Item 50 - Letter from T.H. Huxley to Henry Sidgwick

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Apologises for the delay in replying to his letter, and cites the pressure of his occupation as an excuse. Expresses his delight at the news that Sidgwick intends 'to establish thorough teaching of Physical Science in Trinity College', but expresses the concern that too many subjects are being introduced, and that there are not enough people qualified to teach them. Discusses the requirements of a good teacher of chemistry, zoology, botany and geology. Gives his opinion on the qualities needed by good teachers, and discusses the importance of scientific instruction and information, and how the latter 'must be rigorously restricted within certain limits', i.e., to experimental physics with incidental chemistry, and botany. Remarks on the difficulty he envisages in finding someone competent to teach the scientific subjects at an acceptable level, but believes that 'any man of ability and teaching [ ] might very [soon] be trained for the purpose.'