by dividing friends and families into different groups, and by separating those who might otherwise have enjoyed friendship unreservedly. It is probable, too, that we are only at the beginning of the conflict, and that in years not immeasurably distant there will be fierce struggles on the most irritating of practical issues. To name but one of these it is probable that there will be a sharp struggle when a strong and determined naturalist party shall claim the instruction of the young, especially with regard to the origin of the race, the beginnings of animal life, and the evidences of intention in nature. Loving, as I do, the amenities of a peaceful and polished civilization much better than angry controversy, I long for the time when these great questions will be considered as settled one way or the other, or else, if they are beyond our intelligence, for the time when they may be classed as insoluble, so that men may work out their destiny without bitter quarrels about their origin. The present at least is ours, and it depends upon ourselves whether it is to be wasted in vain disputes or brightened by charity and kindness. CONTENTS. ESSAY PAGE I. ON THE DIFFICULTY OF DISCOVERING FIXED LAWS 3 II. INDEPENDENCE 12 III. OF PASSIONATE LOVE 33 IV. COMPANIONSHIP IN MARRIAGE 44 V. FAMILY TIES 63 VI. FATHERS AND SONS 78 VII. THE RIGHTS OF THE GUEST 99 VIII. THE DEATH OF FRIENDSHIP 110 IX. THE FLUX OF WEALTH 119 X. DIFFERENCES OF RANK AND WEALTH 130 XI. THE OBSTACLE OF LANGUAGE 148 XII. THE OBSTACLE OF RELIGION 161 XIII. PRIESTS AND WOMEN 175 XIV. WHY WE ARE APPARENTLY BECOMING LESS RELIGIOUS 205 XV. HOW WE ARE REALLY BECOMING LESS RELIGIOUS 215 XVI. ON AN UNRECOGNIZED FORM OF UNTRUTH 232 XVII. ON A REMARKABLE ENGLISH PECULIARITY 239 XVIII. OF GENTEEL IGNORANCE 253 XIX. PATRIOTIC IGNORANCE 264 XX. CONFUSIONS 280 XXI. THE NOBLE BOHEMIANISM 295 XXII. OF COURTESY IN EPISTOLARY COMMUNICATION 315 XXIII. LETTERS OF FRIENDSHIP 336 XXIV. LETTERS OF BUSINESS 354 XXV. ANONYMOUS LETTERS 370 XXVI. AMUSEMENTS 383