INTRODUCTION xix 



lovable smile. Here is an admirable picture of him as he 

 appeared in his prime before the Royal Institution to lecture. 

 *'The square forehead, the square jaw, the tense lines 

 of the mouth, the deep flashing dark eyes, the impression 

 of something more than strength he gave you, an impres- 

 sion of sincerity, of solid force, of immovability, yet with 

 the gentleness arising from the serene consciousness of his 

 strength — all this belonged to Huxley and to him alone. 

 The eyes were those of one accustomed to command, of 

 one having authority, and not fearing on occasion to use 

 it. The hair swept carelessly away from the broad fore- 

 head and grew rather long behind, yet the length did not 

 suggest, as it often does, effeminacy. He was masculine 

 in everything — look, gesture, speech." As he grew older 

 and his hair turned gray, his features took on an air of 

 benignity. Time softened some of the lines and tenseness 

 of the face, but he lost none of his grace and distinction. 

 Such was the personality and appearance of the man 

 who, at the opening of the year 1857, when thirty-one 

 years of age, wrote in his private journal: "To smite all 

 humbugs, however big; to give a nobler tone to science; 

 to set an example of abstinence from petty personal con- 

 troversies, and of toleration for everything but lying; to 

 be indifferent as to whether the work is recognized as mine 

 or not, so long as it is done — are these m.y aims? i860 

 will show." i860 did show, and in 1895 at his de^th this 

 epitaph that he had \mtten for a fellow scientist, "He 

 had intellect to comprehend his highest duty distinctly, 

 and force of character to do it; which of us dare ask for 

 a higher summary of his life than that?" expressed the 

 common opinion of all who knew Huxley. 



