| Description | She has two letters from John. The way on which he and J M Maclear missed each other was provoking, and she discusses his 'little story', noting that his Moon centre observation agreed with John's, but that John had 'grievously aspersed' his accuracy in the letter to Alick [Alexander Stewart Herschel]. Maclear is sure that what he saw was not an instrument defect and he did not see 1474 in the corona. Mary gives and account of Maclear and [J Norman] Lockyer's popular reports [on the late eclipse] and Lockyer was satisfied with the work done. Maclear talked about Norway, Alick and Collingwood, and fell in with Hennessey for conversation. Mary liked him very much. Mary discusses [Thomas Henry] Huxley's writings, objecting to his recommending attendance at a lecture instead of the public worship of god. Huxley thinks that religion and its expression should be banished and Mary cannot express everything this brings to mind, but says 'he meddles with what he is not qualified to handle, great as may be his powers and knowledge'. She is satisfied that John feels the same way as her in reading metaphysical philosophy and she expands upon this. She asks how John gets water 'in that dry and dreary land'. She describes two new drives she has taken. 'Poor Mrs Lindsay' is to go home after two months of suffering greatly, 'beholden to chloroform & morphia'. |