266 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. XI 



constitute a propaganda of negations, but rather to serve 

 as a centre of free thought. 



Of course I have not a word to say in respect of your 

 decision. I quite appreciate your view of the matter, 

 though it is diametrically opposed to my own conviction 

 that the more rapidly truth is spread among mankind 

 the better it will be for them. 



Only let us be sure that it is truth. 



However, a course of action was proposed which 

 by no means commended itself to several members 

 of the council. Tyndall begs Huxley " not to commit 

 us to a venture of the kind unless you see clearly 

 that it meets a public need, and that it will be worked 

 by able men," and on February 6 the latter writes 



After careful consideration of the whole circumstances 

 of the case, I have definitely arrived at the conclusion 

 that it is not expedient to go on with the undertaking. 



I therefore resign my Presidency, and I will ask you 

 to be so good as to intimate my withdrawal from the 

 association to my colleagues. 



In spite of having long ago "burned his ships" 

 with regard to both the great Universities, Huxley 

 was agreeably surprised by a new sign of the times 

 from Cambridge. The University now followed up 

 its recognition of Darwin two years before, by offering 

 Huxley an honorary degree, an event of which he 

 wrote to Professor Baynes on June 9 : 



I shall be glorious in a red gown at Cambridge 

 to-morrow, and hereafter look to be treated as a PERSON 



OF RESPECTABILITY. 



I have done my best to avoid that misfortune, but 

 it's of no use. 



