320 Edward Livingston Youmans. 



P. S. — Being busy just now, I have merely glanced at 

 Dr. Youmans's remarks; but I have seen sufficient to as- 

 sure me of the sagacity, and, indeed, eminent ability which 

 mark his mind in the treatment of great questions. I often 

 think that had he been less hampered by his ailments in 

 youth he would have made a profound mark on his day and 

 generation. Even as it is, he is doing this. 



March //, 1876. 



My dear Youmans: I am thoroughly obliged to you 

 for your excellent letter. It gave my wife and myself 

 great joy to read it. In fact, there is a pith and power in 

 your mode of expressing yourself which I have rarely seen 

 equalled, and which it does one good to read. 



I never thanked you for your defence of me in The 

 Popular Science Monthly. Let me do so now. It was 

 quite sufficient — quite as much as I either desired or de- 

 served. 



I wish Bastian had permitted me to treat him tenderly. 

 I expressed this wish to himself, but, as Huxley says, ten- 

 derness shown to him is sure to be misinterpreted. It is 

 surprising how rapidly he is going to pieces on the first 

 real shock. He had a great number of believers, but their 

 ranks are now wofully thinned. I sometimes feel in a re- 

 lenting mood toward him, but the matter is too grave to 

 be glossed over. 



The Fragments, I expect, will be out in a week or so. 

 I have ordered them to send you stereotype plates. 



Ever faithfully yours, John Tyndall. 



An advance guard or extreme wing of the Unitari- 

 ans, in 1872, organized themselves into the Free Re- 

 ligious Association, founding the Index as their organ, 

 with Francis Ellingwood Abbot as editor. The asso- 

 ciation's first president was Rev. O. B. Frothingham, 



