Mathematicians tell us wondrous things in relation to these hap-hazard concerns. And they demonstrate their statements by what will not lie—figures. Their rule is this: that, as one thing admits of but one position, as, for example, _a_, so two things, _a_ and _b_, are capable of two positions, as _ab_, _ba_. But if a third be added, instead of their being susceptible of only one additional position, or three in all, they are capable of six. For example, _abc_, _acb_, _bac_, _bca_, _cab_, _cba_. Add another letter, _d_, and the four are capable of twenty-four positions or variations. Thus we might go on. Merely adding another letter, _e_, and so making _five_ instead of four, would increase the the number of variations _five_-fold. They would then amount to one hundred and twenty. A single additional letter, _f_, making _six_ in all, would increase this last sum of one hundred and twenty _six_-fold, making seven hundred and twenty. Add a _seventh_ letter, _g_, and the last-named sum would be increased _seven_-fold, making the sum of five thousand and forty. If we go on thus to the end of the alphabet, we have the astonishing sum of six hundred and twenty thousand four hundred and forty-eight trillions, four hundred and one thousand seven hundred and thirty-three billions, two hundred and thirty-nine thousand four hundred and thirty-nine millions and three hundred and sixty thousand!!! Hence it follows that, were the letters of the alphabet to be thrown promiscuously into a vessel, to be afterwards shaken into order by mere hap, their chance of being arranged, not to say into words and sentences, but into their alphabetical order, would be only as _one_ to the above number. All this, too, in the case of only twenty-six letters! Take now the human frame, with its bones, tendons, nerves, muscles, veins, arteries, ducts, glands, cartilages, etc.; and having dissected the same, throw those parts into one promiscuous mass; and how long, I ask, would it be ere Chance would put them all into their appropriate places and form a perfect man? In this calculation we are likewise to take into the account the chances of their being placed bottom upwards, or side-ways, or wrong side out, notwithstanding they might merely find their appropriate places. This would increase the chances against a well-formed system to an amount beyond all calculation or conception. In the case of the alphabet, the chances for the letters to fall bottom up or aslant are not included. And when we reflect that the blind goddess, or “unintelligent forces,” would have to contend against such fearful odds in the case of a single individual, how long are we to suppose it would be, ere from old Chaos she could shake this mighty universe, with all its myriads upon myriads of existences, into the glorious order and beauty in which it now exists. AN ATHEIST IS A FOOL.