work; I shall then cause it to be translated into every language of the world, and shipped at the lowest rate of tonnage for universal distribution gratis.  This will ensure its acceptance and its own beauty and intrinsic merits will secure its adoption by all nations, and the result will be human happiness.  It will supersede all the baseless theories of science, religion, and morality which have hitherto confounded the human intellect.

“Extract from my Magnum Opus.

“We may reasonably suppose that matter is primordially self-existent, and that it imbued itself with the potentiality of life.  It therefore produced germs.  A pair of germs coalesced, and formed a somewhat discordant combination, the movements in which tended towards divergence.  They attracted and enclosed other atoms, and, progressing through sleep and wakefulness, at last arrived at complete satisfaction, or perfect harmonic combination.  This harmonic combination is death.  We may say then, in brief, that growth is simply discordant currents progressing towards harmony.  One question may be briefly noticed.  It has been asked, when did life first appear on the earth?  We shall understand now that the question is unnecessary.  Life first appeared on the earth when the earth first appeared as an unsatisfied atom seeking combination.  The question is rather, when did the inanimate first appear?  It appeared when the first harmonic combination was effected.  The earth is indeed to be considered as having grown up through the life that is inherent in it.  Man is the most concentrated and differentiated outgrowth of that life.  Mankind is, so to speak, the brain of the earth, and is progressing towards the conscious guidance of all its processes.”

“Dunsinane.”

It was not clear on what ground this noble duke based his authority over me; but I had been so long accustomed to fulfil the behests of lunatics of low degree that I was able to receive those of an afflicted lord with perfect equanimity.  But as I could not see that my obedience would be rewarded with anything except death or Pentridge, I refrained from action.  I did not place the broad arrow abaft of anything or anybody, nor did I make a levy on the cash in the Bank of Victoria.

GIPPSLAND AFTER THIRTY YEARS.

“A pleasing land of drowsihed it was,
And dreams that wave before the half-shut eye.”

For twelve years I did the Government stroke in Her Majesty’s Court at Colac, then I was ordered to make my way to Gippsland.

The sun of wisdom shone on a new ministry.  They observed that many of their officers were destitute of energy, and they resolved to infuse new life into the service, by moving its members continually from place to place.  But officials live long, and the most robust ministry dies early, and the wisdom of one cabinet is foolishness to the next.

I took root so deeply in the soil of Gippsland that I became immoveable.  Twice the Government tried to uproot me, but I remained there to the end of my official days.