第4章

Thepartofourbodilylifethatentersintoourconsciousnessisverysmallascomparedwiththatofwhichwehavenoconsciousness。

Whatcompleterproofcanwehavethatlivingnessconsistsindeedratherthaninconsciousnessofdeed？

“Theforegoingremarksarenotintendedtoapplysomuchtovicariousactioninvirtue，wewillsay，ofasettlement，ortestamentarydispositionthatcannotbesetaside。Suchactionisapttobetoounintelligent，toofarfromvariationandquickchangetorankastruevicariousaction；indeeditisnotrarelyfoundtoeffecttheveryoppositeofwhatthepersonwhomadethesettlementorwilldesired。Theyaremeanttoapplytothatmoreintelligentandversatileactionengenderedbyaffectionateremembrance。Nevertheless，eventhecompulsoryvicariousactiontakeninconsequenceofawill，andindeedtheveryname“will“

itself，shewsthatthoughwecannottakeeitherfleshormoneywithus，wecanleaveourwill-powerbehindusinveryefficientoperation。

“Thisvicariouslife(onwhichIhaveinsisted，Ifearatunnecessarylength，foritissoobviousthatnonecanhavefailedtorealiseit)islivedbyeveryoneofusbeforedeathaswellasafterit，andislittlelessimportanttousthanthatofwhichwearetosomeextentconsciousinourownpersons。Aman，wewillsay，haswrittenabookwhichdelightsordispleasesthousandsofwhomheknowsnothing，andwhoknownothingofhim。Thebook，wewillsuppose，hasconsiderable，oratanyratesomeinfluenceontheactionofthesepeople。Letussupposethewriterfastasleepwhileothersareenjoyinghiswork，andactinginconsequenceofit，perhapsatlongdistancesfromhim。Whichishistruestlife——

theoneheisleadinginthem，orthatequallyunconsciousliferesidinginhisownsleepingbody？Cantherebeadoubtthatthevicariouslifeisthemoreefficient？

“Orwhenwearewaking，howpowerfullydoesnotthelifewearelivinginotherspainordelightus，accordingasothersthinkillorwellofus？Howtrulydowenotrecogniseitaspartofourownexistence，andhowgreataninfluencedoesnotthefearofapresenthellinmen’sbadthoughts，andthehopeofapresentheavenintheirgoodones，influenceourownconduct？Havewenothereatrueheavenandatruehell，ascomparedwiththeefficiencyofwhichthesegrossmaterialonessofalselyengraftedontotheSunchild’steachingarebutastheflintimplementsofaprehistoricrace？’Ifaman，’saidtheSunchild，’fearnotman，whomhehathseen，neitherwillhefearGod，whomhehathnotseen。’“

Myfatheragainassuresmethatheneversaidthis。ReturningtoDr。Gurgoyle，hecontinued：-“Itmaybeurgedthatonaman’sdeathoneofthegreatfactorsofhislifeissoannihilatedthatnokindoftruelifecanbeanyfurtherconcededtohim。Fortoliveistobeinfluenced，aswellastoinfluence；andwhenamanisdeadhowcanhebeinfluenced？Hecanhaunt，buthecannotanymorebehaunted。Hecancometous，butwecannotgotohim。Onceasing，therefore，tobeimpressionable，sogreatapartofthatwhereinhislifeconsistedisremoved，thatnotruelifecanbeconcededtohim。

“Idonotpretendthatamanisasfullyaliveafterhisso-calleddeathasbeforeit。Heisnot。AllIcontendforis，thataconsiderableamountofefficientlifestillremainstosomeofus，andthatalittleliferemainstoallofus，afterwhatwecommonlyregardasthecompletecessationoflife。Inanswer，then，tothosewhohavejusturgedthatthedestructionofoneofthetwogreatfactorsoflifedestroyslifealtogether，Ireplythatthesamemustholdgoodasregardsdeath。

“Iftoliveistobeinfluencedandtoinfluence，andifamancannotbeheldaslivingwhenhecannolongerbeinfluenced，surelytodieistobenolongerableeithertoinfluenceorbeinfluenced，andamancannotbehelddeaduntilboththesetwofactorsofdeatharepresent。Iffailureofthepowertobeinfluencedvitiateslife，presenceofthepowertoinfluencevitiatesdeath。Andnoonewilldenythatamancaninfluenceformanyalongyearafterheisvulgarlyreputedasdead。

“Itseems，then，thatthereisnosuchthingaseitherabsolutelifewithoutanyalloyofdeath，norabsolutedeathwithoutanyalloyoflife，until，thatistosay，allposthumouspowertoinfluencehasfadedaway。Andthis，perhaps，iswhattheSunchildmeantbysayingthatinthemidstoflifeweareindeath，andsoalsothatinthemidstofdeathweareinlife。

“Andthereisthis，too。Nomancaninfluencefullyuntilhecannomorebeinfluenced——thatistosay，tillafterhisso-calleddeath。Tillthen，his’he’isstillunsettled。Weknownotwhatotherinfluencesmaynotbebroughttobearuponhimthatmaychangethecharacteroftheinfluencehewillexertonourselves。

Therefore，heisnotfullylivingtillheisnolongerliving。Heisanincompletework，whichcannothavefulleffecttillfinished。

Andasforhisvicariouslife——whichwehaveseentobeveryreal——

thiscanbe，andis，influencedbyjustappreciation，unduepraiseorcalumny，andissubject，itmaybe，tosecularvicissitudesofgoodandevilfortune。

“Ifthisisnottrue，letushavenomoretalkabouttheimmortalityofgreatmenandwomen。TheSunchildwasneverwearyoftalkingtous(aswethensometimesthought，alittletediously)

aboutagreatpoetofthatnationtowhichitpleasedhimtofeignthathebelonged。Howplainlycanwenotnowseethathiswordswerespokenforourlearning——fortheenforcementofthattrueviewofheavenandhellonwhichIamfeeblytryingtoinsist？Thepoet’sname，hesaid，wasShakespeare。Whilsthewasalive，veryfewpeopleunderstoodhisgreatness；whereasnow，aftersomethreehundredyears，heisdeemedthegreatestpoetthattheworldhaseverknown。’Canthisman，’heasked，’besaidtohavebeentrulyborntillmanyalongyearafterhehadbeenreputedastrulydead？

Whilehewasintheflesh，washemorethanamereembryogrowingtowardsbirthintothatlifeoftheworldtocomeinwhichhenowshinessogloriously？Whatasmallthingwasthatfleshandbloodlife，ofwhichhewasaloneconscious，ascomparedwiththatfleshlesslifewhichhelivesbutknowsnotinthelivesofmillions，andwhich，haditeverbeenfullyrevealedeventohisimagination，wemaybesurethathecouldnothavereached？’

“TheseweretheSunchild’swords，asrepeatedtomebyoneofhischosenfriendswhilehewasyetamongstus。Which，then，ofthisman’stwolivesshouldwedeembestworthhaving，ifwecouldchooseoneorother，butnotboth？Thefeltortheunfelt？Whowouldnotgocheerfullytoblockorstakeifheknewthatbydoingsohecouldwinsuchlifeasthispoetlives，thoughhealsoknewthatonhavingwonithecouldknownomoreaboutit？Doesnotthisprovethatinourheartofheartswedeemanunfeltlife，intheheavenofmen’slovingthoughts，tobebetterworthhavingthananywecanreasonablyhopeforandstillfeel？

“Andtheconverseofthisistrue；manyamanhasunhesitatinglylaiddownhisfeltlifetoescapeunfeltinfamyinthehellofmen’shatredandcontempt。Asbodyisthesacrament，oroutwardandvisiblesign，ofmind；soisposteritythesacramentofthosewholiveafterdeath。Eachisthemechanismthroughwhichtheotherbecomeseffective。

“Igrantthatmanylivebutashorttimewhenthebreathisoutofthem。Fewseedsgerminateascomparedwiththosethatrotorareeaten，andmostofthisworld’sdenizensarelittlemorethanstill-bornasregardsthelargerlife，whilenoneareimmortaltotheendoftime。Buttheendoftimeisnotworthconsidering；notafewliveasmanycenturiesaseithertheyorweneedthinkabout，andsurelytheworld，sofaraswecanguessitsobject，wasmaderathertobeenjoyedthantolast。’Comeandgo’pervadesallthingsofwhichwehaveknowledge，andiftherewasanyprovisionmade，itseemstohavebeenforashortlifeandamerryone，withenoughchanceofextensionbeyondthegravetobeworthtryingfor，ratherthanfortheperpetuityevenofthebestandnoblest。

“Granted，again，thatfewliveafterdeathaslongorasfullyastheyhadhopedtodo，whilemany，whenquick，canhavehadnonebutthefaintestideaoftheimmortalitythatawaitedthem；itisneverthelesstruethatnonearesostill-bornondeathasnottoenterintoalifeofsomesort，howevershortandhumble。Ashortlifeoralongonecannomorebebargainedforintheunseenworldthanintheseen；as，however，careonthepartofparentscandomuchforthelongerlifeandgreaterwell-beingoftheiroffspringinthisworld，sotheconductofthatoffspringinthisworlddoesmuchbothtosecureforitselflongertenureoflifeinthenext，andtodeterminewhetherthatlifeshallbeoneofrewardorpunishment。

“’Rewardorpunishment，’somereaderwillperhapsexclaim；’whatmockery，whentheessenceofrewardandpunishmentliesintheirbeingfeltbythosewhohaveearnedthem。’Icandonothingwiththosewhoeithercryforthemoon，ordenythatithastwosides，onthegroundthatwecanseebutone。Herecomesinfaith，ofwhichtheSunchildsaid，thatthoughwecandolittlewithit，wecandonothingwithoutit。Faithdoesnotconsist，assomehavefalselyurged，inbelievingthingsoninsufficientevidence；thisisnotfaith，butfaithlessnesstoallthatweshouldholdmostfaithfully。Faithconsistsinholdingthattheinstinctsofthebestmenandwomenareinthemselvesanevidencewhichmaynotbesetasidelightly；andthebestmenandwomenhaveeverheldthatdeathisbetterthandishonour，anddesirableifhonouristobewonthereby。

“Itfollows，then，thatthoughourconsciousfleshandbloodlifeistheonlyonethatwecanfullyapprehend，yetwedoalsoindeedmove，evenhere，inanunseenworld，wherein，whenourpalpablelifeisended，weshallcontinuetoliveforashorterorlongertime——reapingroughly，thoughnotinfallibly，muchaswehavesown。

Ofthisunseenworldthebestmenandwomenwillbealmostasheedlesswhileinthefleshastheywillbewhentheirlifeinfleshisover；for，astheSunchildoftensaid，’TheKingdomofHeavencomethnotbyobservation。’Itwillbeallinalltothem，andatthesametimenothing，forthebetterpeopletheyare，thelesstheywillthinkofanythingbutthispresentlife。

“Whatanineffablecontradictionintermshavewenothere。Whatareversal，isitnot，ofallthisworld’scanons，thatweshouldholdeventhebestofallthatwecanknoworfeelinthislifetobeapoorthingascomparedwithhopesthefulfilmentofwhichwecannevereitherfeelorknow。Yetweallholdthis，howeverlittlewemayadmitittoourselves。Fortheworldatheartdespisesitsowncanons。”

IcannotquotefurtherfromDr。Gurgoyle’spamphlet；sufficeitthathepresentlydealtwiththosewhosaythatitisnotrightofanymantoaimatthrustinghimselfinamongthelivingwhenhehashadhisday。“Lethimdie。”saythey，“andletdieashisfathersbeforehim。”Hearguedthataswehadarighttopesterpeopletillwegotourselvesborn，soalsowehavearighttopesterthemforextensionoflifebeyondthegrave。Life，whetherbeforethegraveorafterwards，islikelove——allreasonisagainstit，andallhealthyinstinctforit。Instinctonsuchmattersistheolderandsaferguide；noone，therefore，shouldseektoeffacehimselfasregardsthenextworldmorethanasregardsthis。Ifheistobeeffaced，letotherseffacehim；donotlethimcommitsuicide。

Freelywehavereceived；freely，therefore，letustakeasmuchmoreaswecanget，andletitbeastand-upfightbetweenourselvesandposteritytoseewhetheritcangetridofusorno。

Ifitcan，letit；ifitcannot，itmustputupwithus。Itcanbettercareforitselfthanwecanforourselveswhenthebreathisoutofus。

Nottheleastimportantduty，hecontinued，ofposteritytowardsitselfliesinpassingrighteousjudgementontheforbearswhostandupbeforeit。Theyshouldbeallowedthebenefitofadoubt，andpeccadilloesshouldbeignored；butwhennodoubtexiststhatamanwasengrainedlymeanandcowardly，hisreputationmustremaininthePurgatoryofTimeforatermvaryingfrom，say，ahundredtotwothousandyears。Afterahundredyearsitmaygenerallycomedown，thoughitwillstillbeunderacloud。Aftertwothousandyearsitmaybementionedinanysocietywithoutholdingupofhandsinhorror。Oursenseofmoralguiltvariesinverselyasthesquaresofitsdistanceintimeandspacefromourselves。

Notsowithheroism；thislosesnolustrethroughtimeanddistance。Goodisgold；itisrare，butitwillnottarnish。Evilislikedirtywater——plentifulandfoul，butitwillrunitselfclearoftaint。

TheDoctorhavingthusexpatiatedonhisownopinionsconcerningheavenandhell，concludedbytiltingatthosewhichallright-

mindedpeopleholdamongourselves。Ishalladheretomydeterminationnottoreproducehisarguments；sufficeitthatthoughlessflippantthanthoseoftheyoungstudentwhomIhavealreadyreferredto，theyweremoreplausible；andthoughIcouldeasilydemolishthem，thereaderwillprobablypreferthatIshouldnotsetthemupforthemerepleasureofknockingthemdown。Here，then，ItakemyleaveofgoodDr。Gurgoyleandhispamphlet；

neithercanIinterruptmystoryfurtherbysayinganythingabouttheothertwopamphletspurchasedbymyfather。

CHAPTERXII：GEORGEFAILSTOFINDMYFATHER，WHEREONYRAMCAUTIONS

THEPROFESSORS

Onthemorningaftertheinterviewwithhersondescribedinaforegoingchapter，YramtoldherhusbandwhatshehadgatheredfromtheProfessors，andsaidthatshewasexpectingHiggseverymoment，inasmuchasshewasconfidentthatGeorgewouldsoonfindhim。

“Dowhatyoulike，mydear。”saidtheMayor。“Ishallkeepoutoftheway，foryouwillmanagehimbetterwithoutme。YouknowwhatIthinkofyou。”

Hethenwentunconcernedlytohisbreakfast，atwhichtheProfessorsfoundhimsomewhattaciturn。Indeedtheysethimdownasoneofthedullestandmostuninterestingpeopletheyhadevermet。

WhenGeorgereturnedandtoldhismotherthatthoughhehadatlastfoundtheinnatwhichmyfatherhadslept，myfatherhadleftandcouldnotbetraced，shewasdisconcerted，butafterafewminutesshesaid-

“Hewillcomebackhereforthededication，buttherewillbesuchcrowdsthatwemaynotseehimtillheisinsidethetemple，anditwillsavetroubleifwecanlayholdonhimsooner。Therefore，rideeithertoClearwaterorFairmead，andseeifyoucanfindhim。

TryFairmeadfirst；itismoreoutoftheway。Ifyoucannothearofhimthere，comeback，getanotherhorse，andtryClearwater。Ifyoufailheretoo，wemustgivehimup，andlookoutforhiminthetempleto-morrowmorning。”

“AreyougoingtosayanythingtotheProfessors？“

“NotifyoucanbringHiggsherebeforenight-fall。IfyoucannotdothisImusttalkitoverwithmyhusband；Ishallhavesomehoursinwhichtomakeupmymind。Nowgo——thesoonerthebetter。”

Itwasnearlyeleven，andinafewminutesGeorgewasonhisway。

BynoonhewasatFairmead，wherehetriedalltheinnsinvainfornewsofapersonansweringthedescriptionofmyfather——fornotknowingwhatnamemyfathermightchoosetogive，hecouldtrustonlytodescription。HeconcludedthatsincemyfathercouldnotbeheardofinFairmeadbyoneo’clock(asitnearlywasbythetimehehadbeenroundalltheinns)hemusthavegonesomewhereelse；hethereforerodebacktoSunch’ston，madeahastylunch，gotafreshhorse，androdetoClearwater，wherehemetwithnobettersuccess。AtalltheinnsbothatFairmeadandClearwaterheleftwordthatifthepersonhehaddescribedcamelaterintheday，hewastobetoldthattheMayoressparticularlybeggedhimtoreturnatoncetoSunch’ston，andcometotheMayor’shouse。

NowallthetimethatGeorgewasatFairmeadmyfatherwasinsidetheMusicalBank，whichhehadenteredbeforegoingtoanyinn。

Herehehadbeensittingfornearlyacoupleofhours，resting，dreaming，andreadingBishopGurgoyle’spamphlet。IfhehadlefttheBankfiveminutesearlier，hewouldprobablyhavebeenseenbyGeorgeinthemainstreetofFairmead——ashefoundoutonreachingtheinnwhichheselectedandorderingdinner。

HehadhardlygotinsidethehousebeforethewaitertoldhimthatyoungMr。Strong，theRangerfromSunch’ston，hadbeenenquiringforhimandhadleftamessageforhim，whichwasdulydelivered。

Myfather，thoughinrealitysomewhatdisquieted，showednouneasiness，andsaidhowsorryhewastohavemissedseeingMr。

Strong。“But。”headded，“itdoesnotmuchmatter；Ineednotgobackthisafternoon，forIshallbeatSunch’stonto-morrowmorningandwillgostraighttotheMayor’s。”

Hehadnosuspicionthathewasdiscovered，buthewasagooddealpuzzled。PresentlyheinclinedtotheopinionthatGeorge，stillbelievinghimtobeProfessorPanky，hadwantedtoinvitehimtothebanquetonthefollowingday——forhehadnoideathatHankyandPankywerestayingwiththeMayorandMayoress。OrperhapstheMayorandhiswifedidnotlikesodistinguishedaman’shavingbeenunabletofindalodginginSunch’ston，andwantedhimtostaywiththem。Illsatisfiedashewaswithanytheoryhecouldform，heneverthelessreflectedthathecouldnotdobetterthanstaywherehewasforthenight，inasmuchasnoonewouldbelikelytolookforhimasecondtimeatFairmead。Hethereforeorderedhisroomatonce。

ItwasnearlysevenbeforeGeorgegotbacktoSunch’ston。InthemeantimeYramandtheMayorhadconsideredthequestionwhetheranythingwastobesaidtotheProfessorsorno。Theywereconfidentthatmyfatherwouldnotcommithimself——why，indeed，shouldhehavedyedhishairandotherwisedisguisedhimself，ifhehadnotintendedtoremainundiscovered？Ohno；theprobabilitywasthatifnothingwassaidtotheProfessorsnow，nothingneedeverbesaid，formyfathermightbeescortedbacktothestatuesbyGeorgeontheSundayeveningandbetoldthathewasnottoreturn。Moreover，eventhoughsomethinguntowardweretohappenafterall，theProfessorswouldhavenoreasonforthinkingthattheirhostesshadknownoftheSunchild’sbeinginSunch’ston。

Ontheotherhand，theywereherguests，anditwouldnotbehandsometokeepHanky，atanyrate，inthedark，whentheknowledgethattheSunchildwaslisteningtoeverywordhesaidmightmakehimmodifyhissermonnotalittle。Itmightoritmightnot，butthatwasamatterforhim，nother。Theonlyquestionforherwaswhetherornoitwouldbesharppracticetoknowwhatsheknewandsaynothingaboutit。Herhusbandhatedfinesseasmuchasshedid，andtheysettleditthatthoughthequestionwasaniceone，themoreproperthingtodowouldbetotelltheProfessorswhatitmightsopossiblyconcernoneorbothofthemtoknow。

OnGeorge’sreturnwithoutnewsofmyfather，theyfoundhethoughtjustastheydid；soitwasarrangedthattheyshouldlettheProfessorsdineinpeace，buttellthemabouttheSunchild’sbeingagaininErewhonassoonasdinnerwasover。

“Happily。”saidGeorge，“theywilldonoharm。TheywillwishHiggs’spresencetoremainunknownasmuchaswedo，andtheywillbegladthatheshouldbegotoutofthecountryimmediately。”

“Notso，mydear。”saidYram。“’Outofthecountry’willnotdoforthosepeople。Nothingshortof’outoftheworld’willsatisfythem。”

“That。”saidGeorgepromptly，“mustnotbe。”

“Certainlynot，mydear，butthatiswhattheywillwant。Idonotlikehavingtotellthem，butIamafraidwemust。”

“Nevermind。”saidtheMayor，laughing。“Tellthem，andletusseewhathappens。”

Theythendressedfordinner，whereHankyandPankyweretheonlyguests。WhendinnerwasoverYramsentawayherotherchildren，Georgealoneremaining。HesatoppositetheProfessors，whiletheMayorandYramwereatthetwoendsofthetable。

“Iamafraid，dearProfessorHanky。”saidYram，“thatIwasnotquiteopenwithyoulastnight，butIwantedtimetothinkthingsover，andIknowyouwillforgivemewhenyourememberwhatanumberofguestsIhadtoattendto。”ShethenreferredtowhatHankyhadtoldheraboutthesupposedranger，andshewedhimhowobviousitwasthatthismanwasaforeigner，whohadbeenforsometimeinErewhonmorethanseventeenyearsago，buthadhadnocommunicationwithitsincethen。Havingpointedsufficiently，asshethought，totheSunchild，shesaid，“YouseewhoIbelievethismantohavebeen。HaveIsaidenough，orshallIsaymore？“

“Iunderstandyou。”saidHanky，“andIagreewithyouthattheSunchildwillbeinthetempleto-morrow。Itisaseriousbusiness，butIshallnotaltermysermon。HemustlistentowhatImaychoosetosay，andIwishIcouldtellhimwhatafoolhewasforcominghere。Ifhebehaveshimself，wellandgood：yoursonwillarresthimquietlyafterservice，andbynighthewillbeintheBluePool。Yoursonisboundtothrowhimthereasaforeigndevil，withouttheformalityofatrial。Itwouldbeamostpainfuldutytome，butunlessIamsatisfiedthatthatmanhasbeenthrownintotheBluePool，Ishallhavenooptionbuttoreportthematteratheadquarters。If，ontheotherhand，thepoorwretchmakesadisturbance，Icansetthecrowdontotearhiminpieces。”

Georgewasfurious，butheremainedquitecalm，andlefteverythingtohismother。

“IhavenothingtodowiththeBluePool。”saidYramdrily。“Myson，Idoubtnot，willknowhowtodohisduty；butifyouletthepeoplekillthisman，hisbodywillremain，andaninquestmustbeheld，forthematterwillhavebeentoonotorioustobehushedup。

AllHiggs’smeasurementsandallmarksonhisbodywererecorded，andthesealonewouldidentifyhim。Myfather，too，whoisstillmasterofthegaol，andmanyanother，couldsweartohim。Shouldthebodyprove，asnodoubtitwould，tobethatoftheSunchild，whatistobecomeofSunchildism？“

Hankysmiled。“Itwouldnotbeproved。Themeasurementsofamanoftwentyorthereaboutswouldnotcorrespondwiththisman’s。AllweProfessorsshouldattendtheinquest，andhalfBridgefordisnowinSunch’ston。Nomatterthoughnine-tenthsofthemarksandmeasurementscorresponded，solongasthereisatenththatdoesnotdoso，weshouldnotbefleshandbloodifwedidnotignoretheninepointsandinsistonlyonthetenth。Aftertwentyyearsweshallfindenoughtoserveourturn。Thinkofwhatallthelearningofthecountryiscommittedto；thinkofthechangeinallourideasandinstitutions；thinkoftheKingandofCourtinfluence。Ineednotenlarge。WeshallnotpermitthebodytobetheSunchild’s。Nomatterwhatevidenceyoumayproduce，weshallsneeritdown，andsaywemusthavemorebeforeyoucanexpectustotakeyouseriously；ifyoubringmore，weshallpaynoattention；andthemoreyoubringthemoreweshalllaughatyou。

Nodoubtthoseamonguswhoarebywayofbeingcandidwilladmitthatyourargumentsoughttobeconsidered，butyoumustnotexpectthatitwillbeanypartoftheirdutytoconsiderthem。

“AndeventhoughweadmittedthatthebodyhadbeenproveduptothehilttobetheSunchild’s，doyouthinkthatsuchatrifleasthatcouldaffectSunchildism？Hardly。Sunch’stonisnomatchforBridgefordandtheKing；ouronlydifficultywouldlieinsettlingwhichwasthemostplausiblewayofthemanyplausiblewaysinwhichthedeathcouldbeexplained。Weshouldhatchuptwentytheoriesinlessthantwentyhours，andthelaststateofSunchildismwouldbestrongerthanthefirst。Forthepeoplewantit，andsolongastheywantittheywillhaveit。Atthesametimethesupposedidentificationofthebody，evenbysomefewignorantpeoplehere，mightleadtoalocalheresythatisaswellavoided，anditwillbebetterthatyoursonshouldarrestthemanbeforethededication，ifhecanbefound，andthrowhimintotheBluePoolwithoutanyonebutourselvesknowingthathehasbeenhereatall。”

Ineednotdwellonthedeepdisgustwithwhichthisspeechwaslistenedto，buttheMayor，andYram，andGeorgesaidnotaword。

“But，Mayoress。”saidPanky，whohadnotopenedhislipssofar，“areyousurethatyouarenottoohastyinbelievingthisstrangertobetheSunchild？PeoplearecontinuallythinkingthatsuchandsuchanotheristheSunchildcomedownagainfromthesun’spalaceandgoingtoandfroamongus。Howmanysuchstories，sometimesveryplausiblytold，havewenothadduringthelasttwentyyears？

Theynevertakeroot，anddieoutofthemselvesassuddenlyastheyspringup。Thatthemanisapoachercanhardlybedoubted；I

thoughtsothemomentIsawhim；butIthinkIcanalsoprovetoyouthatheisnotaforeigner，and，therefore，thatheisnottheSunchild。HequotedtheSunchild’sprayerwithacorruptionthatcanhaveonlyreachedhimfromanErewhoniansource——“

HereHankyinterruptedhimsomewhatbrusquely。“Theman，Panky。”

saidhe，“wastheSunchild；andhewasnotapoacher，forhehadnoideathathewasbreakingthelaw；nevertheless，asyousay，Sunchildismonthebrainhasbeenacommonformofmaniaforseveralyears。SeveralpersonshaveevenbelievedthemselvestobetheSunchild。Wemustnotforgetthis，ifitshouldgetaboutthatHiggshasbeenhere。”

Then，turningtoYram，hesaidsternly，“Butcomewhatmay，yoursonmusttakehimtotheBluePoolatnightfall。”

“Sir。”saidGeorge，withperfectsuavity，“youhavespokenasthoughyoudoubtedmyreadinesstodomyduty。Letmeassureyouverysolemnlythatwhenthetimecomesformetoact，Ishallactasdutymaydirect。”

“Iwillanswerforhim。”saidYram，withevenmorethanherusualquick，franksmile，“thathewillfulfilhisinstructionstotheletter，unless。”sheadded，“someblackandwhitehorsescomedownfromheavenandsnatchpoorHiggsoutofhisgrasp。Suchthingshavehappenedbeforenow。”

“Ishouldadviseyoursontoshootthemiftheydo。”saidHankydrilyandsub-defiantly。

Heretheconversationclosed；butitwasuselesstryingtotalkofanythingelse，sotheProfessorsaskedYramtoexcusethemiftheyretiredearly，inviewofthefactthattheyhadafatiguingdaybeforethem。Thisexcusetheirhostessreadilyaccepted。

“Donotletustalkanymorenow。”saidYramassoonastheyhadlefttheroom。“Itwillbequitetimeenoughwhenthededicationisover。ButIratherthinktheblackandwhitehorseswillcome。”

“Ithinksotoo，mydear。”saidtheMayorlaughing。

“Theyshallcome。”saidGeorgegravely；“butwehavenotyetgotenoughtomakesureofbringingthem。Higgswillperhapsbeabletohelpmeto-morrow。”

***

“Nowwhat。”saidPankyastheywentupstairs，“doesthatwomanmean——forshemeanssomething？Blackandwhitehorsesindeed！“

“Idonotknowwhatshemeanstodo。”saidtheother，“butIknowthatshethinksshecanbestus。”

“Iwishwehadnoteatenthosequails。”

“Nonsense，Panky；noonesawusbutHiggs，andtheevidenceofaforeigndevil，insuchstraitsashis，couldnotstandforamoment。Wedidnoteatthem。No，no；shehassomethingthatshethinksbetterthanthat。Besides，itisabsolutelyimpossiblethatsheshouldhaveheardwhathappened。WhatIdonotunderstandis，whysheshouldhavetoldusabouttheSunchild’sbeinghereatall。

Whynothaveleftustofinditoutortoknownothingaboutit？I

donotunderstandit。”

Sotrueisit，asEuclidlongsinceobserved，thatthelesscannotcomprehendthatwhichisthegreater。True，however，asthisis，itisalsosometimestruethatthegreatercannotcomprehendtheless。Hankywentmusingtohisownroomandthrewhimselfintoaneasychairtothinkthepositionover。Afterafewminuteshewenttoatableonwhichhesawpen，ink，andpaper，andwroteashortletter；thenherangthebell。

Whentheservantcamehesaid，“Iwanttosendthisnotetothemanagerofthenewtemple，anditisimportantthatheshouldhaveitto-night。Bepleased，therefore，totakeittohimanddeliveritintohisownhands；butIhadratheryousaidnothingaboutittotheMayororMayoress，nortoanyofyourfellow-servants。Slipoutunperceivedifyoucan。Whenyouhavedeliveredthenote，askforanansweratonce，andbringittome。”

Sosaying，heslippedasumequaltoaboutfiveshillingsintotheman’shand。

Theservantreturnedinabouttwentyminutes，forthetemplewasquitenear，andgaveanotetoHanky，whichran，“Yourwishesshallbeattendedtowithoutfail。”

“Good！“saidHankytotheman。“Nooneinthehouseknowsofyourhavingrunthiserrandforme？“

“Noone，sir。”

“Thankyou！Iwishyouaverygoodnight。”

CHAPTERXIII：AVISITTOTHEPROVINCIALDEFORMATORYATFAIRMEAD

Havingfinishedhisearlydinner，andnotfearingthatheshouldbeeitherrecognisedatFairmeadoragainenquiredafterfromSunch’ston，myfatherwentoutforastrollroundthetown，toseewhatelsehecouldfindthatshouldbenewandstrangetohim。HehadnotgonefarbeforehesawalargebuildingwithaninscriptionsayingthatitwastheProvincialDeformatoryforBoys。Underneaththelargerinscriptiontherewasasmallerone——oneofthosecorruptversionsofmyfather’ssayings，which，ondippingintotheSayingsoftheSunchild，hehadfoundtobesovexatiouslycommon。

Theinscriptionran：-

“Whentherighteousmanturnethawayfromtherighteousnessthathehathcommitted，anddoeththatwhichisalittlenaughtyandwrong，hewillgenerallybefoundtohavegainedinamiabilitywhathehaslostinrighteousness。”SunchildSayings，chap。xxii。v。15。

Thecaseofthelittlegirlthathehadwatchedearlierinthedayhadfilledhimwithagreatdesiretoseetheworkingofoneofthesecuriousinstitutions；hethereforeresolvedtocallontheheadmaster(whosenamehefoundtobeTurvey)，andenquireaboutterms，allegingthathehadaboywhoseincorrigiblerectitudewasgivinghimmuchanxiety。Theinformationhehadgainedintheforenoonwouldbeenoughtosavehimfromappearingtoknownothingofthesystem。Onhavingrungthebell，heannouncedhimselftotheservantasaMr。Senoj，andaskedifhecouldseethePrincipal。

Almostimmediatelyhewasusheredintothepresenceofabeaming，dapper-looking，littleoldgentleman，quickofspeechandmovement，inspiteofsomelittleportliness。

“Ts，ts，ts。”hesaid，whenmyfatherhadenquiredabouttermsandaskedwhetherhemightseethesystematwork。“HowunfortunatethatyoushouldhavecalledonaSaturdayafternoon。Wealwayshaveahalf-holiday。Butstay——yes——thatwilldoverynicely；I

willsendforthemintoschoolasameansofstimulatingtheirrefractorysystem。”

Hecalledhisservantandtoldhimtoringtheboysintoschool。

Then，turningtomyfatherhesaid，“Standhere，sir，bythewindow；youwillseethemallcometroopingin。H’m，h’m，Iamsorrytoseethemstillcomebackassoonastheyhearthebell。I

supposeIshalldingsomerecalcitrancyintothemsomeday，butitisuphillwork。Doyouseethehead-boy——thethirdofthosethatarecomingupthepath？Ishallhavetogetridofhim。Doyouseehim？heisgoingbacktowhipupthelaggers——andnowhehasboxedaboy’sears：thatboyisoneofthemosthopefulundermycare。Ifeelsurehehasbeenusingimproperlanguage，andmyhead-boyhascheckedhiminsteadofencouraginghim。”Andsoontilltheboyswereallinschool。

“Yousee，mydearsir。”hesaidtomyfather，“weareinanimpossibleposition。WehavetoobeyinstructionsfromtheGrandCouncilofEducationatBridgeford，andtheyhaveestablishedtheseinstitutionsinconsequenceoftheSunchild’shavingsaidthatweshouldaimatpromotingthegreatesthappinessofthegreatestnumber。This，nodoubt，isasoundprinciple，andthegreatestnumberarebynaturesomewhatdull，conceited，andunscrupulous。

Theydonotlikethosewhoarequick，unassuming，andsincere；how，then，consistentlywiththefirstprincipleseitherofmoralityorpoliticaleconomyasrevealedtousbytheSunchild，canweencouragesuchpeopleifwecanbringsincerityandmodestyfairlyhometothem？Wecannotdoso。Andwemustcorrecttheyoungasfaraspossiblefromforminghabitswhich，unlessindulgedinwiththegreatestmoderation，aresuretoruinthem。

“Icannotpretendtoconsidermyselfverysuccessful。Idomybest，butIcanonlyaimatmakingmyschoolareflectionoftheoutsideworld。Intheoutsideworldwehavetotoleratemuchthatisprejudicialtothegreatesthappinessofthegreatestnumber，partlybecausewecannotalwaysdiscoverintimewhomaybeletaloneasbeinggenuinelyinsincere，andwhoareinrealitymaskingsincerityunderagarbofflippancy，andpartlyalsobecausewewishtoerronthesideoflettingtheguiltyescape，ratherthanofpunishingtheinnocent。Thusmanypeoplewhoareperfectlywellknowntobelongtothestraightforwardclassesareallowedtoremainatlarge，andmaybeevenseenhobnobbingwiththeguardiansofpublicimmorality。Indeeditisnotinthepublicinterestthatstraightforwardnessshouldbeextirpatedrootandbranch，forthepresenceofasmallmodicumofsincerityactsasawholesomeirritanttotheacademicismofthegreatestnumber，stimulatingittoconsciousnessofitsownhappystate，andgivingitsomethingtolookdownupon。Moreover，weholditusefultohaveacertainnumberofmelancholyexamples，whosenotoriousfailureshallserveasawarningtothosewhoneglectcultivatingthatpowerofimmoralself-controlwhichshallpreventthemfromsaying，oreventhinking，anythingthatshallnotimmediatelyandpalpablyministertothehappiness，andhencemeettheapproval，ofthegreatestnumber。”

Bythistimetheboyswereallinschool。“Thereisnotonepriginthewholelot。”saidtheheadmastersadly。“Iwishtherewas，butonlythoseboyscomeherewhoarenotoriouslytoogoodtobecomecurrentcoinintheworldunlesstheyarehardenedwithanalloyofvice。Ishouldhavelikedtoshowyouourgambling，book-

making，andspeculationclass，buttheassistant-masterwhoattendstothisbranchofourcurriculumisgonetoSunch’stonthisafternoon。Hehasfriendswhohaveaskedhimtoseethededicationofthenewtemple，andhewillnotbebacktillMonday。IreallydonotknowwhatIcandobetterforyouthanexaminetheboysinCounselsofImperfection。

Sosaying，hewentintotheschoolroom，overthefireplaceofwhichmyfather’seyecaughtaninscription，“Resistgood，anditwillflyfromyou。Sunchild’sSayings，xvii。2。”Then，takingdownacopyoftheworkjustnamedfromashelfabovehisdesk，heranhiseyeoverafewofitspages。

Hecalledupaclassofabouttwentyboys。

“Now，myboys。”hesaid，“Whyisitsonecessarytoavoidextremesoftruthfulness？“

“Itisnotnecessary，sir。”saidoneyoungster，“andthemanwhosaysthatitissoisascoundrel。”

“Comehere，myboy，andholdoutyourhand。”Whenhehaddoneso，Mr。Turveygavehimtwosharpcutswithacane。“Therenow，godowntothebottomoftheclassandtrynottobesoextremelytruthfulinfuture。”Then，turningtomyfather，hesaid，“Ihatecaningthem，butitistheonlywaytoteachthem。Ireallydobelievethatboywillknowbetterthantosaywhathethinksanothertime。”

Herepeatedhisquestiontotheclass，andthehead-boyanswered，“Because，sir，extremesmeet，andextremetruthwillbemixedwithextremefalsehood。”

“Quiteright，myboy。Truthislikereligion；ithasonlytwoenemies——thetoomuchandthetoolittle。Youranswerismoresatisfactorythansomeofyourrecentconducthadledmetoexpect。”

“But，sir，youpunishedmeonlythreeweeksagofortellingyoualie。”

“Ohyes；why，soIdid；Ihadforgotten。Butthenyouoverdidit。

Stillitwasastepintherightdirection。”

“Andnow，myboy。”hesaidtoaveryfrankandingenuousyouthabouthalfwayuptheclass，“andhowistruthbestreached？“

“Throughthefallingoutofthieves，sir。”

“Quiteso。Thenitwillbenecessarythatthemoreearnest，careful，patient，self-sacrificing，enquirersaftertruthshouldhaveagooddealofthethiefaboutthem，thoughtheyareveryhonestpeopleatthesametime。Nowwhatdoestheman“(whoonenquirymyfatherfoundtobenoneotherthanMr。Turveyhimself)

“sayabouthonesty？“

“Hesays，sir，thathonestydoesnotconsistinneverstealing，butinknowinghowandwhereitwillbesafetodoso。”

“Remember。”saidMr。Turveytomyfather，“hownecessaryitisthatweshouldhaveaplentifulsupplyofthieves，ifhonestmenareevertocomebytheirown。”

Hespokewiththeutmostgravity，evidentlyquiteeasyinhismindthathisschemewastheonlyonebywhichtruthcouldbesuccessfullyattained。

“Butprayletmehaveanycriticismyoumayfeelinclinedtomake。”

“Ihavenone。”saidmyfather。“Yoursystemcommendsitselftocommonsense；itistheoneadoptedinthelawcourts，anditliesattheveryfoundationofpartygovernment。Ifyouracademicbodiescansupplythecountrywithasufficientnumberofthieves——

whichIhavenodoubttheycan——thereseemsnolimittotheamountoftruththatmaybeattained。If，however，Imaysuggesttheonlydifficultythatoccurstome，itisthatacademicthievesshewnogreatalacrityinfallingout，butinclinerathertobackeachotherupthroughthickandthin。”

“Ah，yes。”saidMr。Turvey，“thereisthatdifficulty；neverthelesscircumstancesfromtimetotimearisetogetthembytheearsinspiteofthemselves。Butfromwhateverpointofviewyoumaylookatthequestion，itisobviouslybettertoaimatimperfectionthanperfection；forifweaimsteadilyatimperfection，weshallprobablygetitwithinareasonabletime，whereastotheendofourdaysweshouldneverreachperfection。Moreover，fromaworldlypointofview，thereisnomistakesogreatasthatofbeingalwaysright。”Hethenturnedtohisclassandsaid-

“AndnowtellmewhatdidtheSunchildtellusaboutGodandMammon？“

Thehead-boyanswered：“Hesaidthatwemustserveboth，fornomancanserveGodwellandtrulywhodoesnotserveMammonalittlealso；andnomancanserveMammoneffectuallyunlessheserveGodlargelyatthesametime。”

“Whatwerehiswords？“

“Hesaid，’Cursedbetheythatsay，“ThoushaltnotserveGodandMammon，foritisthewholedutyofmantoknowhowtoadjusttheconflictingclaimsofthesetwodeities。”’

Heremyfatherinterposed。“IknewtheSunchild；andImorethanonceheardhimspeakofGodandMammon。Henevervariedtheformofthewordsheused，whichweretotheeffectthatamanmustserveeitherGodorMammon，butthathecouldnotserveboth。”

“Ah！“saidMr。Turvey，“thatnodoubtwashisexotericteaching，butProfessorsHankyandPankyhaveassuredmemostsolemnlythathisesotericteachingwasasIhavegivenit。Bytheway，thesegentlemenareboth，Iunderstand，atSunch’ston，andIthinkitquitelikelythatIshallhaveavisitfromthemthisafternoon。

IfyoudonotknowthemIshouldhavegreatpleasureinintroducingyoutothem；IwasatBridgefordwithbothofthem。”

“Ihavehadthepleasureofmeetingthemalready。”saidmyfather，“andasyouarebynomeanscertainthattheywillcome，Iwillaskyoutoletmethankyouforallthatyouhavebeengoodenoughtoshewme，andbidyougood-afternoon。Ihavearatherpressingengagement——“

“Mydearsir，youmustpleasegivemefiveminutesmore。IshallexaminetheboysintheMusicalBankCatechism。”Hepointedtooneofthemandsaid，“Repeatyourdutytowardsyourneighbour。”

“Mydutytowardsmyneighbour。”saidtheboy，“istobequitesurethatheisnotlikelytoborrowmoneyofmebeforeIlethimspeaktomeatall，andthentohaveaslittletodowithhimas——“

Atthispointtherewasaloudringatthedoorbell。“HankyandPankycometoseeme，nodoubt。”saidMr。Turvey。“Idohopeitisso。Youmuststayandseethem。”

“Mydearsir。”saidmyfather，puttinghishandkerchiefuptohisface，“Iamtakensuddenlyunwellandmustpositivelyleaveyou。”

HesaidthisinsoperemptoryatonethatMr。Turveyhadtoyield。

Myfatherheldhishandkerchieftohisfaceashewentthroughthepassageandhall，butwhentheservantopenedthedoorhetookitdown，fortherewasnoHankyorPanky——noone，infact，butapoor，wizenedoldmanwhohadcome，ashedideveryotherSaturdayafternoon，towinduptheDeformatoryclocks。

Nevertheless，hehadbeenscared，andwasinaverywicked-fleeth-

when-no-man-pursuethframeofmind。Hewenttohisinn，andshuthimselfupinhisroomforsometime，takingnotesofallthathadhappenedtohiminthelastthreedays。Butevenathisinnhenolongerfeltsafe。HowdidheknowbutthatHankyandPankymighthavedrivenoverfromSunch’stontoseeMr。Turvey，andmightputupatthisveryhouse？ortheymightevenbegoingtospendthenighthere。Hedidnotventureoutofhisroomtillaftersevenbywhichtimehehadmaderoughnotesofasmuchoftheforegoingchaptersashadcometohisknowledgesofar。MuchofwhatIhavetoldasnearlyasIcouldintheorderinwhichithappened，hedidnotlearntilllater。AftergivingthemerestoutlineofhisinterviewwithMr。Turvey，hewroteanoteasfollows：-“IsupposeImusthaveheldforthaboutthegreatesthappinessofthegreatestnumber，butIhadquiteforgottenit，thoughIrememberrepeatedlyquotingmyfavouriteproverb，’Everymanforhimself，andthedeviltakethehindmost。’Tothistheyhavepaidnoattention。”

BysevenhispanicaboutHankyandPankyended，foriftheyhadnotcomebythistime，theywerenotlikelytodoso。NotknowingthattheywerestayingattheMayor’s，hehadrathersettleditthattheywouldnowstrolluptotheplacewheretheyhadlefttheirhoardandbringitdownassoonasnighthadfallen。Anditisquitepossiblethattheymighthavefoundsomeexcusefordoingthis，whendinnerwasover，iftheirhostesshadnotundesignedlyhinderedthembytellingthemabouttheSunchild。Whentheconversationrecordedintheprecedingchapterwasover，itwastoolateforthemtomakeanyplausibleexcuseforleavingthehouse；

wemaybesure，therefore，thatmuchmorehadbeensaidthanYramandGeorgewereabletorememberandreporttomyfather。

AfteranotherstrollaboutFairmead，duringwhichhesawnothingbutwhatonalargerscalehehadalreadyseenatSunch’ston，hereturnedtohisinnatabouthalf-pasteight，andorderedsupperinapublicroomthatcorrespondedwiththecoffee-roomofanEnglishhotel。

CHAPTERXIV：MYFATHERMAKESTHEACQUAINTANCEOFMRBALMY，AND

WALKSWITHHIMNEXTDAYTOSUNCH’STON

Uptothispoint，thoughhehadseenenoughtoshewhimthemaindriftofthegreatchangesthathadtakenplaceinErewhonianopinions，myfatherhadnotbeenabletogleanmuchaboutthehistoryofthetransformation。Hecouldseethatithadallgrownoutofthesupposedmiracleofhisballoonascent，andhecouldunderstandthattheignorantmasseshadbeensoastoundedbyaneventsocontrarytoalltheirexperience，thattheirfaithinexperiencewasutterlyroutedanddemoralised。Itamanandawomanmightrisefromtheearthanddisappearintothesky，whatelsemightnothappen？Iftheyhadbeenwronginthinkingsuchathingimpossible，inhowmuchelsemighttheynotbemistakenalso？

Thegroundwasshakenundertheirveryfeet。understandthatasingleincontrovertiblemiracleofthefirstmagnitudeshoulduprootthehedgesofcautioninthemindsofthecommonpeople，buthecouldnotunderstandhowsuchmenasHankyandPanky，whoevidentlydidnotbelievethattherehadbeenanymiracleatall，hadbeenledtothrowthemselvessoenergeticallyintoamovementsosubversiveofalltheirtraditions，when，asitseemedtohim，iftheyhadheldouttheymighthaveprickedtheballoonbubbleeasilyenough，andmaintainedeverythinginstatuquo。

How，again，hadtheyconvertedtheKing——iftheyhadconvertedhim？

TheQueenhadhadfullknowledgeofallthepreparationsfortheascent。TheKinghadhadeverythingexplainedtohim。Theworkmenandworkwomenwhohadmadetheballoonandthegascouldtestifythatnonebutnaturalmeanshadbeenmadeuseof——meanswhich，ifagainemployedanynumberoftimes，wouldeffectalikeresult。

Howcoulditbethatwhenthemeansofresistanceweresoampleandsoeasy，themovementshouldneverthelesshavebeenirresistible？

Forhaditnotbeenirresistible，wasittobebelievedthatastutemenlikeHankyandPankywouldhaveletthemselvesbedrawnintoit？

Whatthenhadbeenitsinnerhistory？Myfatherhadsofullydeterminedtomakehiswaybackonthefollowingevening，thathesawnochanceofgettingtoknowthefacts——unless，indeed，heshouldbeabletolearnsomethingfromHanky’ssermon；hewasthereforenotsorrytofindanelderlygentlemanofgravebutkindlyaspectseatedoppositetohimwhenhesatdowntosupper。

Theexpressiononthisman’sfacewasmuchlikethatoftheearlyChristiansasshewnintheS。GiovanniLateranobas-reliefsatRome，andagain，thoughlessaggressivelyself-confident，likethatonthefacesofthosewhohavejoinedtheSalvationArmy。IfhehadbeeninEngland，myfatherwouldhavesethimdownasaSwedenborgian；thisbeingimpossible，hecouldonlynotethatthestrangerbowedhishead，evidentlysayingashortgracebeforehebegantoeat，asmyfatherhadalwaysdonewhenhewasinErewhonbefore。Iwillnotsaythatmyfatherhadneveromittedtosaygraceduringthewholeofthelasttwentyyears，buthesaiditnow，andunfortunatelyforgettinghimself，hesaiditintheEnglishlanguage，notloud，butneverthelessaudibly。

Myfatherwasalarmedatwhathehaddone，buttherewasnoneed，forthestrangerimmediatelysaid，“Ihear，sir，thatyouhavethegiftoftongues。TheSunchildoftenmentionedittous，ashavingbeenvouchsafedlongsincetocertainofthepeople，towhom，forourlearning，hesawfittofeignthathebelonged。Hethusforeshadowedpropheticallyitsmanifestationalsoamongourselves。

Allwhich，however，youmustknowaswellasIdo。Canyouinterpret？“

Myfatherwasmuchshocked，butherememberedhavingfrequentlyspokenofthepowerofspeakinginunknowntongueswhichwaspossessedbymanyoftheearlyChristians，andhealsorememberedthatintimesofhighreligiousenthusiasmthispowerhadrepeatedlybeenimparted，orsupposedtobeimparted，todevoutbelieversinthemiddleages。Itgrateduponhimtodeceiveonewhowassoobviouslysincere，buttoavoidimmediatediscomfiturehefellinwithwhatthestrangerhadsaid。

“Alas！sir。”saidhe，“thatrarerandmorepreciousgifthasbeenwithheldfromme；norcanIspeakinanunknowntongue，unlessasitisborneinuponmeatthemoment。Icouldnotevenrepeatthewordsthathavejustfallenfromme。”

“That。”repliedthestranger，“isalmostinvariablythecase。

Theseilluminationsofthespiritarebeyondhumancontrol。YouspokeinsolowatonethatIcannotinterpretwhatyouhavejustsaid，butshouldyoureceiveasecondinspirationlater，Ishalldoubtlessbeabletointerpretitforyou。Ihavebeensingularlygiftedinthisrespect——moreso，perhaps，thananyotherinterpreterinErewhon。”

Myfathermentallyvowedthatnosecondinspirationshouldbevouchsafedtohim，butpresentlyrememberinghowanxioushewasforinformationonthepointstoucheduponatthebeginningofthischapter，andseeingthatfortunehadsenthimthekindofmanwhowouldbeabletoenlightenhim，hechangedhismind；nothing，hereflected，wouldbemorelikelytomakethestrangertalkfreelywithhim，thantheaffordinghimanopportunityforshowingoffhisskillasaninterpreter。

Something，therefore，hewouldsay，butwhat？Noonecouldtalkmorefreelywhenthetrainofhisthoughts，ortheconversationofothers，gavehimhiscue，butwhentoldtosayanunattached“something。”hecouldnoteventhinkof“Howdoyoudothismorning？itisaveryfineday；“andthemorehecudgelledhisbrainsfor“something。”themoretheygavenoresponse。Hecouldnotevenconversefurtherwiththestrangerbeyondplain“yes“and“no“；sohewentonwithhissupper，andinthinkingofwhathewaseatinganddrinkingforthemomentforgottoransackhisbrain。Nosoonerhadheleftoffransackingit，thanitsuggestedsomething——

not，indeed，averybrilliantsomething，butstillsomething。Onhavinggraspedit，helaiddownhisknifeandfork，andwiththeairofonedistraughthesaid-

“MynameisNorval，ontheGrampianHillsMyfatherfeedshisflock——afrugalswain。”

“Iheardyou。”exclaimedthestranger，“andIcaninterpreteverywordofwhatyouhavesaid，butitwouldnotbecomemetodoso，foryouhaveconveyedtomeamessagemorecomfortingthanIcanbringmyselftorepeateventohimwhohasconveyedit。”

Havingsaidthishebowedhishead，andremainedforsometimewrappedinmeditation。Myfatherkeptarespectfulsilence，butafteralittletimeheventuredtosayinalowtone，howgladhewastohavebeenthemediumthroughwhomacomfortingassurancehadbeenconveyed。Presently，onfindinghimselfencouragedtorenewtheconversation，hethrewoutadeferentialfeelerastothecausesthatmighthaveinducedMr。BalmytocometoFairmead。

“Perhaps。”hesaid，“you，likemyself，havecometothesepartsinordertoseethededicationofthenewtemple；IcouldnotgetalodginginSunch’ston，soIwalkeddownherethismorning。”

This，itseemed，hadbeenMr。Balmy’sowncase，exceptthathehadnotyetbeentoSunch’ston。Havingheardthatitwasfulltooverflowing，hehaddeterminedtopassthenightatFairmead，andwalkoverinthemorning——startingsoonafterseven，soastoarriveingoodtimeforthededicationceremony。Whenmyfatherheardthis，heproposedthattheyshouldwalktogether，towhichMr。Balmygladlyconsented；itwasthereforearrangedthattheyshouldgotobedearly，breakfastsoonaftersix，andthenwalktoSunch’ston。Myfatherthenwenttohisownroom，whereheagainsmokedasurreptitiouspipeupthechimney。

Nextmorningthetwomenbreakfastedtogether，andsetoutastheclockwasstrikingseven。Thedaywaslovelybeyondthepowerofwords，andstillfresh——forFairmeadwassome2500feetabovethesea，andthesundidnotgetabovethemountainsthatoverhungitontheeastside，tillaftereighto’clock。ManypersonswerealsostartingforSunch’ston，andtherewasaprocessiongotupbytheMusicalBankManagersofthetown，whowalkedinit，robedinrichdressesofscarletandwhiteembroideredwithmuchgoldthread。

TherewasabannerdisplayinganopenchariotinwhichtheSunchildandhisbridewereseated，beamingwithsmiles，andinattitudessuggestingthattheywerebowingtopeoplewhowerebelowthem。

Thechariotwas，ofcourse，drawnbythefourblackandwhitehorsesofwhichthereaderhasalreadyheard，andtheballoonhadbeenignored。Readersofmyfather’sbookwillperhapsrememberthatmymotherwasnotseenatall——shewassmuggledintothecaroftheballoonalongwithsundryrugs，underwhichshelayconcealedtilltheballoonhadlefttheearth。Allthiswentfornothing。IthasbeensaidthatthoughGodcannotalterthepast，historianscan；itisperhapsbecausetheycanbeusefultoHiminthisrespectthatHetoleratestheirexistence。Painters，myfathernowrealised，candoallthathistorianscan，withevengreatereffect。

Womenheadedtheprocession——theyoungeronesdressedinwhite，withveilsandchapletsofroses，bluecornflower，andpheasant’seyeNarcissus，whiletheolderwomenweremoresoberlyattired。

TheBankManagersandthebannerheadedthemen，whoweremostlypeasants，butamongthemwereafewwhoseemedtobeofhigherrank，andthese，forthemostpart，thoughbynomeansallofthem，woretheirclothesreversed——asIhaveforgottentosaywasdonealsobyMr。Balmy。Bothmenandwomenjoinedinsingingalitanythewordsofwhichmyfathercouldnotcatch；thetunewasonehehadbeenusedtoplayonhisapologyforaflutewhenhewasinprison，being，infact，noneotherthan“Home，SweetHome。”Therewasnoharmony；theynevergotbeyondthefirstfourbars，butthesetheymusthaverepeated，myfatherthought，atleastahundredtimesbetweenFairmeadandSunch’ston。“Well。”saidhetohimself，“howeverlittleelseImayhavetaughtthem，Iatanyrategavethemthediatonicscale。”

Henowsethimselftoexploithisfellow-traveller，fortheysoongotpasttheprocession。

“Thegreatestmiracle。”saidhe，“inconnectionwiththiswholematter，hasbeen——soatleastitseemstome——nottheascentoftheSunchildwithhisbride，butthereadinesswithwhichthepeoplegenerallyacknowledgeditsmiraculouscharacter。Iwasoneofthosethatwitnessedtheascent，butIsawnosignsthatthecrowdappreciateditssignificance。Theywereastounded，buttheydidnotfalldownandworship。”

“Ah。”saidtheother，“butyouforgetthelongdroughtandtherainthattheSunchildimmediatelyprevailedontheair-godtosendus。

Hehadannouncedhimselfasabouttoprocureitforus；itwasonthisgroundthattheKingassentedtothepreparationofthosematerialmeansthatwerenecessarybeforethehorsesofthesuncouldattachthemselvestothechariotintowhichtheballoonwasimmediatelytransformed。Thosehorsesmightnotbedefiledbycontactwiththisgrossearth。Itoowitnessedtheascent；atthemoment，Igrantyou，Isawneitherchariotnorhorses，andalmostallthosepresentsharedmyowntemporaryblindness；thewholeactionfromthemomentwhentheballoonlefttheearth，movedsorapidly，thatwewereflustered，andhardlyknewwhatitwasthatwewerereallyseeing。ItwasnottilltwoorthreeyearslaterthatIfoundthescenepresentingitselftomysoul’simaginarysightinthefullsplendourwhichwasnodoubtwitnessed，butnotapprehended，bymybodilyvision。”

“There。”saidmyfather，“youconfirmanopinionthatIhavelongheld——Nothingissomisleadingasthetestimonyofeye-witnesses。”

“Aspiritualenlightenmentfromwithin。”returnedMr。Balmy，“ismoretobereliedonthananymerelyphysicalaffluencefromexternalobjects。Now，whenIshutmyeyes，Iseetheballoonascendalittleway，butalmostimmediatelytheheavensopen，thehorsesdescend，theballoonistransformed，andthegloriouspageantcareersonwardtillitvanishesintotheheavenofheavens。

HundredswithwhomIhaveconversedassuremethattheirexperiencehasbeenthesameasmine。Hasyoursbeendifferent？“

“Ohno，notatall；butIalwaysseesomestorkscirclingroundtheballoonbeforeIseeanyhorses。”

“Howstrange！Ihaveheardothersalsosaythattheysawthestorksyoumention；butletmedomyutmostIcannotforcethemintomymentalimageofthescene。Thisshows，asyouweresayingjustnow，howincompletethetestimonyofaneye-witnessoftenis。

Itisquitepossiblethatthestorkswerethere，butthehorsesandthechariothaveimpressedthemselvesmorevividlyonmymindthananythingelsehas。”

“Quiteso；andIamnotwithouthopethatevenatthislatehoursomefurtherdetailsmayyetberevealedtous。”

“Itispossible，butweshouldbeascautiousinacceptinganyfreshdetailsasinrejectingthem。Shouldsomeheresyobtainwideacceptance，visionswillperhapsbegrantedtousthatmaybeusefulinrefutingit，butotherwiseIexpectnothingmore。”

“NeitherdoI，butIhaveheardpeoplesaythatinasmuchastheSunchildsaidhewasgoingtointerviewtheair-godinordertosendusrain，hewasmoreprobablysontotheair-godthantothesun。Nowhereisaheresywhich——“

“But，mydearsir。”saidMr。Balmy，interruptinghimwithgreatwarmth，“hespokeofhisfatherinheavenasendowedwithattributesfarexceedinganythatcanbeconceivablyascribedtotheair-god。Thepoweroftheair-goddoesnotextendbeyondourownatmosphere。”

“Praybelieveme。”saidmyfather，whosawbytheecstaticgleaminhiscompanion’seyethattherewasnothingtobedonebuttoagreewithhim，“thatIaccept——“

“Hearmetotheend。”repliedMr。Balmy。“WhoeverheardtheSunchildclaimrelationshipwiththeair-god？Hecouldcommandtheair-god，andevidentlydidso，haltingnodoubtforthisbeneficentpurposeonhisjourneytowardshisultimatedestination。Canwesupposethattheair-god，whohadevidentlyintendedwithholdingtherainfromusforanindefiniteperiod，shouldhavesoimmediatelyrelinquishedhisdesignsagainstusattheinterventionofanylessexaltedpersonagethanthesun’sownoffspring？

Impossible！“

“Iquiteagreewithyou。”exclaimedmyfather，“itisoutofthe——“

“LetmefinishwhatIhavetosay。Whentheraincamesocopiouslyfordays，eventhosewhohadnotseenthemiraculousascentfounditsconsequencescomesodirectlyhometothem，thattheyhadnodifficultyinacceptingthereportofothers。Therewasnotafarmerorcottagerinthelandbutheavedasighofreliefatrescuefromimpendingruin，andtheyallknewitwastheSunchildwhohadpromisedtheKingthathewouldmaketheair-godsendit。

Soabundantly，youwillremember，diditcome，thatwehadtopraytohimtostopit，whichinhisowngoodtimehewaspleasedtodo。”

“Iremember。”saidmyfather，whowasatlastabletoedgeinaword，“thatitnearlyfloodedmeoutofhouseandhome。Andyet，inspiteofallthis，IhearthattherearemanyatBridgefordwhoarestillhardenedunbelievers。”

“Alas！youspeaktootruly。BridgefordandtheMusicalBanksforthefirstthreeyearsfoughttoothandnailtoblindthosewhomitwastheirfirstdutytoenlighten。IwasaProfessorofthehypotheticallanguage，andyoumayperhapsrememberhowIwasdrivenfrommychaironaccountofthefearlessnesswithwhichI

expoundedthedeepermysteriesofSunchildism。”

“Yes，Irememberwellhowcruelly——“butmyfatherwasnotallowedtogetbeyond“cruelly。”

“ItwasIwhoexplainedwhytheSunchildhadrepresentedhimselfasbelongingtoapeopleinmanyrespectsanalogoustoourown，whennosuchpeoplecanhaveexisted。ItwasIwhodetectedthatthesupposednationspokenofbytheSunchildwasaninventiondesignedinordertogiveusinstructionbythelightofwhichwemightmoreeasilyremodelourinstitutions。IhavesometimesthoughtthatmygiftofinterpretationwasvouchsafedtomeinrecognitionofthehumbleservicesthatIwasherebyallowedtorender。Bytheway，youhavereceivednoilluminationthismorning，haveyou？“

“Ineverdo，sir，whenIaminthecompanyofonewhoseconversationIfindsupremelyinteresting。ButyouweretellingmeaboutBridgeford：IlivehundredsofmilesfromBridgeford，andhaveneverunderstoodthesuddenness，andcompleteness，withwhichmenlikeProfessorsHankyandPankyandDr。Downiechangedfront。

DotheybelieveasyouandIdo，ordidtheymerelygowiththetimes？IspentacoupleofhourswithHankyandPankyonlytwoeveningsago，andwasnotsomuchimpressedasIcouldhavewishedwiththedepthoftheirreligiousfervour。”

“Theyaresincerenow——moreespeciallyHanky——butIcannotthinkI

amjudgingthemharshly，ifIsaythattheywerenotsoatfirst。

Evennow，Ifear，thattheyaremorecarnallythanspirituallyminded。Seehowtheyhavefoughtfortheaggrandisementoftheirownorder。ItismainlytheirdoingthattheMusicalBankshaveusurpedthespiritualauthorityformerlyexercisedbythestraighteners。”

“Butthestraighteners。”saidmyfather，“couldnotco-existwithSunchildism，anditishardtoseehowtheclaimsoftheBankscanbereasonablygainsaid。”

“Perhaps；andafteralltheBanksareourmainbulwarkagainsttheevilsthatIfearwillfollowfromtherepealofthelawsagainstmachinery。ThishasalreadyledtothedevelopmentofamaterialismwhichminimizesthemiraculouselementintheSunchild’sascent，asourownpeopleminimizethematerialmeansthatwerethenecessaryprologuetothemiraculous。”

Thusdidtheyconverse；butIwillnotpursuetheirconversationfurther。ItwillbeenoughtosaythatinfurtherfloodsoftalkMr。BalmyconfirmedwhatGeorgehadsaidabouttheBankshavinglosttheirholduponthemasses。Thatholdwasweakeveninthetimeofmyfather’sfirstvisit；butwhenthepeoplesawthehostilityoftheBankstoamovementwhichfarthegreaternumberofthemaccepted，itseemedasthoughbothBridgefordandtheBanksweredoomed，forBridgefordwasheartandsoulwiththeBanks。

Hanky，itappeared，thoughunderthirty，andnotyetaProfessor，graspedthesituation，andsawthatBridgefordmusteithermovewiththetimes，orgo。HeconsultedsomeofthemostsagaciousHeadsofHousesandProfessors，withtheresultthatacommitteeofenquirywasappointed，whichinduecoursereportedthattheevidencefortheSunchild’shavingbeentheonlychildofthesunwasconclusive。Itwasaboutthistime——thatistosaysomethreeyearsafterhisascent——that“Higgsism。”asithadbeenhithertocalled，became“Sunchildism。”and“Higgs“the“Sunchild。”

MyfatheralsolearnedtheKing’sfuryathisescape(forhewouldcallitnothingelse)withmymother。Thiswassogreatthatthoughhehadhithertobeen，andhadeversinceprovedhimselftobe，ahumaneruler，heorderedtheinstantexecutionofallwhohadbeenconcernedinmakingeitherthegasortheballoon；andhiscruelorderswerecarriedoutwithinacoupleofhours。AtthesametimeheorderedthedestructionbyfireoftheQueen’sworkshops，andofallremnantsofanymaterialsusedinmakingtheballoon。ItissaidtheQueenwassomuchgrievedandoutraged(foritwasherdoingthatthematerialground-work，sotospeak，hadbeenprovidedforthemiracle)thatsheweptnightanddaywithoutceasingthreewholemonths，andneveragainallowedherhusbandtoembraceher，tillhehadalsoembracedSunchildism。

Whentheraincame，publicindignationattheKing’sactionwasraisedalmosttorevolutionpitch，andtheKingwasfrightenedatoncebythearrivalofthepromiseddownfallandthedispleasureofhissubjects。Buthestillheldout，anditwasonlyafterconcessionsonthepartoftheBridgefordcommittee，thatheatlastconsentedtotheabsorptionofSunchildismintotheMusicalBanksystem，andtoitsestablishmentasthereligionofthecountry。Thefar-reachingchangesinErewhonianinstitutionswithwhichthereaderisalreadyacquaintedfollowedasamatterofcourse。

“Iknowthedifficulty。”saidmyfatherpresently，“withwhichtheKingwaspersuadedtoallowthewayinwhichtheSunchild’sdressshouldbeworntobeamatterofopinion，notdogma。Iseewehaveadopteddifferentfashions。Haveyouanydecidedopinionsuponthesubject？“

“Ihave；butIwillaskyounottopressmeforthem。LetthismatterremainastheKinghasleftit。”

Myfatherthoughtthathemightnowventureonashot。Sohesaid，“Ihavealwaysunderstood，too，thattheKingforcedtherepealofthelawsagainstmachineryontheBridgefordcommittee，asanotherconditionofhisassent？“

“Certainly。Heinsistedonthis，partlytogratifytheQueen，whohadnotyetforgivenhim，andwhohadsetherheartonhavingawatch，andpartlybecauseheexpectedthatadevelopmentofthecountry’sresources，inconsequenceofafreeruseofmachinery，wouldbringmoremoneyintohisexchequer。Bridgefordfoughthardandwiselyhere，buttheyhadgainedsomuchbytheMusicalBankManagersbeingrecognisedastheauthorisedexponentsofSunchildism，thattheythoughtitwisetoyield——apparentlywithagoodgrace——andthusgildthepillwhichhisMajestywasabouttoswallow。Buteventhentheyfearedtheconsequencesthatarealreadybeginningtoappear，allwhich，ifImistakenot，willassumefarmoreseriousproportionsinthefuture。”

“See。”saidmyfathersuddenly，“wearecomingtoanotherprocession，andtheyhavegotsomebanners，letuswalkalittlequickerandovertakeit。”

“Horrible！“repliedMr。Balmyfiercely。“Youmustbeshort-

sighted，oryoucouldneverhavecalledmyattentiontoit。Letusgetitbehindusasfastaspossible，andnotsomuchaslookatit。”

“Ohyes，yes。”saidmyfather，“itisindeedhorrible，Ihadnotseenwhatitwas。”

Hehadnotthefaintestideawhatthematterwas，butheletMr。

Balmywalkalittleaheadofhim，sothathecouldseethebanners，themostimportantofwhichhefoundtodisplayaballoonpureandsimple，withonefigureinthecar。True，atthetopofthebannertherewasasmudgewhichmightbetakenforalittlechariot，andsomeverylittlehorses，buttheballoonwastheonlythinginsistedon。Asfortheprocession，itconsistedentirelyofmen，whomasmallerbannerannouncedtobeworkmenfromtheFairmeadironandsteelworks。Therewasathirdbanner，whichsaid，“ScienceaswellasSunchildism。”

CHAPTERXV：THETEMPLEISDEDICATEDTOMYFATHER，ANDCERTAIN

EXTRACTSAREREADFROMHISSUPPOSEDSAYINGS

“Itisenoughtobreakone’sheart。”saidMr。Balmywhenhehadoutstrippedtheprocession，andmyfatherwasagainbesidehim。

“’Aswellas，’indeed！Weknowwhatthatmeans。Whereverthereisafactorythereisahot-bedofunbelief。’Aswellas’！Whyitisadefiance。”

“What，Iwonder。”saidmyfatherinnocently，“musttheSunchild’sfeelingsbe，ashelooksdownonthisprocession。Fortherecanbelittledoubtthatheisdoingso。”

“Therecanbenodoubtatall。”repliedMr。Balmy，“thatheistakingnoteofit，andofallelsethatishappeningthisdayinErewhon。Heavengrantthathebenotsoangeredastochastisetheinnocentaswellastheguilty。”

“Idoubt。”saidmyfather，“hisbeingsoangryevenwiththisprocession，asyouthinkheis。”

Here，fearinganoutburstofindignation，hefoundanexcuseforrapidlychangingtheconversation。Moreoverhewasangrywithhimselfforplayinguponthispoorgoodcreature。Hehadnotdonesoofmaliceprepense；hehadbeguntodeceivehim，becausehebelievedhimselftobeindangerifhespokethetruth；andthoughheknewtheparttobeanunworthyone，hecouldnotescapefromcontinuingtoplayit，ifhewastodiscoverthingsthathewasnotlikelytodiscoverotherwise。

Often，however，hehadcheckedhimself。Ithadbeenonthetipofhistonguetobeilluminatedwiththewords，SukohandSukopweretwoprettymen，Theylayinbedtilltheclockstruckten，andtofollowitupwith，NowwiththedropsofthismostYknarctimeMylovelooksfresh，inordertoseehowMr。BalmywouldinterprettheassertionheremadeabouttheProfessors，andwhatstatementhewouldconnectwithhisownErewhonianname；buthehadrestrainedhimself。

Themorehesaw，andthemoreheheard，themoreshockedhewasatthemischiefhehaddone。Seehowhehadunsettledthelittlemindthispoor，dear，goodgentlemanhadeverhad，tillhewasnowamereslavetopreconception。Andhowmanymorehadhenotinlikemannerbroughttothevergeofidiocy？Howmanyagainhadhenotmademorecorruptthantheywerebefore，eventhoughhehadnotdeceivedthem——asforexample，HankyandPanky。Andtheyoung？howcouldsuchalieasthatachariotandfourhorsescamedownoutofthecloudsenterseriouslyintothelifeofanyone，withoutdistortinghismentalvision，ifnotruiningit？

Andyet，themorehereflected，themorehealsosawthathecoulddonogoodbysayingwhohewas。Mattershadgonesofarthatthoughhespokewiththetonguesofmenandangelshewouldnotbelistenedto；andevenifhewere，itmighteasilyprovethathehadaddedharmtothatwhichhehaddonealready。No。AssoonashehadheardHanky’ssermon，hewouldbegintoworkhiswayback，andiftheProfessorshadnotyetremovedtheirpurchase，hewouldrecoverit；buthewouldpinabagcontainingaboutfivepoundsworthofnuggetsontothetreeinwhichtheyhadhiddenit，and，ifpossible，hewouldfindsomewayofsendingtheresttoGeorge。

HeletMr。Balmycontinuetalking，gladthatthisgentlemanrequiredlittlemorethanmonosyllabicanswers，andstillmoreglad，inspiteofsomeagitation，toseethattheywerenownearingSunch’ston，towardswhichagreatconcourseofpeoplewashurryingfromClearwater，andmoredistanttownsonthemainroad。Manywholefamilieswerecoming，——thefathersandmotherscarryingthesmallerchildren，andalsotheirownshoesandstockings，whichtheywouldputonwhennearingthetown。Mostofthepilgrimsbroughtprovisionswiththem。AllworeEuropeancostumes，butonlyafewofthemworeitreversed，andthesewerealmostinvariablyofhighersocialstatusthanthegreatbodyofthepeople，whoweremainlypeasants。