246 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY cHAP. X 



and becomes a mere hanger-on in literature or in science, 

 when he might have been a useful and a valuable member 

 of Society in other occupations. 



I think that your father ought to see this letter. — 

 Yours faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



The last of the series, addressed to the secretary 

 of a free -thought association, expresses his firmly 

 rooted disgust at the use of mere ribaldry in attack- 

 ing the theological husks which enclose a religious 

 ideal. 



May 22, 1892. 



Dear Sir — I regret that I am unable to comply with 

 the wish of your committee. For one thing, I am 

 engaged in work which I do not care to interrupt, and 

 for another, I always make it a rule in these matters to 

 " fight for my own hand."' I do not desire that any one 

 should share my responsibility for what I think fit to 

 say, and I do not wish to be responsible for the opinions 

 and modes of expression of other persons. 



I do not say this with any reference to Mr. 



who is a sober and careful writer. But both as a matter 

 of principle and one of policy, I strongly demur to a 

 great deal of what appears as " free thouglit " literature, 

 and I object to be in any way connected with it. 

 Heterodox ribaldry disgusts me, I confess, rather more 

 than orthodox fanaticism. It is at once so easy ; so 

 stupid ; such a complete anachronism in England, and 

 so thoroughly calculated to disgust and repel the very 

 thoughtful and serious people whom it ought to be the 

 great aim to attract. Old Noll knew what he was about 

 when he said that it was of no use to try to fight the 

 gentlemen of England with tapsters and serving- men. 

 It is quite as hopeless to fight Christianity with scurrility. 

 We want a regiment of Ironsides. 



