The thing I have been hoping for for years past has come about,—­Stokes having resigned the Physical Chair in our place, in consequence of his appointment to the Cambridge University Commission.  This unfortunately occurred only after our last meeting for the session, and after I had left town, but Reeks wrote to me about it at once.  I replied as soon as I received his letter, and told him that I would take upon myself the responsibility of saying that you would accept the chair if it were offered you.  I thought I was justified in this by various conversations we have had; and, at any rate, I felt sure that it was better that I should get into a mess than that you should lose the chance.

I know that Sir Roderick has written to you, but I imagine the letter has gone to Chamounix, so pray put yourself into communication with Reeks at once.

You know very well that the having you with us at Jermyn Street is a project that has long been dear to my heart, partly on your own account, but largely for the interest of the school.  I earnestly hope that there is no impediment in the way of your coming to us.  How I am minded towards you, you ought to know by this time; but I can assure you that all the rest of us will receive you with open arms.  Of that I am quite sure.

Let me have a line to know your determination.  I am on tenterhooks till the thing is settled.

Can’t you come up this way as you go to Aberdeen?

Ever yours faithfully,

T.H.  Huxley.

P.S.—­I thought I might mention the Jermyn Street matter to Faraday privately, and did so.  He seemed pleased that the offer had been made.

[The acceptance of the lectureship at the School of Mines brought Tyndall into the closest contact with Huxley for the next nine years, until he resigned his lectureship in 1868 on succeeding Faraday as superintendent of the Royal Institution.

On September 17 he writes:—­]

Yesterday Owen and I foregathered in Section D. He read a very good and important paper, and I got up afterwards and spoke exactly as I thought about it, and praising many parts of it strongly.  In his reply he was unco civil and complimentary, so that the people who had come in hopes of a row were (as I intended they should be) disappointed.

[A number of miscellaneous letters of this period are here grouped together.]

14 Waverley Place, January 30, 1858.

My dear Hooker,

...I wish you wouldn’t be apologetic about criticism from people who have a right to criticise.  I always look upon any criticism as a compliment, not but what the old Adam in T.H.H.  Will arise and fight vigorously against all impugnment, and irrespective of all odds in the way of authority, but that is the way of the beast.

Why I value your and Tyndall’s and Darwin’s friendship so much is, among other things, that you all pitch into me when necessary.  You may depend upon it, however blue I may look when in the wrong, it’s wrath with myself and nobody else.