Darwinism. 857 



of working, and can count the threads of a fine 

 canvas without spectacles. I receive every one who 

 comes to see me, and often have the pleasure of a 

 visit from old friends very unexpectedly. In the 

 evening I read a novel, but my tragic days are 

 over; I prefer a cheerful conversational novel to 

 the sentimental ones. I have recently been 

 reading Walter Scott's novels again, and enjoyed 

 the broad Scotch in them. I play a few games 

 at Be'zique with one of my daughters, for honour 

 and glory, and so our evenings pass pleasantly 

 enough. 



It is our habit to be separately occupied during 

 the morning, and spend the rest of the day together. 

 We are fond of birds and have several, all very 

 tame. Our tame nightingales sing very beautifully, 

 but, strange to say, not at night. We have also 

 some solitary sparrows, which are, in fact, a variety 

 of the thrush (Turdus cyaneus), and some birds 

 which we rescued from destruction in spring, when 

 caught and ill-used by the boys in the streets ; 

 besides, we have our dogs ; all of which afford me 

 amusement and interest. 



***** 



Mr. Murray has kindly sent me a copy of Darwin's 

 recent work on the " Descent of Man." Mr. Darwin 

 maintains his theory with great talent and with 



