LETTERS 



355 



construed strictly, among the chief. You should do as I have 

 done — set up a garden and water it yourself for two hours every 

 day, besides pottering about to see how things grow (or don't 

 grow this weather) for a couple more. 



Sundry box-trees, the majority of which have been getting 

 browner every day since I planted them three months ago, have 

 interested me almost as much as the general election. They 

 typify the Empire with the G.O.M. at work at the root of it ! 

 — Ever yours very faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



Hodeslea, Oct. 18, 1892. 



My dear Romanes — I throw dust and ashes on my head for 

 having left your letter almost a week unanswered. But I went 

 to Tennyson's funeral ; and since then my whole mind has been 

 given to finishing the reply forced upon me by Harrison's article 

 in the Fortnightly, and I have let correspondence slide. I think 

 it will entertain you when it appears in November — and perhaps 

 interest — by the adumbration of the line I mean to take if ever 

 that " Romanes " Lecture at Oxford comes off. 



As to Madeira — I do not think you could do better. You 

 can have as much quiet there as in Venice, for there are next 

 to no carts or carriages. I was at an excellent hotel, the " Bona 

 Vista," kept by an Englishman in excellent order, and delight- 

 fully situated on the heights outside Funchal. When once ac- 

 climatised and able to bear moderate fatigue, I should say noth- 

 ing would be more delightful and invigorating than to take tents 

 and make the round of the island. There is nothing I have 

 seen anywhere which surpasses the cliff scenery of the north 

 side, or on the way thither, the forest of heaths as big as syca- 

 mores. 



There is a matter of natural history which might occupy 

 without fatiguing you, and especially without calling for any 

 great use of the eyes. That is the effect of Madeiran climate on 

 English plants transported there — and. the way in which the 

 latter are beating the natives. There is a Doctor who has lots of 

 information on the topic. You may trust anything but his physic. 



[The rest of the letter gives details about scientific litera- 

 ture touching Madeira.] 



A piece of advice to his son anent building a house : — 



Sept. 22, 1892. 

 Lastly and biggestly, don't promise anything, agree to any- 

 thing, nor sign anything (swear you are an " illiterate voter " 



