CHAPTER XXVI 



1872 



Dyspepsia, that most distressing of maladies, had laid 

 firm hold upon him. He was compelled to take entire rest 

 for a time. But his first holiday produced no lasting effect, 

 and in the summer he was again very ill. Then the worry 

 of a troublesome lawsuit in connection with the building 

 of his new house intensified both bodily illness and mental 

 depression. He had great fears of being saddled with heavy 

 costs at the moment when he was least capable of meeting 

 any new expense — hardly able even to afford another much- 

 needed spell of rest. But in his case, as in others, at this 

 critical moment the circle of fellow-workers in science to 

 whom he was bound by ties of friendship, resolved that he 

 should at least not lack the means of recovery. In their 

 name Charles Darwin wrote him the following letter, of 

 which it is difficult to say whether it does more honour to 

 him who sent it or to him who received it : — 



Down, Beckenham, Kent, April 23, 1873. 

 My dear Huxley — I have been asked by some of your 

 friends (eighteen in number) to inform you that they have 

 placed through Robarts, Lubbock & Company, the sum of £2100 

 to your account at your bankers. We have done this to enable 

 you to get such complete rest as you may require for the re- 

 establishment of your health ; and in doing this we are con- 

 vinced that we act for the public interest, as well as in accord- 

 ance with our most earnest desires. Let me assure you that 

 we are all your warm personal friends, and that there is not a 

 stranger or mere acquaintance amongst us. If you could have 

 heard what was said, or could have read what was, as I believe, 

 our inmost thoughts, you would know that we all feel towards 

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