278 Edward Livingston Youmans. 



as a prospective thing of considerable complication can be. 

 My experience in Edinburgh was disgusting, but it answered 

 its purpose. A bewildering crush excited everybody. It 

 was more than the city was worth to find anybody. When 

 found, no one had a minute, and if they gave you their 

 ears for a moment they did not give their attention. I was 

 miserable and unfit to be out, and yet the thing was most 

 decidedly advanced. I should, however, have had far more 

 trouble but for Spencer. When, therefore, I found his 

 note,* which I send, I cannot say that I was surprised, but 

 I was certainly greatly pleased, for I needed him. I could 

 not see. I could find nobody, and was swamped in the tur- 

 moil. He took hold earnestly, and it was splendid to see 

 him work. He got interested, and before I get through I 

 shall have a work from him for the series, and perhaps one 

 jointly with Collier, on the Principles of Evolution. He 

 said the first day that we should have a meeting, and we 

 fixed the time for Friday, 10.30 A. M. He wrote several 

 notes of invitation ; I wrote the rest. Our room was in the 

 university where the sections met. This proved fortunate. 

 We had Huxley, Carpenter, Balfour Stewart, Bain, Spencer, 

 and a Dr. Lindsay, of Perth, with whom I had had corre- 

 spondence regarding a book on the minds of the lower ani- 

 mals. I went over my plan in detail and answered all sorts 

 of questions. Huxley backed me up grandly, and told how 

 much he had received from the Appletons for reprints. 

 After some discussion about an English editor for the 

 series, it was decided that Huxley, Tyndall, and Spencer 

 be an advisory committee to consult with the London pub- 

 lisher. Michael Foster, who is to write on the Involuntary 

 Movements of Animals, may be added. 



The last day Spencer was in Edinburgh I couldn't find 



* MY DEAR YOUMANS : Here I am, come to help you. You will find 

 me at the Waterloo Hotel, Room No. 40. Ever yours, 



HERBERT SPENCER. 



