More strictly, of _the_ Book of God's Law: the only one which _can_
ultimately be obeyed. [Footnote: Mr. Caird convinced me of the real
meaning of this sculpture. I had taken it for the giving of a book,
writing further of it as follows:--
All books, rightly so called, are Books of Law, and all Scripture is
given by inspiration of God. (What _we_ now mostly call a book, the
infinite reduplication and vibratory echo of a lie, is not given but
belched up out of volcanic clay by the inspiration of the devil.) On the
Book-giver's right hand the students in cell, restrained by the lifted
right hand:
"Silent, you, till you know"; then, perhaps, you also.
On the left, the men of the world, kneeling, receive the gift.
Recommendable seal, this, for Mr. Mudie!
Mr. Caird says: "The book is written law, which is given by Justice to
the inferiors, that they may know the laws regulating their relations
to their superiors--who are also under the hand of law. The vassal is
protected by the accessibility of formularized law. The superior is
restrained by the right hand of power." ]
The authorship of this is very embarrassing to me. The face of the
central figure is most noble, and all the work good, but not delicate;
it is like original work of the master whose design No. 8 might be a
restoration.