2Q2 



LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP, xvi 



house turns out to be warm. We go in next Wednesday, and I 

 fear I cannot be in town on Thursday even if the weather 

 permits. 



I have had pleurisy that was dangerous and not painful, 

 then p. that was painful and not dangerous ; there is only one 

 further combination, and I don't want that. 



Politics now are immensely interesting. There must be a 

 depth of blackguardism in me, for I cannot help admiring Par- 

 nell. I prophesy that it is Gladstone who will retire for a while, 

 and then come back to Parnell's heel like a whipped hound. His 

 letter was carefully full of loopholes. Ever yours affectionately, 



T. H. HUXLEY. 



HODESLEA, EASTBOURNE, Dec. 2, 1890. 



MY DEAR HOOKER . . . The question of questions now is 

 whether the Unionists will have the sense to carry a measure 

 settling the land question at once. If they do that, I do not be- 

 lieve it will be in the power of man to stir them further. And 

 my belief is that Parnell will be quite content with that solution. 

 He does not want to be made a nonentity by Davitt or the Irish 

 Americans. 



But what ingrained liars they all are ! That is the bottom 

 of all Irish trouble. Fancy Healy and Sexton going to Dublin 

 to swear eternal fidelity to their leader, and now openly declaring 

 that they only did so because they believed he would resign. 

 Ever yours affectionately, T. H. HUXLEY. 



HODESLEA, Jan. 10, 1891. 



MY DEAR FOSTER I am trying to bring the Booth business to 

 an end so far as I am concerned, but it's like getting a wolf by 

 the ears ; you can't let him go exactly when you like. 



But the result is quite worth the trouble. Booth, Stead, 

 Tillett, Manning and Co. have their little game spoilt for the 

 present. 



You cannot imagine the quantity of letters I get from the 

 Salvation Army subordinates, thanking me and telling me all 

 sorts of stories in strict confidence. The poor devils are fright- 

 ened out of their lives by headquarter spies. Some beg me not 

 to reply, as their letters are opened. 



I knew that saints were not bad hands at lying before; but 

 these Booth people beat Banagher. 



Then there is awaits skinning, and I believe the G.O.M. 



is to be upon me ! Oh for a quiet life. Ever yours faithfully, 



T. H. HUXLEY. 



