460 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. XIX 



else. It's the greatest sign of amendment that I have 

 gone in for science afresh. When I am ill (and conse- 

 quently venomous), nothing satisfies me but gnawing at 

 theology ; it's a sort of crib-biting. 



Our love to Mrs. Donnelly. I suppose G.H. 1 is by 

 this time a kind of Daniel Lambert physically and 

 Solomon mentally my blessing to him. Ever yours 

 very faithfully, T. H. HUXLEY. 



As a sequel to the sad event mentioned in the 

 former letter, the relations of the young man who 

 had died so suddenly at Arolla wished to offer Huxley 

 some gift in grateful recognition of the kindness he 

 had shown to the poor fellow ; but being unable to 

 fix upon any suitable object, begged him to accept a 

 considerable sum of money and expend it on any 

 object he pleased as a memento. To this he replied, 

 November 21, 1886 : 



I am very much obliged for the kindly recognition of 

 my unfortunately unavailing efforts to be of service to 

 your brother-in-law which is contained in your letter. 



But I and those who right willingly helped me did 

 nothing more than our plain duty in such a case ; and 

 though I fully appreciate the motives which actuate 



Mrs. and yourself and friends, and would gladly 



accept any trifle as a memento of my poor friend (I call 

 him so, for we really struck up a great friendship in our 

 twelve hours' acquaintance), I could not with any comfort 

 use the very handsome cheque you offer. 



Let me propose a compromise. As you will see by 

 the enclosed paper, a colleague of mine has just died 

 leaving widow and children in very poor circumstances. 



1 Gordon Huxley Donnelly, Sir John's son. 



