My dear, I should like to have given you some good counsel.  You are but a simple village maiden—­don’t be taken by the appearance of anybody.  Consult your father—­inclosing photograph and measurement (in inches)—­in any case of difficulty.

Also give my love to the matron your sister, and tell her to look sharp after you.  Treat her with more respect than you do your venerable P.—­whose life will be gloom hidden by a film of heartless jests till you return.

Item.—­Kisses to Ria and Co.

Your desolated Pater.

[To his eldest daughter:—­]

4 Marlborough Place, May 6, 1883.

Dearest Jess,

Best thanks for your good wishes—­considering all things, I am a hale old gentleman.  But I had to speak last night at the Academy dinner, and either that or the quantity of cigars I smoked, following the bad example of our friend “Wales,” has left me rather shaky to-day.  It was trying, because Jack’s capital portrait was hanging just behind me—­and somebody remarked that it was a better likeness of me than I was.  If you begin to think of that it is rather confusing.

I am grieved to have such accounts of Ethel, and have lectured her accordingly.  She threatens reprisals on you—­and altogether is in a more saucy and irrepressible state than when she left.

M—­ is still in bed, though better—­I am afraid she won’t be able to go to Court next week.  You see we are getting grand.

I hear great accounts of the children (Ria and Buzzer) and mean to cut out T’other Governor when you bring them up.

As we did not see Fred the other day, the family is inclined to think that the salmon disagreed with him!

Ever your loving father,

T.H.  Huxley.

4 Marlborough Place, May 10, 1883.

My dear Mrs. Tyndall,

If you will give me a bit of mutton at one o’clock I shall be very much your debtor, but as I have business to attend to afterwards at the Home Office I must stipulate that my intellect be not imperilled by those seductive evil genii who are apt to make their appearance at your lunch table. [This is accompanied by a sketch of a champagne bottle in the character of a demon.]

M. is getting better, but I cannot let her be out at night yet.  She thinks she is to be allowed to go to the International Exhibition business on Saturday; but if the temperature does not rise very considerably I shall have two words to say to that.

Ever yours very sincerely,

T.H.  Huxley.

I shall be alone.  Do you think that I am “subdued to that I work in,” and like an oyster, carry my brood about beneath my mantle?

CHAPTER 2.15.

1884.