I mean to stay here as long as I can; they say it is often very fine up to the middle of September.  Then we shall migrate lower, probably on the Italian side, and get home most likely in October.  But I really am very much puzzled to know what to do.

My wife has not been very well lately, and Ethel has contrived to sprain her ankle at lawn-tennis.  Collier has had to go to Naples, but we expect him back in a few days.

With our united love to Mrs. Foster and yourself.

Ever yours,

T.H.  Huxley.

I was very pleased to hear of a secret my wife communicated to me.  So long as I was of any use, I did not care much about having the fact recognised, but now that I am used up I like the feather in my cap.  “Fuimus.”  Let us have some news of you.

[Sir M. Foster, who was kept in England by the British Association till September 10, wrote that he was going abroad for the rest of September, and proposed to spend some time at Menaggio, whence he hoped to effect a meeting.  He winds up with a jest at his recent unusual occupation:—­“I have had no end of righteousness accounted to me for helping to entertain Bishops at Cambridge.”  Hence the postcript in reply:—­]

Hotel Kursaal, Maloja, September 2, 1888.

My dear Foster,

A sharp fall of snow has settled our minds, which have been long wavering about future plans, and we leave this for Menaggio, Hotel Vittoria, on Thursday next, 6th. [He did not ultimately leave till the 22nd.]

All the wiseacres tell us that there are fresher breezes (vento di Lecco) at Menaggio than anywhere else in the Como country, and at any rate we are going to try whether we can exist there.  If it does not answer, we will leave a note for you there to say where we are gone.  It would be very jolly to forgather.

I am sorry to leave this most comfortable of hotels, but I do not think that cold would suit either of us.  I am marvellously well so long as I am taking sharp exercise, and I do my nine or ten miles without fatigue.  It is only when I am quiet that I know that I have a heart.

I do not feel at all sure how matters may be 4000 feet lower, but what I have gained is all to the good in the way of general health.  In spite of all the bad weather we have had, I have nothing but praise for this place—­the air is splendid, excellent walks for invalids, capital drainage, and the easiest to reach of all places 6000 feet up.

My wife sends her love, and thanks Mrs. Foster for her letter, and looks forward to meeting her.

Ever yours,

T.H.  Huxley.

Wash yourself clean of all that episcopal contamination or you may infect me!

[But adverse circumstances prevented the meeting.]

Hotel Kursaal, Maloja, September 24, 1888.

My dear Foster,

As ill luck would have it, we went over to Pontresina to-day (for the first time), and have only just got back (5.30).  I have just telegraphed to you.