CHAPTER III 



BiOGRAPHiCAii — Continued (1870-1896) 



It will probably be news to many to know that in 

 1870 Huxley became a candidate for the new School 

 Board of London — a step which strongly indicates his 

 immense personal interest in education, and his resolve 

 to do all he could for it. In spite of the fact that 

 he only addressed two or three meetings, he was re- 

 turned second on the poll. He remained a member 

 until 1872, when his health compelled him to resign. 

 Needless to say, Huxley's presence not only added 

 great interest to the doings of the Board, but also 

 caused considerable apprehension on the part of 

 some of the members. It was largely due to his 

 advocacy that the late Mr. W. H. Smith's motion 

 providing that the Bible should be read in the schools 

 was carried ; not that this was his ideal, but that 

 he thought that, in dealing with such a population 

 as they had to deal vnth., it was the only workable 

 plan. In spite of the fact that he was only a member 

 of the Board for fourteen months, other members 

 have left on record their testimony to the continued 

 influence of his words and acts while there. 



In 1871, as if his life were not already sufficiently 

 crowded, we find Huxley being appointed secretary 

 to the Royal Society — a position which for the next 

 ten years he held. Many lectures and publications 



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