But of course the subdivision does not imply that one man should not take the whole if he is competent to do so.  And if separate contributors supply articles on these several subdivisions, somebody must see that they work in harmony.

[But with all the good will in the world, he was too hard pressed to get his quota done as quickly as he wished.  He suggests at once that “Hydrozoa” and “Actinozoa,” in his list, should be dealt with by the writer of the article “Coelenterata.”]

Shunting “Actinozoa” to “Coelenterata” would do no harm, and would have the great merit of letting me breathe a little.  But if you think better that “Actinozoa” should come in its place under A, I will try what I can do.

December 30, 1873.

As to “Anthropology,” I really am afraid to promise.  At present I am plunged in “Amphibia,” doing a lot of original work to settle questions which have been hanging vaguely in my mind for years.  If “Amphibia” is done by the end of January it is as much as it will be.

In February I must give myself—­or at any rate my spare self—­up to my Rectorial Address [His Rectorial Address at Aberdeen, see above.], which (tell it not in Gath) I wish at the bottom of the Red Sea.  And I do not suppose I shall be able to look seriously at either “Animal Kingdom” or “Anthropology” before the address is done with.  And all depends on the centre of my microcosm—­intestinum colon—­which plays me a trick every now and then.

I will do what I can if you like, but if you trust me it is at your proper peril.

February 8, 1874.

How astonished folks will be if eloquent passages out of the address get among the “Amphibia,” and comments on Frog anatomy into the address.  As I am working at both just now this result is not improbable.

[Meanwhile the address and the ten days’ stay at Aberdeen had been] “playing havoc with the “Amphibia,” [but on returning home, he went to work upon the latter, and writes on March 12:—­]

I did not care to answer your last letter until I had an instalment of “Amphibia” ready.  Said instalment was sent off to you, care of Messrs. Black, yesterday, and now I feel like Dick Swiveller, when happy circumstances having enabled him to pay off an old score he was able to begin running up another.

June 8.

I have had sundry proofs and returned them.  My writing is lamentable when I am in a hurry, but I never provoked a strike before!  I declare I think I write as well as the editor, on ordinary occasions.

[He was pleased to find someone who wrote as badly as, or worse than, himself, and several times rallies Baynes on that score.  Thus, when Mrs. Baynes had acted as her husband’s amanuensis, he writes (February 11, 1878):—­]

My respectful compliments to the “mere machine,” whose beautiful calligraphy (if that isn’t a tautology) leaves no doubt in my mind that whether the writing of your letters by that agency is good for you or not it is admirable for your correspondents.