Jermyn Street, November 17.

My dear Hooker,

My wife wrote to yours yesterday, the enclosed note explaining the kitchen-revolution which, it seems, must delay our meeting.  When she had done, however, she did not know where to direct it, and I am no wiser, so I send it to you.

It’s a horrid nuisance and I have sworn a few, but that will not cook the dinner, however much it may prepare me for being cooked elsewhere.  To complete my disgust at things in general, my wife is regularly knocked up with dining out twice this week, though it was only in the quietest way.  I shall have to lock her up altogether.

X—­ has made a horrid mess of it, and I am sorry to say, from what I know of him, that I cannot doubt where the fault lies.  The worst of it is that he has a wife and three children over here, left without a penny or any means of support.  The poor woman wrote to me the other day, and when I went to see her I found her at the last shilling and contemplating the workhouse as her next step.  She has brothers in Australia, and it appeared to me that the only way to do her any good was to get her out.  She cannot starve there, and there will be more hope for her children than an English poor-house.  I am going to see if the Emigration Commissioners will do anything for her, as of course it is desirable to cut down the cost of exportation to the smallest amount.

It is most lamentable that a man of so much ability should have so utterly damned himself as X—­ has, but he is hopelessly Celtic.

I shall be at the Phil.  Club next Thursday.

Ever yours faithfully,

T.H.  Huxley.

14 Waverley Place, Monday morning [November 1861].

My dear Hooker,

The obstinate manner in which Mrs. Hooker and you go on refusing to give any address leads us to believe that you are dwelling peripatetically in a “Wan” with green door and brass knocker somewhere on Wormwood Scrubbs, and that “Kew” is only a blind.  So you see I am obliged to inclose Mrs. Hooker’s epistle to you.

You shall have your own way about the dinner, though we shall have triumphed over all domestic difficulties by that time, and the first lieutenant scorns the idea of being “worrited” about anything.  I only grieve it is such a mortal long way for you to come.

I could find it in my heart to scold you well for your generous aid to my poor client.  I assure you I told you all about the case because it was fresh in my mind, and without the least notion of going to you for that kind of aid.  May it come back to you in some good shape or other.

I find it is no use to look for help from the emigration people, but I have no fear of being able to get the 50 pounds sterling which will send them out by the “Walter Hood.”

Would it be fair to apply to Bell in such a case?  I will have a talk to you about it at the Phil.  Club.

Ever, my dear Hooker, yours faithfully,