1882 LETTERS 329 



Two letters of thanks follow, one at the beginning 

 of the year to Mr. Herbert Spencer for the gift of a 

 very fine photograph of himself ; the other, at the 

 end of the year, to Mr. (afterwards Sir John) Skelton, 

 for his book on Mary Queen of Scots and the Casket 

 Letters. 



As to the former, it must be premised that Mr. 

 Spencer abhorred exaggeration and inexact talk, 

 and would ruthlessly prick the airy bubbles which 

 endued the conversation of the daughters of the 

 house with more buoyancy than strict logic, a gift 

 which, he averred, was denied to woman. 



4 MARLBOROUGH PLACE, 

 Jan. 25, 1882. 



MY DEAK SPENCER Best thanks for the photograph. 

 It is very good, though there is just a touch of severity 

 in the eye. We shall hang it up in the dining-room, 

 and if anybody is guilty of exaggerated expressions or 

 bad logic (five womenkind habitually sit round that 

 table), I trust they will feel that that eye is upon them. 

 Ever yours very faithfully, 



T. H. HUXLEY 



4 JkfAllLBO ROUGH PLACE, N.W 



Dec. 31, 1882. 



MY DEAR SKELTON If I may not thank you for the 

 book you have been kind enough to send me, I may at 

 anyrate wish you and Mrs. Skelton a happy New Year 

 and many on 'em. 



I am going to read your vindication of Mary Stuart 

 as soon as I can. Hitherto I am sorry to say I have 

 classed her with Eve, Helen, Cleopatra, Delilah, and 



