108 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. VI 



with the intimation that no further leave would be 

 granted. A final application from the scientific 

 authorities resulted in fresh inquiries as to the 

 length of time still required, and the deadlock 

 between the two departments of State being un- 

 changed, he replied to the same effect as before, but 

 to no purpose. His formal application for leave in 

 January 1854 was met by orders to join the Illustrious 

 at Portsmouth. He appealed to the Admiralty that 

 this appointment might be cancelled, giving a brief 

 summary of the facts, and pointing out that it was 

 the inaction of the Treasury which had absolutely 

 prevented him from completing his work. 



I wcmld therefore respectfully submit that, under these 

 circumstances, my request to be permitted to remain on 

 half-pay until the completion of the publication of the 

 results of some years' toil is not wholly unreasonable. 

 It is the only reward for which I would ask their Lord- 

 ships, and indeed, considering the distinct pledge given in 

 the minute to which I have referred, to grant it would 

 seem as nearly to concern their Lordships' honour as my 

 advantage. 



The counter to this bold stroke was crushing, if 

 not convincing. He was ordered to join his ship 

 immediately under pain of being struck off the Navy 

 list. He was of course prepared for this ultimatum, 

 and whether he could manage to pursue science in 

 England or might be compelled to set up as a doctor 

 in Sydney, he considered that he would be better off 

 than as an assistant-surgeon in the Navy. Accord- 

 ingly he stood firm, and the threat was carried into 



