108 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, vi 



all the world has heard, are a sore burden to the conscience if 

 you don't go to see them, and an awful trial to the back and 

 legs if you do; and thirdly, that the climate is productive of a 

 peculiar kind of relaxed throat. M.'s throat discovered it, but 

 on enquiry, it proved to be a law of nature, at least, so the oldest 

 inhabitants say. We called on them to-day. 



But it is a lovely place for all that, far better than Rome as a 

 place to live in, and full of interesting things. We had a morn- 

 ing at the Uffizii the other day, and came back with minds en- 

 larged and backs broken. To-morrow we contemplate attacking 

 the Pitti, and doubt not the result will be similar. By the end 

 of the week our minds will probably [be] so large, and the small 

 of the back so small that we should probably break if we stayed 

 any longer, so think it prudent to be off to Venice. Which Fri- 

 day is the day we go, reaching Venice Saturday or Sunday. 

 Pension Suisse, Canal Grande, as before. And mind we have 

 letters waiting for us there, or your affectionate Pater will 

 emulate the historical " cocky.'' 



I got much better at Siena, probably the result of the medici- 

 nal nature of the city, the name of which, as a well-instructed 

 girl like you knows, is derived from the senna, which grows wild 

 there, and gives the soil its peculiar pigmentary character. 



But unfortunately I forgot to bring any with me, and the 

 effect went off during the first few days of our residence here, 

 when I was, as the Italians say, " molto basso nel bocca." How- 

 ever I am picking up again now, and if people wouldn't call 

 upon us, I feel there might be a chance for me. 



I except from that remark altogether the dear Walpoles who 

 are here and as nice as ever. Mrs. Walpole's mother and sister 

 live here, and the W.'s are on a visit to them but leave on 

 Wednesday. They go to Venice, but only for two or three days. 



We shall probably stay about a fortnight in Venice, and then 

 make our way back by easy stages to London. We are wae to 

 see you all again. 



Doctor M [Mrs. Huxley] has just been called in to a 



case of sore throat in the person of a young lady here, and is 

 quite happy. The young lady probably will not be, when she 

 finds herself converted into a sort of inverted mustard-pot, with 

 the mustard outside ! She is one of a very nice family of girls, 

 who (by contrast) remind us of our own. — Ever your loving 

 (to all) father, Pater. 



Mrs. M has just insisted on seeing this letter. 



