1893 THE ROMANES LECTURE 371 



whether he would undertake the second lecture for 1893. 

 Huxley suggested a possible bar in his precarious health ; 

 but subject to this possibility, if the Vice-Chancellor did not 

 regard it as a complete disability, was willing to accept a 

 formal invitation. 



Professor Romanes reassured him upon this point, and 

 further begged him, if possible, to be ready to step into the 

 breach if Mr. Gladstone should be prevented from lecturing 

 in the following autumn. The situation became irresistible, 

 and the second of the following letters to Mr. Romanes 

 displays no more hesitation. 



To Professor Romanes 



Hodeslea, June 3, 1892. 



I should have written to you yesterday, but the book did not 

 arrive till this morning. Very many thanks for it. It looks 

 appetising, and I look forward to the next course. 



As to the Oxford lecture, " Verily, thou almost persuadest 

 me," though I thought I had finished lecturing. I really should 

 like to do it; but I have a scruple about accepting an engagement 

 of this important kind, which I might not be able to fulfil. 



I am astonishingly restored, and have not had a trace of 

 heart trouble for months. But I am quite aware that I am, 

 physically speaking, on good behaviour — and maintain my con- 

 dition only by taking an amount of care which is very distaste- 

 ful to me. 



Furthermore, my wife's health is, I am sorry to say, ex- 

 tremely precarious. She was very ill a fortnight ago, and to 

 my very great regret, as well as hers, we are obliged to give up 

 iour intended visit to Balliol to-morrow. She is quite unfit to 

 travel, and I cannot leave her here alone for three days. 



I think the state of affairs ought to be clear to the Vice- 

 Chancellor. If, in his judgment, it constitutes no hindrance, and 

 he does me the honour to send the invitation, I shall accept it. 



To the Same 



Hodeslea,' June 7, 1892. 

 I am afraid that age hath not altogether cleared the spirit of 

 mischief out of my blood ; and there is something so piquant in 

 the notion of my acting as substitute for Gladstone that I will 

 be ready if necessity arises. 



