1879 ASSOCIATION OF LIBERAL THINKERS 3 



To his other duties he now added that of a Governor of 

 Eton College, a post which he held till 1888, when, after 

 doing what he could to advance progressive ideas of educa- 

 tion, and in particular, getting a scheme adopted for making 

 drawing part of the regular curriculum, ill-health compelled 

 him to resign. 



As for other pressure of work (he writes to Dr. Dohrn, 

 February 16), with the exception of the Zoological Society, I 

 never have anything to do with the affairs of any society but 

 the Royal now — I find the latter takes up all my disposable 

 time. . . . Take comfort from me. I find 53 to be a very youth- 

 ful period of existence. I have been better physically, and 

 worked harder mentally, this last twelvemonth than in any 

 year of my life. So a mere boy, not yet 40 like you, may look 

 to the future hopefully. 



From about this time dates the inception of a short-lived 

 society, to be called the Association of Liberal Thinkers. 

 It had first taken shape in the course of a conversation at 

 Prof. W. K. Clifford's house; the chief promoter and or- 

 ganiser being a well-known Theistic preacher, while on the 

 council were men of science, critics, and scholars in various 

 branches of learning. Huxley was chosen President, and 

 the first meeting of officers and council took place at his 

 house on January 25. 



Professor G. J. Romanes was asked to join, but refused 

 on the ground that even if the negations which he supposed 

 the society would promulgate, were true, it was not expe- 

 dient to offer them to the multitude. To this Huxley wrote 

 the following reply (January 2, 1879) : — 



Many thanks for your letter. I think it is desirable to ex- 

 plain that our Society is by no means intended to constitute a 

 propaganda of negations, but rather to serve as a centre of free 

 thought. 



Of course I have not a word to say in respect of your de- 

 cision. I quite appreciate your view of the matter, though it is 

 diametrically opposed to my own conviction that the more 

 rapidly truth is spread among mankind the better it will be 

 for them. 



Only let us be sure that it is truth. 



