My Library

entertained on that point, I put to him the following questions, and attentively noted the substance of his somewhat curious responses thereto. “1st. Question. ‘You, Monsieur Ravalette, have doubtless travelled much, and seen a great deal of this world of ours?’ “Here he interrupted me by saying, ‘And several others beside!’ I asked for an explanation, but he merely waved his hand and motioned me to go on. I did so. ‘Let me ask you if the result of your observations abroad, amongst men of different nations and faith-complexions, has not been a strengthening of your belief in the Mosaic teachings, generally, and in what is popularly known as Christianity?’ “Answer. ‘No! In the many countries I have visited I found human nature essentially the same as we find it here in France. Men are ever the same at heart. Inwardly they are all alike, sincere, beautiful, good, and religious; outwardly, the same selfish, heedless, careless, and materialistic beings, as untamable, set, willful, and unreasonable as the heartiest cynic could wish. “ ‘Wherever I went I found the True Religion theoretically believed, but practically ignored and set aside on the score of inexpediency. “ ‘In all my travels I found but one religion, yet