CHAPTER XVII 



1861-1863 



It has been seen that the addition of journalistic work 

 in science to the mass of original research and teaching 

 work upon which Huxley was engaged, called forth a re- 

 monstrance from both Lyell and Darwin. To Hooker it 

 seemed still more serious that he was dividing his allegiance, 

 and going far afield in philosophy, instead of concentrating 

 himself upon natural science. He writes : — 



I am sorry to hear that you are so poorly, and wish I could 

 help you to sit down and work quietly at pure science. You have 

 got into a whirlpool, and should strike out vigorously at the 

 proper angle, not attempt to breast the whole force of the cur- 

 rent, nor yet give in to it. Do take the counsel of a quiet looker 

 on and withdraw to your books and studies in pure Natural His- 

 tory; let modes of thought alone. You may make a very good 

 naturalist, or a very good metaphysician (of that I know noth- 

 ing, don't despise me), but you have neither time nor place 

 for both. 



However, it must be remarked that this love of philoso- 

 phy, not recently acquired either, was only part of the pas- 

 sion for general principles underlying the facts of science 

 which had always possessed him. And the time expended 

 upon it was not directly taken from the hours of scientific 

 work; he'would read in bed through the small hours of the 

 night, when sleep was slow in coming to him. In this way 

 he got through an immense amount of philosophy in the 

 course of several years. Not that he could " state the views 

 of so and so " upon any given question, or desired such kind 

 of knowledge ; he wished to find out and compare with his 

 17 247 



