think you met at Geanies) has died of fever in Brazil, where he was zoologising. Yours ever sincerely, GEO. J. ROMANES. To Mrs. Romanes. April 1889. Marian Pollock wants to make me dance at a ball, but I say it is a case of bringing a horse to the water (or an ass if you like). A philosopher cannot expect to be pushed through his paces by the kindness of strangers as he has been by that of his guests. Give my love to my other sister' and my only wife. · April 12, 1889. Another letter from some one named Rose who 'as' been made appy' by you, hand' would have been to church but for her mistress, hand' so would you please write, and then Rose might meet you and pour out her sorrows. A Hungarian youth called to day wanting me to tell him which bankers would allow him to inspect their bank books in order that he might study their methods for his political economy! I told him he had better go and try. Yesterday I took Mytsie' to the theatre, and today have been to the Pollocks and the Gosses. The move was made from London to Oxford in May 1890. Mr. Romanes incorporated with the University and became a member of Christ Church. This Mrs. Ingham, a very dear and intimate friend. 2 A favourite cousin who died a few months after Mr. Romanes. connection with the House' was a great pleasure to him. For a little while during the early summer of 1890 Mr. Romanes was alone in Oxford, and he writes: To Mrs. Romanes. I called to-day on Mr. Dodgson, to sign my name in the Common Room, and signed my name in the book where the signatures go back to the foundation of the House. It is certainly the best thing I could have done to join Christ Church, and I am enjoying this return to my undergraduate days as something quite novel. Yesterday Liddon1 graced the high table with his company. He was particularly gracious to me, remembering all about our meeting years ago, and hoping to be allowed to have the pleasure of calling upon us when we were settled in the almshouse.' After dinner in the Common Room, seeing that the party was both elderly and reverend, all the other six being parsons, I started what seemed to me a suitable game, viz. who could best 'card wool' in opposite directions, or turn the right hand round and round one way, while at the same time turning the left hand round and round the other way. This innocent occupation at once became very popular--the Canon in particular being greatly interested in the peculiar difficulty which it presents. For my own part, I much enjoyed the spectacle of all these dons winding their hands about, and this enjoyment 1 Dr. Liddon died in September 1890. 2 The house which Mr. Romanes had taken was originally an almshouse. reached its climax when Dr. Liddon ended by tilting his glass of claret off the table into his lap. But there is a good deal of fun behind his serious exterior, and he enjoyed this little catastrophe as much as the rest of us. So you see that the snares and temptations of University life do not dangerously assail your husband at the high table of Christ Church. Yesterday we had our physiological picnic, starting in five boats, and taking tea on the river-bank near the old farmhouse. I took supper with the Sandersons, who had a party. The Victor Horsleys were at the picnic, and I have arranged that they will pay us a visit in October. It is very jolly living in this house, but it is well we are both good sleepers, the noise of traffic is so great; even the foot-passengers sound like burglars. But this will not affect the children in the other wing, and as for me, I could sleep if the carriages were driving through the rooms, with the burglars to boot. I have only time to write a very few lines, as I am now momentarily expecting to be called to give my exposition before the Physiological Society,1 which has mustered in considerable force, and is now being regaled by Horsley and Gotch while I am watching my plants, which are coming on next. 3 The dinner at Ch. Ch. yesterday was most enjoyable, though there were only four others besides myself at the high table. We had turtle soup and very good wine; is that good for gout? 1 The Physiological Society has a yearly meeting at Oxford. 3 Professor of Physiology at Oxford. T |