13 DECEMBER 1873, Page 15

MR. GLADSTONE ON BISHOP BUTLER.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

Sut,—You refer in your last week's number to Mr. Gladstone's "very clever and very courteous letter to the Contemporary, in re- lation to Mr. Herbert Spencer," and in the same number you refer also to his speech about Bishop Wilberforce, commenting thus, "What more could be said, if he had been an Augustine, or at least a Butler ?"

It happens, curiously enough, that something, at any rate, of what Mr. Gladstone could say about Bishop Butler is said in a letter recently written by him to myself on the subject of Evolution, and from which I send you an extract.

Many will be extremely interested by the striking tribute he pays to the great Bishop, and putting it beside the remarkable testimony from a widely different source just published in Mill's "Autobiography" (pp. 38-39), may even resolve to repair for them- selves the neglect which Mr. Gladstone deplores, and against which James Mill would have almost equally remonstrated.

Few can judge better than yourself, Sir, how immense would be the value of such a scientific habit of mind as a wider study of Butler might tend to produce in England.—I am, Sir, 8t.c., The Scillies, Clapham Common, Dec. 10. JAMES KNOWLES.

"10 Downing Street, Whitehall, Nov. 9. "Mr DEAR MR. KNOWLES,— "I have no formulated opinion for or against Evolution. Bishop Butler taught me, 45 years ago, to suspend my judgment on things I knew I did not understand. Even with his aid I may often have been wrong, without him I think I should never have been right. And oh ! that this age knew the treasure it possesses in him, and neglects.—

Yours sincerely, "W. E. GL.towromr.."