1891 LETTER TO PROFESSOR PARKER 307 



To Professor T. Jeffery Parker, Otago 



Hodeslea, Eastbourne, Aug. 11, 1891. 



My dear Parker — It is a long time since your letter reached 

 me, but I was so unwise as to put off answering it until the book 

 arrived and I had read it. The book did not reach me for a long 

 time, and what with one thing and another I have but just 

 finished it. I assure you I am very proud of having my name 

 connected with such a thorough piece of work, no less than 

 touched by the kindness of the dedication. 



Looking back from the aged point of view, the life which 

 cost so much wear and tear in the living seems to have effected 

 very little, and it is cheering to be reminded that one has been 

 of some use. 



Some years of continued ill-health, involving constant travel- 

 ling about in search of better conditions than London affords, 

 and long periods of prostration, have driven me quite out of 

 touch with science. And indeed except for a certain toughness 

 of constitution I should have been driven out of touch with ter- 

 restrial things altogether. 



It is almost indecent in a man at my time of life who has had 

 two attacks of pleurisy, followed by a dilated heart, to be not 

 only above ground but fairly vigorous again. However, I am 

 obliged to mind my P's and Q's ; avoid everything like hard 

 work, and live in good air. 



The last condition we have achieved by setting up a house 

 close to the downs here ; and I begin to think with Candide that 

 " cultivons notre jardin" comprises the whole duty of man. 



I was just out of the way of hearing anything about the 

 University College chair; and indeed, beyond attending the 

 Council of the school when necessary, and meetings of Trustees 

 of the British Museum, I rarely go to London. 



I have had my innings, and it is now for the younger genera- 

 tion to have theirs. — With best wishes, ever yours very faith- 

 fully, T. H. Huxley. 



As for being no longer in touch with the world of sci- 

 ence, he says the same thing in a note to Sir M. Foster, for- 

 warding an inquiry after a scientific teacher (August 1). 



Please read the enclosed, and if you know of anybody suit- 

 able please send his name to Mr. Thomas. 



I have told him that I am out of the way of knowing, and 



