erious point, whether a legion
of devils were actually cast out of one or two men and sent into a
herd of swine, he sedulously avoided. Professor Huxley, however, is too
wide-awake to be drawn off the scent; and while he disputed the points
of geography and ethnology, he insisted upon the fact that their only
importance was their relation to a miraculous story, which marked the
parting of the ways between Science and Christianity.

The demonic theory of disease, including insanity, is universal among
savages. For proof and illustration the reader has only to consult Dr.
Tylor's splendid work on _Primitive Culture_. There are special demons
for every malady, and the way to cure the disease is to cast out the
evil spirit. Of course insanity is a striking disorder, and in default
of the pathological explanation the savage regards the wild, wandering
words and inexplicable actions of the sufferer as the words and actions
of a demon, who has taken possession of the man's body, and driven
his soul abroad or put it in abeyance. This theory of madness survived
through all the centuries of Christian history until the advent of
modern science. Mad people were chained up, exhibited as objects of
derision, and often beaten unmercifully. It was the _devil_ in them,
as in the poor witches, that was treated in this fashion. And it was a
recognised part of a clergyman's business to cast out devils. The Church
of England canon is still unrepealed which provides that the clergy,
before engaging in this useful if not agreeable occupation, must obtain
the written authority of their bishops.

Laugh or smile as we will at this superstition, it is an integral part
of the New Testament. The demonic theory of disease is confessed in the
story of Jesus rebuking the fever of Peter's mother-in-law, so that it
left her instantaneously, flying out of the door or window, or up
the chimney. Jesus repeatedly cast out devils. He expelled seven,
in succession or at one fell swoop, from Mary Magdalene. He turned a
legion--that is, several thousands--out of the possessed Gadarenes;
there being at least one apiece for the bedevilled swine who were
driven to destruction. Paul likewise cast out devils. Indeed, if demonic
possession in the New Testament is explained away, there is no reason
why every other miraculous element should not be dealt with in the same
manner.

Mr. Gladstone perceives this, although he does not commit himself in
his _Impregnable Ro