1872 LETTER FROM DARWIN 67 



DOWN, BECKENHAM, KENT, 

 April 23, 1873. 



MY DEAR HUXLEY I have been asked by some of 

 your friends (eighteen in number) to inform you that 

 they have placed through Robarts, Lubbock & Company, 

 the sum of 2100 to your account at your bankers. We 

 have done this to enable you to get such complete rest as 

 you may require for the re-establishment of your health ; 

 and in doing this we are convinced that we act for the 

 public interest, as well as in accordance with our most 

 earnest desires. Let me assure you that we are all your 

 warm personal friends, and that there is not a stranger 

 or mere acquaintance amongst us. If you could have 

 heard what was said, or could have read what was, as I 

 believe, our inmost thoughts, you would know that we 

 all feel towards you, as we should to an honoured and 

 much loved brother. I am sure that you will return 

 this feeling, and will therefore be glad to give us the 

 opportunity of aiding you in some degree, as this will 

 be a happiness to us to the last day of our lives. Let 

 me add that our plan occurred to several of your friends 

 at nearly the same time and quite independently of one 

 another. My dear Huxley, your affectionate friend, 



CHARLES DARWIN. 



It was a poignant moment. " What have I done 

 to deserve this?" he exclaimed. The relief from 

 anxiety, so generously proffered, entirely overcame 

 him; and for the first time, he allowed himself to 

 confess that in the long struggle against ill-health, he 

 had been beaten; but, as he said, only enough to 

 teach him humility. 



His first trip in search of health was in 1872, 

 when he obtained two months' leave of absence, and 



