278 



LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP, xvi 



effect this phenomenon had upon the theory of Induction. 

 Huxley replied as follows : 



GRAND HOTEL, EASTBOURNE, July 21, 1890. 



DEAR SIR I knew Mr. Babbage, and am quite sure that he 

 was not the man to say anything on the topic of calculating 

 machines which he could not justify. 



I do not see that what he says affects the philosophy of in- 

 duction as rightly understood. No induction, however broad its 

 basis, can confer certainty in the strict sense of the word. The 

 experience of the whole human race through innumerable years 

 has shown that stones unsupported fall to the ground, but that 

 does not make it certain that any day next week unsupported 

 stones will not move the other way. All that it does justify is 

 the very strong expectation, which hitherto has been invariably 

 verified, that they will do just the contrary. 



Only one absolute certainty is possible to man namely, that 

 at any given moment the feeling which he has exists. 



All other so-called certainties are beliefs of greater or less 

 intensity. 



Do not suppose that I am following Abernethy's famous 

 prescription, " take my pills," if I refer you to an essay of mine 

 on " Descartes," and a little book on Hume, for the fuller dis- 

 cussion of these points. Hume's argument against miracles 

 turns altogether on the fallacy that induction can give certainty 

 in the strict sense. 



We poor mortals have to be content with hope and belief in 

 all matters past and present our sole certainty is momentary. 

 -I am yours faithfully, T. H. HUXLEY. 



Sir J. G. T. Sinclair, Bart. 



Except for a last visit to London to pack his books, 

 which proved a heavier undertaking than he had reckoned 

 upon, Huxley did not leave Eastbourne this autumn, re- 

 fusing Sir J. Donnelly's hospitable invitation to stay with 

 him in Surrey during the move, of which he exclaims : 



Thank Heaven that is my last move except to a still 

 smaller residence of a subterranean character ! 



GRAND HOTEL, EASTBOURNE, Sept. 19, 1890. 



MY DEAR DONNELLY And my books and watch-dog busi- 

 ness generally? 



How is that to be transacted whether as in-patient or out- 

 patient at Firdale? Much hospitality hath made thee mad. 



