expression of Emotions in animals” the other day & how certain ideas produce mechanical actions in animals, such as a cat shaking her feet if she was near water though her feet were dry— We were carrying one of our dogs across the river at home sometime ago, directly he got suspended over the water he went through the whole pantomime of swimming though removed considerably above the water.²

The swimming stopped as soon as he was over dry land. I think this as good an instance of the sort as could well be found— I do not know whether you have heard that Balfour³ has not been very well— He & Spencer Lyttelton are [several lines excised] the religious feelings [half a line excised] university. The university ought to be the body to elucidate difficulties, & settle disputes, if religious disputes can be settled at all. I believe the Bill will pass but it is uncertain yet. If it does not I suppose parliament will be dissolved.⁴

I read the book the review of which you saw—Joshua Davidson. I do not think you would care for it.⁵ Some people consider it very profane, but I think it is simply very tiresome & like an enormous tract. Religious enthusiasm seems to be at a high pitch in London