[The next letter shows once more the value he set upon botanical evidence in the question of the influence of conditions in the process of evolution.]
3 Jevington Gardens, Eastbourne, September 29, 1889.
My dear Hooker,
I hope to be with you at the Athenaeum on Thursday. It does one good to hear of your being in such good working order. My knowledge of orchids is infinitesimally small, but there were some eight or nine species plentiful in the Engadine, and I learned enough to appreciate the difficulties. Why do not some of these people who talk about the direct influence of conditions try to explain the structure of orchids on that tack? Orchids at any rate can't try to improve themselves in taking shots at insects' heads with pollen bags—as Lamarck's Giraffes tried to stretch their necks!
Balfour's ballon d'essai [I.e. touching a proposed Roman Catholic University for Ireland.] (I do not believe it could have been anything more) is the only big blunder he has made, and it passes my comprehension why he should have made it. But he seems to have dropped it again like the proverbial hot potato. If he had not, he would have hopelessly destroyed the Unionist party.
Ever yours,
T.H. Huxley.
[At the end of the year he thanks Lord Tennyson for his gift of
"Demeter":—]
December 26, 1889.
My dear Tennyson,