Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno Concluded.djvu/334

296 the assertion that Man was the only reasoning animal. But that is at an end now. Man can still claim certain monopoliesfor instance, such a use of language as enables us to utilise the work of many, by 'division of labour.' But the belief, that we have a monopoly of Reason, has long been swept away. Yet no catastrophe has followed. As some old poet says, 'God is where he was.

"Most religious believers would now agree with Bishop Butler," said I, "and not reject a line of argument, even If It led straight to the conclusion that animals have some kind of soul, which survives their bodily death."

"I would like to know that to be true!" Lady Muriel exclaimed. "If only for the sake of the poor horses. Sometimes I've thought that, if anything could make me cease to believe in a God of perfect justice, it would be the sufferings of horseswithout guilt to deserve it, and without any compensation!"

"It is only part of the great Riddle," said the Earl, "why innocent beings ever suffer. It is a great strain on Faithbut not a breaking strain, I think."