252 AGNOSTICISM 



VII 



the most eminently supernatural kind recount- 

 ed in some of those histories. 



It is a comfort to hear, upon Mr. Harrison's 

 authority, that the laws of physical nature show 

 no signs of becoming " less definite, less consistent, 

 or less popular as time goes on " (p. 154). How a 

 law of nature is to become indefinite, or " incon- 

 sistent," passes my poor powers of imagination. 

 But with universal suffrage and the coach-dog 

 theory of premiership in full view ; the theory, I 

 mean, that the whole duty of a political chief is 

 to look sharp for the way the social coach is 

 driving, and then run in front and bark loud as 

 if being the leading noise-maker and guiding 

 were the same things it is truly satisfactory to 

 me to know that the laws of nature are increasing 

 in popularity. Looking a,t recent developments 

 of the policy which is said to express the great 

 heart of the people, I have had my doubts of the 

 fact ; and my love for my fellow-countrymen has 

 led me to reflect, with dread, on what will happen 

 to them, if any of the laws of nature ever become 

 so unpopular in their eyes, as to be voted down by 

 the transcendent authority of universal suffrage. 

 If the legion of demons, before they set out on 

 their journey in the swine, had had time to hold 

 a meeting and to resolve unanimously " That the 

 law of gravitation is oppressive and ought to be 

 repealed," I am afraid it would have made no 

 sort of difference to the result, when their two 



