124 



LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, viii 



what advice to give you. When I wrote I hardly knew what 

 kind of work you had in your present office, but Francis has 

 since enhghtened me. I thought you had more leisure. One 

 thing is very clear — you must come out of that. Your Pegasus 

 is quite out of place ploughing. You are using yourself up in 

 work that comes to nothing, and so far as I can see cannot be 

 worse off. 



Now what are your prospects? Why, as I told you before, 

 you have made a succes here and must profit by it. The other 

 night your name was mentioned at the Philosophical Club (the 

 most influential scientific body in London) with great praise. 

 Gassiot, who has great influence, said in so many words, " you 

 had made your fortune," and I frankly tell you I believe so too, 

 if you can only get over the next three years. So you see that 

 quoad position, like Quintus Curtius, there is a " fine opening " 

 ready for you, only mind you don't spoil it by any of your horrid 

 modesty. 



So much for glory — now for economics. I have been try- 

 ing to ferret out more nearly your chances of a post, and here 

 are my results (which, I need not tell you, must be kept to 

 yourself). 



At the Museum in Jermyn Street, Flayfair, Forbes, Percy 

 and I think Sir Henry would do anything to get you, and elimi- 

 nate ; but, so far as I can judge, the probability of his 



going is so small that it is not worth your while to reckon upon 

 it. Nevertheless it may be comforting to you to know that in 

 case of anything happening these men will help you tooth and 

 nail. Cultivate Playfair when you have a chance — he is a good 

 fellow, wishes you well, has great influence, and will have more. 

 Entre nous, he has just got a new and important post under 

 Government. 



Next, the Royal Institution. This is where, as I told you, 

 you ought to be — looking to Faraday's place.. Have no scruple 

 about your chemical knowledge ; you won't be required to train a 

 college of students in abstruse analyses; and if you were, a 

 year's work would be quite enough to put you at ease. What 

 they want, and what you have, are clear powers of exposition 

 — so clear that people may think they understand even if they 

 don't. That is the secret of Faraday's success, for not a tithe 

 of the people who go to hear him really understand him. 



However, I am afraid that a delay must occur before you 

 can get placed at the Royal Institution, as you cannot hold the 

 Professorship until you have given a course of lectures there, 



