But he was by no means a blind worshipper, in fact he was compelled reluctantly to admit that in one little matter his goddess had made a mistake.

This mistake consisted, according to him, in the development of a race of intelligent beings like ourselves.

This was the only blot on her escutcheonthe rift within the lute-the one incongruous feature that marred her otherwise perfect beauty.

He had often and anxiously pondered over this little point, at first in the hope that it might be found to denote a strictly local outbreak, just as every good man is bound to hope that an epidemic may be confined to one locality, but a more profound study had brought home to his reluctant mind the conviction that the disease was probably as extensive as the universe itself.

As he had no enemies, the task of criticising these utterances of the little Doctor of course fell to his friends, from whom we have derived

this description, and who used now and then to hint that the Doctor would have preferred a universe presided over by his favourite goddess, with only Hermann Stoffkraft to sing her praises.

As, however, he had not been consulted on this point, and as numerous candidates for the office of chief singer had already appeared, especially in his native country, these would-be critics were understood to imply that the Doctor had been rather piqued, and had in consequence retaliated by proposing to regard the whole system as a mistake.

Be this as it may, he had evidently persuaded himself that he was right, and his transparent sincerity and consistency of conduct could not be disputed, although perhaps the more sagacious of his friends understood the Doctor well enough to doubt that he would always remain faithful to his present creed.

These were the more prominent members of the company assembled at Elmsly House on the Saturday evening preceding Whitsunday.

Our readers may perhaps be interested in the following conversation which then took place:

Stephen Fairbank.-I propose, gentlemen, that to-morrow morning such of you as please should go with me to hear our friend Bemerton preach, for I rather think he will give us a very good discourse. I am not sure, however, whether Dr. Stoffkraft will care to go, as he probably entertains peculiar opinions upon the subject of church-going.

Dr. Hermann Stoffkraft.-My dear Sir, I shall be glad to go. I am a student of human nature, and hope to derive much instruction from being present, even if I do not echo the sentiments of the preacher. But (here the little Doctor put on an arch expression) I hope you will not press me to sign anything.

All-Sign anything! why, Doctor, what makes you think of such a thing?

Dr. Hermann Stoff kraft.—Because I have just parted from my distinguished American friend Lucretius O. Blazeforth, who tells me

that the last time he went to church he had to sign something.

The Rev. Ralph Bemerton (laughing).— When a similar occasion arises in the history of Dr. Stoffkraft I need not say that my church will be very much at his service.

Stephen Fairbank (laughing also).—And I, for my part, will place my house, with equal good-will, at the Doctor's service, and perhaps if he stays here long enough I may be able to afford him an opportunity of finding the prime requisite.

Dr. Hermann Stoffkraft.-Many thanks, my dear friends, but that will never be; you know my opinions:

Stephen Fairbank.-Perhaps these may
Sensible people are not

change, Doctor.

wedded for ever to the same opinions.

After this conversation the Doctor was in

more than usual good humour for the rest of the evening.

CHAPTER II.

CHOOSING THE SUBJECT.

'Much upon this riddle runs

The wisdom of the world.'

SHAKSPERE, Measure for Measure.

ON Sunday after service (which the Doctor attended in full evening dress), the weather being fine, a walk was proposed in the direction of the ruins, and the party started off, fully prepared to utilise the occasion for at least a preliminary discussion. Sir Kenneth was the first to speak.

Sir Kenneth M Kelpie.—Something in the service to-day brought to my mind the two ways of viewing the universe-the idealistic and the materialistic.

The idealist generally asserts that the laws of the universe mean only the mode in which

B