[Sidenote: Letter to Miss Sara Hennell, 26th Dec. 1863.]
I get less and less inclined to write any but the briefest letters. My books seem to get so far off me when once I have written them, that I should be afraid of looking into "The Mill;" but it was written faithfully and with intense feeling when it was written, so I will hope that it will do no mortal any harm. I am indulging myself frightfully; reading everything except the "current literature," and getting more and more out of _rapport_ with the public taste. I have read Renan's book, however, which has proved to be eminently _in_ the public taste. It will have a good influence on the whole, I imagine; but this "Vie de Jésus," and still more, Renan's "Letter to Berthelot" in the _Revue des Deux Mondes_, have compelled me to give up the high estimate I had formed of his mind. Judging from the indications in some other writings of his, I had reckoned him among the finest thinkers of the time. Still, his "Life of Jesus" has so much artistic merit that it will do a great deal towards the culture of ordinary minds, by giving them a sense of unity between that far off past and our present.
[Sidenote: Letter to Mrs. Bray, 26th Dec. 1863.]
We are enjoying our new house--enjoying its quiet and freedom from perpetual stair-mounting--enjoying also the prettiness of coloring and arrangement; all of which we owe to our dear good friend, Mr. Owen Jones. He has determined every detail, so that we can have the pleasure of admiring what is our own without vanity. And another magnificent friend has given me the most splendid reclining chair conceivable, so that I am in danger of being envied by the gods, especially as my health is thoroughly good withal. I should like to be sure that you are just as comfortable externally and internally. I dare say you are, being less of a cormorant in your demands on life than I am; and it is _that_ difference which chiefly distinguishes human lots when once the absolute needs are satisfied.
[Sidenote: Letter to Mrs. Peter Taylor, 28th Dec. 1863.]
Your affectionate greeting comes as one of the many blessings that are brightening this happy Christmas.
We have been giving our evenings up to parental duties--_i.e._, to games and music for the amusement of the youngsters. I am wonderfully well in body, but rather in a self-indulgent state mentally, saying, "Soul, take thine ease," after a dangerous example.