WCP6679

[1]

Griauau

Nov 19th 1898

My dear Father,

I read Harecourts letter with much interest. You will have seen by now that poor Fillingham ("that lawless priest" according to some writers!) has been inhibited. What will he do now I wonder. I thought a Rector or Vicar could not be touched. The question of priestly domination becomes hourly of more importance. There will indeed [2] be a fresh fight. One can only hope one may live to see the truth win: but that I fear, is an impossibility. Truth is "always to be"! We mortals cannot see the "long-run" in which we hope everything will be right. The letters in the Echo, on the "real presence" have been decidedly interesting. If only something could be done to unite all friends of freedom! But there seems no hope from the nonconformist (xtians I mean.) One great non- [2]christian like Carlyle can do more than many thousands of evangelical reciters.

It does seem a pity to lend a copy of the agrestic but of course Mr. Hr. knows best.

You do not say what I am to do with Prof. Peccsig's annotated copy.

I have been reading the Echo daily - a "thing which I never did before" (a quote from a comic song.) But the days are so short now, & I awoke always get out for some [3] hours - so do not find much time for actual reading.

We had an excellent letter lecture from Hr. Horsburgh on Wednesday on Elizabeth's Parliaments. As we generally discuss the lectures for some days afterwards, I find I learn a great deal from them. It is impossible to realise until one then studies that period (or perhaps any period) of history how ^much the past dominates the present. Mr. Horsburgh maintains Mary Queen of Scots's innocence. The question ^papers of the former lecture [5] were being discussed last Wednesday (after the lecture) Miss Punch quoted some authority for some work believing Mary really loved Bothwell; & she & the lecturer had quite a skirmish in which I am found to see Miss Punch got the best of it. But the discussion was altogether too amusing.

Dr. Wallace's reading was very nice: but the room badly arranged w. a quantity of restless boys in the back seats. I have never seen Dr. W. so nervous. You would not think it possible for a man who must have been before the public a good many times, to exhibit such awkwardness. [6]

I fancy a frock coat etc. did not tend to make him more at ease! After an attempt at lecturing he sat down & had a kind of friendly chat with the people. Then he seemed more at ease. We were with Miss Howes. But Mr. Wallace spied us & they both insisted our going up with them till the train was due. They are most cordial & kind. Poor Miss Howes looks very over-worked and she was increasingly nervous. The great consecration [1 word illeg.] is going ^on at St. John's today. Glad I am out of it. Must end now. With fond love. Ever [1 word illeg.] daughter.

Olive [signature]

P.S. Bertie told me of tablespoonful. I will mention archipelago & exceed, to her.