第4章

Mr。Nosniborusedtogotothesebanks，orrathertothegreatmotherbankofthecity，sometimesbutnotveryoften。Hewasapillarofoneoftheotherkindofbanks，thoughheappearedtoholdsomeminorofficealsointhemusicalones。Theladiesgenerallywentalone；asindeedwasthecaseinmostfamilies，exceptonstateoccasions。

Ihadlongwantedtoknowmoreofthisstrangesystem，andhadthegreatestdesiretoaccompanymyhostessandherdaughters。Ihadseenthemgooutalmosteverymorningsincemyarrivalandhadnoticedthattheycarriedtheirpursesintheirhands，notexactlyostentatiously，yetjustsoasthatthosewhometthemshouldseewhithertheyweregoing。Ihadnever，however，yetbeenaskedtogowiththemmyself。

Itisnoteasytoconveyaperson’smannerbywords，andIcanhardlygiveanyideaofthepeculiarfeelingthatcameuponmewhenIsawtheladiesonthepointofstartingforthebank。Therewasasomethingofregret，asomethingasthoughtheywouldwishtotakemewiththem，butdidnotliketoaskme，andyetasthoughI

werehardlytoasktobetaken。Iwasdetermined，however，tobringmatterstoanissuewithmyhostessaboutmygoingwiththem，andafteralittleparleying，andmanyinquiriesastowhetherI

wasperfectlysurethatImyselfwishedtogo，itwasdecidedthatImightdoso。

Wepassedthroughseveralstreetsofmoreorlessconsiderablehouses，andatlastturningroundacornerwecameuponalargepiazza，attheendofwhichwasamagnificentbuilding，ofastrangebutnoblearchitectureandofgreatantiquity。Itdidnotopendirectlyontothepiazza，therebeingascreen，throughwhichwasanarchway，betweenthepiazzaandtheactualprecinctsofthebank。Onpassingunderthearchwayweentereduponagreensward，roundwhichthererananarcadeorcloister，whileinfrontofusuprosethemajestictowersofthebankanditsvenerablefront，whichwasdividedintothreedeeprecessesandadornedwithallsortsofmarblesandmanysculptures。Oneithersidetherewerebeautifuloldtreeswhereinthebirdswerebusybythehundred，andanumberofquaintbutsubstantialhousesofsingularlycomfortableappearance；theyweresituatedinthemidstoforchardsandgardens，andgavemeanimpressionofgreatpeaceandplenty。

Indeedithadbeennoerrortosaythatthisbuildingwasonethatappealedtotheimagination；itdidmore——itcarriedbothimaginationandjudgementbystorm。Itwasanepicinstoneandmarble，andsopowerfulwastheeffectitproducedonme，thatasI

behelditIwascharmedandmelted。Ifeltmoreconsciousoftheexistenceofaremotepast。Oneknowsofthisalways，buttheknowledgeisneversolivingasintheactualpresenceofsomewitnesstothelifeofbygoneages。Ifelthowshortaspaceofhumanlifewastheperiodofourownexistence。Iwasmoreimpressedwithmyownlittleness，andmuchmoreinclinabletobelievethatthepeoplewhosesenseofthefitnessofthingswasequaltotheupraisingofsosereneahandiwork，werehardlylikelytobewrongintheconclusionstheymightcometouponanysubject。

Myfeelingcertainlywasthatthecurrencyofthisbankmustbetherightone。

Wecrossedtheswardandenteredthebuilding。Iftheoutsidehadbeenimpressivetheinsidewasevenmoreso。Itwasveryloftyanddividedintoseveralpartsbywallswhichresteduponmassivepillars；thewindowswerefilledwithstainedglassdescriptiveoftheprincipalcommercialincidentsofthebankformanyages。Inaremotepartofthebuildingthereweremenandboyssinging；thiswastheonlydisturbingfeature，forasthegamutwasstillunknown，therewasnomusicinthecountrywhichcouldbeagreeabletoaEuropeanear。Thesingersseemedtohavederivedtheirinspirationsfromthesongsofbirdsandthewailingofthewind，whichlasttheytriedtoimitateinmelancholycadencesthatattimesdegeneratedintoahowl。Tomythinkingthenoisewashideous，butitproducedagreateffectuponmycompanions，whoprofessedthemselvesmuchmoved。Assoonasthesingingwasover，theladiesrequestedmetostaywhereIwaswhiletheywentinsidetheplacefromwhichithadseemedtocome。

Duringtheirabsencecertainreflectionsforcedthemselvesuponme。

Inthefirstplace，itstruckmeasstrangethatthebuildingshouldbesonearlyempty；Iwasalmostalone，andthefewbesidesmyselfhadbeenledbycuriosity，andhadnointentionofdoingbusinesswiththebank。Buttheremightbemoreinside。Istoleuptothecurtain，andventuredtodrawtheextremeedgeofitononeside。No，therewashardlyanyonethere。Isawalargenumberofcashiers，allattheirdesksreadytopaycheques，andoneortwowhoseemedtobethemanagingpartners。Ialsosawmyhostessandherdaughtersandtwoorthreeotherladies；alsothreeorfouroldwomenandtheboysfromoneoftheneighbouringCollegesofUnreason；buttherewasnooneelse。Thisdidnotlookasthoughthebankwasdoingaverylargebusiness；andyetIhadalwaysbeentoldthateveryoneinthecitydealtwiththisestablishment。

Icannotdescribeallthattookplaceintheseinnerprecincts，forasinister-lookingpersoninablackgowncameandmadeunpleasantgesturesatmeforpeeping。IhappenedtohaveinmypocketoneoftheMusicalBankpieces，whichhadbeengivenmebyMrs。Nosnibor，soItriedtotiphimwithit；buthavingseenwhatitwas，hebecamesoangrythatIhadtogivehimapieceoftheotherkindofmoneytopacifyhim。WhenIhaddonethishebecamecivildirectly。AssoonashewasgoneIventuredtotakeasecondlook，andsawZuloraintheveryactofgivingapieceofpaperwhichlookedlikeachequetooneofthecashiers。Hedidnotexamineit，butputtinghishandintoanantiquecofferhardby，hepulledoutaquantityofmetalpiecesapparentlyatrandom，andhandedthemoverwithoutcountingthem；neitherdidZuloracountthem，butputthemintoherpurseandwentbacktoherseatafterdroppingafewpiecesoftheothercoinageintoanalmsboxthatstoodbythecashier’sside。Mrs。NosniborandArowhenathendidlikewise，butalittlelatertheygaveall(sofarasIcouldsee)thattheyhadreceivedfromthecashierbacktoaverger，whoIhavenodoubtputitbackintothecofferfromwhichithadbeentaken。Theythenbeganmakingtowardsthecurtain；whereonIletitdropandretreatedtoareasonabledistance。

Theysoonjoinedme。Forsomefewminutesweallkeptsilence，butatlastIventuredtoremarkthatthebankwasnotsobusyto-dayasitprobablyoftenwas。OnthisMrs。Nosniborsaidthatitwasindeedmelancholytoseewhatlittleheedpeoplepaidtothemostpreciousofallinstitutions。Icouldsaynothinginreply，butI

haveeverbeenofopinionthatthegreaterpartofmankinddoapproximatelyknowwheretheygetthatwhichdoesthemgood。

Mrs。NosniborwentontosaythatImustnotthinktherewasanywantofconfidenceinthebankbecauseIhadseensofewpeoplethere；theheartofthecountrywasthoroughlydevotedtotheseestablishments，andanysignoftheirbeingindangerwouldbringinsupportfromthemostunexpectedquarters。Itwasonlybecausepeopleknewthemtobesoverysafe，thatinsomecases(asshelamentedtosayinMr。Nosnibor’s)theyfeltthattheirsupportwasunnecessary。Moreovertheseinstitutionsneverdepartedfromthesafestandmostapprovedbankingprinciples。Thustheyneverallowedinterestondeposit，athingnowfrequentlydonebycertainbubblecompanies，whichbydoinganillegitimatetradehaddrawnmanycustomersaway；andeventheshareholderswerefewerthanformerly，owingtotheinnovationsoftheseunscrupulouspersons，fortheMusicalBankspaidlittleornodividend，butdividedtheirprofitsbywayofbonusontheoriginalsharesonceineverythirtythousandyears；andasitwasnowonlytwothousandyearssincetherehadbeenoneofthesedistributions，peoplefeltthattheycouldnothopeforanotherintheirowntimeandpreferredinvestmentswherebytheygotsomemoretangiblereturn；allwhich，shesaid，wasverymelancholytothinkof。

Havingmadetheselastadmissions，shereturnedtoheroriginalstatement，namely，thateveryoneinthecountryreallysupportedthesebanks。Astothefewnessofthepeople，andtheabsenceoftheable-bodied，shepointedouttomewithsomejusticethatthiswasexactlywhatweoughttoexpect。Themenwhoweremostconversantaboutthestabilityofhumaninstitutions，suchasthelawyers，menofscience，doctors，statesmen，painters，andthelike，werejustthosewhoweremostlikelytobemisledbytheirownfanciedaccomplishments，andtobemadeundulysuspiciousbytheirlicentiousdesireforgreaterpresentreturn，whichwasattherootofnine-tenthsoftheopposition；bytheirvanity，whichwouldpromptthemtoaffectsuperioritytotheprejudicesofthevulgar；andbythestingsoftheirownconscience，whichwasconstantlyupbraidingtheminthemostcruelmanneronaccountoftheirbodies，whichweregenerallydiseased。

Letaperson’sintellect(shecontinued)beneversosound，unlesshisbodyisinabsolutehealth，hecanformnojudgementworthhavingonmattersofthiskind。Thebodyiseverything：itneednotperhapsbesuchastrongbody(shesaidthisbecauseshesawthatIwasthinkingoftheoldandinfirm-lookingfolkswhomIhadseeninthebank)，butitmustbeinperfecthealth；inthiscase，thelessactivestrengthithadthemorefreewouldbetheworkingoftheintellect，andthereforethesoundertheconclusion。Thepeople，then，whomIhadseenatthebankwereinrealitytheveryoneswhoseopinionsweremostworthhaving；theydeclareditsadvantagestobeincalculable，andevenprofessedtoconsidertheimmediatereturntobefarlargerthantheywereentitledto；andsosheranon，nordidsheleaveofftillwehadgotbacktothehouse。

Shemightsaywhatshepleased，buthermannercarriednoconviction，andlateronIsawsignsofgeneralindifferencetothesebanksthatwerenottobemistaken。Theirsupportersoftendeniedit，butthedenialwasgenerallysocouchedastoaddanotherproofofitsexistence。Incommercialpanics，andintimesofgeneraldistress，thepeopleasamassdidnotsomuchaseventhinkofturningtothesebanks。Afewmightdoso，somefromhabitandearlytraining，somefromtheinstinctthatpromptsustocatchatanystrawwhenwethinkourselvesdrowning，butfewfromagenuinebeliefthattheMusicalBankscouldsavethemfromfinancialruin，iftheywereunabletomeettheirengagementsintheotherkindofcurrency。

InconversationwithoneoftheMusicalBankmanagersIventuredtohintthisasplainlyaspolitenesswouldallow。Hesaidthatithadbeenmoreorlesstruetilllately；butthatnowtheyhadputfreshstainedglasswindowsintoallthebanksinthecountry，andrepairedthebuildings，andenlargedtheorgans；thepresidents，moreover，hadtakentoridinginomnibusesandtalkingnicelytopeopleinthestreets，andtorememberingtheagesoftheirchildren，andgivingthemthingswhentheywerenaughty，sothatallwouldhenceforthgosmoothly。

“Buthaven’tyoudoneanythingtothemoneyitself？“saidI，timidly。

“Itisnotnecessary。”herejoined；“notintheleastnecessary，I

assureyou。”

Andyetanyonecouldseethatthemoneygivenoutatthesebankswasnotthatwithwhichpeopleboughttheirbread，meat，andclothing。Itwaslikeitatafirstglance，andwasstampedwithdesignsthatwereoftenofgreatbeauty；itwasnot，again，aspuriouscoinage，madewiththeintentionthatitshouldbemistakenforthemoneyinactualuse；itwasmorelikeatoymoney，orthecountersusedforcertaingamesatcards；for，notwithstandingthebeautyofthedesigns，thematerialonwhichtheywerestampedwasasnearlyvaluelessaspossible。Somewerecoveredwithtinfoil，butthegreaterpartwerefranklyofacheapbasemetaltheexactnatureofwhichIwasnotabletodetermine。

Indeedtheyweremadeofagreatvarietyofmetals，or，perhapsmoreaccurately，alloys，someofwhichwerehard，whileotherswouldbendeasilyandassumealmostanyformwhichtheirpossessormightdesireatthemoment。

Ofcourseeveryoneknewthattheircommercialvaluewasnil，butallthosewhowishedtobeconsideredrespectablethoughtitincumbentuponthemtoretainafewcoinsintheirpossession，andtoletthembeseenfromtimetotimeintheirhandsandpurses。

Notonlythis，buttheywouldsticktoitthatthecurrentcoinoftherealmwasdrossincomparisonwiththeMusicalBankcoinage。

Perhaps，however，thestrangestthingofallwasthattheseverypeoplewouldattimesmakefuninsmallwaysofthewholesystem；

indeed，therewashardlyanyinsinuationagainstitwhichtheywouldnottolerateandevenapplaudintheirdailynewspapersifwrittenanonymously，whileifthesamethingweresaidwithoutambiguitytotheirfaces——nominativecaseverbandaccusativebeingallintheirrightplaces，anddoubtimpossible——theywouldconsiderthemselvesveryseriouslyandjustlyoutraged，andaccusethespeakerofbeingunwell。

Inevercouldunderstand(neithercanIquitedosonow，thoughI

begintoseebetterwhattheymean)whyasinglecurrencyshouldnotsufficethem；itwouldseemtomeasthoughalltheirdealingswouldhavebeenthusgreatlysimplified；butIwasmetwithalookofhorrorifeverIdaredtohintatit。EventhosewhotomycertainknowledgekeptonlyjustenoughmoneyattheMusicalBankstoswearby，wouldcalltheotherbanks(wheretheirsecuritiesreallylay)cold，deadening，paralysing，andthelike。

Inoticedanotherthing，moreover，whichstruckmegreatly。Iwastakentotheopeningofoneofthesebanksinaneighbouringtown，andsawalargeassemblageofcashiersandmanagers。Isatoppositethemandscannedtheirfacesattentively。Theydidnotpleaseme；theylacked，withfewexceptions，thetrueErewhonianfrankness；andanequalnumberfromanyotherclasswouldhavelookedhappierandbettermen。WhenImettheminthestreetstheydidnotseemlikeotherpeople，buthad，asageneralrule，acrampedexpressionupontheirfaceswhichpainedanddepressedme。

Thosewhocamefromthecountrywerebetter；theyseemedtohavelivedlessasaseparateclass，andtobefreerandhealthier；butinspiteofmyseeingnotafewwhoselookswerebenignandnoble，IcouldnothelpaskingmyselfconcerningthegreaternumberofthosewhomImet，whetherErewhonwouldbeabettercountryiftheirexpressionweretobetransferredtothepeopleingeneral。

Iansweredmyselfemphatically，no。TheexpressiononthefacesofthehighYdgruniteswasthatwhichonewouldwishtodiffuse，andnotthatofthecashiers。

Aman’sexpressionishissacrament；itistheoutwardandvisiblesignofhisinwardandspiritualgrace，orwantofgrace；andasI

lookedattheamajorityofthesemen，Icouldnothelpfeelingthattheremustbeasomethingintheirliveswhichhadstuntedtheirnaturaldevelopment，andthattheywouldhavebeenmorehealthilymindedinanyotherprofession。Iwasalwayssorryforthem，forinninecasesoutoftentheywerewell-meaningpersons；

theywereinthemainverypoorlypaid；theirconstitutionswereasaruleabovesuspicion；andtherewererecordednumberlessinstancesoftheirself-sacrificeandgenerosity；buttheyhadhadthemisfortunetohavebeenbetrayedintoafalsepositionatanageforthemostpartwhentheirjudgementwasnotmatured，andafterhavingbeenkeptinstudiedignoranceoftherealdifficultiesofthesystem。Butthisdidnotmaketheirpositionthelessafalseone，anditsbadeffectsuponthemselveswereunmistakable。

Fewpeoplewouldspeakquiteopenlyandfreelybeforethem，whichstruckmeasaverybadsign。WhentheywereintheroomeveryonewouldtalkasthoughallcurrencysavethatoftheMusicalBanksshouldbeabolished；andyettheyknewperfectlywellthateventhecashiersthemselveshardlyusedtheMusicalBankmoneymorethanotherpeople。Itwasexpectedofthemthattheyshouldappeartodoso，butthiswasall。Thelessthoughtfulofthemdidnotseemparticularlyunhappy，butmanywereplainlysickatheart，thoughperhapstheyhardlyknewit，andwouldnothaveownedtobeingso。

Somefewwereopponentsofthewholesystem；butthesewereliabletobedismissedfromtheiremploymentatanymoment，andthisrenderedthemverycareful，foramanwhohadoncebeencashierataMusicalBankwasoutofthefieldforotheremployment，andwasgenerallyunfittedforitbyreasonofthatcourseoftreatmentwhichwascommonlycalledhiseducation。Infactitwasacareerfromwhichretreatwasvirtuallyimpossible，andintowhichyoungmenweregenerallyinducedtoenterbeforetheycouldbereasonablyexpected，consideringtheirtraining，tohaveformedanyopinionsoftheirown。Notunfrequently，indeed，theywereinduced，bywhatweinEnglandshouldcallundueinfluence，concealment，andfraud。

Fewindeedwerethosewhohadthecouragetoinsistonseeingbothsidesofthequestionbeforetheycommittedthemselvestowhatwaspracticallyaleapinthedark。Onewouldhavethoughtthatcautioninthisrespectwasanelementaryprinciple，——oneofthefirstthingsthatanhonourablemanwouldteachhisboytounderstand；butinpracticeitwasnotso。

Ievensawcasesinwhichparentsboughttherightofpresentingtotheofficeofcashieratoneofthesebanks，withthefixeddeterminationthatsomeoneoftheirsons(perhapsamerechild)

shouldfillit。Therewastheladhimself——growingupwitheverypromiseofbecomingagoodandhonourableman——bututterlywithoutwarningconcerningtheironshoewhichhisnaturalprotectorwasprovidingforhim。Whocouldsaythatthewholethingwouldnotendinalife-longlie，andvainchafingtoescape？IconfessthattherewerefewthingsinErewhonwhichshockedmemorethanthis。

YetwedosomethingnotsoverydifferentfromthiseveninEngland，andasregardsthedualcommercialsystem，allcountrieshave，andhavehad，alawoftheland，andalsoanotherlaw，which，thoughprofessedlymoresacred，hasfarlesseffectontheirdailylifeandactions。Itseemsasthoughtheneedforsomelawoverandabove，andsometimesevenconflictingwith，thelawoftheland，mustspringfromsomethingthatliesdeepdowninman’snature；indeed，itishardtothinkthatmancouldeverhavebecomemanatall，butforthegradualevolutionofaperceptionthatthoughthisworldloomssolargewhenweareinit，itmayseemalittlethingwhenwehavegotawayfromit。

WhenmanhadgrowntotheperceptionthatintheeverlastingIs-

and-Is-Notofnature，theworldandallthatitcontains，includingman，isatthesametimebothseenandunseen，hefelttheneedoftworulesoflife，onefortheseen，andtheotherfortheunseensideofthings。Forthelawsaffectingtheseenworldheclaimedthesanctionofseenpowers；fortheunseen(ofwhichheknowsnothingsavethatitexistsandispowerful)heappealedtotheunseenpower(ofwhich，again，heknowsnothingsavethatitexistsandispowerful)towhichhegivesthenameofGod。

SomeErewhonianopinionsconcerningtheintelligenceoftheunbornembryo，thatIregretmyspacewillnotpermitmetolaybeforethereader，haveledmetoconcludethattheErewhonianMusicalBanks，andperhapsthereligioussystemsofallcountries，arenowmoreorlessofanattempttoupholdtheunfathomableandunconsciousinstinctivewisdomofmillionsofpastgenerations，againstthecomparativelyshallow，consciouslyreasoning，andephemeralconclusionsdrawnfromthatofthelastthirtyorforty。

ThesavingfeatureoftheErewhonianMusicalBanksystem(asdistinctfromthequasi-idolatrousviewswhichcoexistwithit，andonwhichIwilltouchlater)wasthatwhileitborewitnesstotheexistenceofakingdomthatisnotofthisworld，itmadenoattempttopiercetheveilthathidesitfromhumaneyes。Itisherethatalmostallreligionsgowrong。Theirprieststrytomakeusbelievethattheyknowmoreabouttheunseenworldthanthosewhoseeyesarestillblindedbytheseen，caneverknow——forgettingthatwhiletodenytheexistenceofanunseenkingdomisbad，topretendthatweknowmoreaboutitthanitsbareexistenceisnobetter。

ThischapterisalreadylongerthanIintended，butIshouldliketosaythatinspiteofthesavingfeatureofwhichIhavejustspoken，IcannothelpthinkingthattheErewhoniansareontheeveofsomegreatchangeintheirreligiousopinions，oratanyrateinthatpartofthemwhichfindsexpressionthroughtheirMusicalBanks。SofarasIcouldsee，fullyninetypercent。ofthepopulationofthemetropolislookeduponthesebankswithsomethingnotfarremovedfromcontempt。Ifthisisso，anysuchstartlingeventasissuretoarisesoonerorlater，mayserveasnucleustoaneworderofthingsthatwillbemoreinharmonywithboththeheadsandheartsofthepeople。

CHAPTERXVI：AROWHENA

ThereaderwillperhapshavelearnedbythistimeathingwhichI

hadmyselfsuspectedbeforeIhadbeentwenty-fourhoursinMr。

Nosnibor’shouse——Imean，thatthoughtheNosniborsshowedmeeveryattention，Icouldnotcordiallylikethem，withtheexceptionofArowhenawhowasquitedifferentfromtherest。TheywerenotfairsamplesofErewhonians。Isawmanyfamilieswithwhomtheywereonvisitingterms，whosemannerscharmedmemorethanIknowhowtosay，butInevercouldgetovermyoriginalprejudiceagainstMr。

Nosniborforhavingembezzledthemoney。Mrs。Nosnibor，too，wasaveryworldlywoman，yettohearhertalkonewouldhavethoughtthatshewassingularlythereverse；neithercouldIendureZulora；

Arowhenahoweverwasperfection。

SheitwaswhoranallthelittleerrandsforhermotherandMr。

NosniborandZulora，andgavethosethousandproofsofsweetnessandunselfishnesswhichsomeonememberofafamilyisgenerallyrequiredtogive。AlldaylongitwasArowhenathis，andArowhenathat；butsheneverseemedtoknowthatshewasbeingputupon，andwasalwaysbrightandwillingfrommorningtillevening。Zuloracertainlywasveryhandsome，butArowhenawasinfinitelythemoregracefulofthetwoandwastheveryneplusultraofyouthandbeauty。Iwillnotattempttodescribeher，foranythingthatI

couldsaywouldfallsofarshortoftherealityasonlytomisleadthereader。Lethimthinkoftheveryloveliestthathecanimagine，andhewillstillbebelowthetruth。Havingsaidthismuch，IneedhardlysaythatIhadfalleninlovewithher。

ShemusthaveseenwhatIfeltforher，butItriedmyhardestnottoletitappearevenbytheslightestsign。Ihadmanyreasonsforthis。IhadnoideawhatMr。andMrs。Nosniborwouldsaytoit；andIknewthatArowhenawouldnotlookatme(atanyratenotyet)ifherfatherandmotherdisapproved，whichtheyprobablywould，consideringthatIhadnothingexceptthepensionofaboutapoundadayofourmoneywhichtheKinghadgrantedme。Ididnotyetknowofamoreseriousobstacle。

Inthemeantime，ImaysaythatIhadbeenpresentedatcourt，andwastoldthatmyreceptionhadbeenconsideredassingularlygracious；indeed，IhadseveralinterviewsbothwiththeKingandQueen，atwhichfromtimetotimetheQueengoteverythingfrommethatIhadintheworld，clothesandall，exceptthetwobuttonsI

hadgiventoYram，thelossofwhichseemedtoannoyheragooddeal。Iwaspresentedwithacourtsuit，andherMajestyhadmyoldclothesputuponawoodendummy，onwhichtheyprobablyremain，unlesstheyhavebeenremovedinconsequenceofmysubsequentdownfall。HisMajesty’smannerswerethoseofacultivatedEnglishgentleman。Hewasmuchpleasedathearingthatourgovernmentwasmonarchical，andthatthemassofthepeoplewereresolutethatitshouldnotbechanged；indeed，Iwassomuchencouragedbytheevidentpleasurewithwhichheheardme，thatIventuredtoquotetohimthosebeautifullinesofShakespeare’s-

“There’sadivinitydothhedgeaking，Roughhewhimhowwemay；“

butIwassorryIhaddonesoafterwards，forIdonotthinkhisMajestyadmiredthelinesasmuchasIcouldhavewished。

Thereisnooccasionformetodwellfurtheruponmyexperienceofthecourt，butIoughtperhapstoalludetooneofmyconversationswiththeKing，inasmuchasitwaspregnantwiththemostimportantconsequences。

Hehadbeenaskingmeaboutmywatch，andenquiringwhethersuchdangerousinventionsweretoleratedinthecountryfromwhichI

came。Iownedwithsomeconfusionthatwatcheswerenotuncommon；

butobservingthegravitywhichcameoverhisMajesty’sfaceI

presumedtosaythattheywerefastdyingout，andthatwehadfewifanyothermechanicalcontrivancesofwhichhewaslikelytodisapprove。Uponhisaskingmetonamesomeofourmostadvancedmachines，Ididnotdaretotellhimofoursteam-enginesandrailroadsandelectrictelegraphs，andwaspuzzlingmybrainstothinkwhatIcouldsay，when，ofallthingsintheworld，balloonssuggestedthemselves，andIgavehimanaccountofaveryremarkableascentwhichwasmadesomeyearsago。TheKingwastoopolitetocontradict，butIfeltsurethathedidnotbelieveme，andfromthatdayforwardthoughhealwaysshowedmetheattentionwhichwasduetomygenius(forinthislightwasmycomplexionregarded)，heneverquestionedmeaboutthemannersandcustomsofmycountry。

Toreturn，however，toArowhena。IsoongatheredthatneitherMr。

norMrs。Nosniborwouldhaveanyobjectiontomymarryingintothefamily；aphysicalexcellenceisconsideredinErewhonasasetoffagainstalmostanyotherdisqualification，andmylighthairwassufficienttomakemeaneligiblematch。ButalongwiththiswelcomefactIgatheredanotherwhichfilledmewithdismay：IwasexpectedtomarryZulora，forwhomIhadalreadyconceivedagreataversion。AtfirstIhardlynoticedthelittlehintsandtheartificeswhichwereresortedtoinordertobringustogether，butafteratimetheybecametooplain。Zulora，whethershewasinlovewithmeornot，wasbentonmarryingme，andIgatheredintalkingwithayounggentlemanofmyacquaintancewhofrequentlyvisitedthehouseandwhomIgreatlydisliked，thatitwasconsideredasacredandinviolablerulethatwhoevermarriedintoafamilymustmarrytheeldestdaughteratthattimeunmarried。TheyounggentlemanurgedthisuponmesofrequentlythatIatlastsawhewasinlovewithArowhenahimself，andwantedmetogetZuloraoutoftheway；butotherstoldmethesamestoryastothecustomofthecountry，andIsawtherewasaseriousdifficulty。MyonlycomfortwasthatArowhenasnubbedmyrivalandwouldnotlookathim。Neitherwouldshelookatme；neverthelesstherewasadifferenceinthemannerofherdisregard；thiswasallIcouldgetfromher。

Notthatsheavoidedme；onthecontraryIhadmanyatete-a-tetewithher，forhermotherandsisterwereanxiousformetodepositsomepartofmypensionintheMusicalBanks，thisbeinginaccordancewiththedictatesoftheirgoddessYdgrun，ofwhombothMrs。NosniborandZuloraweregreatdevotees。IwasnotsurewhetherIhadkeptmysecretfrombeingperceivedbyArowhenaherself，butnoneoftheotherssuspectedme，soshewassetuponmetogetmetoopenanaccount，atanyrateproforma，withtheMusicalBanks；andIneedhardlysaythatshesucceeded。ButIdidnotyieldatonce；Ienjoyedtheprocessofbeingarguedwithtookeenlytoloseitbyapromptconcession；besides，alittlehesitationrenderedtheconcessionitselfmorevaluable。ItwasinthecourseofconversationsonthissubjectthatIlearnedthemoredefinedreligiousopinionsoftheErewhonians，thatcoexistwiththeMusicalBanksystem，butarenotrecognisedbythosecuriousinstitutions。IwilldescribethemasbrieflyaspossibleinthefollowingchaptersbeforeIreturntothepersonaladventuresofArowhenaandmyself。

Theywereidolaters，thoughofacomparativelyenlightenedkind；

buthere，asinotherthings，therewasadiscrepancybetweentheirprofessedandactualbelief，fortheyhadagenuineandpotentfaithwhichexistedwithoutrecognitionalongsideoftheiridolworship。

Thegodswhomtheyworshipopenlyarepersonificationsofhumanqualities，asjustice，strength，hope，fear，love，&c。，&c。Thepeoplethinkthatprototypesofthesehavearealobjectiveexistenceinaregionfarbeyondtheclouds，holding，asdidtheancients，thattheyarelikemenandwomenbothinbodyandpassion，exceptthattheyareevencomelierandmorepowerful，andalsothattheycanrenderthemselvesinvisibletohumaneyesight。

Theyarecapableofbeingpropitiatedbymankindandofcomingtotheassistanceofthosewhoasktheiraid。Theirinterestinhumanaffairsiskeen，andonthewholebeneficent；buttheybecomeveryangryifneglected，andpunishratherthefirsttheycomeupon，thantheactualpersonwhohasoffendedthem；theirfurybeingblindwhenitisraised，thoughneverraisedwithoutreason。Theywillnotpunishwithanylessseveritywhenpeoplesinagainstthemfromignorance，andwithoutthechanceofhavinghadknowledge；

theywilltakenoexcusesofthiskind，butareevenastheEnglishlaw，whichassumesitselftobeknowntoeveryone。

Thustheyhavealawthattwopiecesofmattermaynotoccupythesamespaceatthesamemoment，whichlawispresidedoverandadministeredbythegodsoftimeandspacejointly，sothatifaflyingstoneandaman’sheadattempttooutragethesegods，by“arrogatingarightwhichtheydonotpossess“(forsoitiswritteninoneoftheirbooks)，andtooccupythesamespacesimultaneously，aseverepunishment，sometimesevendeathitself，issuretofollow，withoutanyregardtowhetherthestoneknewthattheman’sheadwasthere，ortheheadthestone；thisatleastistheirviewofthecommonaccidentsoflife。Moreover，theyholdtheirdeitiestobequiteregardlessofmotives。Withthemitisthethingdonewhichiseverything，andthemotivegoesfornothing。

Thustheyholditstrictlyforbiddenforamantogowithoutcommonairinhislungsformorethanaveryfewminutes；andifbyanychancehegetsintothewater，theair-godisveryangry，andwillnotsufferit；nomatterwhetherthemangotintothewaterbyaccidentoronpurpose，whetherthroughtheattempttosaveachildorthroughpresumptuouscontemptoftheair-god，theair-godwillkillhim，unlesshekeepshisheadhighenoughoutofthewater，andthusgivestheair-godhisdue。

Thiswithregardtothedeitieswhomanagephysicalaffairs。Overandabovethesetheypersonifyhope，fear，love，andsoforth，givingthemtemplesandpriests，andcarvinglikenessesoftheminstone，whichtheyverilybelievetobefaithfulrepresentationsoflivingbeingswhoareonlynothumaninbeingmorethanhuman。Ifanyonedeniestheobjectiveexistenceofthesedivinities，andsaysthatthereisreallynosuchbeingasabeautifulwomancalledJustice，withhereyesblindedandapairofscales，positivelylivingandmovinginaremoteandetherealregion，butthatjusticeisonlythepersonifiedexpressionofcertainmodesofhumanthoughtandaction——theysaythathedeniestheexistenceofjusticeindenyingherpersonality，andthatheisawantondisturberofmen’sreligiousconvictions。Theydetestnothingsomuchasanyattempttoleadthemtohigherspiritualconceptionsofthedeitieswhomtheyprofesstoworship。ArowhenaandIhadapitchedbattleonthispoint，andshouldhavehadmanymorebutformyprudenceinallowinghertogetthebetterofme。

Iamsurethatinherheartshewassuspiciousofherownpositionforshereturnedmorethanoncetothesubject。“Canyounotsee。”

Ihadexclaimed，“thatthefactofjusticebeingadmirablewillnotbeaffectedbytheabsenceofabeliefinherbeingalsoalivingagent？Canyoureallythinkthatmenwillbeonewhitlesshopeful，becausetheynolongerbelievethathopeisanactualperson？“Sheshookherhead，andsaidthatwithmen’sbeliefinthepersonalityallincentivetothereverenceofthethingitself，asjusticeorhope，wouldcease；menfromthathourwouldneverbeeitherjustorhopefulagain。

Icouldnotmoveher，nor，indeed，didIseriouslywishtodoso。

Shedeferredtomeinmostthings，butshenevershrankfrommaintainingheropinionsiftheywereputinquestion；nordoesshetothisdayabateonejotofherbeliefinthereligionofherchildhood，thoughincompliancewithmyrepeatedentreatiesshehasallowedherselftobebaptizedintotheEnglishChurch。Shehas，however，madeaglossuponheroriginalfaithtotheeffectthatherbabyandIaretheonlyhumanbeingsexemptfromthevengeanceofthedeitiesfornotbelievingintheirpersonality。Sheisquiteclearthatweareexempted。Sheshouldneverhavesostrongaconvictionofitotherwise。Howithascomeaboutshedoesnotknow，neitherdoesshewishtoknow；therearethingswhichitisbetternottoknowandthisisoneofthem；butwhenItellherthatIbelieveinherdeitiesasmuchasshedoes——andthatitisadifferenceaboutwords，notthings，shebecomessilentwithaslightemphasis。

Iownthatsheverynearlyconqueredmeonce；forsheaskedmewhatIshouldthinkifsheweretotellmethatmyGod，whosenatureandattributesIhadbeenexplainingtoher，wasbuttheexpressionforman’shighestconceptionofgoodness，wisdom，andpower；thatinordertogenerateamorevividconceptionofsogreatandgloriousathought，manhadpersonifieditandcalleditbyaname；thatitwasanunworthyconceptionoftheDeitytoholdHimpersonal，inasmuchasescapefromhumancontingenciesbecamethusimpossible；

thattherealthingmenshouldworshipwastheDivine，whereinsoevertheycouldfindit；that“God“wasbutman’swayofexpressinghissenseoftheDivine；thatasjustice，hope，wisdom，&c。，wereallpartsofgoodness，soGodwastheexpressionwhichembracedallgoodnessandallgoodpower；thatpeoplewouldnomoreceasetoloveGodonceasingtobelieveinHisobjectivepersonality，thantheyhadceasedtolovejusticeondiscoveringthatshewasnotreallypersonal；nay，thattheywouldnevertrulyloveHimtilltheysawHimthus。

Shesaidallthisinherartlessway，andwithnoneofthecoherencewithwhichIhaveherewrittenit；herfacekindled，andshefeltsurethatshehadconvincedmethatIwaswrong，andthatjusticewasalivingperson。IndeedIdidwincealittle；butI

recoveredmyselfimmediately，andpointedouttoherthatwehadbookswhosegenuinenesswasbeyondallpossibilityofdoubt，astheywerecertainlynoneofthemlessthan1800yearsold；thatinthesetherewerethemostauthenticaccountsofmenwhohadbeenspokentobytheDeityHimself，andofoneprophetwhohadbeenallowedtoseethebackpartsofGodthroughthehandthatwaslaidoverhisface。

Thiswasconclusive；andIspokewithsuchsolemnitythatshewasalittlefrightened，andonlyansweredthattheytoohadtheirbooks，inwhichtheirancestorshadseenthegods；onwhichIsawthatfurtherargumentwasnotatalllikelytoconvinceher；andfearingthatshemighttellhermotherwhatIhadbeensaying，andthatI

mightlosetheholduponheraffectionswhichIwasbeginningtofeelprettysurethatIwasobtaining，Ibegantoletherhaveherownway，andtoconvinceme；neithertillafterweweresafelymarrieddidIshowtheclovenhoofagain。

Nevertheless，herremarkshavehauntedme，andIhavesincemetwithmanyverygodlypeoplewhohavehadagreatknowledgeofdivinity，butnosenseofthedivine：andagain，Ihaveseenaradianceuponthefaceofthosewhowereworshippingthedivineeitherinartornature——inpictureorstatue——infieldorcloudorsea——inman，woman，orchild——whichIhaveneverseenkindledbyanytalkingaboutthenatureandattributesofGod。Mentionbuttheworddivinity，andoursenseofthedivineisclouded。

CHAPTERXVII：YDGRUNANDTHEYDGRUNITES

Inspiteofalltheto-dotheymakeabouttheiridols，andthetemplestheybuild，andthepriestsandpriestesseswhomtheysupport，Icouldneverthinkthattheirprofessedreligionwasmorethanskin-deep；buttheyhadanotherwhichtheycarriedwiththemintoalltheiractions；andalthoughnoonefromtheoutsideofthingswouldsuspectittohaveanyexistenceatall，itwasinrealitytheirgreatguide，themariner’scompassoftheirlives；sothattherewereveryfewthingswhichtheyevereitherdid，orrefrainedfromdoing，withoutreferencetoitsprecepts。

NowIsuspectedthattheirprofessedfaithhadnogreatholduponthem——firstly，becauseIoftenheardthepriestscomplainoftheprevailingindifference，andtheywouldhardlyhavedonesowithoutreason；secondly，becauseoftheshowwhichwasmade，fortherewasnoneofthisabouttheworshipofthegoddessYdgrun，inwhomtheyreallydidbelieve；thirdly，becausethoughthepriestswereconstantlyabusingYdgrunasbeingthegreatenemyofthegods，itwaswellknownthatshehadnomoredevotedworshippersinthewholecountrythantheseverypersons，whowereoftenpriestsofYdgrunratherthanoftheirowndeities。NeitheramIbyanymeanssurethatthesewerenotthebestofthepriests。

Ydgruncertainlyoccupiedaveryanomalousposition；shewasheldtobebothomnipresentandomnipotent，butshewasnotanelevatedconception，andwassometimesbothcruelandabsurd。Evenhermostdevotedworshipperswerealittleashamedofher，andservedhermorewithheartandindeedthanwiththeirtongues。Theirswasnolipservice；onthecontrary，evenwhenworshippinghermostdevoutly，theywouldoftendenyher。Takeherallinall，however，shewasabeneficentandusefuldeity，whodidnotcarehowmuchshewasdeniedsolongasshewasobeyedandfeared，andwhokepthundredsofthousandsinthosepathswhichmakelifetolerablyhappy，whowouldneverhavebeenkeptthereotherwise，andoverwhomahigherandmorespiritualidealwouldhavehadnopower。

IgreatlydoubtwhethertheErewhoniansareyetpreparedforanybetterreligion，andthough(consideringmygraduallystrengthenedconvictionthattheyweretherepresentativesofthelosttribesofIsrael)IwouldhavesetaboutconvertingthematallhazardshadI

seentheremotestprospectofsuccess，IcouldhardlycontemplatethedisplacementofYdgrunasthegreatcentralobjectoftheirregardwithoutadmittingthatitwouldbeattendedwithfrightfulconsequences；infactwereIamerephilosopher，IshouldsaythatthegradualraisingofthepopularconceptionofYdgrunwouldbethegreatestspiritualboonwhichcouldbeconferreduponthem，andthatnothingcouldeffectthisexceptexample。IgenerallyfoundthatthosewhocomplainedmostloudlythatYdgrunwasnothighenoughforthemhadhardlyasyetcomeuptotheYdgrunstandard，andIoftenmetwithaclassofmenwhomIcalledtomyself“highYdgrunites“(therestbeingYdgrunites，andlowYdgrunites)，who，inthematterofhumanconductandtheaffairsoflife，appearedtometohavegotaboutasfarasitisintherightnatureofmantogo。

Theyweregentlemeninthefullsenseoftheword；andwhathasonenotsaidinsayingthis？TheyseldomspokeofYdgrun，orevenalludedtoher，butwouldneverruncountertoherdictateswithoutamplereasonfordoingso：insuchcasestheywouldoverrideherwithdueself-reliance，andthegoddessseldompunishedthem；fortheyarebrave，andYdgrunisnot。Theyhadmostofthemasmatteringofthehypotheticallanguage，andsomefewmorethanthis，butonlyafew。Idonotthinkthatthislanguagehashadmuchhandinmakingthemwhattheyare；butratherthatthefactoftheirbeinggenerallypossessedofitsrudimentswasonegreatreasonforthereverencepaidtothehypotheticallanguageitself。

Beinginuredfromyouthtoexercisesandathleticsofallsorts，andlivingfearlesslyundertheeyeoftheirpeers，amongwhomthereexistsahighstandardofcourage，generosity，honour，andeverygoodandmanlyquality——whatwonderthattheyshouldhavebecome，sotospeak，alawuntothemselves；and，whiletakinganelevatedviewofthegoddessYdgrun，theyshouldhavegraduallylostallfaithintherecogniseddeitiesofthecountry？Thesetheydonotopenlydisregard，forconformityuntilabsolutelyintolerableisalawofYdgrun，yettheyhavenorealbeliefintheobjectiveexistenceofbeingswhichsoreadilyexplainthemselvesasabstractions，andwhosepersonalitydemandsaquasi-materialismwhichitbafflestheimaginationtorealise。Theykeeptheiropinions，however，greatlytothemselves，inasmuchasmostoftheircountrymenfeelstronglyaboutthegods，andtheyholditwrongtogivepain，unlessforsomegreatergoodthanseemslikelytoarisefromtheirplainspeaking。

Ontheotherhand，surelythosewhoseownmindsareclearaboutanygivenmatter(eventhoughitbeonlythatthereislittlecertainty)shouldgosofartowardsimpartingthatclearnesstoothers，astosayopenlywhattheythinkandwhytheythinkit，whenevertheycanproperlydoso；fortheymaybesurethattheyowetheirownclearnessalmostentirelytothefactthatothershavedonethisbythem：afterall，theymaybemistaken，andifso，itisfortheirownandthegeneralwell-beingthattheyshouldlettheirerrorbeseenasdistinctlyaspossible，sothatitmaybemoreeasilyrefuted。Iown，therefore，thatonthisonepointI

disapprovedofthepracticeevenofthehighestYdgrunites，andobjectedtoitallthemorebecauseIknewthatIshouldfindmyownfuturetaskmoreeasyifthehighYdgruniteshadalreadyunderminedthebeliefwhichissupposedtoprevailatpresent。

InotherrespectstheyweremorelikethebestclassofEnglishmenthananywhomIhaveseeninothercountries。Ishouldhavelikedtohavepersuadedhalf-a-dozenofthemtocomeovertoEnglandandgouponthestage，fortheyhadmostofthemakeensenseofhumourandatasteforacting：theywouldbeofgreatusetous。Theexampleofarealgentlemanis，ifImaysaysowithoutprofanity，thebestofallgospels；suchamanuponthestagebecomesapotenthumanisinginfluence，anIdealwhichallmaylookuponforashilling。

Ialwayslikedandadmiredthesemen，andalthoughIcouldnothelpdeeplyregrettingtheircertainultimateperdition(fortheyhadnosenseofahereafter，andtheironlyreligionwasthatofself-

respectandconsiderationforotherpeople)，Ineverdaredtotakesogreatalibertywiththemastoattempttoputtheminpossessionofmyownreligiousconvictions，inspiteofmyknowingthattheyweretheonlyoneswhichcouldmakethemreallygoodandhappy，eitherhereorhereafter。Ididtrysometimes，beingimpelledtodosobyastrongsenseofduty，andbymydeepregretthatsomuchthatwasadmirableshouldbedoomedtoagesifnoteternityoftorture；butthewordsstuckinmythroatassoonasI

began。

WhetheraprofessionalmissionarymighthaveabetterchanceIknownot；suchpersonsmustdoubtlessknowmoreaboutthescienceofconversion：formyself，IcouldonlybethankfulthatIwasintherightpath，andwasobligedtoletotherstaketheirchanceasyet。

IftheplanfailsbywhichIproposetoconvertthemmyself，I

wouldgladlycontributemymitetowardsthesendingtwoorthreetrainedmissionaries，whohavebeenknownassuccessfulconvertersofJewsandMahometans；butsuchhaveseldommuchtogloryintheflesh，andwhenIthinkofthehighYdgrunites，andofthefigurewhichamissionarywouldprobablycutamongthem，Icannotfeelsanguinethatmuchgoodwouldbearrivedat。Stilltheattemptisworthmaking，andtheworstdangertothemissionariesthemselveswouldbethatofbeingsenttothehospitalwhereChowbokwouldhavebeensenthadhecomewithmeintoErewhon。

Takingthentheirreligiousopinionsasawhole，ImustownthattheErewhoniansaresuperstitious，onaccountoftheviewswhichtheyholdoftheirprofessedgods，andtheirentirelyanomalousandinexplicableworshipofYdgrun，aworshipatoncethemostpowerful，yetmostdevoidofformalism，thatIevermetwith；butinpracticethingsworkedbetterthanmighthavebeenexpected，andtheconflictingclaimsofYdgrunandthegodswerearrangedbyunwrittencompromises(forthemostpartinYdgrun’sfavour)，whichinninety-ninecasesoutofahundredwereverywellunderstood。

IcouldnotconceivewhytheyshouldnotopenlyacknowledgehighYdgrunism，anddiscardtheobjectivepersonalityofhope，justice，&c。；butwheneverIsomuchashintedatthis，IfoundthatIwasondangerousground。Theywouldneverhaveit；returningconstantlytotheassertionthatagesagothedivinitieswerefrequentlyseen，andthatthemomenttheirpersonalitywasdisbelievedin，menwouldleaveoffpractisingeventhoseordinaryvirtueswhichthecommonexperienceofmankindhasagreedonasbeingthegreatestsecretofhappiness。“Whoeverheard。”theyasked，indignantly，“ofsuchthingsaskindlytraining，agoodexample，andanenlightenedregardtoone’sownwelfare，beingabletokeepmenstraight？“Inmyhurry，forgettingthingswhichI

oughttohaveremembered，Iansweredthatifapersoncouldnotbekeptstraightbythesethings，therewasnothingthatcouldstraightenhim，andthatifhewerenotruledbytheloveandfearofmenwhomhehadseen，neitherwouldhebesobythatofthegodswhomhehadnotseen。

AtonetimeindeedIcameuponasmallbutgrowingsectwhobelieved，afterafashion，intheimmortalityofthesoulandtheresurrectionfromthedead；theytaughtthatthosewhohadbeenbornwithfeebleanddiseasedbodiesandhadpassedtheirlivesinailing，wouldbetorturedeternallyhereafter；butthatthosewhohadbeenbornstrongandhealthyandhandsomewouldberewardedforeverandever。Ofmoralqualitiesorconducttheymadenomention。

Badasthiswas，itwasastepinadvance，inasmuchastheydidholdoutafuturestateofsomesort，andIwasshockedtofindthatforthemostparttheymetwithopposition，onthescorethattheirdoctrinewasbaseduponnosortoffoundation，alsothatitwasimmoralinitstendency，andnottobedesiredbyanyreasonablebeings。

WhenIaskedhowitcouldbeimmoral，Iwasanswered，thatiffirmlyheld，itwouldleadpeopletocheapenthispresentlife，makingitappeartobeanaffairofonlysecondaryimportance；thatitwouldthusdistractmen’smindsfromtheperfectingofthisworld’seconomy，andwasanimpatientcutting，sotospeak，oftheGordianknotoflife’sproblems，wherebysomepeoplemightgainpresentsatisfactiontothemselvesatthecostofinfinitedamagetoothers；thatthedoctrinetendedtoencouragethepoorintheirimprovidence，andinadebasingacquiescenceinillswhichtheymightwellremedy；thattherewardswereillusoryandtheresult，afterall，ofluck，whoseempireshouldbeboundedbythegrave；

thatitsterrorswereenervatingandunjust；andthateventhemostblessedrisingwouldbebutthedisturbingofastillmoreblessedslumber。

ToallwhichIcouldonlysaythatthethinghadbeenactuallyknowntohappen，andthattherewereseveralwell-authenticatedinstancesofpeoplehavingdiedandcometolifeagain——instanceswhichnomaninhissensescoulddoubt。

“Ifthisbeso。”saidmyopponent，“wemustbearitasbestwemay。”

Ithentranslatedforhim，aswellasIcould，thenoblespeechofHamletinwhichhesaysthatitisthefearlestworseevilsmaybefallusafterdeathwhichalonepreventsusfromrushingintodeath’sarms。

“Nonsense。”heanswered，“nomanwaseveryetstoppedfromcuttinghisthroatbyanysuchfearsasyourpoetascribestohim——andyourpoetprobablyknewthisperfectlywell。Ifamancutshisthroatheisatbay，andthinksofnothingbutescape，nomatterwhither，providedhecanshuffleoffhispresent。No。Menarekeptattheirposts，notbythefearthatiftheyquitthemtheymayquitafrying-panforafire，butbythehopethatiftheyholdon，thefiremayburnlessfiercely。’Therespect，’toquoteyourpoet，’thatmakescalamityofsolongalife，’istheconsiderationthatthoughcalamitymaylivelong，thesufferermaylivelongerstill。”

Onthis，seeingthattherewaslittleprobabilityofourcomingtoanagreement，Ilettheargumentdrop，andmyopponentpresentlyleftmewithasmuchdisapprobationashecouldshowwithoutbeingovertlyrude。

CHAPTERXVIII：BIRTHFORMULAE

IheardwhatfollowsnotfromArowhena，butfromMr。Nosniborandsomeofthegentlemenwhooccasionallydinedatthehouse：theytoldmethattheErewhoniansbelieveinpre-existence；andnotonlythis(ofwhichIwillwritemorefullyinthenextchapter)，buttheybelievethatitisoftheirownfreeactanddeedinapreviousstatethattheycometobebornintothisworldatall。

Theyholdthattheunbornareperpetuallyplaguingandtormentingthemarriedofbothsexes，flutteringaboutthemincessantly，andgivingthemnopeaceeitherofmindorbodyuntiltheyhaveconsentedtotakethemundertheirprotection。Ifthiswerenotso(thisatleastiswhattheyurge)，itwouldbeamonstrousfreedomforonemantotakewithanother，tosaythatheshouldundergothechancesandchangesofthismortallifewithoutanyoptioninthematter。Nomanwouldhaveanyrighttogetmarriedatall，inasmuchashecannevertellwhatfrightfulmiseryhisdoingsomayentailforciblyuponabeingwhocannotbeunhappyaslongashedoesnotexist。Theyfeelthissostronglythattheyareresolvedtoshifttheblameontoothershoulders；andhavefashionedalongmythologyastotheworldinwhichtheunbornpeoplelive，andwhattheydo，andtheartsandmachinationstowhichtheyhaverecourseinordertogetthemselvesintoourownworld。Butofthismoreanon：whatIwouldrelatehereistheirmannerofdealingwiththosewhodocome。

ItisadistinguishingpeculiarityoftheErewhoniansthatwhentheyprofessthemselvestobequitecertainaboutanymatter，andavowitasabaseonwhichtheyaretobuildasystemofpractice，theyseldomquitebelieveinit。Iftheysmellaratabouttheprecinctsofacherishedinstitution，theywillalwaysstoptheirnosestoitiftheycan。

Thisiswhatmostofthemdidinthismatteroftheunborn，forI

cannot(andnevercould)thinkthattheyseriouslybelievedintheirmythologyconcerningpre-existence：theydidandtheydidnot；theydidnotknowthemselveswhattheybelieved；alltheydidknowwasthatitwasadiseasenottobelieveastheydid。Theonlythingofwhichtheywerequitesurewasthatitwasthepesteringoftheunbornwhichcausedthemtobebroughtintothisworld，andthattheywouldnothavebeenhereiftheywouldhaveonlyletpeaceablepeoplealone。

Itwouldbehardtodisprovethisposition，andtheymighthaveagoodcaseiftheywouldonlyleaveitasitstands。Butthistheywillnotdo；theymusthaveassurancedoublysure；theymusthavethewrittenwordofthechilditselfassoonasitisborn，givingtheparentsindemnityfromallresponsibilityonthescoreofitsbirth，andassertingitsownpre-existence。Theyhavethereforedevisedsomethingwhichtheycallabirthformula——adocumentwhichvariesinwordsaccordingtothecautionofparents，butismuchthesamepracticallyinallcases；forithasbeenthebusinessoftheErewhonianlawyersduringmanyagestoexercisetheirskillinperfectingitandprovidingforeverycontingency。

Theseformulaeareprintedoncommonpaperatamoderatecostforthepoor；buttherichhavethemwrittenonparchmentandhandsomelybound，sothatthegettingupofaperson’sbirthformulaisatestofhissocialposition。Theycommencebysettingforth，ThatwhereasA。B。wasamemberofthekingdomoftheunborn，wherehewaswellprovidedforineveryway，andhadnocauseofdiscontent，&c。，&c。，hedidofhisownwantondepravityandrestlessnessconceiveadesiretoenterintothispresentworld；thatthereonhavingtakenthenecessarystepsassetforthinlawsoftheunbornkingdom，hedidwithmaliceaforethoughtsethimselftoplagueandpestertwounfortunatepeoplewhohadneverwrongedhim，andwhowerequitecontentedandhappyuntilheconceivedthisbasedesignagainsttheirpeace；forwhichwronghenowhumblyentreatstheirpardon。

Heacknowledgesthatheisresponsibleforallphysicalblemishesanddeficiencieswhichmayrenderhimanswerabletothelawsofhiscountry；thathisparentshavenothingwhatevertodowithanyofthesethings；andthattheyhavearighttokillhimatonceiftheybesominded，thoughheentreatsthemtoshowtheirmarvellousgoodnessandclemencybysparinghislife。Iftheywilldothis，hepromisestobetheirmostobedientandabjectcreatureduringhisearlieryears，andindeedallhislife，unlesstheyshouldseefitintheirabundantgenerositytoremitsomeportionofhisservicehereafter。Andsotheformulacontinues，goingsometimesintoveryminutedetails，accordingtothefanciesoffamilylawyers，whowillnotmakeitanyshorterthantheycanhelp。

Thedeedbeingthusprepared，onthethirdorfourthdayafterthebirthofthechild，orastheycallit，the“finalimportunity。”

thefriendsgathertogether，andthereisafeastheld，wheretheyareallverymelancholy——asageneralrule，Ibelieve，quitetrulyso——andmakepresentstothefatherandmotherofthechildinordertoconsolethemfortheinjurywhichhasjustbeendonethembytheunborn。

By-and-bythechildhimselfisbroughtdownbyhisnurse，andthecompanybegintorailuponhim，upbraidinghimforhisimpertinence，andaskinghimwhatamendsheproposestomakeforthewrongthathehascommitted，andhowhecanlookforcareandnourishmentfromthosewhohaveperhapsalreadybeeninjuredbytheunbornonsometenortwelveoccasions；fortheysayofpeoplewithlargefamilies，thattheyhavesufferedterribleinjuriesfromtheunborn；tillatlast，whenthishasbeencarriedfarenough，someonesuggeststheformula，whichisbroughtoutandsolemnlyreadtothechildbythefamilystraightener。Thisgentlemanisalwaysinvitedontheseoccasions，fortheveryfactofintrusionintoapeacefulfamilyshowsadepravityonthepartofthechildwhichrequireshisprofessionalservices。

Onbeingteasedbythereadingandtweakedbythenurse，thechildwillcommonlybegintocry，whichisreckonedagoodsign，asshowingaconsciousnessofguilt。Heisthereonasked，Doesheassenttotheformula？onwhich，ashestillcontinuescryingandcanobviouslymakenoanswer，someoneofthefriendscomesforwardandundertakestosignthedocumentonhisbehalf，feelingsure(sohesays)thatthechildwoulddoitifheonlyknewhow，andthathewillreleasethepresentsignerfromhisengagementonarrivingatmaturity。Thefriendtheninscribesthesignatureofthechildatthefootoftheparchment，whichisheldtobindthechildasmuchasthoughhehadsignedithimself。

Eventhis，however，doesnotfullycontentthem，fortheyfeelalittleuneasyuntiltheyhavegotthechild’sownsignatureafterall。Sowhenheisaboutfourteen，thesegoodpeoplepartlybribehimbypromisesofgreaterlibertyandgoodthings，andpartlyintimidatehimthroughtheirgreatpowerofmakingthemselvesactivelyunpleasanttohim，sothatthoughthereisashowoffreedommade，thereisreallynone；theyalsousetheofficesoftheteachersintheCollegesofUnreason，tillatlast，inonewayoranother，theytakeverygoodcarethatheshallsignthepaperbywhichheprofessestohavebeenafreeagentincomingintotheworld，andtotakealltheresponsibilityofhavingdonesoontohisownshoulders。Andyet，thoughthisdocumentisobviouslythemostimportantwhichanyonecansigninhiswholelife，theywillhavehimdosoatanagewhenneithertheynorthelawwillformanyayearallowanyoneelsetobindhimtothesmallestobligation，nomatterhowrighteouslyhemayoweit，becausetheyholdhimtooyoungtoknowwhatheisabout，anddonotconsideritfairthatheshouldcommithimselftoanythingthatmayprejudicehiminafteryears。

Iownthatallthisseemedratherhard，andnotofapiecewiththemanyadmirableinstitutionsexistingamongthem。IonceventuredtosayapartofwhatIthoughtaboutittooneoftheProfessorsofUnreason。Ididitverytenderly，buthisjustificationofthesystemwasquiteoutofmycomprehension。Irememberaskinghimwhetherhedidnotthinkitwoulddoharmtoalad’sprinciples，byweakeninghissenseofthesanctityofhiswordandoftruthgenerally，thatheshouldbeledintoenteringuponasolemndeclarationastothetruthofthingsaboutwhichallthathecancertainlyknowisthatheknowsnothing——whether，infact，theteacherswhosoledhim，orwhotaughtanythingasacertaintyofwhichtheywerethemselvesuncertain，werenotearningtheirlivingbyimpairingthetruth-senseoftheirpupils(adelicateorganisationmostly)，andbyvitiatingoneoftheirmostsacredinstincts。

TheProfessor，whowasadelightfulperson，seemedgreatlysurprisedattheviewwhichItook，butithadnoinfluencewithhimwhatsoever。Noone，heanswered，expectedthattheboyeitherwouldorcouldknowallthathesaidheknew；buttheworldwasfullofcompromises；andtherewashardlyanyaffirmationwhichwouldbearbeinginterpretedliterally。Humanlanguagewastoogrossavehicleofthought——thoughtbeingincapableofabsolutetranslation。Headded，thatastherecanbenotranslationfromonelanguageintoanotherwhichshallnotscantthemeaningsomewhat，orenlargeuponit，sothereisnolanguagewhichcanrenderthoughtwithoutajarringandaharshnesssomewhere——andsoforth；allofwhichseemedtocometothisintheend，thatitwasthecustomofthecountry，andthattheErewhonianswereaconservativepeople；thattheboywouldhavetobegincompromisingsoonerorlater，andthiswaspartofhiseducationintheart。Itwasperhapstoberegrettedthatcompromiseshouldbeasnecessaryasitwas；stillitwasnecessary，andthesoonertheboygottounderstanditthebetterforhimself。Buttheynevertellthistotheboy。

FromthebookoftheirmythologyabouttheunbornImadetheextractswhichwillformthefollowingchapter。

CHAPTERXIX：THEWORLDOFTHEUNBORN

TheErewhonianssaythatwearedrawnthroughlifebackwards；oragain，thatwegoonwardsintothefutureasintoadarkcorridor。

Timewalksbesideusandflingsbackshuttersasweadvance；butthelightthusgivenoftendazzlesus，anddeepensthedarknesswhichisinfront。Wecanseebutlittleatatime，andheedthatlittlefarlessthanourapprehensionofwhatweshallseenext；

everpeeringcuriouslythroughtheglareofthepresentintothegloomofthefuture，wepresagetheleadinglinesofthatwhichisbeforeus，byfaintlyreflectedlightsfromdullmirrorsthatarebehind，andstumbleonaswemaytillthetrap-dooropensbeneathusandwearegone。

Theysayatothertimesthatthefutureandthepastareasapanoramaupontworollers；thatwhichisontherollerofthefutureunwrapsitselfontotherollerofthepast；wecannothastenit，andwemaynotstayit；wemustseeallthatisunfoldedtouswhetheritbegoodorill；andwhatwehaveseenoncewemayseeagainnomore。Itiseverunwindingandbeingwound；wecatchitintransitionforamoment，andcallitpresent；ourflusteredsensesgatherwhatimpressiontheycan，andweguessatwhatiscomingbythetenorofthatwhichwehaveseen。Thesamehandhaspaintedthewholepicture，andtheincidentsvarylittle——rivers，woods，plains，mountains，townsandpeoples，love，sorrow，anddeath：yettheinterestneverflags，andwelookhopefullyforsomegoodfortune，orfearfullylestourownfacesbeshownusasfiguringinsomethingterrible。Whenthesceneispastwethinkweknowit，thoughthereissomuchtosee，andsolittletimetoseeit，thatourconceitofknowledgeasregardsthepastisforthemostpartpoorlyfounded；neitherdowecareaboutitgreatly，saveinsofarasitmayaffectthefuture，whereinourinterestmainlylies。

TheErewhonianssayitwasbychanceonlythattheearthandstarsandalltheheavenlyworldsbegantorollfromeasttowest，andnotfromwesttoeast，andinlikemannertheysayitisbychancethatmanisdrawnthroughlifewithhisfacetothepastinsteadoftothefuture。Forthefutureisthereasmuchasthepast，onlythatwemaynotseeit。Isitnotintheloinsofthepast，andmustnotthepastalterbeforethefuturecandoso？

Sometimes，again，theysaythattherewasaraceofmentriedupontheearthonce，whoknewthefuturebetterthanthepast，butthattheydiedinatwelvemonthfromthemiserywhichtheirknowledgecausedthem；andifanyweretobeborntooprescientnow，hewouldbeculledoutbynaturalselection，beforehehadtimetotransmitsopeace-destroyingafacultytohisdescendants。

Strangefateforman！Hemustperishifhegetthat，whichhemustperishifhestrivenotafter。Ifhestrivenotafteritheisnobetterthanthebrutes，ifhegetitheismoremiserablethanthedevils。

Havingwadedthroughmanychaptersliketheabove，Icameatlasttotheunbornthemselves，andfoundthattheywereheldtobesoulspureandsimple，havingnoactualbodies，butlivinginasortofgaseousyetmoreorlessanthropomorphicexistence，likethatofaghost；theyhavethusneitherfleshnorbloodnorwarmth。

Neverthelesstheyaresupposedtohavelocalhabitationsandcitieswhereintheydwell，thoughtheseareasunsubstantialastheirinhabitants；theyareeventhoughttoeatanddrinksomethinambrosialsustenance，andgenerallytobecapableofdoingwhatevermankindcando，onlyafteravisionaryghostlyfashionasinadream。Ontheotherhand，aslongastheyremainwheretheyaretheyneverdie——theonlyformofdeathintheunbornworldbeingtheleavingitforourown。Theyarebelievedtobeextremelynumerous，farmoresothanmankind。Theyarrivefromunknownplanets，fullgrown，inlargebatchesatatime；buttheycanonlyleavetheunbornworldbytakingthestepsnecessaryfortheirarrivalhere——whichis，infact，bysuicide。

Theyoughttobeanexceedinglyhappypeople，fortheyhavenoextremesofgoodorillfortune；nevermarrying，butlivinginastatemuchlikethatfabledbythepoetsastheprimitiveconditionofmankind。Inspiteofthis，however，theyareincessantlycomplaining；theyknowthatweinthisworldhavebodies，andindeedtheyknoweverythingelseaboutus，fortheymoveamonguswhithersoevertheywill，andcanreadourthoughts，aswellassurveyouractionsatpleasure。Onewouldthinkthatthisshouldbeenoughforthem；andmostofthemareindeedalivetothedesperateriskwhichtheywillrunbyindulgingthemselvesinthatbodywith“sensiblewarmmotion“whichtheysomuchdesire；

nevertheless，therearesometowhomtheennuiofadisembodiedexistenceissointolerablethattheywillventureanythingforachange；sotheyresolvetoquit。Theconditionswhichtheymustacceptaresouncertain，thatnonebutthemostfoolishoftheunbornwillconsenttothem；anditisfromthese，andtheseonly，thatourownranksarerecruited。

Whentheyhavefinallymadeuptheirmindstoleave，theymustgobeforethemagistrateofthenearesttown，andsignanaffidavitoftheirdesiretoquittheirthenexistence。Ontheirhavingdonethis，themagistratereadsthemtheconditionswhichtheymustaccept，andwhicharesolongthatIcanonlyextractsomeoftheprincipalpoints，whicharemainlythefollowing：-

First，theymusttakeapotionwhichwilldestroytheirmemoryandsenseofidentity；theymustgointotheworldhelpless，andwithoutawilloftheirown；theymustdrawlotsfortheirdispositionsbeforetheygo，andtakethem，suchastheyare，forbetterorworse——neitheraretheytobeallowedanychoiceinthematterofthebodywhichtheysomuchdesire；theyaresimplyallottedbychance，andwithoutappeal，totwopeoplewhomitistheirbusinesstofindandpesteruntiltheyadoptthem。Whothesearetobe，whetherrichorpoor，kindorunkind，healthyordiseased，thereisnoknowing；theyhave，infact，toentrustthemselvesformanyyearstothecareofthoseforwhosegoodconstitutionandgoodsensetheyhavenosortofguarantee。

Itiscurioustoreadthelectureswhichthewiserheadsgivetothosewhoaremeditatingachange。Theytalkwiththemaswetalkwithaspendthrift，andwithaboutasmuchsuccess。

“Tobeborn。”theysay，“isafelony——itisacapitalcrime，forwhichsentencemaybeexecutedatanymomentafterthecommissionoftheoffence。Youmayperhapshappentoliveforsomeseventyoreightyyears，butwhatisthat，comparedwiththeeternityyounowenjoy？Andeventhoughthesentencewerecommuted，andyouwereallowedtoliveonforever，youwouldintimebecomesoterriblywearyoflifethatexecutionwouldbethegreatestmercytoyou。

“Considertheinfiniterisk；tobebornofwickedparentsandtrainedinvice！tobebornofsillyparents，andtrainedtounrealities！ofparentswhoregardyouasasortofchattelorproperty，belongingmoretothemthantoyourself！Again，youmaydrawutterlyunsympatheticparents，whowillneverbeabletounderstandyou，andwhowilldotheirbesttothwartyou(asahenwhenshehashatchedaduckling)，andthencallyouungratefulbecauseyoudonotlovethem；or，again，youmaydrawparentswholookuponyouasathingtobecowedwhileitisstillyoung，lestitshouldgivethemtroublehereafterbyhavingwishesandfeelingsofitsown。

“Inlaterlife，whenyouhavebeenfinallyallowedtopassmusterasafullmemberoftheworld，youwillyourselfbecomeliabletothepesteringsoftheunborn——andaveryhappylifeyoumaybeledinconsequence！Forwesolicitsostronglythatafewonly——northesethebest——canrefuseus；andyetnottorefuseismuchthesameasgoingintopartnershipwithhalf-a-dozendifferentpeopleaboutwhomonecanknowabsolutelynothingbeforehand——notevenwhetheroneisgoingintopartnershipwithmenorwomen，norwithhowmanyofeither。Deludenotyourselfwiththinkingthatyouwillbewiserthanyourparents。Youmaybeanageinadvanceofthosewhomyouhavepestered，butunlessyouareoneofthegreatonesyouwillstillbeanagebehindthosewhowillintheirturnpesteryou。

“Imaginewhatitmustbetohaveanunbornquartereduponyou，whoisofanentirelydifferenttemperamentanddispositiontoyourown；nay，half-a-dozensuch，whowillnotloveyouthoughyouhavestintedyourselfinathousandwaystoprovidefortheircomfortandwell-being，——whowillforgetallyourself-sacrifice，andofwhomyoumayneverbesurethattheyarenotbearingagrudgeagainstyouforerrorsofjudgementintowhichyoumayhavefallen，thoughyouhadhopedthatsuchhadbeenlongsinceatonedfor。

Ingratitudesuchasthisisnotuncommon，yetfancywhatitmustbetobear！Itishardupontheducklingtohavebeenhatchedbyahen，butisitnotalsoharduponthehentohavehatchedtheduckling？

“Consideritagain，weprayyou，notforoursakebutforyourown。

Yourinitialcharacteryoumustdrawbylot；butwhateveritis，itcanonlycometoatolerablysuccessfuldevelopmentafterlongtraining；rememberthatoverthattrainingyouwillhavenocontrol。Itispossible，andevenprobable，thatwhateveryoumaygetinafterlifewhichisofrealpleasureandservicetoyou，willhavetobewoninspiteof，ratherthanbythehelpof，thosewhomyouarenowabouttopester，andthatyouwillonlywinyourfreedomafteryearsofapainfulstruggleinwhichitwillbehardtosaywhetheryouhavesufferedmostinjury，orinflictedit。

“Rememberalso，thatifyougointotheworldyouwillhavefreewill；thatyouwillbeobligedtohaveit；thatthereisnoescapingit；thatyouwillbefetteredtoitduringyourwholelife，andmustoneveryoccasiondothatwhichonthewholeseemsbesttoyouatanygiventime，nomatterwhetheryouarerightorwronginchoosingit。Yourmindwillbeabalanceforconsiderations，andyouractionwillgowiththeheavierscale。

Howitshallfallwilldependuponthekindofscaleswhichyoumayhavedrawnatbirth，thebiaswhichtheywillhaveobtainedbyuse，andtheweightoftheimmediateconsiderations。Ifthescalesweregoodtostartwith，andiftheyhavenotbeenoutrageouslytamperedwithinchildhood，andifthecombinationsintowhichyouenterareaverageones，youmaycomeoffwell；buttherearetoomany’ifs’

inthis，andwiththefailureofanyoneofthemyourmiseryisassured。Reflectonthis，andrememberthatshouldtheillcomeuponyou，youwillhaveyourselftothank，foritisyourownchoicetobeborn，andthereisnocompulsioninthematter。

“Notthatwedenytheexistenceofpleasuresamongmankind；thereisacertainshowofsundryphasesofcontentmentwhichmayevenamounttoveryconsiderablehappiness；butmarkhowtheyaredistributedoveraman’slife，belonging，allthekeenestofthem，totheforepart，andfewindeedtotheafter。Cantherebeanypleasureworthpurchasingwiththemiseriesofadecrepitage？Ifyouaregood，strong，andhandsome，youhaveafinefortuneindeedattwenty，buthowmuchofitwillbeleftatsixty？Foryoumustliveonyourcapital；thereisnoinvestingyourpowerssothatyoumaygetasmallannuityoflifeforever：youmusteatupyourprincipalbitbybit，andbetorturedbyseeingitgrowcontinuallysmallerandsmaller，eventhoughyouhappentoescapebeingrudelyrobbedofitbycrimeorcasualty。

“Remember，too，thatthereneveryetwasamanoffortywhowouldnotcomebackintotheworldoftheunbornifhecoulddosowithdecencyandhonour。Beingintheworldhewillasageneralrulestaytillheisforcedtogo；butdoyouthinkthathewouldconsenttobebornagain，andre-livehislife，ifhehadtheofferofdoingso？Donotthinkit。Ifhecouldsoalterthepastasthatheshouldneverhavecomeintobeingatall，doyounotthinkthathewoulddoitverygladly？

“Whatwasitthatoneoftheirownpoetsmeant，ifitwasnotthis，whenhecriedoutuponthedayinwhichhewasborn，andthenightinwhichitwassaidthereisamanchildconceived？’Fornow，’hesays，’Ishouldhavelainstillandbeenquiet，Ishouldhaveslept；thenhadIbeenatrestwithkingsandcounsellorsoftheearth，whichbuiltdesolateplacesforthemselves；orwithprincesthathadgold，whofilledtheirhouseswithsilver；orasanhiddenuntimelybirth，Ihadnotbeen；asinfantswhichneversawlight。

Therethewickedceasefromtroubling，andthewearyareatrest。’

Beverysurethattheguiltofbeingborncarriesthispunishmentattimestoallmen；buthowcantheyaskforpity，orcomplainofanymischiefthatmaybefallthem，havingenteredopen-eyedintothesnare？

“Onewordmoreandwehavedone。Ifanyfaintremembrance，asofadream，flitinsomepuzzledmomentacrossyourbrain，andyoushallfeelthatthepotionwhichistobegivenyoushallnothavedoneitswork，andthememoryofthisexistencewhichyouareleavingendeavoursvainlytoreturn；wesayinsuchamoment，whenyouclutchatthedreambutiteludesyourgrasp，andyouwatchit，asOrpheuswatchedEurydice，glidingbackagainintothetwilightkingdom，fly——fly——ifyoucanremembertheadvice——tothehavenofyourpresentandimmediateduty，takingshelterincessantlyintheworkwhichyouhaveinhand。Thismuchyoumayperhapsrecall；andthis，ifyouwillimprintitdeeplyuponyoureveryfaculty，willbemostlikelytobringyousafelyandhonourablyhomethroughthetrialsthatarebeforeyou。”{3}

Thisisthefashioninwhichtheyreasonwiththosewhowouldbeforleavingthem，butitisseldomthattheydomuchgood，fornonebuttheunquietandunreasonableeverthinkofbeingborn，andthosewhoarefoolishenoughtothinkofitaregenerallyfoolishenoughtodoit。Finding，therefore，thattheycandonomore，thefriendsfollowweepingtothecourthouseofthechiefmagistrate，wheretheonewhowishestobeborndeclaressolemnlyandopenlythatheacceptstheconditionsattachedtohisdecision。Onthisheispresentedwithapotion，whichimmediatelydestroyshismemoryandsenseofidentity，anddissipatesthethingaseoustenementwhichhehasinhabited：hebecomesabarevitalprinciple，nottobeperceivedbyhumansenses，nortobebyanychemicaltestappreciated。Hehasbutoneinstinct，whichisthatheistogotosuchandsuchaplace，wherehewillfindtwopersonswhomheistoimportunetilltheyconsenttoundertakehim；

butwhetherheistofindthesepersonsamongtheraceofChowbokortheErewhoniansthemselvesisnotforhimtochoose。