36 MY LIFE [Chap. 



months, learnt their language, studied them minutely, and 

 explored much of the surrounding country. I know of no 

 more daring feat by any traveller. A short account of this 

 exploration is given in Nature, vol. ix. p. 328. 



I used often to call in at Jermyn Street if I had any 

 question to ask Huxley, and he was always ready to give 

 me all the information in his power ; while I am pretty sure 

 I owe partly, if not largely, to his influence the grant of the 

 royal medal of the Royal Society, and perhaps also of the 

 Darwin medal. Once only there was a partial disturbance 

 of our friendly relations, of the exact cause of which I have 

 no record or recollection. I had published some paper in 

 which, I believe, I had stated some view which he had 

 originated without mentioning his name, and in such a way 

 as to leave the impression that I put it forth as original. 

 This I had no notion of doing ; but I think it was an idea 

 which had become quite familiar to me, and that I had quite 

 forgotten who originated it. I fancy some one must have 

 called Huxley's attention to it, and when I next met him, I 

 think just as he was leaving Jermyn Street to go home, he 

 was much put out, and said something intimating that after 

 what I had said in this paper, he wondered at my speaking 

 to him again. I forget what more was said, but on going 

 home I looked at the article, and found that I had used 

 some expression that might be interpreted as a slight to 

 him. I immediately wrote a letter of explanation and 

 regret, and I here give his reply, which greatly relieved 

 me, and our relations at once resumed their usual friendly 

 character. 



"My dear Wallace, 



" Very many thanks for your kind letter. 



" I am exceedingly callous to the proceedings of my 

 enemies, but (I suppose by way of compensation) I am very 

 sensitive to those of valued friends, and I certainly felt rather 

 sore when I read your paper. But I dare say I should have 

 ' consumed my own smoke ' in that matter as I do in most, 

 if I had not been very tired, very hungry, very cold, and 



