418 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY cHAP. 



HoDESLEA, Eastbourne, 

 Nov. 1, 1893. 



The epistle of Thomas to the woman of the house of 

 Harold. 



1. I said it was an autograph-book; and so it was. 



2. And naughty words came to the root of my tongue. 



3. And the recording angel dipped his pen in the ink 



and squared his elbows to write. 



4. But I spied the hand of the lovely and accomplished 



but vagabond daughter. 



5. And I smole ; and spoke not ; nor uttered the 



naughty words. 



6. So the recording angel was sold ; 



7. And was about to suck his pen. 



8. But I said Nay ! give it to me. 



9. And I took the pen and wrote on the book of the 



Autographs letters pleasant to the eye and easy 

 to read. 

 10. Such as my printers know not : nor the postman — 

 nor the correspondent, who riseth in his wrath 

 and curseth over my epistle ordinary. 



This to his youngest daughter, which, in jesting 

 form, conveys a good deal of sound sense, was the 

 sequel to a discussion as to the advisability of a 

 University education for her own and another 



boy :— 



HoDESLEA, Eastbourne, 

 May 9, 1892. 



Dearest Babs — Bickers and Son have abased them- 

 selves, and assure me that they have fetched the Dicty. 

 away and are sending it here. I shall believe them when 

 it arrives. 



As a rule, I do not turn up when I announce my 

 coming, but I believe I shall be with you about dinner- 

 time on Friday next (13th). 



