第2章

Asuddenthoughtoccurredtome，whichwouldhavedoubtlessstruckmeatoncehadInotbeenprepossessedwithforebodingsatthetimethatIfirstsawthefigures，andhadnotthecloudconcealedthemfromme——Imeanthattheywerenotlivingbeings，butstatues。I

determinedthatIwouldcountfiftyslowly，andwassurethattheobjectswerenotaliveifduringthattimeIcoulddetectnosignofmotion。

HowthankfulwasIwhenIcametotheendofmyfiftyandtherehadbeennomovement！

Icountedasecondtime——butagainallwasstill。

Ithenadvancedtimidlyforward，andinanothermomentIsawthatmysurmisewascorrect。IhadcomeuponasortofStonehengeofrudeandbarbaricfigures，seatedasChowbokhadsatwhenI

questionedhiminthewool-shed，andwiththesamesuperhumanlymalevolentexpressionupontheirfaces。Theyhadbeenallseated，buttwohadfallen。Theywerebarbarous——neitherEgyptian，norAssyrian，norJapanese——differentfromanyofthese，andyetakintoall。Theyweresixorseventimeslargerthanlife，ofgreatantiquity，wornandlichengrown。Theywereteninnumber。Therewassnowupontheirheadsandwhereversnowcouldlodge。Eachstatuehadbeenbuiltoffourorfiveenormousblocks，buthowthesehadbeenraisedandputtogetherisknowntothosealonewhoraisedthem。Eachwasterribleafteradifferentkind。Onewasragingfuriously，asinpainandgreatdespair；anotherwasleanandcadaverouswithfamine；anothercruelandidiotic，butwiththesilliestsimperthatcanbeconceived——thisonehadfallen，andlookedexquisitelyludicrousinhisfall——themouthsofallweremoreorlessopen，andasIlookedatthemfrombehind，Isawthattheirheadshadbeenhollowed。

Iwassickandshiveringwithcold。Solitudehadunmannedmealready，andIwasutterlyunfittohavecomeuponsuchanassemblyoffiendsinsuchadreadfulwildernessandwithoutpreparation。I

wouldhavegiveneverythingIhadintheworldtohavebeenbackatmymaster’sstation；butthatwasnottobethoughtof：myheadwasfailing，andIfeltsurethatIcouldnevergetbackalive。

Thencameagustofhowlingwind，accompaniedwithamoanfromoneofthestatuesaboveme。Iclaspedmyhandsinfear。Ifeltlikearatcaughtinatrap，asthoughIwouldhaveturnedandbittenatwhateverthingwasnearestme。Thewildnessofthewindincreased，themoansgrewshriller，comingfromseveralstatues，andswellingintoachorus。Ialmostimmediatelyknewwhatitwas，butthesoundwassounearthlythatthiswasbutlittleconsolation。TheinhumanbeingsintowhoseheartstheEvilOnehadputittoconceivethesestatues，hadmadetheirheadsintoasortoforgan-

pipe，sothattheirmouthsshouldcatchthewindandsoundwithitsblowing。Itwashorrible。Howeverbraveamanmightbe，hecouldneverstandsuchaconcert，fromsuchlips，andinsuchaplace。I

heapedeveryinvectiveuponthemthatmytonguecouldutterasI

rushedawayfromthemintothemist，andevenafterIhadlostsightofthem，andturningmyheadroundcouldseenothingbutthestorm-wraithsdrivingbehindme，Iheardtheirghostlychanting，andfeltasthoughoneofthemwouldrushaftermeandgripmeinhishandandthrottleme。

Imaysayherethat，sincemyreturntoEngland，IheardafriendplayingsomechordsupontheorganwhichputmeveryforciblyinmindoftheErewhonianstatues(forErewhonisthenameofthecountryuponwhichIwasnowentering)。Theyrosemostvividlytomyrecollectionthemomentmyfriendbegan。Theyareasfollows，andarebythegreatestofallmusicians：-{2}

[Musicscorewhichcannotbereproduced]

CHAPTERVI：INTOEREWHON

AndnowIfoundmyselfonanarrowpathwhichfollowedasmallwatercourse。Iwastoogladtohaveaneasytrackformyflight，tolayholdofthefullsignificanceofitsexistence。Thethought，however，soonpresenteditselftomethatImustbeinaninhabitedcountry，butonewhichwasyetunknown。What，then，wastobemyfateatthehandsofitsinhabitants？ShouldIbetakenandofferedupasaburnt-offeringtothosehideousguardiansofthepass？Itmightbeso。Ishudderedatthethought，yetthehorrorsofsolitudehadnowfairlypossessedme；andsodazedwasI，andchilled，andwoebegone，thatIcouldlayholdofnoideafirmlyamidthecrowdoffanciesthatkeptwanderinginuponmybrain。

Ihurriedonward——down，down，down。Morestreamscamein；thentherewasabridge，afewpinelogsthrownoverthewater；buttheygavemecomfort，forsavagesdonotmakebridges。ThenIhadatreatsuchasIcanneverconveyonpaper——amoment，perhaps，themoststrikingandunexpectedinmywholelife——theoneIthinkthat，withsomethreeorfourexceptions，Iwouldmostgladlyhaveagain，wereIabletorecallit。Igotbelowtheleveloftheclouds，intoaburstofbrillianteveningsunshine，Iwasfacingthenorth-west，andthesunwasfulluponme。Oh，howitslightcheeredme！ButwhatIsaw！ItwassuchanexpanseaswasrevealedtoMoseswhenhestooduponthesummitofMountSinai，andbeheldthatpromisedlandwhichitwasnottobehistoenter。Thebeautifulsunsetskywascrimsonandgold；blue，silver，andpurple；exquisiteandtranquillising；fadingawaythereinwereplains，onwhichIcouldseemanyatownandcity，withbuildingsthathadloftysteeplesandroundeddomes。Nearerbeneathmelayridgebehindridge，outlinebehindoutline，sunlightbehindshadow，andshadowbehindsunlight，gullyandserratedravine。Isawlargepineforests，andtheglitterofanobleriverwindingitswayupontheplains；alsomanyvillagesandhamlets，someofthemquitenearathand；anditwasonthesethatIponderedmost。IsankuponthegroundatthefootofalargetreeandthoughtwhatIhadbestdo；

butIcouldnotcollectmyself。Iwasquitetiredout；andpresently，feelingwarmedbythesun，andquieted，Ifelloffintoaprofoundsleep。

Iwasawokebythesoundoftinklingbells，andlookingup，Isawfourorfivegoatsfeedingnearme。AssoonasImoved，thecreaturesturnedtheirheadstowardsmewithanexpressionofinfinitewonder。Theydidnotrunaway，butstoodstockstill，andlookedatmefromeveryside，asIatthem。Thencamethesoundofchatteringandlaughter，andthereapproachedtwolovelygirls，ofaboutseventeenoreighteenyearsold，dressedeachinasortoflinengaberdine，withagirdleroundthewaist。Theysawme。I

satquitestillandlookedatthem，dazzledwiththeirextremebeauty。Foramomenttheylookedatmeandateachotheringreatamazement；thentheygavealittlefrightenedcryandranoffashardastheycould。

“Sothat’sthat。”saidItomyself，asIwatchedthemscampering。

IknewthatIhadbetterstaywhereIwasandmeetmyfate，whateveritwastobe，andeveniftherewereabettercourse，I

hadnostrengthlefttotakeit。Imustcomeintocontactwiththeinhabitantssoonerorlater，anditmightaswellbesooner。

Betternottoseemafraidofthem，asIshoulddobyrunningawayandbeingcaughtwithahueandcryto-morrowornextday。SoI

remainedquitestillandwaited。InaboutanhourIhearddistantvoicestalkingexcitedly，andinafewminutesIsawthetwogirlsbringingupapartyofsixorsevenmen，wellarmedwithbowsandarrowsandpikes。Therewasnothingforit，soIremainedsittingquitestill，evenaftertheyhadseenme，untiltheycamecloseup。

Thenweallhadagoodlookatoneanother。

Boththegirlsandthemenwereverydarkincolour，butnotmoresothantheSouthItaliansorSpaniards。Themenworenotrousers，butweredressednearlythesameastheArabswhomIhaveseeninAlgeria。Theywereofthemostmagnificentpresence，beingnolessstrongandhandsomethanthewomenwerebeautiful；andnotonlythis，buttheirexpressionwascourteousandbenign。IthinktheywouldhavekilledmeatonceifIhadmadetheslightestshowofviolence；buttheygavemenoimpressionoftheirbeinglikelytohurtmesolongasIwasquiet。Iamnotmuchgiventolikinganybodyatfirstsight，butthesepeopleimpressedmemuchmorefavourablythanIshouldhavethoughtpossible，sothatIcouldnotfearthemasIscannedtheirfacesoneafteranother。Theywereallpowerfulmen。Imighthavebeenamatchforanyoneofthemsingly，forIhavebeentoldthatIhavemoretogloryinthefleshthaninanyotherrespect，beingoversixfeetandproportionatelystrong；butanytwocouldhavesoonmasteredme，evenwereInotsobereftofenergybymyrecentadventures。Mycolourseemedtosurprisethemmost，forIhavelighthair，blueeyes，andafreshcomplexion。Theycouldnotunderstandhowthesethingscouldbe；

myclothesalsoseemedquitebeyondthem。Theireyeskeptwanderingalloverme，andthemoretheylookedthelesstheyseemedabletomakemeout。

AtlastIraisedmyselfuponmyfeet，andleaninguponmystick，I

spokewhatevercameintomyheadtothemanwhoseemedforemostamongthem。IspokeinEnglish，thoughIwasverysurethathewouldnotunderstand。IsaidthatIhadnoideawhatcountryIwasin；thatIhadstumbleduponitalmostbyaccident，afteraseriesofhairbreadthescapes；andthatItrustedtheywouldnotallowanyeviltoovertakemenowthatIwascompletelyattheirmercy。AllthisIsaidquietlyandfirmly，withhardlyanychangeofexpression。Theycouldnotunderstandme，buttheylookedapprovinglytooneanother，andseemedpleased(soIthought)thatIshowednofearnoracknowledgmentofinferiority——thefactbeingthatIwasexhaustedbeyondthesenseoffear。Thenoneofthempointedtothemountain，inthedirectionofthestatues，andmadeagrimaceinimitationofoneofthem。Ilaughedandshudderedexpressively，whereontheyallburstoutlaughingtoo，andchatteredhardtooneanother。Icouldmakeoutnothingofwhattheysaid，butIthinktheythoughtitratheragoodjokethatI

hadcomepastthestatues。Thenoneamongthemcameforwardandmotionedmetofollow，whichIdidwithouthesitation，forIdarednotthwartthem；moreover，Ilikedthemwellenough，andfelttolerablysurethattheyhadnointentionofhurtingme。

InaboutaquarterofanhourwegottoasmallHamletbuiltonthesideofahill，withanarrowstreetandhouseshuddleduptogether。Theroofswerelargeandoverhanging。Somefewwindowswereglazed，butnotmany。AltogetherthevillagewasexceedinglylikeoneofthosethatonecomesuponindescendingthelessknownpassesovertheAlpsontoLombardy。Iwillpassovertheexcitementwhichmyarrivalcaused。Sufficeit，thatthoughtherewasabundanceofcuriosity，therewasnorudeness。Iwastakentotheprincipalhouse，whichseemedtobelongtothepeoplewhohadcapturedme。ThereIwashospitablyentertained，andasupperofmilkandgoat’sfleshwithakindofoatcakewassetbeforeme，ofwhichIateheartily。ButallthetimeIwaseatingIcouldnothelpturningmyeyesuponthetwobeautifulgirlswhomIhadfirstseen，andwhoseemedtoconsidermeastheirlawfulprize——whichindeedIwas，forIwouldhavegonethroughfireandwaterforeitherofthem。

Thencametheinevitablesurpriseatseeingmesmoke，whichIwillsparethereader；butInoticedthatwhentheysawmestrikeamatch，therewasahubbubofexcitementwhich，itstruckme，wasnotaltogetherunmixedwithdisapproval：why，Icouldnotguess。

Thenthewomenretired，andIwasleftalonewiththemen，whotriedtotalktomeineveryconceivableway；butwecouldcometonounderstanding，exceptthatIwasquitealone，andhadcomefromalongwayoverthemountains。Inthecourseoftimetheygrewtired，andIverysleepy。ImadesignsasthoughIwouldsleeponthefloorinmyblankets，buttheygavemeoneoftheirbunkswithplentyofdriedfernandgrass，ontowhichIhadnosoonerlaidmyselfthanIfellfastasleep；nordidIawaketillwellintothefollowingday，whenIfoundmyselfinthehutwithtwomenkeepingguardovermeandanoldwomancooking。WhenIwokethemenseemedpleased，andspoketomeasthoughbiddingmegoodmorninginapleasanttone。

Iwentoutofdoorstowashinacreekwhichranafewyardsfromthehouse。Myhostswereasengrossedwithmeasever；theynevertooktheireyesoffme，followingeveryactionthatIdid，nomatterhowtrifling，andeachlookingtowardstheotherforhisopinionateverytouchandturn。Theytookgreatinterestinmyablutions，fortheyseemedtohavedoubtedwhetherIwasinallrespectshumanlikethemselves。Theyevenlaidholdofmyarmsandoverhauledthem，andexpressedapprovalwhentheysawthattheywerestrongandmuscular。Theynowexaminedmylegs，andespeciallymyfeet。Whentheydesistedtheynoddedapprovinglytoeachother；andwhenIhadcombedandbrushedmyhair，andgenerallymademyselfasneatandwellarrangedascircumstanceswouldallow，Icouldseethattheirrespectformeincreasedgreatly，andthattheywerebynomeanssurethattheyhadtreatedmewithsufficientdeference——amatteronwhichIamnotcompetenttodecide。AllIknowisthattheywereverygoodtome，forwhichIthankedthemheartily，asitmightwellhavebeenotherwise。

Formyownpart，Ilikedthemandadmiredthem，fortheirquietself-possessionanddignifiedeaseimpressedmepleasurablyatonce。NeitherdidtheirmannermakemefeelasthoughIwerepersonallydistastefultothem——onlythatIwasathingutterlynewandunlookedfor，whichtheycouldnotcomprehend。TheirtypewasmorethatofthemostrobustItaliansthananyother；theirmannersalsowereeminentlyItalian，intheirentireunconsciousnessofself。HavingtravelledagooddealinItaly，Iwasstruckwithlittlegesturesofthehandandshoulders，whichconstantlyremindedmeofthatcountry。MyfeelingwasthatmywisestplanwouldbetogoonasIhadbegun，andbesimplymyselfforbetterorworse，suchasIwas，andtakemychanceaccordingly。

Ithoughtofthesethingswhiletheywerewaitingformetohavedonewashing，andonmywayback。Thentheygavemebreakfast——hotbreadandmilk，andfriedfleshofsomethingbetweenmuttonandvenison。TheirwaysofcookingandeatingwereEuropean，thoughtheyhadonlyaskewerforafork，andasortofbutcher’sknifetocutwith。ThemoreIlookedateverythinginthehouse，themoreI

wasstruckwithitsquasi-Europeancharacter；andhadthewallsonlybeenpastedoverwithextractsfromtheIllustratedLondonNewsandPunch，Icouldhavealmostfanciedmyselfinashepherd’shutuponmymaster’ssheep-run。Andyeteverythingwasslightlydifferent。Itwasmuchthesamewiththebirdsandflowersontheotherside，ascomparedwiththeEnglishones。OnmyarrivalIhadbeenpleasedatnoticingthatnearlyalltheplantsandbirdswereverylikecommonEnglishones：thus，therewasarobin，andalark，andawren，anddaisies，anddandelions；notquitethesameastheEnglish，butstillverylikethem——quitelikeenoughtobecalledbythesamename；sonow，here，thewaysofthesetwomen，andthethingstheyhadinthehouse，wereallverynearlythesameasinEurope。ItwasnotatalllikegoingtoChinaorJapan，whereeverythingthatoneseesisstrange。Iwas，indeed，atoncestruckwiththeprimitivecharacteroftheirappliances，fortheyseemedtobesomefiveorsixhundredyearsbehindEuropeintheirinventions；butthisisthecaseinmanyanItalianvillage。

AllthetimethatIwaseatingmybreakfastIkeptspeculatingastowhatfamilyofmankindtheycouldbelongto；andshortlytherecameanideaintomyhead，whichbroughtthebloodintomycheekswithexcitementasIthoughtofit。WasitpossiblethattheymightbethelosttentribesofIsrael，ofwhomIhadheardbothmygrandfatherandmyfathermakementionasexistinginanunknowncountry，andawaitingafinalreturntoPalestine？WasitpossiblethatImighthavebeendesignedbyProvidenceastheinstrumentoftheirconversion？Oh，whatathoughtwasthis！Ilaiddownmyskewerandgavethemahastysurvey。TherewasnothingofaJewishtypeaboutthem：theirnosesweredistinctlyGrecian，andtheirlips，thoughfull，werenotJewish。

HowcouldIsettlethisquestion？IknewneitherGreeknorHebrew，andevenifIshouldgettounderstandthelanguageherespoken，I

shouldbeunabletodetecttherootsofeitherofthesetongues。I

hadnotbeenlongenoughamongthemtoascertaintheirhabits，buttheydidnotgivemetheimpressionofbeingareligiouspeople。

Thistoowasnatural：thetentribeshadbeenalwayslamentablyirreligious。ButcouldInotmakethemchange？TorestorethelosttentribesofIsraeltoaknowledgeoftheonlytruth：herewouldbeindeedanimmortalcrownofglory！MyheartbeatfastandfuriousasIentertainedthethought。Whatapositionwoulditnotensuremeinthenextworld；orperhapseveninthis！Whatfollyitwouldbetothrowsuchachanceaway！IshouldranknexttotheApostles，ifnotashighasthey——certainlyabovetheminorprophets，andpossiblyaboveanyOldTestamentwriterexceptMosesandIsaiah。ForsuchafutureasthisIwouldsacrificeallthatI

havewithoutamoment’shesitation，couldIbereasonablyassuredofit。Ihadalwayscordiallyapprovedofmissionaryefforts，andhadattimescontributedmymitetowardstheirsupportandextension；butIhadneverhithertofeltdrawntowardsbecomingamissionarymyself；andindeedhadalwaysadmired，andenvied，andrespectedthem，morethanIhadexactlylikedthem。ButifthesepeoplewerethelosttentribesofIsrael，thecasewouldbewidelydifferent：theopeningwastooexcellenttobelost，andI

resolvedthatshouldIseeindicationswhichappearedtoconfirmmyimpressionthatIhadindeedcomeuponthemissingtribes，Iwouldcertainlyconvertthem。

ImayherementionthatthisdiscoveryistheonetowhichI

alludedintheopeningpagesofmystory。Timestrengthenedtheimpressionmadeuponmeatfirst；and，thoughIremainedindoubtforseveralmonths，Ifeelnownolongeruncertain。

WhenIhaddoneeating，myhostsapproached，andpointeddownthevalleyleadingtotheirowncountry，asthoughwantingtoshowthatImustgowiththem；atthesametimetheylaidholdofmyarms，andmadeasthoughtheywouldtakeme，butusednoviolence。I

laughed，andmotionedmyhandacrossmythroat，pointingdownthevalleyasthoughIwasafraidlestIshouldbekilledwhenIgotthere。Buttheydivinedmeatonce，andshooktheirheadswithmuchdecision，toshowthatIwasinnodanger。Theirmannerquitereassuredme；andinhalfanhourorsoIhadpackedupmyswag，andwaseagerfortheforwardjourney，feelingwonderfullystrengthenedandrefreshedbygoodfoodandsleep，whilemyhopeandcuriositywerearousedtotheirveryutmostbytheextraordinarypositioninwhichIfoundmyself。

ButalreadymyexcitementhadbeguntocoolandIreflectedthatthesepeoplemightnotbethetentribesafterall；inwhichcaseI

couldnotbutregretthatmyhopesofmakingmoney，whichhadledmeintosomuchtroubleanddanger，werealmostannihilatedbythefactthatthecountrywasfulltooverflowing，withapeoplewhohadprobablyalreadydevelopeditsmoreavailableresources。

Moreover，howwasItogetback？Fortherewassomethingaboutmyhostswhichtoldmethattheyhadgotme，andmeanttokeepme，inspiteofalltheirgoodness。

CHAPTERVII：FIRSTIMPRESSIONS

WefollowedanAlpinepathforsomefourmiles，nowhundredsoffeetaboveabrawlingstreamwhichdescendedfromtheglaciers，andnownearlyalongsideit。Themorningwascoldandsomewhatfoggy，fortheautumnhadmadegreatstrideslatterly。Sometimeswewentthroughforestsofpine，orratheryewtrees，thoughtheylookedlikepine；andIrememberthatnowandagainwepassedalittlewaysideshrine，whereintherewouldbeastatueofgreatbeauty，representingsomefigure，maleorfemale，intheveryheydayofyouth，strength，andbeauty，orofthemostdignifiedmaturityandoldage。Myhostsalwaysbowedtheirheadsastheypassedoneoftheseshrines，anditshockedmetoseestatuesthathadnoapparentobject，beyondthechroniclingofsomeunusualindividualexcellenceorbeauty，receivesoseriousahomage。However，I

showednosignofwonderordisapproval；forIrememberedthattobeallthingstoallmenwasoneoftheinjunctionsoftheGentileApostle，whichforthepresentIshoulddowelltoheed。Shortlyafterpassingoneofthesechapelswecamesuddenlyuponavillagewhichstartedupoutofthemist；andIwasalarmedlestIshouldbemadeanobjectofcuriosityordislike。Butitwasnotso。Myguidesspoketomanyinpassing，andthosespokentoshowedmuchamazement。Myguides，however，werewellknown，andthenaturalpolitenessofthepeoplepreventedthemfromputtingmetoanyinconvenience；buttheycouldnothelpeyeingme，norIthem。I

mayaswellsayatoncewhatmyafter-experiencetaughtme——namely，thatwithalltheirfaultsandextraordinaryobliquityofmentalvisionuponmanysubjects，theyaretheverybest-bredpeoplethatIeverfellinwith。

Thevillagewasjustliketheonewehadleft，onlyratherlarger。

Thestreetswerenarrowandunpaved，butveryfairlyclean。Thevinegrewoutsidemanyofthehouses；andthereweresomewithsign-boards，onwhichwaspaintedabottleandaglass，thatmademefeelmuchathome。Evenonthisledgeofhumansocietytherewasastuntedgrowthofshoplets，whichhadtakenrootandvegetatedsomehow，thoughasinanairmercantileofthebleakest。

Itwashereashitherto：allthingsweregenericallythesameasinEurope，thedifferencesbeingofspeciesonly；andIwasamusedatseeinginawindowsomebottleswithbarley-sugarandsweetmeatsforchildren，asathome；butthebarley-sugarwasinplates，notintwistedsticks，andwascolouredblue。Glasswasplentifulinthebetterhouses。

Lastly，Ishouldsaythatthepeoplewereofaphysicalbeautywhichwassimplyamazing。Ineversawanythingintheleastcomparabletothem。Thewomenwerevigorous，andhadamostmajesticgait，theirheadsbeingsetupontheirshoulderswithagracebeyondallpowerofexpression。Eachfeaturewasfinished，eyelids，eyelashes，andearsbeingalmostinvariablyperfect。

TheircolourwasequaltothatofthefinestItalianpaintings；

beingoftheclearestolive，andyetruddywithaglowofperfecthealth。Theirexpressionwasdivine；andastheyglancedatmetimidlybutwithpartedlipsingreatbewilderment，Iforgotallthoughtsoftheirconversioninfeelingsthatwerefarmoreearthly。IwasdazzledasIsawoneaftertheother，ofwhomI

couldonlyfeelthateachwastheloveliestIhadeverseen。Eveninmiddleagetheywerestillcomely，andtheoldgrey-hairedwomenattheircottagedoorshadadignity，nottosaymajesty，oftheirown。

Themenwereashandsomeasthewomenbeautiful。Ihavealwaysdelightedinandreverencedbeauty；butIfeltsimplyabashedinthepresenceofsuchasplendidtype——acompoundofallthatisbestinEgyptian，GreekandItalian。Thechildrenwereinfiniteinnumber，andexceedinglymerry；Ineedhardlysaythattheycameinfortheirfullshareoftheprevailingbeauty。Iexpressedbysignsmyadmirationandpleasuretomyguides，andtheyweregreatlypleased。Ishouldaddthatallseemedtotakeaprideintheirpersonalappearance，andthateventhepoorest(andnoneseemedrich)werewellkemptandtidy。Icouldfillmanypageswithadescriptionoftheirdressandtheornamentswhichtheywore，andahundreddetailswhichstruckmewithalltheforceofnovelty；butImustnotstaytodoso。

Whenwehadgotpastthevillagethefogrose，andrevealedmagnificentviewsofthesnowymountainsandtheirnearerabutments，whileinfrontIcouldnowandagaincatchglimpsesofthegreatplainswhichIhadsurveyedontheprecedingevening。

Thecountrywashighlycultivated，everyledgebeingplantedwithchestnuts，walnuts，andapple-treesfromwhichtheappleswerenowgathering。Goatswereabundant；alsoakindofsmallblackcattle，inthemarshesneartheriver，whichwasnowfastwidening，andrunningbetweenlargerflatsfromwhichthehillsrecededmoreandmore。Isawafewsheepwithroundednosesandenormoustails。

Dogswerethereinplenty，andveryEnglish；butIsawnocats，norindeedarethesecreaturesknown，theirplacebeingsuppliedbyasortofsmallterrier。

Inaboutfourhoursofwalkingfromthetimewestarted，andafterpassingtwoorthreemorevillages，wecameuponaconsiderabletown，andmyguidesmademanyattemptstomakemeunderstandsomething，butIgatherednoinklingoftheirmeaning，exceptthatIneedbeundernoapprehensionofdanger。Iwillsparethereaderanydescriptionofthetown，andwouldonlybidhimthinkofDomodossolaorFaido。SufficeitthatIfoundmyselftakenbeforethechiefmagistrate，andbyhisorderswasplacedinanapartmentwithtwootherpeople，whowerethefirstIhadseenlookinganythingbutwellandhandsome。Infact，oneofthemwasplainlyverymuchoutofhealth，andcoughedviolentlyfromtimetotimeinspiteofmanifesteffortstosuppressit。Theotherlookedpaleandillbuthewasmarvellouslyself-contained，anditwasimpossibletosaywhatwasthematterwithhim。Bothofthemappearedastonishedatseeingonewhowasevidentlyastranger，buttheyweretooilltocomeuptome，andformconclusionsconcerningme。Thesetwowerefirstcalledout；andinaboutaquarterofanhourIwasmadetofollowthem，whichIdidinsomefear，andwithmuchcuriosity。

Thechiefmagistratewasavenerable-lookingman，withwhitehairandbeardandafaceofgreatsagacity。Helookedmealloverforaboutfiveminutes，lettinghiseyeswanderfromthecrownofmyheadtothesolesofmyfeet，upanddown，anddownandup；neitherdidhismindseemintheleastclearerwhenhehaddonelookingthanwhenhebegan。Heatlengthaskedmeasingleshortquestion，whichIsupposedmeant“Whoareyou？“IansweredinEnglishquitecomposedlyasthoughhewouldunderstandme，andendeavouredtobemyverymostnaturalselfaswellasIcould。Heappearedmoreandmorepuzzled，andthenretired，returningwithtwoothersmuchlikehimself。Thentheytookmeintoaninnerroom，andthetwofresharrivalsstrippedme，whilethechieflookedon。Theyfeltmypulse，theylookedatmytongue，theylistenedatmychest，theyfeltallmymuscles；andattheendofeachoperationtheylookedatthechiefandnodded，andsaidsomethinginatonequitepleasant，asthoughIwereallright。Theyevenpulleddownmyeyelids，andlooked，Isuppose，toseeiftheywerebloodshot；butitwasnotso。Atlengththeygaveup；andIthinkthatallweresatisfiedofmybeinginthemostperfecthealth，andveryrobusttoboot。Atlasttheoldmagistratemademeaspeechofaboutfiveminuteslong，whichtheothertwoappearedtothinkgreatlytothepoint，butfromwhichIgatherednothing。Assoonasitwasended，theyproceededtooverhaulmyswagandthecontentsofmypockets。

Thisgavemelittleuneasiness，forIhadnomoneywithme，noranythingwhichtheywereatalllikelytowant，orwhichIcaredaboutlosing。AtleastIfanciedso，butIsoonfoundmymistake。

Theygotoncomfortablyatfirst，thoughtheyweremuchpuzzledwithmytobacco-pipeandinsistedonseeingmeuseit。WhenIhadshownthemwhatIdidwithit，theywereastonishedbutnotdispleased，andseemedtolikethesmell。Butbyandbytheycametomywatch，whichIhadhiddenawayintheinmostpocketthatI

had，andhadforgottenwhentheybegantheirsearch。Theyseemedconcernedanduneasyassoonastheygotholdofit。Theythenmademeopenitandshowtheworks；andwhenIhaddonesotheygavesignsofverygravedispleasure，whichdisturbedmeallthemorebecauseIcouldnotconceivewhereinitcouldhaveoffendedthem。

IrememberthatwhentheyfirstfounditIhadthoughtofPaley，andhowhetellsusthatasavageonseeingawatchwouldatonceconcludethatitwasdesigned。True，thesepeoplewerenotsavages，butInonethelessfeltsurethatthiswastheconclusiontheywouldarriveat；andIwasthinkingwhatawonderfullywisemanArchbishopPaleymusthavebeen，whenIwasarousedbyalookofhorroranddismayuponthefaceofthemagistrate，alookwhichconveyedtometheimpressionthatheregardedmywatchnotashavingbeendesigned，butratherasthedesignerofhimselfandoftheuniverse；orasatanyrateoneofthegreatfirstcausesofallthings。

ThenitstruckmethatthisviewwasquiteaslikelytobetakenastheotherbyapeoplewhohadnoexperienceofEuropeancivilisation，andIwasalittlepiquedwithPaleyforhavingledmesomuchastray；butIsoondiscoveredthatIhadmisinterpretedtheexpressiononthemagistrate’sface，andthatitwasonenotoffear，buthatred。Hespoketomesolemnlyandsternlyfortwoorthreeminutes。Then，reflectingthatthiswasofnouse，hecausedmetobeconductedthroughseveralpassagesintoalargeroom，whichIafterwardsfoundwasthemuseumofthetown，andwhereinI

beheldasightwhichastonishedmemorethananythingthatIhadyetseen。

Itwasfilledwithcasescontainingallmannerofcuriosities——suchasskeletons，stuffedbirdsandanimals，carvingsinstone(whereofIsawseveralthatwerelikethoseonthesaddle，onlysmaller)，butthegreaterpartoftheroomwasoccupiedbybrokenmachineryofalldescriptions。Thelargerspecimenshadacasetothemselves，andticketswithwritingontheminacharacterwhichI

couldnotunderstand。Therewerefragmentsofsteamengines，allbrokenandrusted；amongthemIsawacylinderandpiston，abrokenfly-wheel，andpartofacrank，whichwaslaidonthegroundbytheirside。Again，therewasaveryoldcarriagewhosewheelsinspiteofrustanddecay，Icouldsee，hadbeendesignedoriginallyforironrails。Indeed，therewerefragmentsofagreatmanyofourownmostadvancedinventions；buttheyseemedalltobeseveralhundredyearsold，andtobeplacedwheretheywere，notforinstruction，butcuriosity。AsIsaidbefore，allweremarredandbroken。

Wepassedmanycases，andatlastcametooneinwhichtherewereseveralclocksandtwoorthreeoldwatches。Herethemagistratestopped，andopeningthecasebegancomparingmywatchwiththeothers。Thedesignwasdifferent，butthethingwasclearlythesame。Onthisheturnedtomeandmademeaspeechinasevereandinjuredtoneofvoice，pointingrepeatedlytothewatchesinthecase，andtomyown；neitherdidheseemintheleastappeaseduntilImadesignstohimthathehadbettertakemywatchandputitwiththeothers。Thishadsomeeffectincalminghim。IsaidinEnglish(trustingtotoneandmannertoconveymymeaning)thatIwasexceedinglysorryifIhadbeenfoundtohaveanythingcontrabandinmypossession；thatIhadhadnointentionofevadingtheordinarytolls，andthatIwouldgladlyforfeitthewatchifmydoingsowouldatoneforanunintentionalviolationofthelaw。Hebeganpresentlytorelent，andspoketomeinakindermanner。I

thinkhesawthatIhadoffendedwithoutknowledge；butIbelievethechiefthingthatbroughthimroundwasmynotseemingtobeafraidofhim，althoughIwasquiterespectful；this，andmyhavinglighthairandcomplexion，onwhichhehadremarkedpreviouslybysigns，aseveryoneelsehaddone。

Iafterwardsfoundthatitwasreckonedaverygreatmerittohavefairhair，thisbeingathingoftherarestpossibleoccurrence，andgreatlyadmiredandenviedinallwhowerepossessedofit。

Howeverthatmightbe，mywatchwastakenfromme；butourpeacewasmade，andIwasconductedbacktotheroomwhereIhadbeenexamined。Themagistratethenmademeanotherspeech，whereonI

wastakentoabuildinghardby，whichIsoondiscoveredtobethecommonprisonofthetown，butinwhichanapartmentwasassignedmeseparatefromtheotherprisoners。Theroomcontainedabed，table，andchairs，alsoafireplaceandawashing-stand。Therewasanotherdoor，whichopenedontoabalcony，withaflightofstepsdescendingintoawalledgardenofsomesize。ThemanwhoconductedmeintothisroommadesignstomethatImightgodownandwalkinthegardenwheneverIpleased，andintimatedthatI

shouldshortlyhavesomethingbroughtmetoeat。Iwasallowedtoretainmyblankets，andthefewthingswhichIhadwrappedinsidethem，butitwasplainthatIwastoconsidermyselfaprisoner——

forhowlongaperiodIcouldnotbyanymeansdetermine。Hethenleftmealone。

CHAPTERVIII：INPRISON

Andnowforthefirsttimemycouragecompletelyfailedme。ItisenoughtosaythatIwaspenniless，andaprisonerinaforeigncountry，whereIhadnofriend，noranyknowledgeofthecustomsorlanguageofthepeople。IwasatthemercyofmenwithwhomIhadlittleincommon。Andyet，engrossedasIwaswithmyextremelydifficultanddoubtfulposition，IcouldnothelpfeelingdeeplyinterestedinthepeopleamongwhomIhadfallen。WhatwasthemeaningofthatroomfullofoldmachinerywhichIhadjustseen，andofthedispleasurewithwhichthemagistratehadregardedmywatch？Thepeoplehadverylittlemachinerynow。Ihadbeenstruckwiththisoverandoveragain，thoughIhadnotbeenmorethanfour-and-twentyhoursinthecountry。TheywereaboutasfaradvancedasEuropeansofthetwelfthorthirteenthcentury；

certainlynotmoreso。Andyettheymusthavehadatonetimethefullestknowledgeofourownmostrecentinventions。Howcouldithavehappenedthathavingbeenoncesofarinadvancetheywerenowasmuchbehindus？Itwasevidentthatitwasnotfromignorance。

Theyknewmywatchasawatchwhentheysawit；andthecarewithwhichthebrokenmachineswerepreservedandticketed，provedthattheyhadnotlosttherecollectionoftheirformercivilisation。

ThemoreIthought，thelessIcouldunderstandit；butatlastI

concludedthattheymusthaveworkedouttheirminesofcoalandiron，tilleithernonewereleft，orsofew，thattheuseofthesemetalswasrestrictedtotheveryhighestnobility。ThiswastheonlysolutionIcouldthinkof；and，thoughIafterwardsfoundhowentirelymistakenitwas，Ifeltquitesurethenthatitmustbetherightone。

Ihadhardlyarrivedatthisopinionforabovefourorfiveminutes，whenthedooropened，andayoungwomanmadeherappearancewithatray，andaveryappetisingsmellofdinner。I

gazeduponherwithadmirationasshelaidaclothandsetasavoury-lookingdishuponthetable。AsIbeheldherIfeltasthoughmypositionwasalreadymuchameliorated，fortheverysightofhercarriedgreatcomfort。Shewasnotmorethantwenty，ratherabovethemiddleheight，activeandstrong，butyetmostdelicatelyfeatured；herlipswerefullandsweet；hereyeswereofadeephazel，andfringedwithlongandspringingeyelashes；herhairwasneatlybraidedfromoffherforehead；hercomplexionwassimplyexquisite；herfigureasrobustaswasconsistentwiththemostperfectfemalebeauty，yetnotmoreso；herhandsandfeetmighthaveservedasmodelstoasculptor。Havingsetthestewuponthetable，sheretiredwithaglanceofpity，whereon(rememberingpity’skinsman)Idecidedthatsheshouldpitymealittlemore。

Shereturnedwithabottleandaglass，andfoundmesittingonthebedwithmyhandsovermyface，lookingtheverypictureofabjectmisery，and，likeallpictures，ratheruntruthful。AsIwatchedher，throughmyfingers，outoftheroomagain，Ifeltsurethatshewasexceedinglysorryforme。Herbackbeingturned，Isettoworkandatemydinner，whichwasexcellent。

Shereturnedinaboutanhourtotakeaway；andtherecamewithheramanwhohadagreatbunchofkeysathiswaist，andwhosemannerconvincedmethathewasthejailor。Iafterwardsfoundthathewasfathertothebeautifulcreaturewhohadbroughtmemydinner。

Iamnotamuchgreaterhypocritethanotherpeople，anddowhatI

would，Icouldnotlooksoverymiserable。Ihadalreadyrecoveredfrommydejection，andfeltinamostgenialhumourbothwithmyjailorandhisdaughter。Ithankedthemfortheirattentiontowardsme；and，thoughtheycouldnotunderstand，theylookedatoneanotherandlaughedandchatteredtilltheoldmansaidsomethingorotherwhichIsupposewasajoke；forthegirllaughedmerrilyandranaway，leavingherfathertotakeawaythedinnerthings。ThenIhadanothervisitor，whowasnotsoprepossessing，andwhoseemedtohaveagreatideaofhimselfandasmalloneofme。Hebroughtabookwithhim，andpensandpaper——allveryEnglish；andyet，neitherpaper，norprinting，norbinding，norpen，norink，werequitethesameasours。

Hegavemetounderstandthathewastoteachmethelanguageandthatweweretobeginatonce。Thisdelightedme，bothbecauseI

shouldbemorecomfortablewhenIcouldunderstandandmakemyselfunderstood，andbecauseIsupposedthattheauthoritieswouldhardlyteachmethelanguageiftheyintendedanycruelusagetowardsmeafterwards。Webeganatonce，andIlearntthenamesofeverythingintheroom，andalsothenumeralsandpersonalpronouns。IfoundtomysorrowthattheresemblancetoEuropeanthings，whichIhadsofrequentlyobservedhitherto，didnotholdgoodinthematteroflanguage；forIcoulddetectnoanalogywhateverbetweenthisandanytongueofwhichIhavetheslightestknowledge，——athingwhichmademethinkitpossiblethatImightbelearningHebrew。

Imustdetailnolonger；fromthistimemydayswerespentwithamonotonywhichwouldhavebeentediousbutforthesocietyofYram，thejailor’sdaughter，whohadtakenagreatfancyformeandtreatedmewiththeutmostkindness。Themancameeverydaytoteachmethelanguage，butmyrealdictionaryandgrammarwereYram；andIconsultedthemtosuchpurposethatImadethemostextraordinaryprogress，beingableattheendofamonthtounderstandagreatdealoftheconversationwhichIoverheardbetweenYramandherfather。Myteacherprofessedhimselfwellsatisfied，andsaidheshouldmakeafavourablereportofmetotheauthorities。Ithenquestionedhimastowhatwouldprobablybedonewithme。Hetoldmethatmyarrivalhadcausedgreatexcitementthroughoutthecountry，andthatIwastobedetainedacloseprisoneruntilthereceiptofadvicesfromtheGovernment。

Myhavinghadawatch，hesaid，wastheonlydamagingfeatureinthecase。Andthen，inanswertomyaskingwhythisshouldbeso，hegavemealongstoryofwhichwithmyimperfectknowledgeofthelanguageIcouldmakenothingwhatever，exceptthatitwasaveryheinousoffence，almostasbad(atleast，soIthoughtIunderstoodhim)ashavingtyphusfever。Buthesaidhethoughtmylighthairwouldsaveme。

Iwasallowedtowalkinthegarden；therewasahighwallsothatImanagedtoplayasortofhandfives，whichpreventedmyfeelingthebadeffectsofmyconfinement，thoughitwasstupidworkplayingalone。Inthecourseoftimepeoplefromthetownandneighbourhoodbegantopesterthejailortobeallowedtoseeme，andonreceivinghandsomefeesheletthemdoso。Thepeopleweregoodtome；almosttoogood，fortheywereinclinedtomakealionofme，whichIhated——atleastthewomenwere；onlytheyhadtobewareofYram，whowasayoungladyofajealoustemperament，andkeptasharpeyebothonmeandonmyladyvisitors。However，I

feltsokindlytowardsher，andwassoentirelydependentuponherforalmostallthatmademylifeablessingandacomforttome，thatItookgoodcarenottovexher，andweremainedexcellentfriends。Themenwerefarlessinquisitive，andwouldnot，I

believe，havecomenearmeoftheirownaccord；butthewomenmadethemcomeasescorts。Iwasdelightedwiththeirhandsomemien，andpleasantgenialmanners。

Myfoodwasplain，butalwaysvariedandwholesome，andthegoodredwinewasadmirable。Ihadfoundasortofwortinthegarden，whichIsweatedinheapsandthendried，obtainingthusasubstitutefortobacco；sothatwhatwithYram，thelanguage，visitors，fivesinthegarden，smoking，andbed，mytimeslippedbymorerapidlyandpleasantlythanmighthavebeenexpected。Ialsomademyselfasmallflute；andbeingatolerableplayer，amusedmyselfattimeswithplayingsnatchesfromoperas，andairssuchas“Owhereandohwhere。”and“Home，sweethome。”Thiswasofgreatadvantagetome，forthepeopleofthecountrywereignorantofthediatonicscaleandcouldhardlybelievetheirearsonhearingsomeofourmostcommonmelodies。Often，too，theywouldmakemesing；

andIcouldatanytimemakeYram’seyesswimwithtearsbysinging“WilkinsandhisDinah。”“BillyTaylor。”“TheRatcatcher’sDaughter。”orasmuchofthemasIcouldremember。

IhadoneortwodiscussionswiththembecauseIneverwouldsingonSunday(ofwhichIkeptcountinmypocket-book)，exceptchantsandhymntunes；oftheseIregrettosaythatIhadforgottenthewords，sothatIcouldonlysingthetune。Theyappearedtohavelittleornoreligiousfeeling，andtohaveneversomuchasheardofthedivineinstitutionoftheSabbath，sotheyascribedmyobservanceofittoafitofsulkiness，whichtheyremarkedascomingovermeuponeveryseventhday。Buttheywereverytolerant，andoneofthemsaidtomequitekindlythatsheknewhowimpossibleitwastohelpbeingsulkyattimes，onlyshethoughtI

oughttoseesomeoneifitbecamemoreserious——apieceofadvicewhichIthenfailedtounderstand，thoughIpretendedtotakeitquiteasamatterofcourse。

OnceonlydidYramtreatmeinawaythatwasunkindandunreasonable，——atleastsoIthoughtitatthetime。Ithappenedthus。Ihadbeenplayingfivesinthegardenandgotmuchheated。

Althoughthedaywascold，forautumnwasnowadvancing，andColdHarbour(asthenameofthetowninwhichmyprisonwasshouldbetranslated)stoodfully3000feetabovethesea，Ihadplayedwithoutmycoatandwaistcoat，andtookasharpchillonrestingmyselftoolongintheopenairwithoutprotection。ThenextdayI

hadaseverecoldandfeltreallypoorly。Beinglittleusedeventothelightestailments，andthinkingthatitwouldberathernicetobepettedandcossettedbyYram，IcertainlydidnotmakemyselfouttobeanybetterthanIwas；infact，IrememberthatImadetheworstofthings，andtookitintomyheadtoconsidermyselfuponthesicklist。WhenYrambroughtmemybreakfastIcomplainedsomewhatdolefullyofmyindisposition，expectingthesympathyandhumouringwhichIshouldhavereceivedfrommymotherandsistersathome。Notabitofit。Shefiredupinaninstant，andaskedmewhatImeantbyit，andhowIdaredtopresumetomentionsuchathing，especiallywhenIconsideredinwhatplaceIwas。Shehadthebestmindtotellherfather，onlythatshewasafraidtheconsequenceswouldbesoveryseriousforme。Hermannerwassoinjuredanddecided，andherangersoevidentlyunfeigned，thatI

forgotmycolduponthespot，beggingherbyallmeanstotellherfatherifshewishedtodoso，andtellingherthatIhadnoideaofbeingshieldedbyherfromanythingwhatever；presentlymollifying，afterhavingsaidasmanybitingthingsasIcould，I

askedherwhatitwasthatIhaddoneamiss，andpromisedamendmentassoonaseverIbecameawareofit。ShesawthatIwasreallyignorant，andhadhadnointentionofbeingrudetoher；whereonitcameoutthatillnessofanysortwasconsideredinErewhontobehighlycriminalandimmoral；andthatIwasliable，evenforcatchingcold，tobehadupbeforethemagistratesandimprisonedforaconsiderableperiod——anannouncementwhichstruckmedumbwithastonishment。

Ifolloweduptheconversationaswellasmyimperfectknowledgeofthelanguagewouldallow，andcaughtaglimmeringofherpositionwithregardtoill-health；butIdidnoteventhenfullycomprehendit，norhadIasyetanyideaoftheotherextraordinaryperversionsofthoughtwhichexistedamongtheErewhonians，butwithwhichIwassoontobecomefamiliar。Ipropose，therefore，tomakenomentionofwhatpassedbetweenusonthisoccasion，savethatwewerereconciled，andthatshebroughtmesurreptitiouslyahotglassofspiritsandwaterbeforeIwenttobed，asalsoapileofextrablankets，andthatnextmorningIwasquitewell。Ineverremembertohavelostacoldsorapidly。

Thislittleaffairexplainedmuchwhichhadhithertopuzzledme。

Itseemedthatthetwomenwhowereexaminedbeforethemagistratesonthedayofmyarrivalinthecountry，hadbeengiveninchargeonaccountofillhealth，andwerebothcondemnedtoalongtermofimprisonmentwithhardlabour；theywerenowexpiatingtheiroffenceinthisveryprison，andtheirexercisegroundwasayardseparatedbymyfiveswallfromthegardeninwhichIwalked。ThisaccountedforthesoundsofcoughingandgroaningwhichIhadoftennoticedascomingfromtheothersideofthewall：itwashigh，andIhadnotdaredtoclimbitforfearthejailorshouldseemeandthinkthatIwastryingtoescape；butIhadoftenwonderedwhatsortofpeopletheycouldbeontheotherside，andhadresolvedonaskingthejailor；butIseldomsawhim，andYramandI

generallyfoundotherthingstotalkabout。

Anothermonthflewby，duringwhichImadesuchprogressinthelanguagethatIcouldunderstandallthatwassaidtome，andexpressmyselfwithtolerablefluency。MyinstructorprofessedtobeastonishedwiththeprogressIhadmade；Iwascarefultoattributeittothepainshehadtakenwithmeandtohisadmirablemethodofexplainingmydifficulties，sowebecameexcellentfriends。

Myvisitorsbecamemoreandmorefrequent。Amongthemthereweresome，bothmenandwomen，whodelightedmeentirelybytheirsimplicity，unconsciousnessofself，kindlygenialmanners，andlast，butnotleast，bytheirexquisitebeauty；therecameotherslesswell-bred，butstillcomelyandagreeablepeople，whilesomeweresnobspureandsimple。

AttheendofthethirdmonththejailorandmyinstructorcametogethertovisitmeandtoldmethatcommunicationshadbeenreceivedfromtheGovernmenttotheeffectthatifIhadbehavedwellandseemedgenerallyreasonable，andiftherecouldbenosuspicionatallaboutmybodilyhealthandvigour，andifmyhairwasreallylight，andmyeyesblueandcomplexionfresh，IwastobesentupatoncetothemetropolisinorderthattheKingandQueenmightseemeandconversewithme；butthatwhenIarrivedthereIshouldbesetatliberty，andasuitableallowancewouldbemademe。MyteacheralsotoldmethatoneoftheleadingmerchantshadsentmeaninvitationtorepairtohishouseandtoconsidermyselfhisguestforaslongatimeasIchose。“Heisadelightfulman。”continuedtheinterpreter，“buthassufferedterriblyfrom“(heretherecamealongwordwhichIcouldnotquitecatch，onlyitwasmuchlongerthankleptomania)，“andhasbutlatelyrecoveredfromembezzlingalargesumofmoneyundersingularlydistressingcircumstances；buthehasquitegotoverit，andthestraightenerssaythathehasmadeareallywonderfulrecovery；youaresuretolikehim。”

CHAPTERIX：TOTHEMETROPOLIS

WiththeabovewordsthegoodmanlefttheroombeforeIhadtimetoexpressmyastonishmentathearingsuchextraordinarylanguagefromthelipsofonewhoseemedtobeareputablememberofsociety。“Embezzlealargesumofmoneyundersingularlydistressingcircumstances！“Iexclaimedtomyself，“andaskMEtogoandstaywithhim！Ishalldonothingofthesort——compromisemyselfattheveryoutsetintheeyesofalldecentpeople，andgivethedeath-blowtomychancesofeitherconvertingthemiftheyarethelosttribesofIsrael，ormakingmoneyoutofthemiftheyarenot！No。Iwilldoanythingratherthanthat。”AndwhenI

nextsawmyteacherItoldhimthatIdidnotatalllikethesoundofwhathadbeenproposedforme，andthatIwouldhavenothingtodowithit。Forbymyeducationandtheexampleofmyownparents，andItrustalsoinsomedegreefrominborninstinct，Ihaveaverygenuinedislikeforallunhandsomedealingsinmoneymatters，thoughnonecanhaveagreaterregardformoneythanIhave，ifitbegotfairly。

Theinterpreterwasmuchsurprisedbymyanswer，andsaidthatI

shouldbeveryfoolishifIpersistedinmyrefusal。

Mr。Nosnibor，hecontinued，“isamanofatleast500，000horse-

power“(fortheirwayofreckoningandclassifyingmenisbythenumberoffootpoundswhichtheyhavemoneyenoughtoraise，ormoreroughlybytheirhorse-power)，“andkeepsacapitaltable；

besides，histwodaughtersareamongthemostbeautifulwomeninErewhon。”

WhenIheardallthis，IconfessthatIwasmuchshaken，andinquiredwhetherhewasfavourablyconsideredinthebestsociety。

“Certainly。”wastheanswer；“nomaninthecountrystandshigher。”

Hethenwentontosaythatonewouldhavethoughtfrommymannerthatmyproposedhosthadhadjaundiceorpleurisyorbeengenerallyunfortunate，andthatIwasinfearofinfection。

“Iamnotmuchafraidofinfection。”saidI，impatiently，“butI

havesomeregardformycharacter；andifIknowamantobeanembezzlerofotherpeople’smoney，besureofit，IwillgivehimaswideaberthasIcan。Ifhewereillorpoor——“

“Illorpoor！“interruptedtheinterpreter，withafaceofgreatalarm。“Sothat’syournotionofpropriety！Youwouldconsortwiththebasestcriminals，andyetdeemsimpleembezzlementabartofriendlyintercourse。Icannotunderstandyou。”

“ButIampoormyself。”criedI。

“Youwere。”saidhe；“andyouwereliabletobeseverelypunishedforit，——indeed，atthecouncilwhichwasheldconcerningyou，thisfactwasverynearlyconsigningyoutowhatIshouldmyselfconsiderawell-deservedchastisement“(forhewasgettingangry，andsowasI)；“buttheQueenwassoinquisitive，andwantedsomuchtoseeyou，thatshepetitionedtheKingandmadehimgiveyouhispardon，andassignyouapensioninconsiderationofyourmeritoriouscomplexion。Itisluckyforyouthathehasnotheardwhatyouhavebeensayingnow，orhewouldbesuretocancelit。”

AsIheardthesewordsmyheartsankwithinme。Ifelttheextremedifficultyofmyposition，andhowwickedIshouldbeinrunningcountertoestablishedusage。Iremainedsilentforseveralminutes，andthensaidthatIshouldbehappytoaccepttheembezzler’sinvitation，——onwhichmyinstructorbrightenedandsaidIwasasensiblefellow。ButIfeltveryuncomfortable。Whenhehadlefttheroom，Imusedovertheconversationwhichhadjusttakenplacebetweenus，butIcouldmakenothingoutofit，exceptthatitarguedanevengreaterperversityofmentalvisionthanI

hadbeenyetpreparedfor。Andthismademewretched；forIcannotbearhavingmuchtodowithpeoplewhothinkdifferentlyfrommyself。Allsortsofwanderingthoughtskeptcomingintomyhead。

Ithoughtofmymaster’shut，andmyseatuponthemountainside，whereIhadfirstconceivedtheinsaneideaofexploring。WhatyearsandyearsseemedtohavepassedsinceIhadbegunmyjourney！

Ithoughtofmyadventuresinthegorge，andonthejourneyhither，andofChowbok。IwonderedwhatChowboktoldthemaboutmewhenhegotback，——hehaddonewellingoingback，Chowbokhad。Hewasnothandsome——nay，hewashideous；anditwouldhavegonehardlywithhim。Twilightdrewon，andrainpatteredagainstthewindows。

NeveryethadIfeltsounhappy，exceptduringthreedaysofsea-

sicknessatthebeginningofmyvoyagefromEngland。Isatmusingandingreatmelancholy，untilYrammadeherappearancewithlightandsupper。Shetoo，poorgirl，wasmiserable；forshehadheardthatIwastoleavethem。ShehadmadeuphermindthatIwastoremainalwaysinthetown，evenaftermyimprisonmentwasover；andIfancyhadresolvedtomarrymethoughIhadneversomuchashintedatherdoingso。Sowhatwiththedistressinglystrangeconversationwithmyteacher，myownfriendlesscondition，andYram’smelancholy，IfeltmoreunhappythanIcandescribe，andremainedsotillIgottobed，andsleepsealedmyeyelids。

OnawakingnextmorningIwasmuchbetter。ItwassettledthatI

wastomakemystartinaconveyancewhichwastobeinwaitingformeatabouteleveno’clock；andtheanticipationofchangeputmeingoodspirits，whicheventhetearfulfaceofYramcouldhardlyaltogetherderange。Ikissedheragainandagain，assuredherthatweshouldmeethereafter，andthatinthemeanwhileIshouldbeevermindfulofherkindness。Igavehertwoofthebuttonsoffmycoatandalockofmyhairasakeepsake，takingagoodlycurlfromherownbeautifulheadinreturn：andso，havingsaidgood-byeahundredtimes，tillIwasfairlyovercomewithhergreatsweetnessandhersorrow，Itoremyselfawayfromherandgotdown-stairstothecalechewhichwasinwaiting。HowthankfulIwaswhenitwasallover，andIwasdrivenawayandoutofsight。WouldthatI

couldhavefeltthatitwasoutofmindalso！Prayheaventhatitissonow，andthatsheismarriedhappilyamongherownpeople，andhasforgottenme！

AndnowbeganalongandtediousjourneywithwhichIshouldhardlytroublethereaderifIcould。Heissafe，however，forthesimplereasonthatIwasblindfoldedduringthegreaterpartofthetime。

Abandagewasputuponmyeyeseverymorning，andwasonlyremovedatnightwhenIreachedtheinnatwhichweweretopassthenight。

Wetravelledslowly，althoughtheroadsweregood。Wedrovebutonehorse，whichtookusourday’sjourneyfrommorningtillevening，aboutsixhours，exclusiveoftwohours’restinthemiddleoftheday。Idonotsupposewemadeabovethirtyorthirty-fivemilesonanaverage。Eachdaywehadafreshhorse。

AsIhavesaidalready，Icouldseenothingofthecountry。Ionlyknowthatitwaslevel，andthatseveraltimeswehadtocrosslargeriversinferry-boats。Theinnswerecleanandcomfortable。

Inoneortwoofthelargertownstheywerequitesumptuous，andthefoodwasgoodandwellcooked。Thesamewonderfulhealthandgraceandbeautyprevailedeverywhere。

Ifoundmyselfanobjectofgreatinterest；somuchso，thatthedrivertoldmehehadtokeepourroutesecret，andattimestogotoplacesthatwerenotdirectlyonourroad，inordertoavoidthepressthatwouldotherwisehaveawaitedus。EveryeveningIhadareception，andgrewheartilytiredofhavingtosaythesamethingsoverandoveragaininanswertothesamequestions，butitwasimpossibletobeangrywithpeoplewhosemannersweresodelightful。Theyneveronceaskedaftermyhealth，orevenwhetherIwasfatiguedwithmyjourney；buttheirfirstquestionwasalmostinvariablyaninquiryaftermytemper，thenaiveteofwhichastonishedmetillIbecameusedtoit。Oneday，beingtiredandcold，andwearyofsayingthesamethingoverandoveragain，I

turnedalittlebrusquelyonmyquestionerandsaidthatIwasexceedinglycross，andthatIcouldhardlyfeelinaworsehumourwithmyselfandeveryoneelsethanatthatmoment。Tomysurprise，Iwasmetwiththekindestexpressionsofcondolence，andhearditbuzzedabouttheroomthatIwasinanilltemper；whereonpeoplebegantogivemenicethingstosmellandtoeat，whichreallydidseemtohavesometemper-mendingqualityaboutthem，forIsoonfeltpleasedandwasatoncecongratulateduponbeingbetter。Thenextmorningtwoorthreepeoplesenttheirservantstothehotelwithsweetmeats，andinquirieswhetherIhadquiterecoveredfrommyillhumour。OnreceivingthegoodthingsIfeltinhalfamindtobeill-temperedeveryevening；butIdislikedthecondolencesandtheinquiries，andfounditmostcomfortabletokeepmynaturaltemper，whichissmoothenoughgenerally。

AmongthosewhocametovisitmeweresomewhohadreceivedaliberaleducationattheCollegesofUnreason，andtakenthehighestdegreesinhypothetics，whicharetheirprincipalstudy。

Thesegentlemenhadnowsettleddowntovariousemploymentsinthecountry，asstraighteners，managersandcashiersoftheMusicalBanks，priestsofreligion，orwhatnot，andcarryingtheireducationwiththemtheydiffusedaleavenofculturethroughoutthecountry。Inaturallyquestionedthemaboutmanyofthethingswhichhadpuzzledmesincemyarrival。IinquiredwhatwastheobjectandmeaningofthestatueswhichIhadseenupontheplateauofthepass。Iwastoldthattheydatedfromaveryremoteperiod，andthattherewereseveralothersuchgroupsinthecountry，butnonesoremarkableastheonewhichIhadseen。Theyhadareligiousorigin，havingbeendesignedtopropitiatethegodsofdeformityanddisease。Informertimesithadbeenthecustomtomakeexpeditionsovertheranges，andcapturetheugliestofChowbok’sancestorswhomtheycouldfind，inordertosacrificetheminthepresenceofthesedeities，andthusavertuglinessanddiseasefromtheErewhoniansthemselves。Ithadbeenwhispered(butmyinformantassuredmeuntruly)thatcenturiesagotheyhadevenofferedupsomeoftheirownpeoplewhowereuglyoroutofhealth，inordertomakeexamplesofthem；thesedetestablecustoms，however，hadbeenlongdiscontinued；neitherwasthereanypresentobservanceofthestatues。

IhadthecuriositytoinquirewhatwouldbedonetoanyofChowbok’stribeiftheycrossedoverintoErewhon。Iwastoldthatnobodyknew，inasmuchassuchathinghadnothappenedforages。

Theywouldbetoouglytobeallowedtogoatlarge，butnotsomuchsoastobecriminallyliable。Theiroffenceinhavingcomewouldbeamoralone；buttheywouldbebeyondthestraightener’sart。PossiblytheywouldbeconsignedtotheHospitalforIncurableBores，andmadetoworkatbeingboredforsomanyhoursadaybytheErewhonianinhabitantsofthehospital，whoareextremelyimpatientofoneanother’sboredom，butwouldsoondieiftheyhadnoonewhomtheymightbore——infact，thattheywouldbekeptasprofessionalborees。WhenIheardthis，itoccurredtomethatsomerumoursofitssubstancemightperhapshavebecomecurrentamongChowbok’speople；fortheagonyofhisfearhadbeentoogreattohavebeeninspiredbythemeredreadofbeingburntalivebeforethestatues。

Ialsoquestionedthemaboutthemuseumofoldmachines，andthecauseoftheapparentretrogressioninallarts，sciences，andinventions。Ilearntthataboutfourhundredyearspreviously，thestateofmechanicalknowledgewasfarbeyondourown，andwasadvancingwithprodigiousrapidity，untiloneofthemostlearnedprofessorsofhypotheticswroteanextraordinarybook(fromwhichI

proposetogiveextractslateron)，provingthatthemachineswereultimatelydestinedtosupplanttheraceofman，andtobecomeinstinctwithavitalityasdifferentfrom，andsuperiorto，thatofanimals，asanimaltovegetablelife。Soconvincingwashisreasoning，orunreasoning，tothiseffect，thathecarriedthecountrywithhim；andtheymadeacleansweepofallmachinerythathadnotbeeninuseformorethantwohundredandseventy-oneyears(whichperiodwasarrivedatafteraseriesofcompromises)，andstrictlyforbadeallfurtherimprovementsandinventionsunderpainofbeingconsideredintheeyeofthelawtobelabouringundertyphusfever，whichtheyregardasoneoftheworstofallcrimes。

Thisistheonlycaseinwhichtheyhaveconfoundedmentalandphysicaldiseases，andtheydoitevenhereasbyanavowedlegalfiction。IbecameuneasywhenIrememberedaboutmywatch；buttheycomfortedmewiththeassurancethattransgressioninthismatterwasnowsounheardof，thatthelawcouldaffordtobelenienttowardsanutterstranger，especiallytowardsonewhohadsuchagoodcharacter(theymeantphysique)，andsuchbeautifullighthair。Moreoverthewatchwasarealcuriosity，andwouldbeawelcomeadditiontothemetropolitancollection；sotheydidnotthinkIneedletittroublemeseriously。

Iwillwrite，however，morefullyuponthissubjectwhenIdealwiththeCollegesofUnreason，andtheBookoftheMachines。

InaboutamonthfromthetimeofourstartingIwastoldthatourjourneywasnearlyover。Thebandagewasnowdispensedwith，foritseemedimpossiblethatIshouldeverbeabletofindmywaybackwithoutbeingcaptured。Thenwerolledmerrilyalongthroughthestreetsofahandsometown，andgotontoalong，broad，andlevelroad，withpoplartreesoneitherside。Theroadwasraisedslightlyabovethesurroundingcountry，andhadformerlybeenarailway；thefieldsoneithersidewereinthehighestconceivablecultivation，buttheharvestandalsothevintagehadbeenalreadygathered。Theweatherhadgotcoolermorerapidlythancouldbequiteaccountedforbytheprogressoftheseason；soIratherthoughtthatwemusthavebeenmakingawayfromthesun，andweresomedegreesfartherfromtheequatorthanwhenwestarted。Evenherethevegetationshowedthattheclimatewasahotone，yettherewasnolackofvigouramongthepeople；onthecontrary，theywereaveryhardyrace，andcapableofgreatendurance。ForthehundredthtimeIthoughtthat，takethemallround，Ihadneverseentheirequalsinrespectofphysique，andtheylookedasgood-

naturedastheywererobust。Theflowerswereforthemostpartover，buttheirabsencewasinsomemeasurecompensatedforbyaprofusionofdeliciousfruit，closelyresemblingthefigs，peaches，andpearsofItalyandFrance。Isawnowildanimals，butbirdswereplentifulandmuchasinEurope，butnottameastheyhadbeenontheothersidetheranges。Theywereshotatwiththecross-bowandwitharrows，gunpowderbeingunknown，oratanyratenotinuse。

WewerenownearingthemetropolisandIcouldseegreattowersandfortifications，andloftybuildingsthatlookedlikepalaces。I

begantobenervousastomyreception；butIhadgotonverywellsofar，andresolvedtocontinueuponthesameplanashitherto——

namely，tobehavejustasthoughIwereinEnglanduntilIsawthatIwasmakingablunder，andthentosaynothingtillIcouldgatherhowthelandlay。Wedrewnearerandnearer。Thenewsofmyapproachhadgotabroad，andtherewasagreatcrowdcollectedoneithersidetheroad，whogreetedmewithmarksofmostrespectfulcuriosity，keepingmebowingconstantlyinacknowledgementfromsidetoside。

Whenwewereaboutamileoff，weweremetbytheMayorandseveralCouncillors，amongwhomwasavenerableoldman，whowasintroducedtomebytheMayor(forsoIsupposeIshouldcallhim)asthegentlemanwhohadinvitedmetohishouse。IboweddeeplyandtoldhimhowgratefulIfelttohim，andhowgladlyIwouldaccepthishospitality。Heforbademetosaymore，andpointingtohiscarriage，whichwascloseathand，hemotionedmetoaseattherein。IagainbowedprofoundlytotheMayorandCouncillors，anddroveoffwithmyentertainer，whosenamewasSenojNosnibor。

Afterabouthalfamilethecarriageturnedoffthemainroad，andwedroveunderthewallsofthetowntillwereachedapalazzoonaslighteminence，andjustontheoutskirtsofthecity。ThiswasSenojNosnibor’shouse，andnothingcanbeimaginedfiner。Itwassituatednearthemagnificentandvenerableruinsoftheoldrailwaystation，whichformedanimposingfeaturefromthegardensofthehouse。Thegrounds，sometenoradozenacresinextent，werelaidoutinterracedgardens，oneabovetheother，withflightsofbroadstepsascendinganddescendingthedeclivityofthegarden。Onthesestepstherewerestatuesofmostexquisiteworkmanship。Besidesthestatuestherewerevasesfilledwithvariousshrubsthatwerenewtome；andoneithersidetheflightsofstepstherewererowsofoldcypressesandcedars，withgrassyalleysbetweenthem。Thencamechoicevineyardsandorchardsoffruit-treesinfullbearing。

Thehouseitselfwasapproachedbyacourt-yard，androunditwasacorridorontowhichroomsopened，asatPompeii。Inthemiddleofthecourttherewasabathandafountain。Havingpassedthecourtwecametothemainbodyofthehouse，whichwastwostoriesinheight。Theroomswerelargeandlofty；perhapsatfirsttheylookedratherbareoffurniture，butinhotclimatespeoplegenerallykeeptheirroomsmorebarethantheydoincolderones。

Imissedalsothesightofagrandpianoorsomesimilarinstrument，therebeingnomeansofproducingmusicinanyoftheroomssavethelargerdrawing-room，wheretherewerehalfadozenlargebronzegongs，whichtheladiesusedoccasionallytobeataboutatrandom。Itwasnotpleasanttohearthem，butIhaveheardquiteasunpleasantmusicbothbeforeandsince。

Mr。Nosnibortookmethroughseveralspaciousroomstillwereachedaboudoirwherewerehiswifeanddaughters，ofwhomIhadheardfromtheinterpreter。Mrs。Nosniborwasaboutfortyyearsold，andstillhandsome，butshehadgrownverystout：herdaughterswereintheprimeofyouthandexquisitelybeautiful。Igavethepreferencealmostatoncetotheyounger，whosenamewasArowhena；

fortheeldersisterwashaughty，whiletheyoungerhadaverywinningmanner。Mrs。Nosniborreceivedmewiththeperfectionofcourtesy，sothatImusthaveindeedbeenshyandnervousifIhadnotatoncefeltwelcome。Scarcelywastheceremonyofmyintroductionwellcompletedbeforeaservantannouncedthatdinnerwasreadyinthenextroom。Iwasexceedinglyhungry，andthedinnerwasbeyondallpraise。CanthereaderwonderthatIbegantoconsidermyselfinexcellentquarters？“Thatmanembezzlemoney？“thoughtItomyself；“impossible。”

ButInoticedthatmyhostwasuneasyduringthewholemeal，andthatheatenothingbutalittlebreadandmilk；towardstheendofdinnertherecameatallleanmanwithablackbeard，towhomMr。

Nosniborandthewholefamilypaidgreatattention：hewasthefamilystraightener。WiththisgentlemanMr。Nosniborretiredintoanotherroom，fromwhichtherepresentlyproceededasoundofweepingandwailing。Icouldhardlybelievemyears，butinafewminutesIgottoknowforacertaintythattheycamefromMr。

Nosniborhimself。

“Poorpapa。”saidArowhena，asshehelpedherselfcomposedlytothesalt，“howterriblyhehassuffered。”

“Yes。”answeredhermother；“butIthinkheisquiteoutofdangernow。”

Thentheywentontoexplaintomethecircumstancesofthecase，andthetreatmentwhichthestraightenerhadprescribed，andhowsuccessfulhehadbeen——allwhichIwillreserveforanotherchapter，andputratherintheformofageneralsummaryoftheopinionscurrentuponthesesubjectsthanintheexactwordsinwhichthefactsweredeliveredtome；thereader，however，isearnestlyrequestedtobelievethatbothinthisnextchapterandinthosethatfollowitIhaveendeavouredtoadheremostconscientiouslytothestrictestaccuracy，andthatIhaveneverwillinglymisrepresented，thoughImayhavesometimesfailedtounderstandallthebearingsofanopinionorcustom。

CHAPTERX：CURRENTOPINIONS

ThisiswhatIgathered。Thatinthatcountryifamanfallsintoillhealth，orcatchesanydisorder，orfailsbodilyinanywaybeforeheisseventyyearsold，heistriedbeforeajuryofhiscountrymen，andifconvictedishelduptopublicscornandsentencedmoreorlessseverelyasthecasemaybe。Therearesubdivisionsofillnessesintocrimesandmisdemeanoursaswithoffencesamongstourselves——amanbeingpunishedveryheavilyforseriousillness，whilefailureofeyesorhearinginoneoversixty-five，whohashadgoodhealthhitherto，isdealtwithbyfineonly，orimprisonmentindefaultofpayment。Butifamanforgesacheque，orsetshishouseonfire，orrobswithviolencefromtheperson，ordoesanyothersuchthingsasarecriminalinourowncountry，heiseithertakentoahospitalandmostcarefullytendedatthepublicexpense，orifheisingoodcircumstances，heletsitbeknowntoallhisfriendsthatheissufferingfromaseverefitofimmorality，justaswedowhenweareill，andtheycomeandvisithimwithgreatsolicitude，andinquirewithinteresthowitallcameabout，whatsymptomsfirstshowedthemselves，andsoforth，——questionswhichhewillanswerwithperfectunreserve；forbadconduct，thoughconsiderednolessdeplorablethanillnesswithourselves，andasunquestionablyindicatingsomethingseriouslywrongwiththeindividualwhomisbehaves，isneverthelessheldtobetheresultofeitherpre-natalorpost-natalmisfortune。