ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 



57 



ciety to become the apanage of rich men, or have the noble old 

 Society exploited by enterprising commercial gents who make 

 their profit out of the application of science. 



Mrs. President was not pleased — quite the contrary — but she 

 is mollified by the kindly expressions, public and private, which 

 have received the election. 



And there are none which we both value more than yours. 

 (I see I said that before, but I can't say it too often.) — Ever 

 yours very faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



Hindhead, July 8, 18S3. 



My dear Flower — Many thanks for your comforting letter. 

 When I am fairly committed to anything I generally have a cold 

 fit — and your judgment that I have done right is " grateful and 

 comforting " like Epps' Cocoa. It is not so much work as dis- 

 traction that is involved; and though it may put a stop to my 

 purely scientific work for a while, I don't know that I could be 

 better employed in the interests of science than in trying to 

 keep the Royal Society straight. 



My wife was very much against it at first — and indeed when 

 I was first spoken to I declared that I would not go on after 

 next St. Andrew's Day. But a good deal of pressure was 

 brought to bear by some of my friends, and if the Fellows don't 

 turn me out I shall say with MacMahon, " J'y suis et j'y reste." 

 — Ever yours very faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



We have run down here for a day, but are back to-morrow. 



4 Marlborough Place, July 10, 1883. 



My dear Spencer — What an agreeable surprise your letter 

 has been. I have been expecting the most awful scolding for 

 taking more work, and behold as sweetly congratulatory an 

 epistle as a man could wish. 



Three weeks ago I swore by all my gods that I would not 

 take the offer at any price, but I suppose the infusion of Theism 

 was too homoeopathic for the oath to bind. 



Go on sleeping, my dear friend. If you are so amiable with 

 three nights, what will you be with three weeks ? 



What a shame no rain is sent you. You will be speaking 

 about Providence as I heard of a Yankee doing the other day 

 — " Wal, sir, I guess he's good ; but he's careless." 



I think there is a good deal in that view of the government 

 of the world. — Ever yours very faithfully, 



T. H. Huxley. 



