174 SPREAD OF EVOLUTION. [1861. 



of the same transaction ! I fear there is no shadow of doubt 

 we shall fight if the two Southern rogues are not given up.* 

 And what a wretched thing it will be if we fight on the side 

 of slavery.. No doubt it will be said that we fight to get 

 cotton ; but I fully believe that this has not entered into the 

 motive in the least. Well, thank Heaven, we private indi- 

 viduals have nothing to do with so awful a responsibility. 

 Again, how curious it is that you seem to think that you can 

 conquer the South ; and I never meet a soul, even those who 

 would most wish it, who thinks it possible — that is, to conquer 

 and retain it. I do not suppose the mass of people in your 

 country will believe it, but I feel sure if we do go to war it 

 will be with the utmost reluctance by all classes, Ministers of 

 Government and all. Time will show, and it is no use writing 

 or thinking about it. I called the other day on Dr. Boott, 

 and was pleased to find him pretty well and cheerful. I see, 

 by the way, he takes quite an English opinion of American 

 affairs, though an American in heart, f Buckle might write 

 a chapter on opinion being entirely dependent on longi- 

 tude ! 



. . . With respect to Design, I feel more inclined to show 

 a white flag than to fire my usual long-range shot. I like to 

 try and ask you a puzzling question, but when you return the 

 compliment I have great doubts whether it is a fair way of 

 arguing. If anything is designed, certainly man must be : 

 one's " inner consciousness " (though a false guide) tells one 

 so ; yet I cannot admit that man's rudimentary mammse . . . 

 were designed. If I was to say I believed this, I should 

 believe it in the same incredible manner as the orthodox 

 believe the Trinity in Unity. You say that you are in a 

 haze ; I am in thick mud ; the orthodox would say in fetid, 



* The Confederate Commissioners Slidell and Mason were forcibly re- 

 moved from the Trent, a West India mail steamer on Nov. 8, 1861. The 

 news that the U. S. agreed to release them reached England on Jan. 8, 

 1862. 



\ Dr. Boott was born in the U. S. 



