How they had found out, why he was not to speak as he would
assuredly have done--for he was in a white heat of fury--what did it all
matter now that he had found that which he had feared he should fail to
find? He gave George a puzzled smile, and composed himself as best he
could to hear the continuation of Hanky's sermon, which was as follows:-
"Who could the Sunchild have chosen, even though he had been gifted with
no more than human sagacity, but the body of men whom he selected? It
becomes me but ill to speak so warmly in favour of that body of whom I am
the least worthy member, but what other is there in Erewhon so above all
suspicion of slovenliness, self-seeking, preconceived bias, or bad faith?
If there was one set of qualities more essential than another for the
conduct of the investigations entrusted to us by the Sunchild, it was
those that turn on meekness and freedom from all spiritual pride. I
believe I can say quite truly that these are the qualities for which
Bridgeford is more especially renowned. The readiness of her Professors
to learn even from those who at first sight may seem least able to
instruct them--the gentleness with which they correct an opponent if they
feel it incumbent upon them to do so, the promptitude with which they
acknowledge error when it is pointed out to them and quit a position no
matter how deeply they have been committed to it, at the first moment in
which they see that they cannot hold it righteously, their delicate sense
of honour, their utter immunity from what the Sunchild used to call log-
rolling or intrigue, the scorn with which they regard anything like
hitting below the belt--these I believe I may truly say are the virtues
for which Bridgeford is pre-eminently renowned.
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