4:38 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. XXII 



Secondly, we have a proverb that it is not wise to use 

 razors to cut blocks. 



The business of the man who is appointed to that 

 museum will be to get it into order. If he does his duty 

 he will give his time and attention to museum work pure 

 and simple, and I don't think that (especially in an Indian 

 climate) he has much energy left for anything else after 

 the day's work is done. Naming and arranging specimens 

 is a most admirable and useful employment, but when 

 you have done it is " cutting blocks," and you, my friend, 

 are a most indubitable razor, and I do not wish to have 

 your edge blunted in that fashion. 



If it were necessary for you to win your own bread, 

 one's advice might be modified. Under such circum- 

 stances one must do things which are not entirely desir- 

 able. But for you who are your own master and have a 

 career before you, to bind yourself down to work six 

 hours a day at things you do not care about and which 

 others could do just as well, while you are neglecting the 

 things which you do care for, and which others could 

 not do so well, would, I think, be amazingly unwise. 



Liberavi animam ! don't tell my Indian friends I have 

 dissuaded you, but on my conscience I could give no 

 other advice. 



We have to thank you three times over. In the first 

 place for a portrait which has taken its place among those 

 of our other friends ; secondly, for the great pleasure you 

 gave my little daughter Jessie, by the books you so kindly 

 sent ; and thirdly, for Fanny Lewald's autobiography, 

 which arrived a few days ago. 



Jessie is meditating a letter of thanks (a serious under- 

 taking), and when it is sent the mother will have a word 

 to say for herself. 



In the middle of October scarlet fever broke out 

 among my children, and they have all had it in succession, 

 except Jessie, who took it seven years ago. The last 

 convalescent is now well, but we had the disease in the 



