ment in this world, will not
some escape punishment?

_Answer_. I admit that all do not seem to be punished as they
deserve. I also admit that all do not seem to be rewarded as they
deserve; and there is in this world, apparently, as great failures
in matter of reward as in matter of punishment. If there is another
life, a man will be happier there for acting according to his
highest ideal in this. But I do not discern in nature any effort
to do justice.

--_The Post_, Washington, D. C., 1878.

MRS. VAN COTT, THE REVIVALIST

_Question_. I see, Colonel, that in an interview published this
morning, Mrs. Van Cott (the revivalist), calls you "a poor barking
dog." Do you know her personally?

_Answer_. I have never met or seen her.

_Question_. Do you know the reason she applied the epithet?

_Answer_. I suppose it to be the natural result of what is called
vital piety; that is to say, universal love breeds individual
hatred.

_Question_. Do you intend making any reply to what she says?

_Answer_. I have written her a note of which this is a copy:

_Buffalo, Feb. 24th, 1878._
MRS. VAN COTT;

My dear Madam:--Were you constrained by the love of Christ to call
a man who has never injured you "a poor barking dog?" Did you make
this remark as a Christian, or as a lady? Did you say these words
to illustrate in some faint degree the refining influence upon
women of the religion you preach?

What would you think of me if I should retort, using your language,
changing only the sex of the last word?

I have the honor to remain,

Yours truly,

R. G. INGERSOLL

_Question_. Well, what do you think of the religious revival system
generally?

_Answer_. The fire that has to be blown all the time is a poor
thing to get warm by. I regard these revivals as essentially
barbaric. I think they do no good, but much harm, they make innocent
people think they are guilty, and very mean people think they are
good.

_Question_. What is your opinion concerning women as conductors
of these revivals?

_Answer_. I suppose those engaged in them think they are doing
good. They are probably honest. I think, however, that neither
men nor women should be engaged in frightening people into heaven.
That is all I wish to say on the subject, as I do not think it
worth talking about.

--_The Express_, Buffalo, New York, Feb., 1878.

EUROPEAN TRIP AND GREENBACK QUESTION

_Question_. What did you do on your