1879 LETTERS 271 



book. And when I had done myself that pleasure, I 

 further pretended to think that it would be much better 

 to wait till I could send you my Hume book, which, as 

 it contains a biography, is the nearest approach to a work 

 of fiction of which I have yet been guilty. 



The " Hume " was sent, and I hope reached you a 

 week ago, and as my conscience just now inquired in a 

 very sneering and unpleasant tone whether I had any 

 further pretence for not writing on hand, I thought I 

 might as well stop her mouth at once. 



You will see oddly enough that I have answered your 

 question about dreams in a sort of way on page 96. 1 



You will get nothing but praise for your book, and I 

 shall be vilipended for mine. Is that fact, or is it not, 

 an evidence of a special Providence and Divine Govern- 

 ment ? 



Pray remember me very kindly to Mrs. Skelton. I 

 hope your interrupted visit will yet become a fact. We 

 have a clean bill of health now. Ever yours very faith- 

 fully, T. H. HUXLEY. 



SCOTTISH UNIVERSITY COMMISSION, 

 31 QUEEN STREET, EDINBURGH, April 2, 1879. 



MY DEAR SKELTON I shall be delighted to dine with 

 you on Wednesday, and take part in any discussion either 

 moral or immoral that may be started. Ever yours very 

 faithfully, T. H. HUXLEY. 



March 15, 1879. 



MY DEAB MRS. TYNDALL Your hearty letter is as 

 good as a bottle of the best sunshine. Yes, I will lunch 

 with you on Friday with pleasure, and Jess proposes to 

 attend on the occasion. . . . Her husband is in Gloucester, 

 and so doesn't count The absurd creature declares she 

 must go back to him on Saturday stuff and sentiment 



1 Cp. Essays in Romance, p. 329 ; Huxley's Hume, p. 96. 



