When first published in 1874, this learned work, summarising
and elaborately examining the higher criticism of the four
Gospels up to date, created a sensation throughout the
theological world, which was not a little intensified by the
anonymity of its author. The virulence with which it was
attacked by Dr. Lightfoot, the most erudite bishop on the
bench, at once demonstrated its weighty significance and its
destructive force; while Mr. Morley's high commendation of
its literary merits and the scrupulous equity of its tone,
placed it far above the level of controversial diatribes.
In my 'Creeds of the Day' I had made frequent references to
the anonymous book; and soon after my introduction to Mr.
Cassels spoke to him of its importance, and asked him whether
he had read it. He hesitated for a moment, then said:
'We are very much of the same way of thinking on these
subjects. I will tell you a secret which I kept for some
time even from my publishers - I am the author of
"Supernatural Religion."'
From that time forth, we became the closest of allies. I
know no man whose tastes and opinions and interests are more
completely in accord with my own than those of Mr. Walter
Cassels. It is one of my greatest pleasures to meet him
every summer at the beautiful place of our mutual and
sympathetic friend, Mrs. Robertson, on the skirts of the
Ashtead forest, in Surrey.
The winter of 1888 I spent at Cairo under the roof of General
Sir Frederick Stephenson, then commanding the English forces
in Egypt. I had known Sir Frederick as an ensign in the
Guards. He was adjutant of his regiment at the Alma, and at
Inkerman. He is now Colonel of the Coldstreams and Governor
of the Tower. He has often been given a still higher title,
that of 'the most popular man in the army.'
Everybody in these days has seen the Pyramids, and has been
up the Nile. There is only one name I have to mention here,
and that is one of the best-known in the world. Mr. Thomas
Cook was the son of the original inventor of the 'Globe-
trotter.' But it was the extraordinary energy and powers of
organisation of the son that enabled him to develop to its
present efficiency the initial scheme of the father.
Shortly before the General's term expired, he invited Mr.
Cook to dinner. The Nile share of the Gordon Relief
Expedition had been handed over to Cook. The boats, the
provisioning of them, and the river transport service up to
Wady Halfa, were contracted for and undertaken by Cook.
A most entertaining account he gave of the whole affair. He
told us how the Mudir of Dongola, who was by way of rendering
every possible assistance, had offered him an enormous bribe
to wreck the most valuable cargoes on their passage through
the Cataracts.
