128 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. VII 



July 12, 1851. The interval between nvy letters has 

 been a little longer than usual, as I have been very busy 

 attending the meeting of the British Association at 

 Ipswich. The last time I attended one was at South- 

 ampton five years ago, when I went merely as a spectator, 

 and looked at the people who read papers as if they were 

 somebodies. 1 This time I have been behind the scenes 

 myself and have played out my little part on the boards. 

 I know all about the scenery and decorations, and no 

 longer think the manager a wizard. 



Any one who conceives that I went down from any 

 especial interest in the progress of science makes a great 

 mistake. My journey was altogether a matter of policy, 

 partly for the purpose of doing a little necessary trumpet- 

 ing, and partly to get the assistance of the Association in 

 influencing the Government. 



On the journey down, my opposite in the railway 

 carriage turned out to be Sir James Koss, the Antarctic 

 discoverer. We had some very pleasant talk together. 

 I knew all about him, as Dayman 2 had sailed under his 

 command ; oddly enough we afterwards went to lodge at 

 the same house, but as we were attending our respective 

 sections all day we did not see much of one another. 



When we arrived at Ipswich there was a good deal of 

 trouble about getting lodgings. My companions located 

 themselves about a mile out of the town, but that was 

 too far for my "indolent habits"; I sought and at last 

 found a room in the town a little bigger than my cabin 

 on board ship, for which I had the satisfaction of paying 

 30s. a week. 



You know what the British Association is. It is a 

 meeting of the savans of England and the Continent 

 under the presidency of some big-wig or other, this 

 year of the Astronomer -Royal, for the purpose of 



1 See Chap. II., ad Jin. 

 2 One of the lieutenants of the Rattlesnake. 



