34 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap. II 



"With all our best wishes to Lady Hooker and your- 

 self — Ever yours, T. H. Huxley. 



The second visit to Arolla did as much good as 

 the first. Though unable to stay more than a week 

 or two in London itself, he was greatly invigorated. 

 His renewed strength enabled him to carry out 

 \-igorously such work as he had put his hand to, 

 and still more, to endure one of the greatest sorrows 

 of his whole life which was to befall him this autumu 

 in the death of his daughter Marian. 



The controversy whicli fell to his share immediately 

 upon his return, has already been mentioned (p. 11 sj.). 

 This was all part of the war for science which he 

 took as his necessary portion in life ; but he would 

 not plunge into any other forms of controversy, 

 however interesting. So he writes to his son, who 

 had conveyed him a message from the editor of a 

 political re\iew : — 



4 Marlbceough Place, 

 Oct. 19, 1SS7. 



No political article from me ! I have had to blow off 

 my indignation incidentally now and then lest worse 

 might befall me, but as to serious political controversy, 

 I have other fish to fry. Such influence as I possess 

 may be most usefully employed in promoting various 

 educational movements now afoot, and I do not want to 

 bar myself from working with men of all political parties. 



So excuse me in the prettiest language at your 

 command to ^Mr. A. 



Nevertheless politics very soon drew him into a 

 new conflict, in defence, be it said, of science against 



