In 1856 Hinton published his earliest papers on physiology and ethics in the _Christian Spectator_. In 1858 he contributed an essay to the _Medico-Chirurgical Review_ on “Physical Morphology,” suggesting that organic growth takes place in the direction of least resistance—a conception utilised by Mr. Herbert Spencer in his “First Principles.” In 1859 “Man and his Dwelling-place” was published and favourably received. Its success encouraged him to lay aside practice, reduce his expenses to a minimum, and take to writing as a profession. He settled in a little house at Tottenham, where his sitting-room was of such dimensions that he used to say he could open the door with one hand, poke the fire with the other, and had nature given him a third, open the window with it, without rising from his seat. At first success attended the venture. Thackeray accepted for the _Cornhill Magazine_ the series of “Physiological Riddles,” with the remark “Whatever else this fellow can do, he can write!” These were afterwards published, with others, under the title “Life in Nature.” “Thoughts on Health” were also contributed to the _Cornhill_. But his mind continued in such activity of growth, ever full, ever changing, that he had not time to write his thoughts in form for publication, and he was forced back into practice, which he had not quite renounced, continuing to see a few aural patients twice a week at his father’s house. In 1863 he was appointed aural surgeon to Guy’s Hospital, and took a house in George Street, Hanover Square, for the purpose of aural practice. With heroic and costly resolution, knowing he could not adequately do his work as an aural surgeon and devote himself to philosophy, he locked his manuscripts away from his sight.