would seem to refer itself), we can say about miracles that they are only the supersession of a lower law by the action of a higher. But such higher law may perhaps only operate under certain conditions of time, place, or disposition. It is only the youth of a nation that can produce a Shakespeare. It may be only certain ages that can produce "miracles," or rather only in certain ages that the conditions are favourable for the intervention of the higher, or better, the stronger law. In other ages, the lower or weaker law, being re-enforced by its surroundings, keeps the higher law in check, or rather, being now the stronger of the two, of course prevails. The so-called higher, however, stores energy, and waits for a favourable opportunity, and bursts out "miraculously," like a volcano. Of course a miracle without cause is as meaningless as-what shall I say? Well, as any effect without cause; as unthinkable, in fact, as free-will. Whether, therefore, real miracles (i.e. effects totally without cause) can really exist, is practically the same question as whether free-will exists. For every effort of freewill, creative, and without cause, is a real miracle. But what is commonly called a miracle may merely be a wonderful effect, of which the contemporary thinkers did not,-perhaps more, could not-find the cause.' A book which was published in 1891, and much delighted him, was Lord Rosebery's brilliant monograph on Pitt. Apparently some discussion had taken place between Hervey and his brother Algernon, who, deeply impressed with the 'LittleEnglander' views of the Liberal party, was sceptical as to the to the possibility of any Imperial policy outside the ranks of the Conservatives. Hubert Hervey thereupon wrote beneath his own name, inscribed on the fly-leaf of Lord Rosebery's Pitt: 'gives this book to Algernon Hervey, to convince him that Liberal Policy is Imperial, and that Imperial interests are safe in the hands of— the Liberal leader.' W TO CAPT. MILLS, R.E. B. S. A. Co., ST. SWITHIN'S LANE, E.C., . . . There was rather an interesting man at I sat up with him in the smokingroom discussing metaphysics, and pointed out the superiority of my system over Buddha's, my system being that I, the centre of the universe, absorb all the rest, instead of the universe absorbing me. And as this process will be completed in each individual, you have the beautiful and philosophically perfect spectacle of everything being itself and all its contraries at the same time.' 1892. ‘... As you say, enforced rest is always tedious. "WHY" is indeed written in letters gigantic and adamantine, over the whole face of the world. The above extracts may explain the secret of Hervey's fascination for those whom he admitted to his intimate friendship, and to whom he confided without reserve the thoughts that came uppermost in his mind. He was an enthusiast with deep emotions, ardent sympathies, and Imperial aspirations; but an enthusiast whose words and acts were always controlled by a horror of cant, by a fastidious dread of boring people, by a keen sense of humour, and by an innate courtesy of manner. These letters will also enable the reader to understand how great must have been the sacrifice, how real the patriotism, when Hervey accepted at thirty-one years of age a subordinate place in the Transfer Department of the British South Africa Company, and devoted his daily energies for nearly two years to the uncongenial work of checking transfers of share certificates in a dark room on the basement floor of an office in the City. CHAPTER III IN THE CHARTERED COMPANY'S OFFICES (1891-1892) It was at this time that, as a Director of the British South Africa Company, I first became acquainted with Hervey. A common relation, Mr. John Grey, Rector of Houghton-le-Spring, near Durham, told me of his nephew's desire to obtain employment in the service of the Chartered Company. Hervey was attracted by the widereaching and Imperial character of the work which the Company had set itself to perform. He recognized that it was work, in the highest sense Imperial, which if successful could not fail to promote the glory of England and the best interests of humanity. 1 The Hon. and Rev. John Grey, Rector of Houghton-le-Spring, and Honorary Canon of Durham, was a younger son of Charles, second Earl Grey, the Prime Minister. Mr. Grey was twice married: first to Lady Georgiana Hervey, secondly to Helen, daughter of John Eden Spalding, Esq. The first was an aunt, the second a cousin, of Hubert Hervey. |