LETTERS 



213 



I have neither brains nor nerves, and the very thought of 

 controversy puts me in a blue funk ! 



My doctors prophesy good things, as there is no valvular 

 disease, only dilatation. But for the present I must subscribe 

 myself (from an editorial point of view) — Your worthless and 

 useless and bad-hearted friend, T. H. Huxley. 



The British Association was to meet at Plymouth this 

 year; and Mr. W. F. Collier (an uncle of John Collier, his 

 son-in-law) invited Huxley and any friend of his to be his 

 guest at Horrabridge. 



4 Marlborough Place, June 13, 1888. 



My dear Mr. Collier — It would have been a great pleasure 

 to me to be your guest once more, but the Fates won't have it 

 this time. 



Dame Nature has given me a broad hint that I have had my 

 innings, and, for the rest of my time, must be content to look on 

 at the players. 



It is not given, to all of us to defy the doctors and go in for 

 a new lease, as I am glad to hear you are doing. I declare that 

 your open invitation to any friend of mine is the most touching 

 mark of confidence I ever received. I am going to send it to 

 my great ally Michael Foster, Secretary of the Royal Society. 

 I do not know whether he has made any other arrangements, 

 and I am not quite sure whether he and his wife are going to 

 Plymouth. But I hope they may be able to accept, for you will 

 certainly like them, and they will certainly like you. I will ask 

 him to write directly to you to save time. 



With very kind remembrances to Mrs. Collier — Ever yours 

 very faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



I forgot to say that I am mending as fast as I can expect 

 to do. 



