1 6 THOMAS HENRY HUXLEY 



Aberdeen, Cork, and King's College, London. And in 

 the middle of this depressing period the death of his 

 mother, which took place in April 1852, overwhelmed 

 him with the most profound sorrow. At this time he 

 was sorely tempted to abandon science as a profession 

 altogether, and but for the encouragement of his sister 

 Lizzie and the unwavering trust and devotion of Miss 

 Heathorn, might perhaps have done so. 



Huxley's many occasions for despondency began to 

 be augmented in 1852 by professional jealousies, and 

 by attempts, luckily unsuccessful, to retard his further 

 progress. Then, as always, he proved himself a per- 

 fectly straightforward antagonist, but at the same time 

 one whom it was decidedly unpleasant to tackle. 



There is fortunately a reverse side to the picture, 

 constituted by the immediate result of his scientific 

 work, and the friendships contracted during this some- 

 what depressing period of his life. His memoirs on the 

 Medusas and their allies, published during his absence 

 from England, placed him at once in the foremost rank 

 of scientific workers, and on June 5> 185 1, he was 

 elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, being one of 

 fifteen selected from a list of thirty-eight candidates, no 

 small distinction for a young man but just turned twenty- 

 six. And this was the result of sheer merit, untainted 

 by the slightest intrigue. The distinction was very 

 nearly increased by the award of the Royal Medal, 

 which, however, went to the veteran naturalist, New- 

 port, whose work was more voluminous but not of 

 better quality. Though naturally proud and pleased at 

 such recognition, it would seem that Huxley's pleasure 

 was somewhat tempered by reflections as to the dearth 

 of scientific posts in Britain, and the comparatively un- 

 remunerative nature of such as existed. 



