274 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, xviii 



mission's Cruise; and though much fatter (indeed a regular 

 bloater myself), I am not up to the mark. Next year I will 

 have a real holiday.* 



I am a bachelor, my wife and belongings being all at that 

 beautiful place, Margate. When I came back I found them all 

 looking so seedy that I took them off bag and baggage to that, 

 as the handiest place, before a week was over. They are won- 

 derfully improved already, my wife especially being abundandy 

 provided with her favourite east wind. Your godson is growing 

 a very sturdy fellow, and I begin to puzzle my head with think- 

 ing what he is and what he is not to be taught. 



Please to remember me very kindly to Mrs. Darwin, and 

 believe me, yours very faithfully, rj. ^ Huxley 



The following illustrates the value he set upon public 



examinations as to a practical means for spreading scientific 



education, and upon first-rate examiners as a safeguard of 



proper methods of teaching. 



Oa. 6, 1864. 



My dear Hooker — Donnelly told me to-day that you had 

 been applied to by the Science and Tarts Department to examine 

 for them in botany, and that you had declined. 



Will you reconsider the matter ? I have always taken a very 

 great interest in the science examinations, looking upon them, as 

 I do, as the most important engine for forcing science into ordi- 

 nary education. 



The English nation will not take science from above, so it 

 must get it from below. 



Having known these examinations from the beginning, I 

 can assure you that they are very genuine things, and are work- 

 ing excellently. And what I have regretted from the first is 

 that the botanical business was not taken in hand by you, instead 

 of by . 



Now, like a good fellow, think better of it. The papers are 

 necessarily very simple, and one of Oliver's pupils could look 

 them over for you. Let us have your co-operation and the 

 advantage of that reputation for honesty and earnestness which 

 you have contrived (Heaven knows how) to get. 



I have come back fat and seedy for want of exercise. All 



* At the end of the year, as so often, he went off for a ploy with 

 Tyndall, this time into Derbyshire, walking vigorously over the moors. 



