CHAPTER XIX 



POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY— MORE CRITICAL THEOLOGY 



[1890-1891]. 



The events of 1890 include a trip to the Canaries of 

 Huxley and his son Harry, whom he wished to give " a 

 run for a month or six weeks," on the completion of his 

 course as a medical student. The travellers left London 

 on April 3, and reached the Islands on April 10, leaving 

 again for Madeira on May 2. What with the voyage 

 and the open-air life, Huxley by this time felt "ten years 

 younger." The botanical interests aroused by study of 

 the gentians are evidenced in a letter written to Hooker 

 immediately after the return home. During his absence 

 the Linnean Society had awarded him the Linnean Medal, 

 to which the letter in question (dated May 18) alludes, 

 with special reference to the digestive dangers of a 

 public dinner : — 



" But what is a man to do if his friends take advantage of his 

 absence, and go giving him gold medals behind his back ? That 

 you have been an accomplice in this nefarious plot — mine own 

 familiar friend whom I trusted and trust — is not to be denied. 

 Well, it is very pleasant to have toil that is now all ancient 

 history remembered, and I shall go to the meeting and the dinner 

 and make my speech in spite of as many possible devils of dyspepsia 

 as there are plates and dishes on the table" (Life, ii, pp. 256-7). 



The move into the new house at Eastbourne took 

 place early in December, the name " Hodeslea " being 

 selected, " which is as near as I can go to ' Hodesleia,' 



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