436 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. XVIII 



have done) about a couple of months ago, and then 

 Gladstone's first article caused such a flow of bile that I 

 have been the better for it ever since. 



I need not tell you I am entirely crushed by his 

 reply still the worm will turn and there is a faint 

 squeak (as of a rat in the mouth of a terrier) about to be 

 heard in the next Nineteenth. 



But seriously, it is to me a grave tiling that the 

 destinies of this country should at present be seriously 

 influenced by a man, who, whatever he may be in the 

 affairs of which I am no judge is nothing but a copious 

 shufner, in those which I do understand. With best 

 wishes to Mrs. Skelton and yourself, ever yours very 

 faithfully, 



T. H. HUXLEY. 



With the article in the February number of the 

 Nineteenth Century, he concluded his tilt with Mr. 

 Gladstone upon the interpretation of Genesis. His 

 supposed "unjaded appetite" for controversy was 

 already satiated ; and he begged leave to retire from 

 "that 'atmosphere of contention' in which Mr. 

 Gladstone has been able to live, alert and vigorous 

 beyond the common race of men, as if it were purest 

 mountain air," for the " Elysium " of scientific debate, 

 which "suits my less robust constitution better." 

 A vain hope. Little as he liked controversy at 

 bottom, in spite of the skill it must be allowed, at 

 times, a pleasurable skill in using the weapons of 

 debate, he was not to avoid it any more than he was 

 to avoid the east wind when he went to Bournemouth 

 from early in February till the end of March, of 

 which he writes on February 23 : 



