CHILDHOOD 9 



more than anything I have ever heard said by 

 a child." 



One who knew Lord Avebury very intimately 

 was especially delighted by this observation. 

 'Why," was the comment, "it is what he has 

 been doing all his life, trying to convert devils." 

 In his charity and optimism regarding all human 

 nature it seemed impossible for him to believe 

 it ever so bad that he should despair of its 

 conversion. 



It is interesting to observe the character of 

 the theology of the day, in which he was strictly 

 trained, the more interesting in view of the 

 brave stand that he was to make in later days 

 for liberality of view, in connection with the 

 storms which beat about the heads of Bishop 

 Colenso, Charles Darwin and others, whose 

 thought was in advance of their time. We find 

 his mother recording of him that " John said 

 to Manie [the governess], * I have been thinking 

 of a new plan, Manie, which I mean to go upon. 

 I find I am not near so good a boy as my sisters 

 are good girls, and I am going to try a different 

 plan : of a morning before they are up I find 

 they always read in their prayer book. Now I 

 read Bingley's Natural History. But for the 

 future I mean to read in my bed every morning 

 the 149th Psalm to remind me God sees us at 

 all times, and the 3rd of Revelations to remind 

 me of the day of Judgment ; and then don't 

 you think, Manie, I shall have more strength to 

 be a good boy ? ' " 



