Is "hence" repetitive here because of "since"?

Question

http://www.online-literature.com/melville/confidence-man/13

Herman Melville - CONFIDENCE MAN

Because, since the common occurrences of life could never, in the nature of things, steadily look one way and tell one story, as flags in the trade-wind; hence, if the conviction of a Providence, for instance, were in any way made dependent upon such variabilities as everyday events, the degree of that conviction would, in thinking minds, be subject to fluctuations akin to those of the stock-exchange during a long and uncertain war.

In my opinion, it's not necessary because he said "since" before.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I'm not going to start criticizing the prose of a great writer like Melville.

However, I think it's fair to say that the sentence is written in a style that is not typical of most English writing today.

Best wishes, Clive

Wholegrain · Answer

But am I right?

I think the whole sentence means BECAUSE OF THIS (=since the common occurrences of life could never, in the nature of things, steadily look one way and tell one story, as flags in the trade-wind; hence, if the conviction of a Providence, for instance, were in any way made dependent upon such variabilities as everyday events, the degree of that conviction would, in thinking minds, be subject to fluctuations akin to those of the stock-exchange during a long and uncertain war.)

And the hence is unnecessary as it just repeats the since given beforehand.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Consider Shakespeare's 'To be, or not to be'. Would you prefer the less repetitive 'To be, or not'?

Best wishes, Clive

Wholegrain · Answer

Ok, thank you.

Is "hence" repetitive here because of "since"?

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