Some reference in this lecture to the curious account of
himself given by Professor Huxley to an admirer in a book published last year, annoyed Professor Huxley, who replied in a rather caustic letter to Thursday's Times, in which he pointed out some inaccuracy in Dr. Abbott's account of the autobiographical details in question. Dr. Abbott rejoined in yesterday's Times, in a letter as charming and gentle as Professor Huxley's had been sarcastic. We do not think that Professor Huxley should have challenged the delicacy of an allusion to autobiographical details which he had himself voluntarily given to the world. No doubt he was perfectly justified in giving them to the world. He is a great authority on educational subjects, and it is perfectly true that the advantages and disadvantages of the system under which his vigorous intellect was trained is a matter of very real public interest. But that is precisely what Dr. Abbott thought, and it was surely as good a justification for Dr. Abbott in referring to them,—except so far as he referred to them inaccurately,—as it was for Professor Huxley in com- municating them to the British public. Each man concerning whom there can be any question on the matter, has the right to judge whether he will be regarded as a public man or not. Professor Huxley decided,—quite rightly, we think,—that to a considerable extent he was already so plainly public property, that it would be interesting to the world to know more about him. Having so decided, he cannot justly complain that the students of the various systems of education think so too.
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