xxii Introduction 



Cultural vs. the Utilitarian Value of Science. It was 

 not delivered to working men, and is hardly so popular 

 in style or so practical in purpose as are the two follow- 

 ing addresses. Its theme is the desirableness, not any par- 

 ticular method, of improving natural knowledge. The 

 two leading thoughts that science not only provides ma- 

 terial comforts but (i) implants great ideas and (2) 

 inculcates a higher type of ethics are presented with 

 great clearness. The second point, however, can hardly 

 be considered as proved. The introduction to the essay 

 proper, though a trifle long, is a model of its kind. 



4. A LIBERAL EDUCATION: AND WHERE TO FIND IT. 

 This was the opening address that Huxley delivered as 

 Principal of the South London Working Men's College 

 on January 4, 1868. It was published in Lay Sermons, 

 Addresses, and Reviews ( 1870) and republished in the third 

 volume of Collected Essays. This address differs radically 

 in method from the preceding. It is a presentation by 

 means of a carefully formulated definition. If the defini- 

 tion of the liberally educated man be conceded, where can 

 such an education be found? What, then, is needed? 



This lecture and the following, says Mr. Leonard 

 Huxley, "seem to me to mark the maturing of his style 

 into that mastery of clear expression for which he delib- 

 erately labored, the saying exactly what he meant, neither 

 too much nor too little. ... Be clear, though you 

 may be convicted of error. If you are clearly wrong, you 

 will run up against a fact some time and get set right. 

 If you shuffle with your subject, and study chiefly to use 

 language which will give a loophole of escape either way, 

 there is no hope for you. This was the secret of his 

 lucidity." This may be the secret of Huxley's lucidity, 

 but lucidity alone is not the distinguishing characteristic 

 of Huxley's style. His style is more than lucid. Its 



