1892 LETTER TO FOSTER 275 



I am very glad you like my poetical adventure. — Ever 

 yours affectionately, T. H. Huxley. 



This speech had an unexpected sequel. Owen's 

 grandson was so much struck by it that he wrote 

 asking Huxley to undertake a critical account of his 

 anatomical work for his biography, — another most 

 unexpected turn of events. It is not often that a 

 conspicuous opponent of a man's speculations is asked 

 to pass judgment upon his entire work.^ 



At the end of the year an anonymous attack upon 

 the administration of the Royal Society was the 

 occasion for some characteristic words on the endur- 

 ance of abuse to his old friend, M. Foster, then 

 Secretary of the Royal Society. 



Dec. 5, 1892. 



My dear Foster — The braying of my donkey pre- 

 vented me from sending a word of sympathy about the 

 noise made by yours. . . . Let not thine heart be vexed 

 because of these sons of BeliaL It is all sound and fury 

 with nothing at the bottom of it, and will leave no trace 

 a year hence. I have been abused a deal worse — without 

 the least effect on my constitution or my comfort. 



In fact, I am told that Harrison is abusing me just 

 now like a pickpocket in the Fortnightly, and I only 

 make the philosophical reflection, No wonder ! and doubt 

 if the reading it is worth half a crown. — Ever yours 

 affectionately, T. H. Huxley. 



The following letter to Mr. Clodd, thanking him 

 for the neAv edition of Bates' Naturalist on the 

 Amazons, helps to remove a reproach sometimes 



1 See p. 309. 



