20 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY cHAP. I 



three were models of the highest and best class of physical 

 philosophers. 



As for me, in part from force of circumstance and in 

 part from a con\dction I could be of most use in that 

 way, I have played the part of something between maid- 

 of-all-work and gladiator-general for Science, and deserve 

 no such prominence as your kindness has assigned to me. 

 — With our united kind regards to Mrs. Carpenter and 

 yourself, ever yours very faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



A brief note, also, to Lady Welby, dated July 25, 

 is characteristic of his attitude towards unverified 

 speculation. 



I have looked through the paper you have sent me, 

 but I cannot undertake to give any judgment upon it. 

 Speculations such as you deal with are quite out of my 

 way. I get lost the moment I lose touch of valid fact 

 and incontrovertible demonstration and find myself 

 wandering among large propositions, which may be quite 

 true but which would involve me in months of work if 

 I were to set myself seriously to find out whether, and 

 in what sense, they are true. Moreover, at present, what 

 little energy I possess is mortgaged to quite other occu- 

 pations. 



The following letter was in answer to a reqiiest 

 which I was commissioned to forward him, that he 

 would consent to serve on an honorary committee of 

 the Societe des Professeurs de Fran9ais en Angleterre. 



Jan. 17, 1887. 



I quite forgot to say anything about the Comitd 

 d'honneur, and as you justly remark in the present 

 strained state of foreign politics the consequences may be 

 serious. Please tell your colleague that I shall be " proud 



