172 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. VI 



indifference to animal suffering, and said he only gave 

 anaesthetics to keep animals quiet ! 



I declare to you I did not believe the man lived who 

 was such an unmitigated cynical brute as to profess and 

 act upon such principles, and I would willingly agree to 

 any law which would send him to the treadmill. 



The impression his evidence made on Cardwell and 

 Forster is profound, and I am powerless (even if I had 

 the desire which I have not) to combat it. He has done 

 more mischief than all the fanatics put together. 



I am utterly disgusted with the whole business. Ever 

 yours, T. H. HUXLEY. 



Of course keep the little article on Species. It is in 

 some American Encyclopaedia published by Appleton. 

 And best thanks for your book. I shall study it some 

 day, and value it as I do every line you have written. 

 Don't mention what I have told you outside the circle of 

 discreet Darwindom. 



4 MARLBO ROUGH PLACE, 

 Nov. 2, 1875. 



MY DEAR DARWIN Our secretary has telegraphed to 

 you to Down, and written to Queen Anne Street. 



But to make sure, I send this note to say that we 

 expect you at 1 3 Delahay Street x at 2 o'clock to-morrow. 

 And that I have looked out the highest chair that was to 

 be got for you. 2 Ever yours very faithfully, 



T. H. HUXLEY. 



The Commission reported early in 1876, and a few 

 months after Lord Carnarvon introduced a bill 

 intituled " An Act to amend the law relating to 

 Cruelty to Animals." It was a more drastic measure 



1 Where the Commission was sitting. 



- Mr. Darwin was long in the leg. When he came to our house 

 the biggest hassock was always placed in an arm-chair to give it 

 the requisite height for him. 



