The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 838: Chapter 386: God Says: Believe in Science (7K)_4

Seeing the divide within the doctor community itself, the York Bishop seized the opportunity to question.

“However, although Officer Hastings’ so-called resurrection is not a miracle, I have reasonable suspicion that his ‘resurrection’ may have been due to some despicable and evil methods used by you doctors. Even if we don’t mention the recurring murder-and-grave-robbing cases from two years back, going back to 1818, Andrew Ure’s nearly blasphemous experiment on a corpse of an executed criminal at the University of Glasgow, I believe no one would have forgotten it.”

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately recalled what he was referring to.

Because that incident was too famous and even appeared in newspapers. The “Scottish Medical Journal” recorded the entire experiment in detail.

To be precise, Andrew Ure inserted electrodes into the corpse’s neck, buttocks, and heels, and then stimulated it with different levels of electric current.

According to his records: After the electrification, the corpse seemed to shiver, its fingers moved nimbly like those of a violinist. Every muscle on the corpse’s face moved, displaying expressions of anger, fear, despair, pain, and joy all at once.

Although Dr. Ure ultimately could not resurrect the corpse, he was not regretful but rather contented. He summarized in his experimental record book titled “The Good of Man”: “If death is not caused by bodily trauma, then the corpse may be revived. However, even if this experiment were successful, I would not be happy, because what I would have revived would be a hanged murderer.”

Although Britain is perhaps the most tolerant country in the world, Dr. Ure’s actions inevitably provoked the Church’s anger. The priests soon condemned Ure, both in public opinion and political circles, and protested in Parliament against his desecration of corpses and blasphemous behavior.

Under the pressure of the Church, Parliament quickly ordered the University of Glasgow and Dr. Ure to immediately end this living dead farce.

However, although the farce settled down, many reports and cartoon depictions of the incident still remained in the newspapers.

The most memorable one featured a corpse lying in a coffin, rising up with electrodes attached, while the Devil stood beside him.

Some of the doctors present couldn’t help but brighten up, suddenly recalling Arthur’s life experiences. He is currently second only to Michael Faraday in the electromagnetic field in Britain!

Could it be…

Was his resurrection due to some reaction involving electricity and magnetism?

Thinking of this, even the doctors who had been speaking the loudest moments ago fell silent. Although no one spoke, they all tacitly began to ponder a new question.

King William IV, seeing that the discussion finally yielded a result, the Sailor King couldn’t help but smile brightly a few times.

Although he regretted not discovering a miracle, he was happy that this matter fell within the realm of scientific explanation.

King William IV smiled and asked, “So, the answer is almost clear? It’s a scientific issue?”

The ever-silent Duke of Wellington also nodded gently and said, “Your Majesty, this can only be a scientific problem.”

Prime Minister Count Grey, standing beside, also understood the Duke of Wellington’s subtext. He subtly reminded the King: “Officer Hastings is a Catholic. Although according to our investigation, he seems to be an occasional believer, and even when taking his oath at Scotland Yard, he did so without hesitation according to the state religion’s vows. But still, he is a Catholic, so, if this is not a scientific issue, then matters with the Vatican and Ireland… could get very complicated.”

King William IV, immediately alerted by Count Grey’s reminder, even his smile faded: “I almost forgot about this…”

Although Britain had long since broken free from the Vatican’s influence in the religious field, since the time of Henry VIII, the Pope had been ceaselessly attempting to regain his voice in British religious affairs. For this, he even did not hesitate to launch a holy war, calling Catholic countries to crusade against Britain, which was also one of the main reasons for the war between England and Spain.

Although the Holy See is no longer as formidable as it once was, and they never consider canonizing living people, if the Pope wants to disgust Britain with this incident, such as by demanding to send an investigative team to Britain, or canonizing Arthur, that would be quite significant.

Even in the best-case scenario, even if Catholics living in England and Scotland disregard the Pope’s actions, the millions of Irish Catholics on the island cannot possibly remain indifferent to the Pope’s decrees.

Just as King William IV thought of this, he heard Duke Wellington nearby lower his voice and say: “Your Majesty, indeed this is a scientific issue, but to the largely ignorant public, many things are beyond explanation. So, considering Officer Hastings’ well-known sensitive faith, to maintain national stability, I suggest minimizing the impact of this incident and handle it discreetly. If possible, we should even persuade him to convert to the state religion in the future.”

Although coming from different parties, Count Grey agreed with the Duke of Wellington on this rare occasion: “Not only that, from the perspective of public opinion and his protection, Officer Hastings is no longer suitable for his position at Scotland Yard.”

King William IV pondered for a moment, somewhat regretfully said: “Grey, are you suggesting we dismiss him? He just made a contribution, and even if we plan to let him go in a dignified manner, it seems rather insensitive.”

Lord Brougham, standing by, smiled and said: “Your Majesty, he needs to recuperate in a sunny place, and stay out of the public eye for some time until people gradually forget about his religious affiliation. But this doesn’t mean he won’t return. I believe, at an appropriate time, both you and we will need him back. Besides, leaving Scotland Yard doesn’t mean he can’t still serve the country.”

King William IV asked in surprise: “You mean?”

Brougham bowed and said: “I recall you mentioned previously, considering the current tensions in the Germanic Region, you are thinking of implementing a relatively liberal new constitution in the Kingdom of Hanover, inspired by Britain’s success? I believe, my student here, might be able to make some small contributions there, at least in terms of policing reform, he is definitely an expert.”

Initially feeling regretful, King William IV had a sudden realization and was enlightened: “The sunshine in Hanover does seem nice. As a police advisor to the Hanover Council providing new constitutional suggestions, this young fellow does seem qualified…”