1889 



DEFENCE OF AGNOSTICISM 107 



The March number also contained replies from 

 Dr. Wace and Bishop Magee on the main question, 

 and an article by Mrs. Humphry Ward on a kindred 

 subject to his own, "The New Eeformation." Of 

 these he writes on February 27 : — 



The Bishop and Wace are hammering away in the 

 Nineteenth. Mrs. Ward's article very good, and practically 

 an answer to Wace. Won't I stir them up by and by. 



And a few days later : — 



Mrs. Ward's service consists in her very clear and clever 

 exposition of critical results and methods. 



3 Jevikcton Gardens, Eastbourne, 

 Feb. 29, 1889. 



My dear Knowles — I have just been delighted with 

 Mrs. Ward's article. She has swept away the greater 

 part of Wace's sophistries as a dexterous and strong- 

 wristed housemaid sweeps away cobwebs with her broom, 

 and saved a lot of time. 



What in the world does the Bishop mean by saying 

 that I have called Christianity "sorry stuff" (p. 370)? 

 To my knowledge I never so much as thought anything 

 of the kind, let alone saying it. 



I shall challenge him very sharply about this, and if, 

 as I believe, he has no justification for his statement, my 

 opinion of him will be very considerably lowered. 



Wace has given me a lovely opening by his profession 

 of belief in the de-vdls going into the swine. I rather 

 hoped I should get this out of him. 



I find people are watching the game with great interest, 

 and if it should be possible for me to give a little shove 

 to the " New Reformation," I shall think the fag end of 

 my life well spent. 



After all, the reproach made to the English people 

 that " they care for nothing but religion and politics " is 



