1894 LETTERS 347 



was troublesome, I used to spend my time either in 

 active outdoor exercise or horizontally. 



The Stracheys were here the other day, and it was a 

 great pleasure to us to see them. I think he has had 

 a very close shave with that accident. There is nobody 

 whom I should more delight to honour — a right good 

 man all round — but I am not competent to judge of 

 his work. You are, and I do not see why you should 

 not suggest it. I would give him a medal for being 

 R Strachey, but probably the Council would make 

 difficulties. 



By the way, do you see the Times has practically 

 climbed down about the R.S. — came down backwards 

 like a bear, growling all the time ? I don't think we 

 shall have any more first of December criticisms. 



Lord help you through all this screed. With our 

 love to you both — Ever yours affectionately, 



T. H. Huxley. 



Abram, Abraham became 



By will divine ; 

 Let pickled Brian's name 

 Be changed to Brine ! ^ 



Poetae Minores. 

 Poor Brian. — Brutal jest ! 



The following was written to a friend who had 

 alluded to his painful recollection of a former occasion 

 when he was Huxley's guest at the anniversary 

 dinner of the Royal Society, and was hastily 

 summoned from it to find his wife dying. 



I fully understand your feeling about the R.S. Dinner. 

 I have not forgotten the occasion when you were my 

 guest : still less my brief sight of you when I called the 

 next day. 



^ Sir Joseph's son, Brian, had fallen into a pan of brine. 



