Item.—­I send the two cuts.

Heaven be praised!  I had brought down no copy of Physiology with me, so could not attend to your proof.  Got it yesterday, so I am now at your mercy.

But I have gone over the proofs now, and send you a deuce of a lot of suggestions.

Just think over additions to smell and taste to bring these into harmony.

The Saints salute you.  I am principally occupied in studying the gospels.

Ever yours,

T.H.  Huxley.

Highcroft House, Milford, Godalming, August 26, 1884.

Dearly Beloved,

I have been going over the ear chapter this morning, and, as you will see, have suggested some additions.  Those about the lamina spiralis are certainly necessary—­illus. substitution of trihedral for triangular. [(On September 8, he writes:—­] “I have been laughing over my ‘trihedron.’  It is a regular bull.”) I want also very much to get into heads of students that in sensation it is all modes of motion up to and in sensorium, and that the generation of feeling is the specific reaction of a particle of the sensorium when stimulated, just as contraction, etc., is the specific reaction of a muscular fibre when stimulated by its nerve.  The psychologists make the fools of themselves they do because they have never mastered this elementary fact.  But I am not sure whether I have put it well, and I wish you would give your mind to it.  As for me I have not had much mind to give lately—­a fortnight’s spoon-meat reduced me to inanity, and I am only just picking up again.  However, I walked ten miles yesterday afternoon, so there is not much the matter.

I will see what I can do about the histology business. ("Most of our examinees” [he writes on September 5] “have not a notion of what histology means at present.  I think it will be good for other folks to get it into their heads that it is not all sections and carmine.”) I wanted to re-write it, but I am not sure yet whether I shall be able.

Between ourselves, I have pretty well made up my mind to clear out of everything next year, Royal Society included.  I loathe the thought of wasting any more of my life in endless distractions—­and so long as I live in London there is no escape for me.  I have half a mind to live abroad for six months in the year.

Ever yours,

T.H.  Huxley.

I enclose letter from Deutsch lunatic to go before Council and be answered by Foreign Secretary.

Highcroft House, Milford, Godalming, August 29, 1884.

Dearly Beloved,

I enclose the proofs, having mustered up volition enough to go over them at once.  I think the alterations will be great improvements.  I see you interpret yourself about the movements of the larynx.

As to the histology, I shall have a shot at it, but if I do not send you manuscript in a week’s time, go ahead.  I am perplexed about the illustrations, but I see nothing for it but to have new ones in all the cases which you have marked.  Have you anybody in Cambridge who can draw the things from preparations?