iSyi LETTER TO ROSCOE 



387 



No doubt, too, it is full of suggestions just like that I have 

 hit upon by chance at p. 212 of vol. i., which connects the 

 periodicity of vital phenomena with antecedent conditions. 



Fancy lunacy, &c., coming out of the primary fact that one's 

 «th ancestor lived between tide-marks ! I declare it's the 

 grandest suggestion I have heard of for an age. 



I have been working like a horse for the last fortnight, with 

 the fag end of influenza hanging about me — and I am improv- 

 ing under the process, which shows what a good tonic work is. 



I shall try if I can't pick out from " Sexual Selection " some 

 practical hint for the improvement of gutter-babies, and bring 

 in a resolution thereupon at the School Board.- — Ever yours 

 faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



This year also saw the inception of a scheme for a series 

 of science primers, under the joint editorship of Professors 

 Huxley, Roscoe, and Balfour Stewart. Huxley undertook 

 the Introductory Primer, but it progressed slowly owing to 

 pressure of other work, and was not actually finished till 

 1880. 



26 Abbey Place, June 29, 1871. 



My dear Roscoe — If you could see the minutes of the Pro- 

 ceedings of the Aid to Science Commission, the Contagious Dis- 

 eases Commission and the School Board (to say nothing of a 

 lecture to Schoolmasters every morning) you would forgive me 

 for not having written to you before. 



But now that I have had a little time to look at it, I hasten 

 to say that your chemical primer appears to me to be admirable 

 — just what is wanted. 



I enclose the sketch for my Primer primus. You will see 

 the bearing of it, rough as it is. When it touches upon chemical 

 matters, it would deal with them in a more rudimentary fashion 

 than yours does, and only prepare the minds of the fledglings 

 for you. 



I send you a copy of the Report of the Education Committee, 

 the resolutions based on which I am now slowly getting passed 

 by our Board. The adoption of (c) among the essential sub- 

 simple titular honours, he accepted the Privy Councillorship, because, 

 though incidentally carrying a title, it was an office ; and an office in 

 virtue of which a man of science might, in theory at least, be called 

 upon to act as responsible adviser to the Government, should special 

 occasion arise. 



