148 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP, ix 



How long it will last I don't feel sure, but I am going to give 

 London as little chance as possible. 



I trust you have all been thriving to a like extent. Scott * 

 wrote to me the other day wanting to take his advanced flock 

 (2 one, I believe, a ewe-lamb) to Kew. I told him I had no 

 objection, but he had better consult you. 



I have not been to S.K. yet as I have a devil (botanical ) 

 and must satisfy him before doing anything else. It's the great- 

 est sign of amendment that I have gone in for science afresh. 

 When I am ill (and consequently venomous), nothing satisfies 

 me but gnawing at theology ; it's a sort of crib-biting. 



Our love to Mrs. Donnelly. I suppose G.H.f is by this time 

 a kind of Daniel Lambert physically and Solomon mentally my 

 blessing to him. Ever yours very faithfully, 



T. H. HUXLEY. 



As a sequel to the sad event mentioned in the former 

 letter, the relations of the young man who had died so 

 suddenly at Arolla wished to offer Huxley some gift in 

 grateful recognition of the kindness he had shown to the 

 poor fellow ; but being unable to fix upon any suitable 

 object, begged him to accept a considerable sum of money 

 and expend it on any object he pleased as a memento. To 

 this he replied, November 21, 1886: 



I am very much obliged for the kindly recognition of my 

 unfortunately unavailing efforts to be of service to your brother- 

 in-law which is contained in your letter. 



But I and those who right willingly helped me did nothing 

 more than our plain duty in such a case; and though I fully 



appreciate the motives which actuate Mrs. and yourself 



and friends, and would gladly accept any trifle as a memento of 

 my poor friend (I call him so, for we really struck up a great 

 friendship in our twelve hours' acquaintance), I could not with 

 any comfort use the very handsome cheque you offer. 



Let me propose a compromise. As you will see by the en- 

 closed paper, a colleague of mine has just died leaving widow 

 and children in very poor circumstances. Contribute something 

 to the fund which is being raised for their benefit, and I shall 

 consider it as the most agreeable present you could possibly 

 make to me. 



* Assistant Professor of Botany at the Royal College of Science, 

 f Gordon Huxley Donnelly, Sir John's son. 



