[1]

Jan 22 1885

THE GROVE. HUNTINGDON ROAD. CAMBRIDGE.

My dear Mother

I am very sorry that you shd be troubled about the auto — I have not yet read it in print, nor have I seen L. Stephen's letter; I will do so & consider the question well — I feel in a difficulty about it. The auto — was left specially to me, & I am primarily responsible for any use that is made of it. I can hardly consent to any course which seems to me to be distinctly lowering to Father's memory, or to imply that his opinions on

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such a subject as religion wd not bear publication without hurting his reputation.

It is hard for me fully to enter into your feelings, as I feel so clearly that nothing that can be said can touch his character.

Of course such papers as the Record may use harsh language or the Sat. may sneer; but I think the criticism of respectable journals, as far as it was depreciatory, wd take the line that such arguments are inadequate on which to build unbelief; & some might be naturally led to conclude that the publication of such arguments wd on the

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whole tend to strengthen religious belief. But this seems rather beside the question for us to consider.

If one is writing the biography of such a man, & especially making use of his auto-bio- it is not in my opinion treating honourably either believers or unbelievers, to keep back his opinions on such a subject, however much they may have the appearance of sketchiness; which quality pervades the whole auto-bio I think such a man shd be allowed to say what he thinks (with the exception of any adjective &c specially offensive to believers) I cannot see how

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a paraphrase of Frank's wd satisfy either party.

I quite feel that your individual feelings shd be treated with the utmost consideration to the extent of stopping the publication of the life if necessary.