第6章

Inhisview，theScriptureswereasfitasubjectasanyotherbookforfreeinquiryandtheexerciseoftheindividualjudgment，anditwasinthisspiritthathesetabouttheinterpretationofthem。Hewasnotafraidoffacingapparentdifficulties，ofadmittinginconsistencies，orevenerrors，inthesacredtext。Thusheobservedthat’inChroniclesxi，20andxiii，2，thereisadecideddifferenceintheparentageofAbijah’smother；’——’which’，headded，’iscuriousonanysupposition’。AndatonetimehehadseriousdoubtsastotheauthorshipoftheEpistletotheHebrews。Buthewasable，onvariousproblematicalpoints，tosuggestinterestingsolutions。

Atfirst，forinstance，hecouldnotbutbestartledbythecessationofmiraclesintheearlyChurch；butuponconsideration，hecametotheconclusionthatthisphenomenonmightbe’trulyaccountedforbythesuppositionthatnonebuttheApostleseverconferredmiraculouspowers，andthatthereforetheyceasedofcourse，afteronegeneration’。Nordidhefailtobasehisexegesis，wheneverpossible，uponanappealtogeneralprinciples。OneofhisadmirerspointsouthowDr。Arnold’vindicatedGod’scommandtoAbrahamtosacrificehissonandtotheJewstoexterminatethenationsofCanaan’，byexplainingtheprinciplesonwhichthesecommandsweregiven，andtheirreferencetothemoralstateofthosetowhomtheywereaddressed——therebyeducinglightoutofdarkness，unravellingthethreadofGod’sreligiouseducationofthehumanrace，andholdingupGod’smarvellouscounselstothedevoutwonderandmeditationofthethoughtfulbeliever’。

Therewasoneofhisfriends，however，whodidnotsharethisadmirationfortheDoctor’smethodsofScripturalinterpretation。

W。G。Ward，whilestillayoungmanatOxford，hadcomeunderhisinfluence，andhadbeenforsometimeoneofhismostenthusiasticdisciples。ButthestarofNewmanwasrisingattheUniversity；Wardsoonfelttheattractionofthatmagneticpower；

andhisbeliefinhisoldteacherbegantowaver。Itwas，inparticular，Dr。Arnold’streatmentoftheScriptureswhichfilledWard’sargumentativemind，atfirstwithdistrust，andatlastwithpositiveantagonism。TosubjecttheBibletofreeinquiry，toexerciseuponitthecriticismoftheindividualjudgment——

wheremightnotsuchmethodslead？WhocouldsaythattheywouldnotendinSocinianism？——nay，inAtheismitself？IfthetextofScripturewastobesubmittedtothesearchingsofhumanreason，howcouldthequestionofitsinspirationescapethesametribunal？Andtheproofsofrevelation，andevenoftheexistenceofGod？Whathumanfacultywascapableofdecidinguponsuchenormousquestions？Andwouldnotthelogicalresultbeaconditionofuniversaldoubt？

’Onaverymoderatecomputation，Wardargued，’fivetimestheamountofaman’snaturallifemightqualifyapersonendowedwithextraordinarygeniustohavesomefaintnotion(thougheventhiswedoubt)onwhichsidetruthlies。’ItwasnotthathehadtheslightestdoubtofDr。Arnold’sorthodoxy——Dr。Arnold，whosepietywasuniversallyrecognised——Dr。Arnold，whohadhelduptoscornandexecrationStrauss’sLebenJesuwithoutreadingit。

WhatWardcomplainedofwastheDoctor’slackoflogic，nothislackoffaith。Couldhenotseethatifhereallycarriedouthisownprinciplestoalogicalconclusionhewouldeventuallyfindhimself，precisely，inthearmsofStrauss？Theyoungman，whosepersonalfriendshipremainedunshaken，determineduponaninterview，andwentdowntoRugbyprimedwithfirstprinciples，syllogisms，anddilemmas。Findingthattheheadmasterwasbusyinschool，hespenttheafternoonreadingnovelsonthesofainthedrawing-room。Whenatlast，lateintheevening，theDoctorreturned，tiredoutwithhisday’swork，Wardfelluponhimwithallhisvigour。Thecontestwaslongandfurious；itwasalsoentirelyinconclusive。Whenitwasover，Ward，withnoneofhisbrilliantargumentsdisposedof，andnoneofhisprobingquestionssatisfactorilyanswered，returnedtotheUniversitytoplungeheadlongintothevortexoftheOxfordMovement；andDr。

Arnold，worried，perplexed，andexhausted，wenttobed，whereheremainedforthenextthirty-sixhours。

TheCommentaryontheNewTestamentwasneverfinished，andthegreatworkonChurchandStateitselfremainedafragment。Dr。

Arnold’sactivemindwasdivertedfrompoliticalandtheologicalspeculationstothestudyofphilology，andtohistoricalcomposition。HisRomanHistory，whichheregardedas’thechiefmonumentofhishistoricalfame’，wasbasedpartlyupontheresearchesofNiebuhr，andpartlyuponanaversiontoGibbon。’Myhighestambition，’hewrote，’istomakemyhistorytheveryreverseofGibboninthisrespect，thatwhereasthewholespiritofhiswork，fromitslowmorality，ishostiletoreligion，withoutspeakingdirectlyagainstit，somygreatestdesirewouldbe，inmyHistory，byitshighmoralsanditsgeneraltone，tobeofusetothecausewithoutactuallybringingitforward。’Theseeffortswererewarded，in1841，bytheProfessorshipofModernHistoryatOxford。Meanwhile，hewasengagedinthestudyoftheSanskritandSlavoniclanguages，bringingoutanelaborateeditionofThucydides，andcarryingonavoluminouscorrespondenceuponamultitudeoftopicswithalargecircleofmenoflearning。Athisdeath，hispublishedworks，composedduringsuchintervalsashecouldsparefromthemanagementofagreatpublicschool，filled，besidesalargenumberofpamphletsandarticles，nolessthanseventeenvolumes。ItwasnowonderthatCarlyle，afteravisittoRugby，shouldhavecharacterisedDr。Arnoldasamanof’unhasting，unrestingdiligence’。

Mrs。Arnold，too，nodoubtagreedwithCarlyle。Duringthefirsteightyearsoftheirmarriedlife，sheborehimsixchildren；andfourmoreweretofollow。Inthislargeandgrowingdomesticcirclehishoursofrelaxationwerespent。Therethosewhohadonlyknownhiminhisprofessionalcapacityweresurprisedtofindhimdisplayingthetendernessandjocosityofaparent。Thedignifiedandsternheadmasterwasactuallyseentodandleinfantsandtocaracoleuponthehearthrugonallfours。Yet，wearetold，’thesenseofhisauthorityasafatherwasneverlostinhisplayfulnessasacompanion’。Onmoreseriousoccasions，thevoiceofthespiritualteachersometimesmadeitselfheard。

Anintimatefrienddescribedhow’onacomparisonhavingbeenmadeinhisfamilycircle，whichseemedtoplaceSt。PaulaboveSt。John，’thetearsrushedtotheDoctor’seyesandhow，repeatingoneoftheversesfromSt。John，hebeggedthatthecomparisonmightneveragainbemade。ThelongerholidayswerespentinWestmorland，where，ramblingwithhisoffspringamongthemountains，gatheringwildflowers，andpointingoutthebeautiesofNature，Dr。Arnoldenjoyed，ashehimselfwouldoftensay，’analmostawfulhappiness’。Musichedidnotappreciate，thoughheoccasionallydesiredhiseldestboy，Matthew，tosinghimtheConfirmationHymnofDr。Hinds，towhichhehadbecomeendeared，owingtoitsuseinRugbyChapel。Buthislackofearwas，heconsidered，amplyrecompensedbyhisloveofflowers：

’theyaremymusic，’hedeclared。Yet，insuchamatter，hewascarefultorefrainfromanexcessoffeeling，suchas，inhisopinion，markedthefamouslinesofWordsworth：

’TomethemeanestflowerthatblowscangiveThoughtsthatdooftenlietoodeepfortears。’

Hefoundthesentimentmorbid。’Life，’hesaid，’isnotlongenoughtotakesuchintenseinterestinobjectsinthemselvessolittle。’Asfortheanimalworld，hisfeelingstowardsitwereofaverydifferentcast。’Thewholesubject，’hesaid，’ofthebrutecreationistomeoneofsuchpainfulmystery，thatIdarenotapproachit。’TheUnitariansthemselveswerealessdistressingthought。

OnceortwicehefoundtimetovisittheContinent，andthelettersandjournalsrecordinginminutedetailhisreflectionsandimpressionsinFranceorItalyshowusthatDr。Arnoldpreserved，inspiteofthedistractionsofforeignscenesandforeignmanners，hisaccustomedhabitsofmind。Takingverylittleinterestinworksofart，hewasoccasionallymovedbythebeautyofnaturalobjects；buthisprincipalpreoccupationremainedwiththemoralaspectsofthings。Fromthispointofview，hefoundmuchtoreprehendintheconductofhisowncountrymen。’Ifear，’hewrote，’thatourcountrymenwholiveabroadarenotinthebestpossiblemoralstate，howevermuchtheymaydoinscienceorliterature。’Andthiswasunfortunate，because’athoroughEnglishgentleman——Christian，manly，andenlightened——ismore，Ibelieve，thanGuizotorSismondicouldcomprehend；itisafinerspecimenofhumannaturethananyothercountry，Ibelieve，couldfurnish’。Nevertheless，ourtravellerswouldimitateforeigncustomswithoutdiscrimination，’asintheabsurdhabitofnoteatingfishwithaknife，borrowedfromtheFrench，whodoitbecausetheyhavenoknivesfitforuse’。

Places，nolessthanpeople，arousedsimilarreflections。ByPompeii，Dr。Arnoldwasnotparticularlyimpressed。’Thereisonly，’heobserved，’thesamesortofinterestwithwhichonewouldseetheruinsofSodomandGomorrah，butindeedthereisless。OneisnotauthorisedtoascribesosolemnacharactertothedestructionofPompeii。’ThelakeofComomovedhimmoreprofoundly。Ashegazedupontheoverwhelmingbeautyaroundhim，hethoughtof’moralevil’，andwasappalledbythecontrast。

’Maythesenseofmoralevil’，heprayed，’beasstronginmeasmydelightinexternalbeauty，forinadeepsenseofmoralevil，moreperhapsthaninanythingelse，abidesasavingknowledgeofGod！’

Hisprayerwasanswered：Dr。Arnoldwasneverinanydangeroflosinghissenseofmoralevil。IfthelandscapesofItalyonlyservedtoremindhimofit，howcouldheforgetitamongtheboysatRugbySchool？ThedailysightofsomanyyoungcreaturesinthehandsoftheEvilOnefilledhimwithagitatedgrief。’Whenthespringandactivityofyouth，’hewrote，’isaltogetherunsanctifiedbyanythingpureandelevatedinitsdesires，itbecomesaspectaclethatisasdizzyingandalmostmoremorallydistressingthantheshoutsandgambolsofasetoflunatics。’

Onethingstruckhimasparticularlystrange：’Itisverystartling，’hesaid，’toseesomuchofsincombinedwithsolittleofsorrow。’Thenaughtiestboyspositivelyseemedtoenjoythemselvesmost。Thereweremomentswhenhealmostlostfaithinhiswholesystemofeducation，whenhebegantodoubtwhethersomefarmoreradicalreformsthananyhehadattemptedmightnotbenecessary，beforethemultitudeofchildrenunderhischarge——

shoutingandgambolling，andyetplungedallthewhiledeepinmoralevil——couldeverbetransformedintoasetofChristiangentlemen。Butthenherememberedhisgeneralprinciples，theconductofJehovahwiththeChosenPeople，andthechildhoodofthehumanrace。No，itwasforhimtomakehimself，asoneofhispupilsafterwardsdescribedhim，inthewordsofBacon，’kintoGodinspirit’；hewouldruletheschoolmajesticallyfromonhigh。Hewoulddeliveraseriesofsermonsanalysing’thesixvices’bywhich’greatschoolswerecorrupted，andchangedfromthelikenessofGod’stempletothatofadenofthieves’。Hewouldexhort，hewoulddenounce，hewouldsweepthroughthecorridors，hewouldturnthepagesofFacciolati’sLexiconmoreimposinglythanever；andtheresthewouldleavetothePraepostorsintheSixthForm。

UpontheboysintheSixthForm，indeed，astrangeburdenwouldseemtohavefallen。Dr。Arnoldhimselfwasverywellawareofthis。’Icannotdeny，’hetoldtheminasermon，’thatyouhaveananxiousduty——adutywhichsomemightsupposewastooheavyforyouryears’；andeverytermhepointedouttothem，inashortaddress，theresponsibilitiesoftheirposition，andimpresseduponthem’theenormousinfluence’theypossessed’forgoodorforevil’。Neverthelessmostyouthsofseventeen，inspiteofthewarningsoftheirelders，haveasingulartrickofcarryingmoralburdenslightly。TheDoctormightpreachandlookgrave；butyoungBrookewasreadyenoughtopresideatafightbehindtheChapel，thoughhewasintheSixth，andknewthatfightingwasagainsttherules。Attheirbest，itmaybesupposedthatthePraepostorsadministeredakindofbarbaricjustice；buttheywerenotalwaysattheirbest，andthepagesof“TomBrown’sSchooldays“showuswhatwasnodoubtthenormalconditionofaffairsunderDr。Arnold，whentheboysintheSixthFormwereweakorbrutal，andtheblackguardFlashman，intheintervalsofswiggingbrandy-punchwithhisbooncompanions，amusedhimselfbytoastingfagsbeforethefire。

Buttherewasanexceptionalkindofboy，uponwhomthehigh-

pitchedexhortationsofDr。Arnoldproducedaverydifferenteffect。Aminorityofsusceptibleandseriousyouthsfellcompletelyunderhissway，respondedlikewaxtothepressureofhisinfluence，andmouldedtheirwholeliveswithpassionatereverenceupontheteachingoftheiradoredmaster。ConspicuousamongthesewasArthurClough。HavingbeensenttoRugbyattheageoften，hequicklyenteredintoeveryphaseofschoollife，though，wearetold，’aweaknessinhisanklespreventedhimfromtakingaprominentpartinthegamesoftheplace’。Attheageofsixteen，hewasintheSixthForm，andnotmerelyaPraepostor，butheadoftheSchoolHouse。NeverdidDr。Arnoldhaveanapterpupil。Thisearnestadolescent，withtheweakanklesandthesolemnface，livedentirelywiththehighestendsinview。Hethoughtofnothingbutmoralgood，moralevil，moralinfluence，andmoralresponsibility。Someofhisearlylettershavebeenpreserved，andtheyrevealboththeintensitywithwhichhefelttheimportanceofhisownposition，andthestrangestressofspiritunderwhichhelaboured。’Ihavebeeninonecontinuedstateofexcitementforatleastthelastthreeyears，’hewrotewhenhewasnotyetseventeen，’andnowcomesthetimeofexhaustion。’Buthedidnotallowhimselftorest，andafewmonthslaterhewaswritingtoaschoolfellowasfollows：’I

verilybelievemywholebeingissoakedthroughwiththewishingandhopingandstrivingtodotheschoolgood，orrathertokeepitupandhinderitfromfallinginthis，Idothink，verycriticaltime，sothatmycaresandaffectionsandconversations，thoughts，words，anddeedslooktothatinvoluntarily。Iamafraidyouwillbeinclinedtothinkthis“cant“andIamconsciousthatevenone’struestfeelings，ifveryfrequentlyputoutinthelight，domakeabadanddisagreeableappearance；butthis，however，istrue，andevenifIamcarryingittoofar，I

donotthinkithasmademereallyforgetfulofmypersonalfriends，suchas，inparticular，GellandBurbidgeandWalrond，andyourself，mydearSimpkinson。’

Perhapsitwasnotsurprisingthatayoungmanbroughtupinsuchanatmosphere，shouldhavefallenapreyatOxford，tothefrenziesofreligiouscontroversy；thatheshouldhavebeendrivenalmostoutofhiswitsbytheratiocinationsofW。G。

Ward；thatheshouldhavelosthisfaith；thatheshouldhavespenttherestofhisexistencelamentingthatloss，bothinproseandverse；andthatheshouldhaveeventuallysuccumbed，conscientiouslydoingupbrownpaperparcelsforFlorenceNightingale。

IntheearlieryearsofhisheadmastershipDr。Arnoldhadtofaceagooddealofopposition。Hisadvancedreligiousviewsweredisliked，andthereweremanyparentstowhomhissystemofschoolgovernmentdidnotcommenditself。Butintimethishostilitymeltedaway。SucceedinggenerationsoffavouritepupilsbegantospreadhisfamethroughtheUniversities。AtOxfordespecially，menwereprofoundlyimpressedbythepiousaimsoftheboysfromRugby。ItwasanewthingtoseeundergraduatesgoingtoChapelmoreoftenthantheywereobliged，andvisitingthegoodpoor。TheirreverentadmirationforDr。Arnoldwasnolessremarkable。Whenevertwoofhisoldpupilsmet，theyjoinedinhispraises；andthesightofhispicturehadbeenknowntocallforth，fromonewhohadnotevenreachedtheSixth，exclamationsofrapturelastingfortenminutesandfillingwithastonishmenttheyoungmenfromotherschoolswhohappenedtobepresent。

Hebecameacelebrity；hebecameatlastagreatman。Rugbyprospered；itsnumbersrosehigherthaneverbefore；and，afterthirteenyearsasheadmaster，Dr。Arnoldbegantofeelthathisworktherewasaccomplished，andthathemightlookforwardeithertootherlaboursor，perhaps，toadignifiedretirement。

Butitwasnottobe。

Hisfatherhaddiedsuddenlyattheageoffifty-threefromanginapectoris；andhehimselfwashauntedbyforebodingsofanearlydeath。Tobesnatchedawaywithoutawarning，tocomeinamomentfromtheseductionsofthisWorldtothepresenceofEternity——hismostordinaryactions，themostcasualremarks，servedtokeephiminremembranceofthatdreadfulpossibility。

Whenoneofhislittleboysclappedhishandsatthethoughtoftheapproachingholidays，theDoctorgentlycheckedhim，andrepeatedthestoryofhisownearlychildhood；howhisownfatherhadmadehimreadaloudasermononthetext’Boastnotthyselfoftomorrow“；andhow，withintheweek，hisfatherwasdead。OnthetitlepageofhisMS。volumeofsermons，hewasalwayscarefultowritethedateofitscommencement，leavingablankforthatofitscompletion。Oneofhischildrenaskedhimthemeaningofthis。’ItisoneofthemostsolemnthingsIdo，’hereplied，’towritethebeginningofthatsentence，andthinkthatImayperhapsnotlivetofinishit。’

Itwasnoticedthatinthespringof1842suchthoughtsseemedtobeevenmorefrequentlyinhismindthanusual。Hewasonlyinhisforty-seventhyear，buthedweltdarklyonthefragilityofhumanexistence。TowardstheendofMay，hebegantokeepadiary——aprivatememorandumofhisintimatecommuningswiththeAlmighty。Here，eveningafterevening，inthetraditionallanguageofreligiousdevotion，hehumbledhimselfbeforeGod，prayedforstrengthandpurity，andthrewhimselfuponthemercyoftheMostHigh。’Anotherdayandanothermonthsucceed’，hewroteonMay31st。’MayGodkeepmymindandheartfixedonHim，andcleansemefromallsin。Iwouldwishtokeepawatchovermytongue，astovehementspeakingandcensuringofothers……IwoulddesiretoremembermylatterendtowhichIamapproaching……MayGodkeepmeinthehourofdeath，throughJesusChrist；andpreservemefromeveryfear，aswellasfrompresumption。’OnJune2ndhewrote，’AgainthedayisoverandIamgoingtorest。

OhLord，preservemethisnight，andstrengthenmetobearwhateverThoushaltseefittolayonme，whetherpain，sickness，danger，ordistress。’OnSunday，June5th，thereadingofthenewspaperaroused’painfulandsolemn’reflections……’Somuchofsinandsomuchofsufferingintheworld，asaretheredisplayed，andnooneseemsabletoremedyeither。Andthenthethoughtofmyownprivatelife，sofullofcomforts，isverystartling。’Hewaspuzzled；butheconcludedwithaprayer：’MayIbekepthumbleandzealous，andmayGodgivemegracetolabourinmygenerationforthegoodofmybrethrenandforHisGlory！’

Theendofthetermwasapproaching，andtoallappearancetheDoctorwasinexcellentspirits。OnJune11th，afterahardday’swork，hespenttheeveningwithafriendinthediscussionofvarioustopicsuponwhichheoftentouchedinhisconversationthecomparisonoftheartofmedicineinbarbarousandcivilisedages，thephilologicalimportanceofprovincialvocabularies，andthethreateningprospectofthemoralconditionoftheUnitedStates。Leftalone，heturnedtohisdiary。’Thedayaftertomorrow，’hewrote，’ismybirthday，ifIampermittedtolivetoseeit——myforty-seventhbirthdaysincemybirth。Howlargeaportionofmylifeonearthisalreadypassed！Andthen——whatistofollowthislife？Howvisiblymyoutwardworkseemscontractingandsofteningawayintothegentleremploymentsofoldage。InonesensehownearlycanInowsay，“Vivi“。AndI

thankGodthat，asfarasambitionisconcerned，itis，Itrust，fullymortified；Ihavenodesireotherthantostepbackfrommypresentplaceintheworld，andnottorisetoahigher。Stillthereareworkswhich，withGod’spermission，Iwoulddobeforethenightcometh。’Dr。ArnoldwasthinkingofhisgreatworkonChurchandState。

Earlynextmorningheawokewithasharppaininhischest。Thepainincreasing，aphysicianwassentfor；andinthemeantimeMrs。ArnoldreadaloudtoherhusbandtheFifty-firstPsalm。Upononeoftheirboyscomingintotheroom，’Myson，thankGodforme，’saidDr。Arnold；andastheboydidnotatoncecatchhismeaning，headded，’ThankGod，Tom，forgivingmethispain；I

havesufferedsolittlepaininmylifethatIfeelitisverygoodforme。NowGodhasgivenittome，andIdosothankHimforit。’ThenMrs。ArnoldreadfromthePrayer-bookthe’VisitationoftheSick’，herhusbandlisteningwithdeepattention，andassentingwithanemphatic’Yes’attheendofmanyofthesentences。Whenthephysicianarrived，heperceivedatoncethegravityofthecase：itwasanattackofanginapectoris。Hebegantopreparesomelaudanum，whileMrs。Arnoldwentouttofetchthechildren。Allatonce，asthemedicalmanwasbendingoverhisglasses，therewasarattlefromthebed；aconvulsivestrugglefollowed；and，whentheunhappywoman，withthechildren，andalltheservants，rushedintotheroom，Dr。

Arnoldhadpassedfromhisperplexitiesforever。

TherecanbelittledoubtthatwhathehadachievedjustifiedthepredictionoftheProvostofOrielthathewould’changethefaceofeducationallthroughthepublicschoolsofEngland’。Itistruethat，sofarastheactualmachineryofeducationwasconcerned，Dr。Arnoldnotonlyfailedtoeffectachange，butdeliberatelyadheredtotheoldsystem。Themonasticandliteraryconceptionsofeducation，whichhadtheirrootsintheMiddleAges，andhadbeenacceptedandstrengthenedattherevivalofLearning，headoptedalmostwithouthesitation。Underhim，thepublicschoolremained，inessentials，aconventionalestablishment，devotedtotheteachingofGreekandLatingrammar。Hadhesetonfootreformsinthesedirections，itseemsprobablethathemighthavesucceededincarryingtheparentsofEnglandwithhim。Themomentwasripe；therewasageneraldesireforeducationalchanges；andDr。Arnold’sgreatreputationcouldhardlyhavebeenresisted。Asitwas，hethrewthewholeweightofhisinfluenceintotheoppositescale，andtheancientsystembecamemorefirmlyestablishedthanever。

Thechangeswhichhedideffectwereofaverydifferentnature。

Byintroducingmoralsandreligionintohisschemeofeducation，healteredthewholeatmosphereofpublic-schoollife。

Henceforwardtheoldrough-and-tumble，whichwastypifiedbytheregimeofKeateatEton，becameimpossible。AfterDr。Arnold，nopublicschoolcouldventuretoignorethevirtuesofrespectability。Again，byhisintroductionoftheprefectorialsystem，Dr。Arnoldproducedfar-reachingeffects——effectswhichhehimself，perhaps，wouldhavefoundperplexing。Inhisday，whentheschoolhourswereover，theboyswerefreetoenjoythemselvesastheyliked；tobathe，tofish，torambleforlongafternoonsinthecountry，collectingeggsorgatheringflowers。

’Thetasteoftheboysatthisperiod，’writesanoldRugbaeanwhohadbeenunderArnold，’leanedstronglytowardsflowers’。Thewordshaveanoddlooktoday。’Themodernreaderof“TomBrown’sSchooldays“searchesinvainforanyreferencetocompulsorygames，housecolours，orcricketaverages。Inthosedays，whenboysplayedgamestheyplayedthemforpleasure；butinthosedaystheprefectorialsystem——thesystemwhichhandsoverthelifeofaschooltoanoligarchyofadozenyouthsofseventeen——

wasstillinitsinfancy，andhadnotyetborneitsfruit。

Teachersandprophetshavestrangeafter-histories；andthatofDr。Arnoldhasbeennoexception。TheearnestenthusiastwhostrovetomakehispupilsChristiangentlemenandwhogovernedhisschoolaccordingtotheprinciplesoftheOldTestament，hasprovedtobethefounderoftheworshipofathleticsandtheworshipofgoodform。Uponthosetwopolesourpublicschoolshaveturnedforsolongthatwehavealmostcometobelievethatsuchistheiressentialnature，andthatanEnglishpublicschoolboywhowearsthewrongclothesandtakesnointerestinfootball，isacontradictioninterms。YetitwasnotsobeforeDr。Arnold；willitalwaysbesoafterhim？Weshallsee。

BIBLIOGRAPHY

DeanStanley。LifeandCorrespondenceofDrArnold。

ThomasHughes。TomBrown’sSchooldays。

SirH。Maxwell-Lyte。HistoryofEtonCollege。

WilfridWard。W。G。WardandtheOxfordMovement。

H。Clough。Letters。AnOldRugbaean。RecollectionsofRugby。

ThomasArnold。PassagesinaWanderingLife。

TheEndofGeneralGordonDURINGtheyear1883asolitaryEnglishgentlemanwastobeseen，wandering，withathickbookunderhisarm，intheneighbourhoodofJerusalem。Hisunassumingfigure，shortandslight，withitshalf-gliding，half-trippingmotion，gavehimaboyishaspect，whichcontrasted，oddly，butnotunpleasantly，withthetouchofgreyonhishairandwhiskers。Therewasthesamecontrast——

enigmaticandattractive——betweenthesunburntbrick-redcomplexion——thehueoftheseasonedtraveller——andthelargeblueeyes，withtheirlookofalmostchildishsincerity。Tothefriendlyinquirer，hewouldexplain，inarow，soft，andverydistinctvoice，thathewasengagedinelucidatingfourquestions——thesiteoftheCrucifixion，thelineofdivisionbetweenthetribesofBenjaminandJudah，theidentificationofGideon，andthepositionoftheGardenofEden。Hewasalso，hewouldadd，mostanxioustodiscoverthespotwheretheArkfirsttouchedground，afterthesubsidenceoftheFlood：hebelieved，indeed，thathehadsolvedthatproblem，asareferencetosomepassagesinthebookwhichhewascarryingwouldshow。

ThissingularpersonwasGeneralGordon，andhisbookwastheHolyBible。

Insuchcompleteretirementfromtheworldandthewaysofmen，itmighthaveseemedthatalifeofinordinateactivityhadfoundatlastalonged-for，finalpeacefulness。Formonthaftermonth，foranentireyear，theGenerallingeredbythebanksoftheJordan。Butthentheenchantmentwassuddenlybroken。Oncemoreadventureclaimedhim；heplungedintothewhirlofhighaffairs；hisfatewasmingledwiththefrenziesofEmpireandthedoomofpeoples。Anditwasnotinpeaceandrest，butinruinandhorror，thathereachedhisend。

Thecircumstancesofthattragichistory，sofamous，sobitterlydebated，sooftenandsocontroversiallydescribed，remainfullofsuggestionforthecuriousexaminerofthepast。Thereemergesfromthoseobscure，unhappyrecordsaninterest，notmerelypoliticalandhistorical，buthumananddramatic。Onecatchesavisionofstrangecharacters，movedbymysteriousimpulses，interactinginqueercomplication，andhurryingatlast——soitalmostseems——likecreaturesinapuppetshowtoapredestinedcatastrophe。Thecharacters，too，haveacharmoftheirown：theyarecuriouslyEnglish。WhatothernationonthefaceoftheearthcouldhaveproducedMr。GladstoneandSirEvelynBaringandLordHartingtonandGeneralGordon？Alikeintheiremphasisandtheirlackofemphasis，intheireccentricityandtheirconventionality，intheirmatter-of-factnessandtheirromance，thesefourfiguresseemtoembodytheminglingcontradictionsoftheEnglishspirit。

Asforthemise-en-scene，itisperfectlyappropriate。Butfirst，letusglanceattheearlieradventuresoftheheroofthepiece。

CharlesGeorgeGordonwasbornin1833。Hisfather，ofHighlandandmilitarydescent，washimselfaLieutenant-General；hismothercameofafamilyofmerchants，distinguishedfortheirseavoyagesintoremoteregionsoftheGlobe。Asaboy，Charliewasremarkableforhishighspirits，pluck，andloveofmischief。

DestinedfortheArtillery，hewassenttotheAcademyatWoolwich，wheresomeothercharacteristicsmadetheirappearance。

Ononeoccasion，whenthecadetshadbeenforbiddentoleavethedining-roomandtheseniorcorporalstoodwithoutstretchedarmsinthedoorwaytopreventtheirexit，CharlieGordonputhisheaddown，and，buttingtheofficerinthepitofthestomach，projectedhimdownaflightofstairsandthroughaglassdooratthebottom。Forthisactofinsubordinationhewasnearlydismissed——whilethecaptainofhiscompanypredictedthathewouldnevermakeanofficer。Alittlelater，whenhewaseighteen，itcametotheknowledgeoftheauthoritiesthatbullyingwasrifeattheAcademy。Thenew-comerswerequestioned，andoneofthemsaidthatCharlieGordonhadhithimovertheheadwithaclothes-brush。Hehadworkedwell，andhisrecordwasonthewholeagoodone；buttheauthoritiestookaseriousviewofthecase，andheldbackhiscommissionforsixmonths。ItwasowingtothisdelaythathewentintotheRoyalEngineers，insteadoftheRoyalArtillery。

HewassenttoPembroke，toworkattheerectionoffortifications；andatPembrokethosereligiousconvictions，whichneverafterwardslefthim，firstgainedaholduponhismind。UndertheinfluenceofhissisterAugustaandofa’veryreligiouscaptainofthenameofDrew’，hebegantoreflectuponhissins，lookuptexts，andhopeforsalvation。Thoughhehadneverbeenconfirmed——heneverwasconfirmed——hetookthesacramenteverySunday；andheeagerlyperusedthePricelessDiamond，Scott’sCommentaries，andTheRemainsoftheRev。R。

McCheyne。’Nonovelsorworldlybooks，’hewrotetohissister，’comeuptotheCommentariesofScott……I，rememberwellwhenyouusedtogettheminnumbers，andIusedtolaughatthem；

but，thankGod，itisdifferentwithmenow。IfeelmuchhappierandmorecontentedthanIusedtodo。IdidnotlikePembroke，butnowIwouldnotwishforanyprettierplace。Ihavegotahorseandgig，andDrewandmyselfdriveallaboutthecountry。I

hopemydearfatherandmotherthinkofeternalthings……

DearestAugusta，prayforme，Ibegofyou。’

Hewastwenty-one；theCrimeanWarbrokeout；andbeforetheyearwasover，hehadmanagedtogethimselftransferredtoBalaclava。

DuringthesiegeofSebastopolhebehavedwithconspicuousgallantry。Uponthedeclarationofpeace，hewassenttoBessarabiatoassistindeterminingthefrontierbetweenRussiaandTurkey，inaccordancewiththeTreatyofParis；anduponthisdutyhewasoccupiedfornearlytwoyears。Notlongafterhisreturnhome，in1860，warwasdeclareduponChina。CaptainGordonwasdispatchedtothesceneofoperations，butthefightingwasoverbeforehearrived。Nevertheless，hewastoremainforthenextfouryearsinChina，wherehewastolaythefoundationsofextraordinaryrenown。

ThoughhewastoolatetotakepartinthecaptureoftheTakuForts，hewasintimetowitnessthedestructionoftheSummerPalaceatPeking——theactbywhichLordElgin，inthenameofEuropeancivilisation，tookvengeanceuponthebarbarismoftheEast。

Thewarwasover；buttheBritishArmyremainedinthecountry，untilthepaymentofanindemnitybytheChineseGovernmentwascompleted。AcampwasformedatTientsin，andGordonwasoccupiedinsettinguphutsforthetroops。Whilehewasthusengaged，hehadaslightattackofsmallpox。’Iamgladtosay，’hetoldhissister，’thatthisdiseasehasbroughtmebacktomySaviour，andItrustinfuturetobeabetterChristianthanIhavebeenhitherto。’

Curiouslyenoughasimilarcircumstancehad，morethantwentyyearsearlier，broughtaboutasingularsuccessionofeventswhichwerenowuponthepointofopeningthewaytoGordon’sfirstgreatadventure。In1837，avillageschoolmasternearCantonhadbeenattackedbyillness；and，asinthecaseofGordon，illnesshadbeenfollowedbyareligiousrevulsion。Hong-

Siu-Tsuen——forsuchwashisname——sawvisions，wentintoecstasies，andenteredintorelationswiththeDeity。Shortlyafterwards，hefellinwithaMethodistmissionaryfromAmerica，whoinstructedhimintheChristianreligion。Thenewdoctrine，workinguponthemysticalfermentalreadyinHong’smind，producedaremarkableresult。Hewas，hedeclared，theprophetofGod；hewasmore——hewastheSonofGod；hewasTienWang，theCelestialKing；hewastheyoungerbrotherofJesus。

Thetimeswerepropitious，andproselytessoongatheredaroundhim。

HavingconceivedagrudgeagainsttheGovernment，owingtohisfailureinanexamination，Honggaveapoliticalturntohisteaching，whichsoondevelopedintoapropagandaofrebellionagainsttheruleoftheManchusandtheMandarins。Theauthoritiestookfright，attemptedtosuppressHongbyforce，andfailed。Themovementspread。By1850therebelswereoverrunningthepopulousandflourishingdeltaoftheYangtseKiang，andhadbecomeaformidableforce。In1853theycapturedNankin，whichwashenceforththeircapital。TheTienWang，establishedhimselfinasplendidpalace，andproclaimedhisnewevangel。HistheogonyincludedthewifeofGod，orthecelestialMother，thewifeofJesus，orthecelestialdaughter-in-law，andasisterofJesus，whomhemarriedtooneofhislieutenants，whothusbecamethecelestialson-in-law；theHolyGhost，however，waseliminated。

HismissionwastorootoutDemonsandManchusfromthefaceoftheearth，andtoestablishTaiping，thereignofeternalpeace。

Inthemeantime，retiringintothedepthsofhispalace，heleftthefurtherconductofearthlyoperationstohislieutenants，uponwhomhebestowedthetitleof’Wangs’(kings)，whilehehimself，surroundedbythirtywivesandonehundredconcubines，devotedhisenergiestothespiritualsideofhismission。TheTaipingRebellion，asitcametobecalled，hadnowreacheditsfurthestextent。Therebelswereevenabletooccupy，formorethanayear，thesemi-EuropeancityofShanghai。

Butthenthetideturned。ThelatentforcesoftheEmpiregraduallyassertedthemselves。Therebelslostground，theirarmiesweredefeated，andin1859Nankinitselfwasbesieged，andtheCelestialKingtrembledinhispalace。Theendseemedtobeathand，whentherewasasuddentwistofFortune’swheel。Thewarof860，theinvasionofChinabyEuropeanarmies，theirmarchintotheinterior，andtheiroccupationofPeking，notonlysavedtherebelsfromdestruction，butallowedthemtorecoverthegreaterpartofwhattheyhadlost。Oncemoretheyseizedupontheprovincesofthedelta，oncemoretheymenacedShanghai。ItwasclearthattheImperialarmywasincompetent，andtheShanghaimerchantsdeterminedtoprovidefortheirownsafetyasbesttheycould。Theyaccordinglygottogetherabodyoftroops，partlyChineseandpartlyEuropean，andunderEuropeanofficers，towhichtheyentrustedthedefenceofthetown。Thissmallforce，which，afterafewpreliminarysuccesses，receivedfromtheChineseGovernmentthetitleofthe’EverVictoriousArmy’，wasabletoholdtherebelsatbay，butitcoulddonomore。

FortwoyearsShanghaiwasinconstantdanger。TheTaipings，steadilygrowinginpower，werespreadingdestructionfarandwide。TheEverVictoriousArmywastheonlyforcecapableofopposingthem，andtheEverVictoriousArmywasdefeatedmoreoftenthannot。ItsfirstEuropeanleaderhadbeenkilled；hissuccessorquarrelledwiththeChineseGovernor，LiHungChang，andwasdismissed。AtlastitwasdeterminedtoasktheGeneralattheheadoftheBritishArmyofOccupationfortheloanofanofficertocommandtheforce。TheEnglish，whohadbeenatfirstinclinedtofavourtheTaipings，onreligiousgrounds，werenowconvinced，onpracticalgrounds，ofthenecessityofsuppressingthem。Itwasinthesecircumstancesthat，earlyin1863，thecommandoftheEverVictoriousArmywasofferedtoGordon。Heacceptedit，receivedthetitleofGeneralfromtheChineseauthorities，andenteredforthwithuponhisnewtask。Hewasjustthirty。

Ineighteenmonths，hetoldLiHungChang，thebusinesswouldbefinished；andhewasasgoodashisword。Thedifficultiesbeforehimwereverygreat。Avasttractofcountrywasinthepossessionoftherebels——anarea，atthelowestestimate，of14，000squaremileswithapopulationof20，000，000。Forcenturiesthislow-lyingplainoftheYangtsedelta，richinsilkandtea，fertilisedbyelaborateirrigation，andcoveredwithgreatwalledcities，hadbeenoneofthemostflourishingdistrictsinChina。ThoughitwasnowbeingrapidlyruinedbythedepredationsoftheTaipings，itsstrategicstrengthwasobviouslyenormous。Gordon，however，withtheeyeofaborngeneral，perceivedthathecouldconverttheveryfeatureofthecountrywhich，onthefaceofit，mostfavouredanarmyonthedefence——itscomplicatedgeographicalsystemofinterlacingroadsandwaterways，canals，lakesandrivers——intoameansofoffensivewarfare。Theforceathisdisposalwassmall，butitwasmobile。Hehadapassionformap-making，andhadalready，inhisleisurehours，madeacarefulsurveyofthecountryroundShanghai；hewasthusabletoexecuteaseriesofmanoeuvreswhichprovedfataltotheenemy。Byswiftmarchesandcounter-

marches，bysuddenattacksandsurprises，aboveallbythedispatchofarmedsteamboatsupthecircuitouswaterwaysintopositionsfromwhichtheycouldfallupontheenemyinreverse，hewasablegraduallytoforcebacktherebels，tocutthemoffpiecemealinthefield，andtoseizeupontheircities。

But，brilliantastheseoperationswere，Gordon’smilitarygeniusshoweditselfnolessunmistakablyinotherdirections。TheEverVictoriousArmy，recruitedfromtheriff-raffofShanghai，wasanill-disciplined，ill-organisedbodyofaboutthreethousandmen，constantlyonthevergeofmutiny，supportingitselfonplunder，and，attheslightestprovocation，meltingintothinair。Gordon，bysheerforceofcharacter，establishedoverthisincoherentmassofruffiansanextraordinaryascendancy。Hedrilledthemwithrigidseverity；heputthemintoauniform，armedthemsystematically，substitutedpayforloot，andwasevenable，atlast，tointroduceregulationsofasanitarykind。Thereweresometerriblescenes，inwhichtheGeneral，alone，facedthewholefuriousarmy，andquelledscenesofrage，desperation，toweringcourage，andsummaryexecution。Eventuallyheattainedanalmostmagicalprestige。Walkingattheheadofhistroopswithnothingbutalightcaneinhishand，heseemedtopassthrougheverydangerwiththescathelessequanimityofademi-

god。TheTaipingsthemselveswereawedintoastrangereverence。

Morethanoncetheirleaders，inafrenzyoffearandadmiration，orderedthesharp-shootersnottotakeaimattheadvancingfigureofthefaintlysmilingEnglishman。

ItissignificantthatGordonfounditeasiertowinbattlesandtocrushmutineersthantokeepongoodtermswiththeChineseauthorities。Hehadtoactincooperationwithalargenativeforce；anditwasonlynaturalthatthegeneralattheheadofitshouldgrowmoreandmorejealousandangryastheEnglishman’ssuccessesrevealedmoreandmoreclearlyhisownincompetence。Atfirst，indeed，GordoncouldrelyuponthesupportoftheGovernor。LiFlungChang’sexperienceofEuropeanshadbeenhithertolimitedtolow-classadventurers，andGordoncameasarevelation。’ItisadirectblessingfromHeaven，’henotedinhisdiary，’thecomingofthisBritishGordon……HeissuperiorinmannerandbearingtoanyoftheforeignerswhomIhavecomeintocontactwith，anddoesnotshowoutwardlythatconceitwhichmakesmostofthemrepugnantinmysight。’Afewmonthslater，afterhehadaccompaniedGordononavictoriousexpedition，theMandarin’senthusiasmburstforth。’Whatasightfortiredeyes，’

hewrote，’whatanelixirforaheavyheart——toseethissplendidEnglishmanfight！……IfthereisanythingthatIadmirenearlyasmuchasthesuperbscholarshipofTsengKuofan，itisthemilitaryqualitiesofthisfineofficer。Heisagloriousfellow！’Inhisemotion，LiHungChangaddressedGordonashisbrother，declaringthathe’consideredhimworthytofilltheplaceofthebrotherwhoisdeparted。CouldIhavesaidmoreinallthewordsoftheworld？’

ThensomethinghappenedwhichimpressedandmystifiedthesensitiveChinaman。’TheEnglishman’sfacewasfirstfilledwithadeeppleasure，andthenheseemedtobethinking)，ofsomethingdepressingandsad；forthesmilewentfromhismouthandthereweretearsinhiseyeswhenhethankedmeforwhatIhadsaid。Canitbethathehas，orhashad，somegreattroubleinhislife，andthathefightsrecklesslytoforgetit，orthatDeathhasnoterrorsforhim？’But，astimewenton，LiHungChang’sattitudebegantochange。’GeneralGordon，’henotesinJuly，’mustcontrolhistongue，evenifheletshismindrunloose。’TheEnglishmanhadaccusedhimofintriguingwiththeChinesegeneral，andofwithholdingmoneyduetotheEverVictoriousArmy。’Whydoeshenotaccordmethehonoursthatareduetome，asheadofthemilitaryandcivilauthorityintheseparts？’BySeptember，theGovernor’searliertransportshavebeenreplacedbyamorejudicialframeofmind。

’Withhismanyfaults，hispride，histemper，andhisnever-

endingdemandformoney，(foroneisanobleman，andinspiteofallIhavesaidtohimorabouthim)Iwilleverthinkmosthighlyofhim……Heisanhonestman，butdifficulttogetonwith。’

Disagreementsofthiskindmightperhapshavebeentidedoveruntiltheendofthecampaign；butanunfortunateincidentsuddenlyledtoamoreseriousquarrel。Gordon’sadvancehadbeenfiercelycontested，butithadbeenconstant；hehadcapturedseveralimportanttowns；andinOctoberlicelaidsiegetothecityofSoo-chow，onceoneofthemostfamousandsplendidinChina。InDecember，itsfallbeingobviouslyimminent，theTaipingleadersagreedtosurrenderitonconditionthattheirliveswerespared。Gordonwasapartytotheagreement，andlaidspecialstressuponhispresencewiththeImperialforcesasapledgeofitsfulfilment。Nosooner，however，wasthecitysurrenderedthantherebel’Wangs’wereassassinated。Inhisfury，itissaidthatGordonsearchedeverywhereforLiHungChangwithaloadedpistolinhishand。HewasconvincedofthecomplicityoftheGovernor，who，onhisside，deniedthathewasresponsibleforwhathadhappened。’IaskedhimwhyIshouldplot，andgoaroundamountain，whenamereorder，writtenwithfivestrokesofthequill，wouldhaveaccomplishedthesamething。Hedidnotanswer，butheinsultedme，andsaidhewouldreportmytreachery，ashecalledit，toShanghaiandEngland。

Lethimdoso；hecannotbringthecrazyWangsback。’TheagitatedMandarinhopedtoplacateGordonbyalargegratuityandanImperialmedal；buttheplanwasnotsuccessful。’GeneralGordon，’hewrites，’calleduponmeinhisangriestmood。HerepeatedhisformerspeechesabouttheWangs。Ididnotattempttoarguewithhim……Herefusedthe10，000taels，whichIhadreadyforhim，and，withanoath，saidthathedidnotwanttheThrone’smedal。Thisisshowingthegreatestdisrespect。’

Gordonresignedhiscommand；anditwasonlywiththeutmostreluctancethatheagreedatlasttoresumeit。Anarduousandterribleseriesofoperationsfollowed；buttheyweresuccessful，andbyJune，1864，theEverVictoriousArmy，havingaccomplisheditstask，wasdisbanded。TheImperialforcesnowclosedroundNankin；thelasthopesoftheTienWanghadvanished。Intherecessesofhisseraglio，theCelestialKing，judgingthatthetimehadcomefortheconclusionofhismission，swallowedgoldleafuntilheascendedtoHeaven。InJuly，Nankinwastaken，theremainingchiefswereexecuted，andtherebellionwasatanend。

TheChineseGovernmentgaveGordonthehighestrankinitsmilitaryhierarchy，andinvestedhimwiththeyellowjacketandthepeacock’sfeather。Herejectedanenormousofferofmoney；

buthecouldnotrefuseagreatgoldmedal，speciallystruckinhishonourbyorderoftheEmperor。AttheendoftheyearhereturnedtoEngland，wheretheconqueroroftheTaipingswasmadeaCompanionoftheBath。

ThattheEnglishauthoritiesshouldhaveseenfittorecogniseGordon’sservicesbytherewardusuallyreservedforindustriousclerkswastypicaloftheirattitudetowardshimuntiltheveryendofhiscareer。Perhapsifhehadbeenreadytomakethemostofthewaveofpopularitywhichgreetedhimonhisreturn——ifhehadadvertisedhisfameand，amidhighcircles，playedthepartofChineseGordoninabecomingmanner——theresultswouldhavebeendifferent。Buthewasbynaturefarouche；hissoulrevoltedagainstdinnerpartiesandstiffshirts；andthepresenceofladies——especiallyoffashionableladies——filledhimwithuneasiness。Hehad，besides，adeeperdreadoftheworld’scontaminations。Andso，whenhewasappointedtoGravesendtosupervisetheerectionofasystemoffortsatthemouthoftheThames，heremainedtherequietlyforsixyears，andatlastwasalmostforgotten。Theforts，whichwereextremelyexpensiveandquiteuseless，occupiedhisworkinghours；hisleisurehedevotedtoactsofcharityandtoreligiouscontemplation。Theneighbourhoodwasapoverty-strickenone，andthekindColonel，withhistrippingstepandsimplemanner，wassoonafamiliarfigureinit，chattingwiththeseamen，takingprovisionstostarvingfamilies，orvisitingsomebedriddenoldwomantolightherfire。Hewasparticularlyfondofboys。Raggedstreetarabsandroughsailor-ladscrowdedabouthim。

Theyweremadefreeofhishouseandgarden；theyvisitedhimintheeveningsforlessonsandadvice；hehelpedthem，foundthememployment，correspondedwiththemwhentheywentoutintotheworld。Theywere，hesaid，hisWangs。Itwasonlybyasingularausterityoflivingthathewasabletoaffordsuchavarietyofcharitableexpenses。Theeasyluxuriesofhisclassandstationwereunknowntohim：hisclothesvergedupontheshabby；andhisfrugalmealswereeatenatatablewithadrawer，intowhichtheloafandplatewerequicklysweptattheapproachofhispoorvisitors。

Specialoccasionsdemandedspecialsacrifices。When，duringtheLancashirefamine，apublicsubscriptionwasopened，findingthathehadnoreadymoney，herememberedhisChinesemedal，and，aftereffacingtheinscription，dispatcheditasananonymousgift。

Exceptforhisboysandhispaupers，helivedalone。Inhissolitude，heruminateduponthemysteriesoftheuniverse；andthosereligioustendencies，whichhadalreadyshownthemselves，nowbecameafixedanddominatingfactorinhislife。HisreadingwasconfinedalmostentirelytotheBible；buttheBiblehereadandre-readwithanuntiring，unendingassiduity。There，hewasconvinced，alltruthwastobefound；andhewasequallyconvincedthathecouldfindit。Thedoubtsofphilosophers，theinvestigationsofcommentators，thesmilesofmenoftheworld，thedogmasofChurches——suchthingsmeantnothingtotheColonel。

Twofactsalonewereevident：therewastheBible，andtherewashimself；andallthatremainedtobedonewasforhimtodiscoverwhatweretheBible’sinstructions，andtoactaccordingly。InordertomakethisdiscoveryitwasonlynecessaryforhimtoreadtheBibleoverandoveragain；andtherefore，fortherestofhislife，hedidso。

Thefaiththatheevolvedwasmysticalandfatalistic；itwasalsohighlyunconventional。Hiscreed，baseduponthenarrowfoundationsofJewishScripture，ekedoutoccasionallybysomeEnglishevangelicalmanual，wasyetwideenoughtoignoreeverydoctrinaldifference，andeven，atmoments，totranscendtheboundsofChristianityitself。ThejustmanwashewhosubmittedtotheWillofGod，andtheWillofGod，inscrutableandabsolute，couldbeservedarightonlybythosewhoturnedawayfromearthlydesiresandtemporaltemptations，torestthemselveswhole-heartedlyuponthein-dwellingSpirit。Humanbeingswerethetransitoryembodimentsofsoulswhohadexistedthroughaninfinitepast，andwouldcontinuetoexistthroughaninfinitefuture。

Theworldwasvanity；thefleshwasdustandashes。’Aman，’

Gordonwrotetohissister，’whoknowsnotthesecret，whohasnotthein-dwellingofGodrevealedtohim，islikethis——[pictureofacirclewithBodyandSoulwrittenwithinit]。Hetakesthepromisesandcursesasaddressedtohimasoneman，andwillnothearoftherebeinganybirthbeforehisnaturalbirth，inanyexistenceexceptwiththebodyheisin。

Themantowhomthesecret(theindwellingofGod)isrevealedislikethis：

[pictureofacirclewithsoulandbodyenclosedintwoseparatecircles]。

Heappliesthepromisestooneandthecursestotheother，ifdisobedient，whichhemustbe，exceptthesoulisenabledbyGodtorule。Hethenseesheisnotofthisworld；forwhenhespeaksofhimselfhequitedisregardsthebodyhissoullivesin，whichisearthly。’Suchconceptionsarefamiliarenoughinthehistoryofreligiousthought：theyarethoseofthehermitandthefakir；

anditmighthavebeenexpectedthat，whenoncetheyhadtakenholduponhismind，Gordonwouldhavebeencontenttolayasidetheactivitiesofhisprofession，andwouldhaverelapsedatlastintothecompleteretirementofholymeditation。Buttherewereotherelementsinhisnaturewhichurgedhimtowardsaverydifferentcourse。Hewasnosimplequietist。HewasanEnglishgentleman，anofficer，amanofenergyandaction，aloverofdangerandtheaudacitiesthatdefeatdanger；apassionatecreature，flowingoverwiththeself-assertivenessofindependentjudgmentandthearbitrarytemperofcommand。

Whateverhemightfindinhispocket-Bible，itwasnotforsuchashetodreamouthisdaysindevoutobscurity。But，convenientlyenough，hefoundnothinginhispocket-Bibleindicatingthatheshould。

WhathedidfindwasthattheWillofGodwasinscrutableandabsolute；

thatitwasman’sdutytofollowwhereGod’shandled；and，ifGod’shandledtowardsviolentexcitementsandextraordinaryvicissitudes，thatitwasnotonlyfutile，itwasimpioustoturnanotherway。Fatalismisalwaysapttobeadouble-edgedphilosophy；forwhile，ontheonehand，itrevealstheminutestoccurrencesastheimmutableresultofarigidchainofinfinitelypredestinedcauses，ontheother，itinveststhewildestincoherencesofconductorofcircumstancewiththesanctityofeternallaw。AndGordon’sfatalismwasnoexception。

Thesamedoctrinethatledhimtodallywithomens，tosearchforprophetictexts，andtoappend，inbrackets，theapotropaicinitialsD。V。aftereverystatementinhislettersimplyingfuturity，ledhimalsotoenvisagehismoodsandhisdesires，hispassingrecklesswhimsandhisdeepunconsciousinstincts，asthemysteriousmanifestationsoftheindwellingGod。Thattherewasdangerlurkinginsuchacreedhewasverywellaware。Thegrossertemptationsoftheworld——moneyandthevulgarattributesofpower——had，indeed，nocharmsforhim；butthereweresubtlerandmoreinsinuatingallurementswhichitwasnotsoeasytoresist。Morethanoneobserverdeclaredthatambitionwas，inreality，theessentialmotiveinhislife：ambition，neitherforwealthnortitles，butforfameandinfluence，fortheswayingofmultitudes，andforthatkindofenlargedandintensifiedexistence’wherebreathbreathesmosteveninthemouthsofmen’。

Wasitso？InthedepthsofGordon’ssoultherewereintertwiningcontradictions——intricaterecesseswhereegoismandrenunciationmeltedintooneanother，wherethefleshlostitselfinthespirit，andthespiritintheflesh。WhatwastheWillofGod？

Thequestion，whichfirstbecameinsistentduringhisretirementatGravesend，neverafterwardslefthim；itmightalmostbesaidthathespenttheremainderofhislifeinsearchingfortheanswertoit。InallhisOdysseys，inallhisstrangeandagitatedadventures，adayneverpassedonwhichheneglectedthevoiceofeternalwisdomasitspokethroughthewordsofPaulorSolomon，ofJonahorHabakkuk。HeopenedhisBible，heread，andthenhenoteddownhisreflectionsuponscrapsofpaper，which，periodicallypinnedtogether，hedispatchedtooneorotherofhisreligiousfriends，andparticularlyhissisterAugusta。ThepublishedextractsfromthesevoluminousoutpouringslaybaretheinnerhistoryofGordon’sspirit，andrevealthepiousvisionaryofGravesendintherestlessheroofthreecontinents。

Hisseclusioncametoanendinadistinctlyprovidentialmanner。

InaccordancewithastipulationintheTreatyofParis，aninternationalcommissionhadbeenappointedtoimprovethenavigationoftheDanube；andGordon，whohadactedonasimilarbodyfifteenyearsearlier，wassentouttorepresentGreatBritain。AtConstantinople，hechancedtomeettheEgyptianminister，NubarPasha。TheGovernorshipoftheEquatorialProvincesoftheSudanwasabouttofallvacant；andNubarofferedtheposttoGordon，whoacceptedit。’Forsomewisedesign，’hewrotetohissister，’Godturnseventsonewayoranother，whethermanlikesitornot，asamandrivingahorseturnsittorightorleftwithoutconsiderationastowhetherthehorselikesthatwayornot。Tobehappy，amanmustbelikeawell-broken，willinghorse，readyforanything。EventswillgoasGodlikes。’

Andthenfollowedsixyearsofextraordinary，desperate，unceasing，andungratefullabour。TheunexploredandpestilentialregionofEquatoria，stretchingsouthwardstotheGreatLakesandthesourcesoftheNile，hadbeenannexedtoEgyptbytheKhediveIsmail，who，whilehesquanderedhismillionsonParisianballet-

dancers，dreamtstrangedreamsofgloryandempire。ThosedimtractsofswampandforestinCentralAfricawere——sohedeclared——tobe’openedup’；theyweretoreceivetheblessingsofcivilisation，theyweretobecomeasourceofeternalhonourtohimselfandEgypt。Theslave-trade，whichflourishedthere，wastobeputdown；thesavageinhabitantsweretobecomeacquaintedwithfreedom，justice，andprosperity。Incidentally，agovernmentmonopolyinivorywastobeestablished，andtheplacewastobemadeapayingconcern。Ismail，hopelesslyindebttoahordeofEuropeancreditors，lookedtoEuropetosupporthiminhisschemes。Europe，and，inparticular，England，withherpassionforextraneousphilanthropy，wasnotaverse。

SirSamuelBakerbecamethefirstGovernorofEquatoria，andnowGordonwastocarryonthegoodwork。InsuchcircumstancesitwasonlynaturalthatGordonshouldconsiderhimselfaspecialinstrumentinGod’sband。Toputhisdisinterestednessbeyonddoubt，hereducedhissalary，whichhadbeenfixedat￡10，000，to￡2，000。

Hetookoverhisnewdutiesearlyin1874，anditwasnotlongbeforehehadafirsthintofdisillusionment。OnhiswayuptheNile，hewasreceivedinstateatKhartoumbytheEgyptianGovernor——GeneraloftheSudan，hisimmediateofficialsuperior。

Thefunctionendedinaprolongedbanquet，followedbyamixedballetofsoldiersandcompletelynakedyoungwomen，whodancedinacircle，beattimewiththeirfeet，andaccompaniedtheirgestureswithacurioussoundofclucking。AtlasttheAustrianConsul，overcomebytheexhilarationofthescene，flunghimselfinafrenzyamongthedancers；theGovernor-General，shoutingwithdelight，seemedabouttofollowsuit，whenGordonabruptlylefttheroom，andthepartybrokeupinconfusion。

When，1，500milestothesouthward，Gordonreachedtheseatofhisgovernment，andthedesolationoftheTropicsclosedoverhim，theagonisingnatureofhistaskstoodfullyrevealed。Forthenextthreeyearshestruggledwithenormousdifficulties——

withtheconfusedandhorriblecountry，theappallingclimate，themaddeninginsectsandtheloathsomediseases，theindifferenceofsubordinatesandsuperiors，thesavageryoftheslave-traders，andthehatredoftheinhabitants。OnebyonethesmallcompanyofhisEuropeanstaffsuccumbed。WithafewhundredEgyptiansoldiershehadtosuppressinsurrections，makeroads，establishfortifiedposts，andenforcethegovernmentmonopolyofivory。Allthisheaccomplished；heevensucceededinsendingenoughmoneytoCairotopayfortheexpensesoftheexpedition。

Butadeepgloomhadfallenuponhisspirit。When，afteraseriesofincredibleobstacleshadbeenovercome，asteamerwaslaunchedupontheunexploredAlbertNyanza，heturnedhisbackuponthelake，leavingthegloryofitsnavigationtohisItalianlieutenant，Gessi。’Iwish，’hewrote，’togiveapracticalproofofwhatIthinkregardingtheinordinatepraisewhichisgiventoanexplorer。’Amonghisdistressesandself-mortifications，heloathedthethoughtofallsuchhonours，andrememberedtheattentionsofEnglishsocietywithasnarl。’When，D。V。，Igethome，Idonotdineout。MyreminiscencesoftheselandswillnotbemorepleasanttomethantheChinaones。WhatIshallhavedone，willbewhatIhavedone。Menthinkgivingdinnersisconferringafavouronyou……Whynotgivedinnerstothosewhoneedthem？’No！Hisheartwassetuponaverydifferentobject。

’Toeachisallottedadistinctwork，toeachadestinedgoal；tosometheseatattherighthandorlefthandoftheSaviour。(ItwasnotHistogive；itwasalreadygiven——Matthewxx，23。

Again，Judaswentto“HISOWNPLACE“——Actsi，25。)Itisdifficultforthefleshtoaccept：“Yearedead，yehavenaughttodowiththeworld“。Howdifficultforanyonetobecircumcisedfromtheworld，tobeasindifferenttoitspleasures，itssorrows，anditscomfortsasacorpseis！Thatistoknowtheresurrection。’

ButtheHolyBiblewasnothisonlysolace。Fornow，undertheparchingAfricansun，wecatchglimpses，forthefirsttime，ofGordon’shandstretchingouttowardsstimulantsofamorematerialquality。Formonthstogether，wearetold，hewoulddrinknothingbutpurewater；andthen……waterthatwasnotsopure。Inhisfitsofmelancholy，hewouldshuthimselfupinhistentfordaysatatime，withahatchetandaflagplacedatthedoortoindicatethathewasnottobedisturbedforanyreasonwhatever；untilatlastthecloudwouldlift，thesignalswouldberemoved，andtheGovernorwouldreappear，briskandcheerful。

During，oneoftheseretirements，therewasgravedangerofanativeattackuponthecamp。ColonelLong，theChiefofStaff，ventured，aftersomehesitation，toignoretheflagandhatchet，andtoentertheforbiddentent。HefoundGordonseatedatatable，uponwhichwereanopenBibleandanopenbottleofbrandy。Longexplainedthecircumstances，butcouldobtainnoanswerbeyondtheabruptwords——’Youarecommanderofthecamp’——

andwasobligedtoretire，nonplussed，todealwiththesituationasbesthecould。Onthefollowingmorning，Gordon，cleanlyshaven，andinthefull-dressuniformoftheRoyalEngineers，enteredLong’shutwithhisusualtrippingstep，exclaiming’Oldfellow，nowdon’tbeangrywithme。Iwasverylowlastnight。

Let’shaveagoodbreakfast——alittleb。ands。Doyoufeeluptoit？’And，withtheseveeringmoodsanddangerousrestoratives，therecameanintensificationofthequeerandviolentelementsinthetemperoftheman。

Hiseccentricitiesgrewuponhim。Hefounditmoreandmoreuncomfortabletofollowtheordinarycourse。Officialroutinewasanagonytohim。Hiscausticandsatiricalhumourexpresseditselfinastylethatastoundedgovernmentdepartments。Whilehejibedathissuperiors，hissubordinateslearnedtodreadtheexplosionsofhiswrath。Thereweremomentswhenhispassionbecameutterlyungovernable；andthegentlesoldierofGod，whohadspentthedayinquotingtextsfortheedificationofhissister，wouldslapthefaceofhisArabaide-de-campinasuddenaccessoffury，orsetuponhisAlsatianservantandkickhimuntilhescreamed。

Attheendofthreeyears，GordonresignedhispostinEquatoria，andpreparedtoreturnhome。ButagainProvidenceintervened：theKhediveofferedhim，asaninducementtoremainintheEgyptianservice，apositionofstillhigherconsequence——theGovernor-

GeneralshipofthewholeSudan；andGordononcemoretookuphistask。Anotherthreeyearswerepassedingrapplingwithvastrevoltingprovinces，withtheineradicableiniquitiesoftheslave-trade，andwithallthecomplicationsofweaknessandcorruptionincidenttoanorientaladministrationextendingoveralmostboundlesstractsofsavageterritorywhichhadneverbeeneffectivelysubdued。HisheadquarterswerefixedinthepalaceatKhartoum；buttherewerevariousinterludesinhisgovernment。

Once，whentheKhedive’sfinanceshadbecomepeculiarlyembroiled，hesummonedGordontoCairotopresideoveracommissionwhichshouldsetmatterstorights。

Gordonacceptedthepost，butsoonfoundthathissituationwasuntenable。Hewasbetweenthedevilandthedeepsea——betweentheunscrupulouscunningoftheEgyptianPashas，andtheimmeasurableimmensityoftheKhedive’sdebtstohisEuropeancreditors。ThePashaswereanxioustousehimasarespectablemaskfortheirownnefariousdealings；andtherepresentativesoftheEuropeancreditors，wholookeduponhimasanirresponsibleintruder，wereanxioussimplytogetridofhimassoonastheycould。OneoftheserepresentativeswasSirEvelynBaring，whomGordonnowmetforthefirsttime。Animmediateantagonismflashedoutbetweenthetwomen。Buttheirhostilityhadnotimetomature；forGordon，baffledonallsides，anddesertedevenbytheKhedive，precipitatelyreturnedtohisGovernor-Generalship。WhateverelseProvidencemighthavedecreed，ithadcertainlynotdecidedthatheshouldbeafinancier。

Histastesandhistalentswereindeedofaverydifferentkind。

Inhisabsence，arebellionhadbrokenoutinDarfur——oneofthevastoutlyingprovincesofhisgovernment——whereanativechieftain，Zobeir，haderected，onabasisofslave-traffic，adangerousmilitarypower。ZobeirhimselfhadbeenluredtoCairo，wherehewasdetainedinastateofsemi-captivity；buthisson，Suleiman，ruledinhisstead，andwasnowdefyingtheGovernor-

General。Gordondetermineduponahazardousstroke。Hemountedacamel，androde，alone，intheblazingheat，acrosseighty-fivemilesofdesert，toSuleiman’scamp。Hissuddenapparitiondumbfoundedtherebels；hisimperiousbearingoverawedthem；hesignifiedtothemthatintwodaystheymustdisarmanddisperse；

andthewholehostobeyed。GordonreturnedtoKhartoumintriumph。

ButhehadnotheardthelastofSuleiman。FlyingsouthwardsfromDarfurtotheneighbouringprovinceofBahr-el-Ghazal，theyoungmanwassoononcemoreattheheadofaformidableforce。A

prolongedcampaignofextremedifficultyanddangerfollowed。

Eventually，Gordon，summonedagaintoCairo，wasobligedtoleavetoGessithetaskoffinallycrushingtherevolt。Afterabrilliantcampaign，GessiforcedSuleimantosurrender，andthenshothimasarebel。ThedeedwastoexerciseacuriousinfluenceuponGordon’sfate。

ThoughSuleimanhadbeenkilledandhispowerbroken，theslave-

tradestillflourishedintheSudan。Gordon’seffortstosuppressitresembledthepalliativesofanempirictreatingthesuperficialsymptomsofsomeprofoundconstitutionaldisease。Therootofthemaladylayintheslave-marketsofCairoandConstantinople：thesupplyfollowedthedemand。Gordon，afteryearsoflabour，mighthereandtherestopupaspringordivertatributary，but，somehoworotherthewaterswouldreachtheriver-bed。Intheend，hehimselfcametorecognisethis。’Whenyouhavegottheinkthathassoakedintoblotting-paperoutofit，’hesaid，’thenslaverywillceaseintheselands。’Andyethestruggleddesperatelyon；itwasnotforhimtomurmur。’I

feelmyownweakness，andlooktoHimwhoisAlmighty，andI

leavetheissuewithoutinordinatecaretoHim。’

Reliefcameatlast。TheKhediveIsmailwasdeposed；andGordonfeltatlibertytosendinhisresignation。BeforeheleftEgypt，however，hewastoexperienceyetonemoreremarkableadventure。Athisownrequest，hesetoutonadiplomaticmissiontotheNegusofAbyssinia。Themissionwasacompletefailure。TheNeguswasintractable，and，whenhisbribeswererefused，furious。Gordonwasignominiouslydismissed；everyinsultwasheapedonhim；hewasarrested，andobligedtotraversetheAbyssinianMountainsinthedepthofwinterundertheescortofasavagetroopofhorse。When，aftergreathardshipsanddangers，hereachedCairo，hefoundthewholeofficialworldupinarmsagainsthim。ThePashashaddeterminedatlastthattheyhadnofurtheruseforthishonestandpeculiarEnglishman。Itwasarrangedthatoneofhisconfidentialdispatchesshouldbepublishedinthenewspapers；naturally，itcontainedindiscretions；therewasauniversaloutcry——themanwasinsubordinate，andmad。Hedepartedunderastormofobloquy。

ItseemedimpossiblethatheshouldeverreturntoEgypt。

OnhiswayhomehestoppedinParis，sawtheEnglishAmbassador，LordLyons，andspeedilycameintoconflictwithhimoverEgyptianaffairs。Thereensuedaheatedcorrespondence，whichwasfinallyclosedbyaletterfromGordon，endingasfollows：’Ihavesomecomfortinthinkingthatintenorfifteenyears’timeitwillmatterlittletoeitherofus。Ablackbox，sixfeetsixbythreefeetwide，willthencontainallthatisleftofAmbassador，orCabinetMinister，orofyourhumbleandobedientservant。’

HearrivedinEnglandearlyin1880illandexhausted；anditmighthavebeensupposedthataftertheterribleactivitiesofhisAfricanexilehewouldhavebeenreadytorest。Buttheveryoppositewasthecase；thenextthreeyearswerethemostmomentousofhislife。Hehurriedfromposttopost，fromenterprisetoenterprise，fromcontinenttocontinent，withavertiginousrapidity。HeacceptedthePrivateSecretaryshiptoLordRipon，thenewViceroyofIndia，and，threedaysafterhisarrivalatBombay，heresigned。HehadsuddenlyrealisedthathewasnotcutoutforaPrivateSecretary，when，onanaddressbeingsentinfromsomedeputation，hewasaskedtosaythattheViceroyhadreaditwithinterest。’Youknowperfectly，’hesaidtoLordWilliamBeresford，’thatLordRiponhasneverreadit，andIcan’tsaythatsortofthing；soIwillresign，andyoutakeinmyresignation。’HeconfessedtoLordWilliamthattheworldwasnotbigenoughforhim，thattherewas’nokingorcountrybigenough’；andthenheadded，hittinghimontheshoulder，’Yes，thatisflesh，thatiswhatIhate，andwhatmakesmewishtodie。’

Twodayslater，hewasoffforPekin。’EveryonewillsayIammad，’werehislastwordstoLordWilliamBeresford；’butyousayIamnot。’ThepositioninChinawascritical；warwithRussiaappearedtobeimminent；andGordonhadbeenappealedtoinordertousehisinfluenceonthesideofpeace。Hewaswelcomedbymanyoldfriendsofformerdays，amongthemLiHungChang，whosediplomaticviewscoincidedwithhisown。Li’sdiplomaticlanguage，however，waslessunconventional。InaninterviewwiththeMinisters，Gordon’sexpressionsweresuchthattheinterpretershookwithterror，upsetacupoftea，andfinallyrefusedtotranslatethedreadfulwords；uponwhichGordonsnatchedupadictionary，and，withhisfingerontheword’idiocy’，showedittothestartledMandarins。

Afewweekslater，LiHungChangwasinpower，andpeacewasassured。

GordonhadspenttwoandahalfdaysinPekin，andwaswhirlingthroughChina，whenatelegramarrivedfromthehomeauthorities，whoviewedhismovementswithuneasiness，orderinghimtoreturnatoncetoEngland。’Itdidnotproduceatwitterinme，’hewrotetohissister；’Idiedlongago，anditwillnotmakeanydifferencetome；Iampreparedtofollowtheunrollingofthescroll。’Theworld，perhaps，wasnotbigenoughforhim；andyethowclearlyherecognisedthathewas’apoorinsect！’’Myhearttellsmethat，andIamgladofit。’

OnhisreturntoEngland，hetelegraphedtotheGovernmentoftheCapeofGoodHope，whichhadbecomeinvolvedinawarwiththeBasutos，offeringhisservices；buthistelegramreceivednoreply。Justthen，SirHowardElphinstonewasappointedtothecommandoftheRoyalEngineersinMauritius。itwasathanklessandinsignificantpost；and，ratherthanacceptit，ElphinstonewaspreparedtoretirefromtheArmy——unlesssomeotherofficercouldbeinduced，inreturnfor￡800，toactashissubstitute。

Gordon，whowasanoldfriend，agreedtoundertaketheworkupononecondition：thatheshouldreceivenothingfromElphinstone；

andaccordingly，hespentthenextyearinthatremoteandunhealthyisland，lookingafterthebarrackrepairsandtestingthedrains。

Whilehewasthusengaged，theCapeGovernment，whosedifficultieshadbeenincreasing，changeditsmind，andearlyin1882，beggedforGordon’shelp。Oncemorehewasinvolvedingreataffairs：anewfieldofactionopenedbeforehim；andthen，inamoment，therewasanothershiftofthekaleidoscope，andagainhewasthrownupontheworld。Withinafewweeks，afteraviolentquarrelwiththeCapeauthorities，hismissionhadcometoanend。Whatshouldhedonext？Towhatremotecornerorwhatenormousstage，towhatself-sacrificingdrudgeriesorwhatresoundingexploits，wouldthehandofGodleadhimnow？Hewaited，inanoddhesitation。

HeopenedtheBible，butneitherthepropheciesofHoseanortheepistlestoTimothygavehimanyadvice。TheKingoftheBelgiansaskedifhewouldbewillingtogototheCongo。Hewasperfectlywilling；hewouldgowhenevertheKingoftheBelgianssentforhim；hisservices，however，werenotrequiredyet。ItwasatthisjuncturethathebetookhimselftoPalestine。

HisstudiestherewereembodiedinacorrespondencewiththeRev。Mr。Barnes，fillingover2，000pagesofmanuscript——acorrespondencewhichwasonlyputanendtowhen，atlast，thesummonsfromtheKingoftheBelgianscame。HehurriedbacktoEngland；butitwasnottotheCongothathewasbeingledbythehandofGod。

Gordon’slastgreatadventure，likehisfirst，wasoccasionedbyareligiousrevolt。Attheverymomentwhen，apparentlyforever，hewasshakingthedustofEgyptfromhisfeet，MahommedAhmedwasstartinguponhisextraordinarycareerintheSudan。Thetimewaspropitiousforrevolutions。TheeffeteEgyptianEmpirewashoveringuponthevergeofcollapse。TheenormousterritoriesoftheSudanwereseethingwithdiscontent。Gordon’sadministrationhad，byitsveryvigour，onlyhelpedtoprecipitatetheinevitabledisaster。Hisattacksupontheslave-trade，hisestablishmentofagovernmentmonopolyinivory，hishostilitytotheEgyptianofficials，hadbeensomanyshocks，shakingtoitsfoundationsthewholericketymachine。Theresultofallhiseffortshadbeen，ontheonehand，tofillthemostpowerfulclassesinthecommunity——thedealersinslavesand，ivory——

withahatredofthegovernment，andontheothertoawakenamongthemassoftheinhabitantsanewperceptionofthedishonestyandincompetenceoftheirEgyptianmasters。

When，afterGordon’sremoval，theruleofthePashasoncemoreasserteditselfovertheSudan，ageneralcombustionbecameinevitable：

thefirstsparkwouldsetofftheblaze。JustthenithappenedthatMahommedAhmed，thesonofaninsignificantpriestinDongola，havingquarrelledwiththeSheikhfromwhomhewasreceivingreligiousinstruction，setupasanindependentpreacher，withhisheadquartersatAbbaIsland，ontheNile，150milesaboveKhartoum。LikeHong-siu-tsuen，hebeganasareligiousreformer，andendedasarebelking。Itwashismission，hedeclared，topurgethetrueFaithofitsworldlinessandcorruptions，toleadthefollowersoftheprophetintothepathsofchastity，simplicity，andholiness；withthepuritanicalzealofaCalvin，bedenouncedjunketingsandmerrymakings，songsanddances，lewdlivingandallthedelightsoftheflesh。Hefellintotrances，hesawvisions，hesawtheprophetandJesus，andtheAngelIzrailaccompanyinghimandwatchingoverhimforever。Heprophesiedandperformedmiracles，andhisfamespreadthroughtheland。