1890 LETTERS 29I 



Hodeslea, Eastbourne, Jan. 30, 1891. 



My dear Hooker — I trust I have done with Booth and Co. 

 at last. What an ass a man is to try to prevent his fellow- 

 creatures from being humbugged ! Surely I am old enough to 

 know better. I have not been so well abused for an age. It's 

 quite like old times. 



And now I have to settle accounts with the duke and the 

 G.O.M. I wonder when the wicked will let me be at peace. — 

 Ever yours affectionately, T. H. Huxley. 



Other letters touch upon the politics of the hour, espe- 

 cially upon the sudden and dramatic fall of Parnell. He 

 could not but admire the power and determination of the 

 man, and his political methods, an admiration rashly inter- 

 preted by some journalist as admiration of the objects to 

 which these political methods were applied. (See p. 134.) 



Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, Nov. 26, 1890. 



My dear Lecky — Very many thanks for your two volumes, 

 which I rejoice to have, especially as a present from you. I was 

 only waiting until we were settled in our new house — as I hope 

 we shall be this time next week — to add them to the set which 

 already adorn my shelves, and I promise myself soon to enjoy 

 the reading of them. 



The Unionist cause is looking up. What a strange thing it 

 is that the Irish malcontents are always sold, one way or the 

 other, by their leaders. 



I wonder if the G.O.M. ever swears ! Pity if he can't have 

 that relief just now. 



With our united kind regards to Mrs. Lecky and yourself — 

 Ever yours very faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, Nov. 29, 1890. 



My dear Hooker — I have filled up and sent your and my 

 copies of entry for Athenaeum. 



Carpenter has written the best popular statement I know of, 

 of the results of criticism, in a little book called The First Three 

 Gospels, which is well worth reading. [See p. 282.] 



I have promised to go to R.S. dinner and propose Stokes' 

 health on Monday, but if the weather holds out as Arctic as it 

 is now, I shall not dare to venture. The driving east wind, 

 blowing the snow before it here, has been awful; for ten years 

 they have had nothing like it. I am glad to say that my little 



