[Enclosure]

Nov 24. 1874

My dear Hooker

The Edinburgh Professors are in a quandary— Victor Carus who was appointed Wyville Thomson’s substitute for some reason or other cannot lecture next summer and has left them in the lurch—⁴

Turner wrote to me a day or two ago to know if I could & would help them in this fix⁵—and give the course which lasts through May June & July   At first it seemed to me out of the question— But on second thoughts it appeared [possible]— I can manage the May examinations by deputy—for once—and I have no doubt that as W. T. is away on Government service I could get the requisite leave from My Lords

Remains the Royal Society— In May & June there are five meetings—one for election of Fellows is merely formal & does not need my presence   Two are on the same day as Council meetings and for them I could come up

Considering that Thomson is away on Royal Society business to a certain extent⁶ do you think there would be any harm in my omitting attendance at the Evening Meetings?

I should like to help in the difficulty— I should like to give the Edinburgh folks a specimen of what I think the teaching of my subject ought to be—and I by no means object to the money— I have written to Turner to say that subject to the assent of the Gov^t & the R.S. I think the thing may be done— But it is all contingent & in the air at present

How are you getting on? I trust building yourself a bridge over the abyss bravely⁷ I wish I could help you

Ever | Yours faithfully | T H Huxley