12 SELECTIONS FROM HUXLEY 



ranges when, by failing breath, they reach the top. But if I 

 may speak of the objects I have had more or less definitely 

 in view since I began the ascent of my hillock, they are briefly 

 these : To promote the increase of natural knowledge and to 

 5 forward the application of scientific methods of investigation 

 to all the problems of life to the best of my ability, in the con- 

 viction which has grown with my growth and strengthened 

 with my strength that there is no alleviation for the suffer- 

 ings of mankind except veracity of thought and of action, and 



10 the resolute facing of the world as it is when the garment of 

 make-believe by which pious hands have hidden its uglier 

 features is stripped off. 



It is with this intent that I have subordinated any reason- 

 able, or unreasonable, ambition for scientific fame which I 



15 may have permitted myself to entertain to other ends ; to the 

 popularization of science and to the development and organi- 

 zation of scientific education. 



In striving for the attainment of these objects, I have been 

 but one among many, and I shall be well content to be remem- 



2obered, or even not remembered, as such. Circumstances, 

 among which I am proud to reckon the devoted kindness of 

 many friends, have led to my occupation of various prominent 

 positions, among which the Presidency of the Royal Society is 

 the highest. It would be mock modesty on my part, with 



25 these and other scientific honors which have been bestowed 

 upon me, to pretend that I have not succeeded in the career 

 which I have followed, rather because I was driven into it 

 than of my own free will ; but I am afraid I should not count 

 even these things as marks of success if I could not hope that 



30 1 had somewhat helped that movement of opinion which has 

 been called the New Reformation. 



