124 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, viii 



and if I had obtained the Edinburgh chair, I should have been 

 in reality a mere pedagogue and a man of science only in name. 

 Such were my notions, and if I hesitated at all and allowed 

 myself to become a candidate, it was only because I have other 

 interests to consult than my own. Intending to " range myself " 

 one of these days and become a respectable member of society, 

 I was bound to consider my material interests. And so I should 

 have been still a candidate for Edinburgh had not the Govern- 

 ment here professed themselves unwilling to lose my services, 

 adding the " material guarantee " of an addition to my income, 

 which, though by no means bringing it up to the point of Edin- 

 burgh, will still enable me {das heisst "us") to live comfort- 

 ably here. 



I must renounce the " pomps and vanities," but all those 

 other " lusts of the flesh " which may beseem a gentleman may 

 be reasonably gratified. 



Don't you think I have been wise in my Hercules choice? 

 After all I don't lay claim to any great merit, seeing it was any- 

 thing but certain I should get Edinburgh. 



The best of all is that I have every reason to believe that 

 Government will carry out my scheme for a coast survey, so 

 happily and pleasantly begun at Tenby last year. 



The final arrangements are almost complete, and I believe 

 you may make up your mind to have four months of me next 

 year. Tenby shall be immortalised and Jenkyn * converted into 

 a philosopher. By the way, I think the best way would be to 

 retain the shells till I come. My main purpose is to have in 

 them a catalogue of what Tenby affords. 



Pray give my kind remembrances to Mrs. Dyster, and be- 

 lieve me, ever yours, T. H. Huxley. 



Afiril I, 1855. 



My dear Dyster — By all that's good, your last note, which 

 lies before me, has date a month ago. I looked at it just now, 

 and became an April fool on the instant. 



All the winds of March, however, took their course through 

 my thorax and eventuated in lectures. At least that is all the 

 account I can give to myself of the time, and an unprofitable 

 account it is, for everything but one's exchequer. 



So far as knowledge goes it is mere prodigality spending 



* Jenkyn was employed to collect shells, etc., at Tenby. He is 

 often alluded to as " the Professor." 



