308 A Century of Family [Letters [CHAP, xxi 



hunting much the least cruel sport, and so far I agree, only 

 it is undoubtedly brutal. One trap gives more suffering 

 than a dozen hunts. . . . 



The next two letters refer to a correspondence with 

 Herbert Spencer as to the gift to Mr Huxley mentioned 

 in his Life, p. 366, vol. i. Mr Spencer wished to know 

 from me whether my mother's memory corroborated his 

 own view that he alone originated the idea. She, however, 

 was quite sure that Mrs Lyell first spoke of it to herself and 

 my father. 



March, 1896. 



Your letter just come. I remember it all pretty clearly. 

 F. heard first about it from Mrs Lyell, so no doubt it was 

 set on foot in two places. We heard nothing about Herbert 

 Spencer. What a fuss he makes. You shall have the letter 

 safely back. ... It is the greatest monument of vanity I ever 

 saw. I am quite certain my memory is just, as I remember 

 that Mrs Lyell was affected nearly to tears when she was 

 speaking to us on the subject. No doubt Herbert Spencer 

 was exerting himself independently. 



It was such a lovely morning yesterday I took a drive 

 along the Backs. They look quite different in the morning 

 light, and the elm buds have taken a purplish glow. 



I cannot help chuckling a little over Herbert Spencer's 

 reception of your answer. 



This spring Dicky, her little fox-terrier, met with an 

 accident, and had to go to the dog doctor for some time. 

 She missed him very much and wrote : ' I believe Dicky 

 and I have never been separated for a day for thirteen 

 years, and I do wish for him back very much." Every 

 morning Dicky lay on her bed whilst she breakfasted. But, 

 at about ten, as soon as he heard the second postman's bell 

 he started up, vehemently insisted on being let out, rushed 

 downstairs to join the postman, for whom he had a strong 

 attachment, and took a short round with him. This post- 

 man fell ill, and she told how she sent Dicky to pay the sick 

 man a visit : " Price took Dicky to see Drury, and there 

 was a tender meeting on both sides, the postman kissing 

 Dicky." 



