AUTOBIOGRAPHY 17 



clericalism, which in England, as everywhere else, 

 and to whatever denomination it may belong, is 

 the deadly enemy of science. 



In striving for the attainment of these objects, 

 I have been but one among many, and I shall be 

 well content to be remembered, or even not re- 

 membered, 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 these and other 

 scientific honours 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 I had 

 somewhat helped that movement of opinion which 

 has been called the New Reformation. 



VOL. I 



