8 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, i 



You will get nothing but praise for your book, and I shall be 

 vilipended for mine. Is that fact, or is it not an evidence of a 

 special Providence and Divine Government? 



Pray remember me very kindly to Mrs. Skelton. I hope your 

 interrupted visit will yet become a fact. We have a clean bill 

 of health now. — Ever yours very faithfully, 



T. H. Huxley. 



Scottish University Commission, 



31 Queen Street, Edinburgh, April 2, 1879. 

 My dear Skelton — I shall be delighted to dine with you on 

 Wednesday, and take part in any discussion either moral or 

 immoral that may be started. — Ever yours very faithfully, 



T. H. Huxley. 



March 15, 1879. 

 My dear Mrs. Tyndall — Your hearty letter is as good as a 

 bottle of the best sunshine. Yes, I will lunch with you on Friday 

 with pleasure, and Jess proposes to attend on the occasion. . . . 

 Her husband is in Gloucester, and so doesn't count. The absurd 

 creature declares she must go back to him on Saturday — stuff 

 and sentiment. She has only been here six or seven weeks. 

 There is nothing said in Scripture about a wife cleaving to her 

 husband ! — With all our loves, ever yours very sincerely, 



T. H. Huxley. 



The next is to his son, then at St. Andrews University, 

 on winning a scholarship tenable at Oxford. 



South Kensington, April 21, 1879. 



My dear Boy — I was very glad to get your good news this 



morning, and I need not tell you whether M was pleased or 



not. 



But the light of nature doth not inform us of the value and 

 duration of the " Guthrie " — and from a low and material point 

 of view I should like to be informed on that subject. However, 

 this is " mere matter of detail " as the Irishman said when he 

 was asked how he had killed his landlord. The pleasure to us is 

 that you have made good use of your opportunities, and finished 

 this first stage of your journey so creditably. 



I am about to write to the Master of Balliol for advice as to 

 your future proceedings. In the meanwhile, go in for the enjoy- 

 ment of your holiday with a light heart. You have earned it. 

 — Ever your loving father, T. H. Huxley. 



