1888 THE ARGUMENT FROM DESIGN 201 



theless I have a consciousness of having said something of the 

 kind somewhere.* 



If you look at the whole passage, you will see that there is 

 not the least intention on my part to presuppose design. 



If you break a piece of Iceland spar with a hammer, all the 

 pieces will have shapes of a certain kind, but that does not imply 

 that the Iceland spar was constructed for the purpose of break- 

 ing up in this way when struck. The atomic theory implies that 

 of all possible compounds of A and B only those will actually 

 exist in which the proportions of A and B by weight bear a cer- 

 tain numerical ratio. But it is mere arguing in a circle to say 

 that the fact being so is evidence that it was designed to be so. 



I am not going to take any more notice of the everlasting 



D , as you appropriately call him, until he has withdrawn his 



slanders. . . . 



Pray give him a dressing — it will be one of those rare com- 

 binations of duty and pleasure. — Ever yours very faithfully, 



T. H. Huxley. 



He was, moreover, constantly interested in schemes for 

 the reform of the scientific work of the London University, 

 and for the enlargement of the scope and usefulness of the 

 Royal Society. As for the latter, a proposal had been made 

 for federation with colonial scientific societies, which was 

 opposed by some of his friends in the x Club ; and he writes 

 to Sir E. Frankland on February 3 : — 



I am very sorry you are all against Evans' scheme. I am 

 for it. I think it a very good proposal, and after all the talk, 

 I do not want to see the Society look foolish by doing nothing. 



You are a lot of obstructive old Tories and want routing 

 out. If I were only younger and less indisposed to any sort of 

 exertion, I would rout you out finely ! 



With respect to the former, it had been proposed that 

 medical degrees should be conferred, not by the university, 

 but by a union of the several colleges concerned. He 

 writes : — ■ 



4 Marlborough Place, Jan. 11, 1888. 



My dear Foster — I send back the " Heathen Deutscheree's " 

 (whose ways are dark) letter lest I forget it to-morrow. 



Meanwhile perpend these two things : — • 



* In " Mr. Darwin's Critics," 1S71 ; Coll, Ess. ii. 1S1. 



