1884 LETTERS TO FOSTER 363 



HlGHCBOFT HOUSE, MlLFORD, 



GODALMING, Aug. 26, 1884. 



DEARLY BELOVED I have been going over the ear 

 chapter this morning, and, as you will see, have suggested 

 some additions. Those about the lamina spiralis are 

 certainly necessary illus. substitution of trihedral for 

 triangular. 1 I want also very much to get into heads of 

 students that in sensation it is all modes of motion up 

 to and in sensorium, and that the generation of feeling is 

 the specific reaction of a particle of the sensorium when 

 stimulated, just as contraction, etc., is the specific re- 

 action of a muscular fibre when stimulated by its nerve. 

 The psychologists make the fools of themselves they do 

 because they have never mastered this elementary fact 

 But I am not sure whether I have put it well, and I 

 wish you would give your mind to it. As for me I have 

 not had much mind to give lately a fortnight's spoon- 

 ineat reduced me to inanity, and I am only just picking 

 up again. However, I walked ten miles yesterday after- 

 noon, so there is not much the matter. 



I will see what I can do with the histology business. 2 

 I wanted to re-write it, but I am not sure yet whether I 

 shall be able. 



Between ourselves, I have pretty well made up my 

 mind to clear out of everything next year, R.S. included. 

 I loathe the thought of wasting any more of my life in 

 endless distractions and so long as I live in London 

 there is no escape for me. I have half a mind to live 

 abroad for six months in the year. Ever yours, 



T. H. H. 



1 On Sept. 8, he writes: "I have been laughing over my 

 'trihedron.' It is a regular bull." 



2 "Most of our examinees " (he writes on Sept. 5) " have not a 

 notion of what histology means at present. I think it will be 

 good for other folks to get it into their heads that it is not all 

 sections and carmine." 



