The Soldier and the Hunchback ! and ?

THE SOLDIER AND THE HUNCHBACK: ! AND? “Expect seven misfortunes from the cripple, and forty-two from the one-eyed man; but when the hunchback comes, say ‘Allah our aid.’” ARAB PROVERB. I Inquiry. Let us inquire in the first place: What is Scep- ticism? The word means looking, questioning, investigating. One must pass by contemptuously the Christian liar’s gloss which interprets “ sceptic” as “ mocker” ; though in a sense it is true for him, since to inquire into Christianity is assuredly to mock at it ; but I am concerned to intensify the etymological connotation in several respects. First, I do not regard mere incredulity as necessary to the idea, though credulity is incompatible with it. Incredulity implies a pre- judice in favour of a negative conclusion; and the true sceptic should be perfectly unbiassed. Second, I exclude “vital scepticism.” What's the good of anyfink? expects (as we used to learn about “nonne?”) the answer, ‘Why, nuffink !” and again is prejudiced. Indolence is no virtue in a questioner. Eagerness, intentness, concen- H 113