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[Letter of Francis William Newman to Dr. Chapman] Richmond House, Church
Walks My dear Sir, I return with thanks the extracts from the Melbourne Argus. I have long theorized, that colonies so great & free as ours, (unless they break loose from us as did our greatest in America) will exercise in long time the gravest political influence over the mothercountry,—not the less effectual from being unseen,—as do grown-up sons over a parent. Being without so many of our shackles, they look at questions from a more natural & fresher point of view; & being without an old aristocracy or old endowed church, they will often be in rude collision with the traditional sentiment of England. If they learn to work their Parliaments more in Yankee style, they will infallibly teach us that things are possible, which our men of routine say are impossible: & I hope that our aristocracy will then do us a good turn in fighting against the real evils of Yankeedom. In writing to influence the colonies wisely, you sow seed that will bear copious crop. Miss Cobbe wrote to me some time back, earnestly wishing she could vent herself, in an article or pamphlet, on Theodore Parker & on me; both of whose religious writings she wants systematically to review. She added, that she could put on a bronze face towards Parker across the Atlantic, but knew not how to succeed in this towards me. I thought she wanted to propose to you such an article from her; but I did not know how to propose this, since I felt assured, that however she might freely controvert some of my opinions, she would give me on the whole extravagant praise. But as you now announce that you have secured an article on my writings, (which of course excludes her design) I can safely tell you both of her desire concerning Theodore Parker, & that she is the person to give you the article you have long desired on the immorality of the English "religious" press, if that also is not superseded by this article in hand. She would write it with much zeal, & would not tire, (as I certainly should!) in tracking out the details of proof against the culprits. She returns to England (to Clifton, Bristol,) in November— I am Sincerely yours,
P.S. I was very glad (did I say) of the success of your Medical article. The article on nebulae I value much.
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