326 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, xxn 



will do for it and at the same time (2) for whom it will do. 

 Now you fulfil the first condition admirably, but as to the second 

 I have very great doubts. 



In the first place the climate of Calcutta is not particularly 

 good for anyone who has a tendency to dysentery, and I doubt 

 very much if you would stand it for six months. 



Secondly, we have a proverb that it is not wise to use razors 

 to cut blocks. 



The business of the man who is appointed to that museum 

 will be to get it into order. If he does his duty he will give his 

 time and attention to museum work pure and simple, and I 

 don't think that (especially in an Indian climate), he has much 

 energy left for anything else after the day's work is done. Nam- 

 ing and arranging specimens is a most admirable and useful 

 employment, but when you have done it is " cutting blocks," and 

 you, my friend, are a most indubitable razor, and I do not wish 

 to have your edge blunted in that fashion. 



If it were necessary for you to win your own bread, one's 

 advice might be modified. Under such circumstances one must 

 do things which are not entirely desirable. But for you who 

 are your own master and have a career before you, to bind 

 yourself down to work six hours a day at things you do not 

 care about and which others could do just as well, while you 

 are neglecting the things which you do care for, and which 

 others could not do so well, would, I think, be amazingly unwise. 



Liberavi animam ! don't tell my Indian friends I have dis- 

 suaded you, but on my conscience I could give no other advice. 



We have to thank you three times over. In the first place 

 for a portrait which has taken its place among those of our 

 other friends; secondly for the great pleasure you gave my 

 little daughter Jessie, by the books you so kindly sent; and 

 thirdly, for Fanny Lewald's autobiography which arrived a few 

 days ago. 



Jessie is meditating a letter of thanks (a serious undertak- 

 ing), and when it is sent the mother will have a word to say 

 for herself. 



In the middle of October scarlet fever broke out among my 

 children, and they have all had it in succession, except Jessie, 

 who took it seven years ago. The last convalescent is now well, 

 but we had the disease in the house nearly three months, and 

 have })een like lepers, cut off from all communication with our 

 neighbours for that time. 



We have had a great deal of anxiety, and my wife has been 



