224 



LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, xiii 



refreshing, and there is so much light in the southern quarter 

 just now, that we confidently hope to see the sun once more in 

 the course of a few days. 



As I told you in my official letter, I am going up for the 

 30th. But I am in a quandary about the dinner, partly by reason 

 of the inevitable speech, and partly the long sitting. I should 

 very much like to attend, and I think I could go through with 

 it. On the other hand, my wife declares it would be very im- 

 prudent, and I am not quite sure she is wrong. I wish you 

 would tell me exactly what you think about the matter. 



The way I pick up directly I get into good air makes me 

 suspect myself of malingering, and yet I certainly had grown 

 very seedy in London before we left. — Ever yours, 



T. H. Huxley. 



10 Southclifp Terrace, Eastbourne, Nov. 13, 1888. 



My dear Foster — We are very sorry to hear about Michael 

 Junior.* Expcrto crede; of all anxieties the hardest to bear is 

 that about one's children. But considering the way you got off 

 yourself and have become the hearty and bucolic person you are, 

 I think you ought to be cheery. Everybody speaks well of the 

 youngster, and he is bound to behave himself well and get strong 

 as swiftly as possible. 



Though very loth, I give up the dinner. But unless I am on 

 my back I shall turn up at the meeting. I think that is a com- 

 promise very creditable to my prudence. 



Though it is blowing a gale of wind from S.W. to-day there 

 is real sunshine, and it is fairly warm. I am very glad we came 

 here instead of that beastly Brighton. — Ever yours very faith- 

 fully, T. H. Huxley. 



10 Southcliff Terrace, Eastbourne, Nov. 15, 1888. 



My dear Evans — I am very sorry to have missed you. I 

 told my doctor that while the weather was bad it was of no use 

 to go away, and when it was fine I might just as well stop at 

 home ; but he did not see the force of my reasoning, and packed 

 us off here. 



The award of the Copley is a kindness I feel very much. . . . 



* Sir M. Foster's son was threatened with lung trouble, and was 

 ordered to live abroad. He proposed to carry his medical experience 

 to the Maloja and practise there during the summer. Huxley offered 

 to give him some introductions. 



