l866 LETTER TO SPENCER 200 



due comprehension of the truths of science, and the labours 

 of her scientific men." 



On the practical side, however, Mr. J. Payne said the 

 great difficulty was the want of teachers ; and suggested 

 that if men of science were really in earnest they would 

 condescend to teach in the schools. 



It was to a certain extent in answer to this appeal that 

 Huxley gave his lectures on Physiography in 1869 (see 

 p. 331), and instituted the course of training for science 

 teachers in 1871. 



He concluded his work at Nottingham by a lecture to 

 working men. 



The following is in reply to Mr. Spencer who had ac- 

 cused himself of losing his temper in an argument — 



26 Abbey Place, Sunday, Nov. 8, 1868. 



My dear Spencer — Your conscience has been treating you 

 with the most extreme and unjust severity. 



I recollect you looked rather savage at one point in our 

 discussion, but I do assure you that you committed no overt 

 act of ferocity; and if you had, I think I should have fully de- 

 served it for joining in the ferocious onslaught we all made 

 upon you. 



What your sins may be in this line to other f.olk I don't 

 know, but so far as I am concerned I assure you I have often 

 said that I know no one who takes aggravated opposition better 

 than yourself, and that I have not a few times been ashamed of 

 the extent to which I have tried your patience. 



So you see that you have, what the Buddhists call a stock of 

 accumulated merit, envers inoi — and if you should ever feel 

 inclined to " d n my eyes " you can do so and have a bal- 

 ance left. 



Seriously, my old friend, you must not think it necessary to 

 apologise to me about any such matters, but believe me 



(d ned or und d) — Ever yours faithfully, 



T. H. Huxley. 



26 Abbey Place, Nov. ii, 1866. 



My dear Darwin — I thank you for the new edition of the 



Origin, and congratulate you on having done with it for a while, 



so as to be able to go on to that book of a portion of which I had 



a glimpse years ago. I hear good accounts of your health, in- 



