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Page 36
In the course of a most appreciative letter Darwin exclaimed:--
What a wonderful man you are to grapple with those old
metaphysico-divinity books.... The pendulum is now swinging
against our side, but I feel positive it will soon swing the
other way; and no mortal man will do half as much as you in
giving it a start in the right direction, as you did at the
commencement.
And then, after "mounting climax on climax," he adds:
"I must tell you what Hooker said to me a few years ago. 'When
I read Huxley I feel quite infantile in intellect.'"
The most touching act of friendship, and one which assuredly gave
personal point to Huxley's remark in another connection, "Darwin is
in all things noble and generous--one of those people who think it
a privilege to let him help," took place when Huxley's health had
utterly broken down in 1873, and he was as depressed in mind as
in body. Who could say No to these words from the oldest and most
venerated among his devoted friends?--
Down, Beckenham, Kent.
April 23, 1873.
My dear Huxley,
I have been asked by some of your friends (eighteen in
number,) to inform you that they have placed through Robarts,
Lubbock, and Company the sum of �2,100 to your account at your
bankers. We have done this to enable you to get such complete
rest as you may require for the re-establishment of your
health; and in doing this we are convinced that we act for
the public interest, as well as in accordance with our most
earnest desires. Let me assure you that we are all your warm
personal friends, and that there is not a stranger or mere
acquaintance among us. If you could have heard what was
said, or could have read what was, as I believe, our inmost
thoughts, you would know that we all feel towards you as we
should to an honoured and much-loved brother. I am sure that
you will return this feeling, and will therefore be glad to
give us the opportunity of aiding you in some degree, as this
will be a happiness to us to the last day of our lives. Let
me add that our plan occurred to several of your friends at
nearly the same time, and quite independently of one another.
My dear Huxley, your affectionate friend,
CHARLES DARWIN.
Huxley was deeply moved. "What have I done to deserve this?" he
exclaimed. Before this generosity he at last allowed himself to
confess that, in the long struggle against ill health, he had been
beaten; but, as he said, only enough to teach him humility.
The relief from anxieties, the ultimate restoration to health through
a clear holiday, were an unforgettable gift from this "band of
brothers," and the sufferer who had been healed rejoiced when not
long after an opportunity arose to share in a similar gift of help and
healing to another of the same good fellowship.
XVI
HOOKER, FORBES, TYNDALL, AND SPENCER
Of his nearer contemporaries the two most intimate and faithful of
his life-long friendships were with Tyndall and Hooker, concerning the
utter frankness of which he writes to the latter:--
I wish you wouldn't be apologetic about criticism from
people who have a right to criticize. I always look upon any
criticism as a compliment, not but what the old Adam in T.H.H.
_will_ arise and fight vigorously against all impugnment and
irrespective of all odds in the way of authority, but that
is the way of the beast. Why I value your and Tyndall's and
Darwin's friendship so much is, among other things, that you
all pitch into me when necessary. You may depend upon it,
however blue I may look when in the wrong, it's wrath with
myself and nobody else.
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