384 THOMAS HENR Y HUXLE Y xxm 



men of the age with whom he was not personally acquainted. 

 They moved in totally different circles, Darwin having, owing 

 to ill-health, long given up going into general society. He 

 had, however, a great admiration for the Dean's liberality, 

 courage, and character, and was glad of the opportunity of 

 meeting him. So we arranged that they should both come 

 to lunch. They were mutually pleased with each other, 

 although they had not many subjects in common to talk 

 about. Darwin was no theologian, and Stanley did not take 

 the slightest interest in nor had he any knowledge of any 

 branch of natural history, although his father was eminent as 

 an ornithologist and President of the Linnean Society. I once 

 took him over the Zoological Gardens. His remarks were, of 

 course, original and amusing, but the sole interest he appeared 

 to find in any of the animals was in tracing some human trait, 

 either in appearance or character. The Dean enjoyed intensely 

 the broader aspects and beauties of nature as shown in scenery, 

 but the details of animal and plant life were entirely outside 

 his sympathies. 



Another introduction consequent upon Huxley's voyage in 

 the Rattlesnake was to Dr. Vaughan, then Headmaster of 

 Harrow. Mrs. Vaughan was Captain Owen Stanley's sister, 

 and soon after Huxley's return he was asked to dine and pass 

 the night at Harrow. This was a new experience. The young, 

 rough sailor-surgeon was at first quite out of his element in 

 the refined, scholastic, ecclesiastical society he found himself 

 plunged into. Among those who were present was an Oxford 

 don (the first of the class Huxley had ever met), whose great 

 learning, suave manner and air of superiority during dinner, 

 greatly alarmed and repelled him, as he afterwards confessed. 

 Bed -time came, and both stood upon the staircase, lighted 

 candle in hand. They looked straight into each other's eyes, 

 and the don addressed a few words directly to Huxley for the 

 first time. He was much interested, and an animated con- 

 versation ensued. Instead of bidding each other " good night " 

 they adjourned to a neighbouring room, sat down and talked 

 till two o'clock in the morning. This was the beginning of 

 Huxley's life-long friendship with the late Master of Balliol, 

 Dr. Jowett. 



