186 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. IX 



But if I go on talking in this way you will wonder what 

 has come over my philosophership. Ever yours, 



T. H. HUXLEY. 



Black Care was still in the background, but had 

 relaxed her hold upon him. His spirits rose to the 

 old point of gaiety. He writes how he gives a lively 

 lecture to his students, and in the midst of it Satan 

 prompts him to crow or howl a temptation happily 

 resisted. He makes atrocious puns in bidding Hooker 

 to the wedding, which took place on July 21. 



JEKMYN STREET, July 6, 1855. 



MY DEAR HOOKER I ought long since to have 

 thanked you in Thomson's name as well as my own for 

 your Flora Indica. Some day I promise myself much 

 pleasure and profit from the digestion of the Introductory 

 Essay, which is probably as much as my gizzard is com- 

 petent to convert into nutrition. 



I terminate my Baccalaureate and take my degree of 

 M.A.trimony (isn't that atrocious ?) on Saturday, July 21. 

 After the unhappy criminals have been turned off, there 

 will be refreshment provided for the sheriffs, chaplain, 

 and spectators. Will you come ? Don't if it is a bore, 

 but I should much like to have you there. 



It was not a large party that assembled at the 

 George Huxleys for the wedding, but all were life- 

 long friends, including, besides the Fanning clan and 

 Mrs. Griffiths, an old Australian ally, Hooker, 

 Tyndall, and Dr. and Mrs. Carpenter. There was 

 none present but felt that abundant happiness was at 

 least well earned after eight years of trial, and still 

 more that its best guarantee was the firm loyalty 



