The worst of it is, I have just had a summons to go to Osborne on Thursday and it is as much as I shall be able to do.

We have been in South Wales, in the neighbourhood of the Colliers, and are on our way to the Wallers for the Festival week at Gloucester.  We hope to get back to Eastbourne in the latter half of September and find the house clean swept and garnished.  After that, by the way, it is not nice to say that we shall hope to have a visit from Mrs. Foster and you.

With our love to you both.

Ever yours,

T.H.  Huxley.

I am glad you are resting, but oh, why another Congress!

Hodeslea, Eastbourne, June 21, 1892.

My dear Donnelly,

You have been and done me at last, you betrayer of confidence.  This is what comes of confiding one’s pet weakness to a bosom-friend!

But I can’t deny my own words, or the accuracy of your devil of a memory—­and, moreover, I think the precedent of great importance.

I have always been dead against orders of merit and the like, but I think that men of letters and science who have been of use to the nation (Lord knows if I have) may fairly be ranked among its nominal or actual councillors.

As for yourself, it is only one more kindness on the top of a heap so big I shall say nothing about it.

Mrs. Right Honourable sends her love to you both, and promises not to be proud.

Ever yours very faithfully,

T.H.  Huxley.

Cors-y-Gedol Hotel, Barmouth, August 20, 1892.

My dear Donnelly,

I began to think that Lord Salisbury had thought better of it—­(I should not have been surprised at all if he had) and was going to leave me a P.P.C. instead of a P.C. when the announcement appeared yesterday.

This morning, however, I received his own letter (dated the 16th), which had been following me about.  A very nice letter it is too—­he does the thing handsomely while he is about it.

Well, I think the thing is good for science; I am not such a self humbug as to pretend that my vanity is not pleasantly tickled; but I do not think there is any aspect of the affair more pleasant to me, than the evidence it affords of the strength of our old friendship.  Because with all respect for my noble friends, deuce a one would ever have thought of it, unless you had not only put it—­but rubbed it—­into their heads.

I have not forgotten that private and confidential document that you were so disgusted to find had been delivered to me!  You have tried it on before—­so don’t deny it.

But bless my soul, how profound is old Cole’s remark about the humour of public affairs.  To think of a Conservative Government—­pride of the Church—­going out of its way to honour one not only of the wicked, but of the notoriousest and plain-spoken wickedness.  My wife and I drove over to Dolgelly yesterday—­do you know it? one of the loveliest things in the three kingdoms—­and every now and then had a laugh over this very quaint aspect of the affair.