the examination, but Stocks and I had not half done, so with the consent of the others we petitioned for an extension.  The examiner was willing to let us go on as long as we liked.  Never did I see man write like Stocks; one might have taken him for an attorney’s clerk writing for his dinner.  We went on.  I had finished a little after eight, he went on till near nine, and then we had tea and dispersed.

Great were the greetings I received when I got home, where my long absence had caused some anxiety.  The decision would not take place for some weeks, and many were the speculations made as to the probabilities of success.  I for my part managed to forget all about it, and went on my ordinary avocations without troubling myself more than I could possibly help about it.  I knew too well my own deficiencies to have been either surprised or disappointed at failure, and I made a point of shattering all involuntary “castles in the air” as soon as possible.  My worst anticipations were realised.  One day S. came to me with a sorrowful expression of countenance.  He had inquired of the Beadle as to the decision, and ascertained on the latter’s authority that all the successful candidates were University College men, whereby, of course, I was excluded.  I said, “Very well, the thing was not to be helped,” put my best face upon the matter, and gave up all thoughts of it.  Lizzie, too, came to comfort me, and, I believe, felt it more than I did.  What was my surprise on returning home one afternoon to find myself suddenly seized, and the whole female household vehemently insisting on kissing me.  It appeared an official-looking letter had arrived for me, and Lizzie, as I did not appear, could not restrain herself from opening it.  I was second, and was to receive a medal accordingly, and dine with the guild on the 9th November to have it bestowed. [Silver Medal of the Pharmaceutical Society, 9th November 1842.  Another botanical prize is a book—­“La Botanique,” by A. Richard—­with the following inscription:—­

  Thomae Huxley
  In Exercitatione Botanices
  Apud Scholam Collegii Sydenhamiensis
  Optime Merenti
  Hunc librum dono dedit
  RICARDUS D. HOBLYN, Botanices Professor.]

I dined with the company, and bore my share in both pudding and praise, but the charm of success lay in Lizzie’s warm congratulation and sympathy.  Since then she always took upon herself to prophesy touching the future fortunes of “the boy.”

[The haphazard, unsystematic nature of preliminary medical study here presented cannot fail to strike one with wonder.  Thomas Huxley was now seventeen; he had already had two years’ “practice in pharmacy” as a testimonial put it.  After a similar apprenticeship, his brother had made the acquaintance of the director of the Gloucester Lunatic Asylum, and was given by him the post of dispenser or “apothecary,” which he filled so satisfactorily as to receive a promise that if he went to London for a couple of years to complete his medical training, a substitute should be appointed meanwhile to keep the place until he returned.