'...I began to understand only too well the frame of mind that had facilitated the spread of religions of compassion, such as Christianity, and could easily comprehend how the slaves had longed to accept the doctrines, however improbable they sounded. At first, no doubt, they had been sceptical, and to cover their longing, had mocked at them: and then, as their misery had become more and more confirmed, they were forced to take to some form of spiritual drugging. Besides, they may have said to themselves, if this creed is fantastic, yet nothing in the world, no superstition of any sort, is more fantastic than the actual existence I am obliged to lead, and the misery it affords me...'
from Happy Endings, a piece in Dumb-Animal by Osbert Sitwell
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