394 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. XVI 



prevalence of [them] among the modern or ancient 

 except for Caesar Romani, the fact is not so interesting 

 as it might appear, and I would not advise you to tell 

 of it. 



Behold a Goak feeble, but promising of better things. 



My wife unites with me with love to Mrs. Donnelly 

 and yourself. Ever yours, T. H. HUXLEY. 



The following letter refers to the fourth edition 

 of the Lessons in Elementary Physiology, in the prepara- 

 tion of which Dr. Foster had been helping during the 

 summer : 



HOTEL VICTORIA, ROME, VIA DEI DUE MACELLI 

 Feb. 1, 1885. 



MY DEAR FOSTER Anything more disgraceful than 

 the way in which I have left your letter of more than a 

 fortnight ago unanswered, I don't know. I thought the 

 wife had written about the leave (and she thought I had, 

 as she has told you), but I knew I had not answered the 

 questions about the title, still less considered the awful 

 incubus (x 10,000 dinners by hepatic deep objection) of 

 the preface. 



There is such a thing as justice in this world not 

 much of it, but still some and it is partly on that 

 ground and partly because I want you, in view of future 

 eventualities, to have a copyright in the book, that I 

 proposed we should join our names. 



Of course, if you would really rather not, for any good 

 reason you may have, I have nothing further to say. 

 But I don't think that the sentimental reason is a good 

 one, and unless you have a better, I wish you would let 

 the original proposal stand. 



However, having stated the case afresh I leave it for 

 you to say yes or no, and shall abide by your decision 

 without further discussion. 



