[From this time forward the burden of ill-health grew slowly and steadily.  Dyspepsia and the hyperchondriacal depression which follows in its train, again attacked Huxley as they had attacked him twelve years before, though this time the physical misery was perhaps less.  His energy was sapped; when his official work was over, he could hardly bring himself to renew the investigations in which he had always delighted.  To stoop over the microscope was a physical discomfort; he began to devote himself more exclusively to the reading of philosophy and critical theology.  This was the time of which Sir M. Foster writes that “there was something working in him which made his hand, when turned to anatomical science, so heavy that he could not lift it.  Not even that which was so strong within him, the duty of fulfilling a promise, could bring him to the work.”

Up to the beginning of October, he went on with his official work, the lectures at South Kensington, the business as President of the Royal Society, and ex officio Trustee of the British Museum; the duties connected with the Inspectorship of Fisheries, the City and Guilds Technical Education Committee, and the University of London, and delivered the opening address at the London Hospital Medical School, on “The State and the Medical Profession” ["Collected Essays” 3 323), his health meanwhile growing less and less satisfactory.  He dropped minor offices, such as the Presidency of the National Association of Science Teachers, which, he considered, needed more careful supervision than he was able to give, and meditated retiring from part at least of his main duties, when he was ordered abroad at a moment’s notice for first one, then another, and yet a third period of two months.  But he did not definitely retire until this rest had proved ineffectual to fit him again for active work.

The President of the Royal Society is, as mentioned above, an ex officio Trustee of the British Museum, so that now, as again in 1888, circumstances at length brought about the state of affairs which Huxley had once indicated—­half jestingly—­to Robert Lowe, who inquired of him what would be the best course to adopt with respect to the Natural History collections of the British Museum:—­] “Make me a Trustee and Flower director.” [At this moment, the question of an official residence for the Director of the Natural History Museum was under discussion with the Treasury, and he writes:—­]

February 29, 1884.

My dear Flower,

I am particularly glad to hear your news.  “Ville qui parle et femme qui ecoute se rendent,” says the wicked proverb—­and it is true of Chancellors of the Exchequer.

Ever yours very faithfully,

T.H.  Huxley.

[A pendent to this is a letter of congratulation to Sir Henry Roscoe on his knighthood:—­]

Science and Art Department, South Kensington, July 7, 1884.

My dear Roscoe,

I am very glad to see that the Government has had the grace to make some acknowledgment of their obligation to you, and I wish you and “my lady” long enjoyment of your honours.  I don’t know if you are gazetted yet, so I don’t indicate them outside.