1866 SCIENCE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS 401 



the great difficulty was the want of teachers; and 

 suggested that if men of science were really in earnest 

 they would condescend to teach in the schools. 



It was to a certain extent in answer to this appeal 

 that Huxley gave his lectures on Physiography in 

 1 869 (see p. 444), and instituted the course of train- 

 ing for science teachers in 1871. 



He concluded his work at Nottingham by a lecture 

 to working men. 



The following is in reply to Mr. Spencer, who 

 had accused himself of losing his temper in an 

 argument 



26 ABBEY PLACE, Sunday, Nov. 8, 1866. 



MY DEAK SPENCER Your conscience has been treat- 

 ing you with the most extreme and unjust severity. 



I recollect you looked rather savage at one point in 

 our discussion, but I do assure you that you committed 

 no overt act of ferocity ; and if you had, I think I should 

 have fully deserved it for joining in the ferocious onslaught 

 we all made upon you. 



What your sins may be in this line to other folk I 

 don't know, but so far as I am concerned I assure you I 

 have often said that I know no one who takes aggravated 

 opposition better than yourself, and that I have not a 

 few times been ashamed of the extent to which I have 

 tried your patience. 



So you see that you have, what the Buddhists call a 

 stock of accumulated merit, envers moi and if you should 

 ever feel inclined to " d n my eyes " you can do so and 

 have a balance left. 



Seriously, my old friend, you must not think it neces- 

 sary to apologise to me about any such matters, but believe 

 me (d ned or und d) Ever yours faithfully, 



T. H. HUXLEY. 



VOL. I 2 D 



