From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [20 January 1885]

My dear William,

I feel much perplexed about the Auto. I enclose what Hen— says in the matter, which has not shaken Franks opinion at all— I think you & he are somewhat biassed by Haeckels insolence on the subject, & I think you sh^d consider what is best without any reference to that—

My present view is that Frank should tell in his own words the result that your father arrived at, but not give the whole process of thought, perhaps quoting several passages, & saying that he had written more fully on the subject— The first opening sentence about the God of the Old Testament appearing as (I quite agree w. him that it does so) a revengeful tyrant, would raise a storm of indignation especially as he omits the higher & more sublime views of God in Isaiah & some of the Psalms— & that sort of passage makes me feel that his view was narrow & wanted study—

There is also a passage about the supposed intuitive idea of God, which I think inconclusive & narrow, & not worthy of his mind—

I have not seen Leslie Stephen's letter yet—

I find I have £500 in the bank; but some dividens come in Febr so I suppose I shall do—

I was very sorry to see Sara go but I had many nice talks w. her— We have gone on very comf. w. Alice & our whist. I was quite well yesterday only think of Bee's despair–- She said on lending us M^rs Turner— "I don't think she can get engaged in a fortnight"— & that is just what she has done to Bourne— He is lucky & she not unlucky as I am sure he is a very kind man— & I hope a man of fortune He informed Frank in a shame faced way— & said "he had taken a fancy to her the first minute he saw her— & she to him" but Fr is not quite certain of the last part of his speech.—

Yours my dear W^m I hope | Sara won't be [illeg] tired but indeed she is so m. stronger

P. S. I hope I am not biassed by feeling how very painful the attacks upon his opinions would be to me—

A smaller objection I have omitted, viz. how great a pity I sh^d think it if the book was ill looked upon for the young— owing to that part— But that is perhaps a feeling carried on from my youth—