432 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. XVII 



form of a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, and that we may 

 prudently ask for the substitution of modern languages 

 (especially German) and elementary science for some of 

 the subjects at present required in the literary part of the 

 examinations of the scientific and medical faculties. If we 

 could gain this much it would be a great step, not only 

 in itself, but in its reaction on the schools. Ever yours 

 very faithfully, T. H. HUXLEY. 



4 MARLBOROTTGH PLACE, 

 Dec. 26, 1885. 



MY DEAR FOSTER Please read the enclosed letter 

 from Jowett (confidentially). I had suggested the 

 possibility of diminishing the Greek and Latin for the 

 science and medical people, but that, you see, he won't 

 have. But he is prepared to load the classical people 

 with science by way of making things fair. 



It may be worth our while to go in for this, and 

 trust to time for the other. What say you ? 



Merry Christmas to you. The G.O.M. is going to 

 reply, so I am likely to have a happy New Year ! I 

 expect some fun, and I mean to make it an occasion for 

 some good earnest. Ever yours very faithfully, 



T. H. HUXLEY. 



So ends 1885, and with it closes another definite 

 period of Huxley's life. Free from official burdens 

 and official restraints, he was at liberty to speak out 

 on any subject ; his strength for work was less indeed, 

 but his time was his own ; there was hope that he 

 might still recover his health for a few more years. 

 And though the ranks of his friends were beginning 

 to thin, though he writes (May 20, to Professor 

 Bartholomew Price) : 



The " gaps " are terrible accompaniments of advancing 



