1887 THE BATHYBIUS MYTH 171 



ironical account of it is an instance of how the adoption 

 of a plain, straightforward course can be described. without 

 egotism. 



The most considerable difference I note among men (he 

 concludes) is not in their readiness to fall into error, but in their 

 readiness to acknowledge these inevitable lapses. 



As the Duke in a subsequent article did not unequivo- 

 cally withdraw his statements, Huxley declined to continue 

 public controversy with him. 



Three years later, writing (October 10, 1890) to Sir J. 

 Donnelly apropos of an article by Mr. Mallock in the Nine- 

 teenth Century, which made use of the " Bathybius myth," 

 he says : — 



Bathybius is far too convenient a stick to beat this dog with 

 to be ever given up, however many lies may be needful to make 

 the weapon effectual. 



I told the whole story in my reply to the Duke of Argyll, 

 but of course the pack give tongue just as loudly as ever. Cleri- 

 cally-minded people cannot be accurate, even the liberals. 



I give here the letter sent to the " unknown corre- 

 spondent " in question, who had called his attention to the 

 fourth of these sermons. 



4 Marlborough Place, Sept. 30, 1887. 



I have but just returned to England after two months' ab- 

 sence, and in the course of clearing off a vast accumulation of 

 letters, I have come upon yours. 



The Duke of Argyll has been making capital out of the same 

 circumstances as those referred to by the Bishop. I believe that 

 the interpretation put upon the facts by both is wholly mislead- 

 ing and erroneous. 



It is quite preposterous to suppose that the men of science of 

 this or any other country have the slightest disposition to sup- 

 port any view which may have been enunciated by one of their 

 colleagues, however distinguished, if good grounds are shown 

 for believing it to be erroneous. 



When Mr. Murray arrived at his conclusions I have no 

 doubt he was advised to make his ground sure before he attacked 

 a generalisation which appeared so well founded as that of Mr. 

 Darwin respecting coral reefs. 



