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ANOTHER WORLD;

OR

FRAGMENTS FROM THE STAR CITY

OF

MONTALLUYAH.


BY

HERMES.


[Illustration.]


LONDON:
SAMUEL TINSLEY, 10, SOUTHAMPTON ST., STRAND,
1873.

[_The right of Translation is reserved._]


LONDON:

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,
AND CHARING CROSS.




PREFACE.

The fact that there is a plurality of worlds, that, in other words, the
planets of our solar system are inhabited, has been so generally
maintained by modern astronomers, that it almost takes its place among
the truths commonly accepted by the large body of educated persons. As
two among the many works, which bear directly on the subject, it will be
here sufficient to name Sir David Brewster's 'More Worlds than One, the
Creed of the Philosopher and the Hope of the Christian,' and Mr. B.A.
Proctor's 'Other Worlds than Ours.'

A fragmentary account of some of the ways peculiar to the inhabitants of
one of these "star worlds," and of their moral and intellectual
condition is contained in the following pages.

When the assertion is made that the account is derived, not from the
imagination, but from an actual knowledge of the star, it will at first
receive scant credence, and the reader will be at once inclined to class
the fragments among those works about imaginary republics and imaginary
travels which, ever since the days of Plato, have from time to time made
their appearance to improve the wisdom, impose on the credulity, or
satirize the follies of mankind.

Nor can the reader's anticipated want of faith be deemed other than
natural; for, although tests applied daily during a period extending
over nearly a lifetime have proved the source of the fragments to be
such as is here represented, the Editor feels bound to say that,
notwithstanding much confirmatory evidence, many years passed and many
facts were communicated before all doubts were completely removed from
his mind.

One great obstacle to the reader's belief that an authentic description
of another world is before him will arise from the circumstance that the
means by which such extraordinary experience was acquired are not
included in the sphere of his knowledge, and that any attempt to explain
them at present would only increase his incredulity. He would only see
one enigma solved by another apparently more insoluble than itself. The
Editor, therefore, would call especial attention to the practical value
of the revelations here communicated, convinced as he is that they are
so replete with instruction to terrestial mankind, that the difficulty
of giving credence to them ought not to be augmented by premature
disclosures. Ultimately satisfied as to the origin of the fragments, he
entreats the reader not, indeed, to surrender, but simply to suspend his
judgment until he has carefully examined them, conceiving that, apart
from all external proof, they rest upon an intrinsic evidence, the force
of which it will be difficult to resist. Nay, he is even of opinion that
an impartial student will find it easier to believe in their planetary
origin than in their emanating from an ordinary human brain. The
practical value of the facts, considered apart from their source, will
excuse his request not to be too hastily judged.

The people to whom the fragments relate are, it will be found, not only
human, but constituents of a highly civilized and even polished society.
Their notions of good and evil, of happiness and misery correspond to
ours, and though they employ different means, the objects they pursue
are the same with those sought by terrestrial philanthropists. Health,
education, marriage, the removal of disease, the prevention of madness
and of crime, the arts of government, the regulation of amusement, the
efficient employment of physical forces--themes so often discussed
here--have equally occupied the attention of our planetary brethren,
although, as will be seen, in the results of our studies we differ not a
little. This is not a story of Anthropophagi, or men whose heads do grow
beneath their shoulders, which can merely excite wonder, but a record of
actual men, who, widely separated from us in the ocean of space, are
beings with whom we can sympathise much more than with the inhabitants
of the uncivilized portions of our own globe.

The reader will now begin to understand what is meant when the Editor
calls attention to the practical value of most of his communications,
and invites consideration of the fragments, as suggestive of much that
concerns the welfare of mankind, the question as to their source being
provisionally left open. The man of science, the poet, the
metaphysician, the philanthropist, the musician, the observer of
manners, even the general reader who merely seeks to be amused, will, it
is hoped, find something interesting in the following pages. Let all,
therefore, taste the fruit and judge of its flavour, though they do not
behold the tree; profit by the diamonds, though they know not how they
were extracted from the mine; accept what is found to be wholesome and
fortifying in the waters, though the source of the river is unknown.

Lest, in thus expatiating on the value of his communications, the Editor
should be thought to have overstepped the bounds of good taste, he would
have it perfectly understood that he is not speaking of his own
productions, and that whatever the merit of the fragments may be, that
merit does not belong to himself. He is an Editor and an Editor only;
and he therefore feels himself as much at liberty to express his opinion
of the contents of the following pages as the most impartial critic.

He will even admit that he is not blind to their defects and
shortcomings. If the fragments had been less fragmentary, and fuller
information had been offered on the various subjects which fall under
consideration, he would have been better satisfied. Nevertheless, he
reflects that it would be hardly reasonable to expect in facts made
known under exceptional circumstances, that fulness of detail which we
have a right to demand, when on our own planet we essay to make
discoveries at the cost only of labour and research. He looks upon the
fragments as "intellectual aerolites," which have dropped here,
uninfluenced by the will of man; as varied pieces detached from the mass
of facts which constitute the possessions of another planet, and rather
as thrown by nature into rugged heaps than as having been symmetrically
arranged by the hand of an artist. Want of unity under these
circumstances is surely excusable.

One observation as to a matter of mere detail. Words, in the language of
the Star, are occasionally given in letters which represent the sounds
only, and will often be found to resemble words in some of our ancient
and modern languages. The very name of the City "Montalluyah," to which
all the fragments refer, is apparently compounded of heterogeneous
roots, one of Aryan the other of Semitic origin. These seeming
accidents, if such they be, must not be attributed to either
carelessness or design on the part of the Editor; nor does he attempt to
explain them. The reader may, if he please, account for the causes of
resemblance by considering that the number of articulate sounds is
limited, and that, therefore, the variety of words cannot be altogether
boundless; or he may take higher ground, and assume that in whatever
planet spoken, all languages have the Same Divine Origin.

In conclusion: When these revelations or others derived from the same
source have succeeded in establishing a confidence between the Editor
and his readers, it is more than probable that the secret of the source
itself will be disclosed. That disclosure made in due season will bring
to light some unprecedented, but most interesting facts, and will
establish the important truth, that the soul of man is IMMATERIAL and
IMMORTAL.




CONTENTS.


INTRODUCTION      Page xxiii


I.--MONTALLTUYAH.

     One of the Star worlds--Strangeness of its customs--The Narrator
     and his aspirations--Former state of Montalluyah--Wars--Increase of
     population and decrease of supplies--Can man be brought to seek
     knowledge as ardently as money?--The Narrator's meditations,
     labours, and advancement--Faith


II.--VYORA.

     The beggar seeks admission to the Palace--The incident which brings
     him to the Narrator--Some account of Vyora--Appointed Chief of the
     Character-divers--Reflection


III--PERSEVERANCE.

     Maturing plans--How received by the Counsellors--Narrator's
     resolution--Prepares for death--His triumph--Subjects of
     Legislation


IV.--LIGHT FROM DARKNESS.

     Secret powers in Nature--Effectually wielded by the Good
     only--False Prophets--Narrator carries out his plans without
     bloodshed--Great feature of the System--Mighty consequences--Evils
     forced to contribute to Good--Examples--Insects--Hippopotami--The
     Fever Wind--Lightning--The Sun--Seasons of Darkness--Fears of the
     People--Darkness changed to Light--The City radiant--Music and
     rejoicing


V.--CHARACTER-DIVERS--EDUCATION.

     Grave duties entrusted to them--Stronghold of evils to be
     eradicated--Men of Genius following antipathetic
     occupations--Early eradication of faults and development of
     qualities--Visits to Schools--Defects--One routine for all
     characters--Neglecting minor qualities in Boys of
     Genius--Precept-cramming--Bad habits--Character-divers
     created--Sole occupation to discover Child's early
     tendencies--Duties distinct from those of Preceptors or Fathers of
     Knowledge--Germ of evils destroyed


VI.--CORRECTION OF FAULTS.

     Remedies employed vary with characteristics--Absence of violent
     punishment--Children to be raised, not degraded--Animals not
     corrected by blows--Example--Pupil not corrected by the imposition
     of tasks--Child encouraged to regard study as a
     privilege--Correction effected by gentleness--Time, labour, &c.,
     bestowed unsparingly--Even when fault seems eradicated fresh tests
     applied--Adult offenders--Child of genius watched with reference to
     superior refinement--Economy of sparing nothing in educating the
     future man--Lists of faults occupying attention of the
     Character-divers--Results--Small beginnings lead to incurable vices
     and disease


VII.--CHARACTER-DIVERS.

     Secondary position of Tutors in former times--Now honoured--Aid
     given by the Character-divers, &c., to Narrator--Young men of
     special aptitude educated for the office--Their
     astuteness--Example--Subjects of tesselated pavements--Zolea--Early
     evidence of artistic talent often deceptive--Narrator's early
     talent indicating him as a harpist--Guided to other studies


VIII.--THE STAR CITY.

     Power of the Sun--Colours and forms in the sky--Situation of
     Montalluyah--External World Cities--Reasons for uniting them--
     Peculiarities--Straight lines--Variety of colour, &c.--Subterranean
     seas--Great cataract and water-lifts form background of palaces and
     statues--Hanging bridges--Health studied--Baths--Violet streams--
     Trees--Birds--Artificial nests--Perfumes--Harmonious
     sounds--Chariot wheels and horse's hoofs noiseless--Red light--City
     full of animation--Recurring change of scene


IX.--THE SUSPENDED MOUNTAIN.

     Elevation of tides immense--The aerial mountain--Electric
     agencies--Sea carries away the heart of the mountain--Receding
     waters leave upper part suspended--Mountain arm stretches out
     through the air over land below and over the sea--THE GREAT
     CATARACT--Upper City built on Suspended Mountain--The Middle and
     Lower Cities built on indent and foot of mountain--PAST
     CATASTROPHES--Threatened dangers--Terrible consequences--Principle
     of preventing evils--Stupendous work undertaken--The wonder of
     Montalluyah


X.--THE MOUNTAIN SUPPORTER.

     Dimensions--Thickness of walls--Interior area--How utilised--Means
     of ascending and descending--Stages constructed at different
     heights to facilitate works during progress--Materials, provisions,
     &c., raised by electric power--HUGE HEAVY BLOCKS LIGHTENED BY
     ELECTRICITY--Ornamentation of the Tower--Ravine-metal--Episodes of
     the Narrator's reign--Ascent and descent--Great difference of
     atmosphere above and below--Peculiarity in Electric
     Telegraph--Colour of atmosphere at different heights--Animalculae
     and ova--Grandeur of the Mountain Supporter---Curious effect when
     viewed from a distance


XI--ELECTRICITY IN MONTALLUYAH.

     Important facts formerly unknown--One electricity only supposed to
     exist--Not then utilised for locomotion, &c.--Paucity of
     contrivance for collecting electricities--How the scientific men
     supported their theory--Like causes produce like effects--Many
     kinds of electricity--Means of drawing out and concentrating
     electricities discovered--Man, beasts, birds, &c., possess an
     electricity of their own--All differ--Huge fish--Docks for
     extracting electricity from--Electric store-house--Non-conducting
     pouches--The attracting electricity adapted to each body is well
     known--MODE OF CATCHING WILD BIRDS

XII.--THE PAIN-LULLER.

     Means formerly employed--Vivisection and surgical operations
     painless--Nerves of sensation only, affected by the luller--Energy
     of the functions considered essential--Pain-luller, how
     discovered--The Nebo bird and the child--The broken limbs and
     absence of pain--Discovery


XIII.--THE MICROSCOPE.

     Properties of optical instruments increased by electricity--
     CONCENTRATED LIGHT--The illuminated worm--Light attracted by the
     enticer-machine--Concentrated light in Music--Human voice and
     musical instruments--Union between the soul and perishable portions
     of man--Concentrated light within us--Similarity of terms applied
     to the brain and to vision--Strength to the intellectual
     powers--EXPERIMENT ON LIVING MAN--Electrical currents in brain--How
     agitated--Rarity of the experiments--Serious consequences to
     patient--Conditions imposed, and advantages secured, to him--Not
     allowed to marry


XIV.--PHYSICIANS--DISEASE GERMS.

     High rank of Physicians--Former and present duties--Periodical
     visitations--Microscopes--Perspiration indicating disease--Exact
     nature of disease not shown--Example--Ordinary appearance of
     perspiration--Lung disease and consumption--Lung dew--"The
     Scraper"--The breath


XV.--MADNESS.

     Minute divisions of brain examined by microscope--Former
     neglect--Early indications rarely noticed--Supposed lunatics often
     wiser than their keepers--An instance--The man's statements laughed
     at--World believe him a confirmed madman--Madness not now assumed
     from seeming absurdities--Thoughts formerly scoffed at, now
     acknowledged facts--Minute divisions of brain responding to trains
     of thought--Effectual remedies for earliest symptoms--Cure of
     developed madness--Former error which prevented cure--The disease
     does not exist in the _overworked_ portion of the brain


XVI.--THE DEATH SOLACE--INSECTS.

     Insects contain valuable electricities--Whole crops destroyed by
     them--Mode of capturing, &c.--Impurities removed by insects--The
     DEATH SOLACE


XVII.--INTERNAL CITIES--SUNSHINE PICTURES

     Special precautions against excessive heat in the extreme
     season--_Internal cities_ built in galleries--Their advantages--How
     light admitted--Flowers--Beauty and odours increased by
     electricity--Communication between the palaces in the External and
     Internal World--Narrator's summer-palace--The pictures
     representing principal events of his reign--Sun power
     utilised--Sunshine: how _fixed_ on the canvas


XVIII.--THE PICTURES.

     Subjects of some of the pictures in the Narrator's "Internal World"
     Palace


XIX.--WOMAN.

     Tendency of her education--Happy and contented--Marked difference
     in education of the two sexes--Beauty aided by early care--Former
     practices and consequences--Ravages of time--Women now lovely in
     age as in youth--Beauty regarded as a precious gift from
     Heaven--Cosmetics for its "preservation"--Wrinkles--Skin and
     complexion--Hands and feet--CHOOSING BY HAND--How
     effected--CHOOSING BY FOOT--Expedients used when hand or foot
     inclined to coarseness--GIRL'S DORMITORIES--Cleanliness--Separate
     sleeping-rooms--Reasons--Communication with
     night-watchers--Precautions--Mode adopted to ensure early rising--
     Prayer not till after repast--Reason why old custom
     changed--Careful discipline until marriage--Luxurious habits
     permitted to married ladies--Instance of the elastic "frame"
     cushion--The self-acting fan


XX.--CHOICE OF A HUSBAND.

     Means taken to secure congenial husband--Marriage councils--Choice
     of husband, how arranged--Maiden's right to nominate--The
     thirty-one evenings--The girl, how distinguished--Gentlemen who
     wish their pretensions to be favourably viewed--The
     unwilling--Efforts of pretenders--Agitation on the thirty-first
     evening--How the maiden proclaims her choice--The presentation of
     flowers--Subsequent meeting of the parties--Betrothal--Consequence
     of maiden failing to declare preference--Second meeting--Third
     meeting rare


XXI.--THE DRESS OF SHAME--SUN COLOURS.

     Trust reposed in marriage councils never abused--The dress of
     shame--Rich costumes of married ladies--Brilliant colours imparted
     by the sun--The silver-green silk--Sun silk--Women instructed in
     the ART OF PLEASING--Former habits of married women--Example on
     children--Deceit


XXII.--COSTUMES.

     LADY'S COSTUME--The
     waistcoat--Tunic--Trousers--Anklets--Trimmings--
     Colours--Sandals--HEAD ORNAMENTS--Soles to protect the feet--The
     fan--Precious stones--Turbans--Canopy--Long veils--Distinctive
     feature for the unmarried--Elaborate costumes allowed after
     marriage--GENTLEMAN'S COSTUME


XXIII.--PREPARATIONS FOR THE MARRIAGE.

     The civil marriage--Purification of the bride--The hair--The
     tree-comb--Marriage costume--Marriage ceremony repeated after
     birth of each child--Religious ceremony--Suspended in case of
     dissensions--Efforts for reconciliation--Contingencies provided
     for--An instance


XXIV.--FLOWERS.

     Very beautiful--Their names given to Stars and to Women--Flower
     language: long conversations carried on by means of
     Flowers--Instances of Flower Language--Displeasure expressed
     through the medium of Flowers--Instances of Flowers with meanings
     attached


XXV.--FLOWERS IMPROVED BY ELECTRICITY.

     Mode in which nature operates--Vitality of seed--Consequence of
     injury--Production of leaves--Of colour--United electricities form
     gatherings--Important discovery--Sap, the reservoir of
     electricity--PROCESS FOR CHANGING FORM--PROCESS FOR CHANGING
     COLOUR--For giving fragrance--THE LUANIA--SUN-FORCING


XXVI.--SONG OF ADMIRATION.

     (_Explanation of terms used in the Song of Admiration._)

     The Spangled Mountain--The reviled beauty--Slander and its
     promulgators--The Legend of Zacosta--Fall of her
     Tormentors--Happiness of the higher order of Spirits--Slander
     regarded with horror--Motives of the Slanderers--The King of the
     Air--The loving little animal--The ingenious instrument for
     discovering diamonds--The pet animal--The Meleeta--The Turvee
     Insect--Shooting Stars--Whale Electricity--The Martolooti--The
     Flower of Grace--The Chilarti--The Allmanyuka--The perfume of the
     everlasting gulf--The Hippopotamus hide--Fat of the Serpent's
     head--The Mestua Mountain--Wet thy feet--Stainers' fount--
     Water--The Mountain Supporter


XXVII.--SYLIFA.


XXVIII.--THE YOUNG GIRL RESTORED.

     Madness not formerly recognised until violence shown--The GIRL
     AFFECTED WITH MONOMANIA.


XXIX.--THE LITTLE GOATHERD.


XXX.--DECORATIONS FOR AGE AND MERIT.

     Worn as distinctive marks--Age entitles woman to privileges--Age
     regarded as an honour--Orders of the Matterode, and Mountain
     Supporter--Qualified decoration, &c.--ADVOCATES of the individual
     and of society--Privilege belonging to every woman


XXXI.--BEAUTY.

     How ideal of beauty formerly obtained--Not equal to the actual
     living model--Beauty now the rule--Longevity--Beauty in old
     age--Summary of expedients--Value of the course adopted--Importance
     of care from earliest infancy--Subject of babies--Importance of
     little things--Maladies owing to injudicious treatment of
     children--March of "small" effects--Precautions now taken


XXXII.--INFANTS' EXERCISE-MACHINES.

     Value of minute precautions--Diseases caused by want of healthy
     exercises--Accidents to the infant--Blows on the head--The
     inventions of Drahna--The four sets of machines--The TEETH--The
     eye--The nostrils--The tongue--Air, &c.


XXXIII.--GYMNASTICS.

     An essential part of the boys' education--Formerly same exercises
     for all--Now adapted to physical organization--Medical man observes
     effects--The heat of the brain a test--Bathing--Leaping--TREE-EARTH
     BATHS--Qualities of the earth about various trees--The oak, the
     weeping-willow, elm, horse-chestnut, &c.


XXXIV.--THE AMUSEMENT GALLERY.

     Description--Girls' amusement gallery--Boys--Different natures and
     characters revealed--The Character-divers


XXXV.--PRAYER.

     For Children are short--Services adapted to different ages--Evils
     attendant on former system--Present course--Subjects of Sermons--
     Children encouraged in affection to Parents, &c.--Preacher assisted
     by method of education--Objections to Parrot-like repetitions


XXXVI.--FLOCKS AND HERDS.

     Care taken of animals--Change of pasture--Irrigation--Causes of
     diseases formerly prevalent--Shade--Illness--Great increase of
     flocks and herds--THE MALE ONLY USED FOR FOOD--Consequences of
     killing the mother--In slaughtering, all painful process
     avoided--Mode adopted--Wholesomeness of meat tested by analyzation
     of blood--PROTECTION OF MEAT FROM INSECTS--Protective
     Infusion--CRUELTY TO ANIMALS--Punishment


XXXVII.--THE ALLMANYUKA.

     Determination to discover the germ of disease--The people afflicted
     with a painful malady--Children not
     attacked--Hypothesis--Stimulating spices--Anatomical
     examination--Decree forbidding use of favourite condiments--The
     spices collected--Temporary substitute provided--Meditation and
     prayer for help--The grafting and the eventual result--
     Incomplete--The cream-lemon vegetable--Mode of proceeding--The
     "Insertion"--The root-oil--The little white bud--The anxious
     watching--The basket and its contents--The testing--Qualities of
     the Allmanyuka--The people's praise--The Tootmanyoso's
     gratitude--Results different from any before obtained--Description


XXXVIII.--PAPER.

     Made from leaves of trees--Peculiarities--Process of manufacture--
     Healthful fragrance--Colour--"Natural" paper--GOLDEN COLOURED
     PAPER--Its connection with the Allmanyuka--The incident which led
     to its discovery


XXXIX.--CONSUMPTION--THE ÉMEUTE.

     Consumption--Why generally beyond cure--Erroneous views--The
     patient--Examination by the doctors--Their mistake--Narrator's
     belief--Potion administered--Death--Cause discovered--Mode of
     detecting and curing the disease in its germ--Assemblage of the
     multitude--Episode of the mother and the child--The sequel


XL.--THE HARP.

     The principal musical instrument--Description--Four sets of
     chords--Strings of electricity--Marvellous variation and
     depression of the notes--Echoes and responses--Diapason changed to
     an extraordinary extent--Different characters of sound
     produced--Examples--Harp language; how taught--Accompaniments--Harp
     beautiful as a work of sculptural art--Movement of birds, flowers,
     and foliage, and exhalation of perfume in accord with the
     music--How idea was suggested


XLI.--SOCIAL INTERCOURSE.

     Amusements enjoined--Learned men prone to seclusion--Wisdom of
     requiring studious men to cultivate social relations
     questioned--Twenty men selected for the experiment--Result--The
     works of the "Seclusionists" and of the "Society-Sympathisers"--The
     MONOMANIAC--His eccentricities and cure--Convert to the Narrator's
     views


XLII.--THEATRES--ENTERTAINMENTS.

     Arenas--Electricity--Why arenas open to the sky--Games exhibited--
     Beautiful effects produced--MAN and HORSE--The FLYING
     CHILDREN--WILL--DEAF AND DUMB CHILD--The MONKEYS--Tragic
     Drama--Races and public games--Parties for children--Labouring
     people--The aged--Districts--The middle-aged--INTRODUCTION of
     strangers--Ceremony observed--ATTRACTING-MACHINE


XLIII--SHIPS.

     Peculiar form and construction--Former shape--Effective model
     sought--"Swan Ships"--Dangers of navigation--Ship sometimes
     submerged--Sufferings of the passengers for want of
     air--Remedy--The swan's head--Captain's quarters--Vessels propelled
     by electric power--Machinery--Steering and stoppage of the
     vessel--TIMBER FOR SHIPS--How seasoned--How protected against
     insects in every part--The COMPASS--The ANCHOR--Peculiarity of its
     formation: how let out and hauled in--The Bison ropes


XLIV.--PICTURES FROM WATER.

     Interesting discoveries--Microscopic pictures transmitted from a
     distance--Picture made of a landscape and persons afar off--Picture
     of swan-vessels and passengers--How effected--Bottom of the sea
     rendered visible


XLV.--THE HIPPOPOTAMUS.

     Invaluable--Antipathy to human beings--Hippopotamus'
     hide--Impervious to water--Resistance to destroying forces--All
     parts of the animal utilised--Parts subservient to the
     beautiful--Hippopotamus' land--Numerous herds--Their keepers--How
     attired--The herb antipathetic to hippopotami--How
     discovered--Experiment with the young beast--Antipathetic solution
     keeps animals away from cities--They love fresh-water rivers--The
     Aoe waters prejudicial to man--Mode of rearing
     Hippopotami--Precautions adopted--Why they have not been able to
     rear animal in Western Europe--Recommendations--Habits of the
     animal--The hippopotami--dance--How the young one is separated from
     the mother--How a hippopotamus is removed from the herd--The food
     of the hippopotamus in general


XLVI.--WILD ANIMALS.

     The Serpent--The Boa--Professors to examine medicinal and other
     properties--Modes of capturing wild beasts--Huntsmen--The iron-work
     net--The watch-hut--The bait--Dead animals not allowed in the
     city--Habits of the tiger--THE TIGER AND THE CHILD--THE UNICORN


XLVII.--THE SUN.

     The palace--Communication with auxiliary tower--Observatory--STAR
     INSTRUMENT constructed--Secrets revealed--Inhabitants and
     atmospheres of the stars differ--Invisible beings--The SUN-OCEAN,
     Mountains, and Continents--Winds--Attracted by the heat--Brilliancy
     increased by reflection--Every planet has electricity sympathetic
     or antipathetic--Different appearance in Montalluyah--Fixed
     stars--Comets--Overflowings of the waters--Waters in
     space--Conclusion




INTRODUCTION.


By introducing the reader to "Another World," the Editor does not lead
him into a region to which the Earth has no affinity. The Planet to
which the following fragments refer not only belongs to the same solar
system as our own, but also presents like physical aspects. In it, as
here, are to be found land and water--mountains, rivers, seas, lakes,
hills, valleys, ravines, cataracts alternating with each other; though
in consequence of more potent electrical agencies the contrasts between
these various objects are frequently abrupt and decided to a degree to
which we can here offer no comparison. The other world about to be
described is, in fact, essentially another Earth--widely differing,
indeed, from ours in its details, but still subjected to the same
natural laws. Its inhabitants, like devout persons here, look forward
with reverent feeling towards the abode of the blest. To a purely
spiritual or angelic region these fragments do not relate.

The name of "Montalluyah," which more immediately belongs to the chief
city in the planet, is not incorrectly extended so as to include the
entire sphere. This new world is not made up of separate countries and
mutually independent states like those of the Earth, but, forming one
kingdom, is governed by one supreme Ruler, assisted by twelve kings
inferior to him in rank and power.

The speaker in the fragments (which may almost be said to take the form
of an autobiography) was the son of one of the twelve kings, who by his
genius and worth became "Tootmanyoso," or supreme Ruler. In the planet
his name is mentioned with even more reverence than, by different
peoples, is paid to that of Zoroaster, Solon, Lycurgus, or Alfred; but
he has this peculiarity that he does not fade, like many other great
legislators, into mythical indistinctness, but is himself the exponent
of his own polity.

It must not, however, be supposed that this great legislator was the
first to rescue his world from mere barbarism. The founder of
civilization in Montalluyah seems to have been a very ancient sage named
Elikoia, to whom brief reference is made in the following pages. Prior
to the reign of our Tootmanyoso the people had passed through various
stages of civilization, under the guidance of many wise and good men.
Still the polity was defective, for the country remained subject to
crime, misery, and disease.

The proverb that "Prevention is better than cure," to which everybody
gives unhesitating assent, but which is often forgotten in practice,
lies at the root of most of the reforms, both moral and physical,
effected by the Tootmanyoso. The policy of prevention--that is, of
destroying maladies of mind and body in the germ, before they had been
allowed to spread their poison--was one of his leading principles. Under
his influence, the physicians of Montalluyah made it less their duty to
cure than to prevent disease, therein differing widely from our
practitioners, who are not usually called to exercise their skill until
a malady has been developed, and has perhaps assumed large proportions.

Under his influence likewise it was thought better to diminish moral
evil by extirpating faults in the child, rather than by punishing crimes
in the man.

Another prominent feature in the polity of the great Legislator of
Montalluyah is the occupation of every person in the intellectual or
physical pursuit for which he has been fitted by natural qualifications,
developed and fortified by culture. Nobility, position, and wealth are
made to depend on merit alone, ascertained by a mechanism which neither
favouritism, ignorance, nor accident can affect. These laws may for an
instant seem to partake of a democratic tinge; but it will be clearly
perceived that the regulations concerning the institutions of property
and marriage are diametrically opposite to those which have rendered the
theories of Communists so generally hateful.

Many of the Tootmanyoso's reforms resulted from an application of
extraordinary scientific discoveries to the purposes of life. Under the
law which determined that the "right man" should, in the most extensive
sense of the phrase, always be in the "right place," discoveries were
made of which the most acute investigators of earlier times had had no
conception, and the newly-acquired ability of wielding electrical,
mechanical, and other forces had momentous political consequences. Armed
with powers previously unknown, the Tootmanyoso found comparatively easy
the successive steps towards the happiness and well-being of his world,
where a series of insuperable obstacles would have been presented to the
wisest of his predecessors.

Of the physical agencies mentioned in the following pages, that of
electricity will be found especially prominent. Both the knowledge and
the manipulation of electricity have assumed in Montalluyah proportions
far beyond those known to us. The electric fluid is there employed for
the most various purposes: for locomotion, for lightening heavy bodies,
for increasing the power of optical instruments, for the detection and
eradication of the germs of disease, for increasing the efficiency of
musical instruments--in a word, for the advancement of the world in all
that belongs to morality, science, and art.

To some readers the plural form, "Electricities," which frequently
appears in the following pages, might seem a strange innovation. The
Editor therefore states, by way of anticipation, that in certain
important points the electrical science of Montalluyah differs from, if
it is not opposed to, some of the principles accepted here. In
Montalluyah it is an ascertained fact that everything organic or
inorganic possesses an electricity of its own, each kind differing from
the others in one or more important properties. Glimmerings of the
progress effected in electricity and other sciences, including the
knowledge and application of Sun-power, may be deduced from the facts
contained in the fragments. Still, those glimmerings are but as
scattered rays of light in the horizon, which, in the belief of the
Editor, are mere precursors of other revelations at least equally
interesting. It may be said generally that by the fragments here given,
showing how the Narrator, uniting in his own person all the highest
qualities of a Legislator and a Ruler, occupied himself with the
discovery and application of means for the reduction of evils to their
smallest possible proportions, not only giving new laws of wondrous
grandeur and beauty, but eventually rendering compliance with them easy
and even delightful--that by these fragments a truly stupendous polity
is but partially revealed.

The Editor has reason to believe, though it cannot be stated with
confidence, that Montalluyah is the world known to us as the planet
Mars. Even in the following pages indications will be found of physical
features harmonizing with observations made here on that planet. On the
other hand, there is the seeming objection, that whereas Mars is more
distant than the Earth from the Sun, the Sun appears much smaller, and
its heat and light are less intense, on the Earth than in Montalluyah.
These facts would, in the first instance, seem to indicate, not a
longer, but a shorter distance of Montalluyah from the central luminary,
and to point rather to Venus or Mercury than to Mars. But, according to
the scientific theories of Montalluyah, the amount of light and heat
received from the Sun, and the aspect of that luminary, are governed,
not so much by proximity, as by the nature and electricity of the
recipient planet and its surrounding atmosphere. In illustration of this
point the fact is stated in one of the fragments, that in Montalluyah
the power of the telescope is regulated, not by the distance, but by the
attractive or repulsive electricity of the planet under observation, and
that more power is often required to view a nearer planet than one which
is far more distant.

The question as to which of the laws and customs of Montalluyah can be
beneficially imitated, wholly or partially, on our Earth, and which of
them merely pertain to physical accidents or to a peculiar state of
society, will afford matter for reflection. It must not be supposed
that, by relating the facts revealed to him, the Editor would recommend
all the laws which they suggest as capable of imitation here. Although
they are based on the principle of securing happiness to the community,
more especially to its worthiest members, he would no more think of
recommending them for adoption in their entirety than of upholding the
"Swan-Ship" of Montalluyah as a model for the steamers that cross the
Atlantic. Nevertheless, he trusts that his record of the "regulations"
of "Another World," even where they do not admit of imitation, may serve
to call attention to the evils which they were intended to remedy in
Montalluyah, and which certainly nourish in all their bad luxuriance
here.




ANOTHER WORLD.




I.


MONTALLUYAH.


     "You forsake this earthly form which goes to dust, but you still
     live on for ever and ever....

     "This life is but the shadow of what your future lives will be."


The Heavens are studded with stars, works of an Almighty Creator; their
pale rays give but a feeble indication of the glorious brightness of
worlds, many peopled by beings of a beauty, goodness, and power
excelling all that human understanding can conceive.

By the grace of Him whose might embraces the universe, I will speak of a
star where the inhabitants are formed like the people of the Earth, and
as the dawn of day gradually discloses earth's marvellous beauties, so
shall my revelations throw light on the customs of that star-world for
whose well-being I worked with devoted love.

Some of my world's ways will appear strange to you. Remember that they
belong to another planet, another country, another people, so that like
wise travellers in a distant land, you should for a time lull your own
world's prejudice, and accompany me in thought to Montalluyah, for such
is the name of the city where I lived.

I was the son of one of the twelve kings called Tshialosoli, rulers of
the country.

These Tshialosoli are less powerful than kings in your world, there
being a ruler with full power over them and the whole State, who is
called in our language "Tootmanyoso," or "The Father of the World."

All my youthful zeal and strength were applied to study and deep
reflection. The most able men were appointed to superintend my
education. I outstripped my masters.

The extent of my knowledge, judgment, and foresight filled with wonder
the most learned and powerful in the land. Their approving praise did
but encourage me onwards in the search for knowledge.

People related everywhere how wondrous were the gifts of the heaven
favoured student.

Early inspired by the desire to benefit my fellow-creatures, I often
asked myself why, in a world teeming with blessings, so much suffering
existed? and why endless riches in the seas, in the air, in the earth,
remained unworked as though they did not exist for the use of man?

At that time the state of civilization and knowledge in Montalluyah was
in many respects not unlike that of the most civilized countries of your
world. The religion of fire had long been replaced by the worship of the
living God, and morality and goodness were respected by most, preached
by many, and practised by a few.

Wars were waged with relentless cruelty by brother against brother, bad
passions ruled, the rich oppressed the poor, and became in turn the
victims of their own excesses, and vice, disease, and misery were
rampant throughout the land.

We had money of various metals and precious stones. The greed to possess
money was the cause of great crimes and loss of power. I asked myself
whether men could not be brought to seek knowledge and goodness as
ardently as they sought money?

I could not then answer the question, but saw that, could this be done,
the boundaries of intelligence being everywhere extended, the discovery
of never-ending fructifying resources would follow, with the means also
of multiplying those already known.

Notwithstanding wars and pestilence, the numbers of our people had
largely increased, whilst our stocks had seriously diminished, and
scarcity and dearth afflicted my world.

The increasing numbers of the population would, I saw, become a means of
plenty, by supplying additional numbers and power to the phalanx of
nature's workmen, each, with redoubled skill fitly applied, joyfully
labouring in his sphere to create abundance and secure the general
well-being.

I applied myself with unwavering perseverance to the study of humanity
and the arts of government, and soon found that like aspirations had
ruled many wise and good men in the different ages of my planet. I
applied myself to the knowledge of their great wisdom and many precepts,
and sought to discover why, notwithstanding the truthfulness and beauty
of the golden lessons of these sages, and the eloquence and persuasion
of their words, corruption and ruin still so largely prevailed.

Not content with meditating on what had been done and written, I
attended the schools, observed the children's ways, and the mode of
educating and rearing the husbandmen of Nature's vineyard. I visited the
hospitals for the sick, and the theatres of anatomy. I examined into the
causes of disease, and the effects of the existing remedies. I visited
the prisons, and studied the results of punishment and the causes of
crime. I visited the poor in their hovels, the rich in their palaces; I
observed mankind in various phases, and as it were dissected men's minds
and passions. I saw everywhere never-ending power in man and nature
recklessly wasted or turned against the community.


My labours were rewarded by frequent advancement. Honours did but
stimulate me to further exertions; the greater I became the more I
applied myself, ever thirsting for knowledge and the power of doing
good, till at length, after passing the severest tests, I became
Tootmanyoso (Father of the World), and head of the State.

Then indeed my real labours began. Light from Heaven had enabled me to
see the causes of the evils afflicting my planet. I had now to apply
remedies for changing the poisoned torrents into sources of fertility,
refreshment, and delight.

The dangers and obstructions before me were immense. I felt that no
unaided mortal power could overcome them; but I was encouraged to
believe that, "like a chariot at full speed, which turns a narrow and
dangerous corner, so would I pass over my mountains of difficulty, and
run free in the wide space beyond."

I resolved with all the concentrated ardour of my soul to persevere.

Day by day I applied myself to the work, and invoked the aid of my
Creator.

My harp was my constant companion. I was a great harpist; and when
gratitude for some new light choked my utterance, I made the harp speak
in accents and in language[1] that gave fresh inspiration to my soul.

     [Footnote 1: Musical sounds in Montalluyah have a
     meaning as easily understood as spoken words. Our harp
     is different to yours, and will be described
     hereafter.]




II.


VYORA.


     "The humble and the proud are equally subject to the decrees of
     Heaven; and often one is raised and the other brought low."


The system of education which I early inaugurated soon gave to my hand
men of wondrous intelligence, fervid and eloquent emissaries, having at
heart the success of my doctrines.

These men, themselves convinced, and earnest to convince others, I sent
in all directions to prepare the people, and to discover genius and
intelligence under whatever garb concealed, for I had determined that
all should be encouraged to use their powers for their own and the
general good, and be advanced accordingly.

Many things had happened to strengthen this, my early resolve. One
incident I will now relate.


A beggar made many attempts to gain admission to my palace, but was
turned away with blows; his prayers that he might speak with me were
received with derision,--he was looked upon as a madman, and not allowed
to pass the outer gate.

This same beggar--Vyora, by name,--saved the life of a little boy, the
child of one of my leading men called Usheemee, "Men of truth."

The child would have been crushed to death under the wheels of a
chariot, moved by electricity and drawn by fleet horses,[1] had not this
same beggar rushed forward, regardless of peril, and saved the boy.

     [Footnote 1: The beauty of our horses, the desire that
     the chariots should not be cumbersome, and the steep
     hills everywhere in Montalluyah, are the reasons why
     electricity is not used alone. When the horses stop,
     the electric action is suspended, and the momentum is
     neutralized simultaneously by a governor or regulator.]

The man refused money, and for his sole reward requested that he might
be brought into my presence. The father told me of this, which seemed to
him the more strange inasmuch as the petitioner refused to say what he
required of me.

When brought before me, I asked Vyora what he sought? He replied that
his whole desire, his soul's longing, was to be appointed a teacher,
that he might instruct youth, and see little children grow wiser around
him.

I regarded the man attentively, and put many searching questions. He
answered all in a remarkable way, and gave proofs of intellect,
knowledge, and perception beyond the masters who had passed through the
required ordeals, and was so gentle and modest withal, that it was
delightful to speak with him.

The father of Vyora had possessed wealth, but from the cruelty and
oppression of an enemy mightier than he, had lost both fortune and life,
and at his death left a family dependent on charity.

The widow, a woman of remarkable gifts and keen sensibilities,
prostrated by grief, died soon after, carried off suddenly by a disease
called, "Karni ferola," "Absorption of the vitality," [1] which at that
time baffled the skill of the physicians, who indeed had seldom
suspected its presence till the disease was beyond cure.

     [Footnote 1: Answering to "consumption;" this disease
     is now detected and cured in its germ.]

Vyora, himself an emaciated boy, unfitted for physical labour, was the
eldest of many brothers and sisters, who looked up to him in their
hunger. He was driven to beg their food.


After the poor man had passed easily all the ordeals, I appointed him "a
Character-Diver," to discover the qualities and detect the faults of
little children,[2] and raised him from indigence to affluence.

     [Footnote 2: See p. 19.]

The ability, industry, and wisdom of the man, and the good he did were
beyond all praise, and I soon appointed him head of all the
Character-Divers in Montalluyah.

This incident, with many others, engaged my most serious reflection. But
for an accident, the powers of a truly superior mind would have been
lost to humanity! Vyora was but the type of numbers, evidencing how
capriciously wealth and honours were then distributed.




III.


PERSEVERANCE.


     "Go onward! lose not faith. Let the goodness of God support you,
     and the beauty and fruitfulness of the work cheer you; and when you
     are blest with success forget not the source whence all blessings
     come."


Several years passed before my plans were matured. I reduced all to
writing. On one side of the page I noted my resolutions, with the means
of carrying them out; on the other side, every objection that could be
raised: on a third page I wrote down the answers. Every objection was
invited, every difficulty anticipated, and every detail thoroughly
weighed; nothing was thought too great or too insignificant.

I submitted the whole to my wisest councillors, and encouraged them to
speak their inmost thoughts. They were lost in admiration, but entreated
me to abandon my design. My life, they said, would be the penalty were I
to attempt to carry out any part of my projects.

Some said that the design would be beautiful as the subject of a poem--
as the aspiration of a great mind to arrive at an ideal perfection,
which could not however be realised until evil itself had ceased to
exist. That to attempt to move the Mestua Mountain[1] would be a task
not less hopeless: that I might as well endeavour to walk up our great
Cataract[2] without being engulfed in the sea of foaming waters! Not one
offered encouragement to proceed with the good work.

     [Footnote 1: Supposed to be the largest and firmest of
     mountains, which, since its first upheaving, has
     resisted the inroads of our mighty seas, as well as the
     most violent electrical disturbances of our world.]

     [Footnote 2: See p. 44.]

Neither their arguments nor their prayers deterred me. I proceeded
cautiously, but with a resolution that feared not death.

Aware, however, of the deadly peril besetting me, I selected twelve men,
remarkable for wisdom in council and energy in action, on each of whom
in succession the authority should devolve if I were cut off. I
initiated them into my plans, and thus hoped that one devoted man would
always be ready to advance the good work.

Whilst providing for my death, I took measures for protecting my life
against any sudden outburst of fury. I turned my palace into a fortress,
that I might not be cut off in a moment of sudden unreasoning wrath,
that myself and my adherents might not be scoffed at as madmen, and my
plans for the good of all retarded, if not wholly frustrated. These
motives I proclaimed to the people.

The opposing obstacles were stupendous. I braved death in every shape. I
passed one mighty peril only to meet another more formidable, but
fearlessly stood every trial, and did not hesitate to act where danger
was greatest. Nothing appalled me. I never faltered from my resolves,
and after years of mighty struggles, my triumph was complete. I was
blessed and adored by all the people, small and great, and my name will
live in Montalluyah through all generations.


I gave Laws, and indicated the precautions to be taken to secure their
observance. I initiated discoveries. Inexhaustible stores of abundance
were called into existence, enriching the poor and making the rich happy
in their possessions. And the eventual result of the organization I
completed was the removal of the incentives to war, strife, avarice and
other evils, the triumph of good, and the moral and material well-being
of the community.

Amongst the many subjects to which I successfully devoted my attention
were:

The care and protection of Woman, the development of her capabilities
and graces, the preservation and increase of her beauty, Marriage and
its incidents.

The birth, growth, and education of the future Man and of the Mother of
Men; the enlarging and ennobling the moral and intellectual powers.

Preservation of health--prevention and cure of disease--prolongation of
Life, and augmentation of the faculties of appreciation and enjoyment.

The increase of our flocks and herds, and of other sources of supply for
the food of man. The discovery and creation of new means of sustenance
and the amelioration of the old.

The discovery of the properties of birds, beasts, fishes, insects,
reptiles, and creeping things, and their application to the service of
man.

The invention of new instruments, the enlargement of the powers of those
already known, the development of electrical and mechanical powers, and
the subjecting the workings of nature to the uses of man.

The care and protection in health and in sickness of the lower orders,
and of those whom nature had not qualified to take care of themselves.

Occupation for all, each according to his capabilities and the bent of
his genius, as ascertained and developed by education.

The government of the country; the enlargement and improvement of the
cities with a view to the health, comfort, and progressive elevation of
the community.




IV.


LIGHT FROM DARKNESS.


"Let the mighty works of God stimulate all to industry."


My task at first seemed never-ending; but good is ever fruitful, and
each conquest aided every subsequent effort.

I was greatly assisted in my progress by the knowledge of powers in
nature of wondrous value, but permanently effective for good only;
secrets to be entrusted to those alone whose goodness, discipline, and
self-knowledge enable them to stand firmly against the varied attacks of
temptation, and rise above the motives by which men are ordinarily
ruled, the chosen High Priests of the Science who would never use for
evil purposes the secrets imparted.

Similar powers have been exercised for good in different ages of your
planet, but the mighty trust having become known to weak minds was sadly
abused, the charm was thus broken and the secret lost; for, when the
knowledge of man exceeds certain limits, his power, like that of good
angels, can exist only while linked with noble aspirations.

The false prophets who used the dying embers of occult science for vile
purposes have been properly looked upon with horror as delegates of
evil; for the death-struggle of the expiring secret had wrought great
mischief on the earth.

The power which had been entrusted to me was exercised for the good of
my planet, and aided me in consummating my plans without bloodshed;
those who were deaf to words yielded to influences whose depths could
not be fathomed by ordinary vision.


In the system I founded, every one--his natural powers disciplined to
that end--is occupied in the pursuit adapted to his genius and
inclination, ascertained by ever vigilant and scrutinising observation,
and tests ofttimes repeated during his early and later career.

These tests are applied in a variety of forms, and by different
examiners, at different times; and there are so many checks and
counterchecks, that the boy is effectually protected against the now
scarcely possible ignorance or favouritism of "the knowledge testers,"
and even against himself.

Every one having the occupation most congenial to him, all worked
cheerfully in their pursuits; and I was soon aided by a never-ending
phalanx of great men. The progress of science was marvellous, for as
soon as the impeding obstacles were removed, and we allowed her to be
wooed by the lovers of her predilection, Nature seemed to lend herself
eagerly to the advances of her votaries.

The precept exhorting all to industry stood at the head of this portion
of my laws, but the lesson was no longer needed.

I was indeed ofttimes obliged to exhort to recreations and amusements,
and to turn many--particularly men of genius--from the too incessant
pursuit of their labours of love.

I set an example in my own person, for I was a frequent attendant at the
public games and diversions.

One discovery was pregnant with another; invention followed invention
almost in geometrical progression; the secrets of nature were disclosed;
and power, being wielded only by men intent on good, disease and crime
were soon reduced to almost imperceptible proportions. Wisdom and joy
ruled where before folly and misery prevailed, and towards the end of my
reign the happiness of Montalluyah was more like the joys of a celestial
star than of a planet inhabited by mortal beings.

When the causes of affliction themselves could not be removed, they were
often made to contribute to my world's well-being.

The myriads of insects that formerly ravaged our fields are now
intercepted in their work of destruction,[1] their properties having
been discovered and applied to purposes redundant with good.

     [Footnote 1: See p. 76.]

The hippopotami, who in earlier ages were looked upon as the incarnate
enemy of mankind, formerly overran the country, trampling down
vegetation, and attacking man and beast. These creatures are now
dominated, and their breed is encouraged, for they have become the most
valuable of our wild beasts, the hide, fat, and nearly every part of the
carcase being applied to very many purposes of the highest utility to my
people.[1]

     [Footnote 1: See p. 279.]

The advent of "the fever wind," which formerly blew disease amongst the
people, now conduces to the healthfulness of those it would otherwise
lay low.

The lightning, formerly destructive, impelled--as was told in our
legendary lore--by the anger of the Fire God, is rendered innocuous, and
collected for use.[2]

     [Footnote 2: See Electricity, p. 54.]

The sun's scorching force is compelled to minister to our delights, to
assist in our arts and manufactures, to supply a power which cannot
otherwise be obtained, and even to protect us from the sometimes too
dangerous influence of his own rays.

The sunlight is powerful in our world beyond anything in your Indian or
African climates; even the shades are not black, but of a reddish hue.

The sun, going down, leaves a red light, so that, except when at night
this is completely shut out from the houses, there is ordinarily no
darkness in your sense of the word.

At certain times, however, Montalluyah, both by day and night, is
overspread with thick darkness. Formerly, during this visitation, no man
could see his neighbour; fear seized the people. They believed it to be
the reign of bad spirits, and so it seemed; few dared venture from their
houses even to obtain food, and numbers died from terror and exhaustion.

Light is now made to displace darkness, and joyfulness to take the place
of mourning.

My scientific men discovered a means by which the causes that produced
the darkness are now used to remedy its inconveniences.

The City is made gloriously radiant. Forms of trees, birds, vases of
flowers and fruit, fountains, and other designs of many tints and great
beauty are transparent with light, rendered more beautiful by
combination with a peculiar electricity emitted by the earth--an
electricity which, be it observed, is the cause of the darkness.

The very birds by their warbling seem to greet the change, and the trees
and flowers emit a more delicious perfume.

There is music and rejoicing everywhere in the City. Many of the
electrical amusements provided appear grander from the contrast with the
darkness they are made to displace--a contrast scarcely greater than
that depicted by our "Nature Delineators" when, in allegory, they paint
the present contrasted with past times; the later years of my reign
contrasted with the beginning.




V.


CHARACTER-DIVERS.

EDUCATION.


     "Let none but skilful workmen elaborate precious material."


Think not that the truly great Vyora was but little honoured by being
appointed to an office connected with little children.[1]

     [Footnote 1: _Ante_, p. 8.]

The character-divers were entrusted by me with grave duties, on the
proper discharge of which depended the enduring success of my polity.

The education of the young of both sexes engaged from the first my
deepest study, for I had early convinced myself that the many evils to
be eradicated had their stronghold in the mode in which education had
been conducted, and soon after the commencement of my reign I put into
execution a portion of my laws for making education a powerful lever in
the regeneration of my world.

Men of genius had been compelled by ignorance or driven by necessity to
follow occupations for which they were not fitted, and which they,
indeed, often loathed; the really valuable tendencies of these men, bent
in an opposite direction, were allowed to run to waste, or perhaps be
used to the injury and destruction of others.

I felt that to do justice to all and effect good incalculable, evil
tendencies must be destroyed in their birth, the germs of the
imperfections and crimes of the man, detected and eradicated in the
child; whilst valuable qualities and good tendencies must be searched
out, and effective means devised for their healthful development.

The most ordinary men, those even who would otherwise be swayed by gross
passions, would become contented workmen in the cause of good when
occupied with pursuits for which nature and education had fitted them;
whilst the power and works of men of genius would be many times
increased and multiplied if their education were adapted to strengthen
and develop their talents, eradicate their faults, and generate
auxiliary excellencies.

But how could all this be effected if the first step to so desirable an
end were wanting?


In my visits to the schools I had been struck with the fact that little
account was taken of the characters of children,--their qualifications
and natural tendencies physical or mental: the attempt was to force the
boy to the system, not to adapt the system to the boy.

One routine existed for all pupils, whether for the inculcation of the
love of study or for the correction of faults. The earnest and
passionate nature was treated in the same way as the cold and
phlegmatic; the boy of genius or talent, as the dullard; the one who
loved, as he who disliked, or had a tendency to dislike, study; the
weakly, as the strong. They were all driven together like a flock of
sheep, with scarcely any regard to individual capabilities, bent of
genius, or physical constitution, which indeed little effort, and that
ill-directed, had been made to discover.

I had observed, also, boys with the germs of great genius, who, for want
of some minor quality, were rejected and perhaps placed in some lower
division, humiliated and discouraged, although with care the deficient
quality could have been supplied. The want of this perhaps would make
the boy a recruit to the ranks of evil, or at least unfit him, when a
man, for the real business of life. It was the small bolt wanting to
enable the machine to do its work properly.

I saw the sad consequences of all this mismanagement.

Many precepts, beautiful indeed in intention, were crammed into the
pupil, the process being repeated until they often became irksome, and
he was expected to become moral and religious. I saw that precepts were
of little use unless those whom they were meant to benefit were
educated, fortified, and disciplined in the practical means of observing
them.

It was at that time painful to see children, with many good natural
tendencies, leave school with bad habits, and vices so marked and
developed, that even the exertions of the most skilful physicians, the
discourses of the most learned of our clergy, failed to effect a cure.


The first thing necessary was to devise effective--it may be said
unerring--means to search out the characters and dispositions of
children.

I created the office of "character-divers," and selected for the
discharge of its duties eminent men of great sagacity and gentleness,
skilled in the knowledge of the mind and heart, their sole occupation
being to discover the qualities, tendencies, and incipient faults of
children, and act accordingly; to dive, as it were, into the secret
imaginings of the child; to detect the early germ of evil, and note the
presence of good; to indicate measures for eradicating the one and
developing the other.


These character--divers, called in our language "Djarke," are distinct
from the masters, called "Zicche," or fathers of knowledge, able men,
who have charge of the boys' studies.

The qualities which enable a preceptor to impart literary and scientific
knowledge differ widely from those fitted for searching out,
discriminating and correcting faults of character, interpreting the real
qualities that nature has implanted in the youthful aspirant, and
devising the measures to be taken for correction or development.

Even if the necessary qualities for both duties were united in one
master, there would be many objections to the duties being entrusted to
the same person.

The character-divers are as it were moral physicians, skilled in the
detection and cure of the hidden germs of mental maladies; for, as you
will see hereafter, I was not content to wait till a disease, whether of
the mind or body, had developed itself, spreading contagious poison
through the veins and arteries of society, and propagating evil without
end; the germ was destroyed before it had acquired force to injure.

In our planet neither the faults nor the good qualities of children show
themselves in the same way; the indications vary in each child according
to his temperament and the circumstances in which he may be placed.
Faults and qualities are often of a kind seemingly opposed to what they
actually demonstrate to the character-diver--particularly in children
endowed with genius.

Fair and even beautiful outcroppings are sometimes indications of
noxious weeds hidden below the surface. Weeds are not unfrequently born
from the very richness and exuberance of the soil, whilst many a dark
and seemingly sterile stem conceals the embryo of fruit and flowers
which a genial sunshine will call into life and beauty.

These and other considerations demand great--almost constant--attention
on the part of the Djarke.


Another reason for separating the two offices of fathers of knowledge
and character-divers is that the child's peculiarities are generally
shown out of school-hours. Hence, for the purpose of detecting or
tracing their real cause, and suggesting the remedy, the character-diver
is often obliged to enter into terms of intimacy with the children,
particularly those of tender age, to obtain their confidence, perhaps to
be their playmate and friend, that the little ones may be at their ease,
conceal nothing, and almost look upon him as they would upon some tame
animal.

The younger children with us require more watchfulness and skill in
their treatment than those of maturer age. The defects of the young,
like incipient disease, are less obvious, and their intelligence is less
developed.




VI.


CORRECTION OF FAULTS.

CHARACTER-DIVERS--_continued_.


     "Let the remedies employed be adapted to the complaint and to the
     constitution of the patient, and be careful that in curing one
     disease you do not sow the seeds of another more dangerous."


One of the duties of the character-divers is to suggest, and often to
carry out, the measures for curing the child, for in our planet the mode
of correcting faults is a matter of great solicitude, lest the means
adopted, instead of checking and eradicating, tend to confirm and
develop the evil tendency, or, it may be, implant other evils more fatal
than those eradicated.

The remedies employed for curing the boy's faults vary with his
temperament and general characteristics. The same fault would be treated
very differently in the stupid and in the intelligent boy. Where there
was difficulty of impression, the labour would be like working on stone,
whilst the lightest touch and mildest measures will often suffice with
the intelligent.

The remedies vary again with the kind, degree, and cause of the fault:
take for instance the ordinary fault of laziness. This would be treated
very differently when it arose from mental defects--from a tendency to
love other things, great or grovelling, or from a sluggish or overactive
digestion.

I may here mention that a general feature in the correction of faults is
the absence of violent punishment. We wish to raise and not degrade our
children, and perhaps implant the seeds of cruelty. We do not correct
even our animals by blows. Horses, for instance, are never struck.
Whips, with a small thong at the ends, are used only to flourish and to
make sounds which the horse knows, but they are not used to strike the
animal. Other modes are employed for curing viciousness, each according
to the nature of the vice. In the case of a kicking horse, he is placed
in a machine which is closed on him, the machine being so constructed
that when shut it effectually prevents the animal moving, and he is kept
there in the same position for hours. If, when taken out, he again kicks
he is placed back again immediately. The process is repeated when
necessary over and over again, until the very sight of the machine will
completely cow the animal, and he is effectually cured.

The laws are very severe against those who would ill-treat an animal,
but there is now no need to put them in force.

We never punish by the imposition of tasks, our aim being to inculcate
the love of study, and encourage the child to regard his work as a
favour and a privilege. On the contrary we now punish the student rather
by taking away the old than by imposing new school work; and this is so
effected that the boy, though at first delighted, soon thirsts to resume
his studies.

In many cases the pupil is not allowed even to know that he is
punished,--_i.e._, why the discipline is changed,--lest he should become
attached to a fault for which he has suffered and, as it were, paid
dearly; lest, too, the excitement of eluding detection should make it
pleasurable to transgress when the immediate pressure is removed, and he
should thus become schooled in untruthfulness and deceit.

The character-divers generally effect the child's correction by
gentleness, and eventually bringing him to loathe the bad and love the
good. Time, labour, and attention are bestowed unsparingly, and, however
small the germ, the evil tendency is never left until, when this is
possible, it is completely eradicated. In certain cases, where the
footprint of nature is too firmly impressed, the efforts are continued
until other and opposing qualities have been developed, and the moral
patient has acquired such control over himself as to be able, in moments
of temptation and impulse, to dominate the disturbing propensity.

Even after the fault seems to have been eradicated, the patient is for
some time subjected to various tests and temptations before he is
pronounced cured. We do not trust to superficial appearances.

Similar precautions were taken in the cure of adult offenders against
the laws, but as soon as my plans had time to operate, offences by
adults were of rare occurrence.

When a child gives evidence of remarkable genius, he is watched with
more than jealous care, with a view to his superior refinement, and
other qualities which we like to see in harmony. We do not like to see,
as it were, a garment made partly of rich brocade and partly of common
material.

The character-divers, too, are greatly assisted in their observations by
an establishment attached to each school called "The Amusement Gallery,"
in which after a certain time the bent of the child, his versatility,
capriciousness, constancy of purpose, and other qualities and defects
are shown in his selection and continued or interrupted pursuit of any
particular occupation or amusement.


It is scarcely possible to overrate the importance of acting with
judgment towards children.

From the smallest beginnings, incurable defects of mind and permanent
disease of body will gather strength, grow and obtain the mastery, till
they carry off the sufferer, or implant vices that, like evil spirits,
will torture the victim during his life's career.

Nothing is spared in the education of the future man and mother of men.
In the child is seen the parent of other generations, one who, as he is
well or ill-directed, will strengthen or weaken the great work of human
happiness, bearing with him a blessing or a curse for the community.
Therefore whatever may be the pains or expenditure required in the cure
of incipient faults, as of incipient disease, we know that society will
be repaid more than a thousand-fold in the happiness of its members, in
evil prevented and good propagated, in the numbers of men of talent and
genius whose works, teeming with great results, will be thus saved to
the State.

But for the character-divers the services of numbers of men of
extraordinary genius would have been lost to the State, and our world's
progress in science, inventions, and happiness retarded for centuries.
Nay, perhaps the then comparative civilization would have been thrown
back into barbarism, through the destructive play of bad passions and
disappointed hopes.

Numbers who, if their early faults had grown into confirmed vices, would
later have led a life of crime, and become inhabitants of dungeons and
emissaries of evil, now grew into men of great eminence. The germ of
evil propensities was destroyed, the exuberant motive power of their
nature regulated and turned to good, by means which the character-divers
thoroughly understood.


Amongst faults, the germs of which occupied the attention of the Djarke,
are the following:

Untruthfulness, dishonesty, discontent, pride, vanity, boasting,
cunning, envy, deceit, whether prejudice, self-deceit, or the wish to
deceive others; nervousness or fear, inducing reticence and concealment
of faults, excess of modesty or the occasional tendency of persons of
genius to underrate their own powers, inattention to studies, want of
application, power to learn too easily, lack of retentive memory,
exaggeration and boldness, bad temper, sullenness, disposition to
quarrel, cowardice, cruelty, caprice as distinct from versatility,
selfishness, greediness, laziness, and its various causes, and generally
the germs of all faults and vicious propensities, which, if not cured at
an early age, would grow into tenacious vices.


From the precautions taken in Montalluyah the schools have become real
nurseries, where the pupil is endowed with knowledge adapted to his
capacity and natural bent, strengthened and graced with valuable habits
and stores of physical and intellectual power.




VII.


CHARACTER-DIVERS--_continued_.


     "Respect those who would enable us to obtain the respect of
     others."


In former times the education of our children, even of the most gifted,
was entrusted to preceptors who occupied less than secondary positions.

We did not respect or love them much; nay, they were not unfrequently
treated with indignity, and yet it was expected that our children would
respect and love them and the learning they professed to teach.

All, whether men or women, entrusted with the education of the young are
now honoured in Montalluyah, and are high in the State as persons
charged to bring about great and valuable results.


The aid given me by the character-divers and preceptors in carrying out
my plans was incalculable. Their sagacity selected disciples apt for the
duties I required; men with vast powers impelled by good. These men
propagated my doctrines, and vigilantly watched their observance, and a
new vigorous generation soon sprang up, educated to obey my laws, and
further to increase and multiply their beneficent effects.

These moral physicians were chosen at first from men of great sagacity,
gentleness, and powers of observation, and of polished manners.[1]

     [Footnote 1: In Montalluyah children are supposed to
     acquire so much by imitation, that the candidate for
     the office of Djarke and others must possess refined
     manners; and even the quality of speaking with elegance
     and accuracy is considered necessary both in them and
     in the Zicche. The art of speaking and writing with
     correctness is imperceptibly acquired from the language
     of the preceptors and other models with whom the boy
     comes in frequent contact. Grammar, with the exception
     of a few leading rules, is not needed, and the boy's
     brain is saved much dry and fruitless labour.]

Young men of special aptitude were soon educated to the office, and it
was then that character-divers of marvellous powers sprang up, whose
knowledge of the human mind, and skill in diving into the hidden
currents of character, became so great that no incipient quality, or
defect however minute, could escape their observation.

There is a man whom the sagacity of Vyora discovered, whose wondrous
power in his art is the admiration of Montalluyah. The good he has done
and the greatness of his work in searching out and developing hidden
qualities and genius in children, who to the unskilled eye gave no
promise, is celebrated in pictures, in sculpture, and in song, and his
portrait is repeated in the highly finished and artistic mosaic pavement
of our palaces and dwellings.

We delight to enrich our houses and public places with subjects which
daily inspire great and pleasureable thoughts.

The subjects of the tesselated pavements include wise kings, inventors,
and discoverers, character-divers and preceptors, physicians, great
electricians and chemists; astronomers, men skilfully learned in the
power of the sun; men versed in the knowledge of the human mind; eminent
painters, sculptors, and architects; men skilled in the properties of
birds, beasts, fish, and other living things. Moral qualities are
greatly estimated; and we have many portraits of women famous for their
virtues, gentleness, and superiority; even of servants distinguished for
remarkable cleanliness and other qualities. Every house has its
tesselated pavement, more or less elaborate, but always beautifully
executed, for all our artists are great, and occupy high positions.

Where a young man evinced qualities which, when tested, showed that he
would make but a second-rate artist, the character-divers demonstrated
that these youths possessed natural tendencies better fitting them for
some other pursuit.

I have in my thoughts at this moment a favourite subject of the artistic
pavement;--a man--Zolea by name--who as a boy was inattentive to his
studies, while his talent for sketching from nature[1] was so
remarkable, that even during school hours, with his eye seemingly on his
book, he would occupy himself in sketching those around him. Every one,
except the character-divers, thought that Nature intended this boy for a
great artist. These demonstrated that as an artist he would never attain
a high position; and after observing how he occupied himself in
play-hours, and subjecting him to numerous tests, so completely cured
him of his want of application and other defects, that he became the
wisest and greatest among our kings. He aided me much in the devising
and carrying out many things for the well-being of our planet.

     [Footnote 1: All students, even beginners, sketch from
     nature, no other sketching is allowed.]

Had I not been the son of a king I should probably have been educated as
a harpist; for even as a child I showed great disposition for the harp,
and composed both words and music for my favourite instrument; but my
father's chief councillor, a man of great sagacity, saw in me the germ
of intellectual powers far beyond those required for the most perfect
execution of the harp, and, counselled by this sage, I was led to other
studies by judicious treatment, to the doubting surprise of my early
tutors.

       *       *       *       *       *

I will now give you some account of one of the great works begun and
ended in my reign.

This work, called 'The Wonder' of my Planet, was by our poets often
spoken of as resembling my polity in the strength of its foundation, and
in beauty, grandeur, and stability, as a work which, like my laws, they
said had saved a world from destruction, and would endure for ever!




VIII.


THE STAR CITY.


     "The City of delights. The beloved of the Angels."


The power of the sun in my world is great, and the heat and light are
excessive. The great heat being, however, tempered by cooling,
refreshing winds, and gushing waters, is to our constitutions generally
agreeable, except at the period called the extreme season.

The colours in the sky are in great variety, and of exceeding
transparency and brightness, some parts presenting masses of gorgeous
reds, golden colours, rich greens, and pinks of many shades.

The skies present also the appearance of a most irregular and uneven
surface--as though there were high hills, some with their peaks, some
with their bases, towards the earth, and with large spaces between, so
that whilst in one part these hill-peaks and bases appear only a few
miles off, other parts of the sky seem very distant.


In vast mountainous and rocky regions is built our great city called
Montalluyah, that is, "God's own City."

What are called the _External World Cities_ are built on the base sides
and summits of many peaked mountains, rocks, hills, and promontories,
girded, intersected, and undermined by the sea.

The City is divided into 200 districts each known by a name indicative of
the situation:--

     The Upper Mountain City,
     Summit City,
     Topmost Point City,
     The Lower City,
     Down City,
     Side City,
     Lower Under City,
     Sea City,
     Vale City,
     Ravine City,
     Side Country,
     The Internal City,

and similar designations.

Before my reign each of these districts formed a separate city. Great or
rather petty jealousies existed between them, and much evil was the
result; for they treated each other as rivals, and often as enemies. I
decreed that all the districts should be called by one name, that the
inhabitants of all should enjoy the same system of laws and government,
the same customs and polity, and form as it were one family. I did many
things to cement the union. I executed, too, numerous great works which
assisted in promoting the growth of universal brotherhood. Many cities
which formerly lay at immense distances from each other, separated by
intervening mountains of immense height, I united by perforating the
rocks, and building spacious galleries through the hearts and bases of
the mountains, and by throwing "aerial" bridges from one mountain peak
to another. Henceforth I shall speak of all these cities as
"Montalluyah."


Palaces and edifices of various forms, their gilded spires and minarets
inlaid with many coloured transparent stones which sparkle in our
brilliant sun, stand on undulating sinuous ridges, peaks, and terraces,
rising one above the other in endless and irregular succession.

The houses are mostly curved, oval, or round. In Montalluyah straight
lines are avoided. The houses are built principally with a white stone,
mingled with a peculiar stone of a bright sky-blue colour, both stones
repellent of heat.

Gardens and verdure separate the houses one from the other. Most of the
gardens are arranged in curvilinear lines, the houses being placed at
the central point of the inner and outer curve alternately, so that each
alternate house is on the outer centre of the garden curve, and each
alternate house is on the inner centre of the adjoining curve. The
undulating lines of terraces are broken by gigantic masses of rock of
various colours, red, green, golden, white, blue, silver, brown, and
variegated--rocks of carbuncle, lapis lazuli, malachite, gold-stone, and
many-coloured marbles.

These rocks and undulations are intersected by ravines, rivers, inlets
of the sea, lakes, and cataracts, reflecting the many tints of the
gorgeously coloured sky and the rays of our vividly bright sun, filling
our city as it were with aureoles of glory.

In many parts the sea has made itself a hidden way, and runs its course
for miles under the rocks, appearing again at great distances in one of
the interior inland cities, perhaps at the bottom of a deep ravine or
open space; and the waters are often raised and collected for use and
ornament in fountains and artificial cascades called water-lifts: whilst
springs of fresh water gush out of the rocks, affording refreshment to
the sun-parched and many-coloured grasses, flowers, and vegetation.

Great cataracts and artificial cascades often form the background to a
great building or colossal statue. The effect of these large masses of
water viewed from all parts is extremely grand and beautiful.

Sometimes the ravines, rivers, cataracts, and sea-arms are passed by
huge bridges of the natural rocks, perforated by the sea, or opened by
man to render navigation possible. Sometimes bridges miles in length are
thrown across a great cataract or immense chasm where the rocks have
been relentlessly torn asunder by the lightning and other electrical
disturbances.

All the large bridges are covered with houses and gardens, which at a
distance seem air-suspended cities, hanging without support over rivers,
cataracts, large cities, and aggregations of houses.


Everything conducive to health is attended to: the supply of water to
every part of the city is unlimited, and in each house, whether of rich
or poor, is a bath, for sea and for fresh water.

We have "violet streams," which run for miles over beds of violets white
and blue. The water of these is preserved in tanks erected at the end of
the streams, trenches being cut to assist the flow. It has a delicious
flavour, and is used for various beverages, but not for culinary
purposes, since, when mixed with certain things, it turns black and
loses its fragrance.

Trees, plants, and flowers perfume the air with their fragrance; whilst
birds of endless variety and richest plumage have their nests in the
tall and wide-spreading trees of varied-coloured foliage and fill the
air with their music. In the trees are placed artificial nests to entice
the birds; these invite others, which build their nests spontaneously.
The trees are large, their branches and rich foliage spread themselves
in graceful lines to a long distance on every side and afford pleasing
shade, their gauzy leaves subduing the light and producing the effect of
soft rainbow tints. The trees also emit perfume.

The music of the birds harmonizes with the refreshing sounds of the
running waters, cascades, and fountains; and that the effect on the mind
of these beautiful harmonies may not be disturbed, the wheels of our
chariots as well as the horses' hoofs are bound with a peculiar hide
which, besides possessing great toughness and durability, has the
property of deadening sound. Thus none but the most agreeable sounds
reach the ear, whilst the senses are charmed with aromatic odours and
the eye is pleased with beauty of every kind.

Arched galleries and passages through the hills and mountains, partly
perforated by the sea or electric fire, and enlarged by the industry of
man, have a subdued light and make an impression of another kind, the
red light in these perforated roads answering to the red shade of the
outer world. These galleries and openings in the rocks are used to
shorten distances from one side of a mountain to another.


The whole city is full of animation. The illuminated sky, the variegated
plumage of the birds, the moving myriads of human beings, clad in rich
costumes of divers colours; horses, elephants, camels, and camelopards,
richly caparisoned; carriages gorgeously decorated, the golden domes of
the houses, the many-coloured rocks reflecting themselves in the waters
and in the brilliant skies, with their own aerial peaks and mountains
brilliant and bright with our powerful sunlight--all these combine to
produce a gorgeous spectacle. Moreover, the constantly recurring
undulations and tortuousness of the ground are so great that it is
difficult to proceed for a few minutes without meeting an entire change
of scenery, as though one had reached a new city.

At one moment are seen mountain peaks rising almost perpendicularly to
the skies in varying height, then a little turn brings the spectator on
forests of houses, with ornamental gilded domes and hives of human
beings.

Overhanging rock and mountain-forms of varied colours, the skies now
scarcely seen, now reflecting their gorgeous tints in the sparkling
rivers, cascades, and upheaving masses of water, these and much more
form a picture of which words of fire would fail to convey a sufficient
idea to those accustomed to the sober, though beautifully subdued tints
of your skies.




IX.


THE SUSPENDED MOUNTAIN.


     "The uplifted Mountain Arm, as though raised in anger, threatens
     you and your little ones with destruction.....Let all hearts unite
     in prayer, that Heaven may inspire your Tootmanyoso with the means
     of saving the world from so dire a calamity!.."


The ordinary elevation of the tides is immense. They advance and rise to
a height far beyond any similar phenomenon in your planet, and the
waters retire in proportion, leaving at low water many miles of seashore
uncovered.

In Montalluyah the sun's electricity is very powerful. It is the power
of the sun, and not of the moon, which principally influences the tides.


A huge mountain mass projects from the elevated continent of Montalluyah
for miles above the sea.

The heart and base of the mountain mass had been carried away from under
the higher mass by some great convulsion of nature, leaving the upper
part of the mountain without support, except by its adhesion to the main
continent, of which it formed part. From the point of juncture the
suspended mass extends itself out horizontally in the air over cities
built on the ridges, sides, and foot of the parent mountain-chain, and
far beyond the extreme bounds of these cities, for miles over and
parallel with the sea, at a height which from the lower cities makes the
superincumbent mass rarely distinguishable from the illuminated clouds
above.

The electric agencies in our world are very powerful; and it is supposed
that at an early age of our world's history the mountain-foot covered
with cities extended considerably beyond the land on which stand the
present lower cities, and for many miles beyond the actual point to
which the sea now recedes at low water, and that through a great
electric disturbance, the upheaving seas of mighty waters rolled on,
and, rising to an immense height--some think above the summit of the
great mountain--with resistless force carried away miles of intermediate
rock-land, which had till then formed the heart of the mountain.

When after some time the waters receded the mountain mass above the
point of their ravages was left suspended, deprived of the support of
the intermediate and nether strata, which before the upheavings of the
waters had connected the plateaus and peaks of the mountain with the
land beneath.


The suspended or aerial mountain stretches from the high lands of the
continent horizontally through the air, just as one of your largest
continents stretches into the sea. Between it and the sea below,
however, is a space to be measured by miles.

The sea in subsiding did not recede to its old limits; for a part only
of the miles of the lower lands between the scooped-out mountain heart
and the sea was restored to the world by the retiring waters, and the
heart of the mountain having been carried away and engulfed for ever,
the projecting mountain mass was left suspended not only over the land
now covered by the lower cities, but for miles over the sea. Neither can
be approached except by proceeding first for a long distance in an
opposite direction inland, until the extreme point is reached where the
sea stopped its ravages on the mountain's heart; the road then leads by
circuitous bendings to the land below.

On the rocky ridges of the heart or indent of the mountain, and on the
part of the mountain foot restored by the sea, now stand the middle and
lower cities of Montalluyah.

The hanging mountain mass, with its promontories and high hills,
presents all varieties of shape and outline, and is itself intersected
by rocks, ravines, cataracts, and torrents.


One great torrent runs on for many miles, and having been swelled by
tributaries into an immense gathering of mighty waters, rushes
impetuously seaward, to the extreme point of the suspended mountain,
whence from its aerial height it falls into the sea beneath, the spray
bringing refreshment to the parched atmosphere of the lower and
intervening cities, built on the ridges and peaks of the sea-worn heart
of the mountain. This torrent, called the Great Cataract, forms a
feature of great grandeur and beauty.


On the suspended mountain itself is built a city larger than your
largest capitals, called the Upper city of Montalluyah. The Lower city,
nearer the sea-level, is distant vertically about three miles from the
nearest under part of the projecting mountain-arm above. The cities
swarm with human beings, whilst the wealth of the districts is
incalculable.

Before my time many of the under parts of the suspended mountain had
broken from the parent mountain arm, burying cities and their
inhabitants under the masses of rock.

In the then state of science these catastrophes could scarcely have been
prevented, but at that time the inhabitants of Montalluyah rarely
thought of preventing accidents till after they had occurred!

Although in my reign the suspended mountain did not threaten immediate
danger, I saw that unless means could be devised to support it, like
catastrophes would at some time recur, and perhaps the whole mountain
arm would give way, hurling the upper cities to destruction, and
crushing the nether cities under its falling masses. The terrible
consequences that would ensue were more appalling even in their
remoteness than the most vivid imagination dared realize.

Acting therefore on the principle governing my polity--that of
preventing evils--I determined to use the immense mechanical and
electrical powers with which the marvellous progress of science had
supplied me, to construct a work strong and durable enough to support
the suspended mountain.

I assembled from all parts the mighty men of our world, men of truth and
wisdom, fathers of science and knowledge, chiefs in all the principal
departments; for it was provided by one of my laws that before any great
work was undertaken these men should be consulted, and that, so far as
was in accordance with the chief intent, the work should be carried on
in harmony with the requisitions of the principal sciences.

After much thought, deliberation, and study, a stupendous work was
undertaken; a work so great in the parent thought, and so wondrous in
the execution, that it is looked upon by the people as the wonder of our
world.

With your limited mechanical appliances, and backwardness of electrical
science, you will perhaps have difficulty in realizing the practicability
of such a construction.




X.


THE MOUNTAIN SUPPORTER.


     "Let all hearts unite in gratitude to Him who sent His angels to
     aid us in this work.

     "He inspired the directing mind, and gave strength to those that
     executed. He created the fire that married the two substances into
     one indestructible compound mass.

     "Behold, and wonder!"


A circular tower, whose base above the foundation is more than a mile in
diameter, and whose round walls are more than a hundred feet in
thickness, is carried up from the lower land nearest to the sea-level
until the head of the tower reaches and supports the projecting mountain
mass above.

The diameter of the tower-head is one-third of the diameter of the base.
The diminution being very gradual is scarcely perceptible, and appears
to be the effect of distance. The height of the tower is the same as its
circumference at the base. Our ordinary powers of vision generally
exceed yours, and the light in our world is more intense; and yet the
head of the tower can from the lower cities seldom be distinguished from
the illuminated clouds above.

The area in the interior of the tower at the base, and for some distance
above, is divided horizontally and vertically, and the compartments are
used for storehouses, including the storing of scientific instruments,
and for experiments connected with science. The different strata and
incidents of the atmosphere at various elevations are there studied with
peculiar advantage, as there are numerous landings at different
distances, and we have the means of ascending and descending the whole
distance, or of alighting on any of the landings by means of a machine
raised and lowered by electric power.

As the work progressed, stages were constructed at different heights on
which buildings were erected, where the workmen and their families lived
until the task was completed, the materials and electricities used, as
well as provisions and necessaries, being raised to these stages by
electric power. The principal material used is the hardest and most
durable substance known in our world--an amalgamated material consisting
of certain proportions of iron and marble fused into a solid compact
mass by the action of fire and electricity.


HEAVY MATERIALS LIGHTENED BY ELECTRICITY.

The blocks used were of immense size, so huge, that even with our
electrical and mechanical levers, many expedients were employed to raise
them to their assigned places.

Electric science had greatly advanced in my reign, and electric powers
had been discovered by which the heaviest masses could be lightened
temporarily, so that their specific gravity, called by us the "tenacious
electricity," and its tendency to seek the sympathetic electricity of
the earth was temporarily diminished, if not entirely neutralized,
without injury to the mass subjected to the operation.

Though the means and end are different, the principle is not unlike that
by which you often lighten the specific gravity of bodies, and even
change their nature by chemical combination, the action of fire, and
other expedients, the bodies often resuming their specific gravity and
original form. The means we employ for lightening bodies are far more
rapid and effectual, and, at the same time, the materials acted upon are
less abruptly or violently changed.


Notwithstanding all our knowledge of electric and mechanical powers, our
thousands of artificers employed, and all the industry and energy
exerted in obedience to my will, nine of our years[1]--more than thirty
of yours--were spent in the completion of this stupendous work.

     [Footnote 1: Our year is not calculated like yours. The
     year is marked by a peculiar appearance which the sun
     assumes at equidistant epochs.]

The tower of itself is an object of great grandeur and beauty, and is
richly ornamented. The external walls of the plinth at the base of the
tower are overlaid with gold and ravine[1] metal, inlaid with large
transparent stones of varied colours. The ravine metal--a metal prized
beyond gold--possesses beautiful veins of colour, which change with the
temperature--veins of watery green, of purple, blue, and steel. When
refined, it is most beautiful. The colours are sometimes so bright that
it is dazzling to look at them.

     [Footnote 1: So named from being found in the great
     ravine, the largest ravine in Montalluyah.]

On the tower are scrolls and images of peculiar meaning, and of large
characters in gold and ravine metal, ornamented with transparent stones.
The sun's rays playing on these stones, and particularly on a large
yellow stone like an amethyst, illuminates the column with what may be
called a supernatural light.

Alternating with the scrolls are designs representing episodes in my
life and reign. These designs are in pure white marble in relief, and
with the light of our world stand out prominently from the iron-marble,
sufficiently large to be plainly seen at great distances from nearly all
parts of the city. The proposal for thus recording the events of my
reign came from the kings and people who loved me greatly.


As before observed, a person can be raised from the base to the top of
the column, and through a shaft into the Upper city. The movement is
rapid, and takes less than half an hour either way, whilst the journey
by our external roads, by reason of the circuits to be taken, and the
ascents and descents would, even to descend, occupy two days on a fleet
horse. The passage through the Tower, however, is seldom used either for
ascent or descent, except in cases of great emergency, because the great
difference of the atmosphere above and below materially affects the
health of the passenger.

The machinery, too, in the descent requires much care and calculation,
for the weight of the descending body would otherwise increase to such
an extent, that accidents would occur.

The difference of the atmosphere and the effect on the human frame
between the Upper and Lower cities is remarkable; those accustomed to
live in the Lower city have a disposition to spring from their feet when
first arriving in the Upper city. I recollect a lady--rather weakly--who
seemed mad, but was rational enough; only she could not for some time
resist the impulse of springing upwards.

This mode of communication would perhaps have been more resorted to had
we not possessed the telegraph. The electric telegraph is, in its
rapidity, not unlike that used in your world, but is different in
construction and mode of working. What is written at one station is
reproduced in its exact size and form at another. Even a portrait
designed at one end of the telegraph with the electric acid would be
instantaneously reproduced at the other end, perhaps many hundred miles
distant.

At different stages of the Tower the colour of the atmosphere sensibly
changes. This phenomenon is caused by certain minute particles which
contain animalcula, or their ova, and exist at different distances in
layers, and which as they are developed and become heavier have a
tendency to fall into lower regions of the atmosphere, till they awaken
into life under the influence of the sun. Blights, called by us Viscotae,
"infectious visitors," are often thus generated, falling from layer to
layer till they settle on plants and trees.

These ova, moved by the winds, are sometimes mixed together, but when
the winds subside the more advanced and heaviest tend to settle in the
lower regions of the air just as the heaviest particles of a mixture
have a tendency to sink and settle below.

All this has been shown beyond doubt by a quantity of air being
collected when falling fast, and at different times and altitudes. Each
portion of air being secured in a separate glass case, the ova were then
viewed through our powerful microscopes, and subjected to various tests.

The Mountain Supporter, which can be seen from nearly every part of the
Middle and Lower cities of Montalluyah, is an object of inconceivable
grandeur and beauty, its appearance varying according to the point
whence it is seen.

This great work often seems broken into numerous parts of varied length,
by mountains, rocks, and ravine sides, raising their heads between it
and the spectator. Often, particularly when the clouds have been high,
and the sky has been clear, I have seen from a distance parts of the
huge Mountain Supporter seemingly broken into vertical lines towards the
middle and lower parts in a way that, in conjunction with the upper
parts, has produced an effect like that of an immense flower raising its
head towards the skies, supported by a long stalk resting on many
elegant but slender tendrils.

The grandeur and beauty of the tower is, if possible, heightened by the
Great Cataract, in conjunction with which it is almost invariably seen.
The falling waters vie with the Mountain Supporter in breadth, and
overtop it by the height from which they are hurled; the one firm,
stately, and magnificent in its solidity and repose, the other vapoury
and grand in its gracefulness and movement; both inconceivably
beautiful; the Cataract, a work of all-powerful Providence, whose wise
purposes no one can scan in their entirety; the Supporter symbolizing
the inspired genius of man, who, with the beneficent purpose of saving
innumerable lives from destruction, had, by the sweat of his brow,
constructed a work more stable than the solid rock,--work whose head
might be said to "reach unto Heaven."




XI.


ELECTRICITY

IN MONTALLUYAH.


     "A spark of Heaven power."


In the construction of the Mountain Supporter you will have perceived
that we were greatly aided by our extended knowledge of electricity.

Before my reign, although electricity was used for some purposes, the
existence of varieties in electricity, and the manifold uses to which
their wondrous powers could be applied, were unknown.

Electricity was not then utilised for locomotion either on land or sea,
or for raising ponderous bodies to an immense height, or in the various
products of manufacture and art, or, in short, for any of the almost
innumerable purposes where the various electricities are now employed,
either separately or in combination.

This could not well be otherwise; for beyond a contrivance like your
Leyden jar, for collecting "air electricity," no means of collecting,
still less concentrating, electricity of any kind then existed.

The belief once generally entertained was, that there were but two
electricities, or rather two varieties of the same electricity, one
repellent and the other attractive, answering in a measure to your terms
of positive and negative. Some, indeed, thought that several different
kinds existed; but the renowned electricians--truly great men, for they
had opened the gates of science--proclaimed that all electricities were
in reality one and the same, modified only by accidents.

They referred to certain phenomena always resembling each other in
whatever way the electricity producing them might be generated; and they
argued, with an appearance of truth, that the electricity which produced
these similar phenomena must be one and the same: for, asked they, are
not like causes indicated by like effects? The principle was right, but,
as was subsequently shown, the application and the conclusion were
wrong. The error had arisen from the fact that electricities of every
kind possess certain properties in common: thus, air electricity enters
into the composition of them all. These common properties produce
phenomena varying only in degree, but so similar to each other that, in
the absence of further knowledge, the electricians concluded that their
theory was correct, and, in consequence, many valuable discoveries were
retarded for centuries.


MANY KINDS OF ELECTRICITY.

In my reign, however, tangible and visible proofs established beyond
doubt that every kind of body and substance, whether animate or
inanimate, contains an electricity of its own.

Although all electricities contain air electricity, and are similar in
some other respects, yet each differs from all others by reason of some
properties peculiar to itself, the species being different, though the
genus is the same. As in the case of the blood of animals, which is
called by the common name of blood in spite of material differences,
when the species is different, so we have a generic name for all
electricities, a term signifying "A spark of Heaven power."

Some electricities are diffused and attenuated; some are concentrated;
others are so tenacious of the body to which they belong that they are
all but steadfast. Some are sympathetic; some antipathetic, attracting
or repelling each other; some mingle gently; others, when brought into
contact, cause violent explosions.


DRAWING OUT AND CONCENTRATING ELECTRICITIES FOR USE.

WE discovered the means of drawing out the various electricities from
the body to which they are appetent, and of concentrating and preserving
them for use.

Man, beasts, birds, insects, fish, reptiles, trees, plants, water, in
short, all substances organic and inorganic, possess each its own
peculiar electricity. In naming fish, I refer to each species, and not
merely to those already known to you as electrical, and which have the
power of emitting strong currents of their own peculiar electricity. A
huge fish, well known on your earth, supplies us with the most powerful
of all electricities--an electricity of immense value. Docks
sufficiently large are built expressly where the sea monster is driven,
there to be subjected to the process by which he is made to yield up the
electricity contained in his huge frame.

The different kinds of electricity collected and concentrated are stored
ready for use in a large building called "The Electric Store-house,"--
the electricities, secured in non-conducting pouches, being placed in
separate compartments. This is the more necessary, since explosions
arise when antagonistic electricities come into contact with each other,
and the commingling of sympathetic electricities deteriorates their
quality. For that reason care is taken to keep out light. By the
electricity of light most other electricities are affected.

To the storehouse are attached extensive grounds for experiments and for
exhibitions, which at the same time delight and instruct the people. I
should observe that beautiful as well as humorous effects are produced
by certain electrical combinations. By means of sympathetic action
living bodies can be attracted and raised without removing their
inherent electricity, as you attract light substances with the magnet or
the electricity known to you.


WILD BIRDS CAUGHT BY ELECTRICITY.

The kind of electricity by which the body to be operated upon will be
best attracted is well understood in Montalluyah. As a simple example, I
will state that wild birds are caught by means of a sympathetic
electricity. For this purpose a long, hollow metal tube is used, at the
bottom of which is a globe containing a powerful acid. A receptacle at
the top of the tube contains seeds much liked by the birds. They hover
about these seeds, and, when they are within a certain distance, a
slight pressure on a wooden spring causes a drop of the acid in the
globe to escape into the tube, and so to set in movement a current of
electricity, which, being very sympathetic to the bird, acts as an
attractor so powerful, that it cannot get away. The tube is then gently
lowered, and the birds are gradually drawn near to the earth, when a
light net is thrown over the captives, and they are shaken into a
cage-net at the bottom. Calmed by the electricity, they do not flutter or
struggle when thus secured. It is very interesting to see the birds come
nearer and nearer as the rod is lowered towards the ground.


For electrical purposes it is necessary to catch the birds alive. Those
required for food are also caught in the same way, that they may be
killed without pain, as, indeed, are all birds and animals used for
food. Birds supply an electricity for lightening ponderous bodies; and
by means of this, the immense blocks of iron-marble used for the
construction of the Mountain Supporter were temporarily lightened, that
they might be raised to their assigned places.




XII.


THE PAIN-LULLER.

VIVISECTION.


"Cause not pain, lest you yourselves be afflicted."


From a small pet-bird of pink and green plumage, called in our language
the Nebo, is extracted an electricity known as the "Pain-luller."

The preparations previously used, though very serviceable, did not
fulfil all requisites, and they so seriously suspended the vital action,
that the patient often died in consequence. By means of the
"pain-luller" vivisection and the most difficult surgical operations can
be performed safely and painlessly, without any part of the system being
affected by the action of the "pain-luller," with the exception of the
nerves of sensation. We knew that the feeling of pain in animals depends
on the action of a particular set of nerves. When this pain-lulling
electricity is introduced into body, it is attracted to the nerves of
sensation, and the sense of feeling remains suspended during several
hours, whilst the other nerves and muscles--as, indeed, all the rest of
the organization--continue to perform their functions as in their normal
state.


VIVISECTION.

In vivisection the animal's eyes are bandaged, so that he does not even
know what is going on, but is free from pain, whilst all the springs of
action, with the one exception, remain in their normal state. This would
not be the case if the animal suffered from acute pain and terror during
the operation. The continued energy of the functions is thought
essential to the complete success of the operation, whether on the human
frame or in vivisection.


HOW DISCOVERED.

The efficacy of the "pain-luller" was discovered by an accident. A
little girl carrying a pet Nebo was knocked down, and the wheel of a
chariot passed over her legs. In a convulsive effort to save her pet,
the child pressed it to her bosom with so much force that she broke, the
bird's skin. When the people ran to her assistance, and lifted her up,
they found that both her legs were broken. To the surprise of all, she
did not cry, but only asked to be taken to her mother, and continued to
press the bird to her breast. From kindness, those near wished to take
away the bird, but the girl would not loose her hold.

The doctors were astonished; for the severity of the fractures would
ordinarily have caused acute pain, more particularly during the setting
of the bones. The child, however, though quite conscious of what was
passing, did not suffer in the least, but continued to pet her little
bird.


After many experiments, my scientific men found that this entire absence
of pain was due to the Nebo's electricity, which had escaped by the
breaking of its skin. This electricity, attracted by the nerves of
sensation, had entered the child's body when she pressed the pet
convulsively to her bosom, the seat of great sensibility. The
electricity only suspended the sense of feeling, but did not affect any
other part of the child's system.




XIII.


THE MICROSCOPE.

CONCENTRATED LIGHT--MUSIC--EXPERIMENT ON
THE LIVING MAN.


     "The same Almighty Power that governs the universe of worlds
     governs the minutest particles of creation....In both is shown His
     infinite power."


The properties of our Microscopes (as of other optical instruments) are
wondrously increased by the aid of an electricity called "concentrated
light." [1]

     [Footnote 1: In Montalluyah light in the ordinary state
     is said to be a highly attenuated electricity.]


In our fields is found a little worm, whose body is surrounded by a
beautiful and powerful light, visible by day and by night.

While meditating on the cause of this phenomenon, it occurred to me that
the light was probably attracted and concentrated round the little
creature by its own electricity. After many experiments, my great
electricians found that this was the case, and many valuable discoveries
were the result.

A machine, called the "Enticer," charged with electricity abstracted
from this worm, is placed in a high open spot, and light is attracted
and concentrated in a marvellous manner. When the pouch for receiving
the concentrated light is fully charged, and secured against the action
of other electricities, it is detached from the machine, and its
contents are preserved for use. The appearance of concentrated light is
that of a beautiful halo.


MUSIC.

The power of music, beyond that derived from its mere execution, is
greatly influenced by the amount of electricity infused into the sounds
by the performer; and in our planet the human voice has often been known
to soothe, and sometimes to restore, a disordered brain, by awakening
the powers of some dormant division, when the electricity accompanying
the sounds is sympathetic with the light in the brain of the listener.
The human voice, other things being equal, is more electrical than
sounds from musical instruments; for in the one case the emanations of
light come direct from the living singer, whilst in the latter instance
the electricity coming from the executant passes by contact with the
instrument, and is thus transmitted through an intermediate conductor.
The beauty and effect of many of our musical instruments, and
particularly of the harp, are greatly increased by the application of
electricity.

A skilful executant on our harp can assuage the passions of a
multitude,--nay, he can excite many of the aspirations and sensibilities
ascribed in your legends to Orpheus and other mythical personages.

It is thought in Montalluyah,--though it was never demonstrated,--that a
modification of concentrated light forms the point of union between the
immortal soul and the perishable portions of man.


INTERNAL CONCENTRATED LIGHT.

There is concentrated light--the very essence of light--within
ourselves, particularly in the brain, to which the light, having
travelled about the body, is conveyed, through the instrumentality of
the blood, to the nerves and other organs.

In speaking of the brain, we often use words belonging to vision. Until
the discovery of "concentrated light," we did not know how truthful were
these expressions, one of which in our language answers to the "mind's
eye." The eye as well as the brain contains concentrated light, and
physical impressions received through the visual organs are by this
electricity immediately conveyed to the sympathetic "light" of the
brain.

By the application of concentrated light we can even increase for a time
the intellectual powers, or, rather, we can strengthen the instrument
through which the intellectual powers are manifested.


EXPERIMENT ON THE LIVING MAN.

The possession of concentrated light led to the discovery of the exact
mode in which the brain acts in the living man. By experiments on
transparent fish of the zoophyte class, and on the eyes of animals, we
discovered the means of making a living body for a time transparent. The
skull was rendered transparent accordingly, and by the aid of
concentrated light and of an instrument called an "electric viewer," the
currents of electricity in the brain were made visible.

These currents include myriads of electrical lines--literally composed
of electricity--lines the nearest approach to your definition of a
mathematical line, that which hath length without breadth.

The filaments, as we may truly call them, are of different forms,
straight, spiral, and otherwise curved, and of varied length and
colours. They are set in motion by the impulsion of thought. When we
talked to the patient on a particular subject, one series of lines would
be set in motion with indescribable rapidity; other topics would call
into play other series of straight or curved lines. They can also be set
in motion under the influence of certain electricities.

Although the experiments on the living man proved very valuable, they
could not be conducted with impunity, and were therefore not often
repeated. The man operated upon was insensible for some time afterwards,
and felt the effects for years. He was, however, cared for during the
rest of his life, and was not expected to work. Moreover, every kind of
comfort, luxury, and amusement was provided for him and for a certain
number of relatives and friends whom he selected as companions. Still he
was not allowed to marry, that being one of the principal conditions to
which he subscribed on being chosen for the experiment from amongst a
host of candidates to whom all the serious consequences attending the
operation were made known.




XIV.


PHYSICIANS.

DISEASE GERMS.


     "Cure all evils in their early germ, so shall ye be spared endless
     suffering."


Physicians take very high rank in Montalluyah; they are furnished with
palaces and gardens; their revenue is great; they are wholly provided
for by the State, since on their knowledge and efforts depend greatly
the prolongation of life, the prevention of disease and suffering, the
preservation of beauty, and of invaluable nerve and brain power. As in
the moral, so in the physical constitution, the aim is to discover and
crush evils in their germ, before they have taken proportions dangerous
to the individual and to the community.

Formerly the chief duty of physicians was to wait patiently until
disease had worked great and even fatal mischief. Their chief occupation
now is to preserve the patient's health and prevent disease, and if,
from any but accidental causes, any one fell ill, it would be a disgrace
to them. They were formerly called by a name answering to "Disease
Doctors," whilst they are now known by a term signifying "Health
Guardians."

Prior to seasons formerly unhealthy, the physicians make visitations
from house to house. With the aid of powerful microscopes, they examine
the minute particles of the perspiration issuing through the pores. The
perspiration, being the result of efforts made by the system to throw
off impurities, indicates whether the patient is in good health, or
whether there is a tendency to disease. The state of the perspiration,
though varying greatly, does not always show the exact nature of the
malady; for many diseases present the same appearances, and, in that
case, tests are applied, which do not fail to indicate to what malady
the impurities belong.

To give an instance: There is a disease of the lungs called Scrofiuska,
which impedes respiration, and is besides often attended with cough,
emaciation of the body, and other symptoms like those that accompany
consumption, for which indeed it was formerly mistaken. It is now well
known to be a different disease, requiring different treatment. In
scrofiuska the lungs swell inwardly, but tubercles are not generated,
and, unlike consumption, this disease can be cured even when at its
height. I recollect a bad case, early in my reign, where our physicians,
mistaking the complaint for confirmed consumption, declared that the
right lung was gone. A short time afterwards the real nature of the
disease was discovered, and the patient was completely restored to
health.

In both complaints, however, the perspiration, when viewed through our
microscopes, presents exactly the same appearance. In consumption, and
to a greater extent in scrofiuska, the lungs are covered with a web-like
moisture, portions of which are thrown off by the system with the
perspiration.

The ordinary appearance of perspiration in a healthy state is that of an
oleaginous liquid consistency resembling, say, a thin cream; but the
water exuded by the lungs has the appearance of dew, and is indeed
called by a term signifying "lung-dew." It does not amalgamate with the
oleaginous part of the perspiration.

Our doctors at first thought that they could detect incipient
consumption from the appearance of this dew, whilst they had only
ascertained that the germs of some one of several diseases existed in
the system. For although the presence of lung-dew in any quantity gives
intimation that all is not right, the specific malady is not indicated
with certainty. The application of certain tests to the patient is
necessary to discover the particular disease with the incipient germs of
which he is afflicted.

Disease and contagion difficult to deal with in their advanced stages,
when they have already made their presence known by symptoms too
palpable to be disregarded, are easily mastered in their germ.

To collect the perspiration, a little instrument, called "the scraper,"
is passed over the skin, and at each turn deposits the perspiration in
an air-tight receptacle attached to the instrument.

The blood was found to be but a partial test of disease, for there is
much in the body which does not mingle with the blood, whilst the
perspiration contains impurities thrown off by every part of the
organization, and, when examined through our microscopes, never fails to
give warning.

At the same time the blood is the subject of deep study in Montalluyah;
and every point connected with its component parts, colour, circulation,
heat, quality, purification, is thoroughly understood.


The physicians sometimes examine the breath. With this view, the patient
breathes on a little instrument saturated with a preparation which
condenses and retains the breath. Ample opportunity is thus afforded for
its microscopic examination, and for the discovery of the unhealthy
particles with which the breath may be impregnated.




XV.


MADNESS.


     "Think not others blind because ye will not see....The concentrated
     light of the soul is not visible to the naked eye."


The microscope also led to the discovery of the incipient causes of
madness, by the facility it afforded us for the dissection and
examination of the minutest portions of the numerous divisions of the
brain.

Before my laws came into operation the incipient symptoms of monomania
were rarely noticed, and many were driven into confirmed madness and
crime by neglect or improper treatment, whilst some of the supposed
lunatics were really wiser than their keepers or the doctors who
attended them. It often happened that the aspirations of a superior mind
were mistaken for indications of the malady, and led to the
incarceration of the supposed lunatic. For instance, a poor man, who
lived in the reign of my predecessor, thought, and truly thought, that
electricity might be used as a motive power for the heaviest bodies, and
supply the place of wood used as fuel in manufactures. He also thought
that electricity, then impalpable to the senses, was the material
ingredient affecting the weight and coherence of bodies. People laughed
at what they supposed to be illusions, and there the matter might have
stopped; but the poor man persisted in his assertions that the sun
contained electricity, which could be attracted, concentrated, and
applied to various purposes. He appealed to the well-known fact, that
the sun ripens the fruits of the earth, changes the colours of
substances, affects the brain, and produces many wondrous phenomena
without visible contact. His lucubrations, instead of suggesting
experiment, were received with derision, and the man himself was cruelly
treated, his very persistency in the truth convincing the world that he
was a confirmed madman. In vain he appealed to the officers charged to
visit the monomaniacs, and, in spite of all his efforts, he died in a
lunatic asylum.

So dangerous, indeed, was it formerly to announce new ideas opposed to
those already received, that we had a proverb to the effect, that he was
not mad who had "droll" thoughts, but he was so who told them to the
world. The proverb is now somewhat reversed, and he is thought wicked
who, being favoured with gleams of light, allows them to perish with
him.

Accompanying all laws, I gave to the people my reasons at length for
their promulgation, together with answers to anticipated objections; and
in the exposition of the laws relating to madness I bid them recollect
that had I endeavoured to put my thoughts into action some years
earlier, I should undoubtedly have suffered similar persecution to those
under which many others had succumbed.

Monomania is not now assumed, as formerly, from the seeming extravagance
or supposed absurdity of people's words; for it is well known in
Montalluyah that thoughts which a few years before were scoffed at as
the height of absurdity are now acknowledged facts, and they who could
doubt the existence of the now familiar phenomena would alone be thought
mad! It is known, too, that people often say strange things from
confused or indistinct recollections of what has befallen them in a
prior state of existence, or from prenotion or intuition of things as
yet unknown to others; and although in the sciences we accept nothing as
conclusive that is not confirmed by experiment, the vastness or
strangeness of the thought, far from attracting ridicule, generally
leads to inquiry, experiments, and results. Many of our great
discoveries have been suggested by hints which formerly would have
seemed the ravings of a disordered mind.

With our microscopes we have been enabled to examine and dissect all the
minutest divisions of the brain, each of which responds to certain
trains of thought, and to ascertain the physical cause of madness.

This knowledge enables us to discriminate with certainty, to detect the
existence, nature, and locality of the germ, and apply effectual
remedies during the earliest tendency to the malady. Until this
discovery was made, I took effectual means for curing the numbers in
whose brains madness had already been developed. I erected many great
buildings, where each patient was separated from the others, for in
Montalluyah madness is thought to be more or less contagious; but after
I had reigned some years the deserted divisions only served to show for
what purpose they had been formerly used, and, with one single
exception, kept in case of need, these buildings are now appropriated to
other purposes.

Amongst the discoveries that astonished the brain-doctors and
mind-tamers was the following:--It was formerly thought that the disease
existed in the _overworked_, portion of the brain; but this was found to
be an error, inasmuch as the disease exists in those parts of the brain
which have lain dormant or have been little used. From these the
oleaginous fluids essential to their life and activity are drawn to
supply the overworked portion, which remains in full health and power.
The doctors admitted that their original belief would alone suffice to
account for their having failed to cure so many cases of madness.

The heat of the climate, the power of the sun, the then excessive use of
stimulants, and the excitability of the people,--whose pulsation is more
rapid than yours,--all tended formerly to augment the victims of the
scourge.




XVI.


THE DEATH SOLACE.

INSECTS.


     "Seek diligently and you will find healthful good even in noxious
     things."


In Montalluyah learned men are employed wholly in the study of the
properties of insects, for these contain valuable electricities.

Colonies of insects, brought by the storms, formerly destroyed whole
crops, till a simple mode was discovered for protecting our fields and
capturing the marauders.

It was ascertained what plant the insects liked most. This, fortunately,
proved to be a common plant--one that could be produced in great
abundance. Large beds of it are grown in a place concealed as much as
possible from view. Amongst the coveted flowers is sprinkled a strong
scent, which attracts the insects, who, finding the plant they like so
much, congregate there, abandoning entirely the other plants.

We have gauze of a very fine and yet strong texture, with which nets are
formed. One half of the net is laid over the plant-bed when certain
winds foretell the coming of the insects, and as soon as these have
covered the favourite plant, the top of the net, moved by a spring from
either side, closes over and secures the swarm. Where not necessary to
secure the insects alive, we sprinkle over the attractive plant-beds a
strong poison, which is itself extracted from insects.

There are at times certain impurities in places very difficult of
access. Swarms of insects, secured in immense cages, are brought as near
as can be to the spot. The cages opened, the insects instantly rush out
in swarms, and soon consume everything that has produced the noxious
exhalations. All insects,--indeed all created things,--have, in
Montalluyah, some properties useful to man.


THE DEATH SOLACE.

After some years had passed, and my laws had time to operate, disease
and crime were reduced to the smallest proportions. Life is now
prolonged to a period which, before my reign, would have been thought
fabulous, and people rarely die but of old age.

Man's progress having become a pleasant journey, I was encouraged to
believe that the traveller might be enabled to quit the world without
the ordinary death-struggle and convulsion, and with his expiring
faculties so refreshed, that he would give his last directions with a
clear brain and a cheerful heart.

From a little insect, my men of science extracted a material from which
is prepared a potion agreeable to the taste. This is administered to the
patient as soon as the physicians are satisfied that life is ebbing
fast; and it, at the same time, calms and rouses the dying man.

Within five minutes after it has been taken, all signs of suffering
disappear, and the countenance acquires a calm expression, succeeded by
a smile of joy rarely seen in the most perfect health. The faculties of
the dying man are brightened, and his sensations rendered delightful. He
looks calmly on death, makes his dispositions with the serenity of
robust health, converses familiarly with those dear to him, gives them
his blessing, and passes away as though he were leaving only for a short
and pleasant journey. I have seen many exhort their children and
relatives, and speak of their departure for another world with an
eloquence seldom heard on other occasions.

The effect of the potion on a person in full health is very different;
it stimulates and excites, and is altogether prejudicial; and although
it would rather do good than harm to a weakly person, its great virtues
are only shown when taken by a man in his last moments. Where it is
desirable merely to calm or to rouse, there are other and more effectual
preparations.




XVII.


INTERNAL CITIES.

SUNSHINE PICTURES.


     "Let the great be blessed for the joy they cause to fall on the
     world like refreshing dews."


There are two seasons in our world--the one called "moderate," the other
"extreme." In the extreme season the heat is far beyond the most
powerful heat prevailing in your tropics. Special precautions are then
necessary to preserve the health of the people. None are allowed to
expose themselves to the sun during the greater part of the day; a
cooling regimen is enjoined, and animal food is forbidden for a certain
period. In both seasons the light by day is intense; its nearest
approach to colour is a warm, bright, golden hue, not the cold, white,
greyish hue of your climates; and its red shades are sufficient to light
our caverns and passages through the rocks to a certain distance.

Those who confer large benefits on the world are naturally entitled to
enjoy a portion of the wealth and well-being they have successfully
laboured to increase.

This truth I constantly bore in mind, and in spacious galleries
perforating the rocks I built the Trombetski, or Internal Cities, for
the especial use of those whose superior intelligence had been occupied
for the good of the world. Here, sheltered from the scorching rays of
the sun, are the palace residences of the higher classes during the
extreme season. These galleries serve also to shorten distances between
remote parts of the external world. With their streets and passages they
form of themselves cities, with scarcely less movement than in those
without.

Light is admitted through occasional apertures--some natural, some made
by man. It is not as vivid as that of the external world, but subdued
and beautifully soft, is ample indeed for all purposes by day, like the
pale red of the shade in the external world. Even at night artificial
light is not ordinarily required in the open air, the shade of the red
light of night being sufficient. Both sea and fresh water in abundance
is brought to every part of the internal cities, which abound in
waterfalls and fountains, nothing being omitted that may contribute to
beauty, health, or comfort.

Many of the most lovely flowers and plants in the external world are
those which flourish in the red shade, and are, therefore, eminently
suited to the internal cities, where, planted in profusion, they
flourish greatly, and emit aromas like your essences, but invariably
fresh, sweet, and wholesome. Their natural beauty and odours are
increased by electricity, an agent by means of which we can give most
beautiful fragrance--nay, colour, form, and variety to flowers in
general.

The communication from the palaces in the external world is often by
means of a winding path, descending from the basement of the upper
palace to the palace in the internal world. By means of machines worked
by electricity we have facilities for excavating earth; and where rocks
or hard substances intervene we can remove large masses by the
application of explosive electricities. These paths are therefore
excavated with ease.

My palace, situate on the summit of the upper mountain city,
communicates with a magnificent summer palace, reached easily by a well
lighted descent. The daylight in the internal palaces is peculiarly
beautiful, almost unearthly. Pictures of life-like power are painted
expressly for this light.

In my summer palace is a saloon of very great proportions, with a floor
of ivory inlaid with pearls. This saloon contains more than 150
pictures, works of our great artists, representing the principal events
of my life. In these the figures are large as life. Here are depicted
extreme perils which I had undergone; here are the present times
contrasted with the past; and thus the benefits conferred by my reign
are presented in a manner which appeals at once to the heart.


SUNSHINE PICTURES.

Great discoveries had been made of the enormous resources afforded by
the sun. By the aid of machines this power is greatly utilized in
manufactures, sciences, and arts. The loveliest colours of our fabrics
are those imparted by the action of the sun with the aid of instruments
fitted to the purpose.

When we desire to produce in a painting the effect of sunshine, the rays
of the sun are attracted and permanently fixed on the parts of the
picture we wish to illumine. The effect produced is as though the sun
was actually shining on the picture. The effects of sunrise or sunset--
the effects of the most brilliant, as well as the least vivid,
sunshine--can be produced at will, and are exactly those of nature. Some
of these effects are so vivid, that it would dazzle the eye to look on
the sunny parts of the picture for any length of time.

A preparation sympathetic to the sun's rays having been rubbed over the
part they are intended to illumine, the rays are concentrated there by
means of an attracting and concentrating instrument. Another solution is
then thrown rapidly on the part illumined in order to fix the rays
permanently. A brush was used at first; but, in spite of all care, this
left its deep shadow, which greatly marred the effect. Even now much
care is necessary, and the solution must be thrown from the side with
considerable address, so that the sun's rays may not be intercepted.
This solution serves also to fix the rest of the colours. The picture is
painted on a fine material like linen, of great durability.

This art of using the sun's rays was much used on the paintings in my
summer palace. The brilliant sunlight of the outer world thrown on the
principal figures produced a greater effect in the subdued light of the
internal city.




XVIII.


THE PICTURES.


     "Let pictures speak to the eye, to the ear, to the taste, to the
     heart, to the head, to the concentrated light of the soul, to the
     imagination as well as to the understanding. If they do not rouse
     good aspirations, cast them into the fathomless ravine, there to
     perish, a fitting food for the poisonous fungi that cover its
     sides."


Among the pictures to which I refer is a series representing the
following subjects:--

     I. FOUNDING OF THE SCHOOLS.
    II. THE OPENING OF THE AMUSEMENT GALLERY.
   III. MAN.
    IV. WOMAN.
     V. MARRIED LIFE.
    VI. FLOCKS AND HEEDS.
   VII. THE ALLMANYUKA.
  VIII. THE STAR INSTRUMENT.
    IX. NAVIGATION BEFORE AND SINCE MY REIGN.
     X. CONSUMPTION OF THE VITALITY.
    XI. MADNESS.
   XII. THE EXPOSITION OF THE NEW DOCTRINES.
  XIII. THE REBELS.
   XIV. THE MOUNTAIN SUPPORTER.
    XV. INVENTION OF THE LEAF INSTRUMENT.
   XVI. SUN-POWER AND ITS APPLICATION TO MANUFACTURES,
        AND FOR HEALTH PURPOSES.
  XVII. OPENING OF THE ELECTRIC THEATRE.
 XVIII. INVENTION OF THE INFANTS' EXERCISING
        MACHINES.
   XIX. THE INSTALLATION OF THE CHARACTER-DIVERS
        AND PRECEPTORS, IN PRESENCE OF THE
        TWELVE KINGS.
    XX. THE VALLEY OF THE ROCKS.
   XXI. THE CONSUMMATION.


I. THE FOUNDING OF THE SCHOOLS.

Education before and since the Tootmanyoso's reign is typified.

On one side a number of poor intelligent children are depicted wandering
in ignorance. On the other is seen the college as now established, with
indications of results. The one part of the picture is seen as if it
were enveloped in darkness, whilst on another part the sun is shining
brilliantly.


II. THE AMUSEMENT GALLERY.

The opening of the first Amusement Gallery is here depicted with the
Tootmanyoso attending.

This is an interesting picture. It exhibits the gallery, with the
different playthings and amusements, toys, musical instruments, live
birds, small animals, flowers, and other objects. Amid these are shown
the interest and delight of the little ones, happy groups of merry
faces, the joy and gratitude of the mothers, the Tootmanyoso's
satisfaction in contemplating his work, and the intent observation of
the "Character-Divers," and "Overlookers," with other varied and
interesting features.[1]

     [Footnote 1: See p. 202.]

III. MAN.

Man is shown as he was before, and as he had become after I as
Tootmanyoso had reigned about one hundred of your years. Man's life had
been lengthened from your average age to one which before the employment
of the means enjoined and carried out in my reign would have been
considered impossible.

The different stages of man's life during both eras are here contrasted
in every gradation. Thus we have the child as he was, the child as he
is, commencing his education, and his entry into manhood; the coxcomb
and dissipated man of former times, and the man of the present era,
following the road leading to his own happiness and the good of others;
middle age--the man struggling to draw the load up the hill with painful
efforts, the other man engaged in congenial occupation; lastly, the
disappointed and the happy old age.


IV. WOMAN.

In like manner we have a series of pictures showing woman's former
state; her present education, in the representation of which episodes
are given of her progress in her own sphere to the level and
companionship of man. Reference is made to the means of increasing her
beauty, and employing her charms for her own and man's happiness;[1] the
gentleness of her nature in softening man's lot, whilst she is supported
and defended by him; woman as a mother, her devotion to her children,
and her joy and gratitude in contemplating the development of their
strength and beauty through the means enjoined and practised in my
reign.

     [Footnote 1: See p. 94.]

One picture, let me add, represents the mode of choosing a husband,[2]
and another represents ceremonies used in the preparations for
marriage.[3]

     [Footnote 2: See p. 104.]

     [Footnote 3: See p. 120.]


V. MARRIED LIFE.

In the picture relating to this subject we first show marriage as it
was. The wife and husband are rarely by each other's side; when they
meet they are in common attire, and receive each other with frowns; the
wife, in grand costume, smiles on strangers, and so on with other
episodes of former married life.

With this state of things is then contrasted, in every detail, the
happiness of the married state as it now exists.


VI. FLOCKS AND HERDS.

These are pictures showing the spare and lean cattle of earlier times,
the former paucity of our flocks and herds, and the present innumerable
supplies,--the result of good treatment, and of people's obedience to a
law of mine which forbade them to slaughter the female, so that our
resources for multiplying our stocks should not be diminished. The
present humane method of treating animals, and the dispatching of the
animal without pain, are admirably depicted.[1]

     [Footnote 1: See p. 213.]


VII. THE ALLMANYUKA.

The different stages of my progress in creating the Allmanyuka, or new
food, substituted by me for a strong, stimulating, and injurious
condiment previously in general use, are represented in another series
of paintings, showing the incipient thought and its perfection, the
fruit in its various phases, my anxiety while watching the growth of the
fruit, my joy when success had crowned my efforts, and the gratitude of
the people.[2]

     [Footnote 2: See p. 220.]


VIII. THE STAR INSTRUMENT.

The Tootmanyoso is seen looking through the "Star Instrument," while
worlds are opening in the distance. This "star instrument," or "world
viewer," is a gigantic telescope of immense power, aided by electricity,
constructed for me at my suggestion.[1] The power of our telescopes is
wondrously increased by electric and chemical combinations, but this one
excelled all others in magnitude and power.

     [Footnote 1: See p. 299.]


IX. NAVIGATION.

Navigation before and since my reign is here depicted. The frail and
sluggish ships of former times are contrasted with the swift and
powerful ships constructed in my reign.[2]

     [Footnote 2: See p. 268.]


X. CONSUMPTION OF THE VITALITY.

An episode connected with the discovery of the incipient cause of this
malady is here represented.[3]

     [Footnote 3: See p. 235.]


XI. MADNESS.

In a series of pictures are portrayed various incidents illustrating the
injuries formerly inflicted from ignorance of the causes of the malady,
the really mad having often been regarded as sane, whilst many of the
sane were treated as mad. Every phase of the malady as it formerly
existed is depicted, as also the discoveries and incidents attending its
detection and cure in its incipiency.


XII. EXPOSITION OF THE NEW DOCTRINES.

While representing the Tootmanyoso expounding some of his leading
doctrines, the artist has given to many of the countenances a fearful
expression of hatred and incredulity, while the Tootmanyoso's calm and
settled purpose is grandly expressed in the dignity, eloquence, and
unswerving faith depicted in his aspect and general bearing.

In this picture, too, are seen figures of children clothed in rich
habits, who had been brought up in idleness, and taught to respect
little else than money; some deriding, some in the act of throwing
missiles at the principal figure, whom others are revering.

The poor people's joy when relieved by the Tootmanyoso from misery and
oppression, and told that the gates of honour were open to themselves
and their sons and daughters, is plainly shown. The beaming intelligence
of beautiful children with lofty aspirations, expressing innate love of
good and desire of knowledge, hitherto held back by want, is also
represented. All this is more beautifully expressed by the painter than
words can convey.


XIII. THE REBELS.

An episode in the Tootmanyoso's life when, alone and unarmed in his
study, he was surrounded by a band of armed men, who had bound
themselves by oath to murder him unless he complied with their
rebellious demands, is here recorded in a picture, in which is portrayed
the noble figure of the Tootmanyoso, unarmed and bareheaded, at the
mercy of these furious armed men, who have the expression of wild beasts
in their rage. The painter nevertheless has succeeded in giving to the
faces of the rebels a cowering expression, as if they were inwardly awed
by the undaunted calmness and aspect of the man they had come to
destroy.


XIV. THE MOUNTAIN SUPPORTER.

Besides the most remarkable views of this wondrous work, the different
interesting incidents attending its construction are recorded. Here,
also, is portrayed the unsupported Mountain Arm, threatening many cities
with destruction, as it appeared before the construction of the
Supporter.


XV. INVENTION OF THE LEAF INSTRUMENT.

The discovery of the properties of leaves, and the invention of the
"Leaf Instrument," by the aid of which fallen leaves are utilised as a
valuable means of enriching the Earth. This was a great boon to my
world, greatly increasing the fertility of the land and the excellence
of the crops.


XVI. SUN-POWER.

The discovery of Sun-power; its application to manufactures and the
arts; to various medicinal purposes, and to invigorating the
constitution and brain of man.


XVII. THE ELECTRIC THEATRE.

The opening of the first Electric Theatre, and the exhibition of the
wondrous feats accomplished by Electricity.


XVIII. INFANTS' EXERCISING MACHINES.

The Tootmanyoso suggesting to one of his scientific men, Drahna by name,
the machines, the use of which prevented many of the accidents and
diseases incident to infancy. There are many other pictures illustrating
the discoveries by which health and beauty are preserved, and man's life
is prolonged.[1]

     [Footnote 1: See p. 187.]


XIX. INSTALLATION OF CHARACTER-DIVERS.

The Installation of Character-Divers and Preceptors is a ceremony of a
very solemn character, and takes place in public, the Twelve Kings
presiding. The candidate engages solemnly to fulfil the duties strictly
and impartially.


XX. THE VALLEY OF THE ROCKS.

The Tootmanyoso addressing the people in the Valley of the Rocks; an
extremely picturesque locality, studded with rocks, which, by his orders
were sculptured into groups of gigantic statuary, calculated to impress
the people's minds with grandeur and beauty.


XXI. THE CONSUMMATION.

The Tootmanyoso, on the completion of his work, is seen offering up
thanks to Heaven.

The principal figure stands out from the picture in a marvellous way. A
glory of light shines on the monarch's brow, and his eyes are illumined
with heavenly fire and inspiration. In the background are the people,
surrounded by plenty, and guarded by myriads of angels. Our painters
have the art of giving to their delineations of angels an incorporeal
vapoury appearance, like that of forms sometimes seen in sleep. The
Tootmanyoso is in the act of accompanying his hymn of praise with the
grand music of the harp. This instrument with us is of gigantic
proportions, and, touched by a skilful player, produces lovely effects.
It is not supported by the executant, but revolves easily on a ball and
socket, to which, having been placed at the exact inclination required,
it is fixed by a small bolt before he intones his hymns.[1]

     [Footnote 1: See p. 243.]

It was delightful for me to go down occasionally to the great room, and
to meditate on these pictures, and the subjects that had inspired the
painters. The light and tone of the place, and the general impression
made upon me, seemed to savour more of heaven than of earth.




XIX.


WOMAN.

CHOOSING BY HAND--CHOOSING BY FOOT--GIRLS'
DOBMITORIES--EARLY RISING--PRAYERS.


     "Let woman be as soft as down, as sharp as a lancet, as sparkling
     as the diamond, and as pure as Stainer's fount." [1]


     [Footnote 1: See p. 149.]

Woman is the object of much solicitude and consideration, and enjoys
many privileges. The tendency of her education is to qualify her for the
position which nature intended her to hold as the companion and helpmate
of man. However she is instructed, though not to so great in degree, in
many branches of art and science, cultivated by the stronger sex, the
design being to enable her to appreciate the efforts of man and to
encourage and comfort him in his progress, but not to take his place.
With us women are happy and contented, and words of complaint rarely
fall from their lips.

Great precaution, however, is taken lest they should overwork themselves
in the severer studies, or even in the lighter occupations, the tendrils
of their nerves being so delicate, that, if once injured, they would
seldom be restored to their normal condition.

There is this marked difference in the education of the two sexes. Boys
are educated in manly and athletic sports, in all that can give them
strength and physical development, and call out their masculine
qualities, while the occupations and exercises allotted to girls tend to
confirm and develope their natural delicacy, gentleness, and sweetness.
The result, is, that whilst men are large of frame and endowed with
great force and strength, the women in Montalluyah scarcely ever exceed
the middle size. They are beautiful, and thoroughly feminine in form and
feature, while in disposition they are sprightly, ingenuous, and
truthful. Their carriage and movement are marked by elegance and grace,
their voice is of melodious softness, and they are altogether
distinguished by a peculiar charm and fascination.

Most of our women are brunettes, with rich black silky hair and eyes--
large and beautiful as those of the gazelle; but the fair with blue eyes
are considered the more beautiful--probably on account of their rarity.

The beauty of the woman, like the muscular development of the man, is
greatly aided by the care now taken of children from their birth. Women
were formerly left to themselves, and many, either from ignorance or
want of thought, neglected to do justice to their proper qualities and
charms, whilst they became enamoured of ostentation and indulged in a
thoughtless extravagance which served to kindle the envy of their
neighbours, and to bring ruin to their husbands. Whilst seeking
extraneous aids to beauty, they neglected the simplest precautions for
its preservation, though, when their charms had faded, they eagerly
sought means to repair what were incorrectly called the ravages of time,
but were only the unavoidable consequences of their own neglect. The
heavenly light of their eyes had become dim; their complexions,
originally of a warm purity, had become of a yellow tinge; their skin,
soft to the touch and beautiful to the eye, had become shrivelled and
hard; their dark and beautiful hair had become grey or fallen off,
deprived of the nourishment which had been prodigally wasted, and the
undulating and elegant form had often sunk into a misshapen mass.

We have now a belief that the harmonious development of the body is not
only physically and aesthetically desirable, but assists in the
healthful development of the mind, to which, for a time, that body
belongs; beauty being regarded as "a precious gift from Heaven which it
behoves every woman to preserve and improve." The exceptions to beauty
are now rare, and women are scarcely less lovely in age than they were
in youth. In many cases time has actually enhanced their attractions,
improved, through the additional charm impressed on the countenance, by
the sweetness and gracefulness of their nature.

Cosmetics for the reparation of beauty are not needed, but women of all
ranks are enjoined to use various precautions for its preservation. We
have cosmetics very efficacious for protecting the face from the burning
sun, for keeping cool the natural moisture, for preserving the
complexion, and for preventing wrinkles. In our climate the heat
distends the skin, and by inducing excessive perspiration, reduces the
fat required to support it. But for our cosmetics, wrinkles would be
formed at an early age. As it is, the skin and complexion, as well as
the form and features, are now preserved to the last period of life.

The hands and feet, and indeed all the details of beauty, are much cared
for. The toes of the feet are exercised in a variety of ways, and are
almost as elastic and pliable as the fingers, being, as well as the
ankles ornamented with jewels. Soles, secured with sandals protect the
under part of the foot. On many great occasions the sandals are
dispensed with, the sole being secured by a preparation rendered
adhesive by the warmth of the foot. This preparation is easily removed
by the application of a sponge and water.


CHOOSING BY HANDS.

A lady's hands and feet form so great a feature in the estimation of her
beauty, that they are made a distinctive test for deciding preferences
on certain occasions.

Thus, partners for the dance are sometimes chosen in a way that excites
a great deal of mirth. The custom is called "choosing by hands."

A large round screen, made expressly for the purpose, stands at one end
of a ball-room; behind this a certain number of ladies--generally twelve
at a time--place themselves, accompanied by the master of the
ceremonies. The opening in the doorway is then closed. The screen,
though not closed at the top, is sufficiently high to completely mask
the ladies, and there are in it twelve or more small apertures, lined or
faced with a soft crimson or other warm-coloured velvet, sufficiently
large to admit of a hand being passed through, so that it may be seen
and criticised on the exposed side of the screen. Through one of these
openings each of the ladies passes her right hand, and the gentlemen
choose the hand they prefer, each by touching a spring nearest the hand
selected, and at the same time announcing his name. The chosen one is
immediately led out from behind the screen and presented by the master
of ceremonies to the gentleman, in the midst of the applause or
merriment of the company before the screen, and of the rest of the
ladies behind it. Ladies are very particular about their hands and
nails, and, as may easily be conceived, give them a little extra
attention before going to a party.


CHOOSING BY FOOT.

There is another peculiar mode of choosing partners--"by foot"--but
this is conducted in a different manner, and is made to depend on the
superior beauty of the foot, as decided by an arbiter, who is chosen by
the company, and who is, of course, a man famous for his taste and
knowledge of the beautiful.

While the arbiter pursues his duties, the ladies are concealed behind a
screen, which is, however, open sufficiently at the bottom to disclose
the foot and ankle. She to whom the palm is awarded has the first choice
of a partner, and the others follow in succession in the order in which
they have been ranked. This diversion, though exciting great interest,
is not so happy as "the choice by hand." The ladies whose feet are
placed in a lower rank often think themselves aggrieved, and are
slightly jealous of their rivals, for in spite of the efficacy of my
laws, I could not--whilst giving just triumphs to superior beauty--
altogether prevent a feeling of disappointment in ladies who saw the
palm given to others by one recognised as an honest and able judge,--a
man whose taste was known to be irreproachable.

When the hand and foot of a young lady are inclined to coarseness, while
at the same time her talents and goodness entitle her to a superior
position, the fingers or toes, and afterwards the hand and foot
themselves, are bound up, for a certain number of hours each day. We do
not like "contradictions," or, as I have before observed, we object to a
garment partly of rich brocade, partly of common stuff.


GIRLS' DORMITORIES.

At the head of all the means for preserving beauty are cleanliness,
frequent ablutions, and a habit of early rising. In these girls of all
ranks are well schooled, and to show you that in their education we do
not neglect what are erroneously called trifles, I will tell you of one
of the modes of treatment commonly employed in connexion with such
matters.

In the colleges each girl has a separate sleeping-room, as we have a
great objection to young girls sleeping together in one room, and
inhaling each other's peculiar gas thrown off in the form of breath
during their slumbers. Besides, when that practice prevailed, as it did
formerly, the girls were in the habit of talking to each other upon
subjects which often suggested inconvenient thoughts, even to the best
disposed, and confirmed others in tendencies which eventually grew into
confirmed vices.

On the pupil's retiring to rest, the door of her sleeping-room is
fastened from the outside by one of the matrons. The girl has no means
of opening it herself, but by touching a little spring at the head of
her couch she can at any moment communicate with the matron
night-watchers. These matron night-watchers--two for a certain number
of girls--are on the alert during the night, remaining in a place called
the "watch," where are suspended the electric bells, underneath each of
which is the name of the girl occupying the room to which it
corresponds.

Light is supplied to every dormitory by means of a lamp inserted in the
wall, and opening from the outside. Half an hour after the door has been
closed the matron extinguishes the light, without entering the room. The
external red light of night is also excluded; for, as with you, darkness
is thought much more conducive to refreshing sleep.

In consequence of the warmth of our climate, girls, being naturally
rather luxurious, are not inclined to rise early. They are, however, all
required to rise at the same hour, and this is the mode adopted for
rousing them. At the end of each room, opposite to the sleeping-couch,
is a kind of gong made of metal and formed like a pair of cymbals,
united at the base by a hinge, and kept together by a bolt at the top.

At the hour of rising these cymbals are set in motion by the matron in
the watch room, who touches a spring by which the bolt fastening the
cymbals together is removed. Thereupon the cymbals immediately clash
together, and produce loud discordant sounds. The girl, not liking the
discordant noise, loses no time in stopping it, which is beyond her
power unless she leaves her bed and fixes the bolt that keeps the two
cymbals together.

This done, she goes into an adjoining room, in which are a bath and
other preparations for her ablutions. The door communicating with the
sleeping-room closes of itself, whereupon the matron enters the
apartment, pulls off the bed-clothes, and opens a large skylight at the
top, to admit the fresh air.

The ablutions of all the girls ended, they descend to their repast,
after which they say a very short and simple prayer. In this thanks for
their refreshing sleep and for the food they have partaken are united
into one petition that the labours of the day may be blest by the
Supreme.

The practice which formerly existed of saying long prayers before the
girls partook of their first repast is abolished. Many young people have
keen appetites after a night's rest, and when the old custom prevailed
their thoughts would be wandering in a direction very different to that
ostensibly taken by their prayers.

Although saying set prayers before the early meal is now not required of
the young girl, gratitude to the Dispenser of all good is successfully
inculcated. On the walls of the repast room are inscribed in large
characters appropriate precepts adapted to the young intellect--such as
"Think of God before you eat." In the meaning of these the young are
instructed at an early age, and by various devices are imperceptibly
led, through the medium of the eye, the ear, and the understanding to
acquire the habit of directing their thoughts in conformity with the
spirit of the precepts.

A careful discipline prevails, as I have intimated, in all matters
relating to the education of girls of every rank, but, as soon as they
attain one amongst the higher positions and marry, they are allowed,
nay, encouraged, to indulge in many luxurious habits, to dress
beautifully, and to wear magnificent jewels, but only according to their
means.

As an instance of luxury in simple things, I will mention a peculiar
soft reclining cushion, or settee, particularly adapted to exhibit the
lady and her costume to the greatest advantage. As the lady sits down,
however gently, it yields to the pressure, leaving her surrounded by the
portion not pressed, which thus forms a background, and, as it were, a
frame to the living picture. When she rises, the elastic cushion resumes
its pristine form. The least movement is sufficient to cause the seat to
rise or fall, and I have often seen ladies amuse themselves with this
gentle exercise.

To these settees a pad is attached. On a spring being touched this
opens, and forms a fan which by its own movement fans the lady, and at
the same time emits a refreshing perfume, continuing to act until the
lady closes it by touching a spring.

These settees are covered with silk of various colours, adapted to the
ladies and their costume; a peculiar crimson ornamented with gold is the
favourite colour. They are allowed to be used by the married ladies
alone, and are much liked by them, the more so perhaps that in the
colleges girls of all ranks are not allowed to use any seats but those
without backs.




XX.


CHOICE OF A HUSBAND.


     "Women are the mothers of the nation. The happiness of our life
     depends on theirs. They have much to bear. If we neglect them we
     neglect ourselves."


Having taken care by means of education to eradicate all incipient
faults in woman, to confirm her health, to increase her powers of
attraction, and fit her for the station which her talents and virtues
entitle her to fill, we take the best means to ensure that the maiden
shall at the proper age marry the man most pleasing to her, and most
likely to secure the happiness of both.

In every district a council of ladies, who have passed through certain
ordeals, and a council of elders, regulate all matters relating to
marriage. Over each of these presides a man of a certain age, and of
spotless character, whose qualities, actions, and mode of life have been
observed and recorded from early youth.

Let me more particularly describe how the lady makes choice of a
husband.

During thirty-one evenings in succession the girl intended for the
marriage state is placed in an assemblage composed of eighty-five young
men, one of whom she is expected to choose, but however quickly her mind
may be made up she is not allowed to announce her decision till the
thirty-first evening has arrived.

The eighty-five young men are selected by the councils from those only
who have declared their intention of marrying. Any man of the same rank
as the lady, who is desirous to be one of the eighty-five, is generally
nominated at once, and if the girl has any especial liking for one
particular person, she is allowed to communicate the fact privately to
one of the ladies of the council.

In cases, however, where both the councils are of opinion that there is
any serious objection to the eligibility of the young man, they have the
right to withhold the summons. This right they rarely exercise, and
never until after communicating with the lady where she has named the
gentleman. Every contingency is well considered; besides, the
regulations which govern every step connected with these meetings, and
the sacred feeling with which the councils regard the delicate trust
confided to them, prevent any inconvenience which might otherwise arise
from their proceedings.

At these meetings the girl wears a peculiar headdress with a star in
front, to distinguish her from other ladies who are allowed to be
present, but who however are expected not to pay court to the gentlemen.
It would have been unreasonable to require the exercise of so much self
denial under the old system, but an acquisition of the power of self
denial forms part of the training prescribed by my system of education,
and is now ordinarily practised when needed. This privilege of being
present is highly prized and eagerly sought by ladies, if only for one
of the thirty-one chosen evenings.

The gentlemen who wish to have their pretensions favourably viewed, pay
court to the young maiden of the star, and any gentleman who it is
thought may prove agreeable can be called by the lady of the council,
one of whom is always seated near the girl.

On occasions when some of the gentlemen present would rather not be
amongst the aspirants, it is amusing to see them retire behind the
others, hoping to escape without offence against the rules of good
breeding. Should one of these be called by the lady superior, he will
probably give himself awkward airs, and endeavour to be as little
engaging as possible. The maiden generally looks modest and blushing,
and needs the assistance of the lady superior, who is not unfrequently
obliged to represent her in conversation.

Before a week has elapsed the maiden of the star has generally intimated
by look, who is likely to be the selected one. Sometimes, however, she
is fickle, and when one, encouraged by her expressive glance, has paid
her court, she will encourage another and another, and another,--for on
these occasions she has full liberty of action.

It is amusing to see the efforts of pretenders, and the expression put
on, whilst overwhelming the lady with amiabilities when her thoughts and
perhaps her glances lie in another direction. She in turn may be obliged
to use all her power to attract the one she desires to select. If she be
a coquette, each one of many will think that he himself is the fortunate
swain on whom her choice will fall. The doubts existing in these
instances cause great excitement and amusement, and between the meetings
pearls against rubies, diamonds against diamonds, and other precious
stones are staked on the event.

Great is the agitation on the thirty-first evening, when the maiden is
expected to declare on whom her choice has fallen. She proclaims it by
presenting the chosen one with an appropriate flower, and thus is spared
the pain of a verbal declaration. A band of music then announces by a
particular and well-known strain that the choice is made, and a march is
played, to the measure of which the chosen one leads his intended to a
throne on a slightly raised dais.

Each of the gentlemen then approaches, successively
presenting to the maiden a flower,[1] which he lays on
the table in front of the dais, wishing her at the same
time happiness and joy.

     [Footnote 1: See p. 126.]

The lady will perhaps kiss the flower presented when anxious to show
regard for the giver, whom, however, she has not been able to choose.
This ceremony of presenting flowers having been concluded, the future
bride and bridegroom lead the way to the banqueting-room.

On the evening following, a meeting of three hours' duration takes place
between the chosen one and the maiden, who is accompanied by the lady
superior of the marriage council. The two converse, and if after mutual
explanation anything incongruous is found, either party is at liberty to
object, and the marriage does not take place; but if the three hours
pass without objection no further question can be raised. The two are
then looked upon as betrothed, and after a certain interval the marriage
takes place.

It sometimes happens that at the meetings of the eighty-five the maiden,
distracted between contending aspirants, is unable to give the
preference to any. In that case she is put back for another year.

At the end of the year another assembly of young men is called; the
number invited is limited, however, to forty-five, and the evenings are
reduced to twelve. Should the lady again fail to select--a very
improbable occurrence--another and final assembly would be called for
the following year, the number of gentlemen being reduced to twenty-one,
and the evenings to seven, and if the lady should still remain undecided
she must be content to enjoy single blessedness during the rest of her
life. For my own part, I do not recollect more than one case where the
selection was postponed beyond the second year.




XXL.


THE DRESS OF SHAME.

SUN-COLOURED SILKS--THE ART OF PLEASING.


"Let not the ranks of the good be defiled by the presence of him
  who has betrayed his trust."


I never knew an instance of the trust confided to the Marriage Councils
being in any way abused. None are selected for the office, who have not,
after years of probation, shown themselves in every way worthy of the
sacred trust.

A severe punishment would attend any deviation from the strict path of
honour; the offender, condemned to wear "the dress of shame," would
probably be degraded from his rank. After a time had passed, sufficient
to exhibit his punishment as a warning to others, he would, perhaps, be
banished to a distant country. It should be understood that every other
part of our world is less agreeable than Montalluyah.

The dress of shame to which I have just referred, is a common robe
formed of one piece, and of sombre colour, on which dress are placed
marks indicating the nature of the offence and the name of the offender.
Similar marks are likewise placed over his house, and are well
understood by the people.

Independently of the deep degradation implied by this costume, the
entire privation of his ordinary dress would alone be a punishment to
the offender, for the people are very fond of dressing well. I
encouraged the love of dress particularly in woman, for I thought that
when properly regulated it was good, and heightened the beauty of the
picture. With us the style of dress and the taste of its arrangement are
thought indications of the mind within, but none are allowed to dress or
wear jewels beyond their station.

After marriage ladies, according to their rank, are allowed to wear very
rich costumes. The textures are beautiful and the colours very
brilliant.


SUN SILK.

The sun gives lustre to fabrics and imparts colours which can be
supplied by no other means. In your planet such brilliancy is never seen
except in the sun itself. We have, for instance, a silk of a very
remarkable colour, which is highly prized by the ladies. Of this you may
form a remote notion if you imagine a bright silver green radiant with
all the vividness and brilliancy you sometimes see in the sunsets of
your southern climes.

Some of our silks in the natural state are of a chalky white. This
silver green is obtained by exposing the silk, when woven into the
piece, to the rays of the sun during the half-hour after noon; no other
time of the day will answer as well. If the silk were kept beyond the
half-hour, the tint given would be unequal. The material is exposed to
the influence of the sun in a machine, which has two different actions;
by one, that lasts for a quarter of an hour, the silk is unrolled, and
by the other, which is of exactly the same duration, it is rolled back,
the two operations being so regulated as to finish in the half-hour two
"pangartas," equal to about twenty of your yards, the quantity required
for a lady's dress. The colour penetrates through the silk, but the side
exposed to the sun is the more brilliant.

Our Ladies also wear a silk most beautiful in texture and colour, called
"Sun Silk." To obtain this silk, the sun is made to bear on silk-worms
at particular hours of the day, and the result is, that the silk of the
cocoon is of a colour resembling that of a bright sun.

There are numerous other beautiful colours prepared in different ways
under the influence of the sun, and, by the action of the same luminary,
fabrics for ladies' dresses are endowed with the power of repelling
heat.


THE ART OF PLEASING.

Women are instructed in the art of pleasing, and the handsomest and most
gifted exert themselves to this end. They are required to attend to
their personal appearance abroad and at home. The married especially are
enjoined to attend to this as much in the presence of their husbands as
before strangers. A different custom prevailed in former times, when
women after they had been some time married, thinking that their
husbands' affection was secured, gave themselves no further care to
please him, though still taking pains to appear handsome and fascinating
to others. It was for visitors and strangers that the most comely
apparel and the most engaging manners were put on; the consequence was,
that the husband often preferred the society of those who in appearance
at least seemed to care more for him than did his own wife. This was the
cause of much of the immorality which formerly existed in our world.

The example, too, on children, was most injurious; it schooled them in
deceit and disingenuousness. My laws declare that those, whether man or
woman, are dishonest, who wear a behaviour to each other after marriage
different to what they did before, for they have gained the affections
of their victim by deceit--pretending one thing and doing another.




XXII.


COSTUMES.


     "The harmonious beauty of dress gives often indication of the mind
     of the wearer."


While speaking of materials for dress, I will venture to interrupt "the
preparations for the marriage" by giving a short description, of some of
our costumes.

As certain of our manners and customs, besides having a character of
their own, may be said to partake both of your Eastern and Western
usages, so do our dresses partake both of your oriental and classical
costumes.


LADY'S COSTUME.

The costume of the lady is loose and flowing. A jacket or bodice of
purple tissue covers the right arm, and one side of the body to the
waist, leaving the left arm, shoulder and part of the bosom exposed.

A small waistcoat, made of a crimson tissue, is worn underneath the
bodice.

The tunic is of white tissue, beautifully embroidered with a gold
thread. The short skirts show trousers of golden tissue, full, and not
unlike those of your Turks. They are confined at the ankle by anklets,
made of plain gold for the middle classes, whilst those worn by the
upper classes are of ravine metal, ornamented with precious stones.

There are fringe trimmings to the tunic made of precious metals of every
variety of colour, selected for their lightness and beauty, and enriched
at their extremities with precious stones. The colours of the costume
vary with the taste of the wearer, but are selected to harmonise one
with another, and all with our brilliant light.

The feet are protected by a sole secured either by sandals or by means
of an adhesive material.

Women are not allowed to wear stays, or in any way to confine the waist.
Indeed such encumbrances would serve no good purpose, inasmuch as their
forms are actually beautiful; their spines, in consequence of their
physical education, are strong, and every part of the person, which
might otherwise possibly require support, is in its proper place.


HEAD-ORNAMENTS.

In the hair is sometimes worn an ornament forming two wings, each
consisting of a single diamond, which moves on small fine hinges, and is
so arranged that the least breath of air will set it in motion. In the
centre uniting the two wings, is a small crimson stone surmounted by a
large round stone of purple-blue, from which sprouts out a very fine
dagger of a greenish-gold colour. The rest of the head-dress is made of
fine metal, chosen for its lightness, of the same tints. These metals
are of equal, perhaps greater value, than gold, but are chosen for their
qualities. The necklace and anklets correspond in character to the
headdress, with the addition to the former of one large pearl, which
hangs to the wings and rests on the lady's bosom. The bracelets are made
in your Greek style--bands of gold set with large pearls. The soles to
protect the feet are gilded with ravine metal. The sandals, which are of
purple enamel of a peculiar kind, are often ornamented with jewels. The
fan is composed of the choicest feathers of our native birds, and set in
ravine metal of the most beautiful kind, studded with pearls and other
precious stones.

We have pearls, diamonds, and other precious stones of a very remarkable
kind, whose electricities are supposed to have a certain influence over
the wearer. Thus, diamonds in Montalluyah have, it is thought, a
tendency to increase the circulation; and when I have been fatigued by
excessive study, a chain of peculiar diamonds has been placed near my
skin to revive me.

Ladies sometimes wear a small turban with a gold tassel on the crown of
the head. For the open air the head is covered with a turban, in front
of which is a small shade, which, by means of a spring, falls down and
protects the eyes and face from the sun.

Ladies of superior quality rarely wear turbans, for they seldom go
abroad in the heat of the sun, and when they do, they are shaded by a
canopy, supported at each corner by a pole, and borne by four men. When
walking in their grounds ladies use long veils, covering them from head
to ankle, which they also wear when on horseback, but they never mount
in the heat of the sun.

Every unmarried woman, without exception of class, wears a distinctive
feature on her dress. The drapery is fixed with a jewel to the right
shoulder, and the right arm is bare. On the other hand, the married
woman's arms are always covered with falling drapery, though by certain
movements she shows the arm. It is not till after marriage that the lady
is allowed to wear very elaborate costumes.


GENTLEMAN'S COSTUME.

By men an elastic linen case or chemise, made of a material which will
stretch to any size, and cling to the form, is worn next the skin. This,
reaching just below the knee, is short in the sleeves, and very
ornamental about the neck, leaving the throat bare. It is changed daily
by the poor, and twice a day by the rich. Over it is worn a tunic of
rich material, with sleeves differing from each both in form and colour.

The trousers of the men consist of a large mass of drapery of very fine
light material finer than cambric, prepared from leaves which have
passed through a certain process, and are afterwards woven. This is
wound round and round the leg. As many folds are required to protect the
body from the scorching heat, it will be seen that lightness is an
essential quality. The trouser, otherwise full, is narrow at the ankle,
where it is confined by a band of the same material, of gold or of
jewels, according to the quality of the wearer. Gloves are not worn by
men, but their trousers being so massive they can place their hands in
the ample folds when walking in the sun.

Another important article of male attire is a large piece of drapery,
which, fastened in front and on one shoulder with a jewel chain, is
carried to the back, and being attached to the opposite arm, falls in
graceful folds below one knee, where it may be fastened. It may also be
thrown back and worn as a cloak or covering; in any case it descends in
graceful folds.

The feet of our men are bare, and are rubbed with an oleaginous
preparation, which keeps them lithesome, and prevents them from being
browned by the sun. The under part of the foot is protected by a sole
secured by sandals. The hair, whether of the head or beard, is never
cut, and we have no shaving, but we have means to prevent the hair
growing on any part of the face.

The colours of the costume vary greatly; each man selects according to
his taste, but they always harmonize. To give an example. If the drapery
were crimson on the outside, the inside would be blue; the tunic, a very
rich brown; the legs of the trousers, one red the other blue.

The only ornament worn by the men is a chain of ravine metal, sometimes
plain, sometimes set with costly gems, and we have costumes all brown,
relieved by this chain alone.

Out of doors the men wear a turban or head-covering, made of a very
light material, beat out to the thinness of the finest wafer, and
repellent of heat. It is very large, that the face and eyes may be
protected from the sun; and, moreover, it is furnished with a
contrivance by which a current of air is kept constantly playing on the
top of the brain.




XXIII.


PREPARATIONS
FOR THE MARRIAGE.


     "Cling to each other, concentrate your hopes in each other, and if
     peevishness on either side arise, chase it away by a smile."


Shortly after the choice of a husband has been confirmed, preparations
for the civil marriage commence. Night and morning the bride is purified
with baths of choice herbs and flowers. During the fortnight prior to
the solemnity myrrh and choice spices are added to the baths, and the
hair, to which great attention is given, is combed with a comb that
emits a peculiar perfume, which retains its force for months, attracted
by the warmth of the head.

This comb is made out of one small part of the wood of a rare tree, the
rest of which has no particular virtue; so that from a whole tree, only
a single comb is obtained. Such combs are used solely for the brides,
and for every bride a fresh one is provided. The hair is combed down
loosely, the long hair hanging about the neck, shoulders, bosom, and
waist.

The marriage costume is generally purple and gold, the rich being
magnificently attired, and wearing beautiful jewels in the hair, on a
small turban worn on the crown of the head, on the bosom, waist, hands,
arms, and one of the feet, which is bare, while the other foot is
covered with what may be called a silk sock, bearing various
inscriptions, such as--

     "May thy footsteps lead thee to virtue."
     "May thy footsteps bring thee and thine to glory."

The bride is radiant with light and beauty; her face is not allowed to
be hidden, and her neck, shoulder, and bosom are left bare on one side.

The parties meet in a great public hall, and in presence of witnesses,
after stating their wish to be "doubled," _i.e._ married, sign a scroll,
which the friends present subscribe.

The names of the newly-married pair are written in large clear
characters, and affixed to the wall, that all passing by may see them.

The size and height of the hall are immense, but when after a certain
time the scrolls accumulate, they can easily be rolled and raised
higher, and with equal facility be lowered when this is requisite.

The civil ceremony over, we have feasting and rejoicing, and certain
observances not unlike what formerly took place in some of the marriages
among the more cultivated Eastern nations in your planet.

Seven young maidens wait at the bridegroom's house to receive the bride.
The room intended for the reception of the married pair is beautifully
arranged, various-coloured ornamental glass reflecting subdued tints on
the objects around.

On each side of the bridal couch is the figure of an angel holding a
scroll exhorting to wisdom, purity, love and truth. Hidden in the
drapery of the couch are self-playing instruments, whose soft music,
awakened by the agitation of the air, and accompanied by delicate
perfumes, sounds like the song of angels.

The bridesmaids undress the bride and throw over her a silver-gauze
transparent lace, which gives her a fairy-like, vapoury appearance, as
she reclines on the couch, with her long hair partly covering the
beautiful outline of her figure, and the bridesmaids strew flowers
around her.

When all is ready, the young maidens send to bid the bridegroom enter,
who, clad in a silken garment, is conducted by two friends to the
threshold of the bridal apartment. The seven maidens then chant a short
prayer, wishing the married couple all joy, and, each having kissed the
bride, depart.

The day of the civil marriage is one of unalloyed joy. In the selection
of the day even the elements are studied by men specially devoted to
meteorology, who, with perfect infallibility, can predict the weather
for a fortnight.

Three months after the birth of each child the marriage ceremony is
repeated, the same assembling of friends, the feasting, and the same
purification and adornment of the bride taking place as when the parties
were married.

No religious ceremony, with the exception of a short prayer, takes place
on the day of the civil marriage. The bride and bridegroom are supposed
to be too much engrossed with the thoughts of their coming joys to give
proper attention to prayers pronounced by others. The bride and
bridegroom, however, are each expected to pray in private as their own
hearts may prompt, and some days prior to the marriage a paper is given
to each, in which some of the leading responsibilities and
considerations are noted, to the end that, if necessary, their pious
thoughts may be directed into the right channel.

The religious ceremony takes place at a convenient period, when a year
has expired after the civil marriage, and we are justified in hoping
that the newly married pair, by their conduct to each other, have given
evidence that they are worthy of the blessings now to be solemnly
invoked. When the day arrives the bride is dressed in white without a
single jewel. Both she and the bridegroom prostrate themselves when
receiving the blessing. As the ceremony is supposed to be exclusively
religious, there is no feasting.

If the couple have had any serious dissension during the year the
religious ceremony is postponed, but great efforts are made to reconcile
the difference, and if these are successful the solemnity takes place.

When, on the other hand, a reconciliation cannot be effected, the law
insists on a separation of the parties, who, however, may be reconciled
at any time. As neither is allowed to marry again, polygamy is
forbidden, and as irregularities are out of the question, a
reconciliation can almost always be effected, unless, indeed, there is
some cause sufficiently grave to render a separation necessarily final.
Such causes are exceptional in the extreme.

       *       *       *       *       *

The precautions taken in the selection of a husband and the watchfulness
of our system, prevent any great incompatibility of disposition, and the
existence of those evils which formerly were of daily occurrence.
Provision is made even for those accidents which sometimes occur after
marriage, and which of old had often led to disappointment and misery.
For example, when it happens that a child is still-born, or for some
reason must be put out of the way, neither the father nor mother is at
first made aware of the fact, but the loss is immediately supplied.
Every birth is instantly communicated by telegraph to the central
department, at whatever hour of night or day it may take place. The
number registered every instant is great, and the birth of twins is a
frequent occurrence. When a child is born dead, one of a pair of twins
is transferred to the mother, and placed in her arms. If she ask any
question the nurse and doctor answer her gently and kindly, but are not
allowed to mention the substitution.

It is not until the patient is completely re-established, and all is in
order, that she is informed of what has passed, and she has then the
option of retaining the child, or of allowing it to be taken back to its
own mother. Cases of premature birth, or of deformed infants now however
rarely occur, except as a consequence of accidents which cannot be
prevented.

Husband and wife are now really considered and treated as one. At places
of amusement, and in public conveyances, they pay for one only. In
calculating the number of persons present, we say, for example, "there
are 200 doubles, and 100 singles;" this with you would make 500--we
count them as 300 only.




XXIV.


FLOWERS.


     "In the celestial spheres, flowers breathe music as well as
     fragrance."


Allusion has been made to the use of flowers at the "choice" meetings,
as the medium through which the maiden indicates the gentleman on whom
her choice has fallen.

Flowers are very beautiful in Montalluyah. They are highly cultivated,
and great pains are bestowed upon them; their names are given to stars
and to women, so that often a lady will at once be associated with a
beautiful flower and a brilliant star.

Every flower has a well-known language of its own; many convey
comparatively long expressions of emotion, both pleasing and the
reverse, and the meaning of each may be qualified or increased by its
union with others. In the language of flowers all at an early age are
instructed. The meaning associated with each flower is universally
understood, its name at once conveying its language as distinctly as
though the whole of the sentence were spoken in so many words. Indeed
many interesting, and even long conversations are carried on between a
gentleman and lady through a floral medium.

A young lady, instead of entering into conversation or expressing her
sentiments in words, may present a flower either in the first instance
or by way of answer. A married lady receiving visitors has generally
fresh flowers at hand, which she often separates to present one to the
visitor.

The following are instances of language associated with flowers:--


Vista Rodo.--A plant bearing a little flower like a diamond in
transparency and brilliancy, and exhaling from every green leaf a
beautiful perfume.

"The stars in heaven thou makest to blush by the sweetness of thy
  breath."

     "I deny not that they possess thy brilliancy,
     But thy fragrance they deplore.
     May I hope for the boon of thy lustre near me
     Through the journey of life,
     To teach me to be happy,
     To cultivate my admiration of the beautiful,
     To bid me seek the joys of home,
     And teach me the greatness of my Maker!"


Oronza.--A flower unknown to your planet. It is white, the centre studded
with little spots in relief, so closely resembling turquoise and pearls
that unless touched they might be mistaken for real stones placed on the
flower.

     "At sight of thee, malignity flies away and the spirits of peace
     and goodness surround me, encouraging me to
     all great and noble deeds, making me forget to look
     back on my folly, and bidding me gaze forward into the
     future and the realms of hope.

     "You exalt me; you purify me; say you will part from me
     no more."


Mosca.--The moss rose.


                              ...."Come to me,
     Thy virtues are more brilliant than precious stones;
     Thy breath exhales intoxicating perfume;
     Thy beauty is a continual feast.
     Tell me thy heart shall be my haven,
     To my bosom I will press thee,
     And thy leaves shall embrace me with their fragrant affection."

Each kind of rose has its separate language. Thus, Javellina, the
single-leaf hedge-rose, is associated with lines indicative of "the
sweet purity of youth." Angellina, the white rose, is associated with
lines indicative of "gentle endurance and pure love;" and Orvee, the
yellow rose, with lines indicative of "affection combined with
jealousy."

       *       *       *       *       *

Some flowers have qualified, some disagreeable meanings attached to
them.

No man, however nearly allied to a lady, or however great his cause for
displeasure may be, is allowed to say to her anything unpleasant except
through the medium of flowers.

The only exception is in favour of the husband, whose privilege is
seldom used; not only because it is thought more civilised to use
flowers as the medium on such occasions, but more especially because
marriages are now so well assorted that occasion for complaint scarcely
arises on either side.

At the marriage meetings flowers having the slightest disagreeable words
attached to them are strictly forbidden.

As an example of flowers having a qualified or disagreeable import take
the following:--


Ragopargee.--The white lily.


"Cold but truthful, and as constant as the drops of Mount Isione."


In a small recess of Mount Isione two drops of water, clear as crystal,
constantly fall, having percolated the rock above. As soon as two drops
have fallen two others succeed, two being the invariable number. The
interval between the fall of each pair of drops is equal and scarcely
perceptible.

These drops never cease to fall night or day, and they have already by
this accumulation formed a lake at the base of the mountain.


Voulervole--Convolvulus.

                             "False allurements!
     Thy beauty is to please but for a day,
     Like the magnet it attracts us,
     And then thou wouldst make us weep
     By fading before our eyes.

                               "Go, fickle flower,
     For thou shalt not be mine
     Until more lasting; thou canst learn to be."


Mooreska.--Fuchsia.

     "Thy beauty is dazzling;
     But, alas! its bloom will fade
     The nearer we approach.
     For thy external attractions find no echo within.
     I can never take thee to my bosom."

       *       *       *       *       *

Romeafee.--The pink lily. This flower is associated with excessive
love of dress, and the language attached to it ends with the words.

     "As glaring to the eye as Kiloom."

The gorgeous appearance of sunset is personified in
poetical legends by a master spirit, called "Kiloom."

The colours of sunset are gaudy and vivid beyond
measure, and cast intense hues on all objects. Our
sunsets, though grand, are far from being so agreeably
soothing as those in your planet, but they leave an
after-glow, which gives light during the night when
darkness would otherwise prevail.

       *       *       *       *       *

Flowers are profusely used in our great festivals. I
collect a fête given to me on the occasion of an anniversary,
when there appeared a cavalcade of one hundred camelopards,
bearing each on its back a kiosk, in which was a beautiful
woman. All the camelopards were united together, as it seemed
to the eye, by wreaths of flowers, though in fact these
concealed strong thongs, with which the animals were really
secured. Each animal was attended by a swarthy native of the
country whence it came.




XXV.


FLOWERS IMPROVED BY ELECTRICITY.


     "Marry nature's gifts the one with the other, amalgamate
     sympathetic electricities in their due proportions, and give
     increased beauty to loveliness, even as ye give increased strength
     to iron and marble, by welding their particles into one
     imperishable mass."


We discovered the mode in which nature operates in the production of
plants and flowers, and our discovery has enabled us to give them new
forms and varied colours, to increase their natural odours and to endow
them even with fragrance of which in their natural state they are
devoid.

Enclosed in every seed is a portion of electricity, and on this depend,
in the first instance, the life of the plant, its form and colour, its
leaves and blossoms. If any crack or injury to the seed has allowed the
electricity to escape, the growth of the plant is prevented.

When, after some time, the seed having been sown, its electricity has
attracted a sufficient quantity of the electricity of the ground, and
the two electricities are, as it were, married, their united heat and
power force the seed to burst.

Part of the united electricity serves for the leaves, and when its
supply is deficient the leaves wither and die, despite every effort to
preserve them.

Another part serves to give form and impart colour to the plant. Green
is the colour that the earth, in connection with the electricity of
light, has the greatest tendency to generate.

In many plants, after the electricity has thrown off its principal
strength in the leaves and blossoms, what remains sinks exhausted into
the root, there to repose, and, like a child forsaken by its mother, the
leaves become sickly and fade. When in due season the electricity again
becomes invigorated by repose, and by union with the electricity of the
ground, the united essences go forth again to seek the light and busy
themselves in the reproduction of foliage and flowers.

The essence of the combined electricity having acquired additional power
from the contact with the electricity of light and of the sun, is forced
to the extremities and joints of the stem, where the forms of the flower
are permanently developed and preserved.

The electricity concentrated or, rather, coagulated at the joints and
extremities of the plant there forms hard gatherings, which, after being
saturated with the electricity of light and of the sun, ripen and burst
into flower.

There are, as you know, great resemblances in many of the operations of
nature. From observing the mode in which electricity thus coagulates and
forms gatherings or tumours in flower-plants, we acquired valuable
knowledge, including the secret of the formation of gatherings or
tumours of all kinds in the human body.


The sap of the plant is the repository or reservoir of the united
electricities, from which every part of the flower is to be nourished.


PROCESS FOR CHANGING FORM.

This is an outline of our process when we would change the form of
flowers:

A slip from a plant, according to the kind of flower desired, is placed
in a flower-pot filled with mould, the bottom of which can be unscrewed
and removed at pleasure.

As soon as the slip has taken root, and the smallest fibres have sprung
from the stem of the plant, the form of the desired flower is made out
of a piece of ravine metal as thin as a piece of silk.

This metal-flower, after immersion in a solution which attracts the
particular electricity to be used, is enclosed in a hollow block of the
same metal, corresponding to the flower form, from which it rises in a
shape somewhat like that of a funnel, till it ends in a very fine point
or orifice as fine and as hollow as the finest hair. This point is
inserted in the root of the plant.

Underneath the metal-flower form is placed a bag of sympathetic
electricity, and the mouth of the bag is so arranged as to fit closely
round the form of the metal-flower in such a way that the electricity
has no escape but into the hollow metal block and through its fine,
hollow point. The metal point, previously to its insertion in the root
of the plant, is prepared with a solution to prevent the escape of any
of the electricity through its pores.

As soon as the bag is opened the electricity is attracted into the metal
form, and having no other escape, proceeds instantaneously through the
funnel and through the hair-tube into the plant. In doing this, it
retains the form implanted by its contact with the metal model, and by
the forced passage through which it has become married with another
electricity.

As soon as it is attracted by the solution with which the inside of the
metal is covered, a shock is produced which materially assists the
operation, by causing the electricity to imprint itself with greater
force and certainty on the embryo plant with which you will recollect
the hair-point has been connected.

It is essential that the charge should be sufficiently strong to modify
or overpower the electricity already existing in the plant, in order to
change the form which this would otherwise take; but, at the same time,
care is taken that the charge is not too powerful, for in that case, and
particularly if an antipathetic electricity be employed, the flower
would be instantly killed. The electricity is therefore applied in
gentle proportions at first, and then the operation is repeated several
times.


PRODUCTION OF COLOUR.

It is electricity that, as I have said, gives colour to plants. Their
varied tints depend on the sympathy or attraction of their electricity
to sun and light electricities. Particular parts of the plant, from the
nature of their fibre, have the power to attract larger portions than
others of the colouring electricities.

When it is wished to produce different colours in the flower other
electricities are used, with or without those producing variety of form.
The electricities for producing colours are contained in small pouches,
as many in number as the colours we desire to produce. Then, being
placed together at the base of the flower-pot, each on the particular
part of the "flower form" which is to be affected, their orifices are
opened and the contents of each one are instantaneously emitted.

Most plants are susceptible of every variety of colour; thus are
produced roses, pink, blue, green, lilac, brown, fire-colour, and
sun-colour, which last is a colour so brilliant that the eye that has
long gazed upon it stands in need of repose.

Amongst the electricities for giving colours is sun electricity,
received in different ways. Again, the electricities of some birds give
lovely colours; and so does that of the gold-fish. Moss gives a colour
resembling fire-sparks. Frogs produce a beautiful violet.

Where the flowers and leaves have not a decided perfume of their own, we
can give a beautiful fragrance to either, though not to both on the same
plant. To produce this result, we inoculate the plant with certain
fragrant gases. Our dahlias, unlike yours, yield a highly fragrant and
delightful perfume.

       *       *       *       *       *

The plants treated by us in these ways are fitly called flowers,
presenting as they do a mass of blossoms and exhaling delicious
perfumes. They act, mediately or immediately, on the concentrated light
of the organization through the nerves of smell, as beautiful sounds
through the medium of the ear, or as beautifully harmonised colours
through the eye. You will recollect that a modification of concentrated
light is supposed to be the link through which the soul communicates its
impressions to the brain, on whose divisions it is made to act in
electric forms.

Besides an infinite variety of flowers, we produce every variety of
colour and perfume in the leaves of the evergreens which adorn our
streets and habitations, emitting healthy and refreshing fragrance,
increased by every movement of the wind.

       *       *       *       *       *

CREATION OF FORMS.

Not wholly unconnected with this subject is the creation of electric
forms for amusement at a distance from the operator. This is effected by
the aid of tubes made from the membranes covering the eyes of birds,
which are invisible to the naked eye even when at a short distance from
the observer.

In the mouth of one of these tubes, which spreads out slightly, is
placed a small form made of grains of powder obtained from the coloured
seeds of flowers, and, a bag of electricity being applied, the fluid
rushes through the tube. Instantly, at the other end, appears the figure
or form traced at the mouth, but of ordinary or gigantic stature,
proportioned to the power or quantity of electricity employed.

The forms can be varied or changed at will, and have so life-like an
appearance that I have seen persons go up to the supposed gentlemen or
ladies and speak to them, and only discover that they were shadows when
they have come up close to them, or when the operator has at will made
them vanish.


I should tell you how our attention was first called to the subject of
reproducing forms by electricity.

We had observed numberless instances in which copies of forms were
reproduced by electricity, as in the case of pictures in water,
reflections in mirrors, mirages, apparitions, and pictures in the air;
and had noticed that lightning would frequently imprint, on substances
like trees, pictures of surrounding objects. These appearances have, I
believe, been observed even in your world.


SUN-FORCING.

There is a highly beautiful flower called Luania, a name of which the
approximate translation is the _soirée_ or "assembly" flower. Its
colours are most brilliant, but its blossom only lasts about ten hours.
When that short term has expired, the leaves fall, and nothing remains
but a small pod, containing seeds.

In the following year, but not before, the flower blossoms again, and
falls in like manner.

The seeds of the Luania do not mature for three years,--that is to say,
until after the flower has blossomed three times; but we have, however,
the means of producing flowers from the seeds in three days.

The seeds are placed in handsome vases, which contain fine sand and some
new goat's-milk, and are covered over with perforated zinc, taken from
the great ravine, the metal having been previously prepared to attract
the rays of the sun.

The vase, with the metal thus prepared, is exposed to the light of the
sun, between the hours of seven and eight in the morning.

The power of the prepared metal is great, and so strongly attracts and
retains heat, that it renders the surrounding atmosphere quite cold.

One hour in the sun is sufficient to bring leaves from the Luania. The
metal covering is then removed, and the vases are placed under a
forcing-glass, the power of which is doubled on the second day, and
further increased on the third. The flowers then appear at once clad in
all their brilliancy and beauty.

The forced flowers, like the natural blossoms, which they excel in
beauty, live ten hours only, but they so far differ from them that
their pods do not contain seeds.

The colours of the flowers are bright pink, golden, lilac, lilac striped
with white, and a beautiful green striped with white gold. The leaves of
this, instead of being green like the others, are of a coral colour
mixed with purple blue.

The perfume of these flowers surpasses every other fragrance; it is most
refreshing, and a lady will have no other for a _réunion_ when she can
obtain this flower.




XXVI.


SONG OF ADMIRATION.


     "The beautiful is an attribute of heavenly perfection.

     "Give vent to your emotions in words, in flowers, in music, and
     above all in good and noble acts."


The enthusiastic admiration of the lover has modes of expression besides
the graceful presentation of flowers, and the soul-stirring breathings
of the harp.

The following, to which I have added the explanation of certain terms,
conveys as nearly as may be the meaning of some verses addressed by a
lover to the object of his admiration. Many of the expressions will
probably be thought hyperbolical. You will, however, remember that our
pulsation is more rapid than yours.

       *       *       *       *      *

Like Lertees[1] at sunrise, opening into life, are thine eyes;

Sparkling and darting like Zacostees[2] the most rare.

Their light overpowers as the air before a storm, when Raskutshi spreads
his wings across the temples of his people.[3]

Soft as the Kamouska[4] thine eyes penetrate and search the soul with
ingenuity exercised by Orestee[5] to find a treasure.

Sweet as the milk of the Meleeta[6] is thy breath.

Thy breasts are like the electricity of Turvee.[7]

Thy laugh is like the shooting of the stars,[8] silvery and wondrously
charming.

Dangerous art thou, for thou allurest mankind from every pursuit, and,
like to the electricity of the whale,[9] dost thou draw us far and near.

Then as the Martolooti[10] dost thou fascinate us to the spot.

Graceful as the Castrenka[11] move thine arms.

More playful than the Chilarti when it smiles,[12] and more luscious
than the juice of the Tootmanyoso's fruit[13] is the balm of thy lips.

The charms thou displayest are like the perfume emitted by the
everlasting gulf;[14]

Durable in their attraction as the Yurdzin-nod.[15]

As surely dost thou penetrate the heart as the venom of the serpent
permeates the blood.

Precious as the fat on the serpent's head[16] is the marrow of thy
bones.

Firm as the Mestua Mountain[17] is thy will.

In thy goodness thy maker must rejoice.

Thy constant love doth make me live many lives in one; a day seemeth a
year, and a year but a day.

Rise, wet thy feet,[18] and onward let us go to Stainer's fount.[19]

There to calm our thirst before singing to our Maker's praise.

And even as that sweet source ever flows,

So may our lives flow to the end of time, as constant and as bright.

Then come to my arms, and twine thyself about me, and I will support
thee with strength and power, as the Mountain Supporter[20] sustains the
air-suspended cities of Montalluyah.

       *       *      *       *      *

EXPLANATION OF CERTAIN TERMS USED IN THE
PRECEDING SONG OF ADMIRATION.

1. Lertees.--A lovely mountain spangled with transparent
stones, which is so resplendent at sunrise that none can look at it
without putting gauze before the eyes. Many of the stones were used to
ornament the Mountain Supporter.

2. Zacostees.--Precious stones found near the tomb of a
celebrated and beautiful woman, named Zacosta, whose loveliness,
goodness, and varied talents, created for her many bitter enemies, and
exposed her to cruel persecutions. She died heart-broken, and her tears
are said to have been petrified into these precious stones called
Zacostees which are greatly prized as ornaments for turbans and for
ladies' bosoms.

Though reviled and persecuted, Zacosta suffered without a murmur, and
rose superior to oft-renewed temptations, and to the bitter taunts of
the many incarnate evil spirits who called her an idiot simply because,
lovely and accomplished as she was, she patiently bore privations and
sufferings when many were ready to pour riches into her lap. To the last
she resisted the tempter, however fascinating the form he took, and
never lost faith to the day when she calmly closed a life in which she
had so greatly suffered.

The legend adds that Zacosta was wafted by angels to one of the
celestial stars, there to dwell in love, peace, and joy, and that she
daily prays for the alleviation of the sufferings of her persecutors,
doomed to pass through bitter ordeals, so pure and magnanimous is her
spirit.

It should be added, that according to the prevalent belief, the higher
order of spirits, those of the truly good, blessed in their own
celestial spheres with every joy, occupy themselves by seeking to
benefit others in the nether worlds. Their prayers are necessarily
unselfish, unless we regard as selfish the joys, to them great indeed,
which result from the delight of doing good.

One of the leading principles of the system which I gave to Montalluyah,
namely, the promotion of those possessing superior talents, goodness and
industry, was intended to imitate the mode in which, according to our
belief, the spirits of the good are elevated to superior ranks of
spheres according to the manner in which they pass through their several
progressive states.


In Montalluyah slander is regarded with horror. A person of either sex
who slandered a woman, and even one who gave credence to a slander
without careful investigation, would be severely punished and condemned
to wear "the dress of shame," on which would be exposed the nature of
the offence, and the base motives of the traducer.

In the cases of slander that occurred at the beginning of my reign the
offence was generally traced to envy, to the inferiority of the
slanderers to the standard of their victims whom they sought to reduce
to their own level, rarely to a desire for good.

Our horror of slanderers had been increased by the persecutions which
numbers of virtuous persons like Zacosta had suffered from the
malevolent; the very anxiety of the innocent to repel accusations having
formerly been looked upon by our hot-blooded people as evidence of
guilt. Many had preferred to suffer in silence rather than seem to give
life and consistency to a charge by their efforts to repel it.

We have a saying in Montalluyah that to attack beauty and goodness is to
attack Heaven itself, from whose attributes they are derived.

3. Raskutshi.--Supposed to be the king of the air, and ruler
of all the zephyrs and spirits of the region. According to our poetical
legends Raskutshi comes near the Earth when angry, and his advent is
followed by a terrific storm. The air preceding certain storms in our
climate has a peculiar effect in creating a species of torpor. It is
then supposed that "Raskutshi spreads his wings over the temples of his
people."

4. Kamouska.--A loving little animal like a bird, very
beautiful and gentle, with an eye of jet black, and of great brilliancy,
but softened when the little thing wishes to be petted. She likes much
the electricity of the mouth, and puts up her face as though wishing to
be kissed, at the same time emitting a beautiful musical sound. Her body
is covered with the softest down, finer than that of the ostrich or the
marabout. The feathers are of the richest gold and crimson, mingled with
grey, her breast of the richest crimson conceivable. The top of her head
is gold, the rest of her body greyish white, her beak pale pink, her
tail of green and gold, intermingled with touches of greyish-white and
red. She feeds on the blossoms of a flower growing amongst a peculiar
grass, and on all kinds of fruit. She does not drink, but is satisfied
with juices from the rich fruits which we have all the year round.
Kamouska, I should say, is the name of the female bird, who alone is
petted, the male being vicious and without feathers. Frequent reference
is made to her by our poets.

5. Orestee.--The name of a man who invented an ingenious
instrument for discovering diamonds in the bowels of the earth, and for
penetrating to the spot where they lay.

This instrument possesses an electricity sympathetic to diamonds only.
The presence of them is indicated by an exceedingly sensitive arm of the
instrument which being retained on the spot indicated, puts forth
tendrils that gradually perforate the earth, and do not stop until a
precious stone is reached.

6. Meleeta.--A pet animal of most peculiar formation. Its body
resembles that of a beast, and is covered with hair of a light hue,
interspersed with dark chestnut spots. Its belly is white, as likewise
are the feathers of its bird-like wings and tail, though these are
varied with touches of crimson, blue, and gold. Its eyes are large, and
of a jet black, its neck is long and graceful like that of a swan, its
back is short and sleek, and its legs and feet, which are armed with
claws, are small, graceful, and mobile. But its most remarkable
peculiarity is the resemblance of its face to that of man. The males,
which have horns like polished white ivory, are not petted.

The female yields a delicious milk, sweet and refreshing to the smell as
to the taste, and with peculiar qualities when taken fresh from the
animal. Meleetas are brought into the room during the early morning or
"fruit-meal" repast, and each answers to her name, and stands still to
be milked.

I had one much attached to me, who would come of her own accord, flutter
her wings, and crouch at the top of my chair. The attendant was obliged
to milk the animal close to my chair, and the affectionate little thing
would watch the man until he handed me the milk, as though she feared he
might give it to one of the guests. Infants are suckled by these tame
animals.

At the beginning of my reign the animals were very rare, and indeed
nearly extinct, their only food being the nut of a tree then extremely
scarce, for before the discovery of the application of electricity the
tree had been burnt for use. By my order large tracts were planted with
these trees, and there are now large enclosures in which herds of
Meleetas are preserved.

The young are very precocious, and can soon be fed on nuts, and
consequently taken from the mother, who remains in milk for a long
time--nearly a year and a half.

Great interest is taken in the Meleetas, and they are treated with much
gentleness, each having a small house to itself, lined with soft down,
and furnished with a perch.

They are very intelligent and grateful, and I well recollect the
astonishment of my favourite when she laid her first egg. She would take
hold of my robe and pull me, that I might look at the novel production,
and she would make all the time a pretty noise like a laugh, seeming to
be astonished and overjoyed.

I sometimes wore long flowing robes, and was often accompanied by this
little creature when I strolled through my grounds. If it was at all
damp she would hold up the hem of my garment with her mouth, that it
might not get wet. When with me in my study, she would crouch down and
remain quiet at my bidding.

The Meleetas resent ill-treatment, though not spitefully. They can only
raise themselves a small distance from the ground, but I have seen one
when offended flutter, fly up quickly, and descend, giving the offender
a smart box on the ear with her wing.

7. Turvee.--An insect whose electricity forcibly attracts and
subdues the power of man.

8. Shooting stars are, in our legends, said to be companies of
good angels, linked in brightness and despatched from one star to
another, on messages of love and peace, sometimes to protect an inferior
world from the too great inroads of legions of evil spirits.

9. Whale electricity.--Of all, the most powerfully
attractive.

10. The Martolooti.--A basilisk, or serpent, possessing
wondrous fascinating power over its prey.

11. Castrenka, or Flower of Grace.--A plant with two branches
only, which spontaneously or at the slightest breath move always
together in a most graceful manner.

12. Chilarti.--A little pet animal, always playful and
smiling.

13. The Tootmanyoso's fruit.--That is to say the Allmanyuka--
the fruit invented by me, of which hereafter.

14. The perfume of the everlasting gulf.--A gulf the waters of
which emitted a delicious fragrance, and when taken from the gulf would
not keep together, but separated into drops like tears.

In our legends it is supposed that a lovely woman had for some grave sin
been turned into a gulf, and that her breathings were continually wafted
towards Heaven in prayer.

15. The Yurdzin-nod.--The hide of the hippopotamus, which is
of extraordinary durability, and when prepared for use may be said to be
imperishable.

16. The fat of the serpent's head is very precious, and is
used for many important purposes. Prepared in a certain way it is even
supposed to strengthen the intellect.

The "mind-tamers" attending madmen--who were numerous when I began to
reign--carried with them this fat, and sometimes the head itself, as an
antidote against the contagion of insanity.

17. The Mestua Mountain.--The largest in Montalluyah, supposed
to be the firmest and most lasting of mountains. By her firmness the
sea's mighty inroads have been arrested in their progress, and the
waters have been driven back. The "will," which is likened in firmness
to the mountain, is "the will to overcome evil."

18. Wet thy feet.--This ablution is required before prayer.

19. Stainer's fount.--Stainer was a good man, who was never
known to harm or pain any one by action or word, and from whom, as he
drank of its waters daily, the spring derived its name. The water,
wholesome and cooling, is said to be the purest in Montalluyah.

Water, a thing of hourly use, and moreover supposed to enter largely
into man's organization, is in Montalluyah treated as of the utmost
importance to health, and its quality is watched with great care. The
water for the especial use of the city is collected in reservoirs, and
is always examined before the people are allowed to make use of it. If
certain electricities are wanting, though it might be faultless in other
respects, both the supplies, within and without, are stopped until means
have been taken to infuse the deficient electricity. The water from
Stainer's fount never required testing. This was always pure, never
changed its component parts, and never ceased to flow.

20. The Mountain Supporter.--Reference to this great work is
made in nearly all our poems, which invariably refer to the beauty,
splendour, strength, firmness, durability, grandeur, and usefulness of
the work, and to its resemblance to my polity.




XXVII.


SYLIFA.


     "Here the soul has illumined its temporary dwelling with rays of
     light--the gift of Heaven."


Among the children of poor parents taken care of and educated by my
orders, there was a beautiful girl named Sylifa, the daughter of a
labouring man who worked in the ravines.

In the early part of my reign I had been struck with her beauty and
intelligence, and directed that she should be brought up and educated in
my palace.

Her eyes were almond-shaped, large, long, lustrous, and languishing; and
might be pictured by fancy as beaming with ethereal flowers, crystalline
fountains in all their brightness, painting, sculpture, and poetry.

Her lovely mouth never gave utterance to a thought that was not kind and
good; indeed, all her features were beautiful, and the soft and
luxuriant hair hung down to her feet in graceful curls--the back hair
was much longer, and, when unbound, fell to the ground in rich masses.

She had a musical, merry laugh, which, whether they would or not, could
set all present laughing, however seriously inclined.

Her talents were many, her versatility was great; for she was
accomplished in various pursuits, and in most of them excelled. When
singing or playing the harp, her dreamy eyes were more than earthly, and
seemed as though beaming with poetry inspired of Heaven.

The beauty of her mind could be read in her face; she looked so
heavenly, that when grown into womanhood I have, in a moment of
enthusiasm, been almost tempted to fold her in my arms; but I never
forgot my great mission, even in the most perilous moments.

I took particular care of the lovely girl, and selected for her husband
a very handsome man and a great poet, who was chosen in due form by
Sylifa at one of our marriage "choice" meetings.

The union was happy, though, perhaps, they loved each other too well.

The married couple resided in my palace, and Sylifa continued to afford
to me and my guests the greatest recreation and amusement.

She was very luxurious, and very particular in her habits. I have seen
her, while amusing us, suddenly (perhaps designedly), stop short, and
direct her attendant to bring the golden salver, telling us at the same
time that her hand (and she had exquisite hands) was a little soiled.
She would moisten them with the perfumed water, and then resume her task
of amusing us; our attention having, in the meantime, been kept in
breathless suspense.

In my palace under the sea (for I had a submarine retreat, of which I
may speak hereafter) there was a large sheet or basin of water, in which
she would sport most gracefully, modestly attired, as a nymph of the
sea.

She always identified herself with the part she sustained. As a sea
nymph, she could never be induced to speak; but, when we addressed her,
she always replied in musical tones, because, according to our legends,
mermaids always discoursed in song.

In the basin of water there were willows, hung with small lyres, through
which Sylifa would show her face, and then, taking one of the lyres,
would play and sing exquisitely, always keeping up the illusion.

She was very fond of a lion brought up in my palace, with which, as a
cub, she had played when a child. As a woman, she had complete mastery
over the noble animal. Both as a child and as a woman, she, with the
lion, formed the subject of many of the beautiful pictures that adorned
my palaces.

For a particular reason, we once separated Sylifa from her husband for a
day. She refused to eat; neither would she retire to rest. As the day
was ending she walked into the room where I sat with my numerous guests.

She said, "Do you love Sylifa?" "Yes," was my answer. "Then give me back
my Oma. Without him I die; already I droop; to-morrow I shall be no
more."

When asked to amuse us, she said she could not; her heart was too heavy.
We tried to console her, but it was useless; she wept, and her long hair
was wet with her tears.

After two days, we were obliged to restore Oma to the devoted Sylifa.


Sylifa was enthusiastic in her love of flowers. It was she who suggested
that, at the _fête_ of which I have spoken, the camelopards should be
united by wreaths of flowers. She sought and obtained my permission to
mount the tallest of the stately animals, and appeared, resplendent in
beauty, amongst the beautiful women who graced the _fête_.




XXVIII.


THE YOUNG GIRL RESTORED.

MADNESS.


     "A sleep of sorrow."


Formerly, as before observed, many were pronounced mad who were
perfectly sane, but madness itself was scarcely ever recognised until by
violent actions or incoherent words the patient had excited fear in
others. Numbers, afflicted with incipient madness, might have been
easily cured had its presence been detected; but they were allowed to
inflict great injury upon their neighbours. This they did the more
effectually as their madness was not even suspected until the symptoms
of the malady became too glaring to be disregarded.


I will relate to you a case which presented some remarkable features. A
little girl about four years old fell down some stone steps, and
received a violent blow across the nose, which swelled enormously. She
probably was otherwise injured, but the injury on the nose was the only
one then observed. After some time the effects of the accident were to
all appearance completely cured.

As the girl grew in years, she gave signs of marvellous talent. But
apparently unable to apply herself to any particular pursuit, she became
wearied of one thing after another, and continually thirsted for
novelty. This incessant love of change extended to everything, to
friendship, love, dress, amusements; to the most serious and most
trifling matters. She was happy and melancholy at intervals, and always
in excess; nay, in her fits of extreme despondency she would even
meditate suicide.

Though disliked by some for her wayward and capricious disposition, she
was a great favourite with others. I should add that she was extremely
beautiful, indeed lovely, very witty, highly gifted, and withal so
fascinating that she never failed to charm every one at the first
interview, the novelty of the excitement, and a natural desire to please
giving impulse to her will. Although possessing so many gifts, she was
very jealous and envious of others.

Many were the offers of marriage which she accepted in succession,
abandoning one suitor after the other without any adequate reason or any
feeling of compunction. At length she unexpectedly accepted a man of
whom she had scarcely any previous knowledge.

The marriage, made at her request in a headstrong fit of impatience,
took place a few days after the proposal had been made. A child was
born, but long before its birth she had become tired of her husband. The
child she loved passionately at first, but soon became weary even of
this object of her tenderest affection, and looked upon it with
indifference! All these events had taken place during the reign of my
predecessor. Under my laws such a marriage would have been impossible.


At the age of twenty-six a frightful accident happened to this lady--she
fell into a vat of scalding liquor--a beverage prepared with honey. We
have a very effective remedy for scalds, and, though severely burnt, she
was eventually cured, but the fright had sadly shocked her nerves; a
violent fever seized the blood, she fell into a trance, her eyes were
fixed and glassy, and she gave no signs of movement except by swallowing
the little nourishment that was offered her in a liquid form.

This trance lasted some days. On awakening, the patient asked with the
tone and manner of a child, how old she was? She was extremely calm, and
a remarkable change had come over her. On the doctor's asking why she
inquired about her age, she replied that during her sleep she had been
in what seemed a long, sad, and changeful dream! She then related some
details of the injury she received when at four years old she fell down
the stone steps. Those around her at first thought that her mind was
wandering, but this notion was soon dispelled. She spoke of incidents of
her life extending over many years, as though they passed in a dream;
one incident of this dream being that she had given birth to a child,
and suffered acute pain. At one moment she saw herself in a family of
strangers who were very kind, but she knew them not,--then she saw her
family in great grief.

One of the impressions that this seeming sad dream made upon her was,
that swarms of insects had followed and enveloped her on all sides,
stinging and causing her excruciating suffering, which had extended over
a series of years of more than lifelong duration.

Sometimes in moments of despondency she saw the beautiful form of an
angel radiant with light, who spoke to her in soothing tones, and
entreated her to be patient, assuring her that her sufferings were
ordained for a good end, and that by patience and the sweetness of her
nature, she would attain the power of casting from her the torments she
endured, and that after doing much good during her mortal career she
would, when her time came to quit the world, be placed high amongst
myriads of angels. She said that whenever urged by despair to relieve
herself from her pains by a desperate course, this bright and beautiful
angel would stand before her and pour words of consolation and hope into
her ear.


In relating the incidents of her supposed dream, her whole manner was so
different from the former state of excitement, to which her friends had
been accustomed, that all saw she was perfectly rational, although
relating as a dream what had occurred during twenty-two years of her
actual life. It seemed as though all the time that had elapsed since she
was four years of age belonged as it were to another and differently
constituted brain; and that she had now resumed the thread of her life
from the time when she was four years old, the period of the first
accident.

When the husband and child were brought to her she knew them not, though
she had some vague notion of having seen them in her dream. The husband
prayed her to return to him: she said she was not his wife, and could
not accept him as a husband; that she felt no love for the child, and
could not even like it as a playmate. She recollected her parents when
they were twenty-two years of age, and could not understand how they
could be so much changed.

In all her occupations and amusements she acted as a young child, but
she gradually increased in understanding, and in sixteen years after her
recovery she became a most accomplished person, without, however,
possessing the varied talent of former times. She lived seventy-two
years after the trance (in all ninety-eight years) now a short life with
us; but never, till the day of her death, could she understand that she
had lived during the twenty-two years which filled up the space between
the first and second accidents. Strange to say, during that interval, no
one had suspected that her brain was affected. Nearly the whole period
had elapsed before the commencement of my rule, or the evil would have
been detected and remedied, not by confining the patient and driving her
into madness, but by gentle means.


The medical officers had no doubt of her complete re-establishment:
besides, shortly after her return to calmness they applied the tests
recently discovered, and the result furnished conclusive evidence that
the malady had been eradicated. On an examination after death there was
indeed, as the doctors thought, an unhealthy absence of certain
microscopic animalcula, the effects of whose continued presence in
excess in one portion of the brain to the detriment of others, lead to
madness. The substance of the brain was poor and watery, and it seemed
as though at other times there had been more brain than was then found;
the lining of the brain was coated with a substance in outward
appearance not unlike the fur which sometimes accumulates on the tongue
in a fever. The doctors had reason to believe that this fur was composed
of the remains of the insects which, probably, had been killed at the
time of the second accident, either by the shock or the fumes of the
boiling liquid, and it was to this accidental circumstance that they
were inclined to attribute the recovery of those parts of the brain
which had remained, as it were, slumbering since the first accident.




XXIX.


THE LITTLE GOATHERD.


     "The flower is hidden until the electricities of the sun and light
     draw it forth into life and beauty."


In speaking of the "choice of a husband," I referred to the only case I
recollected where the lady's hesitation rendered a third meeting
necessary. The exception was interesting.

Early in my reign, whilst one day walking near the sea-shore, I was
struck by the appearance of a little girl who was attending a flock of
goats. A kid had fallen over a rock into the sea. The child was a lovely
creature, with a beautiful complexion, handsome and expressive eyes,
small hands and feet, and silken hair flowing over her shoulders. Her
beauty was heightened by the expression of tenderness and grief at the
loss of the kid. I was greatly interested, and watched her movements
unperceived. She showed great intelligence and presence of mind.

Near the sea grows a peculiar kind of stringy reed, very strong and
pliable. She tied several of these reeds together, made a noose at one
end, and with the other end tied herself to a rock near the edge of the
precipice, that she might not overbalance herself, and be dragged down
in her endeavours to recover her kid. She then threw down the noose at
the other end of the line, and after one or two attempts succeeded with
great dexterity in getting it round the body of the kid, which she
gradually hauled up to the rock where she stood. Her movements were most
graceful, and her address and dexterity truly astonishing. As soon as
her success was complete she fondled and embraced the kid as though it
had been a favourite sister whom she had saved.

In straining over the precipice she had drawn the knot that secured her
to the rock so tight that she could not liberate herself until I came to
her assistance and set her free. I then talked with her, and found that
she had remarkable capacity, tenderness, and sweetness of nature, but
was altogether uninstructed. I said to myself, it is impossible that a
creature could be found so beautiful and intelligent unless Providence
had intended her for something better than her present occupation.

By my orders she was thoroughly educated and cared for. She showed great
aptitude for her appointed studies, and having passed one ordeal after
another with great honour, she was ultimately, thanks to our
institutions, deemed worthy of a superior rank, and became one of our
great ladies. In mind, form, and feature, she was a remarkable person,
and her manners were most sweet and fascinating. She was a frequent
guest at my palace. I delighted in her discourse on the rare occasions
when my occupations gave me the opportunity of conversation.

Gratitude to her benefactor had given rise to a deep affection.
Observing this I told her that the peculiarity of my position, and the
necessity for completing my great work, had decided me not to marry, and
that the affection of a friend was all that I could give her. Marry, I
said, and I will always watch over you. Had I married, she would have
been my choice. In obedience to my wishes, she allowed the "marriage
choice meeting" to be called. She was so beautiful and engaging that the
number of competitors was far beyond that required to complete the
meeting. The suitors selected were the most promising young men in the
city, and held the highest positions, but all the three several marriage
meetings remained without result, except to confirm her resolution not
to marry.

By our laws every woman, however high in rank, who elects to remain
single, is obliged to follow a calling adapted to her capacity and
inclination. This interesting person possessed a peculiar talent for
inventing and improving ciphers for telegraphic correspondence. This
talent was turned to account. She was also entrusted with the
superintendence and examination of the reports made by those charged
with the instruction of the clerks engaged in the telegraph department,
and proved superior in every important quality to any of the men
occupied in similar pursuits.




XXX.


DECORATIONS FOR AGE AND MERIT.


     "...The gate of future success, honours, and riches is always open
     to you."


The ornaments, of which I have before spoken, are independent of
decorations worn by women as distinctive marks of age; for the age of a
woman entitles her to peculiar privileges above others younger than
herself, and her decorations are so worn, that these privileges may be
at once recognised. At the end of every five of our years, she is
entitled to a decoration indicative of her age, and the mode in which
the last five years have been passed. Strange as it may appear to you,
with whom old age is associated with feebleness, loss of beauty, and
decayed powers--it is by our ladies looked upon as a privilege, of which
all are very jealous. If such a thing were possible, it would be a gross
insult to say that a lady was younger than was indicated by the last
decoration which she had received; and even the five successive years
are marked by five small appendages, one of which is added each year, so
that she may not lose even one of the years to which she is entitled.

Amongst other marks of respect shown to age--a younger woman, passing
her senior in years, is expected to give her the inner side of the path,
and to salute her in passing.

No mistake can be made as to the particular nature of the decoration,
and consequently of the number of years to which the lady is entitled.
Each of the numerous decorations differs entirely from the others. A
decoration called the "Matterode," consists of the model of a very
beautiful bird, that has the peculiarity of always looking upwards, as
though its thoughts were borne to the celestial stars. The wings of this
bird,--from which the Order derives its name,--are fixed in a peculiar
way, and move in graceful motion, so as to suggest the movement of an
angel's wings.

The plumage of the Matterode is as though it were studded with precious
stones; so bright are the dots all over the body and the wings.

The decoration is of exquisite workmanship, and made of our choicest
metals, varied in colour, and set with precious stones, to imitate the
bird's plumage.

This decoration is presented to a lady who, having by her conduct and
years earned successive decorations, has passed the last five years
unexceptionally and uprightly in all things, and has, besides, shown
intelligence of a high grade.

If, during the five years succeeding that in which she won the
"Matterode," this lady remains unaltered in greatness and goodness, she
is entitled, in addition, to a decoration of considerable value, in
which the "Mountain Supporter"--which gives its name to the Order, is
faithfully copied in the purest and most beautiful metals. And as the
"Matterode" is an intimation that the beauty of the wearer's actions
justifies her in looking upwards to a future home in the celestial
stars, so does the Mountain Supporter indicate her firmness, power, and
strength, that nothing in Montalluyah can surpass.

When either of these decorations is worn, the greatest honour and
respect are paid to the wearer. All know that none can possess it
without having gained it by sterling merit and goodness of the highest
order. The checks used in our system are of such a nature, that no
favouritism, no accident--nothing but the wearer's years and conduct--
can obtain this, or indeed any other Order.

If the conduct of the woman during the five years she wears the
Matterode had been marked by any deviation from goodness, an occurrence
scarcely heard of, a qualified decoration would be presented to her,
which, though beautiful, and indicating the age and position beyond
doubt, would give evidence that a little cloud had sometime during the
past period, affected the vivid colours of the illumined sky! There are
various ways of modifying the Order so as to show the estimate of
conduct, all differing according to the degree of the offence. But if
the wearer's conduct during the five years of the qualified term is
unexceptionable, the decoration for the subsequent five years would be
the same as though nothing had occurred in the meantime to interrupt the
lady's title to the highest decoration.

Again, if any person, even one who had gained the Matterode, were to
commit something--a decidedly wrongful act--the decoration, during the
following five years, would perhaps consist of a Foot trampling on a
hippopotamus or on a serpent, thus indicating the necessity for bearing
down sin, which is symbolised by both of these creatures.

You will at once see how easily the two first decorations I have named
are distinguishable from each other, and how the last is distinguishable
from both; and so it is with all the others, too numerous to mention
here.

However, by their education, and the laws and customs I introduced,
Woman possesses so high a sentiment of honour, and so much becoming
pride, that the instances of degradation from the two first orders has
been remarkably rare--scarcely worth referring to except to show that we
never hesitate to put the laws in force against the highest personages,
even in those cases where, under another system, our sympathies might
have led us, perhaps unconsciously, to screen the offenders. In my laws
on this subject, it is declared, that whilst mercy and goodness are on
one side, might and justice are no less on the other side of the
celestial throne.

What I have said of these orders is applicable in a great degree to all
the others.

In our world all particulars of conduct and goodness, as well as
deviations from them, are known; nothing on these heads is, or indeed
can be concealed. I am now speaking of an advanced period of my reign;
for at first, and in what I may call the intermediate or transition
period, it was otherwise. Then there were many laws and precepts
established which are now all but obsolete,--for since, the occasion for
appealing to them scarcely arises. As an example, the love and practice
of truth are amongst the very first things inculcated in the child, and
are now everywhere and by all classes practised in Montalluyah. Laws,
then, which suppose the possibility of a deviation from truth are
scarcely ever appealed to--such as, for instance, the precept, "Ask not
your neighbour what you know he wishes to conceal, lest he lie," and the
accompanying law preventing one person from annoying another with
improper questions, and thus probably drawing forth untruths. These,
like the laws and precepts enjoining all to industry, and many others,
belong to a bygone age, and to another state of things, and were only
needed in the intermediate epoch, just as particular remedies were then
required to cure the diseases of those who, having been born before my
reign, had in their childhood and youth been weakened by disease, or had
received into their systems the germs of future intense suffering,
which, had the child been born later, would have been completely
eradicated in their incipiency. But as these maladies existed in the
intermediate epoch in their virulence, we were for a time obliged to
continue the principle formerly adopted,--that of expelling one poison
by administering another.

The fact that everything belonging to women is now known and adequately
recognised and rewarded makes them contented and happy. Under the system
existing before my reign this was not so,--the most beautiful were often
the most discontented; they were more easily acted upon by evil spirits,
who assumed the fairest and most seductive appearances to lure their
victims; they were often the most susceptible to flattery, and easiest
led astray; and when once drawn from the proper path, they were the most
cruelly persecuted by a class of inferior persons, who, had their own
secret conduct been known to man as it is to a superior order of beings,
would never have dared to throw even the smallest stone at their poor
persecuted sister, who had, as was often the case, been led astray by
the very excess of a virtue which defective education had left
unbalanced by its regulating qualities.

Although it was one of the best known precepts of our religion that the
fold should always be open to receive the strayed sheep, these
piety-professors, with this precept on their lips, took care that the
strayed ones should be cruelly worried and scared from the fold.

This, however, is not surprising when it is recollected that those who
were themselves most impure were ordinarily the first to vilify and
persecute the offending one. From tests, the accuracy of which left no
doubt, I learned that this acrimonious bitterness against their
suffering sisters was nearly always instigated by a desire to conceal
their own defects, to raise themselves, as they thought, by depreciating
others, and to lay hypocritical claim to a superior austerity and
goodness which was not theirs. The really pure--and for the honour of
the past age of Montalluyah, I must say there were some few who were
truly good--were those only from whom the sinner received sympathy and
encouragement to return to the path which had been for a time forsaken.

Even she who receives a qualified or indifferent age-decoration can, if
she pleases, bring her case before the kings, and strict justice is
invariably done to all. None rebel in word or spirit, but all invariably
use their efforts to recover lost ground before the time arrives for
receiving the next decoration. In these laudable efforts they are
assisted; all means being used to cure the patient. When, from tests
ofttimes repeated, we are satisfied that the penitent's reform is
complete, she is received with open arms by the highest of her rank, as
though she had been ever spotless; and at any time to remind her of the
past, or even to make to another the slightest allusion to what had
occurred, would be looked upon as a heinous offence, and punished
accordingly. Thus, a qualified order acts at the same time as a censure
and a protection.


ADVOCATES.

I ought to mention that there are advocates selected by the State from
amongst the most eloquent and able men, charged specially to bring
before the proper tribunals every case where any persons, men or women,
think themselves wronged. There are also able men, advocates to
represent the interests of society. The former, or people's advocate, if
he thinks right, advises his client by the gentlest means to desist from
her cause; but if his efforts prove ineffectual, which seldom happens if
he is right, he is bound to proceed with the case, and if necessary to
bring the question before the kings. Did there prove to be any real
doubt or serious difficulty, the case would be referred even to me. The
advocates of society, like the people's advocates, are disciplined in
the practice of truth and justice, and if they think that there is
anything in the case in favour of the appellant they are honourably
bound to state it to the tribunal. This is done in the interest both of
justice and of society itself, which might otherwise be injured in the
person of one of its members.

Both classes of advocates occupy very high positions, and would not
condescend to take fees of their clients. They are wholly remunerated by
the State. They have no interest in the issue, and are equally honoured
whatever the result may be, for society always gains by a just decision.

       *       *       *       *      *

I may here mention a privilege belonging to every woman of every rank
and of every age, viz., that, when a man meets a woman in the street, he
is expected to bow, and, unless accompanied by a lady, he must step off
the principal path till she has passed. Any one omitting either of these
marks of respect would be considered vulgar and ill-bred. He would be
severely censured, and a repetition of the offence would render him
amenable to more decided punishment.




XXXI.


BEAUTY.

HEALTH--LONG LIFE--INFANTS.


     "A precious gift from Heaven."


"How rare is beauty!" was formerly a common exclamation in Montalluyah.
It _was_ rare indeed; for although children were generally handsome and
well formed, the adult too often became misshapen and ill-favoured.
Deformity was the rule, beauty the exception.

Even amongst those who were called handsome there were scarcely any who
fulfilled every condition of the beautiful. A critical observer would
have found defects in the beauty of the features, in the form, in the
foot, the leg, the arm, the hand, the fingers, the teeth, the neck, the
throat, the head, the hair, the complexion, the contour, the carriage.
One, and generally more, of the many essentials constituting the
perfection of beauty would be wanting.

Hence, when our great artists required an ideal of beauty in painting or
in sculpture, they would take several models, each supplying some
beautiful detail not to be found in the rest,--one model furnishing the
features, another the general outline, each a separate limb. So
difficult, if not impossible, was it then to find perfection of detail
in the same person. Nay, even this expedient did not ensure success; the
models differing from each other in size, complexion, and general
proportions, complete harmony was rarely obtained, and, judging from our
old painting and sculpture, I should say that no ideal was then produced
equal to that which in Montalluyah now exists in the living form.
Beauty, formerly the exception, now constitutes the rule, the ill
favoured and deformed being more rare than were the handsome in
preceding reigns.

To beauty is now added longevity; for, as I have before stated, the
duration of human life is extended to a period which formerly would have
been thought fabulous. This assertion will probably be received by you
with an incredulity, which will not be diminished when I add that,
notwithstanding the great increase in man's years, all his faculties are
preserved in a state scarcely less perfect than that of pristine
manhood. The eye is not dimmed, there is no deafness, the limbs are
strong and agile, the teeth remain free from decay, pleasing to the
sight, and valuable for the chief purposes for which they were given. In
a word, whatever can contribute to beauty and health in man and woman
remains all but intact to the last. Decadence in any particular, if so
it may be called, is scarcely less marked than is the almost
imperceptible decline by which man descends, or rather ascends,
peacefully to another state of existence.

The facts I state would appear less extraordinary, nay, they would be
regarded as the natural and inevitable result of an actual state of
things, if you knew all that is done and prevented in Montalluyah to
protect the health, strength, beauty, and intelligence of the child from
its birth, indeed prior to its birth; for with us the care of the mother
precedes that of the child. Nor is our care confined to infancy; it is
extended to later years, and does not cease until the limbs, both of
male and female youth, are developed, and their joints well knitted;
until their features and person have received the impress of beauty, and
their intelligence is matured to the healthful extent required by
nature.

You should also be conversant with the means that are taken to secure
the health of the city, the purity of the water and air, and the
wholesomeness of food, the extreme cleanliness, and the general
precautions taken for the prevention of disease, and of that prostration
and waste of vital force by which disease is preceded, accompanied, and
followed. You should realise, in thought at least, the blessed results
of the employment of all in congenial occupations, and the contentment
of each with his lot! You should also be able to realise the
ever-multiplying inventions and discoveries resulting from our system,
all tending to promote human perfectibility and happiness, every
successive step being assisted by the one preceding, as well as by
innumerable co-operations, all tending to one grand result.

You should also bear in mind that these inventions and their resulting
forces had originated with and were governed by none but natures prone
to good; powerful men from whose organization early education had
eliminated the germs of evil propensities.

You should also realise the advantages arising from the fact, that
whilst elevating knowledge, and rendering the rich happy in the
possession of their wealth, my laws protect those who formerly would
have been called poor. As there is no misery resulting from the neglect
of society, or from the selfishness or oppression of man, poverty in
your sense of the word does not exist. They, who are qualified for a
"poor" grade only, are nevertheless the objects of solicitude and care
to so great an extent that, whilst under my system the happiness and
enjoyments of the rich are greatly increased, the poor are far happier
and have keener enjoyments than the rich of former times, when the
acquisition of money or its indifferent expenditure was the dominant
thought in the minds of all.

You should also appreciate, in part at least, the effects of the
numberless sights of beauty everywhere in Montalluyah, within and
without, in the houses and the public thoroughfares, all by their
influence on the mother, the child, and the adult contributing towards
perfection of form, beauty, intelligence, and length of life.

Amongst other things, one result of the labours of the Character-divers
must not be forgotten. The mobile countenances of our people are easily
impressed with the marks of their emotions, and formerly nothing was
more plainly furrowed on the countenance than signs indicating bad
passions and evil propensities, the eradication of which with the
development of good qualities (one of the principal duties of the
Character-divers) has had a remarkable effect in adding to loveliness of
expression, in improving the features, and even in increasing the
elegance and gracefulness of the form and bearing.

Had I been content with a mere ordinary increase of beneficial results,
any one or more of the numerous precautions taken would have done much
good; but my object was to establish my laws on so broad a foundation
that no adverse gale could shake the edifice,--that the laws should be
strengthened one by the other, that every one should be interested in
observing and supporting institutions under which he enjoyed the largest
amount of happiness, and that, strange and visionary as it may seem to
you, the necessity for punishment might be diminished, and eventually
removed.

I should have as little thought of erecting the tall and graceful but
huge Mountain Supporter without a broad and solid foundation as of
establishing my laws, all tending as they did to the perfectibility and
happiness of the people, without spreading their base in all directions,
and taking care that the human instrument through which the soul acts
was fortified and prepared to respond to its noble ends.

I had early perceived that to obtain the desired end, every particular
must be studied and provided for, so that all elements of enduring
success should be united, and all obstructive elements removed. I felt
that no effort, care, or thought would be too great if it would only
produce the desired results, by securing health, beauty, intelligence,
and long life in man, to the utmost extent that nature permitted.

I felt that the boon of long life would greatly lose its value, even if
it could have been otherwise obtained, unless man's forces were
economized, and the senses and faculties preserved in health and vigour
to the last; that without these the happiness of man in every stage, and
even his obedience to my laws, and my power to dispense with
punishments, would be greatly impaired. For I had observed that the
sufferings and degeneracy of the man would make him discontented,
restless, and miserable, notwithstanding the blessings with which
Providence had surrounded him.

Discontented men--and discontent and wickedness are not far apart--would
have used the new powers for their own wicked purposes, just as formerly
they rent the veil that concealed from the uninitiated the secrets of
powers in nature; having been admitted under the guise, or rather while
in temporary possession of all the great qualities of will, undaunted
courage, energy, and perseverance.

Had I not reflected on this danger, I should only have allowed numbers
of persons to receive an education which, neglecting the paramount
principle of eradicating the faults of men of talent, would have laid
them open to the promptings of evil spirits, by whom, perhaps, under the
guise of beneficence, they would have been led to use the powers of good
for purposes of evil. Our very progress would have given strength to
powerful bad men, and my system, in spite of improvements, would have
carried within it the cause for its own eventual destruction.

Many beautiful systems had been tried in Montalluyah, but, from
inattention to small details, they had perished. The men who used for
evil purpose powers given them for good, have unknowingly laboured to
their own destruction and that of the highly civilized communities where
they dwelt; which have thus been swept from the face of the earth.

They had tasted the fruits of the Tree of Knowledge before they had been
thoroughly disciplined in the powers of resistance and of self-denial.
Hence the wholesome food was changed to poison; the sweet waters were
made bitter; the stream, which in its fullness bore fertility and
refreshment, burst its banks, and carried destruction everywhere.

So was it even with the priests of one of our ancient religions, who had
the custody of great secrets intended for good. During a time extending
over some generations, they practised the virtues they inculcated, and
used their power for a beneficial end. They increased their power by
their virtue and goodness; but their successors, from whose natures the
minute germs of physical and mental perversity had not been removed,
used their increased might for evil purposes, enervating to the
governing will, and to the directing powers necessary to guide an
irresistible force.

It is known that the results of every act, whether good or evil, will be
felt for all time. The result of evil was likened in Montalluyah to a
virulent disease, which had its beginning in a minute germ; a good act
to an ear of nourishing corn, that goes on propagating till it has
supplied nations with food.

It was not enough that my laws worked with the beauty, regularity, and
unity of a well-balanced machine, the parts of which assisted each other
in attaining the immediate object of its construction. The political and
social machine possessed also the faculty of acquiring at every movement
increased powers of production.

I had satisfied myself that amongst the numerous precautions to be taken
to secure the highest degree of beauty, power, and intelligence in
adults, on which so much depended, was the care of the infant, and that
this should commence from the earliest period, before the features,
form, and organization had received the first approaches of enduring
outline, since then all would be in a malleable or plastic state, ready
to take any impressions caused by accident or design, whether tending to
good or evil, to beauty or deformity.


RIDICULE ATTACHING TO THE SUBJECT OF BABIES.

Before my reign eminent men, statesmen, legislators, and philosophers,
scarcely _condescended_ to notice such "trifles" as were comprised
in the nurture and care of infants. Perhaps in a worldly sense they were
right, for those who had attempted to instruct others in these
all-pregnant "trifles" had been invariably ridiculed for the interest
they took in "babies," and such-like "trivialities," which, in spite of
many lessons, the people would not regard as possibly prolific of serious
results.

The contempt thus thrown even on eminent men was the more extraordinary,
inasmuch as our sages had familiarized the people with the grand truth
that the greatest effects are often produced by trifling causes; that
out of the little egg came the large eagle of the country, and the huge
boa-constrictor; that innumerable mighty operations in nature have their
origin in small beginnings; that the narrow rivulet goes on gathering
strength till it becomes the Great Cataract; that the minute plague-spot
generated the virulent disease; that the acorn produces the oak; that
the impaired seed failed to produce goodly fruit; that a small drop of
leaven affected a huge mass. Lessons on the fecundity of little things
had indeed grown into commonplace household words.

Besides these lessons of the wise, love and respect for children were
mingled with the religions feelings of the people; for Elikoia, the
founder of our earliest civilization, was a child when he led the people
from idolatry to the worship of the living God.

All these considerations, however, were insufficient to shield great men
from the contempt thrown on them and on their words, when they had the
courage to let it be known that they occupied themselves with things
which, to an ordinary observer, seemed beneath notice.

From the first, however, I had been convinced of the importance of the
despised "little" things, and looked not so much to the dimensions of
the instrument as to the amount of good or evil it was capable of
effecting, having learned by experience that the magnitude of results
was often in an inverse ratio to the means employed, more especially
when applied in due season.

Soon I discovered that many of the maladies incident to children, to
youth, and to adults, owed their origin to the neglect and injudicious
treatment of the infant. I had seen numbers of interesting children,
with handsome features and well-formed limbs, who in their riper years
had become ugly, with ill-favoured features, sallow complexions, bad
expressions of countenance, misshapen forms, and crooked limbs. Many who
in early years had displayed great intelligence had become positively
stupid. It was not that the intelligence had been prematurely developed,
but that the organization had been prematurely injured, and the
brain-machine rendered incapable of giving proper expression to the
yearnings of the soul. None suffered more keenly from early physical
neglect than children of genius.

Satisfied that my observations were accurate, and that everything
contributing to husband the health, strength, beauty, and intelligence
of the child, would likewise contribute to the beauty, happiness, and
contentment of the adult, as well as his obedience to my laws, I
resolved to occupy myself with what proved to be the very important
subject of babies. In meditating on the mode of obtaining the desired
results, I considered nothing too insignificant,--not even so "small" a
thing as the scratch of a pin, sufficient at all events to make an
infant cry. The acts of crying and making wry faces disturb the lines of
the plastic clay of the child's countenance, and even the lines of the
form. The state of suffering calls off the vital electricity from its
duties in other parts of the organisation, and is attended with other
inconveniences, slight indeed in immediate perceptible effects, but so
powerful in their cumulative and germinating effects as to lead to
results which, were they related, would seem incredible.

I must content myself by saying, that although the march of these
cumulative effects is not one-tenth as visible as the almost
imperceptible movement of the hand that marks the seconds in one of our
smallest electrical watches, they nevertheless eventually show in their
result great and increasing evils, seriously affecting the child, the
youth, the adult, and the man. It would not be too much to say that the
traces of an injury, however slight, are never altogether obliterated,
whilst every successive injury and deprivation of force renders the
sufferer more open to every new inroad.

Although the minute hand of our electric watches moves almost
imperceptibly, marking minutes, hours, days, and years, it advances in
measured, limited progression; whereas the effects of suffering on the
child go on advancing in an increasing--nay, multiplying--ratio, by
which, up to a certain point, that of geometrical progression is far
exceeded. If you can realise the fact, which in Montalluyah is
incontestable, that even a scratch, however slight, will injure a child,
it will require little stretch of imagination to form some conception at
least of the injury caused to the beauty, form, health, strength, and
mind of the adult, by the many diseases and sufferings which were
allowed to leave their imprints on the young, impressionable clay and
delicate organisation of the infant. Our children were formerly
afflicted, like yours, with diseases resembling whooping-cough, croup,
measles, small-pox, and other maladies, forming an almost endless list,
and although the child survived the attacks and the incidental suffering
and waste, the evil consequences could never be effectually removed.


The precautions now taken are very numerous. Many by themselves alone
would be productive of great good, but when all are carried out, some
contemporaneously, others successively, a result is scarcely less
certain than the solution of a mathematical problem, based on accurate
premises, save of course in the case of inevitable accidents. My laws
provide for the protection of the child from its birth, nay, as I have
before stated, prior to its birth; for the protection of the parent
precedes that of the child. I knew that if the mother was sickly, or
indulged in injurious habits, the child would suffer. I enjoined
attention to these laws as a portion of the religious duties of the
people. Amongst other things I explained the value of beauty in the
human form, and how, when united with other qualities, it tended to the
happiness of the individual and the well-being of the world. This I did
at length, and in a manner to secure conviction, because it had been the
fashion to decry beauty as a matter of minor importance.

At the risk of repeating myself, I assert that I omitted nothing,
however seemingly insignificant, looking as I did upon my system as upon
one large continuous volume, in which every page had its value. The
absence of a single leaf would somewhat mar the general effect, but
still the remaining pages might retain their worth if pregnant with
good. On the other hand, if every leaf that was torn out had the effect
of loosening the rest, and causing them to be lost, till but a few would
be left in the cover, the effect would be far more serious.




XXXII.


INFANTS' EXERCISE-MACHINES.


     "Does a man throw his precious pearls and diamonds into the sea?"

     "Why, then, do ye cast the priceless health and beauty of your
     children to the winds?"


I cannot undertake to relate at present one tithe of the precautions
taken in the care of infants. Did I venture so to do I should have to
"descend" to the minutest particulars, such as the dispensing with
"pins," and the making the baby's dress in one piece, the nursing, and
form of the cradle, to the mode in which the baby is to be placed at the
side of the mother, to prevent its being overlaid or injured,--
everything, in fact, which in Montalluyah is thought essential to
protect infants and save them from unnecessary suffering, in order that
their young strength may be husbanded for the future requirements of the
man.

To give you some notion, however, of the minutiae to which our care
extended, I will explain to you one series of precautions which has
great influence on the child's health, beauty, and intelligence.


Young children formerly suffered greatly from fits and various diseases,
caused by the want of healthy circulation. When more advanced, and
whilst learning to walk, they were subject to falls. This was amongst
the most serious evils of early neglect, for it was demonstrated beyond
doubt that accidents to the infant, prominent amongst which were blows
received on its head, not only affected its after-growth, and laid the
foundation of nervous and other disorders, but were often attended with
the sadder result, that the child's intellect was impaired.
Nevertheless, so little was this danger apprehended, that many people
long indulged in the foolish habit of boxing children's ears, unaware
that the shock produced on the nerves of the head, which are the
conduits of electricity, often made a child stupid, if, indeed, the
effects of this brutal practice were not in after-life attended by more
serious consequences. In learning to walk, also, the weight of the
child's body, pressing on the legs too heavily, has a tendency to make
them crooked or bent, and to affect other parts of the body.

To obviate these evils, a man named Drahna invented, at my suggestion,
certain mechanical contrivances, which were so efficacious, and
prevented so much suffering, that his name will never be forgotten as
one of the great benefactors of our world.

These contrivances are respectively adapted to the infant when it cannot
sit up, when it can sit up, when it has acquired strength beyond the
second stage, and, lastly, when the limbs have acquired sufficient
strength to support the increased weight of the body.

The contrivance, in the first stage, is calculated to give the infant
healthful exercise, circulate the blood, and, at the same time to
protect him from injury. It consists of a soft spring-cushion, on which
the baby is laid; two little elastic bands on this cushion secure the
arms, whilst other bands secure the head, ankles, and waist. By turning
a small handle the machine is very gently set in motion, but by pressing
down a knob its velocity may be increased at will. So agreeable is the
action of the machine, that when the motion is altogether stopped the
child will often cry, or rather coo, that the movement may be repeated.

For the second stage, the instrument is similar to the first, but larger
and stronger.

The third stage is adapted to the time when it is judicious to begin to
teach the child to walk. The legs, and, indeed, every part of the body,
are supported by the instrument, which cannot be overturned. When this
is put into motion, the child's left leg is first moved, then the right,
and so on alternately. A perfect idea of walking, with the necessary
movement of the joints, is thus given to the child, without the
slightest strain on its limbs, as yet unfitted to bear the weight of its
own body. The machine continues in motion for a time sufficient to
exercise without causing fatigue.

As soon as the child has acquired the knowledge of the motion, and his
limbs are strong enough to support the weight of the body without
injury, these machines are put aside, and the fourth contrivance is
used. In this, the mechanism consists of a framework with very light and
soft bandages, made with the plumage and down of birds. With these
bandages the child's head, knees, elbows, wrists, shoulders, and loins
are gently bound. The framework to which the bandages are attached has a
projection from every point, on which the child, in case of accident,
can possibly fall, and he is thus effectually protected; for, as the
projection allows of his falling only slightly out of the perpendicular,
the concussion is but slight, and the young one is only pressed gently
on the soft down.

As the child increases in strength, the projections are removed at
intervals, one by one, commencing with those corresponding to the knees,
the last removed being those protecting the head, which are retained for
a long time. Even when they have been removed, the head is still guarded
by a light turban with inside springs, made so as to yield gently to a
blow, and thus save the head; so important is it considered to protect
this superior portion of the human frame.

When the bandages are first removed from the knees, the child has
perhaps some falls; but these, the head and other parts being protected,
are not attended with any serious consequences; and if the child
actually falls, the sensation of pain he may experience may teach him to
be more careful in future. Such lessons would, indeed, be valuable at
all times; but they would be purchased at too great a cost if learned at
the price of injury to body and mind.

The use of these four instruments was followed by remarkable results;
and they are thought of such great value to the community that the
districts supply them gratuitously to the poor. Those thus charitably
bestowed are less ornamental than the others, but equally efficient.


THE TEETH.

The teeth are also subjects of great care, and the infant is spared all
pain in cutting them. When the teething-time is near, and before the
pains attending it have even commenced, the child's gums are rubbed
night and morning with a bulb or root so softening and relaxing in its
effects, that after a short time the teeth make their way through the
gums with perfect ease. When the teeth are too numerous the redundant
ones are extracted, without causing the patient the slightest pain. A
hot solution of the same bulb is applied to the portion of the gum which
encloses the tooth to be extracted; causing the gum to separate from the
roots of the tooth, which is then removed with perfect ease. None are
extracted after the last have appeared, for decay is effectually
prevented. In seeking remedies for the maladies of those who were born
before my laws came into operation, the immediate cause of decay was
discovered; but we did not rest until we had detected the remote cause
and the means of preventing the evil.

By the aid of the microscope and other scientific appliances the
discovery was soon made that decay in teeth is produced by a minute worm
resulting from the absence of the proper electricity, necessary for
preserving in the tooth a healthy action. When this electricity is
deficient, the circulation in the bone becomes sluggish, the fatty
matters stagnate, and through the warmth of the gum acting on the
stagnant accumulation, a single worm is generated.

Though we had discovered the existence of the worm and the cause of its
being bred, some time elapsed before we were able to discover whether
the necessary electricity was wanting, and, by supplying the deficiency,
to prevent the generation of the worm. At length a professor, by name
Jerronska, invented an ingenious little instrument, of a form
corresponding to the upper and lower jaw, and furnished above and below
with small points or minute spikes; the instrument in a contracted shape
is introduced into the mouth and is there expanded to correspond to the
form of the jaws. It is charged with an electricity that can escape
through the spikes only, and is opposed to the electricity of the teeth,
which if healthy will cause a slight shock to the patient, without any
other inconvenience. On the other hand, if any of the teeth do not
contain the proper kind or quantity of electricity, they will turn to a
colour like fire, leaving the healthy teeth untouched; for the
instrument affects those teeth alone whose electricity is defective.

We have then the means of impregnating the unhealthy teeth with the
proper electricity, and thus destroying the incipient ovum, which cannot
live in an electricity healthful to the tooth.


In like manner, minute precautions are taken to preserve the beauty and
power of the eye. Formerly, in consequence of the intensity of light in
Montalluyah, and through other causes, the sight suffered severely.

Our physicians also found out the means of tracing and removing the
germs of defects in the ear, the nostrils, the tongue--in short,
everything that, if neglected, might impair the adult's energies and
beauty.

Great attention is paid to the quality of the air in which children are
bred, for air affects both the blood and the nerves. Its effect on the
blood was long known, through the fact that air is one of its important
ingredients; but its effect on the nerves was first demonstrated by
observing that nerves taken from a person recently dead shrivel and
contract in a vitiated atmosphere, and revive and expand when brought
into the open air.

The proper mode of rooting out incipient evils is thoroughly understood
in Montalluyah, there being eminent men, who make each division and
subdivision of various sciences their sole study and occupation. The
sight, for instance, is a great subject of study, and affords a striking
instance of our subdivision; for although there are scientific men who
have a general knowledge of the eye and of the human system, these make
particular subdivisions of the subject their peculiar study and sole
occupation. Thus, one great subdivision is the "Bile of the Eye;"
another is the "Moisture of the Eye;" another the "Concentrated Light of
the Eye;" another "The Relations of the Eye to the rest of the System,"
and so forth.

To resume: these matters, and, indeed, many more, receive effectual
attention from the moment when the child is born. Every good attained
goes on increasing under direct and collateral influences, until by a
prolific and cumulative process, extraordinary and beneficial results
are obtained in lieu of the evils that would otherwise have arisen. In
short, to understand fully the extent of the good achieved, one must
have been, as I was, a witness of the means and their effects--of the
marvellous consequences of our attention to "little things."




XXXIII.


GYMNASTICS.


     "Let your statue be beautiful, but neglect not the pedestal, lest
     with every adverse wind it receive a shock."


Our care of the future man is not, as I have said, confined to his
infancy, but is extended to all the critical periods of life. The proper
development of the frame and of manly qualities is looked upon as an
essential part of the boy's education, and much of the strength, beauty,
and longevity of the people is due to the physical training of the
student.

Formerly little discrimination was used in the selection of bodily as of
mental exercises; the same exercises being allotted to the brave and the
timid, the weak and the strong boy.

Now, on the other hand, the exercise is adapted to the boy's strength
and physical organization, which often differ as much as his genius from
that of his companions. Exercises beneficial to one constitution are
prejudicial to another, and would, perhaps, develop a part of the body
already having a tendency to exaggeration.

Thus a youth inclined to be tall and lanky, or whose limbs are disposed
to be too long for symmetry, is not allowed the same exercises as those
of a youth with short limbs or inclined to be corpulent.

We have numerous gymnastic exercises. Some parts of our apparatus are
much like yours, as, for instance, a cross-bar, on which the boy swings,
holding on with his hands.

In the case just mentioned a tall, thin, long-limbed boy would not be
permitted to use this bar; whilst a boy with short limbs and inclined to
corpulency would be encouraged to use it daily.

A medical man attached to the college attends on the gymnastic ground to
observe the efforts each boy is obliged to make in performing his
exercises. When the exercises are ended, the doctor examines the boy's
pulse, and, with the aid of an instrument invented for the purpose,
tests the heat of his brain. The boy with whom the exercises agree will
show a healthy heat and a strong, full pulse; whilst others will have
the brain extremely hot, with the pulse very quick, but feeble. The
doctor having formed his opinion, orders that these boys should
discontinue the exercises antagonistic to their system, and they are led
to those more adapted to their capabilities. The weaker boys are also
often separated from the stronger, to prevent that overstraining to
which a weak but high-spirited lad is frequently impelled by the
emulation of example.

In the allotment of exercises our aim is to develop thoroughly the
muscles, and to give a regular and general action to all the members,
but not to overstrain them. The power of each boy being thus carefully
remarked and regulated accordingly, all gather strength rapidly, and
most are soon able to resume the exercises for a time abandoned. Indeed,
by the precautions taken and the exercises selected, the body is
fortified and rendered so firm, that in after years it will bear very
great fatigue without sustaining injury.


BATHING IN THE SEA.

As already mentioned, ablutions are in great favour in Montalluyah, and
bathing is in constant use. At a certain period of the year--about six
weeks in the whole--our boys are made to bathe every morning in the open
sea, into which they are taught to leap from adjacent rocks. Having been
told off according to their strength and capabilities, they are
gradually led to higher and higher rocks, till at length they become
accustomed to jump from a vast height with ease and without fear, and
thus to dive in the sea.

When there is a timid boy, six or seven of the bravest are selected to
accompany him. They are directed on no account to urge him to jump off
the rocks, or to taunt him for not doing so, but to let him act as he
pleases. If he does not imitate their example by jumping off the rock,
the overlooker who has the care of the party will say, "As you have not
bathed from the rock, you had better bathe below;" and the boy is then
sent to bathe with the younger ones from the beach. Ere long, of his own
accord, he becomes desirous to imitate the braver boys of his own age;
though I have known twelve or more mornings to elapse before the higher
leap has been attempted.

When at last the boy has resolved to jump from the rock, great care is
taken neither to praise him too much nor to reproach him with
awkwardness. On his return to the school, he is examined by the doctor,
to see if his nerves have received too great a shock, and directions are
given accordingly. After a time all traces of timidity vanish, and
numbers of children have thus been cured of their first aversion to jump
from great heights into the sea.

No boy is allowed, under any circumstances, to taunt another with any
weakness or failing; and, consequently, the boy himself scarcely knows
that it is fear which has prevented him from doing the same thing as his
companions.

Every day throughout the year the boys are required to take a bath
either in the sea or at the institution, unless the doctor orders the
contrary.

Besides the consideration of cleanliness and its effect on the
complexion and health, the water used contains iron, which in our
climate is of itself very beneficial to the system.


TREE-EARTH BATHS.

Where a boy's aversion to study arises from physical weakness, we do not
urge him to persevere any more than we urge him against his inclination
to leap from a high rock; but, on the contrary, when a boy's bodily
strength fails him, and more especially in a case of superior
intelligence, his studies are suspended until the weakness is remedied.
Were the boy forced to persevere, he would probably suffer both in body
and mind. He is merely placed in a separate department of the college--a
kind of infirmary for strengthening the young, and promoting their
healthy development.

For giving the desired strength we most commonly employ "Tree-earth
Baths,"--that is to say, baths of fresh earth taken from beneath the
roots of certain trees, in which the boy is as it were buried, every
part of his body being covered, with the exception of his head. This
earth bath is placed in another bath containing hot water. The effect of
this operation in renewing the boy's strength and repairing the waste of
his body is marvellous.

When removed from the bath the boy is washed with tepid water, mixed
with a solution of bark, and on the following day a cold _douche_
is administered. The bath, in which the boy is kept for about an hour,
is administered at intervals of about ten days, and is so efficacious
that not more than twelve are required for the worst cases.

Previously to being immersed the boy is made to walk sharply for half an
hour, and, while he is in the bath, warm liquid food is administered.
The pores being opened facilitate the reception of the fresh exhalations
from the earth and the expulsion of the impure gases from the body. The
boy often sleeps whilst thus immersed, as it is considered highly
beneficial to inhale the fresh fragrance of the earth.

The electricities proper to the earth and trees being very sympathetic
to the human frame, they readily mingle with the electricity of the
patient and assist in repelling the unhealthy gases and impurities in
his body.

Earth electricity is of itself most beneficial, but its curative and
invigorating effects are vastly increased when impregnated with tree
electricity, which is strongest about the roots.

There are men whose sole occupation it is to collect the tree-earth, and
who become skilful in digging and removing the soil from underneath the
roots, without in the slightest degree injuring the tree.

The earth under many trees is good for the purpose above described, but
that about the roots of the oak, especially when of a ripe middle age,
is exceptionally efficacious.

The roots of another tree that you have, viz., the weeping willow,
offers a good earth for girls and also for boys of a susceptible nature,
for whom the oak-root earth might be too strong.

The elm, horse-chestnut, and lime-earths are all more powerful than that
of the oak, and therefore are rarely used, for their exceeding strength
would overpower the natural electricity and leave a lassitude in the
patient. The tree-earth baths are rarely used for adults, except in
cases when, earlier in my reign, the mental powers of several persons
had been overtaxed at the expense of their physical strength.




XXXIV.


THE AMUSEMENT GALLERY.


     "The simplest electricities are often meet to discover the most
     precious."


The Amusement Gallery constitutes an interesting feature in the child's
education, and so admirable have been its results, that the opening of
the first institution of the kind--recorded, as I have said, in one of
the great pictures in my summer palace--is regarded as a memorable
event, and is celebrated by the people in a yearly festival.

In a very long gallery, attached to each college, is a collection of
instructive toys adapted to all ages and dispositions. Amongst these are
harps and other musical instruments, made on a small scale to suit the
capacity of children, materials for drawing, painting, modelling, and
sculpture; maps, in relief, of cities and other parts of our world, and
all kinds of small birds and dwarf animals. I should not omit to state
that we have living horses and deer _in miniature_: they are about the
size of an ordinary lap-dog, though in many other respects resembling
the larger species. These with their little clothes and harness are
placed in the gallery, which likewise contains fresh fruit and flowers,
indeed almost everything that can be imagined for the recreation and
enjoyment of the child.

In the Girls' Amusement Gallery there are various kinds of fancy-work,
lace-work, and basket-work. Our basket-work is very beautiful, the
baskets being elegant in form and elaborately painted. Indeed, elegance
of form and harmony of colour are studied in all the objects selected.

Boys, being trained by manly recreations, necessarily have their
Amusement Gallery separate from that of the girls, though many of the
more elegant and refined amusements are to be found in both. The girls
attend their gallery, whatever may be their age, until they leave
school. On the other hand, the boy ceases to attend when the Character
divers and Judges think his attendance no longer desirable.

At each of the stalls in the gallery is stationed an intelligent person
skilled in some particular art. Of these some play on musical
instruments, some paint or model, others give oral instruction,
according to the nature of the compartment or the wishes of the child.

There are also "Walkers," who perambulate the gallery, encouraging the
child to amuse herself with what she likes, explaining the use of
different objects, answering the young inquirer's questions, and noting
in her any particular qualities or peculiarities. The results of these
observations are drawn up in the shape of reports for the use of the
Judges.

No restraint is put upon the children when in the gallery, but they are
allowed freely to follow the bent of their own inclinations. I have
often observed some of these little creatures ardent for amusement
responding to their own predilections; others taking interest in
frivolous things; others, again, listless, and interesting themselves in
nothing. Whilst many would examine with breathless attention, others
would ask questions, more or less intelligent, of the persons at the
head of each stall.

I have seen some children with an engrossing taste for painting, music,
and sculpture, who would rush straight to their favourite pursuit,
without being diverted by anything else, and who, if they found the
desired place already taken, would show disappointment, and perhaps
refuse any other occupation. Many, on the other hand, as soon as they
entered the gallery, would simply play with the little animals and
birds, or perhaps do nothing but eat fruit till the last minute, when
the bell announced that the time allotted for recreation was ended.

Some would do nothing but talk, and, in their simplicity, would find
fault with everything, after the too frequent fashion of adults, either
imagining they could do most things better than the rest, or
depreciating pursuits which they knew were beyond their ability.

Natures of this kind, where vanity is so predominant, require the
greatest care, for the failing is difficult to eradicate and would, if
not cured, be a source of great unhappiness in after life. To prevent
such a result, generally, means are taken to refine the taste of the
patient (if I may use the word), and call out the quality most opposed
to the infirmity, viz., that of looking out for beauties instead of
defects.

I have seen a little one change her amusements several times during the
hour. When a child, particularly a girl, continues to do this during
many weeks, it is regarded as a sign that if the disposition be not
checked she will grow up a capricious woman, and a treatment is
therefore adopted to stop the growth of the infirmity. Many a girl, who
would otherwise have proved a misery to herself and to others, has, by
the precautions taken, become a reasonable and meritorious woman.
However, children of a capricious temperament, even when seemingly
cured, require constant watching during some time, since they are very
prone to return to their old inclination for incessant change.

Versatility, it should be understood, is not confounded with caprice,
the difference between them being easily detected by the Character
divers. I have seen children show a love for seven or eight different
things and go from one thing to another, not from caprice, but to
satisfy the natural yearnings of their genius. I recollect a girl, and
she was but one amongst many, whose versatility was marvellous. One day
music would occupy her, and, although untaught, she would give promise
of becoming a brilliant performer; another day she would commence
sculpture, and at once go readily to work. She first made a ball with
the plaster, and then, on the second or third attempt, she would execute
something really well. So was it with painting and other arts. This love
of variety would formerly have been called caprice, and strenuous
efforts would have been made in a wrong direction to the discouragement,
perhaps to the ruin of the pupil; but I acted on a contrary principle,
knowing, as I did, that in giving varied talents Providence intended
that they should be exercised, and that, therefore, it would not be
decorous "to care for one part of the garden, and leave the others
overgrown with weeds." The girl was treated in accordance with this
view, and taking the highest honours and position, became a very
remarkable woman.

Judges are not expected to form an estimate of the child's character
until a certain time has elapsed and the reports of the different
officers have been examined and compared. Their decisions are then
registered, to be again examined and compared with subsequent reports.

The results obtained through the medium of the Amusement Gallery greatly
aids the Character-divers and others occupied with education, in rightly
directing the child's steps. The imposition of useless tasks, fatiguing
to the children and perhaps injurious to the young intelligence, is thus
avoided.




XXXV.


PRAYER.


     "Forget not the source whence all blessings come."


While stating that the prayers said by girls after their early meal are
short, I ought to have added that the same rule is followed with regard
to children of both sexes.

We even vary our forms of worship and services to suit different ages.
Before my reign adults and children went to the same places of worship,
repeated the same prayers, and listened to the same discourses, most of
which being perfectly unintelligible to those of tender years, the evils
and inconveniences resulting from the practice were very great. The
children, finding the routine irksome, the constrained decorum required
of them during a time which seemed to them never ending (for the
services were then very long) was painful in the extreme, though they
were sometimes relieved by turning their thoughts in other directions,
perhaps to subjects irrelevant if not opposed to the ostensible object
of the meeting.

Thus pain and weariness became then and in after life naturally
associated with the most sacred of duties, and generally those, who at
an early age had been obliged to attend most regularly to an
unintelligible and irksome routine, were in after life those who
absented themselves most frequently from the place of worship. I have
known some, and this will scarcely be credited, who from an early age
had in obedience to their parents' commands attended church with what
was to them painful and monotonous regularity, and who, as soon as they
were old enough to leave the parental jurisdiction, never entered a
place of worship again until the day of their death, so great had been
their stifled repugnance, created by the unnatural surfeit which had
been inflicted upon them.

This was not all: the repugnance thus engendered often extended even to
the faith itself which the prayers and discourses had been intended to
inculcate, and led the way in after life to doubt and disbelief.

There was another though a secondary evil, attendant upon these old
formalities. In our climate, where children are very susceptible, it
happened that when on rare occasions any striking observation attracted
their attention, they would put questions very difficult for their
parents or preceptors to answer.

The forms of worship and service are now adapted to three several ages
and classes of intelligence. The first series is for children of from
seven to ten years of age, the second for children from ten to sixteen,
the third for adults. If the children, however, show any deficiency of
intelligence, they are kept in the first or second series, though the
stated age has been passed.

The discourses addressed to the young people are adapted to their age
and intelligence, and ordinarily bear reference to their own passing
actions, and consequently to their hours of play and of study. They are
intended to inculcate lessons of self-control, love for parents or
associates, contentment, and the mode of showing gratitude for benefits
received, by cultivating the faculties which God in His goodness has
bestowed. The discourse often points out the mode of contending against
any bad feelings that might possibly be awakened. They might be told,
for instance, that if during play any dissatisfaction with their
companions arose, and they felt they could not control themselves, they
ought immediately to retire from the game, in order that their feelings
might have the opportunity of returning to their proper channel, and on
no account to urge anything against the supposed offender until they had
advised with some friendly adult, or more especially a Character-diver.

The children are encouraged not only in their affection to their parents
and immediate associates, but in brotherly love to all, and the whole
discourse, which is very short, is pointed to their duty to God, being
calculated to instil feelings of love and adoration for His goodness.

In the first series, for very young children whose intelligence is
undeveloped, we have forms and ceremonies, the tendency of which is to
fix their attention and inculcate thoughts and habits of a good
tendency.

In the second series the addresses are of a more elevated character, and
are accompanied by fewer forms and ceremonies.

In the highest series there are scarcely any ceremonies, and although
the service and discourses are short, every one is expected to pass a
certain time each day in voluntary prayer and meditation in the private
cabinet which in every house is set apart for devotion only.

Though the prayers for children are short, the preacher is greatly
assisted by our method of education, inculcating the worship of the
Supreme by habits which the child is led to form. Thus we require the
greatest attention to cleanliness, to the mode of eating, sleeping,
talking, and indeed to all the daily practices of life.

The inculcation and exercise of good habits is considered to form, as it
were, a perpetual living hymn to the Creator.


LECTURES.

Besides all this, twice a week, amusing lectures are delivered, on
familiar subjects, to explain and illustrate the power and goodness of
God.

A flower, for instance, is taken, and, in simple terms, intelligible to
nearly every capacity, attention is called to its thousand fibres, its
construction, growth, perfume, colour, delicacy of texture, loveliness,
and to the wonders associated with its birth, death, and resurrection to
life.

Another day, perhaps, the subject may be a child, a fly, or some other
familiar object; but, whatever be the subject, the discourse is of a
good tendency, and youth are early imbued with love and admiration for
the Supreme Being.

Our objection to children repeating or listening to words which they do
not understand is not confined to those of sacred import. During the
education of their young minds the subjects taught and the expressions
used are adapted to their intelligence. Even though they may repeat
every word of the lesson set with minute accuracy, they are not allowed
to quit it, or to attend a lecture on another subject, until they have
passed through examination in different forms, and often by different
masters, and the result has clearly shown that they thoroughly
understand what the words of the lesson are intended to convey.

So important is this considered that, on the occasion of the public
solemn ceremony, when in presence of the Kings the preceptor is
appointed to his responsible duties, one of the obligations to which he
is required to subscribe is, that he will teach the pupil to understand
thoroughly, and not merely by rote,--"monkey-like," or as you would
probably say, "parrot-like," were the same obligation imposed in your
world.




XXXVI.


FLOCKS AND HERDS.

TREATMENT OF ANIMALS.


     "Why are the poor hungry?--Why do not your flocks and herds
     multiply and increase?--Why do ye maltreat the sire and kill the
     mother of many progenies."

     "Obey my Laws, and your flocks will equal in number the drops of
     water in the great Cataract, which ever flowing, ever merging in
     the mighty Ocean, is constantly supplied with new increase for the
     refreshment and delight of Montalluyah."


Amongst the numerous precautions for the promotion of the general health
is the attention given to the subject of animal food, the care taken of
the beast, the mode of slaughtering, and the rigour with which every
beast having the slightest tendency to disease is rejected as unfit for
food.

All animals, and particularly those intended for food, are now treated
with great kindness, gentle treatment and cleanliness being thought
essential to the excellence of the meat. Formerly, when the beasts were
improperly treated, the growth of the young was impeded and the quality
of the meat deteriorated. They are now watched over with the utmost
care, the greatest attention is paid to the most minute particulars, and
so well are they treated, that, notwithstanding the heat of the climate,
they are quite tame. When any one goes into a field, the sheep and lambs
will come round him and lick his hand. Their pasture is changed every
week, for it is found that, when in our climate grass is eaten too
closely, noxious insects are bred by the accumulation of stale manure.
In or near every pasturage are pools of running water, to which the
animals are conducted daily. These are supplied by a very high jet
which, when in action, throws its water from a reservoir to a long
distance, which may even be increased by means of pipes, and thus
fertilizes the field. Much of the water proceeds in the first instance
from the cataracts, which begin high above the level of the meadows. As
soon as the animals are turned out, the jet is made to play on the
fields they have quitted. Then the moisture, mingling with the fresh
manure, and our glorious sun enrich the land, and luxuriant grass is
quickly produced.

In former years diseases prevailed amongst our flocks and herds. We had
one amongst the sheep, not unlike the smallpox of your world. These
diseases were generated partly by the filthiness of the pasturage, and
partly by a want of change, which I believe to be principal causes of
many of your cattle diseases. We now give far more attention to the
cleanliness and health of the animal than in our world was formerly
bestowed on the poor.

In every field is a shady spot, contrived to protect the animals from
the sun during the heat of the day. The ground being very undulating, a
shade is obtained by merely throwing out, from the higher land above,
some wood or other material to serve as a roof.

In case of illness among the animals, the great remedy used is a
particular kind of electricity, which gives an impulse to the blood and
changes the humours. This, with diet and care, is the only expedient
employed to restore the animal to health. If a female animal is of a
sickly nature and likely to give birth to inferior beasts, she is
quietly put out of the way.


THE MALE ALONE KILLED.

To the care taken of the beasts is greatly due the perfection of their
breed and to a certain extent their numbers; but the law that
contributes most to the marvellous increase of our flocks and herds is
that which forbids the slaughter of the female. In every species the
male only is used for food. If we killed the mother we should, as it
were, kill the progeny that would otherwise be bred from her, and our
immense stocks would not then be a hundredth part as numerous as they
are at present.

The cow, after she has ceased bearing, is used to carry the women's
baskets, or for very light draughts. The ewe, when she has ceased
bearing, is trained to assist in field and garden operations, to pull up
cabbages, carrots, and other vegetables, being, in short, more useful to
us than the dog.


SLAUGHTERING ANIMALS.

In killing animals for food all painful processes are avoided. Under the
old system the cruelty with which the animal was treated, and its
suffering from the violence of the death-struggle greatly affected the
quality of the meat, lessened its nutritive powers, and rendered it less
digestible, and very often exciting and injurious. Now, when an animal
is to be killed, it is placed in a large lighted stable, over which is a
loft, communicating with it by means of a grating. In this a man is
stationed, who thrusts through the grating a long stick, baited with a
bunch of fresh grass, in the middle of which is contained a small
globule endued with the property of depriving the animal of all
consciousness and sense of feeling. As soon as the beast has eaten the
grass, and consequently swallowed the pill, he staggers and falls; and,
before he has time to recover, the butcher despatches him by cutting his
throat and letting out the blood, whereupon he dies a painless death,
without a struggle. Only one animal is despatched at a time in the same
stable, so that one does not see another killed. There is reason for
this precaution.

A lamb takes the ball of grass from the hand, for it is thus our
shepherds sometimes feed them. Poultry are killed by very small
quantities of the preparation being mixed with their grain; the fowls
sometimes take up two or three grains not impregnated with the material,
but as soon as the smallest particle is swallowed they stagger and fall.
It is interesting to see this, the effect is so instantaneous. The
ingredient used does not in any way injure the meat and is indeed
considered beneficial, even to the human system, when administered in
small quantities, since the torpor it causes at the moment is succeeded
by increased vitality and strength.


THE BLOOD OF ANIMALS.

When the animal is killed we are very scrupulous in pouring out the
blood, which we avoid using for any purpose connected with food. On
_every_ occasion of the kind "field doctors" are present to see that all
due precautions are taken. They analyse the blood, and if it does not
contain the proper ingredients, the animal is looked upon as diseased,
and its flesh rejected as so far unwholesome; in our climate it would be
difficult of digestion, and produce heaviness, disinclination to study,
despondency and other inconveniences. Blood is said to contain the
electricity that, in connection with the electricity on the nerves,
gives action, feeling, pleasure, and pain. Blood, indeed, contains as it
were the material through which the life of the animal carries on its
operations.


PROTECTION OF THE MEAT FROM INSECTS.

The animal as soon as killed is cut up into different portions, each of
which is placed for a few minutes in a large vessel containing an
infusion of a certain herb, to which flies and winged insects of all
kinds have a great antipathy. The steeping of the meat into this
preparation effectually protects it against their approach. There are
immense numbers of winged insects in our climate, but none will approach
food which has been steeped in an infusion of this herb. By these and
other precautions they are kept within certain limits and driven to the
uses for which nature intended them. It is not necessary to keep the
meat in the vessel for more than a few minutes, nor does the liquid
deteriorate the quality or taste of the meat. Far from being noxious to
the human race, the herb, which is free from smell, contains a healthy
bitter, is cooling and refreshing, and cleanses and preserves the pores
of the skin.

Formerly numbers of persons were affected by the deposits, which, left
by flies on meats and provisions generally, caused irritation of the
bowels, diarrhoea, and vomit, and were otherwise very injurious to the
system.


I may here mention that a preparation of the herb to which I have
referred is used for fruits and provisions generally, which are
protected by a light gauze steeped in an infusion of the herb and thrown
loosely over them; though, indeed, it is only necessary to place the
gauze at the side of the provisions to prevent the approach of the
enemy.

This infusion is also used in our houses, and during repasts; couches,
bedding, and coverings are sprinkled with the liquid. A preparation is
also used for the toilette, in order to protect the head and face from
the flies.


CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Cruelty to an animal, even when not intended for food, entails so much
disgrace that it is an offence of the rarest occurrence. My laws provide
various punishments according to the grade of the offender and the
nature of the offence.

If a common man were really cruel to his horse he would be compelled to
draw his merchandise by hand. If the offence were committed by a man of
high position the punishment would be more severe, and not only would he
be treated as though he were unworthy of exercising power over good
animals and consequently deprived of all his horses, but he would be
supplied with a vicious horse, which, perhaps, he would be obliged to
ride along a dangerous path, that he might thus be made to appreciate
the superior gentleness of the one he had maltreated. If the offence
were repeated, he would be degraded from his position or condemned
during a certain period to wear "the dress of shame."




XXXVII.


THE ALLMANYUKA.


     "Improve Nature's gifts, and with her elements form new
     compounds....

     "Were man's faculties given that they should slumber?"


Nothing engaged my attention more than the health of my people. I had
satisfied myself that the most virulent diseases took their development
from minute, nay, almost imperceptible causes.

As I had determined to find out the germs of faults in children, which,
when neglected, led to confirmed vices in the adult; so I was determined
to discover disease in its incipience, and wherever possible, to remove
the exciting cause.

I have already referred to the creation of a new fruit-vegetable, as one
of the subjects of a series of pictures in my summer palace. I will now
relate to you some facts regarding the production of the fruit, the
offspring of my anxiety for the health of the people.

In the early part of my reign, before the means had been discovered for
detecting the incipient germs of disease, the people were afflicted by
the return of a painful malady, with which they had often been afflicted
before. It was attended with irritation of the intestines, and carried
the sufferer off rapidly; for, although all the doctors were familiar
with the symptoms, none of them had been able to discover the cause of
the disease, or its cure.

I remarked that the children at the colleges were not attacked by this
disease, and therefore thought that it had probably originated in
something used by adults and not by the young.

The truth of my hypothesis was soon tested. A person of robust frame,
whom I much esteemed, died suddenly of the malady. I entreated his
friends, in the interest of humanity, to allow his body to be examined.

The people at this period indulged in the use of sauces, seasoned with
strong stimulating spices. These were excluded from colleges, and
consequently were used by adults only.

I communicated my opinion to the doctors: viz., that in the case they
were about to examine, it would be found that these burning condiments
had inflamed the intestines, and impeded nature in the discharge of her
functions. My impressions were correct. With the aid of the electric
microscope upwards of forty minute ulcers, highly inflamed, were
discovered in the intestines of the deceased, and in each of these
ulcers were seen several minute grains of some very hot condiments much
in use, which had affected the inner membrane, generated the ulcers, and
caused a hasty but painful death.

Assured of the baneful effect of the condiments, I determined to forbid
their use, though I knew this would be a serious infliction on the
people, inasmuch as the extreme heat of our climate made stimulants
necessary. The condiments were much liked, and amongst all the many
fruits and vegetables we possessed there were none that could be used as
substitutes.

On forbidding their use, I made known publicly the discovery that had
been made, every particular being clearly explained, that the people
might be convinced that I was acting for their good.

In obedience to my orders, the spices were collected from every quarter,
and placed in large warehouses secured under lock. The "bolts" were
delivered to the kings, who were astonished at the rapidity with which I
had obtained obedience to a decree depriving all of what had become a
daily want.

I saw, however, that unless the people were supplied with a substitute
for what they had lost, they would soon return to the deleterious
condiments in spite of my decree.

Having made known to all about me that I wished some hours for serious
thought, I shut myself up in a little cabinet at the summit of my
palace, where I could see only the heavens. All around me was silent and
calm as night.

Having prayed the aid of the Great Power, I endeavoured, by intense
meditation, to discover what healthful condiment could be substituted
for the deleterious spices of which the people were deprived.

After many hours of deep meditation, a ray of light burst on me and I
was inspired with a happy thought. I could not as yet see the result
clearly, but nevertheless I felt that in the end my efforts would be
blessed with success. I did not hesitate to publish the fact that I had
made a discovery which, when perfected, would repay the people twenty-fold
for the loss of the condiments they had given up in obedience to my
decree.

In the mean time, until I could fully carry out my intention, I allowed
the people a particular kind of cordial; for I found that, after the
extraordinary heat of the day, many persons required stimulants,
especially mothers, who had been educated before my laws had come into
operation, and whose health and constitution had not consequently been
properly fortified.

I proceeded with my work. We have a small vegetable, called Jappeehanka,
that hangs from its stem like a fruit and has a rich creamy taste,
without any other flavour. I grafted this vegetable on a tree called
Klook, the fruit of which, used generally by persons of delicate
digestion, had a sour aromatic flavour.

After many disappointments and unsuccessful attempts to obtain the
vegetable I wished, I succeeded, by artificial means frequently
employed, in growing a small vegetable, combining the flavour of a
delicate cream with the piquancy of lemon.

The most difficult part of my task had however not been accomplished,
namely, to give to the vegetable all the aromatic and stimulating
flavours of the prohibited spices.

A fine specimen of the seed of each of the spice plants having been
procured, I took from the heart of each seed the smallest possible
particle, and, having with the greatest care made an incision in one of
the finest seeds of my new vegetable, I inserted therein one specimen of
each of these minute particles.

The incision was made in the centre of the seed, but not deep enough to
enter or injure its heart.

The seed of my cream-lemon vegetable, containing the spice seed
particles, I confided to the care of my principal gardener, a man of
great scientific skill and intelligence.

I must not omit to say that we extracted the oil out of the roots of
each of the spices formerly in general use and mixed the oils with the
earth in which we planted the newly-compounded vegetable seed.

We watched the precious seed night and day with anxious solicitude. I
had other seeds ready prepared and planted, in case this should fail.

One night in my slumber I was disturbed by my attendant telling me that
the gardener had an important communication to make. I bade him enter.
He came to make known to me that my labours had been so far successful,
that, in the vase of earth in which the seed had been planted, a little
white bud was bursting from the ground. He brought the vase in his arms,
and I will not deny that I shed tears of joy.

About three years from that time, to my delight, fruit made its
appearance. I watched with greedy eagerness the day when it would ripen.

I cannot tell you with what anxiety I tended its growth. I fancy at this
moment I feel the heart-beatings that always accompanied me as I
approached the spot where the plant was placed.

The gardener, desiring to save me some of the pain of deferred hope,
told me that the time of ripening would be later than I had anticipated.

A little in advance, however, of the time I had foretold, the gardener
entered my study, with a face radiant with joy, and placed before me one
of the prettiest little baskets I had ever seen, though the beauty of
our basket-work is, as I have said, remarkable. I thought it must be a
present from his wife, for she was very skilful and often presented me
with baskets of her own work. Loving my people as I did and looking on
them all as my children, I saw the nervous state of the man, and to
reassure him, I said, "This is kind of your fair Lineena." At the same
time I admiringly examined the basket, but its weight indicating that
there was something inside, I raised the lid, and beholding its contents
I uttered a cry, such a cry of joy as might escape a parent on finding a
long-lost child.

The basket contained a specimen of the precious fruit quite ripe. I
turned it on every side with anxious interest, and, having congratulated
my faithful gardener, who had so zealously carried out my wishes, I
descended to the culinary department, for I would not trust the precious
treasure to others, and I immediately proceeded to cook the vegetable of
my creation.

I directed a small bird to be prepared with which to eat the new
condiment, that I might thus test its properties; when it had been
served, I directed the gardener to sit at my table. The success was
beyond my best hopes. By the process of cooking, the fruit-vegetable had
been dissolved to the consistency of a jelly, and formed the most
relishing sauce ever tasted,--aromatic, stimulating, and appetising.

To a richness like cream was added the pungency and aromatic flavour of
spices, with the relish of salt and the piquancy of fresh lemon-juice--
in a word, the combination presented the finest flavour for a condiment
that could possibly be desired, surpassing all the spices and sauces
hitherto known in my world. Indeed, it was so exquisitely appetising
that an epicure might easily be tempted to eat the vegetable without the
addition of the meat.

During the growth of the tree, many slips had been planted, which were
then in a flourishing state, so that in a very short time the vegetable
fruit was cultivated extensively, and became a household necessity.

On examining the Allmanyuka (for so we called this fruit-vegetable,
meaning, that it combined every valuable quality), and observing its
effects, the doctors pronounced it very wholesome and nutritious, and
admirably suited to persons of dyspeptic habit, inasmuch as it dispelled
all symptoms of flatulency and, by its tonic and digestive qualities,
gave a feeling of lightness to the senses.

The people wondered, and were loud in the manifestations of their
gratitude, but my joy was even greater than theirs; for I had
accomplished a lasting good for the subjects I loved.

Accompanied by my harp, I sang praises, with all the fervour of my soul,
to Him who had inspired me with the thought, and had endowed me with
patience and strength for its consummation.


Fruits had often been increased in size or improved in quality and
productiveness, by grafting one tree upon another; but no new fruit had
previously been created. There were instances, where trees of different
kinds, the one grafted on the other, had borne two kinds of fruit. This,
however, was the first instance where other means, besides grafting,
were employed, and where an entirely new fruit had been brought into
existence.


The Allmanyuka grows like a tree, and its stem is supported by sticks.
The fruit, which hangs from its branches, is in shape, but in shape
only, not unlike your vegetable-marrow, being covered with little
circular divisions, each containing others still more minute.

Its colour, when raw, is of the brightest violet, which through the
culinary process becomes a beautiful red, though I should observe, that
the first compound vegetable in the seeds of which I inserted the spice
particles was yellow.


It may not be uninteresting to know that the Allmanyuka is cooked in a
vessel over steam. Indeed, everything with us is cooked by steam, this
being especially serviceable, on account of the steadiness of its
action. There are machines to regulate the force and action of the
steam, and the attendant has only to obey mechanically the simplest
instructions.


The Allmanyuka is used in some sick-rooms as a fumigator. For this
purpose it is cut into slices, and the exuded juice which it bleeds is
accompanied with an agreeable aromatic odour.

The fruit possesses many other valuable properties. After its discovery
my people were never more afflicted with the maladies for the prevention
of which it had been created. It was sometimes called by the name given
by me,--often by a term signifying, "Inspiration of the Father of the
World." [1]

       *       *       *       *       *

     [Footnote 1: Although it may appear incongruous to
     refer to a philosopher of this earth as illustrating
     the work of a philosopher of another planet, the Editor
     cannot help quoting a passage from a man possessed of
     wondrous prescience, who, to use his own words, "held
     up a lamp in the obscurity of philosophy that would be
     seen ages after he was dead." It will also in a measure
     convey the difference between the process of grafting
     and the course pursued by the Tootmanyoso in the
     creation of the Allmanyuka.

     The inspired philosopher says: "The compounding or
     mixing of kinds in plants is not found out, which,
     nevertheless, if it be possible, is more at command
     than that of living creatures, for that their lust
     requireth a voluntary motion; wherefore it were one of
     the most noble experiments touching plants to find it
     out; for so you may have great variety of new fruits
     and flowers yet unknown. Grafting doth it not; it
     mendeth the fruit or doubleth the flowers, etc.; but it
     hath not the power to make a new kind. For the scion
     ever over-ruleth the stock."--_Bacon's_ 'Sylva
     Sylvarum.']




XXXVIII.


PAPER.


     "...A handmaid and messenger of Memory.
     A recorder of the aspirations of Genius."


There is a peculiarity in the leaf of the Allmanyuka which I will now
mention; but, to make myself intelligible, I must give you some few
facts about our paper, of which we have an unlimited supply, and which
is made from the leaves of nearly every kind of tree, gathered just
before they begin to fade, but whilst still green. Dead leaves are used
for other purposes.

The leaves of some trees make finer paper than others, and, though every
kind of leaf is available, one kind only at a time is used to make paper
of the finest quality. Mixed leaves are used to make paper of a common
and coarser kind.

All papers, when dried in the sun, have a glossy surface, and none can
be torn, or ignited by the application of fire; the paper will smoulder,
but not burst into flame. Our paper is transparent, and is besides so
very light, soft, and pliable, that in warm weather it is used for
children's dresses. Very pretty it is to see the graceful movements of
the little creatures' limbs through the pellucid costumes, which are
made complete without a seam, the material being most beautifully fine,
like one of the silk gauzes of your India.

In our world it was well known that paper could be made from rags, but
this material was not as plentiful as leaves, and we discovered,
moreover, that it was injurious to the workmen, whilst the manufacture
from leaves not only produces a paper far superior to that made with
rags, but is a most healthful occupation.

Our trees are, I believe, more numerous than yours; but you have many
trees even in Europe from the leaves of which excellent paper of a kind
similar to ours could be made, as, for instance, the horse-chestnut and
oak. The horse-chestnut leaf makes some of the best paper; the leaves of
the lilac-tree and of the apple-tree are also excellent; but perhaps the
best leaf of all for very fine paper is the vine leaf, which has less
moisture, and gives less trouble in the preparation.

In the manufacture of paper the leaves are subjected to a great
pressure, and the fragrance emitted from the crushed leaves is
delicious, and considered very wholesome, so much so indeed that young
children are often sent to reside near the place where the leaves are
being crushed to inhale the fragrance.

The original moisture is removed by a substance, chiefly consisting of a
very fine sand, beautifully compounded with other materials, and spread
over a hard pliant stuff. This laid on the pressed pulp sucks out all
the original moisture. The fine sand material, though possessing quite a
smooth surface, is like a sponge in its power of suction, and, when
used, is unrolled and pressed over the pulp by a machine.

This done, the plate containing the paper is moved to an adjoining part
of the building, which is roofless, and is there exposed to the rays of
the sun, which finishes the drying process and gives a beautiful glaze
or polish to the paper. Nothing so well dries the paper as the sun, as
we have proved by frequent experiments. After the sun, fire is the most
efficacious agent; but this gives the paper a dead and chill appearance.

Our paper is as good as yours, though not better to write upon. I have
already informed you of some of the points of difference between them.
Paper can be made to almost any size, and without any seam. One other
peculiarity is that our paper makes no more noise when doubled up than a
piece of linen.

The colour principally in use is that of cream or a very light yellow;
for though we can produce a chalky white, we do not use it in our
stuffs, except for linen.

There is a paper which we call "natural," because its green colour
exceptionally resembles that of the leaf, although it is purely
artificial, being produced by the use of a powder obtained from a
particular fruit which hangs from a tree in the shape of small eggs, and
contains a white powder of a sticky consistency. This powder is mixed
with the leaves, and the paper thus prepared is very transparent. At
first it has a kind of primrose tint, but, when subjected to heat, or to
the sun, turns green. The egg called "Brulista Tavi," or "Lime Egg,"
follows a small blossom, but the fruit alone is used. The trees are
plentiful, growing on marshy ground, a long distance from, the city, for
there are no marshes in its vicinity.


GOLDEN-COLOURED PAPER.

Some paper is of a pure gold colour, the result of a property inherent
in the leaf itself and needing no extraneous application.

I have told you that the coarse paper is made with leaves of every
description mixed together. On one occasion some of the paper, when
dried, became speckled with gold in different parts, presenting a
beautiful appearance, which astonished the overseer and workmen. The
paper was brought to me, and I directed the overseer to endeavour to
detect in future processes the cause of these beautiful specks. Many
trials were made, but he did not for months find any gold in the paper.

I meditated much on the subject, and one night I retired to rest with
the singular phenomenon still in my mind. In my sleep I saw my tree, the
Allmanyuka, all gold.

On awaking I immediately sent for the overseer, and, without relating
what I had seen in my sleep, I told him that I was impressed with the
belief that it was the leaf of my tree that produced the gold specks,
and requested him to have some paper made entirely from the Allmanyuka
leaf, and to use the most delicate machine for the experiment.

Though accustomed to obey my orders in implicit faith, the overseer
confessed to me afterwards that for certain reasons he had great cause
to doubt whether the experiment would succeed. It, however, was
commenced without delay. The pulp, or jelly, after having passed through
the process of boiling, was of a neutral tint, without the least
appearance of gold, and all hope of the desired colour vanished in the
thought of the workmen. It was, indeed, reported to me that no golden
tint was apparent; but I did not yet despair.

When the pulp was spread out with the trowel, it remained still
colourless, but after it had undergone the process of pressing, which
generally took place immediately before sponging, it presented to the
astonished workmen the appearance of one sheet of gold; and when it had
been exposed to the sun, it acquired the highest golden polish possible.

The material thus obtained is finer than cambric, and is used for
beautiful scarfs, sun-turbans, neckties for ladies, slippers, covers,
cushions, and various ornamental articles.




XXXIX.


CONSUMPTION.

THE ÉMEUTE.


     "The huge poison-tree once lay concealed in the heart of the minute
     seed. Why seek ye not the germs of disease poison in their minute
     receptacles?"


Formerly, in certain parts of the low marshy lands, the moist and
noxious exhalations generated various diseases, particularly one
answering to your phthisis, and called by us karni-feroli, that is,
"absorption of the vitality." Numbers lingered, with energies depressed
and faculties impaired, till cut off by death. In its early stages, the
disease gave no indications of its presence beyond the signs common to
the most ordinary illnesses to which, indeed, they were attributed.
However, no remedy was found by the doctors.

Even where the possible presence of the disease was suspected, the
respiratory organs of the sufferer were subjected to various tests; but
if certain symptoms were absent, and the patient breathed easily, the
physicians concluded that there was no danger in the case. The signs
they sought were in reality those belonging to an advanced state of the
disease and, when these appeared, the malady was generally beyond cure.

No effectual measures were taken for discovering indications of the
earlier stages of the malady before the beginning of my reign, when I
observed that many young girls, who at first seemed to suffer only from
debility and lowness of spirits, soon afterwards withered, and died of
what was then called by a term answering to your expression of "rapid
consumption." This often happened where the patients had been previously
pronounced free from organic disease.

I knew that, in the physical as in the moral constitution, evils,
however grave, have their origin in some incipient germ of small
proportions, and I would not believe that the confirmed ulcers, which I
had seen during the examination of diseased lungs in the Theatre of
Anatomy, had arisen suddenly, for I reflected that the operations of
nature are gradual. These ulcers, which are, I think, called "tubercles"
by your physicians, had been the immediate cause of many deaths.

After much meditation, I concluded that the actual beginning of the
malady was unknown, and that the inability of the doctors to master the
disease arose from the inadequacy of the means employed for its earlier
detection.

I had frequently expressed my convictions to the ablest medical men, but
they held to their opinions and practice with unyielding tenacity. Our
doctors at that time thought that there was no science beyond what they
themselves knew, just as there were many able men who maintained that
there was no other world but Montalluyah, until the invention of my
telescope brought your earth and other worlds within the limit of their
vision.


A young and interesting girl, a penitent, from a course of incontinence
and excess, suffered much from weakness and lowness of spirits. The
doctors examined her in the usual approved way, with and without their
instruments, and declared that her lungs were healthy and sound; all
that now ailed her, they said, was the depression arising from
involuntary regrets and longings for the excitements of her former life.
I had a strong impression, however, that this was not the cause of her
prostration, firmly believing that her lungs were affected, though the
doctors assured me that they had used every test with scrupulous care to
detect disease and had arrived at a contrary decision. Not being
convinced, I requested them to give me a daily report of the girl's
progress.

As she grew weaker, the doctors determined to administer a powerful
potion, which would lay the foundation of her cure, if their estimate of
the malady was right, but would accelerate death if the lungs were
really affected. Persuaded that, in the then state of medical knowledge,
the girl's life could not be saved, if the disease was really phthisis,
and knowing that, if it was not the case, the potion was calculated to
do good, I did not prevent the doctors from acting according to their
own convictions.

The potion was administered accordingly, and the girl soon fell into a
calm and tranquil sleep, from which, to the surprise and consternation
of the physicians, she never awoke.

The body was examined, and on the right lung were found pimples, small
indeed, but visible to the naked eye, which, on closer examination with
the microscope, proved to be incipient tubercles; the left lung was
similarly affected. These incipient tubercles, though sufficient to
cause languor and debility, by attracting the vitality of the body, had
not yet become of sufficient size and virulence to affect her breathing;
hence her lungs were considered sound by the doctors, who only regarded
the usual tests.


I called together the principal physicians, chemists and heads of
science, and requested them carefully to study this formidable disease;
and, after a time, the discovery was made that all the most fatal cases
of consumption were ushered in by the appearance on the lungs of minute
incipient spots, which attract and feed on the vital juices of the body.
These spots swell gradually into pimples of a reddish hue, on which
ultimately a small yellow head appears. This breaks in due course, and
the matter discharged spreads, combines, and assists in the growth and
accumulation of other and larger tubercles, which cause much pain,
greatly impede the passage of the air, and eventually carry off the
patient.

Although pain is sometimes felt in the earlier stages of the malady, the
passage of the air through the lungs is not as yet affected to any very
perceptible extent. It was also found that the ordinary symptoms
accompanying the presence of these spots were similar to those produced
by many other causes; so that the symptoms of one disease might easily
be mistaken for--as was actually the case--those of another.

The tests hitherto used were thus clearly shown to be insufficient for
detecting the disease, until the tubercles had assumed a size and
virulence sufficient to affect the breathing,--until, in fact, the
malady was too often beyond cure.

After some time and many experiments, most efficacious means were
discovered for detecting and curing this dreadful disease while still in
its incipient state.


I ought to mention, that on the death of the girl to whom the potion was
administered, her friends learning that I had not opposed the
administering the fatal potion, were very violent against me and,
instigated by those who had at first opposed my law, openly declared
that she had been put to death by my orders. They thus succeeded in
arousing the passions of the multitude. At that time many young persons
were dying of consumption in a marshy valley, while others were
afflicted with disorders, which baffled the skill of the physicians and
were accompanied with the same symptoms that attended the malady of the
deceased girl. During the popular excitement to which I have referred,
the parents of these sufferers were made to believe that potions similar
to those which had already been administered with such fatal results,
were now to be administered to their own sick children, and that similar
results would ensue.

I lost not a moment in summoning before me the heads of families and
friends of the sufferers, at the same time announcing the subject on
which I wished to discourse.

The meeting took place in the great hall of my palace, which is capable
of containing many thousands, and I explained to the assembled multitude
that when the potion was administered to the deceased girl, the malady
was so far advanced that there were no means of saving her life, and
that in administering the potion the doctors had hoped to do good,
believing, contrary to my own convictions, that the complaint was not
organic. I explained that her death, and the knowledge gained by the
examination of her lungs, would be the salvation of most of their
children, of the nature of whose malady the doctors were now convinced.

Asked by the girl's friends if I would myself take a potion similar to
that administered to the girl, I offered to drink double the quantity,
in the presence of the assembled multitude. When the cup was close to my
lips, and I was about to drink the potion, a woman in the crowd called
out that the liquid I held in my hand was innocuous, and very different
to the poisonous draught administered to the girl! So convinced was she
of this, that she offered to let her own child drink the potion out of
my cup!

This child being, as I believed, afflicted with incipient consumption, I
cautioned the mother, explaining to her what would be the consequences
of her rashness. Still she insisted, and adhered to her opinion that if
I could drink the potion with impunity, the child could do the same. I
resisted, until at length many in the crowd, who had before been
influenced by my words, inferred from my hesitation that what the woman
said was really true! Perceiving that further hesitation on my part
would result in great evil, and in many deaths, I allowed the child to
drink a quarter of the potion, and I swallowed the rest myself. My lungs
being perfectly sound the potion only stimulated my system, but the
effect on the child was the same as it had been on the girl: it slept,
and woke no more.


Having addressed the people for a long time and calmed their anger, I
requested them to proceed to the place where the girl's body lay, to
convince themselves of the advanced state of the disease under which she
bad suffered. They were then marshalled by the officers of my palace,
and proceeded to the Anatomical Theatre, where they satisfied themselves
with their own eyes of the truth of what I had told them. Public
confidence was restored, and many sufferers were saved from premature
death.

Effective means were afterwards taken to detect the minute incipient
pimples with which the disease was always ushered in, and never
afterwards was it allowed to reach serious proportions. It was destroyed
in its earliest germ, and thus much power and vitality and thousands of
lives were saved to the State.




XL.


THE HARP.


     "Music....the emanation of the concentrated light of the
     soul....The language of the angels."


The harp is our principal musical instrument. We have one that is
portable and in form like a lyre; but our great harp is much larger than
yours, differently constructed, and far more effective, combining, as it
does, in its tones all the delicacy, expression, and oneness of a single
executant, with the brilliancy and power of a combined body of
performers.

It rests on a ball firmly placed on a massive pedestal, which is easily
moved from one place to another by means of small wheels. The ball on
which the harp rests revolves in a socket, so that the instrument can
easily be placed in the position the performer desires, and then, by
means of a bolt, fixed firmly in its place. No support from the
executant is needed. The harp does not rest upon him in any way, and he
has, at the same time, entire power over every part.

The instrument is divided into fourths, that is, into four sets of
chords. The first only of these four sets is touched by the player, but
on any of the first set being intoned, each corresponding string of the
three other sets, all of which are stouter and more powerful than the
set played upon, resounds in harmony.

The power given out by the three sets of strings is proportioned to the
sound produced on the first set by the performer, as the force of an
echo is stronger or weaker according as the sound producing it is
increased or diminished in volume.

In the framework of the harp there are conducting strings of
electricity, which unite all the rest with the first set and with each
other. The electricity is generated by a liquid contained in a small
tube, and is set in motion by the movement of the strings of the first
set of chords. The tube can be placed in or removed from the instrument
with the greatest ease; without it, the first set alone responds to the
player's touch.

The musician has the power of varying and depressing the notes of the
instrument in a marvellous manner, so as to produce instantaneously the
most delicate or the most powerful sounds, with endless modulations and
variety of tone. I have heard echoes and responses given out as though
the music had been breathed from a great distance;--the gentlest
whispers were alternated with all the force of a band of music.

I could not, without much expenditure of time and labour, and without
explaining our science of music, which is altogether different to yours,
convey to you an adequate notion of the effect produced by a skilful
player. I have seen a multitude turned away from evil designs by the
exquisite playing of the harpist--their passions calmed, their thoughts
raised from earth to heaven.

By the aid of little knobs on the instrument, the diapason can be
changed to an extent that you would not credit, for it has reference to
a system different to yours. The compass and extent of sound given by
our harps is very considerably higher than the notes produced by your
violins, and deeper than the lowest notes given by your contrabassi.

We do not count by octaves, but by touching twos or threes different
characters of sounds are produced, indicated by names such as--gaiety,
joy, melancholy, truthfulness, fickleness in some things, fickleness in
all things, an exalted mind, poetry, domestic peace, hatred, jealousy,
morbid sensibility, pardon, receiving again into favour, flowers, decay
of health, sickness, returning health, love in a gentle degree, love in
a sublime degree, doubting, also trusting love, loneliness,
disappointment, ambition.

These and many other sentiments are expressed by strains that go
directly to the soul, and without the need of words. As all in
Montalluyah understand the language the music is intended to convey, the
player, without opening his lips, can express himself on the harp as
clearly as by discourse; and two persons playing can hold a
conversation.

As you have certain sounds responding to _do, re, mi_, &c., so have we
certain sounds and harmonies that convey certain expressions; for
instance: "I esteem you;" "I feel you in the pulsations of my blood,"
_i.e._ "I love you." Or perhaps the vibrations of the same harmony would
be varied so as to be higher or lower, sharp or flat; and the player
would convey that he felt the presence of his beloved in the appropriate
vibration of his nerves.

In another harmony, he would compare the admired object to some
beautiful soft bird like the Zudee, or a pet like the Kamouska.[1]

     [Footnote 1: See p. 145.]

On the occasion of a love scene between a great harpist and a lady, I
have heard the following, amongst many other sentiments, expressed by
the harp: First Lenordi the harpist expressed his glowing sympathy, his
admiration of beauty, of goodness, his pleading to be heard, his hope
that no other occupied the lady's thoughts, his despair if his prayers
were not listened to, hope, expressions of eternal devotion; in short,
all the possible outpourings of a loving heart. It would be too tedious
to tell you all he conveyed, but he ended thus, "Thou art pure as the
dew upon the leaf of opening day ... but like to that dew wilt thy love
pass away!"

Giola--the lady--took her place at the harp, and played a response
expressing the following:--"Would I might believe these flattering
vibrations, and the bright hopes raised within an hour to wither in a
day.

"Could they but last, the skies above would pale beneath their
brightness.

"Yet I would not doubt thee; thy every look makes life a dream of love."

The player then made excuses for her seeming enthusiasm, by declaring
that even inanimate matter is moved by his soul-stirring strains.

"Every flower and every tendril is moved by thee, for, like thee, they
are fresh and gently gay."...

This led eventually to a "choice" meeting, and the marriage was attended
with many interesting incidents. Their history would of itself form a
curious romance!

Every one competent is educated in the meaning of the harp-sounds, and
the instruction in this branch of study commences at an early age.
Certain sentences are written, and a sound is given out and repeated
till the young person thoroughly understands what he has heard. Then the
sentence is renewed, perhaps, in connection with another sentence, the
accompanying sound is given, and in a short time the student says the
word or sentence accompanying every sound, and thus he soon learns how
to use these sounds, and how to vary and combine them, just as an
alphabet or series of words would be used by an able writer.

When the instrument is used as a subsidiary agent, and the player
accompanies his own or another's voice with words, he plays an
accompaniment implying words, but not so as to attract attention from
the singer. There are certain accompaniments which are adapted to
anything that might be sung. These, however, the player can vary, if his
talent is sufficient.

Our songs are generally spontaneous effusions, but there are songs with
which certain words are permanently associated.


The harp itself is beautiful as a work of sculptural art. Around its
framework most elegant and tasteful ornaments are executed with the
minutest perfection--small birds of variegated plumage perched on
graceful foliage of green enamel, with flowers in their natural colours,
so executed as closely to resemble nature. The birds, flowers, and
foliage are connected with the chords of the harp, and conceal from view
small vases or reservoirs set in the framework of the instrument. From
these with every touch of the chords a beautiful fragrance is exhaled,
the force or delicacy of which depends on the more powerful or gentler
strains produced from the instruments.

The instant the player strikes the chords, the little birds open their
wings, the flowers quiver in gentle action, and then from the vases are
thrown off jets of perfume. The more strongly the chords are touched,
the more powerfully does the fragrance play around.

In tender passages the perfume gradually dies away, till it becomes so
faint as to be appreciated only by the most delicate organisations. The
result, however, is, that the sense is gratified, the heart touched, and
the whole soul elevated. I have seen the most ardent natures calmed and
rendered gentle by the divine strains of this angelic instrument.

It is said that in the angelic spheres flowers breathe music as well as
fragrance, and that the sound itself has form, colour, and perfume. This
belief suggested the thought of uniting them in harmonious concert for
the gratification of those who had exercised the gifts accorded them by
Heaven to a good end. As they had gained their position by their own
merit, it was sought in every way to increase their happiness and their
enjoyments. Nothing that art could produce was thought too good for
them.


I loved the world. The wicked only are impatient and discontented. I
knew that blessings are everywhere about us, though we are expected to
exercise our intelligence to make them available; and whilst I
inculcated that "intemperance is not enjoyment," and that "intemperance
destroyed the power of enjoyment," I did not hesitate to tell my people
that the world and the blessings everywhere abounding are given us to
enjoy, and that, like guests invited to a banquet, we were neither to
run riot nor to reject the good things offered us in love.




XLI.


SOCIAL INTERCOURSE.


     "The contact of society is necessary for the nurture and
     preservation of the generous feelings implanted in us by the Great
     Spirit."


In the system I inaugurated, where every man pursued his occupation with
enthusiastic delight, because he was engaged in that for which nature
and education had fitted him, it became necessary to enjoin recreation
and amusement as a duty, particularly in the case of learned men, whose
attention was concentrated on one particular subject.

Before my reign learned men had been sometimes prone to seclude
themselves from the world, while the opulent indulged in amusements to
excess, and had indeed need of laws rather to restrain than to enjoin
indulgence. Now, however, few, except the "humble" classes (for we have
no "poor" in your sense of the word), would have sought after diversions
had not my laws enjoined them as a duty.


As regards learned men, I knew that if one part of the brain was unduly
excited and overworked, the other portions would lie dormant and suffer.
All classes therefore were required to "undergo" amusements, and many
were the precepts to encourage them in the pursuit. I added to these the
force of my own example; for, though occupied incessantly with the cares
of government and with abstruse meditations, I nevertheless attended
amusements of all kinds, and often gave fêtes of great beauty and
magnificence for the recreation of the people. I was a frequent
attendant at places of amusement, public games, and races, and refreshed
myself almost daily with the sympathetic contact of the numerous society
which my hospitality brought round my table.

When my laws on the subject of social intercourse were first promulgated
there were many wise men who questioned the wisdom of my requiring the
learned to cultivate social relations. These addressed to me many
arguments in support of their views and objected that, without having
their thoughts interrupted by the clang of society, simple changes of
subject, or at least the simplest distractions, would amply suffice to
give the necessary repose. I always encouraged the learned to
communicate to me their opinions, to which I invariably listened with
attention; and in this case the arguments they adduced in support of
their views were so plausible that I resolved to convince them by an
actual experiment.

To satisfy them, and confirm the belief of others, I allowed the chief
opponents of my doctrines to select ten learned men who desired to
pursue their own idea of seclusion, and ten others were selected by me
from those who were converts to my views in matters of recreation and
amusement. The twenty men thus selected were, as nearly as possible,
equal in point of talent, and were all engaged on the same engrossing
subject--one which required great concentration of thought. The utmost
care was taken that the experiment might be fairly and conclusively
tried.

The result of this experiment, which extended over many years, proved
indisputably that I was right; for whilst the productions of the
"amusing and amused" men were equal in all, and in many respects
superior to, those of the "seclusionists," the latter showed visible
marks of the evils of their abstinence.

After a few years their indifference for the world had grown into
positive misanthropy. They refused to receive any visits, became
negligent of their personal appearance, and centred their whole
affection upon the object of their study.

Among those who had lived in seclusion seven out of the ten had lost
their hair and the freshness of their complexion, both of which with us
are highly valued. They were very sallow, and their figures betrayed the
incipient decrepitude of old age, though for our world they were but in
the prime of life, if not of early manhood. Besides which they had
formed contracted notions on many subjects, some of them being what is
called eccentric.

On the other hand, the collected works of the ten men who had profited
by contact with the world and its amusements were equal in all respects,
and indeed superior in some, to those of the "seclusionists." They were
for the most part large and liberal minded. There was but one who might
be called narrow-minded and eccentric, but his exceptional state was
greatly owing to the fact that the origin of this tendency had not been
attended to in childhood. He had, indeed, been educated under the old
system and consequently before the establishment of the office of
Character-divers. This man was the only one who was subject, though
partially, to the physical accidents which had affected the
"Seclusionists." The remaining nine "Society-sympathisers" remained
fresh, vigorous, and gay.

What, however, satisfied my wise men the most was, that the works of the
learned men who had lived in contact with the world were actually in
many respects superior to the works of the Seclusionists, although these
also were more than remarkable.


In requiring learned men to mix with the world, I did not forbid
frequent solitude and retirement for meditation. I only objected to the
passion being indulged in to the exclusion of the refreshing sympathies
developed by a contact with society.

The result of the experiment I have referred to seemed to satisfy even
the ten Seclusionists, who at least changed their habits in obedience to
my law, The effects of the seclusion on some of the ten were, however,
not got rid of, until a certain time had elapsed, and, but for increased
knowledge of the malady of monomania, these effects on one of the ten
Seclusionists would have been even far more serious than they
fortunately proved to be.


THE MONOMANIAC.

This man, eminent in the highest degree, believed that another learned
man, his friend and greatest admirer, was his bitter enemy. All efforts
to convince him to the contrary were fruitless, for although remarkably
clear-sighted on most other subjects, he obstinately refused on this to
listen to the truth. Indeed, the remonstrances of his friends had the
effect of strengthening his conviction that the reptile, as he called
the supposed enemy, assumed the appearance of friendship, the better to
mask his infamous designs.

This delusion went on for some time, but did not show itself beyond
words, and even those were never addressed to the supposed enemy, whose
designs he said "he would meet with simulation and the reptile's own
insidious weapons." Greatly as all this was to be regretted, the man was
so venerated, and was usually so calm, that none suspected any tendency
to a deranged intellect. His strong feelings were ascribed to mistaken
impressions, until a very disagreeable occurrence opened our eyes to his
real state.

Both he and his supposed "enemy" were present at a dinner, given by a
high official, the chief Knowledge-tester or Examiner. Our dining-tables
are semicircular, and the guests are seated on the convex side only. The
Monomaniac, being a particular friend, honoured by the host, sat next to
him in the centre. The supposed "enemy" happened to be seated at the
extreme end of the semicircle, and consequently in a position to be seen
from the centre of the table. All went on well till about the middle of
the repast, when suddenly the Monomaniac rose, pointed to his supposed
enemy, and addressing himself to the guests, said, "Look there! Do you
not see the grimaces he is making at me?"

Every one marvelled! The host addressed the Monomaniac in a gentle tone,
entreating him to have more control over his temper, Those seated close
to the supposed "enemy" declared loudly that he had made no grimaces;
but their denial only increased the fury of the accuser. A bird--
considered a great delicacy--had just been placed before the host. It
was arranged, as were our dishes generally, to please the eye as well as
the palate, being ornamented with olives, sweetmeats, and other
ingredients of varied colours. Birds, I may incidentally remark, are
cooked without the bones; these are skilfully taken out and serve to
enrich the gravy.

The Monomaniac again rose suddenly and, before his arm could be
arrested, seized the fowl, larded as it was with accessories and
dripping with gravy, and with all his force hurled it whole, with
unerring aim, at the face of the supposed enemy. So great was his
excitement, and so rapid his movements, that he had seized one of the
"knife-spoons," and had he not been arrested, would probably have hurled
that, and, indeed, everything within reach against the object of his
fury.

At private dinners the number of guests never exceeds twelve, and at the
back of each, corresponding to every seat, is a small closet, ordinarily
used by each guest for his ablutions. Into one of these the Monomaniac
was placed with considerable difficulty, everything with which he could
injure himself having been previously removed. By the doctor's order he
was treated as a patient and, after some time, the result of the
application of the tests, then only recently discovered, showed that he
was much affected with brain animalcula, which had been generated by the
exhaustion of one part of the brain, in consequence of the incessant
occupations of another portion, by one all-engrossing subject, without
the relief of sufficient air, recreation, and bodily exercise.

The "supposed enemy" and the Monomaniac had been both occupied on the
same subject; the latter was much superior, and had consequently
attained greater distinction. Nothwithstanding this, he was fearful that
the "enemy" would ultimately excel him.

At the end of a few months the Monomaniac was completely cured. It was
not, however, until after a year's travel and change of scene that he
was allowed to resume his old studies. He now became more brilliant than
ever, and we were indebted to him for some valuable discoveries. He had
learned that his supposed enemy was a real friend and true admirer of
his great talents. He never suffered again from the affliction, which,
had it not been arrested in time, would have ended in confirmed madness.
He became more than ever a strong advocate for the observance of my laws
in favour of recreation.




XLII.


THEATRES.

ELECTRICAL ENTERTAINMENTS--AMUSEMENTS--INTRODUCTION
OF STRANGERS.


     "....Even the daisies of the field grow in company...."


Besides theatres of another kind, there are large arenas, where the
entertainments principally consist of feats worked out by electricity
and produce effects far beyond anything as yet known in your planet.
These arenas are open to the sky, for electric effects are not exhibited
in roofed buildings, from fear of the explosions which would probably
occur were antagonistic electricities brought in contact with each other
in a covered space.

The games exhibited are varied; but, in all, electricity has some part.
As I have already said, we have electricities, some attractive, some
antipathetic to the human frame,--and by the aid of both kinds many
interesting feats are performed.

I have seen a man and horse in the arena, who, at a given signal, would
rise gradually and gracefully to a distance of more than fifty feet from
the earth. When suspended in the air a cloud, like fire, would encircle
them, and then after a certain time, sufficient for the spectators to
observe and admire them, they would alight on the earth as gradually and
gracefully as they had ascended.


THE FLYING CHILDREN.

In one of these arenas is a large sheet of running water, supplied by a
cataract in the neighbourhood; and I have seen the most beautiful
effects produced by children gliding over and as it were dancing on its
surface. The children are selected from the most graceful and beautiful
of those, who, not having sufficient intellect to learn, give no signs
of making a progress which would fit them for more important
occupations.

These children are taught and _willed_ to move in the most graceful
forms. Joining hands and forming exceedingly beautiful groups, they will
glide over the cascade and over the surface of the agitated lake,
walking, dancing, or reposing.


WILL.

In assuming these graceful forms, the children are aided by a person
skilled in the use of the Will, who, with the assistance of our
"sympathetic-attracting machines," [1] can _will_ the children to take
the most varied and graceful positions. The effect is fascinating,
elevating, and refining.

     [Footnote 1: See p. 265.]

The man who directs the sympathetic machine, _wills_ the figures from
his imagination or memory, this being part of the art in which he is
skilled.

In your planet, you do not know the extent of the power of the Will; and
yet it is the Will--the Will of the Soul--which sets our vital
electricity in motion, directs it on particular parts of its own
machine--the brain--or on the sentient faculties of others. This same
vital electricity can be used with greater force and certainty of
direction, when assisted by the instrument which I have called "the
sympathetic machine."


THE DEAF AND DUMB CHILD.

I have seen one little girl deaf and dumb--the only instance in my
time--in consequence of a fright her mother had experienced. The child
was of so nervous a temperament, that she could not be taught anything
intellectual. She was lovely, with long hair that fell about her in
graceful curls, and in whatever way she sat, moved, or reclined, her
poses and movements were angelic.

It was found that the only thing which would awaken her dormant senses
was electricity; and that, under its influence, she would be well and
happy.

This child was at length taught to remain for some time together in one
of her beautiful poses.

The circus in which I saw her is built close to a mountain or steep
ascent, which rises almost perpendicularly to a great height. By the
power of an attractive electricity, she would be made--whilst in one of
her beautiful poses--to rise gradually, and to be borne flying, as it
were, in the air. She would then be made to alight on the top of the
high rock, where a halo of concentrated light was thrown on her; this
clung about her, attracted by a solution with which her dress was
sponged. The light was calculated to remain undissipated for half an
hour.

After some time, and having taken the most graceful poses, encircled
with the lovely halo, the child would glide off the rock and descend
slowly and gracefully through the air--with the varied colours of the
halo about her--as though she were a being of the celestial stars.

Of all exhibitions, I have never seen any more beautiful than this. It
served admirably to raise, refine, and rouse the spectator to
enthusiasm.


THE MONKEYS.

On the other hand, some of our electric exhibitions produce mirth. For
instance, the effect of electricity on the monkeys in Montalluyah--who
are very sagacious, having faces white like a human being, and talking
like parrots--is ludicrous in the extreme. When engaged in chewing and
eating their favourite nuts, they find themselves, in spite of their
cunning, raised to a great height, without seeing the man underneath
their pedestal, who impels them upwards with antipathetic electricity.

When they are thus in the air, and, in spite of all efforts, unable to
descend, their antics are of the drollest kind. They, in turn, threaten
and entreat the audience, but are soon reassured and liberally rewarded
for the parts they have played in amusing the public.

Apart from the contemplation of electrical effects, these amusements may
appear somewhat puerile. It should therefore be observed that our people
generally retain to the last an almost child-like freshness of feeling,
which renders them keenly susceptible to the most innocent pleasures.
The tragic drama is for us extinct. Towards the middle of my reign,
plays based upon crime ceased to be heard with pleasure, as the new
generation, trained under the wholesome influence of my laws, could
scarcely understand a plot relating to passions entirely foreign to
their nature. The writers for our theatres, properly so called, have
since that period confined themselves to subjects illustrative of
country life in plain and mountain, and to incidents which, though
happening at a distance, are known to occur.


No accidents arise. Our professors are very skilful, knowing the exact
quantities of electricity required for a given time, and at what rate
its power will decrease. Electricity in all its variations is thoroughly
understood by our electricians.

Electricity, indeed, now forms part of the studies of youth in general,
and its leading features form part of the early knowledge taught to both
girls and boys.


There are races and public games of all kinds, and, besides the fêtes
and amusements given by private persons, there are balls and social
reunions given by the districts.

Even children have their parties and balls, to which they are taken from
four years of age and upwards. The labouring people, or poor, have
theirs. They go to work more cheerfully when they know that amusements
are to follow, and return to their labours with redoubled energy. They
are now contented and happy.

Old people, although allowed to attend the soirées of the young, have
parties of their own, to which none who have not passed a certain age
are admitted.

One day in the week is set apart for amusements of all kinds.

To the reunions given by the districts, all who have passed a certain
age are invited, every seven days, until the age of forty; after forty,
once in three weeks; after sixty, once in every six weeks. All who have
not passed their fortieth year are expected to attend these reunions.
Those who have passed forty may attend as often as they please.


INTRODUCTION OF STRANGERS.

Amongst these reunions there are balls and parties given on certain days
in every month, for the introduction of strangers coming from other
parts, who are received in a separate room by the Master of the
Ceremonies, or, as we say, "Introducer of Strangers." Having satisfied
himself of the status of the strangers, this officer announces the name
of the eldest and conducts him round the great room, where all the
company are assembled, which duty performed, he conducts the guest back
to the strangers' room, and then, having returned into the assembly-room,
asks if any one wished to make objection to the stranger's
reception. If none is made, the visitor is escorted back and presented
to the whole company, and the most distinguished amongst them are
expected to take him by the hand and seat him by their side.

This ceremony over, the stranger is allowed to visit every person
present at their residences, where he is received with great
hospitality.


When, however, in answer to the Introducer's question, any one says, "I
do object to be introduced to that person," he is required to state his
reasons, which the "Introducer" writes down, and which the objector is
required to read and sign.

The "Introducer" then proceeds to the strangers' room, and says to the
proposed guest, "We find it will not be agreeable to terminate the
presentation to-night, so we reserve it for another day," which is fixed
accordingly.

On the following day, the most effective means are taken to test the
validity of the objections, and it has been found that the few cases of
objection that have been raised have been almost invariably based on
error, or on exaggerated trifles, which would scarcely bear a moment's
examination.

As a record of every one's career is faithfully kept, we have ready
means of making ourselves acquainted with every one's antecedents and,
consequently, of testing the validity of the "objections."

The objections being removed, the stranger is received with a hearty
welcome. When conducted into the assembly-room, the person who made the
objections having been pointed out to him, he is addressed as
follows:--"In all this great assembly, this is the only person who urged
anything against you, and we find that all he imagined arose from
misconception [or as the case may be]. This we have taken every pains to
rectify, and we leave to you to do what may be pleasing to yourself, in
order to convince him still more completely of his error; and you have
our best wishes that unity, harmony, and peace may exist between you."
This done, the newly-received guest is seated between the principal
personages, and is treated with, if possible, more kindness and
consideration than if no objection had been made. In each class we
follow the same custom, which we find works admirably well. It is
peculiarly adapted to our system.


THE ATTRACTING-MACHINE.

I have spoken above of our sympathetic attracting-machine, and I may
mention here that by means of certain acids acted on by the sun's rays,
a person can be compelled to move even from a great distance towards a
given point in the way willed by the operator. It is, however, necessary
to discover, first; the particular acids that have most affinity with
the person to be attracted. To ascertain these with certainty, there is
a little instrument with many separate cells, all communicating by means
of its tube with one little ball, and each containing a different acid.

Unless some attraction, or power in sympathy with the acids, is applied
to the ball, the acids remain quiescent, each in its separate
compartment. To discover what acids have most attractive force with a
given person, the ball is placed against his breast, whereupon the
portions of those acids which have affinity with him rush forth from
their respective cells up each tube into the ball, where they
immediately commingle, forming one compound liquid of unequal component
parts. The scientific man charged with the operation then notes the
exact quantities of each of the component acids, and all pertinent
particulars.

This is an easy process. Each principal acid is weighed before being
placed in its cell, which is open from the top; and before the ball is
removed from the chest, what remains of each acid is taken out from its
compartment and re-weighed. The difference between the weights, before
and after the operation, gives the exact weight of each acid, forming
one of the component parts of the amalgamated fluid in the ball.

It is rare that the exact proportions of the same acids are applicable
to any two men, though, as in the case of faces, the difference may be
so slight as almost to approach identity. In some it is very great; but
the same kinds of acids suffice to ascertain the attractive power of
every individual.

The particular sympathetic acids and their proportions having been
ascertained, the attracting-machine is prepared and charged with a large
quantity of the sympathetic compound, sufficiently powerful to attract
the person selected, although placed at some distance. To be effective,
however, the operation must take place while the sun is shining; and it
is also necessary that the person directing the machine should exercise
a certain amount of will tending towards the end desired. The power of
will is great, and there are a few persons who can make others do
certain things without the aid of the instrument, by the power of will
alone; but, in such cases, the person "willing" must be near the person
acted on.




XLIII.


SHIPS.


     "Would ye triumph over the seas in all their fury? Would ye spare
     the lives of those who toil for you? Let your ships he harder than
     the rocks, swifter than the message-bird, more buoyant than the
     swan, and as enduring as the Mestua Mountain."


Our ships are of peculiar form and construction, and of all but
exhaustless strength and durability. In ancient times the form of a fish
had been taken as a model for their construction, and the same form was
continued for centuries. The ships built on this principle, however,
often foundered at sea, or were broken to pieces, when driven against
the rocks, by the violence of tempests.

Moved by the loss of life and consequent suffering thus occasioned, I
sought to construct a vessel that could neither founder nor be broken,
at whatever speed it might move.

I reasoned that a fish, formed to live and to act principally under the
water, was hardly a fit model for ships intended to float on its
surface, and certainly not to sink.

After much consideration on the part of our scientific men, the form of
the swan was successfully adopted as best fitted for sea-going ships.

Our "Swan-ships," as I may call them, are constructed of timbers,
previously seasoned to prevent insect breeding and to resist all
tendency to shrink, and are completely covered with the hide of the
hippopotamus, which, it should be observed, is impervious to water, and,
when prepared for use, is so tough that no knife or machine, however
sharp or powerful, can cut, pierce, or indeed make any impression upon
it, until it has passed through a process, in which fire has a great
part, and is thus purposely deprived of its impenetrable nature.

In the construction of the ship, the outline of the swan is followed as
nearly as possible. The prow rises out of the water, shaped like the
bird's neck and head; the keel is rounded like the belly; the stern is
an imitation of the tail; the legs are supplied by two large adjuncts in
the shape of webbed feet, with the addition, however, of numerous wheels
fastened round the swan's belly, which are partially immersed in the
water and moved by powerful machinery within the vessel.

On each side of the swan's body is an auxiliary platform, forming, as it
were, a wing. These platforms are raised in fine weather, and serve as
open-air promenades for the passengers, in addition to another terrace
on the swan's back, immediately above.

The ship has no masts, and is thus available throughout for passengers
and merchandise. The apertures between the decking, that admit light and
air, can be closed up at a moment's notice, and the vessel, being thus
rendered water-tight, will ride through the most violent storm. No rocks
can break her, and no sea can swamp her.

During hurricanes the seas rise so high and in such large masses, that,
in descending, they sometimes submerge her; but she is too buoyant to
sink, soon regains the surface, and floats on as buoyant as ever.

The navigation in our world would on your earth be considered very
dangerous, if not impracticable. The swan-ship, even when driven by the
tempest, must often pass through narrow inlets between dangerous rocks,
sometimes _under_ the rocks, through channels scooped out by the
sea. The force of the hurricanes and the violence of the seas are
tremendous. Your most powerful ships could not live through them, yet no
serious accident has ever befallen one of our vessels. On one occasion,
when the ship was submerged for a time, the people suffered greatly from
want of air, as the sea was too terribly rough to allow of any window
being opened. After remaining covered by the waters for a length of
time, she righted herself as soon as the violence of the waves had
calmed.


On their return to Montalluyah, some of the passengers related to me
their acute sufferings from want of air, and as their narrative affected
me much, I resolved to discover a remedy.

Telescopic funnels to admit air were suggested by me as a provision for
such a contingency as I have described. These are so constructed that in
case of need they can be sent up to a great height above the surface of
the sea. The principal one is placed in the head of the swan. Several
experiments were made with air-pumps in the ship to draw in and diffuse
air, and they fully answered this purpose.

Air can still be admitted through the head and neck of the swan, if the
body only is submerged; but if this also is covered by the sea, the
telescopic funnel is sent up to the required height and a new current of
air is obtained. Light and air are, under ordinary circumstances
admitted by means of windows made with a transparent composition of
great strength.

The swan's head is reserved for the captain's quarters. His rooms are
spacious and well suited to his work; his windows are, some plane, some
concave, some convex, so that he can see both near and distant objects.
As the swan's head is high above the body of the swan, the captain
occupies a very commanding position. Outside the head there is a terrace
for his use.

Our ships are very large, that each passenger may have the utmost
accommodation, for we do not like to imprison our people in a narrow
space; and an ordinary vessel holds several hundred passengers, besides
merchandise.

To propel our vessels we use electric power, and they move as fast as
your quickest railway trains; but nevertheless can be stopped almost
instantaneously. The wheels outside the body of the swan, set in motion
by internal electric machinery, revolve with extraordinary rapidity. To
set the machinery in motion it is necessary to wind up powerful chains,
and a strong horse is used for the purpose. One horse is sufficient for
the longest voyage, but four are kept on board in case of accidents. The
machinery could be so constructed that the horse would not be necessary;
but for this arrangement much more space would be required. If even all
the horses were disabled--a thing which hitherto has never occurred--the
machinery could be kept in motion by manual power and leverage.

Though the propelling power is great, it can be reversed, moderated, or
entirely suspended with the greatest ease. As soon as the ship is
stopped, the two large "web-feet" attached to the keel fall down and
assist in checking her headway.

To steer our vessels we use a winch or rudder, which runs from stem to
stern underneath the swan's belly, and is connected with a wheel below
the water. This rudder, which is made of metal and covered with
hippopotamus hide, is sharp and slightly rounded. The mode in which it
is fixed gives the steersman great control over the vessel, the more so
as it moves the swan's head as well as the tail by direct action.


TIMBER FOR SHIPS.

Before timber is employed for ships, or indeed for constructions of any
kind, it is thoroughly seasoned by being exposed to the sun at
particular hours of the day. Timbers that have passed through this
process never shrink or warp.

In accordance with my directions, wood cannot be used in shipbuilding
until so prepared that no insects will touch it.

In certain parts of the bottom of the great ravine is a liquid, the
admixture of refuse of all kinds. After some years this liquid becomes
of a golden colour for the depth of about two inches only; beneath, it
is of a muddy brown. It was accidentally discovered that the golden
liquor so hardened wood that no insect could make any impression upon
it, and no moisture could penetrate the fibres. There is some difficulty
in skimming and obtaining the liquid in a pure state; but the operation
having been performed, it is carefully preserved in large vats and
remains ready for use.

The timber having been thoroughly seasoned in the sun, each plank is cut
and shaped to the exact form required, and is then soaked in this
liquid. If the process of cutting were delayed till after the timber had
been soaked, the parts where the cuttings had been made would be
unprotected from the insects. If the soaking were delayed until after
the ship had been put together, the four sides of each of the timbers
where it is joined to other timbers, would in like manner be
unprotected, and the insects would eat their way between. The care
exercised was the more necessary, as it was essential that the wood
under the hippopotamus hide should be preserved from internal as well as
external influences. If the wood had shrunk after it had been once
covered, parts of the hide would become slack, and serious
inconveniences would have ensued. I never knew one of our Swan vessels
to spring a leak or to wear out. The vessels built under my rule will
exist unimpaired for many centuries, whilst those built under the former
system were broken to pieces on account of their foulness and leakage,
chiefly caused by the ravages of insects.


THE COMPASS.

The compass used in our ships is different to yours, being based on the
fact that each country has a different attraction to certain liquids. In
short, we apply an electrical power entirely unknown to you.


THE ANCHOR.

The anchor is made of iron-marble, which is the strongest composition we
have, and which, you will recollect, was used in the construction of the
Mountain Supporter.

In shape the anchor resembles a body with six legs, like a fly--three on
either side. Each leg has a crook at the end, which will grapple firmly
wherever the least hold can be obtained.

The anchor is let out and hauled in by machinery made on a principle
resembling the machinery of the ship itself, but, of course, on a very
much smaller scale.

The rope holding the anchor is made of Bisson hair, a very strong
material; and although there is little probability of its breaking,
there are four other ropes of the same material secured to the body of
the anchor, to serve in case of accidents. There is no strain whatever
in the meantime on these reserved ropes, which hang slack, and would
only come taut and into play in case of the principal rope being broken.




XLIV.


PICTURES FROM WATER.


     "The records of your actions are borne in the waters, in the air,
     in electricity, in the unknown powers that, by the command of Him
     who made them all, pervade infinite space. His might is everywhere;
     and the man who transgresses, sins in the presence of myriads of
     witnesses."


In my reign some interesting discoveries were made with regard to water.

From a source situated in the midst of a lovely scene flowed a spring of
remarkably pure quality, some drops of which, taken at a distance,
presented, when viewed through a microscope, a true picture of the
landscape close to the source from whence they came. Rocks, trees,
shrubs, sky, were there faithfully delineated with their varied forms
and colours, together with the resemblances of two persons, lovers,
seated on the banks. As we afterwards learned, they had been attracted
by the beauty of the scene, had sat for a long time in the same place,
and their portrait was, as it were, fixed on the water.

The electricity of the sun and light had thrown the shadow or picture of
the scene on the fluid, whose electricity had been sufficiently strong
to retain it, and bear it to the spot whence the drops of water had been
taken. This circumstance, and our knowledge that the reflecting power of
the water is the result in part of its peculiar electricity, led to a
very interesting discovery.

With the assistance of a powerfully attracting electric machine we can
produce, together with the surrounding landscape, the likeness of a
person, or of a group, actually many miles from the machine, if near the
water. The image is received on the reflecting mirror of the machine,
and an artist immediately copies outlines and colours.

With the aid of the attracting machine we have obtained pictures of our
Swan-vessels, though a long way out at sea, with the passengers on the
decks; who, on arriving, have been surprised to find their likenesses,
with a similitude of the costume they wore while on board.

The machine, through the medium of the water, throws its attracting
power many miles out through the sea, and reflects objects back on a
large plate of a kind of ground-glass. The objects reflected are not
fixed permanently, but remain on the plate for about an hour and a half
after the connection with the machine has ceased. During this time an
artist traces the picture which it is desired to retain, and fills in
the colours. The reflection thrown is indeed little more than a
pale-coloured shadow, but we make of it a reality at will.

Our knowledge of the properties of water enables us, with the aid of an
electric-attracting machine, to see the bottom of the sea. Images of the
deepest parts are thrown upon the mirror, the force of the machine being
increased according to the depth of the sea, and the distance from the
machine.

Some parts of the bottom of the sea reveal nothing but uninhabited,
uneven ground, whilst other parts present the appearance of an inhabited
world. We have seen the entrances to large caverns with what may be
called doors, and immense moving masses; flowers and parterres of most
delicate and lovely beauty; varieties of precious stones, forming
devices and figures of different kinds; and large shrubs that glistened
as diamonds in the sun, and thriving and blossoming, seemed replete with
life. In other parts of the sea lie strewn in irregular masses things of
every description in incredible quantities, heaps upon heaps, as though
these parts had at some time been dry land, where riches of every
description had been congregated. A description of the wonders seen
would fill many volumes.




XLV.


THE HIPPOPOTAMUS.


     "Ye seek Elikoia's life....Ye watch to make sure of your prey, when
     the boy is alone, his thoughts fixed on high....Ye shall wear
     hideous forms, ye shall wander on the land, as well as on the
     water, but nowhere shall ye find rest. Ye shall dread and be
     dreaded by all; ye shall constantly be put to death, that your hide
     and carcase at least may serve for useful purposes in the land that
     ye have denied.... Ye shall be slain with no more compunction than
     when a man cuts down a tree with which to make his hut." [1]....


     [Footnote 1: The above belongs to the ancient mythology
     of Montalluyah.]

Hippopotami are very numerous in my planet; their breed is encouraged,
for they are found to be invaluable.

They are of a cruel nature, and there is much antipathy between them and
human beings. Apart from the valuable uses to which they are made
subservient, these beasts are regarded in our planet with a feeling akin
to that with which you regard the serpent, it having been supposed in
the early ages of our world that the hippopotamus embodied a portion of
the spirit of the enemy of mankind.


THE HIPPOPOTAMUS HIDE.

The hide of the beast is of remarkable strength and durability, and is
impervious to water; indeed, its toughness is, if possible, increased by
immersion. It is used for a variety of purposes, forming a covering for
our vessels, the want of which nothing could supply in our tempestuous
and rocky seas. It serves most effectually to insulate and protect our
electric telegraphs both by land and sea. It resists the most violent
usage, and no force, without the application of fire, can break it, for
it is so tough, even in an unprepared state, that it can only be severed
or penetrated by the application of fire and red-hot penetrating-irons.

The nearest approach to the hide of the hippopotamus is that of the
rhinoceros; but this is not so tough or so durable, and it is inferior
in other qualities.

The value of the hippopotamus is incalculable. Whilst alive, we can
extract from him a powerful electricity. When dead, besides the
innumerable purposes to which the hide is applied, his bones, marrow,
oil, fat, and, indeed, every part of the carcase, are of great value.

Some portions of the ugly beast are made subservient to the beautiful,
for they are used in the arts to give additional brilliancy to colours.

The bones, which are susceptible of a beautiful polish like ivory, and
are transparent, are used for articles of elegant furniture and
ornaments of varied beauty.


At some distance from Montalluyah is a large tract of country, called
"Hippopotamus Land," where there is an abundance of everything that the
beasts like or need, such as sand, moss, nut-trees, and a peculiar
plant, which is their favourite food.

Numerous herds are kept on this land, and also in enclosures, as deer
are preserved in your parks. In charge of them are numerous herdsmen or
keepers, who may be compared to so many shepherds looking after the
sheep, though the animals they tend are far more valuable.

From habit, the keepers understand all the ways and movements of their
flock.

With a view to startle the animals as little as possible, the keepers
are clothed in a dress made of hippopotamus-skin, the outside of which
is preserved in its natural state, and it is so arranged that the men
may appear like familiar figures to the mothers and the young, and not
excite their fear.

It is known in Montalluyah that wild beasts often attack man from fear,
lest he should do them harm.

The skin worn by the keeper is saturated with a solution made from a
strong-smelling herb, to which the animals have great antipathy; and
even though they may approach and smell the skin, they soon turn away,
without hurting the watcher.

The beast's antipathy to this herb was discovered by accident. It
happened that a herd of hippopotami were driven on land where it grew
abundantly; they instantly rushed furiously into the water, and, in
spite of every effort and stratagem, could not be made to return to the
shore.

Suspecting that this herb was the cause of their contumacy, we took a
young hippopotamus, and kept him without food till he became quite
ravenous. Some of the tender herbs were then brought, but he would not
touch them, and evinced other symptoms of antipathy, while he showed his
ravenousness by trying to seize the keeper. He was still kept without
food, and the herbs were left within his reach, but he would not
approach them, though, as soon as some of his usual food was brought, he
greedily devoured it.

These beasts formerly infested the rivers which run through our cities;
and a very powerful solution from the herb, which they could scent at a
considerable distance, was prepared by our chemists. We have great locks
at the entrances of our rivers. In these are concave places in which the
preparation is deposited, and the dangerous beasts are thus kept at a
great distance.

In our world the hippopotami are very fond of freshwater rivers. There
is a large stream called the Aoe, the waters of which have a peculiar
attraction for these beasts, and I have seen it covered with them for
miles.

The waters of this river are very prejudicial to man; perhaps the
qualities which make them agreeable to the beast render them
antipathetic to man's constitution.

In their native state, the beasts like the land as much as the water,
preferring it indeed during the prevalence of certain winds. I could
tell, by the direction of these, whether few or many of the animals
would come ashore. From my observatory, I have seen thousands together a
long way off, looking like countless swarms of flies, and all moving in
a compact mass, as though they were gregarious to the highest degree.
When seen from a short distance, they look like a moving lead-colour
bog. I have sent to caution the hunters, for on occasion the large herds
are dangerous.


HABITS.

There are times when the hippopotami seek to be invisible; they then
bury themselves in the sand, and not one can be seen. At other times,
miles of country are covered with them.

When the wind is in a particular quarter it causes a remarkable musical
sound in its passage through the hollow rocks, which seems particularly
sympathetic to the hippopotami. If, at the time the "musical sound" is
heard, the sun shines, they with great rapidity place the young ones
together, running round them as round a central point in a succession of
circles. They jump and bound, pass and repass each other, and as it were
dance with joy, in a state of great excitement continuing their
energetic gambols all the time the musical sound is heard, until,
exhausted with their exertions, they lie down and sleep.

It is a grand sight to see large herds of hippopotami so joyfully
excited. They never act thus when stimulated by fear, but stand doggedly
for some time, as though examining the cause of the disturbance, and as
soon as the terror has mastered them they rush away, running at a great
speed.

When they pair, they are generally constant to each other, and the
female usually remains at the side of her mate: but some are capricious,
and go about as if seeking other males of the herd. When the female is
thus inconstant, her partner, after a time, tries to destroy her and her
young, though pains are taken to prevent this result.

To save the female and her young, we have occasionally been obliged to
kill the male with arrows steeped in a poison so powerful, that the
slightest graze will cause instant death.


The mother is generally much attached to her young. She buries it in the
sand, leaving an aperture through which it may breathe, and she lies at
its side. If the temperature changes, or she fancies the calf has not
sufficient heat, she will cover the aperture for a time with her head,
or some part of her body. She gathers nuts, which the young one likes,
and will sometimes wander for miles along the strand of rivers to seek a
small fish, which she kills, and brings back to the spot where the calf
has been left buried in the sand.

When the young one is sickly, and does not respond to the signs of the
mother, she fancies the little creature does not like her, and leaves it
to die.


REARING HIPPOPOTAMI.

In Montalluyah there are large lakes, protected and enclosed by iron-work,
where hippopotami are reared.

These are interspersed with land, on which we deposit large quantities
of sand and moss.

We are very successful in rearing the animals, but we take care that
they should have facilities for following their natural habits.

I believe you have not been able to rear these beasts in Western Europe.
You might do so by observing their habits, and even by attending to a
few simple precautions. If you were once successful they would increase
rapidly, and you would soon discover their inestimable value.

This is the course we pursue when the animal is reared in confined
situations:

As soon as the female has conceived, a quantity of sand and moss is
placed on the ground at the side of the water. This is done without loss
of time, that the beast may be accustomed to the sight. Shortly, if left
to herself, she will wallow in the mixture, and as soon as the young one
is born, will place it in the sand, covering it over with moss.

As already observed, the female, when running wild in a state of nature,
lays the young one in the sand as soon as it is born, covering every
part of the body, and then overlaying it with moss. On this account, we
take care to deposit the sand and moss where the animal can easily find
them.

The beasts are of a very suspicious nature, and if the sand and moss
were not placed near the female until after her young one was born, she
would be afraid of them.

The mother is treated with great kindness, and is not allowed in any way
to be teased or used harshly.

The hippopotamus is a very nervous animal, and is besides very vicious
and irritable. The female does not easily forget an injury, particularly
when with young. If in any way used unkindly, the effects of the
vexation will endure for a long time after the birth of the young one,
which will come into the world in a weakly state, and will not thrive.
If it does not soon die, the mother will kill it; for, when ill-treated
either before or after parturition, the mother is ordinarily impelled to
destroy the calf. She is often so nervous, that, when with calf, she
cannot bear to be looked at and is then placed apart in an enclosure
reserved expressly for the purpose, which is hoarded round, and no one
but the keeper is allowed to approach her.


In a state of nature, the beast is accustomed to wander over large
tracts especially favoured by sun and light; even the water he swims in
is warmed by the sun. In the gardens in which you strive to rear these
beasts, they are kept in dark miserable places, where the water is cold,
and which the sun rarely penetrates. You are not kind to them
yourselves, and, besides, you allow visitors to tease them.

These errors alone are sufficient to prevent the mother bringing forth a
calf that will thrive.

In your cold and variable climates you would do well to have an enclosed
place, a kind of conservatory covered over with glass, arranged so as to
be opened in warm weather, particularly when the sun shines, and closed
during the greater part of the winter, at which time the water, in which
the beasts swim, should be warmed by a genial heat diffused through the
building. This plan would be much more profitable than your actual dear
economy.

If from any cause it is found judicious to separate the mother and the
young one, care should be taken to effect the separation immediately
after the birth, before the natural food has been tasted, or at least
before it has become familiar to the young one, and the calf should be
placed where it cannot hear the mother's moaning call.

Warmed sand and moss should be in readiness, in which to immerse and all
but cover the little one.

Goat's milk, or other substitutes for the mother's milk, must be
administered whilst quite warm and just drawn from the goat. If allowed
to stand, the liquid would injure instead of doing good, and even if
artificially warmed would not be so beneficial as the new milk.

It is not improbable that the calf will at first refuse the proffered
beverage. The expedients for causing the animal to drink should be
devised so as to avoid all unnecessary annoyance, and if this precaution
be attended to the animal will of its own accord soon drink the warm
milk, and take other proper food.

The room where the young one is kept should be of an equal warmth both
day and night. In a state of nature the mother obtains this equalization
of the temperature, and protects the young one from the comparative
chilliness of the night air by lying across the sand in which she has
placed the object of her care.

The removal of the young one from the mother is effected with ease; and
as this process is with you accompanied by many inconveniences, besides
being very difficult and dangerous, a few hints as to our mode of
proceeding may be of use.

We have four very long sockets peculiarly formed at their base, so that
they can be thrust for a long distance into the sandy ground, and there
take the firmest hold. They are placed at certain distances about the
spot where the mother lies, and into them are inserted four poles of
great strength, so arranged that they stand at the angles of a square or
parallelogram, sustaining a framework surmounted by planks sufficiently
strong to support four men in case of need, though sometimes two only
are required. The men, who are very skilful, are stationed one on each
side of the plank, armed with a large strong net, made of a soft and
agreeable material, which, as soon as the young one is born, they let
down very gradually, so as to disturb the mother as little as possible.
Should she be annoyed at the appearance of the net, they hold their
hands, keeping it suspended, and as soon as she is appeased and closes
her eyes, let it down again, still very slowly, almost imperceptibly,
until it has reached the ground, close to where the young one is lying,
so contriving that when the little creature moves it will be upon the
net.

As soon as the young one is fairly on the net, the men apply several
long canes furnished with grappling-hooks, and draw up the net
containing the young one. While doing this, they throw over the mother a
material which impedes her movement, and which we call by a name that
may be freely translated, "Clinging Flannel." The animal thus encumbered
cannot disentangle herself for a few minutes, more than sufficient to
secure the capture of the little one, which, as soon as it has been
raised is let down into a vehicle ready to receive it. The instant this
is done, the driver and all being in readiness, the horses start off at
full gallop, and the calf is secured in a place far out of hearing of
the mother.

We can almost invariably tell whether the mother is likely to destroy
the young one; and if from this or other causes a separation is
necessary, a similar course is pursued, even when the mother is at
large. If we had not effective means of driving off the rest of the
herd, the difficulty of the operation of removal would be greatly
increased, for, strange to say, as soon as the calf is born numbers of
hippopotami assemble at certain distances and form a wide circle round
the spot where the mother and little one are lying. They do not
interfere with or annoy them in any way, but, on the contrary, they
stand still, look at them, and utter wild, joyous sounds, as though they
were pleased with the mother and the little visitor. In Montalluyah we
call this "the hippopotamus's visit of congratulation."

Before I describe the mode adopted when we wish to take one of the
hippopotami from the herd, I should first premise that these beasts have
the sense of hearing, acute to the highest degree, and could note even
the fall of a pin. As, therefore, it is useless to try to approach them
by stealth, the keepers approach them openly.

These men are, however, clothed with a dress which covers every part of
the body, head and extremities indeed even the face, with the exception
of the eyes, but which is made of a very pliable material, so that the
wearer has free use of his body and limbs. It is saturated with the
antipathetic solution, of which I have spoken above.

There is a three-cornered nut called the "lava-nut," of which the
animals are very fond, and they will go a long distance in search of it.
The keepers are provided with a quantity of these nuts, and the man with
whom the animals are most familiar throws a few to the one selected. As
soon as the animal has tasted them, he advances a few paces. The keeper,
throwing more nuts, retires a few paces; and as he continues throwing,
the animal advances, the keeper receding and throwing the nuts until he
has attracted the beast for some distance from the herd.

Near the keeper is a party of men furnished with a low caravan, who,
while the animal is engaged eating the nuts, throw large nets over him.
He struggles violently--it is, indeed, fearful to behold him; but, in
the meanwhile, a very skilful man approaches, and throws over his head a
cap or covering of a particular kind of wool, which for the time
completely blinds him. So utterly is he cowed, that in a few minutes he
is quite quiet, and it is surprising to see the difference that a simple
contrivance has effected. The caravan immediately approaches with levers
attached to it, by the aid of which the animal is easily put on the
carriage and carried off to the place of his destination.

It is surprising to see the immediate effect on the animal when the cap
is taken off. He is for the time quite docile, and as easily managed as
a child.

An animal thus captured is never so wild and vicious as when with the
herd, and often becomes comparatively tame.

On the other hand, the animal increases in cunning, and if again set at
liberty, he still remembers how he was once served, and utterly
disregards the nuts with which he may be tempted.

In our world a plant grows wild, which is much liked by the
hippopotamus. It forms a bulb which contains a sort of meal, while the
stem contains a juice. In my planet large patches of ground,
particularly in the vicinity of rivers, abound with these plants, which
grow thickly together like wheat, and in long blades.

The beast eats these plants in the green, the ripe, and the over-ripe
states; and as they are thrown up in some places when others have been
exhausted, the herds will pass over large tracts of country to get at
their favourite food.

The nearest approach to this food in your world would be parched flour
mixed with water. It would of course be preferable if the plant itself
could be found.

In confined situations, when the young are sickly, we feed them with
turnips and new milk boiled together. This compound is with us a
sovereign remedy, and almost invariably restores them, but cannot be
safely administered till the animal is at least a month old.




XLVI.


WILD ANIMALS.


     "The hippopotamus exceeds the mite in size, strength, and
     usefulness to man far less than do the riches yet concealed in the
     air, in the earth, in the waters, on the land, exceed those already
     possessed by Montalluyah."


I may mention here, that although the hippopotamus is to us the most
valuable of all the wild animals, nearly all other beasts furnish us
with materials that are turned to account.

The serpent, and particularly the boa, possesses wondrous properties.
Birds of prey, many insects, and, in fact, nearly all that has life, is
turned to some use. The living animals generally contain electricity of
more or less value.

A large body of professors are kept by the State solely for the purpose
of examining the various medicinal and other qualities found in the fat,
marrow, oil, bones, and carcases of animals.

This is the mode of capturing lions, tigers, and many other wild beasts,
when it is desirable to take them alive:

The huntsmen selected are men of a fearless, daring nature, and of great
address and agility.

A net of iron-work of very large dimensions is taken into the wilds most
frequented by the beast. This net is placed on the ground and covered
over with leaves and other, materials so as to be concealed from view.

Close to one extremity of the network a pit is dug, in which is placed a
hut large enough to contain two men. The pit is then covered over,
though an aperture is left sufficiently large to admit air and to serve
for observation and egress from the hut, from the top of which is an
opening corresponding to the aperture above.

In the centre of the net some dead goats have been previously placed
with a stuff of a very savoury odour, which the beast can smell for
miles off, and which is so strong that when he approaches, he does not
scent the men in the hut.

The rest of the hunters lie in wait in a secure place. The two concealed
in the pit are on the watch, and as soon as the beast has seized the
goat or is fairly within the net, they give the alarm by hoisting a long
pole, and the men in ambush slip out, and by a dexterous movement close
all sides of the net, which is constructed with this view, so as to form
one large cage.

The efforts of the animals to break out are useless; they first rage
about in all directions, but the joints of the net are so constructed
that they yield without breaking.

When it is not desirable to take the animals alive their capture is more
easy. One mode of killing them is as follows:--A man stations himself
among the branches of a high tree, near the haunts of the animals, and
holds a long pole which hangs downwards, and at the end of this a dead
rabbit is fixed, in which, besides a strongly-smelling stuff, is placed
a deadly poison. As soon as the wild beast sees the rabbit, he makes a
dash at the pole, seizes the rabbit, eats it and, the effects of the
poison being instantaneous, falls down almost immediately to expire.

Dead animals are not allowed to be brought into the city, but are flayed
in the country, where are also our manufactories and other
establishments, in which everything valuable in the carcase of the beast
can be readily utilised.

Some of our beasts are unlike yours, but the greater number are similar,
though in many of these, the nature of the animal may be somewhat
different. Tigers, for instance, are in form like those on your wilds,
but are not without generosity. Thus, they seldom attack each other
except when the females are young, and after a fight, when one of the
males has prostrated the other, the victor will lick the wounds of the
vanquished in order to heal them. After this the two will be friendly,
the vanquished tiger resigning his pretensions without further struggle.

I will relate to you a "Tiger" incident that occurred in our world, a
long distance from Montalluyah.


THE TIGER AND THE CHILD.

Our hurricanes disturb wild animals, numbers of which approach the
outskirts of the towns bordering on the prairies. People are on the
watch, for sometimes they have entered the habitations.

A curious incident occurred on the confines of one of these towns. A
mother had gone into the next house to fetch something required for her
household use, leaving her young child, about three years old, playing
on the ground. The door of her cottage was open, and she little knew
that a large tiger was prowling near. The watchers had gone into the
field, and the tiger approached the outskirts of the town, close to the
hut where the child was playing, entered through the door, and found the
little innocent, who, not knowing what danger was, allowed the animal to
approach, and even patted him. The tiger crouched down close to the
pillow on which the child had been playing.

The mother returned, and, to her horror and bewilderment, saw this huge
tiger, with her darling child fast asleep, its head resting on the belly
of the animal. She was for a moment paralysed with fear, and was unable
to utter a single cry, but, recovering herself, she ran and gave the
alarm. No time was lost in communicating with the officials, and very
soon hunters and men skilled in pursuit of wild animals were on the
spot; but the comparatively short time that elapsed was to the poor
mother, who saw the child of her affection, beaming with health, in the
power of the monster.

The huntsmen viewed the great beast, but they were at a loss what to do;
for the chief said, that if they shot him, even in the most vital part,
he would most likely, in his death-struggle, kill the child. After some
consultation, they procured a hook, fixed it firmly at the end of a long
rod, and then took hold of the child's dress and pulled it by the hook
gently towards them. The movement roused the tiger, who caught the rod
in his mouth and broke it, as though desirous to retain the child. The
child woke and cried, but the tiger licked him, and whilst so engaged
the men managed to get partly over him the iron network (used, as I have
described, to secure wild beasts), so as to disable him, and to get the
child away. When the beast saw the child removed he uttered a piercing
howl, such as had never been heard before, and, strange to say, the
child was also grieved to leave the tiger, or, to use his own words, the
"large beautiful cat."

The animal having been killed, the skin was dressed and presented to the
mother of the child.


THE UNICORN.

There exists an animal in my planet like your heraldic unicorn. He is
very graceful, but very ferocious, not heeding kindness, whilst
harshness increases his ferocity.

One mode of taming him for a time was discovered--namely, to feed him
with oranges! I saw one who, a few minutes previously had been dashing
about with restless fury, and who, after eating some oranges, lay down
quietly, and even licked the hand of the keeper who had fed him with the
fruit.

Particular hurricanes bring swarms of insects, which never come near the
unicorn; they seem to have a great antipathy to him.




XLVII.


THE SUN.

THE ELECTRIC STAR-INSTRUMENT.


     "The infinity of the universe of worlds is but a faint reflection
     of the Infinite Power that created them. By His will they were
     called into existence. By His will they, and all that they contain,
     could be swept away in an instant!"

     "Not even in thought can ye grasp the boundlessness of His works.
     How then can ye measure the infinite might of their Creator?"


My palace stands on the highest ground in the uppermost city in
Montalluyah. It is of circular shape, and has twenty floors and terraces
raised one above the other, the circumference of each gradually
diminishing from the lowest to the highest. There are no stairs, in your
sense of the word, but we are raised from one story to the other with
ease by electric power. Besides the internal communication, there is
another circular tower of considerably smaller dimensions contiguous to
the palace, with each floor of which it communicates by a species of
temporary bridge, so that persons can be moved at once to the floor they
desire to reach, without the necessity of entering the palace by a lower
floor. This communication can be suspended instantaneously by stopping
the electric generating power which acts from within the palace, and
communicates subterraneously with the "Lift" Tower.

On the highest terrace of the palace, and dominating every part of the
upper cities, and many of the other cities of Montalluyah, is erected my
Observatory, whence I could observe the various worlds suspended in
space.


We had for a long time possessed instruments through which we could see
many of the most distant stars, but with none of these was electric
power combined, and their scope was not sufficient to solve certain
problems of great interest.

Electricity, chemistry, the knowledge of sun electricity and of the
sciences generally, had, under my system, made such marvellous strides
as to convince me that an instrument might be made not only to see the
stars more plainly, but to view, in some cases, their interior.

As was my wont on such occasions, I assembled together all the great
electricians, scientific sun-attractors, mathematicians, oculists,
opticians, and the heads of science generally; and, after many years, my
own particular Star Instrument was constructed.

Although this instrument is circular, and has numerous glasses, it
differs materially from your telescopes. Electrical combinations play an
important part in its operations, and for the minute examination of
different worlds, a different diffusion of electricities is necessary.
The variation is regulated not by the distance, but by the difference in
the attracting power of the star, and often, through the peculiar nature
of its electricity, greater power is required to view minutely a planet
much nearer to Montalluyah than is needed for one more distant.

The secrets revealed to me were so great, that when I first looked
through the instrument in all its power I fainted.


With the aid of the Star Instrument I discovered the constitution of the
sun, and of many of the stars and their inhabitants. Numbers of the
stars have atmospheres different from that of the earth and Montalluyah.
Many are inhabited by beings, of whom some partake of our nature; some
are of a nature and consistency entirely different to ours; some can
only give effect to their will through a material medium; some possess
creative powers, and can, by the sole exercise of will, invent the most
lovely forms of beauty, and transmit themselves to immeasurable
distances with the rapidity of thought.

The superiority of these in power and intelligence over man in his
present state is far greater than is the superiority of man over the
insect, which can as little understand the human soul as man with
unaided powers can comprehend the Beings of whom I have spoken.


My Star Instrument, however, can only bring to light those Beings who,
to a certain extent at least, possess a material form, though of a
consistency as subtle as electricity. But the instrument does not
possess the power of rendering visible those Superior Beings, whom no
man in his ordinary state is permitted to see through a material medium.
He only can see them even in visions who is blessed with a superior
order of light--light in power and beauty far excelling the concentrated
light known to us--a light like that which was sometimes vouchsafed to
your Holy Prophets! And unless a person be inspired with a portion at
least of that immortal light, the brightness, power, and glory of these
orders of Beings, or their ways, can neither be seen, understood, nor
even imagined.

The discoveries made through the Star Instrument, however, are too
numerous to relate at present. I must limit myself now to little more
than a few particulars relating to the sun.


THE SUN-OCEAN AND MOUNTAINS.

The Sun is a mass consisting of an immense ocean, surrounded by burning
mountains of fire so huge that it would be difficult to speak of their
extent, each mountain seeming to be a world in immensity!

I could perceive some portion of the mountains at intervals disengaged
from the fire. The rocks seen between the flames are, with, their varied
colours, magnificent beyond anything that your language can convey;
though I have seen similar colours, but of far less intensity, in some
of our gorgeous sunsets.


CONTINENTS.

In the midst of the Sun-Ocean there is a very large continent, besides
many of smaller size, which, relatively to the larger, might be called
islands. These continents are separated by seas from the large continent
and from each other, and are all thickly populated by beings which,
though human, are somewhat differently formed from ordinary man.

The continents, though immense, are, even in their aggregate mass, small
in comparison with the hugeness of the Sun-Ocean. The nearest is at an
immeasurable distance from the mountains; and the ocean is only
navigable at certain distances from the outer continents.


HURRICANES.

From a circle surrounding, but at an immense distance from the most
extreme of the continents, this great Sun-Ocean throws off currents of
wind, terrific in their fury, in the direction of the burning mountains.
Your tempest would give but a puny idea of the force of these winds,
which indeed exceeds anything known even in my planet, where the
hurricanes are terrific.

The winds are attracted, and their fury is increased, by the extreme
heat of the burning mountains.

The ocean struggles, as it were, to quench the fire, while the fire
contends with the ocean, which raises its head, as though threatening to
cover the topmost mountains. However, the wind, blowing with redoubled
force, supports the energy of the fire. The power and brilliancy of the
burning mass are intensified by reflection in the huge Sun-Ocean.

There are reparatory powers always at work to supply the waste caused by
never-ceasing combustion. There is, besides, a constant interchange of
electricities between the ocean and the burning mountains, the upheaving
from the ocean bed having probably some connection with the reparatory
powers.

It has been ascertained, I should say, in Montalluyah that fire is
produced by the union of certain electricities with a peculiar gas; and
it is believed that these electricities are constantly attracted to the
mountains, where they maintain combustion, and that when their nature is
changed by the process, they attract other electricities with which they
combine, and the compound electricity assists in replenishing the
material that attracts the necessary elementary forces to support
combustion.


The effect of the burning mountains on the continents in the Sun-Ocean
is mitigated by the direction of the winds and other causes, but the
heat is nevertheless fiery in its intensity.

Every planet has an electricity of its own, more or less sympathetic to
the sun, and, consequently, more or less powerful in attracting his
rays. Many planets at a greater distance feel his heat more than others
less remote. There are stars where the sun is not even seen, but where,
through the effect of his influence, there is perpetual spring.


In my planet the sun, even in material form, presents to the naked eye
an aspect different to yours. It not only seems to be much larger, but
one of its extremities has a globular form, whilst the rest presents the
appearance of a large mass ending in three long peaks or indentations.
Although so different in appearance, it is the same sun that illumines
your earth.


Most of the stars are wholly or partly girded and intersected by seas,
which assist in giving them, their luminous and twinkling appearance. To
us your earth has the appearance to the-naked eye of two separate
brilliant stars.


COMETS.

Comets are stars where large bodies of the waters have overflowed,
rarefied and distended by electrical attractions and repulsions. The
overflowing of the waters often makes the star visible when it would
otherwise pass unperceived.

Some of these overflowings take place periodically; others are the
result of what may be called accident. It is probable that your world,
at the Flood, appeared like a comet to the inhabitants of other
terrestrial stars where, till then, it had been invisible.

There are huge masses of water in space corresponding to the expression
of "the waters which are above the firmament," and many of these masses
of water appear like stars when seen from our planet.

       *       *       *       *       *

The great Star Instrument had brought to my view the palpable features
of the Sun and the other planets. By means, not unlike those to which
you are indebted for these communications, I acquired the knowledge of
other facts which from their nature are not within the immediate scope
of the instrument, but which were often confirmed by and served to
explain many facts which the instrument itself had revealed. I used for
good ends the knowledge thus vouchsafed me, and was from time to time
rewarded with further revelations rich with hints which greatly aided me
in perfecting the measures I had initiated for the REGENERATION of the
WORLD entrusted to my charge.


THE END.


       *       *       *       *       *


LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,
AND CHARING CROSS.





End of Project Gutenberg's Another World, by Benjamin Lumley (AKA Hermes)