276 THE EULOGY OF RICHARD JEFFERIES. 



tration of the immense, the boundless in- 

 fluence of example. The mediaeval scholar 

 believed in the Christian religion because even 

 the horrible scandals of Kome could not des- 

 troy it. The modern Churchman modestly 

 and humbly believes his creed mainly because 

 men very greatly his superiors in learning 

 and in elevation of soul believe it, and find 

 in it their greatest consolation, and their only 

 hope. Jefferies had no such reverence. The 

 great leaders of the Church came not to the 

 Wiltshire Do wns. His own reason should suffice 

 for himself. Was he, therefore, presumptuous ? 

 While any rags of Protestant independence 

 and freedom of thought yet linger among us, 

 let us, a thousand times, say, No ! 



Other men, as is well known, take refuge in 

 Authority. This seems so easy as to be ele- 

 mentary in its simplicity. Authority does not 

 interfere with the practical business of life, with 

 the getting as much wealth as we can, and as 

 much enjoyment as we can, while life lasts. 

 And after death Authority kindly assures us 

 that all shall be done for us to ensure ultimate 

 enjoyment of more good things. We cannot, 



