THE END OF THE ENCOUNTEB 527 



with some words of caution to the audience. Sam was shut 

 up had not one word to say in reply, and the meeting 

 was dissolved forthioith, leaving you master of the field after 

 4 hours' battle. Huxley, who had borne all the previous 

 brunt of the battle, and who never before (thank God) 

 praised me to my face, told me it was splendid, and that he 

 did not know before what stuff I was made of. I have been 

 congratulated and thanked by the blackest coats and whitest 

 stocks in Oxford. 



