226 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. XII 



up afterwards and spoke exactly as I thought about it, 

 and praising many parts of it strongly. In his reply 

 he was unco civil and complimentary, so that the 

 people who had come in hopes of a row were (as I 

 intended they should be) disappointed. 



A number of miscellaneous letters of this period 

 are here grouped together. 



14 WAVERLEY PLACE, 

 January 30, 1858. 



MY DEAR HOOKER ... I wish' you wouldn't be 

 apologetic about criticism from people who have a right 

 to criticise. I always look upon any criticism as a 

 compliment, not but what the old Adam in T. H. H. 

 will arise and fight vigorously against all impugnment, 

 and irrespective of all odds in the way of authority, but 

 that is the way of the beast. 



Why I value your and Tyndall's and Darwin's friend- 

 ship so much is, among other things, that you all pitch 

 into me when necessary. You may depend upon it, 

 however blue I may look when in the wrong, it's wrath 

 with myself and nobody else. 



To His SISTER 



THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOL OF MINES, JERMYN ST., 

 March 27, 1858. 



MY DEAREST LIZZIE It is a month since your very 

 welcome letter reached me. I had every inclination and 

 every intention to answer it at once, but the wear and 

 tear of incessant occupation (for your letter arrived in 

 the midst of my busiest time) has, I will not say deprived 

 me of the leisure, but of that tone of mind which one 

 wants for writing a long letter. I fully understand no 

 one should be better able to comprehend how the same 

 causes may operate on you, but do not be silent so long 



