He introduced
himself as Ernest Hello, contributor to Veuillot's then much talked of
Romish paper, _L'Univers_, which, edited with no small talent by a
noted stylist, adopted all sorts of abusive methods as weapons in every
feud in which the honour of the Church was involved. It was against
Veuillot that Augier had just aimed the introduction to his excellent
comedy, _Le Fils de Giboyer_, and he made no secret of the fact
that in the Deodat mentioned in the piece he had had this writer of holy
abuse in his mind. Hello was in everything Veuillot's vassal.
He was one of the martial believers who despised and hated the best free
research men, and who knew himself in a position to confute them. He
possessed some elements of culture, and had early had thoroughly drilled
into him what, in comparison with the views of later times on History
and Religion, was narrow and antiquated in Voltaire's education, and for
this reason regarded, not only Voltaire's attack on the Church, but all
subsequent philosophy inimical to the Church, as belonging to a bygone
age. He was a fanatic, and there was a sacristy odour about all that he
said. But there was in his disposition an enthusiastic admiration for
weakness in fighting against external strength, and for courage that
expressed itself in sheer defiance of worldly prudence, that made him
feel kindly towards the young Dane.
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