1888 LETTERS 73 



4 Marlborough Place, N.W., 

 J^tTie 3, 1888. 



Mt dear Knowles — Your invitation is tantalising. 

 I wish I could accept it. But it is now some six weeks 

 that my excursions have been limited to a daily drive. 

 The rest of my time I spend on the flat of my back, 

 eating, drinking, and doing absolutely nothing besides, 

 except taking iron and digitalis. 



I meant to have gone abroad a month ago, but it 

 turned out that my heart was out of order, and though I 

 am getting better, progress is slow, and I do not suppose 

 I shall get away for some weeks yet. 



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) — 

 Yoiir worthless and useless and bad-hearted friend, 



T. H. Huxley. 



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, 1888. 



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 aU of us to defy the doctors and go 

 in for a new lease, as I am glad to hear you are doing. I 



