THE CAUSE AND THE CAUSER. 37

indeed, of more than this particular case, for they
open up the much larger inquiry, Who is answer-
able for this ingenious scheme for preserving
the orchis race from perishing, to which this one
particular moth has fallen a victim? Who is
answerable, gentlemen ? who is answerable? Our
friend Bumble major says, ‘No one,’ because
everything that happens, happens by accident.
But if a process perpetually repeated, and per-
petually working out the same means by the same
end, is to be called an accident, how are we ever
to distinguish accidents from things done on pur-
pose—planned and arranged beforehand, as I ven-
ture to pronounce this exquisite scheme to be?”
At this point of his speech Sir Helix paused,
and great disturbance arose. Bumble major ex-
pressed his contempt for the magistrate’s conviction.
in no measured tones, and parties in favour of the
different views began to callect in groups.
Meanwhile Dr. Earwig was whispering further
information to Sir Helix, who, when he had heard
it out, lifted himself up and silenced the din by
telling the Bumbles he had not yet finished his