1876 A RETORT 217 



theological dogmas more contradictory to our moral sense, 

 than is to be found in the facts of nature. From which, 

 however, the Bishop's conclusion that the dogmas are true 

 doesn't follow. With best remembrances to Mrs. Darwin, 

 ever yours very faithfully, T. H. HUXLEY. 



This incident suggests the story of a retort he 

 once made upon what he considered an unseasonable 

 protest in church, a story which exemplifies, by the 

 way, his strong sense of the decencies of life, appear- 

 ing elsewhere in his constant respect for the ordinary 

 conventions and his dislike for mere Bohemianism as 

 such. 



Once in a country house he was sitting at dinner 

 next to his hostess, a lady who, as will sometimes 

 happen, liked to play the part of Lady Arbitress of 

 the whole neighbourhood. She told him how much 

 she disapproved of the Athanasian Creed, and 

 described how she had risen and left the village 

 church when the parson began to read it ; and think- 

 ing to gain my father's assent, she turned to him and 

 said graciously, " Now, Mr. Huxley, don't you think 

 I was quite right to mark my disapproval 1 " 



" My dear Lady " he replied, " I should as 



soon think of rising and leaving your table because 

 I disapproved of one of the entries." 



