“‘I know not,’ I answered; ‘but it seems to me, until one knows a man, and is completely acquainted with his situation and his way of thought, one can not possibly determine whether he is happy or unhappy.’
“My gentleman admitted this, and led the conversation on to the Dutch government. He criticised it—probably to bring me to speak. I did speak, and gave him frankly to know that he was not perfectly instructed in the thing he was criticising.
“‘You are right,’ answered he; ‘one can only criticise what one is thoroughly acquainted with.’
“He now began to speak of religion; and, with eloquent tongue, to recount what mischiefs scholastic philosophy had brought upon the world; then tried to prove that creation was impossible.
“At this last point I stood out in opposition. ‘But how can one create something out of nothing?’ said he.
“‘That is not the question,’ I answered. ‘The question is, whether such a being as God can, or can not, give existence to what, as yet, has none.’
“He seemed embarrassed, and added, ‘But the universe is eternal.’
“‘You are in a circle,’ said I. ‘How will you get out of it?’
“‘I skip over it,’ he replied, laughing; and then began to talk of other things. He inquired,
“‘What form of government do you reckon the best?’