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LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, xxiii 



and uttered a warning against the possible degradation of 

 " a proper reverence for mathematical certainty " into " a 

 superstitious respect for all arguments arrived at by process 

 of mathematics." * 



At the close of the year, as his own period of office 

 came to an end, it was necessary to select a new presi- 

 dent of the Geological. He strongly urged Professor 

 (afterwards Sir Joseph) Prestwich to stand, and when 

 the latter consented, a few weeks, by the way, before 

 his marriage was to take place, replied : — 



Jermyn Street, Dec. i6, 1869. 



My dear Prestwich — Many thanks for your letter. Your 

 consent to become our President for the next period will give as 

 unfeigned satisfaction to the whole body of the Society as it does 

 to me and your other personal friends. 



I have looked upon the afifair as settled since our last talk, 

 and a very great relief it has been to my mind. 



There is no doubt public-dinner speaking (and indeed all 

 public speaking) is nervous work. I fiink horribly, though I 

 never get the least credit for it. But it is like swimming, the 

 worst of it is in the first plunge ; and after you have taken your 

 "header" it's not so bad (just like matrimony, by the way; 

 only don't be so mean as to go and tell a certain lady I said so, 

 because I want to stand well in her books). 



Of course you may command me in all ways in which I can 

 possibly be of use. But as one of the chiefs of the Society, and 

 personally and scientifically popular with the whole body, you 

 start with an immense advantage over me, and will find no 

 difficulties before you. 



We will consider this business formally settled, and I shall 

 speak of it officially. — Ever yours very faithfully, 



T. H. Huxley. 



I cannot place the following letter to Matthew Arnold 

 with certainty, but it must have been written about this 

 period, f Everyone will sympathise with the situation : — 



* See Coll. Ess. viii. Introd. p. 8. 



f The most probable date being 1869, for on July I of that year he 

 dined with Matthew Arnold at Harrow. 



