The application for admission to the lectures and other teaching at the
Hospital states of the young T.H. Huxley that "He has a fair knowledge
of Latin, reads French with facility, and knows something of German. He
has also made considerable progress in the Mathematics, having, as far
as he has advanced, a thorough not a superficial knowledge of the
subject." The document ends in the following confident words:--

I appeal to the certificates and testimonials that will be herewith
submitted for evidence of their past conduct, offering prospectively
that these young men, if elected to the Free Scholarships of the Charing
Cross Hospital and Medical College, will be diligent students, and in
all things submit themselves to the controul and guidance of the
Director and Medical Officers of the establishment. A father may be
pardoned, perhaps, for adding his belief that these young men will
hereafter reflect credit on any institution from which they may receive
their education.

The authorities replied that "although it is not usual to receive two
members of the same family at the same time, the officers taking into
consideration the age of Mr. Huxley, sen., the numerous and satisfactory
testimonials of his respectability, and of the good conduct and merits
of the candidates, have decided upon admitting Mr. J.E. and Mr. T.
Huxley on this occasion."

The brothers began their hospital course on October 1, 1842. Here, after
a time, my father seems to have begun working more steadily and
systematically than he had done before, under the influence of a really
good teacher.]