102 SIR WILLIAM FLOWER CHAP. 



conditions attached was that a course of lectures on Comparative 

 Anatomy should be given annually, illustrated by the preparations. 

 This was the origin of the professorship, which Owen held for 

 more than twenty years, in addition to the Conservatorship of the 

 Museum. It was afterwards thought that the two offices were 

 incompatible ; at all events it was thought advisable to separate 

 them, that the Conservator might give his undivided attention to 

 the Museum. So Huxley was appointed Professor, and has given 

 the lectures ever since I have been Conservator. Now he finds 

 that he can go on no longer, having so many other engagements, 

 and has sent in his resignation. At the Council meeting last 

 Thursday candidates had to be put in nomination, as the election 

 takes place at the next meeting, July 7. Before the meeting the 

 President called on me to ask whether I would undertake the 

 office if I were put in nomination? I told him that I was not 

 particularly anxious to do it, but that I would leave it entirely in 

 the hands of the Council, and reminded him of the former reso- 

 lution, etc. Well, next day he told me that I had been proposed 

 and seconded in words such that "my warmest friend, if he had 

 been present, could not have wished anything more said," and 

 that no one else was even thought of. So the appointment is 

 virtually made, though it will have to be confirmed at the July 

 meeting. The duty consists of giving eighteen lectures in the 

 months of February and March, and the subject being a wide 

 one, I can very much choose what branches of it I take up. 

 The lectures each year have to be different, at least they must 

 not be repeated for some time. I think it will do me a great 

 deal of good on the whole, as I shall have to put my knowledge 

 and ideas in a definite shape. ... If I had got my book out 

 first I should not have hesitated at all, but I hope to be able to 

 work them somehow or other together. 



The demands upon his time and brain were 

 already becoming severe. Writing to his mother 

 in April 1869, he says : 



We have now a little respite from the incessant occupation of 

 last week, just enough, however, to have leisure to become aware 



