The life and letters of Benjamin Jowett, M. A., master of Balliol college, Oxford.

362

Lzfe of Benjamin Jowett

[CHAP. XI

away all the rest bounded with leaps that would make you
wonder. I ought to tell you that the stags were not like those
you see in a park, but red deer, much larger and stronger.
Give my love to Lionel and to Papa and Mama. I am writing
this at Torquay and go back to Oxford to-morrow.
I hope you improve in chess, and learn to look a few moves
forward. Think of the consequences in chess and in some
other things too.
Ever yours affectionately,
B. JOWETT.
Are you a Northerner or a Southerner?
To DEAN ELLIOT.
BALLIOL COLLEGE, OXFORD,
March 4, I863.
I begin to believe that the ice of the Church of England
is breaking up, and that the mass of the educated laity, if not
of the clergy, are learning to look on these subjects in a more
natural manner. I cannot help anticipating that increased
freedom of opinion may lead to a real amendment of life.
Hitherto, religion seems to have become more and more
powerless among the educated classes. Do we not want a
Gospel for the educated-not because it is more blessed to
preach to the educated than to the poor, but because the
faith of the educated is permanent, and ultimately affects
the faith of the poor?
To MRs. TENNYSON.
HIGH FORCE INN, MIDDLETON IN TEESDALE,
July 14, I863.
It is so long since I have written to you, that I am almost
afraid of falling out of acquaintance with you; therefore I write,
a propos of nothing, from a wish to have some tidings in return
about yourself and Alfred and the boys. I am staying with
Lord Boringdon, a pupil of mine, at a country inn amid the
moors in Durham, busy with Plato, which is an everlasting
thing on my hands. We are as far out of the world as we can