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80 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge.

Isn't it absurd to call the religious part, an awaiting of the faith of England –

Dear Wm

I send you a letter of Hens which shows a considerably boiling overly state-of-mind- I think it is quite an unfair argument that we are dragging him into a religious row that he kept out of when living –

It is quite unfair to think of what he felt in his life – if we did we could publish nothing – But if we are to use

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this argument, then I have a clear recollection of his saying that he doubted whether he ought not to be more open abt his belief or disbelief – I have a feeling that he wd like it published if (only I feel too that he would like nothing published) – You see that Hen says he only gave his views when asked – but one may feel certain that the whole of those who will be his readers would ask. They say that father's words will have no weight, that no one will be converted to agnosticism – If this is so I cannot see that

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there need be any desperation among the orthodox. If they his words have no practical effect in weaking faith, their whole sting must be in their manner – and nothing can be better than the tone. I will send you the autobiogry (as it is now printed) tonight. I fully understood that mother only minded the 'damnable doctrine and I am sure mother's present feeling is due to the L's. I don't want to be annoyed with HEL [Henrietta]. I think her feeling is really for mother – but RB has I think queer conservato-grundiform feelings too – bless his heart –

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They must remember that Haeckel Aveling and Co have made father's views known.

As I am writing the book, I refuse to ignore the fact that these publications have appeared – And if I mention them without giving their contents. I am reduced to absolute necessity if giving some account of his religion – If so it can be best given in his own words – and in the place he put it – It would be leaving out the best account of a very interesting bit of his mind – It certainly feels to me rather like suppressing – whether it is so or not – I am very

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glad you have written rather firmly to mother, it was perfectly kind and nice – and I think it will help to make up her mind – A few days ago she had agreed that she shouldn't mind it with a few omissions. But next day she seemed to have swung round again. I don't want to hurry her, or I might have got it printed then – The only

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thing I think about is whether the result will be painful to her – I don't believe it will; I don't see how there is much room for acrimoniousness – The only other way it can be bad is that rampant atheists may stand on their heads – but

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I do not think that will much affect her – This is a rambling letter –

I will mark in the autobiogry what I feel I could leave out

Yrs affect

FD