From T. H. Huxley   30 October 1875

My dear Darwin

The inclosed tells its own story— I have done my best to prevent your being bothered—but for various reasons which will occur to you I did not like to appear too obstructive and I was asked to write to you—¹ The strong feeling of my colleagues (and my own I must say also) is that we ought to have your opinions in our minutes— At the same time there is a no less strong desire to trouble you as little as possible—and under no circumstances to cause you any risk of injury to health

What with occupation of time worry & vexation, this horrid Commission is playing the deuce with me— I have felt it my duty to act as Counsel for Science and was well satisfied with the way things were going

But on Thursday when I was absent at the Council of the Royal Society, Klein was examined and if what I hear is a correct account of the Evidence he gave—I may as well throw up my brief—²

I am told that he openly professed the most entire indifference to animal suffering—and said he only gave anaesthetics to keep animals quiet!

I declare to you I did not believe the man lived who was such an unmitigated cynical brute—as to profess & act upon such principles—and I would willingly agree to any law, which should send him to the treadmill—

The impression his evidence made on Cardwell & Forster³ is profound: and I am powerless (even if I had the desire which I have not) to combat it— He has done more mischief than all the fanatics put together—

I am utterly disgusted with the whole business

Ever | Yours | T H Huxley

Of course keep the little article on Species. It is in some American Encyclopedia published by Appleton⁴ And best thanks for your book.⁵ I shall study it some day & value it as I do every line you have ever written— Don’t mention what I have told you outside the circle of discreet Darwindom—