1886 LETTER TO DONNELLY 459 



idea, but why on earth have they arranged that it shall 

 arrive in the middle of the hot weather? Speechifying 

 with the thermometer at 90 in the shade will try the 

 nerves of the delegates, I can tell them. 



I shall remain quietly here and see whether I can 

 stand London. I hope I may, for the oestrus of work is 

 upon me for the first time this couple of years. Let 

 me have some news of you. With our love to your wife 

 and you Ever yours, T. H. HUXLEY. 



4 MARLBOROUGH PLACE, N.W., 



Sept. 14, 1886. 



MY DEAR DONNELLY I hear that some of your 

 alguazils were looking after me yesterday, so I had better 

 give myself up at once hoping it will be considered in 

 the sentence. 



The fact is I have been going to write to you ever 

 since we came back last Thursday evening, but I had 

 about fifty other letters to write and got sick of the 

 operation. 



We are all in great force, and as for me, I never 

 expected a year ago to be as well as I am. I require to 

 look in the glass and study the crows' feet and the 

 increasing snow cap on the summit of my Tete noire (as 

 it once was), to convince myself I am not twenty years 

 younger. 



How long it will last I don't feel sure, but I am going 

 to give London as little chance as possible. 



I trust you have all been thriving to a like extent. 

 Scott 1 wrote to me the other day wanting to take his 

 advanced flock (2 one, I believe, a ewe-lamb) to Kew. 

 I told him I had no objection, but he had better consult 

 you. 



I have not been to S.K. yet as I have a devil 

 (botanical ) and must satisfy him before doing anything 



1 Assistant Professor of Botany at the Royal College of Science. 



