iSS8 LETTERS 



213 



I have neither brains nor nerves, and the very thought of 

 controversy puts me in a blue funk ! 



My doctors prophesy good things, as there is no valvular 

 disease, only dilatation. But for the present I must subscribe 

 myself (from an editorial point of view) Your worthless and 

 useless and bad-hearted friend, T. H. HUXLEY. 



K 



The British Association was to meet at Plymouth this 

 year; and Mr. W. F. Collier (an uncle of John Collier, his 

 son-in-law) invited Huxley and any friend of his to be his 

 guest at Horrabridge. 



4 MARLBOROUGH PLACE, June 13, iSSS. 



MY DEAR MR. COLLIER It would have been a great pleasure 

 to me to be your guest once more, but the Fates won't have it 

 this time. 



Dame Nature has given me a broad hint that I have had my 

 innings, and, for the rest of my time, must be content to look on 

 at the players. 



It is not given- to all of us to defy the doctors and go in for 

 a new lease, as I am glad to hear you are doing. I declare that 

 your open invitation to any friend of mine is the most touching 

 mark of confidence I ever received. I am going to send it to 

 my great ally Michael Foster, Secretary of the Royal Society. 

 I do not know whether he has made any other arrangements, 

 and I am not quite sure whether he and his wife are going to 

 Plymouth. But I hope they may be able to accept, for you \vill 

 certainly like them, and they will certainly like you. I \vill ask 

 him to write directly to you to save time. 



With very kind remembrances to Mrs. Collier Ever yours 

 very faithfully, T. H. HUXLEY. 



I forgot to say that I am mending as fast as I can expect 

 to do. 



