i854 TENAX PROPOSITI 



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a greater loss to me than to any one — although there never was 

 a man so widely lamented. One could trust him so thoroughly ! 

 However, he has gone, poor fellow, and there is nothing for it 

 but to shut one's self up again — and I was only going to say 

 that his death leaves his post vacant, and I have been strongly 

 urged to become a candidate for it by several of the most influ- 

 ential Edinburgh Professors. I am greatly puzzled what to do. 

 I do not want to leave London, nor do I think much of my own 

 chances of success if I become a candidate — though others do. 

 On the other hand, a stipend which varies between £800 and 

 £1200 a year is not to be pooh-poohed. 



We shall see. If I can carry out some arrangements which 

 are pending with the Government to increase my pay to £400 a 

 year, I shall be strongly tempted to stop in London. It is the 

 place, the centre of the world. 



In the meanwhile, as things always do come in heaps, I 

 obtained my long-fought-for Grant — though indirectly — from 

 the Government, which is, I think, a great triumph and vindi- 

 cation of the family motto — tenax propositi. Like many long- 

 sought-for blessings, however, it is rather a bore now I have it, 

 as I don't see how I am to find time to write the book. But 

 things " do themselves " in a wonderful way. I'll tell you how 

 many irons I have in the fire at this present moment: — (i) a 

 manual of Comparative Anatomy for Churchill; (2) my 

 ■'Grant" book; (3) a book for the British Museum people 

 (half done) ; (4) an article for Todd's Cyclopcedia (half done) ; 

 (S) sundry memoirs on Science; (6) a regular Quarterly arti- 

 cle in the Westminster; (7) lectures at Jermyn Street in the 

 School of Mines; (8) lectures at the School of Art, Marlbor- 

 ough House; (9) lectures at the London Institution, and odds 

 and ends. Now, my dearest Lizzie, whenever you feel inclined 

 to think it unkind I don't write, just look at that list, and re- 

 member that all these things require strenuous attention and 

 concentration of the faculties, and leave one not very fit for 

 anything else. You will say that it is bad to be so entirely ab- 

 sorbed in these things, and to that I heartily say Amen ! — but 

 you might as well argue with a man who has just mounted the 

 favourite for the " Oaks " that it is a bad thing to ride fast. 

 He admits that, and is off like a shot when the bell rings never- 

 theless. My bell has rung some time, and thank God the win- 

 ning-post is in sight. 



Give my kindest regards to the doctor and special love to all 

 the children. I send a trifle for my godson and some odds and 



