I think your notion is a very good one, and I am not sure that I shall not try to carry it out some day. In the meanwhile, however, I am bent upon an enterprise which I think still more important.
After I have done with the reconcilers, I will see whether theology cannot be told her place rather more plainly than she has yet been dealt with.
However, this between ourselves, I am seriously anxious to use what little stuff remains to me well, and I am not sure that I can do better service anywhere than in this line, though I don't mean to have any more controversy if I can help it.
(Don't laugh and repeat Darwin's wickedness.)
Ever yours very faithfully,
T.H. Huxley.
[However, this] "contribution to the next round" [seemed to the editor rather too pungent in tone. Accordingly Huxley revised it, the letters which follow describing the process:—]
4 Marlborough Place, N.W., January 15, 1886.
My dear Knowles,
I will be with you at 1.30. I spent three mortal hours this morning taming my wild cat. He is now castrated; his teeth are filed, his claws are cut, he is taught to swear like a "mieu"; and to spit like a cough; and when he is turned out of the bag you won't know him from a tame rabbit.