26 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CIIAP. n 



and I had not half done, so with the consent of the 

 others we petitioned for an extension. The examiner 

 was willing to let us go on as long as we liked. Never 

 did I see man write like Stocks ; one might have taken 

 him for an attorney's clerk writing for his dinner. We 

 went on. I had finished a little after eight, he went on 

 till near nine, and then we had tea and dispersed. 



Great were the greetings I received when I got home, 

 where my long absence had caused some anxiety. The 

 decision would not take place for some weeks, and many 

 were the speculations made as to the probabilities of 

 success. I for my part managed to forget all about it, 

 and went on my ordinary avocations without troubling 

 myself more than I could possibly help about it. I knew 

 too well my own deficiencies to have been either sur- 

 prised or disappointed at failure, and I made a point of 

 shattering all involuntary " castles in the air " as soon as 

 possible. My worst anticipations were realised. One 

 day S. came to me with a sorrowful expression of 

 countenance. He had inquired of the Beadle as to the 

 decision, and ascertained on the latter's authority that 

 all the successful candidates were University College 

 men, whereby, of course, I was excluded. I said, " Very 

 well, the thing was not to be helped," put my best face 

 upon the matter, and gave up all thoughts of it. Lizzie, 

 too, came to comfort me, and, I believe, felt it more 

 than I did. What was my surprise on returning home 

 one afternoon to find myself suddenly seized, and the 

 whole female household vehemently insisting on kissing 

 me. It appeared an official -looking letter had arrived 

 for me, and Lizzie, as I did not appear, could not restrain 

 herself from opening it. I was second, and was to 

 receive a medal 1 accordingly, and dine with the guild on 

 the 9th November to have it bestowed. 



I dined with the company, and bore my share in 



1 Silver Medal of the Apothecaries' Society, 9tli November 



