1893 



THE ROMANES LECTURE 295 



of tlie final pages, and I was most anxious for giving no 

 handle to any one who might like to say I had used the 

 lecture for purposes of attack. Moreover, in spite of all 

 reduction, the lecture is too long already. 



But I think it not improbable that in spite of my 

 meekness and peacefulness, neither the one side nor the 

 other will let me alone. And then you see, I shall have 

 an opportunity of making things plain, under no restric- 

 tion. You will not be responsible for anything said in 

 the second edition, nor can the Donniest of Dons grumble. 

 — Ever yours very faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



The double negative is ShakSpearian. See Hamlet, 

 act IL sc. 2. 



Unfortunately for the entire success of the lecture, 

 he was suflFering from the results of influenza, more 

 especially a loss of voice. He writes (April 18) : — 



After getting through the winter successfully I have 

 had the ill-fortune to be seized with influenza. I believe 

 I must have got it from the microbes haunting some of 

 the three hundred doctors at the Virchow dinner.^ 



I had next to no symptoms except debility, and though 

 I am much better I cannot quite shake that off. As 

 usual with me it affects my voice. I hope this will get 

 right before this day month, but I expect I shall have to 

 nurse it. I do not want to interfere with any of your 

 hospitable plans, and I think if you will ensure me quiet 

 on the morning of the 18th (I understand the lecture is 

 in the afternoon) it will suffice. After the thing is over 

 I am ready for anything from pitch and toss onwards. 



Two more letters dated before the 18th of May 

 touch on the circumstances of the lecture. One is to 

 his son-in-law, John Collier; the other to his old 



1 On the leth March. 



