1888 AT MALOJA 77 



quite strong enougli to do all that can reasonably be 

 required of it — if all the rest of the machinery is in good 

 order, and the outside conditions are favourable. But 

 the poor old pump cannot contend with grit or want of 

 oil anywhere. 



I mean to stay here as long as I can ; they say it is 

 often very fine up to the middle of September. Then 

 we shall migrate lower, probably on the Italian side, and 

 get home most likely in October. But I really am very 

 much puzzled to know what to do. 



My wife has not been very well lately, and Ethel has 

 contrived to sprain her ankle at lawn-tennis. Collier 

 has had to go to Naples, but we expect him back in a 

 few days. 



With our united love to Mrs. Foster and yourself — 

 Ever yours, T. H. Huxley. 



I was very pleased to hear of a secret my wife com- 

 municated to me. So long as I was of any use, I did 

 not care much about having the fact recognised, but now 

 that I am used up I like the feather in my cap. 

 " Fuimus." Let us have some news of you. 



Sir M, Foster, who was kept in England by the 



British Association till September 10, wrote that he 



was going abroad for the rest of September, and 



proposed to spend some time at Menaggio, whence he 



hoped to effect a meeting. He winds up with a jest 



at his recent unusual occupation : — "I have had no 



end of righteousness accounted to me for helping to 



entertain Bishops at Cambridge." Hence the 



postscript in reply : — 



Hotel Kuksaal, Maloja, 



Sept. 2, 1888. 



My dear Foster — A sharp fall of snow has settled 

 our minds, which have been long wavering about future 



