388 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, xxv 



jects has, I hope, secured the future of Elementary Science in 

 London. Cannot you get as much done in Manchester? — Ever 

 yours faithfully, T. H. Huxley. 



Sir Charles Lyell was now nearly 74 years old, and 

 though he lived four years longer, age was beginning to 

 tell even upon his vigorous powers. A chance meeting with 

 him elicited the following letter : — 



26 Abbey Place, July 30, 1871. 



My dear Darwin — I met Lyell in Waterloo Place to-day 

 walking with Carrick Moore — and although what you said the 

 other day had prepared me, I was greatly shocked at- his ap- 

 pearance, and still more at his speech. There is no doubt it is 

 affected in the way you describe, and the fact gives me very 

 sad forebodings about him. The Fates send me a swift and 

 speedy end whenever my time comes. I think there is nothing 

 so lamentable as the spectacle of the wreck- of a once clear and 

 vigorous mind ! 



I am glad Frank enjoyed his visit to us. He is a great 

 favourite here, and I hope he will understand that he is free 

 of the house. It was the greatest fun to see Jess and Mady * 

 on their dignity with him. No more kissing, I can tell you. 

 Miss Mady was especially sublime. 



Six out of our seven children have the whooping-cough. 

 Need I say therefore that the wife is enjoying herself? 



With best regards to Mrs. Darwin and your daughter (and 

 affectionate love to Polly) believe me. — Ever yours faithfully, 



T. H. Huxley. 



The purchase of the microscope, already referred to, was 

 the subject of another letter to Dr. Dohrn, of which only 

 the concluding paragraph about the School Board, is of 

 general interest. Unfortunately the English microscope did 

 not turn out a success, as compared to the work of the 

 Jena opticians : this is the " optical Sadowa " of the second 

 letter. 



I fancy from what you wrote to my wife that there has been 

 some report of my doings about the School Board in Germany. 

 So I send you the number of the Contemporary Review \ for 



* Aged 13 and 12 respectively. 



\ Containing his article on " The School Boards," etc. 



