1895 THE 'FOUNDATIONS OF BELIEF' 359 



my youth. The proofs, happily, arrived by the first 

 post, so I got to work at them before 9, polished them 

 off by 12, and put them into the post (myseK by 12.5. 

 So you ought to have them by 6 p.m. And, to make 

 your mind easy, I have just telegraphed to you to say so. 

 But, Lord's sake ! let some careful eye run over the part 

 of which I have had no revise — for I am " capable de 

 tout " in the way of overlooking errors. 



I am very glad you like the thing. The second 

 instalment shall be no worse. 



I grieve to say that my estimation of Balfour, as a 

 thinker, sinks lower and lower, the further I go. 



God help the people who think his book an important 

 contribution to thought ! The Gigadibsians who say so 

 are past divine assistance ! 



We are very glad to hear the grandchild and mother 

 are getting on so welL — E\er youis very truly, 



T. H. Huxley. 



HoDESLEA, Eastbourne, 

 March 8, 1895. 



My dear Knowles — The proofe have just arrived, but 

 I am sorry to say that (I believe for the first time in our 

 transactions) I shall have to disappoint you. 



Just after I had sent off the MS. influenza came 

 dowTi upon me with a swoop. I went to bed and am 

 there still, with no chance of quitting it in a hurrj". ]\Iy 

 "nife is in the same case ; item one of the maids. The 

 house is a hospital, and by great good fortune we have 

 a capital nurse. 



Doctor says it's a mild type,^ in which case I wonder 

 what severe types may be lika I find coughing con- 

 tinuously for fourteen hours or so a queer kind of mildness. 



^ "But in the matter of aches and pains, restless paroxysms of 

 coughing and general incapacity, I can give it a high character for 

 efficiency." (To M. Foster, March 7.) 



