I am at present engaged on a series of experiments on the thickness of skin of that wonderful little wind-bag --. The way that second rate amateur poses as a man of science, having authority as a sort of papistical Scotch dominie, bred a minister, but stickit, really "rouses my corruption." What a good phrase that is. I am cursed with a lot of it, and any fool can strike ile. Ever yours very faithfully, T.H. Huxley. Please remember me very kindly to Mrs. Skelton. 11 Eversfield Place, Hastings, November 18, 1887. My dear Spencer, I was very glad to get your letter this morning. I heard all about you from Hirst before I left London, now nearly a month ago, and I promised myself that instead of bothering you with a letter I would run over from here and pay you a visit. Unfortunately, my wife, who had been ill more or less ever since we left Arolla and came here on Clark's advice, had an attack one night, which frightened me a good deal, though it luckily turned out to arise from easily remediable causes. Under these circumstances you will understand how I have not made my proposed journey to Brighton. I am rejoiced to hear of your move. I believe in the skill of Dr. B. Potter and her understanding of the case more than I do in all the doctors and yourself put together. Please offer my respectful homage to that eminent practitioner. You see people won't let me alone, and I have had to tell the Duke to "keep on board his own ship," as the Quaker said, once more. I seek peace, but do not ensue it. Send any quantity of proofs, they are a good sign. By the way, we move to 85 Marina, St. Leonards, to-morrow. Wife sends her kind regards. Ever yours very faithfully, T.H. Huxley. 85 Marina, St. Leonards, December 1887. My dear Spencer, I have nothing to criticise in the enclosed except that the itineraries seem to me rather superfluous. I am glad to find that you forget things that have happened to you as completely as I do. I should cut almost as bad a figure as "Sir Roger" if I were cross-examined about my past life. Your allusion to sending me the proofs made me laugh by reminding me of a particularly insolent criticism with which I once favoured you: "No objection except to the whole." It was some piece of diabolical dialectics, in which I could pick no hole, if the premises were granted--and even then could be questioned only by an ultra-sceptic! Do you see that the American Association of Authors has adopted a Resolution, which is a complete endorsement of my view of the stamp-swindle? We have got our operation over, and my wife is going on very well. Overmuch anxiety has been telling on me, but I shall throw it off. Ever yours very faithfully, T.H. Huxley. CHAPTER 3.3. 1888.