248 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP, xiv 



time so good as Between breakfast and lunch, when there is not 

 a trace of alcohol in my composition. 



4 MARLBOROUGH PLACE, May 6, 1889. 



MY DEAR HOOKER I meant to have turned up at the x on 

 Thursday, but I was unwell and, moreover, worried and bothered 

 about Collier's illness at Venice, and awaiting telegram I sent 

 there. He has contrived to get scarlatina, but I hope he will 

 get safe through it, as he seems to be going on well. We were 

 getting ready to go out until we were reassured on that point. 



I thought I would go to the Academy dinner on Saturday, 

 and that if I did not eat and drink and came away early, I might 

 venture. 



It was pleasant enough to have a glimpse of the world, the 

 flesh (on the walls, nude!), and the devil (there were several 

 Bishops), but oh, dear! how done I was yesterday. 



However, we are off to Eastbourne to-day, and I hope to 

 wash three weeks' London out of me before long. I think we 

 shall go to Maloja again early in June. Ever yours, 



T. H. HUXLEY. 



Capital portrait in the New Gallery, when I looked in for 

 a quarter of an hour on Saturday only you never were quite 

 so fat in the cheeks, and I don't believe you have got such a 

 splendid fur-coat ! 



3 JEVINGTON GARDENS, EASTBOURNE, 

 May 22, 1889. 



... As to the Assistant Secretaryship of the British Asso- 

 ciation, I have turned it over a great deal in my mind since 

 your letter reached me, and I really cannot convince myself that 

 you would suit it or it would suit you. I have not heard who 

 are candidates or anything about it, and I am not going to take 

 any part in the election. But looking at the thing solely from 

 the point of view of your interests, I should strongly advise you 

 against taking it, even if it were offered. 



My pet aphorism " suffer fools gladly " should be the guide 

 of the Assistant Secretary, who, during the fortnight of his 

 activity, has more little vanities and rivalries to smooth over 

 and conciliate than other people meet with in a lifetime. Now 

 you do not " suffer fools gladly " ; on the contrary, you " gladly 

 make fools suffer." I do not say you are wrong No tu quoque 

 but that is where the danger of the explosion lies not in 

 regard to the larger business of the Association. 



