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To W. Allingham, Esq. My dear Sir, I keep in mind your desire that I should write an article on that difficult and anxious subject, modern Antitheism inspired by materialistic science. I call it anxious, meaning that in writing one must fear to write inadequately, or otherwise unsuitably, and only do harm. My present idea is,—not to be too dry,—to couple two very different names and treatment together,—in Rev. T. P. Kirkman's lashing controversial attack on Mill, Spencer, Tyndall, and Dr. James Martineau's new volume, Hours of Thought; which consists rather of Essays than Sermons—I do not dream of reviewing it, but of contrasting its leading idea with that of Mr. Kirkman and his antagonists. It is no easy task, and needs from me mature thought: if I get clear notions of what I want to say, I may perhaps write quickly at last. Meanwhile I have become immersed in Etruscan, and am unwilling to work at it with intervals lest as in other languages (viz. Hebrew, German, Italian,) I forget and have to relearn. I think I shall be able not only to summarize and detail what is certainly knowable concerning Etruscan, but to point out the only right method towards truth (scanty as the results will be, unless much more is discovered) and to add interpretations of my own with adequate reasons. Professor Jarret of Cambridge is residing here. I think he is now Hebrew Professor; he was Arabic Professor and has taught Sanscrit in Cambridge from pure zeal. He is a student of Tamil and Hungarian. I have given him a part of my translations, and he thinks them highly interesting, and urges my continuance. I mean to presume in a reader only a schoolboy knowledge of Latin. If Mr. Burton's book Etruscan Bologna has been sent to you, and you are willing to send it to me to see,—though I expect little from it—perhaps that might be well. Though orthodox Christmas is past, I may ask to wish for you and yours a happy New Year. Very truly
yours, Weston-super-Mare
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