Later, in 1872, when the biological department of the Royal School of Mines was transferred to South Kensington, this method was adopted as part of the regular curriculum of the school, and from that time the teaching “of zoology by lectures alone became an anachronism.”

The first of these courses to schoolmasters took place, as has been said, in 1871.  Some large rooms on the ground floor of the South Kensington Museum were used for the purpose.  There was no proper laboratory, but professor and demonstrators rigged up everything as wanted.  Huxley was in the full tide of that more than natural energy which preceded his breakdown in health, and gave what Professor Ray Lankester describes as “a wonderful course of lectures,” one every day from ten to eleven for six weeks, in June and half July.  The three demonstrators (those named first on the list above) each took a third of the class, about thirty-five apiece.  “Great enthusiasm prevailed.  We went over a number of plants and of animals—­including microscopic work and some physiological experiment.  The ‘types’ were more numerous than in later courses.”

In 1872 the new laboratory—­the present one—­was ready.] “I have a laboratory,” [writes Huxley to Dohrn,] “which it shall do your eyes good to behold when you come back from Ceylon, the short way.” [(i.e. via England.) here a similar course, under the same demonstrators, assisted by H.N.  Martin, was given in the summer, Huxley, though very shaky in health, making a point of carrying them out himself.]

26 Abbey Place, June 4, 1872.

My dear Tyndall,

I must be at work on examination papers all day to-day, but to-morrow I am good to lunch with you (and abscond from the Royal Commission, which will get on very well without me) or to go with you and call on your friends, whichever may be most convenient.

Many thanks for all your kind and good advice about the lectures, but I really think they will not be too much for me, and it is of the utmost importance I should carry them on.

They are the commencement of a new system of teaching which, if I mistake not, will grow into a big thing and bear great fruit, and just at this present moment (nobody is necessary very long) I am the necessary man to carry it on.  I could not get a suppleant if I would, and you are no more the man than I am to let a pet scheme fall through for the fear of a little risk of self.  And really and truly I find that by taking care I pull along very well.  Moreover, it isn’t my brains that get wrong, but only my confounded stomach.

I have read your memorial [In the affair of Dr. Hooker already referred to.] which is very strong and striking, but a difficulty occurs to me about a good deal of it, and that is that it won’t do to quote Hooker’s official letters before they have been called for in Parliament, or otherwise made public.  We should find ourselves in the wrong officially, I am afraid, by doing so.  However we can discuss this when we meet.  I will be at the Athenaeum at 4 o’clock.