1860 ' THE NATURAL HISTORY REVIEW ' 303 



an English and not a Hibernian concern in fact and 

 finally, that if I chose to join as one of the editors, the 

 effectual control would be pretty much in my own 

 hands. Now, considering the state of the times, and the 

 low condition of natural history journalisation (always 

 excepting quarterly Mic. Jour.) in this country, this 

 seems to me to be a fine opening for a plastically minded 

 young man, and I am decidedly inclined to close with 

 the offer, though I shall get nothing but extra work by it. 



To limit the amount of this extra work, however, I 

 must get co-editors, and I have written to Lubbock and 

 to Kolleston (also plastically minded young men) to see 

 if they will join. Now up to this point you have been 

 in a horrid state of disgust, because you thought I was 

 going to ask you next. But I am not, for rejoiced as I 

 should be to have you, I know you have heaps of better 

 work to do, and hate journalism. 



But can you tell me of any plastic young botanist 

 who would come in all for glory and no pay, though I 

 think pay may be got if the concern is properly worked. 

 How about Oliver ? 



And though you can't and won't be an editor yourself, 

 won't you help us and pat us on the back. 



The tone of the Review will be mildly episcopophagous, 

 and you and Darwin and Lyell will have a fine opportunity 

 if you wish it of slaying your adversaries. Ever yours 

 faithfully, T. H. HUXLEY. 



Several of his elder friends tried to dissuade him 

 from an undertaking which would inevitably distract 

 him from his proper work. Sir C. Lyell prophesied 

 (see p. 294) that all the work would drift to the 

 most energetic member of the staff, and Huxley 

 writes to Hooker, August 2, 1860 : 



Darwin wrote me a very kind expostulation about it, 

 telling me I ought not to waste myself on other than 



