lO LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap. I 



on September 29, 1840, it is continued for a couple of years, 

 and concludes with some vigorous annotations in 1845, 

 when the little booklet emerged from a three years' oblivion 

 at the bottom of an old desk. Early as this journal is, in it 

 the boy displays three habits afterwards characteristic of 

 the man: the habit of noting down any striking thought 

 or saying he came across in the course of his reading ; of 

 speculating on the causes of things and discussing the right 

 and wrong of existing institutions ; and of making scientific 

 experiments, using them to correct his theories. 



The first entry, the heading, as it were, and keynote of 

 all the rest, is a quotation from Novalis : — " Philosophy can 

 bake no bread ; but it can prove for us God, freedom, and 

 immortality. Which, now, is more practical. Philosophy or 

 Economy ? " The reference here given is to a German 

 edition of Novalis, so that it seems highly probable that the 

 boy had learnt enough of the language to translate a bit for 

 himself, though, as appears from entries in 1841, he had 

 still to master the grammar completely. 



In science, he was much interested in electricity; he 

 makes a galvanic battery " in view of experiment to get 

 crystallized carbon. Got it deposited, but not crystallized." 

 Other experiments and theorizing upon them are recorded 

 in the following year. Another entry showing the courage 

 of youth, deserves mention : — 



" Oct. 5 (1840). — Began speculating on the cause of 

 colours at sunset. Has any explanation of them ever been 

 attempted ? " which is supplemented by an extract " from 

 old book." 



We may also remark the early note of Radicalism and 

 resistance to anything savouring of injustice or oppression, 

 together with the naive honesty of the admission that his 

 opinions may change with years. *■ 



Oct. 25 (at Hinckley).— Read Dr. S. Smith on the Divine 

 Government. — Agree with him partly. — I should say that a gen- 

 eral belief in his doctrines would have a very injurious effect on 

 morals. 



Nov. 22. — -. . . Had a long talk with my mother and father 

 about the right to make Dissenters pay church rates and 



