192 



LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, xi 



The Delta business must wait till after the 30th. I have no 

 heart for anything just now. 



The letters following were written in answer to letters 

 of sympathy. 



85 Marina, St. Leonards, Nov. 25, 1887. 



My dear Mr. Clodd — Let me thank you on my wife's behalf 

 and my own for your very kind and sympathetic letter. 



My poor child's death is the end of more than three years of 

 suffering on her part, and deep anxiety on ours. I suppose 

 we ought to rejoice that the end has come, on the whole, so 

 mercifully. But I find that even I, who knew better, hoped 

 against hope, and my poor wife, who was unfortunately already 

 very ill, is quite heartbroken. Otherwise, she would have re- 

 plied herself to your very kind letter. 



She has never yet learned the art of sparing herself, and I 

 find it hard work to teach her. — Ever yours very faithfully, 



T. H. Huxley. 



In the same strain he writes to Dr. Dyster: — 



Rationally we must admit that it is best so. But then, what- 

 ever Linnaeus may say, man is not a rational animal — especially 

 in his parental capacity. 



85 Marina, St. Leonards, Nov. 25, 1887. 



My dear Knowles — I really must thank you very heartily 

 for your letter. It went to our hearts and did us good, and I 

 know you will like to learn that you have helped us in this 

 grievous time. 



My wife is better, but fit for very little ; and I do not let her 

 write a letter even, if I can help it. But it is a great deal harder 

 to keep her from doing what she thinks her duty than to get 

 most other people to do what plainly is their duty. 



With our kindest love and thanks to all of you — Ever, my 

 dear Knowles, yours very faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



Yes, you are quite right about " loyal." I love my friends 

 and hate my enemies, which may not be in accordance with the 

 Gospel, but I have found it a good wearing creed for honest 

 men. 



The " Address on behalf of the National Association for 

 the Promotion of Technical Education," first published in 

 the ensuing number of Science and Art, and reprinted in 



