388 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP, xvi 



make M go and see them and tell me about them. 



As we are one flesh, it is just the same as if I had seen 

 them. 



Since the time of Constantine there has been nothing 

 but tawdry rubbish in the shape of architecture 1 the 

 hopeless bad taste of the Papists is a source of continual 

 gratification to me as a good Protestant (and something 

 more). As for the skies, they are as changeable as those 

 of England the only advantage is the absence of frost 

 and snow (raining cats and dogs this Sunday morning). 



But down to the time of Constantine, Rome is endlessly 

 interesting, and if I were well I should like to spend 

 some months in exploring it. As it is, I do very little, 

 though I have contrived to pick up all I want to know 

 about Pagan Rome and the Catacombs, which last are my 

 especial weakness. 



My master and physician is bothered a good deal with 

 eczema otherwise very lively. All the chief collections 

 in Rome are provided with a pair of her spectacles, which 

 she leaves behind. Several new opticians' shops are set 

 up on the strength of the purchases in this line she is 

 necessitated to make. 



I want to be back at work, but I am horribly afraid 

 I should be no good yet We are thinking of going to 

 Florence at the end of this week to see what the drier 

 and colder air there will do. 



With our dear love to you all we are wae for a sight 

 of you Ever your loving father, T. H. HUXLEY. 



HOTEL VICTORIA, VIA DEI DUE MACELLI, 

 Jan. 16, 1885. 



MY DEAB FOSTER It seems to me that I am giving 

 my friends a world of trouble. . . . 



I have had a bad week of it, and the night before last 



1 For his appreciation of the great dome of the Pantheon, see 

 pp. 392, 442. 



