The “Hume” was sent, and I hope reached you a week ago; and as my conscience just now inquired in a very sneering and unpleasant tone whether I had any further pretence for not writing on hand, I thought I might as well stop her mouth at once.

You will see oddly enough that I have answered your question about dreams in a sort of way on page 96. [Cp.  “Essays in Romance” page 329; Huxley’s “Hume” page 96.]

You will get nothing but praise for your book, and I shall be vilipended for mine.  Is that fact, or is it not, an evidence of a special Providence and Divine Government?

Pray remember me very kindly to Mrs. Skelton.  I hope your interrupted visit will yet become a fact.  We have a clean bill of health now.

Ever yours very faithfully,

T.H.  Huxley.

Scottish University Commission, 31 Queen Street, Edinburgh, April 2, 1879.

My dear Skelton,

I shall be delighted to dine with you on Wednesday, and take part in any discussion either moral or immoral that may be started.

Ever yours very faithfully,

T.H.  Huxley.

March 15, 1879.

My dear Mrs. Tyndall,

Your hearty letter is as good as a bottle of the best sunshine.  Yes, I will lunch with you on Friday with pleasure, and Jess proposes to attend on the occasion...Her husband is in Gloucester, and so doesn’t count.  The absurd creature declares she must go back to him on Saturday—­stuff and sentiment.  She has only been here six or seven weeks.  There is nothing said in scripture about a wife cleaving to her husband!

With all our loves, ever yours very sincerely,

T.H.  Huxley.

[The next is to his son, then at St. Andrews University, on winning a scholarship tenable at Oxford.]

South Kensington, April 21, 1879.

My dear Boy,

I was very glad to get your good news this morning, and I need not tell you whether M—­ was pleased or not.

But the light of nature doth not inform us of the value and duration of the “Guthrie”—­and from a low and material point of view I should like to be informed on that subject.  However, this is “mere matter of detail” as the Irishman said when he was asked how he had killed his landlord.  The pleasure to us is that you have made good use of your opportunities, and finished this first stage of your journey so creditably.

I am about to write to the Master of Balliol for advice as to your future proceedings.  In the meanwhile, go in for the enjoyment of your holiday with a light heart.  You have earned it.

Ever your loving father,

T.H.  Huxley.

[The following, to Mrs. Clifford, was called forth by a hitch in respect to the grant to her of a Civil List pension after the death of her husband:—­]

4 Marlborough Place, July 19, 1879.

My dear Lucy,

I am just off to Gloucester to fetch M—­ back, and I shall have a long talk with that sage little woman over your letter.