to dissuade his countrymen from giving money to Mr. William Booth...Mr. Huxley’s views on theology may be wrong, but nobody doubts that he honestly holds them; they do not bring Mr. Huxley wealth and honours, nor do they cause the murder of the innocent.  To insinuate a resemblance which you dare not state openly is an outrage on common decency...] Generally people like me to pull the chestnuts out of the fire for them, but don’t care to take any share in the burning of the fingers.

But the Boothites are hard hit, and may be allowed to cry out.

I begin to think that they must be right in saying that the Devil is at work to destroy them.  No other theory sufficiently accounts for the way they play into my hands.  Poor Clibborn-Booth has a long—­columns long—­letter in the “Times” to-day, in which, all unbeknownst to himself, he proves my case.

I do believe it is a veritable case of the herd of swine, and I shall have to admit the probability of that miracle.

Love to J. and Co. from us all.

Ever your affectionate Pater.

Hodeslea, Eastbourne, January 11, 1891.

My dear Mr. Clodd,

I am very much obliged to you for the number of the “St. James’s Gazette”, which I had not seen.  The leading article expresses exactly the same conclusions as those at which I had myself arrived from the study of the deed of 1878.  But of course I was not going to entangle myself in a legal discussion.  However, I have reason to know that the question will be dealt with by a highly qualified legal expert before long.  The more I see of the operations of headquarters the worse they look.  I get some of my most valuable information and heartiest encouragement from officers of the Salvation Army; and I knew, in this way, of Smith’s resignation a couple of days before it was announced!  But the poor fellows are so afraid of spies and consequent persecution, that some implore me not to notice their letters, and all pledge me to secrecy.  So that I am Vice-Fontanelle with my hand full of truth, while I can only open my little finger.

It is a case of one down and t’other come on, just now. “—­” will get his deserts in due time.  But, oh dear, what a waste of time for a man who has not much to look to.  No; “waste” is the wrong word; it’s useful, but I wish that somebody else would do it and leave me to my books.

My wife desires her kind regards.  I am happy to say she is now remarkably well.  If you are this way, pray look in at our Hermitage.

Yours very faithfully,

T.H.  Huxley.

Hodeslea, Eastbourne, January 30, 1891.

My dear Hooker,

I trust I have done with Booth and Co. at last.  What an ass a man is to try to prevent his fellow-creatures from being humbugged!  Surely I am old enough to know better.  I have not been so well abused for an age.  It’s quite like old times.

And now I have to settle accounts with the Duke and the G.O.M.  I wonder when the wicked will let me be at peace.