386 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. XIX 



much, and even if it should be organised I could not 

 recommend your throwing yourself away in an under- 

 taking which promises more frost-bites than anything 

 else to a naturalist. 



In truth, though I have felt and can still feel the 

 attraction of foreign travel in all its strength, I would 

 counsel you to stop at home, and as Goethe says, find 

 your America here. There are plenty of people who 

 can observe and whose places, if they are expended by 

 fever or shipwreck, can be well enough filled up. But 

 there are very few who can grapple with the higher 

 problems of science as you have done and are doing, and 

 we cannot afford to lose you. It is the organisation of 

 knowledge rather than its increase which is wanted just 

 now. And I think you can help in this great under- 

 taking better in Germany than in New Zealand. 



Darwin has been very ill for more than a year past, 

 so ill, in fact, that his recovery was at one time doubtful. 

 But he contrives to work in spite of fate, and I hope 

 that before long we shall have a new book from him. 



By way of consolation I sent him an extract from your 

 letter touching the progress of your views. 



I am glad that you did not think my critique of 

 Kolliker too severe. He is an old friend of mine, and 

 I desired to be as gentle as possible, while performing 

 the unpleasant duty of showing how thoroughly he had 

 misunderstood the question. 



I shall look with great interest for your promised book. 

 Lately I have [been] busy with Ethnological questions, 

 and I fear I shall not altogether please your able friend 

 Professor Schleicher in some remarks I have had to make 

 upon the supposed value of philological evidence. 



May we hope to see you at the meeting of the British 

 Association at Birmingham ? It would give many, and 

 especially myself, much pleasure to become personally 

 acquainted with you. Ever yours faithfully, 



T. H. HUXLEY. 



