422 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP, xxi 



ATHENAEUM CLUB, May, 1867. 



MY DEAR TYNDALL A conversation I had with 

 Bence Jones yesterday reminded me that I ought to have 

 communicated with you. But we do not meet so often 

 as we used to do, being, I suppose, both very busy, and 

 I forget to write. 



You recollect that the last time we talked together, 

 you mentioned a notion of Bence Jones's to make the 

 Fullerian Professorship of Physiology a practically per- 

 manent appointment, and that I was quite inclined to 

 stick by that (if such arrangement could be carried out), 

 and give up other things. 



But since I have been engaged in the present course 

 of lectures I have found reason to change my views. It 

 is very hard work, and takes up every atom of my time 

 to make the lectures what they should be ; and I find 

 that at this time of year, being more or less used up, I 

 suppose, with the winter work, I stand the worry and 

 excitement of the actual lectures very badly. Add to 

 this that it is six weeks clean gone out of the only time 

 I have disposable for real scientific progress, and you 

 will understand how it is that I have made up my mind 

 to resign. 



I put all this clearly before Bence Jones yesterday, 

 with the proviso that I could and would do nothing that 

 should embarrass the Institution or himself. 



If there is the least difficulty in supplying my place, 

 or if the managers think I shall deal shadily with them 

 by resigning before the expiration of my term, of course 

 I go on. And I hope you all understand that I would 

 do anything rather than put even the appearance of a 

 slight upon those who were kind enough to elect me. 

 Ever yours, T. H. HUXLEY. 



He found a substitute for 1868, the last year of 

 the triennial course, in Dr. (now Sir) Michael Foster. 



