372 



LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, xxi 



Of course I will keep absolutely clear of Theology. But I 

 have long had fermenting in my head, some notions about the 

 relations of Ethics and Evolution (or rather the absence of such 

 as are commonly supposed), which I think will be interesting to 

 such an audience as I may expect. " Without prejudice," as the 

 lawyers say, that is the sort of topic that occurs to me. 



To the Same 



HODESLEA, Oct. 30, 1892. 



I had to go to London in the middle of last week about the 

 Gresham University business, and I trust I have put a very long 

 nail into the coffin of that scheme. For which good service you 

 will forgive my delay in replying to your letter. I read all about 

 your show — why not call it " George's Gorgeous," tout court? 



I should think that there is no living man, who, on such an 

 occasion, could intend and contrive to say so much and so well 

 (in form) without ever rising above the level of antiquarian 

 gossip. 



My lecture would have been ready if the G.O.M. had failed 

 you, but I am very glad to have six months' respite, as I now 

 shall be able to write and rewrite it to my heart's content. 



I will follow the Gladstonian precedent touching cap and 

 gown — but I trust the Vice-Chancellor will not ask me to take 

 part in a " Church Parade " and read the lessons. I couldn't — 

 really. 



As to the financial part of the business, to tell you the honest 

 truth, I would much rather not be paid at all for a piece of work 

 of this kind. I am no more averse to turning an honest penny 

 by my brains than any one else in the ordinary course of things 

 — quite the contrary ; but this is not an ordinary occasion. How- 

 ever, this is a pure matter of taste, and I do not want to set a 

 precedent which might be inconvenient to other people — so I 

 agree to what you propose. 



By the way, is there any type-writer who is to be trusted in 

 Oxford? Some time ago I sent a MS. to a London type-writer, 

 and to my great disgust I shortly afterwards saw an announce- 

 ment that I was engaged on the topic. 



On the following day he writes to his wife, who was 

 staying with her youngest daughter in town : — 



The Vice-Chancellor has written to me and I have fixed May 

 — exact day by and by. Mrs. Romanes has written a crispy little 



