I do not say this with any reference to Mr. —­ who is a sober and careful writer.  But both as a matter of principle and one of policy, I strongly demur to a great deal of what appears as “free thought” literature, and I object to be in any way connected with it.  Heterodox ribaldry disgusts me, I confess, rather more than orthodox fanaticism.  It is at once so easy; so stupid; such a complete anachronism in England, and so thoroughly calculated to disgust and repel the very thoughtful and serious people whom it ought to be the great aim to attract.  Old Noll knew what he was about when he said that it was of no use to try to fight the gentlemen of England with tapsters and serving-men.  It is quite as hopeless to fight Christianity with scurrility.  We want a regiment of Ironsides.

[This summer brought Huxley a most unexpected distinction in the shape of admission to the Privy Council.  Mention has already been made (volume 2) of his reasons for refusing to accept a title for distinction in science, apart from departmental administration.  The proper recognition of science, he maintained, lay in the professional recognition of a man’s work by his peers in science, the members of the learned societies of his own and other countries.

But, as has been said, the Privy Councillorship was an office, not a title, although with a title attaching to the office; and in theory, at least, a scientific Privy Councillor might some day play an important part as an accredited representative of science, to be consulted officially by the Government, should occasion arise.

Of a selection of letters on the subject, mostly answers to congratulations, I place first the one to Sir M. Foster, which gives the fullest account of the affair.]

Cors-y-Gedol Hotel, Barmouth, August 23, 1892.

My dear Foster,

I am very glad you think I have done rightly about the P.C.; but in fact I could hardly help myself.

Years and years ago I was talking to Donnelly about these things, and told him that so far as myself was concerned, I would have nothing to do with official decorations—­didn’t object to other people having them, especially heads of offices, like Hooker and Flower—­but preferred to keep clear myself.  But I added that there was one thing I did not mind telling him, because no English Government would ever act upon my opinion—­and that was that the P.C. was a fit and proper recognition for science and letters.  I have no doubt that he has kept this in mind ever since—­in fact Lord Salisbury’s letter (which was very handsome) showed he had been told of my obiter dictum.  Donnelly was the first channel of inquiry whether I would accept, and was very strong that I should.

So you see if I had wished to refuse it, it would have been difficult and ungracious.  But, on the whole, I thought the precedent good.  Playfair tells me he tried to get it done in the case of Faraday and Babbage thirty years ago, and the thing broke down.  Moreover a wicked sense of the comedy of advancing such a pernicious heretic, helped a good deal.