CHAPTEK I 



1887 



The first half of 1887, like that of the preceding 

 year, was chequered by constant returns of ill-health. 

 " As one gets older," he writes in a New Year's 

 letter to Sir J. Donnelly, " hopes for oneself get more 

 moderate, and I shall be content if next year is no 

 worse than the last. Blessed are the poor in spirit ! " 

 The good effects of the visit to Arolla had not 

 outlasted the winter, and from the end of February 

 he was obliged to alternate between London and the 

 Isle of Wight. 



Nevertheless, he managed to attend to a good deal 

 of business in the intervals between his periodic 

 flights to the country, for he continued to serve on 

 the Royal Society Council, to do some of the 

 examining work at South Kensington, and to fight 

 for the establishment of adequate Technical Education 

 in England. He attended the Senate and various 

 committees of the London University and of the 

 Marine Biological Association. 



VOL. Ill B 



