He had intellect to comprehend his highest duty distinctly, and force of
character to do it; which of us dare ask for a higher summary of his
life than that? For such a man there can be no fear in facing the great
unknown, his life has been one long experience of the substantial
justice of the laws by which this world is governed, and he will calmly
trust to them still as he lays his head down for his long sleep.

You know all these things as well as I do, and I know as well as you do
that such thoughts do not cure heartache or assuage grief. Such
maladies, when men are as old as you and I are, are apt to hang about
one a long time, but I find that if they are faced and accepted as part
of our fair share of life, a great deal of good is to be got out of
them. You will find that too, but in the meanwhile don't go and break
yourself down with over wear and tear. The heaviest pull comes after the
excitement of a catastrophe of this kind is over.

Believe in my affectionate sympathy with you, and that I am, my dear old
fellow, yours ever,

T.H. Huxley.

[And again on the 18th:--]

Many thanks for your two letters. It would be sad to hear of life
dragging itself out so painfully and slowly, if it were not for what you
tell me of the calmness and wisdom with which the poor sufferer uses
such strength as is left him.

One can express neither wish nor hope in such a case. With such a man
what is will be well. All I have to repeat is, don't knock yourself up.