... Protoplasm
(unpleasant doctrine that we are all, soul and body, made of
a kind of blubber, found in nettles among other organisms)
appears to be delightful to many.... Yesterday there came a
pamphlet published at Lewes, a hallelujah on the advent of
Atheism.... The real joy of Julian (the author) was what
surprised me, like the shout of a hyaena on finding that the
whole universe was actually carrion. In about seven minutes
my great Julian was torn in two and lying in the place fit
for him.... Descended from Gorillas! Then where is the place
for a Creator? Man is only a little higher than the tadpoles,
says our new Evangelist.... Nobody need argue with these
people. Logic never will decide the matter, or will seem to
decide it their way. He who traces nothing of God in his own
soul, will never find God in the world of matter--mere
circlings of force there, of iron regulation, of universal
death and merciless indifference.... Matter itself is either
Nothing or else a product due to man's _mind_. ... The
fast-increasing flood of Atheism on me takes no hold--does
not even wet the soles of my feet.
[Footnote: Cf. Othello, "Not a jot, not a jot." Carlyle writes
on this question with the agitation of one himself not quite at
ease, with none of the calmness of a faith perfectly secure.]
"Carlyle," says one of his intimates, "speaks as if Darwin wished to rob
or to insult him.
Pages:
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291