80 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE 



answer it. As far as I can see, there is no quality in 

 the human intellect which is fit to be applied to the so- 

 lution of the problem. It entirely transcends us. The 

 mind of man may be compared to a musical instrument 

 with a certain range of notes, beyond which in both di- 

 rections we have an infinitude of silence. The phenom- 

 ena of matter and force lie within our intellectual range, 

 and as far as they reach we will at all hazards push our 

 inquiries. But behind, and above, and around all, the 

 real mystery of this universe lies unsolved, and, as far as 

 we are concerned, is incapable of solution. Fashion this 

 mystery as you will, with that I have nothing to do. 

 But let your conception of it not be an unworthy one. 

 Invest that conception with your highest and holiest 

 thought, but be careful of pretending to know more 

 about it than is given to man to know. Be careful, 

 above all things, of professing to see in the phenomena 

 of the material world the evidences of Divine pleasure or 

 displeasure. Doubt those who would deduce from the 

 fall of the tower of Siloam the anger of the Lord against 

 those who were crushed. Doubt equally those who pre- 

 tend to see in cholera, cattle -plague, and bad harvests, 

 evidences of Divine anger. Doubt those spiritual guides 

 who in Scotland have lately propounded the monstrous 

 theory that the depreciation of railway scrip is a conse- 

 quence of railway travelling on Sundays. Let them not, 

 as far as you are concerned, libel the system of nature 

 with their ignorant hypotheses. Looking from the soli- 

 tudes of thought into this highest of questions, and see- 

 ing the puerile attempts often made to solve it, well 

 might the mightiest of living Scotchmen that strong 

 and earnest soul, who has made every soul of like nat- 



