102 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY cHAP. V 



that I can plume myself on being an " interesting case," 

 though I am not going to compete with you in that line. 

 And if you look at the February Nineteenth I hope you 

 will think that my brains are none the worse. But 

 perhaps that conceited speech is evidence that they are. 



We came to town to make the acquaintance of Nettie's 

 fiance', and I am happy to say the family takes to him. 

 When it does not take to anybody, it is the worse for 

 that anybody. 



So, before long, my house will be empty, and as my 

 wife and I cannot live in London, I think we shall pitch 

 our tent in Eastbourne. Good Jack offers to give us a 

 pied a terre when we come to town. To-day we are off 

 to Eastbourne again. Carry off Harry, who is done up 

 from too zealous Hospital work. However, it is nothing 

 serious. 



The following is in reply to a request that he 



would write a letter, as he describes it elsewhere, 



" about the wife's sister business — for the edification 



of the peers." 



3 Jevington Gardens, Eastbourne, 



March 12, 1889. 



My dear Donnelly — I feel "downright mean," as 

 the Yankees say, that I have not done for the sake of 

 right and justice what I am moved to do now that I 

 have a personal interest in the matter of the directest 

 kind ; and I rather expect that will be thrown in my 

 teeth if my name is at the bottom of anything I write. 



On the other hand, I loathe anonymity. However, we 

 can take time to consider that point. 



Anyhow I will set to work on the concoction of a 

 letter, if you wiU supply me with the materials which 

 will enable me to be thoroughly posted up in the facts. 



I have just received your second letter. Pity you 

 could not stay over yesterday — it was very fine.^ — Ever 

 yours very faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



