[To his eldest daughter:—]
4 Marlborough Place, May 6, 1883.
Dearest Jess,
Best thanks for your good wishes—considering all things, I am a hale old gentleman. But I had to speak last night at the Academy dinner, and either that or the quantity of cigars I smoked, following the bad example of our friend "Wales," has left me rather shaky to-day. It was trying, because Jack's capital portrait was hanging just behind me—and somebody remarked that it was a better likeness of me than I was. If you begin to think of that it is rather confusing.
I am grieved to have such accounts of Ethel, and have lectured her accordingly. She threatens reprisals on you—and altogether is in a more saucy and irrepressible state than when she left.
M— is still in bed, though better—I am afraid she won't be able to go to Court next week. You see we are getting grand.
I hear great accounts of the children (Ria and Buzzer) and mean to cut out T'other Governor when you bring them up.
As we did not see Fred the other day, the family is inclined to think that the salmon disagreed with him!
Ever your loving father,
T.H. Huxley.