"this blind, dumb, implacable, eternal, unreasoning force is well shown in the picture, and the absolute subordination of all men and things to it is so well expressed that the idea unconsciously arises in the mind of anyone who looks at it. all those faithful people who were gazing at the cross and its mutilated occupant must have suffered agony of mind that evening; for they must have felt that all their hopes and almost all their faith had been shattered at a blow. they must have separated in terror and dread that night, though each perhaps carried away with him one great thought which was never eradicated from his mind for ever afterwards. if this great teacher of theirs could have seen himself after the crucifixion, how could he have consented to mount the cross and to die as he did? this thought also comes into the mind of the man who gazes at this picture. i thought of all this by snatches probably between my attacks of delirium for an hour and a half or so before colia’s departure.