166 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. VIII 



so disposed of that there would have been nothing like 

 a certainty of my getting the post, so I definitely declined 

 I hope wisely. 



After some talk, Forbes agreed with my view of the 

 case, so he is off to Edinburgh, and I shall go off to 

 London. I hope to remain there for my life long. 



He had long felt that London gave the best oppor- 

 tunities for a scientific career, and it was on his advice 

 that Tyndall had left Queen wood College for the 

 Koyal Institution, where he was elected Professor of 

 Natural Philosophy in 1853 : 



6 UPPEK YORK PLACE, ST. JOHN'S WOOD, 

 Feb. 25, 1853. 



MY DEAR TYNDALL Having rushed into more re- 

 sponsibility than I wotted of, I have been ruminating 

 and taking counsel what advice to give you. When I 

 wrote I hardly knew what kind of work you had in your 

 present office, but Francis has since enlightened me. I 

 thought you had more leisure. One thing is very clear 

 you must come out of that. Your Pegasus is quite 

 out of place, ploughing. You are using yourself up in 

 work that comes to nothing, and so far as I can see 

 cannot be worse off. 



Now what are your prospects ? Why, as I told you 

 before, you have made a succes here and must profit by 

 it. The other night your name was mentioned at the 

 Philosophical Club (the most influential scientific body 

 in London) with great praise. Gassiot, who has great 

 influence, said in so many words, "you had made your 

 fortune," and I frankly tell you I believe so too, if you 

 can only get over the next three years. So you see that 

 quoad position, like Quintus Curtius, there is a " fine 

 opening" ready for you, only mind you don't spoil it by 

 any of your horrid modesty. 



So much for glory now for economics. I have been 



