344 



LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, xix 



devil of a memory — and, moreover, I think the precedent of 

 great importance. 



I have always been dead against orders of merit and the 

 like, but I think that men of letters and science who have been 

 of use to the nation (Lord knows if I have) may fairly be 

 ranked among its nominal or actual councillors. 



As for yourself it is only one more kindness on the top of 

 a heap so big I shall say nothing about it. 



Mrs. Right Honourable sends her love to you both, and 

 promises not to be proud. — Ever yours very faithfully, 



T. H. Huxley. 



Con-y-Gedal Hotel, Barmouth, Aug. 20, 1892. 



My dear Donnelly — I began to think that Lord Salisbury 

 had thought better of it — (I should not have been surprised at 

 all if he had) and was going to leave me a P.P.C. instead of a 

 P.C. when the announcement appeared yesterday. 



This morning, however, I received his own letter (dated 

 the 1 6th), which had been following me about. A very nice 

 letter it is too — he does the thing handsomely while he is 

 about it. 



Well, I think the thing is good for science ; I am not such a 

 self humbug as to pretend that my vanity is not pleasantly 

 tickled; but I do not think there is any aspect of the affair more 

 pleasant to me, than the evidence it affords of the strength of 

 our old friendship. Because with all respect for my noble 

 friends, deuce a one would ever have thought of it, unless you 

 had not only put it — but rubbed it — into their heads. 



I have not forgotten that private and confidential document 

 that you were so disgusted to find had been delivered to me ! 

 You have tried it on before — so don't deny it. 



But bless my soul, how profound is old Cole's remark about 

 the humour of public affairs. To think of a Conservative Gov- 

 ernment — pride of the Church — going out of its way to honour 

 one not only of the wicked, but of the notoriousest and plain- 

 spoken wickedness. My wife and I drove over to Dolgelly yes- 

 terday — do you know it? one of the loveliest things in the three 

 kingdoms — and every now and then had a laugh over this very 

 quaint aspect of the affair. 



Can you tell me what I shall have to do in the dim and dis- 

 tant future ? I suppose I shall have to go and swear somewhere 

 (I am always ready to do that on occasion). Is admission to 

 the awful presence of H.M. involved? Shall I have to rig up 



