j, LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, vni 



I am glad to be able to send you a copy of my memoir on the 

 morphology of the Mollusca. It shows signs of age outside, but 

 I beg you to remember that it is 33 years old. 



I am rejoiced to think you find it still worth consulting. It 

 has always been my intention to return to the subject some day, 

 and to try to justify my old conclusions— as I think they may 

 be justified. 



But it is very doubtful whether my intention will now ever 

 be carried into effect. — I am yours very faithfully, 



T. H. Huxley. 



Mr. Gladstone's second article appeared in the January 

 number of the Nineteenth Century. To this the following 

 letter refers : — 



4 Marlborough Place, N.W. , Jan. 21, 1886. 



My dear Skelton — Thanks for your capital bit of chaff. I 

 took a thought and began to mend (as Burns' friend and my 

 prototype (G.O.M.) is not yet recorded to have done) about a 

 couple of months ago, and then Gladstone's first article caused 

 such a flow of bile that I have been the better for it ever since. 



I need not tell you I am entirely crushed by his reply — still 

 the worm will turn and there is a faint squeak (as of a rat in 

 the mouth of a terrier) about to be heard in the next Nine- 

 teenth. 



But seriously, it is to me a grave thing that the destinies of 

 this country should at present be seriously influenced by a man, 

 who, whatever he may be in the affairs of which I am no judge 

 — is nothing but a copious shuffler, in those which I do under- 

 stand. — With best wishes to Mrs. Skelton and yourself, ever 

 yours very faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



With the article in the February number of the Nine- 

 teenth Century, he concluded his tilt with Mr. Gladstone 

 upon the interpretation of Genesis. His supposed " unjaded 

 appetite " for controversy was already satiated ; and he 

 begged leave to retire from " that ' atmosphere of conten- 

 tion ' in which Mr. Gladstone has been able to live, alert 

 and vigorous beyond the common race of men, as if it were 

 purest mountain air," for the " Elysium " of scientific debate, 

 which " suits my less robust constitution better." A vain 

 hope. Little as he liked controversy at bottom, in spite 

 of the skill — it must be allowed, at times, a pleasurable 



