From Emma Darwin to F. P. Cobbe   [25 February 1871]¹

My dear Miss Cobbe

Many thanks for your taking the trouble to write.² Mr Murray seemed to think that he had made an unreasonable fuss in the matter.³ We want to see the Echo, tho’ not so much as if you had written it.⁴ The papers we have seen are quite mild & civil.

M^r Darwin says that he knows so well how much you & many others will disapprove of the moral sense part that he will not be surprised at any degree of vigour in your attack.⁵

He does not know to what you refer when you say that he does not distinguish between regret & repentance or remorse, he remembers reflecting on the wide & obvious distinction. It appears to him that as long as hatred is felt against any one, the social instincts are overmastered & there is no room for repentance. But no doubt he will understand what you mean when he reads your article.

If you should come to M^r Martineau’s tomorrow do look in at No 6 Q. Anne St where we are—⁶

Speaking in my private capacity I quite agree with you. I think the course of all modern thought is “desolating” as removing God further off. But I do not know whether his views on the moral sense would exclude Spiritual influence though not included in his theory—

So you see I am a traitor in the camp.

With very kind regards to Miss Lloyd.⁷ | Yours very truly | Emma Darwin