1891 SALVATION ARMY SCHEMES 179 



the chestnuts out of the fire for them, but don't care to 

 take any share in the burning of the fingers. 



But the Boothites are hard hit, and may be allowed 

 to cry out. 



I begin to think that they must be right in saying 

 that the Devil is at work to destroy them. No other 

 theory sufBciently accounts for the way they play into 

 my hands. Poor Clibborn -Booth has a long — columns 

 long — letter in the Times to-day, in which, all unbe- 

 knownst to himself, he proves my case. 



I do believe it is a veritable case of the herd of swine, 

 and I shall have to admit the probability of that miracle. 



Love to J. and Co. from us aU. — Ever your affectionate 



Pater. 



HoDESLEA, Eastbourne, 

 Ja7i. 11, 1891. 



My dear Mr. Clodd — I am very much obliged to 

 you for the number of the St. James's Gazette, which I 

 had not seen. The leading article expresses exactly the 

 same conclusions as those at which I had myself arrived 

 from the study of the deed of 1878. But of course I 

 was not going to entangle myself in a legal discussion. 

 However, I have reason to know that the question will 

 be dealt with by a highly qualified legal expert before 

 long. The more I see of the operations of headquarters 

 the worse they look. I get some of my most valuable 

 information and heartiest encouragement from officers of 

 the Salvation Army ; and I knew, in this way, of Smith's 

 resignation a couple of days before it was announced ! 

 But the poor fellows are so afraid of spies and consequent 

 persecution, that some implore me not to notice their 

 letters, and all pledge me to secrecy. So that I am Vice- 

 Fontanelle with my hand full of truth, while I can only 

 open my little finger. 



It is a case of one down and t'other come on, just now. 

 " " will get his deserts in due time. But, oh dear, 



