1888-1892] "Paradise Regained" 285 



May 1th, 1889. 



How lovely a pretty spring is. It seems to me we have 

 not had one for years. The nightingales certainly know 

 the difference or perhaps it is our having every window 

 open. I miss you very much, my dear ; but things come 

 so quickly at my age that I am always feeling I shall have 

 you soon again. 



THE GROVE, June 1st, 1889. 



I can hardly put up with Mrs Sherwood's presumption. 

 How the Evangelicals can imagine they feel shame or 

 repentance for an inherent sinful nature which all share 

 I can't imagine. I think all those opinions have been so 

 modified. I remember the infant school at Kingscote 

 shouting out so jollily, " There is none that doeth good, 

 No not one" 



1889. 



To my surprise (as I disliked the Life of Jefferies so 

 much) I like his Wild Life in a Southern County very much. 

 The descriptions of country and birds are excellent, and if 

 one is patient and willing to loiter and watch with him it 

 gives one nice images. . . . 



I am also reading dough's Life. He was as religious 

 as Lamb at the same age. It is rather sad to see how age 

 disperses such feelings, especially with thoughtful men. 



July 19th, 1889. 



I have had the hair of the verandah nicely cut, and we 

 are a bit lighter, without looking clipped. The garden is 

 quite stupid and the roses over. I am reading Paradise 

 Regained (sandwiched with Rousseau's Confessions) out of 

 compliment to Mr Bright, who used to read it through 

 every Sunday. I find it most tiresome as yet, but I have 

 not got through the Temptation yet, and it is a hopeless 

 subject to my mind. 



