LETTERS TO H. SPENCER 



155 



4 Marlborough Place, Nov. 25, 1886. 



My dear Spencer — In spite of all prohibition I must write 

 to you about two things. First, as to the proof returned here- 

 with — I really have no criticisms to make (miracles, after all, 

 may not be incredible). I have read your account of your boy- 

 hood with great interest, and I find nothing there which does 

 not contribute to the understanding of the man. No doubt about 

 the truth of evolution in your own case. 



Another point which has interested me immensely is the 

 curious similarity to many recollections of my own boyish nature 

 which I find, especially in the matter of demanding a reason 

 for things and having no respect for authority. 



But I was more docile, and could remember anything I had 

 a mind to learn, whether it was rational or irrational, only in the 

 latter case I hadn't the mind. 



But you were infinitely better off than I in the matter of 

 education. I had two years of a Pandemonium of a school (be- 

 tween 8 and 10) and after that neither help nor sympathy in any 

 intellectual direction till I reached manhood. Good heavens ! 

 if I had had a father and uncle who troubled themselves about 

 my education as yours did about your training, I might say as 

 Bethell said of his possibilities had he come under Jowett, 

 " There is no knowing to what eminence I might not have 

 attained." Your account of them gives me the impression that 

 they were remarkable persons. Men of that force of character, 

 if they had been less wise and self-restrained, would have played 

 the deuce with the abnormal chicken hatched among them. 



The second matter is that your diabolical plot against Lilly 

 has succeeded — vide the next number of the Fortnightly* I 

 was fool enough to read his article, and the rest followed. But 

 I do not think I should have troubled myself if the opportunity 

 had not been good for clearing off a lot of old scores. 



The bad weather for the last ten days has shown me that 

 I want screwing up, and I am off to Ilkley on Saturday for a 

 week or two. Ilkley Wells House will be my address. I should 

 like to know that you are picking up again. — Ever yours very 

 faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



And again on December 13 : — 



I am very glad to have news of you which on the whole is 

 not unsatisfactory. Your conclusion as to the doctors is one 



* Science and Morals, Coll. Ess. ix. 117. 



