122 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY cHAP. V 



whip up a tired or sluggish brain. Indeed, for me there 

 is no working time so good as between breakfast and 

 lunch, when there is not a trace of alcohol in my com- 

 position. 



4 Marlborough Place, 

 May 6, 1889. 



My dear Hooker — I meant to have turned up at the 

 X on Thursday, but I was unwell and, moreover, worried 

 and bothered about Collier's illness at Venice, and await- 

 ing [answer to] telegram I sent there. He has contrived 

 to get scarlatina, but I hope he will get safe through it, 

 as he seems to be going on well. We were getting ready 

 to go out until we were reassured on that point. 



I thought I would go to the Academy dinner on 

 Saturday, and that if I did not eat and drink and came 

 away early, I might venture. 



It was pleasant enough to have a glimpse of the world, 

 the flesh (on the walls, nude !), and the devil (there were 

 several Bishops), but oh, dear ! how done I was yesterday. 



However, we are off to Eastbourne to-day, and I hope 

 to wash three weeks' London out of me before long. I 

 think we shall go to Maloja again early in June. — Ever 

 yours, T, H. Huxley. 



Capital portrait in the New Gallery, where I looked 

 in for a quarter of an hour on Saturday — only you never 

 were quite so fat in the cheeks, and I don't believe you 

 have got such a splendid fur-coat ! 



3 Jevington Gardens, Eastbourne, 

 May 22, 1889. 



... As to the Assistant Secretaryship of the British 

 Association, I have turned it over a great deal in my 

 mind since your letter reached me, and I really cannot 

 convince myself that you would suit it or it would suit 

 you. I have not heard who are candidates or anything 

 about it, and I am not going to take any part in the 



