第4章

SPHERE。Andwhatisthenextnumber？

I。Six。

SPHERE。Exactly。Thenyouseeyouhaveansweredyourownquestion。

TheCubewhichyouwillgeneratewillbeboundedbysixsides，thatistosay，sixofyourinsides。Youseeitallnow，eh？

"Monster，"Ishrieked，"bethoujuggler，enchanter，dream，ordevil，nomorewillIendurethymockeries。EitherthouorImustperish。"

AndsayingthesewordsIprecipitatedmyselfuponhim。

Section17。HowtheSphere，havinginvaintriedwords，resortedtodeedsItwasinvain。IbroughtmyhardestrightangleintoviolentcollisionwiththeStranger，pressingonhimwithaforcesufficienttohavedestroyedanyordinaryCircle：butIcouldfeelhimslowlyandunarrestablyslippingfrommycontact;noedgingtotherightnortotheleft，butmovingsomehowoutoftheworld，andvanishingtonothing。Soontherewasablank。ButstillIheardtheIntruder’svoice。

SPHERE。Whywillyourefusetolistentoreason？

Ihadhopedtofindinyou——asbeingamanofsenseandanaccomplishedmathematician——afitapostlefortheGospeloftheThreeDimensions，whichIamallowedtopreachonceonlyinathousandyears：butnowIknownothowtoconvinceyou。

Stay，Ihaveit。Deeds，andnotwords，shallproclaimthetruth。

Listen，myfriend。

IhavetoldyouIcanseefrommypositioninSpacetheinsideofallthingsthatyouconsiderclosed。Forexample，Iseeinyondercupboardnearwhichyouarestanding，severalofwhatyoucallboxes（butlikeeverythingelseinFlatland，theyhavenotopsnorbottoms）fullofmoney;Iseealsotwotabletsofaccounts。Iamabouttodescendintothatcupboardandtobringyouoneofthosetablets。Isawyoulockthecupboardhalfanhourago，andIknowyouhavethekeyinyourpossession。

ButIdescendfromSpace;thedoors，yousee，remainunmoved。

NowIaminthecupboardandamtakingthetablet。NowIhaveit。

NowIascendwithit。

Irushedtotheclosetanddashedthedooropen。Oneofthetabletswasgone。Withamockinglaugh，theStrangerappearedintheothercorneroftheroom，andatthesametimethetabletappeareduponthefloor。Itookitup。Therecouldbenodoubt——

itwasthemissingtablet。

Igroanedwithhorror，doubtingwhetherIwasnotoutofmysenses;

buttheStrangercontinued："Surelyyoumustnowseethatmyexplanation，andnoother，suitsthephenomena。WhatyoucallSolidthingsarereallysuperficial;whatyoucallSpaceisreallynothingbutagreatPlane。IaminSpace，andlookdownupontheinsidesofthethingsofwhichyouonlyseetheoutsides。

YoucouldleavethisPlaneyourself，ifyoucouldbutsummonupthenecessaryvolition。AslightupwardordownwardmotionwouldenableyoutoseeallthatIcansee。

"ThehigherImount，andthefurtherIgofromyourPlane，themoreIcansee，thoughofcourseIseeitonasmallerscale。

Forexample，Iamascending;nowIcanseeyourneighbourtheHexagonandhisfamilyintheirseveralapartments;nowIseetheinsideoftheTheatre，tendoorsoff，fromwhichtheaudienceisonlyjustdeparting;andontheothersideaCircleinhisstudy，sittingathisbooks。NowIshallcomebacktoyou。

And，asacrowningproof，whatdoyousaytomygivingyouatouch，justtheleasttouch，inyourstomach？Itwillnotseriouslyinjureyou，andtheslightpainyoumaysuffercannotbecomparedwiththementalbenefityouwillreceive。"

BeforeIcouldutterawordofremonstrance，Ifeltashootingpaininmyinside，andademoniacallaughseemedtoissuefromwithinme。

Amomentafterwardsthesharpagonyhadceased，leavingnothingbutadullachebehind，andtheStrangerbegantoreappear，saying，ashegraduallyincreasedinsize，"There，Ihavenothurtyoumuch，haveI？Ifyouarenotconvincednow，Idon’tknowwhatwillconvinceyou。Whatsayyou？"

Myresolutionwastaken。ItseemedintolerablethatIshouldendureexistencesubjecttothearbitraryvisitationsofaMagicianwhocouldthusplaytrickswithone’sverystomach。IfonlyIcouldinanywaymanagetopinhimagainstthewalltillhelpcame！

OncemoreIdashedmyhardestangleagainsthim，atthesametimealarmingthewholehouseholdbymycriesforaid。Ibelieve，atthemomentofmyonset，theStrangerhadsunkbelowourPlane，andreallyfounddifficultyinrising。Inanycaseheremainedmotionless，whileI，hearing，asIthought，thesoundofsomehelpapproaching，pressedagainsthimwithredoubledvigour，andcontinuedtoshoutforassistance。

AconvulsiveshudderranthroughtheSphere。"Thismustnotbe，"

IthoughtIheardhimsay："eitherhemustlistentoreason，orImusthaverecoursetothelastresourceofcivilization。"

Then，addressingmeinaloudertone，hehurriedlyexclaimed，"Listen：nostrangermustwitnesswhatyouhavewitnessed。

SendyourWifebackatonce，beforesheenterstheapartment。

TheGospelofThreeDimensionsmustnotbethusfrustrated。

Notthusmustthefruitsofonethousandyearsofwaitingbethrownaway。Ihearhercoming。Back！back！Awayfromme，oryoumustgowithme——whitheryouknownot——intotheLandofThreeDimensions！"

"Fool！Madman！Irregular！"Iexclaimed;"neverwillIreleasethee;

thoushaltpaythepenaltyofthineimpostures。"

"Ha！Isitcometothis？"thunderedtheStranger："thenmeetyourfate：outofyourPlaneyougo。Once，twice，thrice！

’Tisdone！"

Section18。HowIcametoSpaceland，andwhatIsawthereAnunspeakablehorrorseizedme。Therewasadarkness;

thenadizzy，sickeningsensationofsightthatwasnotlikeseeing;

IsawaLinethatwasnoLine;SpacethatwasnotSpace：

Iwasmyself，andnotmyself。WhenIcouldfindvoice，Ishriekedaloudinagony，"EitherthisismadnessoritisHell。"

"Itisneither，"calmlyrepliedthevoiceoftheSphere，"itisKnowledge;itisThreeDimensions：openyoureyeonceagainandtrytolooksteadily。"

Ilooked，and，behold，anewworld！Therestoodbeforeme，visiblyincorporate，allthatIhadbeforeinferred，conjectured，dreamed，ofperfectCircularbeauty。WhatseemedthecentreoftheStranger’sformlayopentomyview：yetIcouldseenoheart，norlungs，norarteries，onlyabeautifulharmoniousSomething——

forwhichIhadnowords;butyou，myReadersinSpaceland，wouldcallitthesurfaceoftheSphere。

ProstratingmyselfmentallybeforemyGuide，Icried，"Howisit，OdivineidealofconsummatelovelinessandwisdomthatIseethyinside，andyetcannotdiscernthyheart，thylungs，thyarteries，thyliver？""Whatyouthinkyousee，youseenot，"hereplied;

"itisnotgiventoyou，nortoanyotherBeingtobeholdmyinternalparts。IamofadifferentorderofBeingsfromthoseinFlatland。WereIaCircle，youcoulddiscernmyintestines，butIamaBeing，composedasItoldyoubefore，ofmanyCircles，theManyintheOne，calledinthiscountryaSphere。And，justastheoutsideofaCubeisaSquare，sotheoutsideofaSpherepresentstheappearanceofaCircle。"

BewilderedthoughIwasbymyTeacher’senigmaticutterance，Inolongerchafedagainstit，butworshippedhiminsilentadoration。

Hecontinued，withmoremildnessinhisvoice。"DistressnotyourselfifyoucannotatfirstunderstandthedeepermysteriesofSpaceland。

Bydegreestheywilldawnuponyou。Letusbeginbycastingbackaglanceattheregionwhenceyoucame。ReturnwithmeawhiletotheplainsofFlatland，andIwillshewyouthatwhichyouhaveoftenreasonedandthoughtabout，butneverseenwiththesenseofsight——avisibleangle。""Impossible！"Icried;

but，theSphereleadingtheway，Ifollowedasifinadream，tilloncemorehisvoicearrestedme："Lookyonder，andbeholdyourownPentagonalhouse，andallitsinmates。"

Ilookedbelow，andsawwithmyphysicaleyeallthatdomesticindividualitywhichIhadhithertomerelyinferredwiththeunderstanding。AndhowpoorandshadowywastheinferredconjectureincomparisonwiththerealitywhichInowbeheld！

MyfourSonscalmlyasleepintheNorth-Westernrooms，mytwoorphanGrandsonstotheSouth;theServants，theButler，myDaughter，allintheirseveralapartments。OnlymyaffectionateWife，alarmedbymycontinuedabsence，hadquittedherroomandwasrovingupanddownintheHall，anxiouslyawaitingmyreturn。AlsothePage，arousedbymycries，hadlefthisroom，andunderpretextofascertainingwhetherIhadfallensomewhereinafaint，waspryingintothecabinetinmystudy。

AllthisIcouldnowSEE，notmerelyinfer;andaswecamenearerandnearer，Icoulddiscerneventhecontentsofmycabinet，andthetwochestsofgold，andthetabletsofwhichtheSpherehadmademention。

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PolicemanPolicemanTouchedbymyWife’sdistress，Iwouldhavesprungdownwardtoreassureher，butIfoundmyselfincapableofmotion。

"TroublenotyourselfaboutyourWife，"saidmyGuide：

"shewillnotbelongleftinanxiety;meantime，letustakeasurveyofFlatland。"

OncemoreIfeltmyselfrisingthroughspace。ItwasevenastheSpherehadsaid。Thefurtherwerecededfromtheobjectwebeheld，thelargerbecamethefieldofvision。Mynativecity，withtheinteriorofeveryhouseandeverycreaturetherein，layopentomyviewinminiature。Wemountedhigher，andlo，thesecretsoftheearth，thedepthsofminesandinmostcavernsofthehills，werebaredbeforeme。

Awestruckatthesightofthemysteriesoftheearth，thusunveiledbeforemyunworthyeye，IsaidtomyCompanion，"Behold，IambecomeasaGod。Forthewisemeninourcountrysaythattoseeallthings，orastheyexpressit，OMNIVIDENCE，istheattributeofGodalone。"TherewassomethingofscorninthevoiceofmyTeacherashemadeanswer："Isitsoindeed？

Thentheverypick-pocketsandcut-throatsofmycountryaretobeworshippedbyyourwisemenasbeingGods：

forthereisnotoneofthemthatdoesnotseeasmuchasyouseenow。

Buttrustme，yourwisemenarewrong。"

I。ThenisomnividencetheattributeofothersbesidesGods？

SPHERE。Idonotknow。But，ifapick-pocketoracut-throatofourcountrycanseeeverythingthatisinyourcountry，surelythatisnoreasonwhythepick-pocketorcut-throatshouldbeacceptedbyyouasaGod。Thisomnividence，asyoucallit——

itisnotacommonwordinSpaceland——doesitmakeyoumorejust，moremerciful，lessselfish，moreloving？Notintheleast。

Thenhowdoesitmakeyoumoredivine？

I。"Moremerciful，moreloving！"Butthesearethequalitiesofwomen！AndweknowthataCircleisahigherBeingthanaStraightLine，insofarasknowledgeandwisdomaremoretobeesteemedthanmereaffection。

SPHERE。Itisnotformetoclassifyhumanfacultiesaccordingtomerit。YetmanyofthebestandwisestinSpacelandthinkmoreoftheaffectionsthanoftheunderstanding，moreofyourdespisedStraightLinesthanofyourbelaudedCircles。Butenoughofthis。

Lookyonder。Doyouknowthatbuilding？

Ilooked，andafaroffIsawanimmensePolygonalstructure，inwhichIrecognizedtheGeneralAssemblyHalloftheStatesofFlatland，surroundedbydenselinesofPentagonalbuildingsatrightanglestoeachother，whichIknewtobestreets;andIperceivedthatIwasapproachingthegreatMetropolis。

"Herewedescend，"saidmyGuide。Itwasnowmorning，thefirsthourofthefirstdayofthetwothousandthyearofourera。

Acting，aswastheirwont，instrictaccordancewithprecedent，thehighestCirclesoftherealmweremeetinginsolemnconclave，astheyhadmetonthefirsthourofthefirstdayoftheyear1000，andalsoonthefirsthourofthefirstdayoftheyear0。

TheminutesofthepreviousmeetingswerenowreadbyonewhomI

atoncerecognizedasmybrother，aperfectlySymmetricalSquare，andtheChiefClerkoftheHighCouncil。Itwasfoundrecordedoneachoccasionthat："WhereastheStateshadbeentroubledbydiversill-intentionedpersonspretendingtohavereceivedrevelationsfromanotherWorld，andprofessingtoproducedemonstrationswherebytheyhadinstigatedtofrenzyboththemselvesandothers，ithadbeenforthiscauseunanimouslyresolvedbytheGrandCouncilthatonthefirstdayofeachmillenary，specialinjunctionsbesenttothePrefectsintheseveraldistrictsofFlatland，tomakestrictsearchforsuchmisguidedpersons，andwithoutformalityofmathematicalexamination，todestroyallsuchaswereIsoscelesofanydegree，toscourgeandimprisonanyregularTriangle，tocauseanySquareorPentagontobesenttothedistrictAsylum，andtoarrestanyoneofhigherrank，sendinghimstraightwaytotheCapitaltobeexaminedandjudgedbytheCouncil。"

"Youhearyourfate，"saidtheSpheretome，whiletheCouncilwaspassingforthethirdtimetheformalresolution。

"DeathorimprisonmentawaitstheApostleoftheGospelofThreeDimensions。""Notso，"repliedI，"thematterisnowsocleartome，thenatureofrealspacesopalpable，thatmethinksIcouldmakeachildunderstandit。Permitmebuttodescendatthismomentandenlightenthem。""Notyet，"saidmyGuide，"thetimewillcomeforthat。MeantimeImustperformmymission。

Staythouthereinthyplace。"Sayingthesewords，heleapedwithgreatdexterityintothesea（ifImaysocallit）

ofFlatland，rightinthemidstoftheringofCounsellors。"Icome，"

criedhe，"toproclaimthatthereisalandofThreeDimensions。"

IcouldseemanyoftheyoungerCounsellorsstartbackinmanifesthorror，astheSphere’scircularsectionwidenedbeforethem。ButonasignfromthepresidingCircle——whoshewednottheslightestalarmorsurprise——sixIsoscelesofalowtypefromsixdifferentquartersrushedupontheSphere。

"Wehavehim，"theycried;"No;yes;wehavehimstill！he’sgoing！

he’sgone！"

"MyLords，"saidthePresidenttotheJuniorCirclesoftheCouncil，"thereisnottheslightestneedforsurprise;thesecretarchives，towhichIalonehaveaccess，tellmethatasimilaroccurrencehappenedonthelasttwomillennialcommencements。Youwill，ofcourse，saynothingofthesetriflesoutsidetheCabinet。"

Raisinghisvoice，henowsummonedtheguards。"Arrestthepolicemen;

gagthem。Youknowyourduty。"Afterhehadconsignedtotheirfatethewretchedpolicemen——ill-fatedandunwillingwitnessesofaState-secretwhichtheywerenottobepermittedtoreveal——

heagainaddressedtheCounsellors。"MyLords，thebusinessoftheCouncilbeingconcluded，IhaveonlytowishyouahappyNewYear。"Beforedeparting，heexpressed，atsomelength，totheClerk，myexcellentbutmostunfortunatebrother，hissincereregretthat，inaccordancewithprecedentandforthesakeofsecrecy，hemustcondemnhimtoperpetualimprisonment，butaddedhissatisfactionthat，unlesssomementionweremadebyhimofthatday’sincident，hislifewouldbespared。

Section19。How，thoughtheSphereshewedmeothermysteriesofSpaceland，Istilldesiredmore;andwhatcameofitWhenIsawmypoorbrotherledawaytoimprisonment，IattemptedtoleapdownintotheCouncilChamber，desiringtointercedeonhisbehalf，oratleastbidhimfarewell。ButIfoundthatIhadnomotionofmyown。IabsolutelydependedonthevolitionofmyGuide，whosaidingloomytones，"Heednotthybrother;

haplythoushalthaveampletimehereaftertocondolewithhim。

Followme。"

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Oncemoreweascendedintospace。"Hitherto，"saidtheSphere，"IhaveshewnyounaughtsavePlaneFiguresandtheirinteriors。

NowImustintroduceyoutoSolids，andrevealtoyoutheplanuponwhichtheyareconstructed。Beholdthismultitudeofmoveablesquarecards。See，Iputoneonanother，not，asyousupposed，Northwardoftheother，butONtheother。

Nowasecond，nowathird。See，IambuildingupaSolidbyamultitudeofSquaresparalleltooneanother。NowtheSolidiscomplete，beingashighasitislongandbroad，andwecallitaCube。"

"Pardonme，myLord，"repliedI;"buttomyeyetheappearanceisasofanIrregularFigurewhoseinsideislaidopentotheview;

inotherwords，methinksIseenoSolid，butaPlanesuchasweinferinFlatland;onlyofanIrregularitywhichbetokenssomemonstrouscriminal，sothattheverysightofitispainfultomyeyes。"

"True，"saidtheSphere，"itappearstoyouaPlane，becauseyouarenotaccustomedtolightandshadeandperspective;

justasinFlatlandaHexagonwouldappearaStraightLinetoonewhohasnottheArtofSightRecognition。ButinrealityitisaSolid，asyoushalllearnbythesenseofFeeling。"

HethenintroducedmetotheCube，andIfoundthatthismarvellousBeingwasindeednoPlane，butaSolid;andthathewasendowedwithsixplanesidesandeightterminalpointscalledsolidangles;andIrememberedthesayingoftheSpherethatjustsuchaCreatureasthiswouldbeformedbyaSquaremoving，inSpace，paralleltohimself：andIrejoicedtothinkthatsoinsignificantaCreatureasIcouldinsomesensebecalledtheProgenitorofsoillustriousanoffspring。

ButstillIcouldnotfullyunderstandthemeaningofwhatmyTeacherhadtoldmeconcerning"light"and"shade"and"perspective";

andIdidnothesitatetoputmydifficultiesbeforehim。

WereItogivetheSphere’sexplanationofthesematters，succinctandclearthoughitwas，itwouldbetedioustoaninhabitantofSpace，whoknowsthesethingsalready。Sufficeit，thatbyhislucidstatements，andbychangingthepositionofobjectsandlights，andbyallowingmetofeeltheseveralobjectsandevenhisownsacredPerson，heatlastmadeallthingscleartome，sothatIcouldnowreadilydistinguishbetweenaCircleandaSphere，aPlaneFigureandaSolid。

ThiswastheClimax，theParadise，ofmystrangeeventfulHistory。

HenceforthIhavetorelatethestoryofmymiserableFall：——

mostmiserable，yetsurelymostundeserved！Forwhyshouldthethirstforknowledgebearoused，onlytobedisappointedandpunished？

Myvolitionshrinksfromthepainfultaskofrecallingmyhumiliation;

yet，likeasecondPrometheus，Iwillendurethisandworse，ifbyanymeansImayarouseintheinteriorsofPlaneandSolidHumanityaspiritofrebellionagainsttheConceitwhichwouldlimitourDimensionstoTwoorThreeoranynumbershortofInfinity。

Awaythenwithallpersonalconsiderations！Letmecontinuetotheend，asIbegan，withoutfurtherdigressionsoranticipations，pursuingtheplainpathofdispassionateHistory。Theexactfacts，theexactwords，——andtheyareburntinuponmybrain，——

shallbesetdownwithoutalterationofaniota;andletmyReadersjudgebetweenmeandDestiny。

TheSpherewouldwillinglyhavecontinuedhislessonsbyindoctrinatingmeintheconformationofallregularSolids，Cylinders，Cones，Pyramids，Pentahedrons，Hexahedrons，Dodecahedrons，andSpheres：butIventuredtointerrupthim。NotthatIwasweariedofknowledge。Onthecontrary，Ithirstedforyetdeeperandfullerdraughtsthanhewasofferingtome。

"Pardonme，"saidI，"OThouWhomImustnolongeraddressasthePerfectionofallBeauty;butletmebegtheetovouchsafethyservantasightofthineinterior。"

SPHERE。Mywhat？

I。Thineinterior：thystomach，thyintestines。

SPHERE。Whencethisill-timedimpertinentrequest？AndwhatmeanyoubysayingthatIamnolongerthePerfectionofallBeauty？

I。MyLord，yourownwisdomhastaughtmetoaspiretoOneevenmoregreat，morebeautiful，andmorecloselyapproximatetoPerfectionthanyourself。Asyouyourself，superiortoallFlatlandforms，combinemanyCirclesinOne，sodoubtlessthereisOneaboveyouwhocombinesmanySpheresinOneSupremeExistence，surpassingeventheSolidsofSpaceland。Andevenaswe，whoarenowinSpace，lookdownonFlatlandandseetheinsidesofallthings，soofacertaintythereisyetaboveussomehigher，purerregion，whitherthoudostsurelypurposetoleadme——

OThouWhomIshallalwayscall，everywhereandinallDimensions，myPriest，Philosopher，andFriend——someyetmorespaciousSpace，somemoredimensionableDimensionality，fromthevantage-groundofwhichweshalllookdowntogetherupontherevealedinsidesofSolidthings，andwherethineownintestines，andthoseofthykindredSpheres，willlieexposedtotheviewofthepoorwanderingexilefromFlatland，towhomsomuchhasalreadybeenvouchsafed。

SPHERE。Pooh！Stuff！Enoughofthistrifling！Thetimeisshort，andmuchremainstobedonebeforeyouarefittoproclaimtheGospelofThreeDimensionstoyourblindbenightedcountrymeninFlatland。

I。Nay，graciousTeacher，denymenotwhatIknowitisinthypowertoperform。Grantmebutoneglimpseofthineinterior，andIamsatisfiedforever，remaininghenceforththydocilepupil，thyunemancipableslave，readytoreceiveallthyteachingsandtofeeduponthewordsthatfallfromthylips。

SPHERE。Well，then，tocontentandsilenceyou，letmesayatonce，IwouldshewyouwhatyouwishifIcould;butIcannot。

Wouldyouhavemeturnmystomachinsideouttoobligeyou？

I。ButmyLordhasshewnmetheintestinesofallmycountrymenintheLandofTwoDimensionsbytakingmewithhimintotheLandofThree。WhatthereforemoreeasythannowtotakehisservantonasecondjourneyintotheblessedregionoftheFourthDimension，whereIshalllookdownwithhimoncemoreuponthislandofThreeDimensions，andseetheinsideofeverythree-dimensionedhouse，thesecretsofthesolidearth，thetreasuresoftheminesinSpaceland，andtheintestinesofeverysolidlivingcreature，evenofthenobleandadorableSpheres。

SPHERE。ButwhereisthislandofFourDimensions？

I。Iknownot：butdoubtlessmyTeacherknows。

SPHERE。NotI。Thereisnosuchland。Theveryideaofitisutterlyinconceivable。

I。Notinconceivable，myLord，tome，andthereforestilllessinconceivabletomyMaster。Nay，Idespairnotthat，evenhere，inthisregionofThreeDimensions，yourLordship’sartmaymaketheFourthDimensionvisibletome;justasintheLandofTwoDimensionsmyTeacher’sskillwouldfainhaveopenedtheeyesofhisblindservanttotheinvisiblepresenceofaThirdDimension，thoughIsawitnot。

Letmerecallthepast。WasInottaughtbelowthatwhenIsawaLineandinferredaPlane，IinrealitysawaThirdunrecognizedDimension，notthesameasbrightness，called"height"？Anddoesitnotnowfollowthat，inthisregion，whenIseeaPlaneandinferaSolid，IreallyseeaFourthunrecognizedDimension，notthesameascolour，butexistent，thoughinfinitesimalandincapableofmeasurement？

Andbesidesthis，thereistheArgumentfromAnalogyofFigures。

SPHERE。Analogy！Nonsense：whatanalogy？

I。YourLordshiptemptshisservanttoseewhetherherememberstherevelationsimpartedtohim。Triflenotwithme，myLord;

Icrave，Ithirst，formoreknowledge。DoubtlesswecannotSEE

thatotherhigherSpacelandnow，becausewewehavenoeyeinourstomachs。But，justasthereWAStherealmofFlatland，thoughthatpoorpunyLinelandMonarchcouldneitherturntoleftnorrighttodiscernit，andjustasthereWAScloseathand，andtouchingmyframe，thelandofThreeDimensions，thoughI，blindsenselesswretch，hadnopowertotouchit，noeyeinmyinteriortodiscernit，soofasuretythereisaFourthDimension，whichmyLordperceiveswiththeinnereyeofthought。AndthatitmustexistmyLordhimselfhastaughtme。

Orcanhehaveforgottenwhathehimselfimpartedtohisservant？

InOneDimension，didnotamovingPointproduceaLinewithTWOterminalpoints？

InTwoDimensions，didnotamovingLineproduceaSquarewithFOURterminalpoints？

InThreeDimensions，didnotamovingSquareproduce——

didnotthiseyeofminebeholdit——thatblessedBeing，aCube，withEIGHTterminalpoints？

AndinFourDimensionsshallnotamovingCube——alas，forAnalogy，andalasfortheProgressofTruth，ifitbenotso——shallnot，Isay，themotionofadivineCuberesultinastillmoredivineOrganizationwithSIXTEENterminalpoints？

BeholdtheinfallibleconfirmationoftheSeries，2，4，8，16：

isnotthisaGeometricalProgression？Isnotthis——ifImightquotemyLord’sownwords——"strictlyaccordingtoAnalogy"？

Again，wasInottaughtbymyLordthatasinaLinethereareTWOboundingPoints，andinaSquarethereareFOUR

boundingLines，soinaCubetheremustbeSIXboundingSquares？

BeholdoncemoretheconfirmingSeries，2，4，6：isnotthisanArithmeticalProgression？AndconsequentlydoesitnotofnecessityfollowthatthemoredivineoffspringofthedivineCubeintheLandofFourDimensions，musthave8boundingCubes：

andisnotthisalso，asmyLordhastaughtmetobelieve，"strictlyaccordingtoAnalogy"？

O，myLord，myLord，behold，Icastmyselfinfaithuponconjecture，notknowingthefacts;andIappealtoyourLordshiptoconfirmordenymylogicalanticipations。IfIamwrong，Iyield，andwillnolongerdemandafourthDimension;but，ifIamright，myLordwilllistentoreason。

Iasktherefore，isit，orisitnot，thefact，thaterenowyourcountrymenalsohavewitnessedthedescentofBeingsofahigherorderthantheirown，enteringclosedrooms，evenasyourLordshipenteredmine，withouttheopeningofdoorsorwindows，andappearingandvanishingatwill？OnthereplytothisquestionIamreadytostakeeverything。Denyit，andIamhenceforthsilent。Onlyvouchsafeananswer。

SPHERE。（AFTERAPAUSE）。Itisreportedso。Butmenaredividedinopinionastothefacts。Andevengrantingthefacts，theyexplainthemindifferentways。Andinanycase，howevergreatmaybethenumberofdifferentexplanations，noonehasadoptedorsuggestedthetheoryofaFourthDimension。

Therefore，prayhavedonewiththistrifling，andletusreturntobusiness。

I。Iwascertainofit。Iwascertainthatmyanticipationswouldbefulfilled。Andnowhavepatiencewithmeandanswermeyetonemorequestion，bestofTeachers！Thosewhohavethusappeared——

nooneknowswhence——andhavereturned——nooneknowswhither——

havetheyalsocontractedtheirsectionsandvanishedsomehowintothatmoreSpaciousSpace，whitherInowentreatyoutoconductme？

SPHERE（MOODILY）。Theyhavevanished，certainly——

iftheyeverappeared。Butmostpeoplesaythatthesevisionsarosefromthethought——youwillnotunderstandme——fromthebrain;

fromtheperturbedangularityoftheSeer。

I。Saytheyso？Oh，believethemnot。Orifitindeedbeso，thatthisotherSpaceisreallyThoughtland，thentakemetothatblessedRegionwhereIinThoughtshallseetheinsidesofallsolidthings。There，beforemyravishedeye，aCube，movinginsomealtogethernewdirection，butstrictlyaccordingtoAnalogy，soastomakeeveryparticleofhisinteriorpassthroughanewkindofSpace，withawakeofitsown——shallcreateastillmoreperfectperfectionthanhimself，withsixteenterminalExtra-solidangles，andEightsolidCubesforhisPerimeter。

Andoncethere，shallwestayourupwardcourse？InthatblessedregionofFourDimensions，shallwelingeronthethresholdoftheFifth，andnotentertherein？Ah，no！Letusratherresolvethatourambitionshallsoarwithourcorporalascent。Then，yieldingtoourintellectualonset，thegatesoftheSixthDimensionshallflyopen;afterthataSeventh，andthenanEighth——

HowlongIshouldhavecontinuedIknownot。InvaindidtheSphere，inhisvoiceofthunder，reiteratehiscommandofsilence，andthreatenmewiththedirestpenaltiesifIpersisted。

Nothingcouldstemthefloodofmyecstaticaspirations。

PerhapsIwastoblame;butindeedIwasintoxicatedwiththerecentdraughtsofTruthtowhichhehimselfhadintroducedme。

However，theendwasnotlongincoming。Mywordswerecutshortbyacrashoutside，andasimultaneouscrashinsideme，whichimpelledmethroughspacewithavelocitythatprecludedspeech。

Down！down！down！Iwasrapidlydescending;andIknewthatreturntoFlatlandwasmydoom。Oneglimpse，onelastandnever-to-be-forgottenglimpseIhadofthatdulllevelwilderness——whichwasnowtobecomemyUniverseagain——

spreadoutbeforemyeye。Thenadarkness。Thenafinal，all-consummatingthunder-peal;and，whenIcametomyself，IwasoncemoreacommoncreepingSquare，inmyStudyathome，listeningtothePeace-CryofmyapproachingWife。

Section20。HowtheSphereencouragedmeinaVisionAlthoughIhadlessthanaminuteforreflection，Ifelt，byakindofinstinct，thatImustconcealmyexperiencesfrommyWife。

NotthatIapprehended，atthemoment，anydangerfromherdivulgingmysecret，butIknewthattoanyWomaninFlatlandthenarrativeofmyadventuresmustneedsbeunintelligible。

SoIendeavouredtoreassureherbysomestory，inventedfortheoccasion，thatIhadaccidentallyfallenthroughthetrap-doorofthecellar，andhadtherelainstunned。

TheSouthwardattractioninourcountryissoslightthateventoaWomanmytalenecessarilyappearedextraordinaryandwell-nighincredible;butmyWife，whosegoodsensefarexceedsthatoftheaverageofherSex，andwhoperceivedthatIwasunusuallyexcited，didnotarguewithmeonthesubject，butinsistedthatIwasillandrequiredrepose。Iwasgladofanexcuseforretiringtomychambertothinkquietlyoverwhathadhappened。WhenIwasatlastbymyself，adrowsysensationfellonme;butbeforemyeyesclosedIendeavouredtoreproducetheThirdDimension，andespeciallytheprocessbywhichaCubeisconstructedthroughthemotionofaSquare。ItwasnotsoclearasIcouldhavewished;butIrememberedthatitmustbe"Upward，andyetnotNorthward"，andIdeterminedsteadfastlytoretainthesewordsasthecluewhich，iffirmlygrasped，couldnotfailtoguidemetothesolution。Somechanicallyrepeating，likeacharm，thewords，"Upward，yetnotNorthward"，Ifellintoasoundrefreshingsleep。

DuringmyslumberIhadadream。IthoughtIwasoncemorebythesideoftheSphere，whoselustroushuebetokenedthathehadexchangedhiswrathagainstmeforperfectplacability。WeweremovingtogethertowardsabrightbutinfinitesimallysmallPoint，towhichmyMasterdirectedmyattention。Asweapproached，methoughtthereissuedfromitaslighthummingnoiseasfromoneofyourSpacelandbluebottles，onlylessresonantbyfar，soslightindeedthatevenintheperfectstillnessoftheVacuumthroughwhichwesoared，thesoundreachednotourearstillwecheckedourflightatadistancefromitofsomethingundertwentyhumandiagonals。

"Lookyonder，"saidmyGuide，"inFlatlandthouhastlived;

ofLinelandthouhastreceivedavision;thouhastsoaredwithmetotheheightsofSpaceland;now，inordertocompletetherangeofthyexperience，Iconducttheedownwardtothelowestdepthofexistence，eventotherealmofPointland，theAbyssofNodimensions。

"Beholdyonmiserablecreature。ThatPointisaBeinglikeourselves，butconfinedtothenon-dimensionalGulf。HeishimselfhisownWorld，hisownUniverse;ofanyotherthanhimselfhecanformnoconception;heknowsnotLength，norBreadth，norHeight，forhehashadnoexperienceofthem;hehasnocognizanceevenofthenumberTwo;norhasheathoughtofPlurality;

forheishimselfhisOneandAll，beingreallyNothing。

Yetmarkhisperfectself-contentment，andhencelearnthislesson，thattobeself-contentedistobevileandignorant，andthattoaspireisbetterthantobeblindlyandimpotentlyhappy。

Nowlisten。"

Heceased;andtherearosefromthelittlebuzzingcreatureatiny，low，monotonous，butdistincttinkling，asfromoneofyourSpacelandphonographs，fromwhichIcaughtthesewords，"Infinitebeatitudeofexistence！Itis;andthereisnoneelsebesideIt。"

"What，"saidI，"doesthepunycreaturemeanby’it’？"

"Hemeanshimself，"saidtheSphere："haveyounotnoticedbeforenow，thatbabiesandbabyishpeoplewhocannotdistinguishthemselvesfromtheworld，speakofthemselvesintheThirdPerson？

Buthush！"

"ItfillsallSpace，"continuedthelittlesoliloquizingCreature，"andwhatItfills，Itis。WhatItthinks，thatItutters;

andwhatItutters，thatIthears;andItitselfisThinker，Utterer，Hearer，Thought，Word，Audition;itistheOne，andyettheAllinAll。Ah，thehappinessah，thehappinessofBeing！"

"Canyounotstartlethelittlethingoutofitscomplacency？"saidI。

"Tellitwhatitreallyis，asyoutoldme;revealtoitthenarrowlimitationsofPointland，andleadituptosomethinghigher。""Thatisnoeasytask，"saidmyMaster;"tryyou。"

Hereon，raisingmyvoicetotheuttermost，IaddressedthePointasfollows：

"Silence，silence，contemptibleCreature。YoucallyourselftheAllinAll，butyouaretheNothing：yourso-calledUniverseisamerespeckinaLine，andaLineisamereshadowascomparedwith——""Hush，hush，youhavesaidenough，"

interruptedtheSphere，"nowlisten，andmarktheeffectofyourharangueontheKingofPointland。"

ThelustreoftheMonarch，whobeamedmorebrightlythaneveruponhearingmywords，shewedclearlythatheretainedhiscomplacency;

andIhadhardlyceasedwhenhetookuphisstrainagain。

"Ah，thejoy，ah，thejoyofThought！WhatcanItnotachievebythinking！ItsownThoughtcomingtoItself，suggestiveofItsdisparagement，therebytoenhanceItshappiness！Sweetrebellionstirreduptoresultintriumph！Ah，thedivinecreativepoweroftheAllinOne！Ah，thejoy，thejoyofBeing！"

"Yousee，"saidmyTeacher，"howlittleyourwordshavedone。SofarastheMonarchunderstandsthematall，heacceptsthemashisown——

forhecannotconceiveofanyotherexcepthimself——

andplumeshimselfuponthevarietyof’ItsThought’asaninstanceofcreativePower。LetusleavethisGodofPointlandtotheignorantfruitionofhisomnipresenceandomniscience：nothingthatyouorI

candocanrescuehimfromhisself-satisfaction。"

Afterthis，aswefloatedgentlybacktoFlatland，IcouldhearthemildvoiceofmyCompanionpointingthemoralofmyvision，andstimulatingmetoaspire，andtoteachotherstoaspire。

Hehadbeenangeredatfirst——heconfessed——bymyambitiontosoartoDimensionsabovetheThird;but，sincethen，hehadreceivedfreshinsight，andhewasnottooproudtoacknowledgehiserrortoaPupil。ThenheproceededtoinitiatemeintomysteriesyethigherthanthoseIhadwitnessed，shewingmehowtoconstructExtra-SolidsbythemotionofSolids，andDoubleExtra-SolidsbythemotionofExtra-Solids，andall"strictlyaccordingtoAnalogy"，allbymethodssosimple，soeasy，astobepatenteventotheFemaleSex。

Section21。HowItriedtoteachtheTheoryofThreeDimensionstomyGrandson，andwithwhatsuccessIawokerejoicing，andbegantoreflectonthegloriouscareerbeforeme。Iwouldgoforth，methought，atonce，andevangelizethewholeofFlatland。EventoWomenandSoldiersshouldtheGospelofThreeDimensionsbeproclaimed。IwouldbeginwithmyWife。

JustasIhaddecidedontheplanofmyoperations，Iheardthesoundofmanyvoicesinthestreetcommandingsilence。

Thenfollowedaloudervoice。Itwasaherald’sproclamation。

Listeningattentively，IrecognizedthewordsoftheResolutionoftheCouncil，enjoiningthearrest，imprisonment，orexecutionofanyonewhoshouldpervertthemindsofthepeoplebydelusions，andbyprofessingtohavereceivedrevelationsfromanotherWorld。

Ireflected。Thisdangerwasnottobetrifledwith。ItwouldbebettertoavoiditbyomittingallmentionofmyRevelation，andbyproceedingonthepathofDemonstration——whichafterall，seemedsosimpleandsoconclusivethatnothingwouldbelostbydiscardingtheformermeans。"Upward，notNorthward"——

wasthecluetothewholeproof。IthadseemedtomefairlyclearbeforeIfellasleep;andwhenIfirstawoke，freshfrommydream，ithadappearedaspatentasArithmetic;butsomehowitdidnotseemtomequitesoobviousnow。ThoughmyWifeenteredtheroomopportunelyjustatthatmoment，Idecided，afterwehadexchangedafewwordsofcommonplaceconversation，nottobeginwithher。

MyPentagonalSonsweremenofcharacterandstanding，andphysiciansofnomeanreputation，butnotgreatinmathematics，and，inthatrespect，unfitformypurpose。ButitoccurredtomethatayounganddocileHexagon，withamathematicalturn，wouldbeamostsuitablepupil。WhythereforenotmakemyfirstexperimentwithmylittleprecociousGrandson，whosecasualremarksonthemeaningof3^3hadmetwiththeapprovaloftheSphere？Discussingthematterwithhim，amereboy，Ishouldbeinperfectsafety;forhewouldknownothingoftheProclamationoftheCouncil;whereasIcouldnotfeelsurethatmySons——sogreatlydidtheirpatriotismandreverencefortheCirclespredominateovermereblindaffection——

mightnotfeelcompelledtohandmeovertothePrefect，iftheyfoundmeseriouslymaintainingtheseditiousheresyoftheThirdDimension。

ButthefirstthingtobedonewastosatisfyinsomewaythecuriosityofmyWife，whonaturallywishedtoknowsomethingofthereasonsforwhichtheCirclehaddesiredthatmysteriousinterview，andofthemeansbywhichhehadenteredthehouse。WithoutenteringintothedetailsoftheelaborateaccountIgaveher，——anaccount，Ifear，notquitesoconsistentwithtruthasmyReadersinSpacelandmightdesire，——ImustbecontentwithsayingthatIsucceededatlastinpersuadinghertoreturnquietlytoherhouseholddutieswithoutelicitingfrommeanyreferencetotheWorldofThreeDimensions。Thisdone，IimmediatelysentformyGrandson;

for，toconfessthetruth，IfeltthatallthatIhadseenandheardwasinsomestrangewayslippingawayfromme，liketheimageofahalf-grasped，tantalizingdream，andIlongedtoessaymyskillinmakingafirstdisciple。

WhenmyGrandsonenteredtheroomIcarefullysecuredthedoor。

Then，sittingdownbyhissideandtakingourmathematicaltablets，——or，asyouwouldcallthem，Lines——Itoldhimwewouldresumethelessonofyesterday。ItaughthimoncemorehowaPointbymotioninOneDimensionproducesaLine，andhowastraightLineinTwoDimensionsproducesaSquare。Afterthis，forcingalaugh，Isaid，"Andnow，youscamp，youwantedtomakemebelievethataSquaremayinthesamewaybymotion’Upward，notNorthward’

produceanotherfigure，asortofextraSquareinThreeDimensions。

Saythatagain，youyoungrascal。"

Atthismomentweheardoncemoretheherald’s"Oyes！Oyes！"

outsideinthestreetproclaimingtheResolutionoftheCouncil。

Youngthoughhewas，myGrandson——whowasunusuallyintelligentforhisage，andbredupinperfectreverencefortheauthorityoftheCircles——tookinthesituationwithanacutenessforwhichIwasquiteunprepared。HeremainedsilenttillthelastwordsoftheProclamationhaddiedaway，andthen，burstingintotears，"DearGrandpapa，"hesaid，"thatwasonlymyfun，andofcourseImeantnothingatallbyit;andwedidnotknowanythingthenaboutthenewLaw;andIdon’tthinkIsaidanythingabouttheThirdDimension;andIamsureIdidnotsayonewordabout’Upward，notNorthward’，forthatwouldbesuchnonsense，youknow。HowcouldathingmoveUpward，andnotNorthward？

UpwardandnotNorthward！EvenifIwereababy，Icouldnotbesoabsurdasthat。Howsillyitis！Ha！ha！ha！"

"Notatallsilly，"saidI，losingmytemper;"hereforexample，ItakethisSquare，"and，attheword，IgraspedamoveableSquare，whichwaslyingathand——"andImoveit，yousee，notNorthwardbut——yes，ImoveitUpward——thatistosay，notNorthward，butImoveitsomewhere——notexactlylikethis，butsomehow——"

HereIbroughtmysentencetoaninaneconclusion，shakingtheSquareaboutinapurposelessmanner，muchtotheamusementofmyGrandson，whoburstoutlaughinglouderthanever，anddeclaredthatIwasnotteachinghim，butjokingwithhim;andsosayingheunlockedthedoorandranoutoftheroom。ThusendedmyfirstattempttoconvertapupiltotheGospelofThreeDimensions。

Section22。HowIthentriedtodiffusetheTheoryofThreeDimensionsbyothermeans，andoftheresultMyfailurewithmyGrandsondidnotencouragemetocommunicatemysecrettoothersofmyhousehold;yetneitherwasIledbyittodespairofsuccess。OnlyIsawthatImustnotwhollyrelyonthecatch-phrase，"Upward，notNorthward"，butmustratherendeavourtoseekademonstrationbysettingbeforethepublicaclearviewofthewholesubject;andforthispurposeitseemednecessarytoresorttowriting。

SoIdevotedseveralmonthsinprivacytothecompositionofatreatiseonthemysteriesofThreeDimensions。Only，withtheviewofevadingtheLaw，ifpossible，IspokenotofaphysicalDimension，butofaThoughtlandwhence，intheory，aFigurecouldlookdownuponFlatlandandseesimultaneouslytheinsidesofallthings，andwhereitwaspossiblethattheremightbesupposedtoexistaFigureenvironed，asitwere，withsixSquares，andcontainingeightterminalPoints。ButinwritingthisbookIfoundmyselfsadlyhamperedbytheimpossibilityofdrawingsuchdiagramsaswerenecessaryformypurpose;forofcourse，inourcountryofFlatland，therearenotabletsbutLines，andnodiagramsbutLines，allinonestraightLineandonlydistinguishablebydifferenceofsizeandbrightness;

sothat，whenIhadfinishedmytreatise（whichIentitled，"ThroughFlatlandtoThoughtland"）Icouldnotfeelcertainthatmanywouldunderstandmymeaning。

Meanwhilemylifewasunderacloud。Allpleasurespalleduponme;

allsightstantalizedandtemptedmetooutspokentreason，becauseIcouldnotbutcomparewhatIsawinTwoDimensionswithwhatitreallywasifseeninThree，andcouldhardlyrefrainfrommakingmycomparisonsaloud。IneglectedmyclientsandmyownbusinesstogivemyselftothecontemplationofthemysterieswhichIhadoncebeheld，yetwhichIcouldimparttonoone，andfounddailymoredifficulttoreproduceevenbeforemyownmentalvision。

Oneday，aboutelevenmonthsaftermyreturnfromSpaceland，ItriedtoseeaCubewithmyeyeclosed，butfailed;

andthoughIsucceededafterwards，Iwasnotthenquitecertain（norhaveIbeeneverafterwards）thatIhadexactlyrealizedtheoriginal。Thismadememoremelancholythanbefore，anddeterminedmetotakesomestep;yetwhat，Iknewnot。

IfeltthatIwouldhavebeenwillingtosacrificemylifefortheCause，iftherebyIcouldhaveproducedconviction。

ButifIcouldnotconvincemyGrandson，howcouldIconvincethehighestandmostdevelopedCirclesintheland？

Andyetattimesmyspiritwastoostrongforme，andIgaveventtodangerousutterances。AlreadyIwasconsideredheterodoxifnottreasonable，andIwaskeenlyalivetothedangerofmyposition;neverthelessIcouldnotattimesrefrainfromburstingoutintosuspiciousorhalf-seditiousutterances，evenamongthehighestPolygonalandCircularsociety。When，forexample，thequestionaroseaboutthetreatmentofthoselunaticswhosaidthattheyhadreceivedthepowerofseeingtheinsidesofthings，IwouldquotethesayingofanancientCircle，whodeclaredthatprophetsandinspiredpeoplearealwaysconsideredbythemajoritytobemad;andIcouldnothelpoccasionallydroppingsuchexpressionsas"theeyethatdiscernstheinteriorsofthings"，and"theall-seeingland";onceortwiceIevenletfalltheforbiddenterms"theThirdandFourthDimensions"。Atlast，tocompleteaseriesofminorindiscretions，atameetingofourLocalSpeculativeSocietyheldatthepalaceofthePrefecthimself，——someextremelysillypersonhavingreadanelaboratepaperexhibitingtheprecisereasonswhyProvidencehaslimitedthenumberofDimensionstoTwo，andwhytheattributeofomnividenceisassignedtotheSupremealone——IsofarforgotmyselfastogiveanexactaccountofthewholeofmyvoyagewiththeSphereintoSpace，andtotheAssemblyHallinourMetropolis，andthentoSpaceagain，andofmyreturnhome，andofeverythingthatIhadseenandheardinfactorvision。Atfirst，indeed，IpretendedthatIwasdescribingtheimaginaryexperiencesofafictitiousperson;

butmyenthusiasmsoonforcedmetothrowoffalldisguise，andfinally，inaferventperoration，IexhortedallmyhearerstodivestthemselvesofprejudiceandtobecomebelieversintheThirdDimension。

NeedIsaythatIwasatoncearrestedandtakenbeforetheCouncil？

Nextmorning，standingintheveryplacewherebutaveryfewmonthsagotheSpherehadstoodinmycompany，Iwasallowedtobeginandtocontinuemynarrationunquestionedanduninterrupted。

ButfromthefirstIforesawmyfate;forthePresident，notingthataguardofthebettersortofPolicemenwasinattendance，ofangularitylittle，ifatall，under55degrees，orderedthemtoberelievedbeforeIbeganmydefence，byaninferiorclassof2or3degrees。Iknewonlytoowellwhatthatmeant。

Iwastobeexecutedorimprisoned，andmystorywastobekeptsecretfromtheworldbythesimultaneousdestructionoftheofficialswhohadheardit;and，thisbeingthecase，thePresidentdesiredtosubstitutethecheaperforthemoreexpensivevictims。

AfterIhadconcludedmydefence，thePresident，perhapsperceivingthatsomeofthejuniorCircleshadbeenmovedbymyevidentearnestness，askedmetwoquestions：——

1。WhetherIcouldindicatethedirectionwhichImeantwhenIusedthewords"Upward，notNorthward"？

2。WhetherIcouldbyanydiagramsordescriptions（otherthantheenumerationofimaginarysidesandangles）indicatetheFigureIwaspleasedtocallaCube？

IdeclaredthatIcouldsaynothingmore，andthatImustcommitmyselftotheTruth，whosecausewouldsurelyprevailintheend。

ThePresidentrepliedthathequiteconcurredinmysentiment，andthatIcouldnotdobetter。Imustbesentencedtoperpetualimprisonment;butiftheTruthintendedthatIshouldemergefromprisonandevangelizetheworld，theTruthmightbetrustedtobringthatresulttopass。MeanwhileIshouldbesubjectedtonodiscomfortthatwasnotnecessarytoprecludeescape，and，unlessIforfeitedtheprivilegebymisconduct，Ishouldbeoccasionallypermittedtoseemybrotherwhohadprecededmetomyprison。

SevenyearshaveelapsedandIamstillaprisoner，and——ifIexcepttheoccasionalvisitsofmybrother——

debarredfromallcompanionshipsavethatofmyjailers。

MybrotherisoneofthebestofSquares，just，sensible，cheerful，andnotwithoutfraternalaffection;yetIconfessthatmyweeklyinterviews，atleastinonerespect，causemethebitterestpain。HewaspresentwhentheSpheremanifestedhimselfintheCouncilChamber;hesawtheSphere’schangingsections;

heheardtheexplanationofthephenomenathengiventotheCircles。

Sincethattime，scarcelyaweekhaspassedduringsevenwholeyears，withouthishearingfrommearepetitionofthepartIplayedinthatmanifestation，togetherwithampledescriptionsofallthephenomenainSpaceland，andtheargumentsfortheexistenceofSolidthingsderivablefromAnalogy。Yet——Itakeshametobeforcedtoconfessit——mybrotherhasnotyetgraspedthenatureoftheThirdDimension，andfranklyavowshisdisbeliefintheexistenceofaSphere。

HenceIamabsolutelydestituteofconverts，and，foraughtthatIcansee，themillennialRevelationhasbeenmadetomefornothing。

PrometheusupinSpacelandwasboundforbringingdownfireformortals，butI——poorFlatlandPrometheus——liehereinprisonforbringingdownnothingtomycountrymen。YetIexistinthehopethatthesememoirs，insomemanner，Iknownothow，mayfindtheirwaytothemindsofhumanityinSomeDimension，andmaystiruparaceofrebelswhoshallrefusetobeconfinedtolimitedDimensionality。

Thatisthehopeofmybrightermoments。Alas，itisnotalwaysso。

HeavilyweighsonmeattimestheburdensomereflectionthatIcannothonestlysayIamconfidentastotheexactshapeoftheonce-seen，oft-regrettedCube;andinmynightlyvisionsthemysteriousprecept，"Upward，notNorthward"，hauntsmelikeasoul-devouringSphinx。

ItispartofthemartyrdomwhichIendureforthecauseoftheTruththatthereareseasonsofmentalweakness，whenCubesandSpheresflitawayintothebackgroundofscarce-possibleexistences;

whentheLandofThreeDimensionsseemsalmostasvisionaryastheLandofOneorNone;nay，wheneventhishardwallthatbarsmefrommyfreedom，theseverytabletsonwhichIamwriting，andallthesubstantialrealitiesofFlatlanditself，appearnobetterthantheoffspringofadiseasedimagination，orthebaselessfabricofadream。

THEENDofFLATLAND