12 GEOEGE JOHN EOMANES 1873- 



it is that, stranded on a sandbank and in a half dead- 

 and-alive state, without thinking I was doing any- 

 thing unusual, I should have written the prize essay. 



But I don't care how it is so long as it is so, as 



writes, ' You certainly have achieved a great success, 

 handicapped as you were in so many ways.' This, 

 of course, relates to the award ; but, as I said before, 

 what surprised me most is that I should not only be 

 first, but such a good first. The praise given by each 

 of the adjudicators separately, in as strong terms as 

 it is possible in donnish phraseology to convey it, was 

 very gratifying to me, especially as pronounced in the 

 studiously dignified manner of the Yice- Chancellor. 



I hope soon to see you and tell you more about 

 the whole thing ; for one of the best parts of it is, 

 that ' if one member be honoured, all the members 

 rejoice with it.' 



Ever your loving Brother, 



GrEO. J. EoMANES. 



During his convalescence Mr. Eomanes finally 

 abandoned the idea of a profession and resolved to 

 devote himself to scientific research. 



It was about this time that a letter of his in 

 ' Nature ' (see ' Nature,' vol. viii. p. 101) attracted 

 Mr. Darwin's attention, and caused him to send a 

 friendly little note to the youthful writer. 



Probably Mr. Darwin had little idea of the efEeot 

 his letter produced on its recipient, who was then 

 recovering from his long illness. That Darwin should 

 actually write to liim seemed too good to believe. It 

 was a great encouragement to go on with scientific 

 work. 



Up to 1873 or 1874 Mr. Eomanes had been work- 



