128 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. VI 



mountains, Monte Rosa among them, on the other. I do 

 not know anything more beautiful in its way. But the 

 whole time we have been here the weather has been 

 extraordinary. On the average, about two thunderstorms 

 'per diem. I am sure that a good meteorologist might 

 study the place with advantage. The barometer has not 

 varied three-twentieths of an inch the whole time, not- 

 withstanding the storms. 



I hear the weather has been bad all over Switzerland, 

 but it is not high and dry enough for me here, and we 

 shall be off to the Maloja on Saturday next, and shall stay 

 there till we return somewhere in September. Collier 

 and Ethel will join us there in August. He is none the 

 worse for his scarlatina. 



"Aged Botanist?" marry come up I^ I should like 

 to know of a younger spark. The first time I heard 

 myself called " the old gentleman " was years ago when 

 we were in South Devon. A half-drunken Devonian 

 had made himself very offensive, in the compartment in 

 which my wife and I were travelling, and got some 

 " simple Saxon " from me, accompanied, I doubt not, by 

 an awful scowL " Ain't the old gentleman in a rage," 

 says he. 



I am very glad to hear of Eeggie's success, and my 

 wife joins with me in congratulations. It is a comfort to 

 see one's shoots planted out and taking root, though the 

 idea that one's cares and anxieties about them are dimin- 

 ished, we find to be an illusion. 



I inclose cheque for my contributions due and to come.^ 

 If I go to Davy's Locker before October, the latter may 

 go for consolation cliampagne ! — Ever yours affectionately, 



T. H. Huxley. 



He writes from the Maloja on August 16 to Sir 



1 Sir J. Hooker jestingly congratulated him on taking up botany 

 in his old age. ■ ^ For the x Club. 



