It was undoubtedly a bold step to challenge thus openly the man who was
acknowledged as the autocrat of science in Britain. Moreover, though he
had long felt that on his own subjects he was Owen's master, to begin a
controversy was contrary to his deliberate practice. But now he had the
choice of submitting to arbitrary dictation or securing himself from
further aggressions by dealing a blow which would weaken the authority
of the aggressor. For the growing antagonism between him and Owen had
come to a head early in the preceding year, when the latter, taking
advantage of the permission to use the lecture-theatre at Jermyn Street
for the delivery of a paleontological course, unwarrantably assumed the
title of Professor of Paleontology at the School of Mines, to the
obvious detriment of Huxley's position there. His explanations not
satisfying the council of the School of Mines, Huxley broke off all
personal intercourse with him.


CHAPTER 1.11.

1857-1858.

Throughout this period his health was greatly tried by the strain of his
work and life in town. Headache! headache! is his repeated note in the
early part of 1857, and in 1858 we find such entries as:--]

"February 11.--Used up. Hypochondrical and bedevilled."

"Ditto 12."

"13.--Not good for much."