies, and of toleration for everything but lying ; to be 

 indifferent as to whether the work is recognised as mine or not, 

 so long as it is done : are these my aims ? 1860 will show 



Wilt shape a noble life ? Then cast 

 No backward glances to the past. 

 And what if something still be lost ? 

 Act as new-born in all thou dost. 

 What each day wills, that shalt thou ask ; 

 Each day will tell its proper task ; 

 What others do, that shalt thou prize, 

 In thine own work thy guerdon lies. 

 This above all : hate none. The rest 

 Leave it to God. He knoweth best. 



That such a prayer as this should be offered up at 

 the most anxious moment of his life, by one who was 

 thought to be the apostle of materialistic knowledge, 



