1855 HIS MARRIAGE jjg 



avoid. Happily another leading doctor held a much more 

 favourable opinion, and said that with care her strength 

 would come back, slowly but surely. 



14 Waverley Place, Wednesday. 



My dear Hooker — My wife and I met again on Sunday last, 

 and I have established herself, her father and mother, close by 

 me here at 8 Titchfield Terrace, Regent's Park, and whenever 

 you and Mrs. Hooker are in this part of the world, and can find 

 time to call there, you will find her anything but surprised to 

 see you. 



God help me ! I discover that I am as bad as any young fool 

 who knows no better, and if the necessity for giving six lectures 

 a week did not sternly interfere, I should be hanging about her 

 ladyship's apron-strings all day. She is in very bad health, 

 poor child, and I have some reason to be anxious, but I have 

 every hope she will mend with care. 



Oh this life ! " atra cura," as old Thackeray has it, sits on all 

 our backs and mingles with all our happiness. But if I go on 

 talking in this way you will wonder what has come over my 

 pliilosophership. — Ever yours, T. H. Huxley. 



Black Care was still in the background, but had relaxed 

 her hold upon him. His spirits rose to the old point of 

 gaiety. He writes how he gives a lively lecture to his 

 students, and in the midst of it Satan prompts him to crow 

 or howl — a temptation happily resisted. He makes atro- 

 cious puns in bidding Hooker to the wedding, which took 

 place on July 21. 



Jermyn Street, _/K/y 6, 1855. 



My dear Hooker — I ought long since to have thanked you 

 in Thomson's name as well as my own for your Flora Indica. 

 Some day I promise myself much pleasure and profit from the 

 digestion of the Introductory Essay, which is probably as much 

 as my gizzard is competent to convert into nutrition. 



I terminate my Baccalaureate and take my degree of M.A.- 

 trimony (isn't that atrocious?) on Saturday, July 21. After the 

 unhappy criminals have been turned ofif, there will be refresh- 

 ment provided for the sheriffs, chaplain, and spectators. Will 

 you come? Don't if it is a bore, but I should much like to have 

 you there. 



