1877 A FRIEND IN NEED 517 



for help, asking if some work could not be put in his way. 

 Huxley could think of nothing immediate but to suggest 

 some lessons in German literature to his children, though 

 in fact they were well provided for with a German govern- 

 ess; nevertheless he thought it a proper occasion to avail 

 himself of his friend's offer to give help in deserving cases. 

 He writes to his wife : — 



I made up my mind to write to X. the day before yesterday ; 

 this morning by return of post he sends me a cheque not only 

 for the £60 which I said H. needed, but £5 over for his present 

 needs with a charming letter. 



It came in the nick of time, as H. came an hour or two 

 after it arrived, and with many apologies told me he was quite 

 penniless. The poor old fellow was quite overcome when I 

 told him how matters stood, and it was characteristic that as 

 soon as he got his breath again, he wanted to know when he 

 would begin teaching the children ! I sent him to get an order 

 on the Naples bank for the discharge of his debt there. X.'s 

 express stipulation was that his name should not be mentioned, 

 so mind you say not a word about his most kind and gener- 

 ous act. 



The following letters of miscellaneous interest were 

 written in this year : — 



4 Marlborough Place, Nov. 21, 1877. 



My dear Morley — I am always at the command of the 

 Fortnightly so long as you are editor, but I don't think that the 

 Belemnite * business would do for you. The story would hardly 

 be intelligible without illustrations. 



There are two things I am going to do which may be more 

 to the purpose. One is a screed on Technical Education which 

 I am going to give to the Working Men's Union on the 1st 

 December. 



The other is a sort of Eloge on Harvey at the Royal Insti- 

 tution in March apropos of his 300th birthday — which was All- 

 fools Day. 



You shall have either of these you like, but I advise Harvey; 

 as if I succeed in doing what I shall aim at it will be interesting. 



Why the deuce do you live at Brighton ? St. John's Wood 

 is far less cockneyfied, and its fine and Alpine air would be 



* The lecture at the London Institution mentioned above. 



