64 THE CAMEL 



conviction. But that this will not be until we have 

 been educated up to, and have reached such a stage of 

 intellectual development, as will find us morally and 

 spiritually mature enough to deal with the subject 

 with the same ease and simplicity as we now do with 

 the ordinary A B C of commonplace life, I feel equally 

 convinced. What this affinity is, and whence it is, is 

 almost idle speculation and waste of time to conjecture 

 and surmise about. 



whence Let us be satisfied that it is ; and there can be little 



power? or no denial on this point. What else can draw and 

 attract two organisms, who have never known or seen 

 each other in this phase of their existence, from the 

 opposite ends of the earth? Mere accident, chance, 

 or coincidence, say the sceptical. ' Kismet,' says the 

 Mahometan. 'Fate,' replies the fatalist. But call it 

 what you will, it is something more than this. Who- 

 ever or whatever it is, unseen and unknown, it is a 

 force which makes itself felt, controlling, directing, 

 and guiding us, through our wills and consciences, like 

 wave-tossed weeds or wind-wafted straws, imperatively 

 and irresistibly a power from which there is no 

 escape. 



is it fate ? In this stage chance or destiny appears to have 

 something to do with it. Two people are apparently 

 thrown together accidentally. Granted. But what is 

 it that draws them towards each other ? Whence 

 this mutual attraction ? Why to them in particular ? 

 Why not to any of the other individuals among whom 

 they are thrown ? A common sympathy may have a 

 good deal to say to it. Feelings, sentiments, ideas, and 

 opinions may also be in common. Sympathy at first 



