264 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY cHAP. XI 



But I went to Tennyson's fimeral ; and since then my 

 whole mind has been given to finishing the reply forced 

 upon me by Harrison's article in the Fortnightly, and I 

 have let correspondence slide. I think it will entertain 

 you when it appears in November — and perhaps interest — 

 by the adumbration of the line I mean to take if ever that 

 " Romanes " Lecture at Oxford comes off. 



As to Madeira — I do not think you could do better. 

 You can have as much quiet there as in Venice, for there 

 are next to no carts or carriages. I was at an excellent 

 hotel, the "Bona Vista," kept by an Englishman in 

 excellent order, and delightfully situated on the heights 

 outside FunchaL When once acclimatised and able to 

 bear moderate fatigue, I should say nothing would be 

 more delightful and invigorating than to take tents and 

 make the round of the island. There is nothing I have 

 seen anywhere which surpasses the cliflF scenery of the 

 north side, or on the way thither, the forest of heaths aa 

 big as sycamores. 



There is a matter of natural history which might 

 occupy without fatiguing you, and especially without 

 calling for any great use of the eyes. That is the effect 

 of Madeiran climate on English plants transported there 

 — and the way in which the latter are beating the 

 natives. There is a Doctor who has lots of information 

 on the topic. You may trust anything but his physic. 



[The rest of the letter gives details about scientific 

 literature touching Madeira.] 



A piece of advice to bis son aneut building a 

 house : — 



Sept. 22, 1892. 



Lastly and biggestly, don't promise anything, agree to 

 anything, nor sign anything (swear you are an " illiterate 

 voter " rather than this last) without advice — or you may 



