396 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY chap, xxvi 



last year. Doctors talk seriously to me, and declare that all 

 sorts of wonderful things will happen if I do not take some 

 more efficient rest than I have had for a long time. My wife 

 adds her quota of persuasion and admonition, until I really begin 

 to think I must do something, if only to have peace. 



What if I were to come and look you up in Naples, some- 

 where in February, as soon as my lectures are over? 



The " one-plate system " might cure me of my incessant 

 dyspeptic nausea. A detestable grub — larva of Ephestia elatella 

 —has been devouring Her Majesty's stores of biscuits at Gibral- 

 tar. I have had to look into his origin, history, and best way 

 of circumventing him — and maybe I shall visit Gibraltar and 

 perhaps Malta. In that case, you will see me turn up some of 

 these days at the Palazzo Torlonia. 



Herbert Spencer has written a friendly attack on " Adminis- 

 trative Nihilism," which I will send you ; in the same number of 

 the Fortnightly there is an absurd epicene splutter on the same 

 subject by Mill's step-daughter. Miss Helen Taylor. I intended 

 to publish the paper separately, with a note about Spencer's 

 criticism, but I have had no energy nor faculty to do anything 

 lately. 



Tell Lankester, with best regards, that I believe the teach- 

 ing of teachers in 1872 is arranged, and that I shall look for 

 his help in due course. 



The " Happy family " have had the measles since you saw 

 them, but they are well again. 



I write in Jermyn Street, so they cannot send messages; 

 otherwise there would be a chorus from them and the wife of 

 good wishes and kind remembrances. — Ever yours, 



T. H. Huxley. 



He left Southampton on January 11, in the Malta. On 

 the i6th, he notes in his diary, " I was up just in time to 

 see the great portal of the Mediterranean well. It was a 

 lovely morning, and nothing could be grander than Ape 

 Hill on one side and the Rock on the other, looking like 

 great lions or sphinxes on each side of a gateway." 



The morning after his arrival he breakfasted with Ad- 

 miral Hornby, who sent him over to Tangier in the Helicon, 

 giving the Bishop of Gibraltar a passage at the same time. 

 This led him to note down, " How the naval men love 

 Baxter and all his works." A letter from Dr. Hooker to 



