266 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, xv 



I have been discussing have merely an academic interest, let 

 me suggest once more that a century ago Robespierre and St. 

 Just proved that the way of answering them may have ex- 

 tremely practical consequences. 



Without pretending to offer any off-hand solution for so 

 vast a problem, he suggests two points in conclusion. One, 

 that in considering the matter we should proceed from the 

 known to the unknown, and take warning from the results 

 of either extreme in self-government or the government 

 of a family ; the other, that the central point is " the fact 

 that the natural order of things — the order, that is to say, 

 as unmodified by human effort — does not tend to bring 

 about what we understand as welfare." The population 

 question has first to be faced. 



The following letters cover the period up to the trip 

 to the Canaries, already alluded to : — 



3 Jevington Gardens, Eastbourne, 

 Jan. 6, 1890. 



My dear Foster — That capital photograph reached me just 

 as we were going up to town (invited for the holidays by our 

 parents), and I put it in my bag to remind me to write to you. 

 Need I say that I brought it back again without having had the 

 grace to send a line of thanks? By way of making my peace, 

 I have told the Fine Art Society to send you a copy of the en- 

 graving of my sweet self. I have not had it framed — firstly, 

 because it is a hideous nuisance to be obliged to hang a frame 

 one may not like ; and secondly, because by possibility you might 

 like some other portrait better, in which case, if you will tell 

 me, I will send that other. I should like you to have something 

 by way of reminder of T. H. H. 



When Harry * has done his work at Bart's at the end of 

 March I am going to give him a run before he settles down to 

 practice. Probably we shall go to the Canaries. I hear that the 

 man who knows most about them is Dr. Guillemard, a Cam- 

 bridge man. " Kennst du ihn wohl ? " Perhaps he might give 

 me a wrinkle. 



With our united best wishes to you all — Ever yours very 

 faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



* His younger son. 



