64 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, v 



(i) of procuring a grant for the publication of my papers, or 

 (2) should that not be feasible, to obtain a nominal appointment 

 (say to the Fisguard at Woolwich, as in Dr. Hooker's case) for 

 such time as might be requisite for the publication of my papers 

 and drawings in some other way? 



I shall see Professors Owen and Forbes when I reach Lon- 

 don, and I have a letter of introduction to Sir John Herschel 

 (who has, I hear, a great penchant for the towing-net). Sup- 

 posing I could do so, would it be of any use to procure recom- 

 mendations from them that my papers should be published? 



[(Half-erased) To Sir F. Beaufort also I have a letter.] 

 Would it not be proper also to write to Sir W. Burnett acquaint- 

 ing him with my views, and requesting his acquiescence and 

 assistance ? 



Begging an answer at your earliest convenience, addressed 

 either to the Rattlesnake or to my brother, I remain, your 

 obedient servant, T. H. Huxley. 



41 North Bank. 



He received a most friendly reply from " Old John." 

 He was willing to do all in his power to help, but could 

 recommend Government aid better if he had seen the draw- 

 ings. Meantime a certificate should be got from Forbes, 

 the best man in this particular branch of science, backed, if 

 possible, by Owen. He would speak to some officials him^ 

 self, and give Huxley introductions to others, and if he 

 could get up to town, would try to see the collections and 

 add his name to the certificate. 



Both Forbes and Owen were ready to help. The former 

 wrote a most encouraging letter, singling out the character- 

 istics which gave a peculiar value to these papers : — 



I have had very great pleasure in examining your drawings 

 of animals observed during the voyage of the Rattlesnake, and 

 have also fully availed myself of the opportunity of going over 

 the collections made during the course of the survey upon which 

 you have been engaged. I can say without exaggeration that 

 more important or more complete zoological researches have 

 never been conducted during any voyage of discovery in the 

 southern hemisphere. The course you have taken of directing 

 your attention mainly to impreservable creatures, and to those 

 orders of the animal kingdom respecting which we have least 



