i
There is often connection but no design, as when I stamp my foot with
design and shake something down without design, or as when a man runs up
against another in the street and knocks him down without intending it.
This is undesign within design.
Fancied insults are felt by people who see design in a connection where
they should see little connection, and no design.
Connection with design is sometimes hard to distinguish from connection
without design; as when a man treads on another’s corns, it is not always
easy to say whether he has done so accidentally or on purpose.
Men have been fond in all ages of ascribing connection where there is
none. Thus astrology has been believed in. Before last Christmas I said
I had neglected the feasts of the Church too much, and that I should
probably be more prosperous if I paid more attention to them: so I hung
up three pieces of ivy in my rooms on Xmas Eve. A few months afterwards
I got the entail cut off my reversion, but I should hardly think there
was much connection between the two things. Nevertheless I shall hang
some holly up this year.
ii
It seems also designed, ab extra (though who can say whether this is
so?), that no one should know anything whatever about the ultimate, or
even deeper springs of growth and action. If not designed the result is
arrived at as effectually as though it were so.