1865-68 LETTER FROM TENNYSON 163 
heard of such a word, but if there be such, it may 
be a moot point whether you laid the accent on 
the first syllable or on the one before the last ; for 
there is a word “ embryonate” (being in the state 
of an embryo), which I find accented on the first. 
“ Embry^onal ” would be certainly wrong ; but ex- 
cept you really want the two words for some 
scientific distinction, it would be better to stick to 
“ embrydnic.” 
‘ I and my wife too are grieved to hear that 
you have overtasked your muscular powers in 
your Highland holiday. Pray, for your own and 
your friends’ sake, obey your doctors (you can 
scarce have a better or a kindlier than Paget), and 
cease to work for awhile that you may work better 
hereafter. We cannot afford to lose your brains 
— not at least till all our lizards are dug out, and 
this stretch of red cliff which I see from my attic 
windows no longer needs such an interpreter. 
‘ Believe me, 
‘ Ever truly yours, 
‘ A. Tennyson.’ 
On October 18 Owen writes to his sisters : 
‘ My doctors — Paget and Farre — were with us, 
dining on Sunday, and considered me convalescent. 
I have had no particular ailment, but a general 
Mss of muscular power, rather more in my arms 
than legs, with loss of appetite. This has come 
back, and so, I trust, shortly all my old strength. 
M 2 
