102 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. V 



of high standing in the scientific world, and myself were 

 the two between whom the choice rested, and eventually 

 it was given to him, on account of his having a greater 

 bulk of matter in his papers, so evenly did the balance 

 swing. Had I only had the least idea that I should be 

 selected they should have had enough and to spare from 

 me. However, I do not grudge Newport his medal ; he 

 is a good and a worthy competitor, old enough to be my 

 father, and has long had a high reputation. Except for 

 its practical value as a means of getting a position I care 

 little enough for the medal. "What I do care for is the 

 justification which the being marked in this position 

 gives to the course I have taken. Obstinate and self- 

 willed as I am . . . there are times when grave doubts 

 overshadow my* mind, and then such testimony as this 

 restores my self-confidence. 



To let you know the full force of what I have been 

 saying, I must tell you that this " Koyal Medal " is what 

 such men as Owen and Faraday are glad to get, and is 

 indeed one of the highest honours in England. 



To-day I had the great pleasure of meeting my old 

 friend Sir John Richardson (to whom I was mainly 

 indebted for my appointment in the Rattlesnake). Since 

 I left England he has married a third wife, and has taken 

 a hand in joining in search of Franklin (which was more 

 dreadful ?), like an old hero as he is ; but not a feather 

 of him is altered, and he is as grey, as really kind, and 

 as seemingly abrupt and grim, as ever he was. Such a 

 fine old polar bear ! 



