“I must tell you what Hooker said to me a few years ago.  ’When
    I read Huxley I feel quite infantile in intellect.’”

The most touching act of friendship, and one which assuredly gave personal point to Huxley’s remark in another connection, “Darwin is in all things noble and generous—­one of those people who think it a privilege to let him help,” took place when Huxley’s health had utterly broken down in 1873, and he was as depressed in mind as in body.  Who could say No to these words from the oldest and most venerated among his devoted friends?—­

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, and Company the sum of L2,100 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 convinced that we act for the public interest, as well as in accordance 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 among 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 you as we should to an honoured and much-loved brother.  I am sure that you will return this feeling, and will therefore be glad to give us the opportunity of aiding you in some degree, as this will be a happiness to us to the last day of our lives.  Let me add that our plan occurred to several of your friends at nearly the same time, and quite independently of one another.  My dear Huxley, your affectionate friend,

    CHARLES DARWIN.

Huxley was deeply moved.  “What have I done to deserve this?” he exclaimed.  Before this generosity he at last allowed himself to confess that, in the long struggle against ill health, he had been beaten; but, as he said, only enough to teach him humility.

The relief from anxieties, the ultimate restoration to health through a clear holiday, were an unforgettable gift from this “band of brothers,” and the sufferer who had been healed rejoiced when not long after an opportunity arose to share in a similar gift of help and healing to another of the same good fellowship.

XVI

HOOKER, FORBES, TYNDALL, AND SPENCER

Of his nearer contemporaries the two most intimate and faithful of his life-long friendships were with Tyndall and Hooker, concerning the utter frankness of which he writes to the latter:—­