Ontheotherhandinthecaseof（2）thePhysician，thoughIshallherealsoseealine（D’A’E’）withabrightcentre（A’），yetitwillshadeawayLESSRAPIDLYintodimness，becausethesides（A’C’，A’B’）RECEDELESSRAPIDLYINTOTHEFOG：andwhatappeartomethePhysician’sextremities，viz。D’andE’，willnotbeNOTSODIMastheextremitiesoftheMerchant。
TheReaderwillprobablyunderstandfromthesetwoinstanceshow——
afteraverylongtrainingsupplementedbyconstantexperience——
itispossibleforthewell-educatedclassesamongustodiscriminatewithfairaccuracybetweenthemiddleandlowestorders，bythesenseofsight。IfmySpacelandPatronshavegraspedthisgeneralconception，sofarastoconceivethepossibilityofitandnottorejectmyaccountasaltogetherincredible——
IshallhaveattainedallIcanreasonablyexpect。WereItoattemptfurtherdetailsIshouldonlyperplex。Yetforthesakeoftheyoungandinexperienced，whomayperchanceinfer——fromthetwosimpleinstancesIhavegivenabove，ofthemannerinwhichIshouldrecognizemyFatherandmySons——thatRecognitionbysightisaneasyaffair，itmaybeneedfultopointoutthatinactuallifemostoftheproblemsofSightRecognitionarefarmoresubtleandcomplex。
Ifforexample，whenmyFather，theTriangle，approachesme，hehappenstopresenthissidetomeinsteadofhisangle，then，untilIhaveaskedhimtorotate，oruntilIhaveedgedmyeyeroundhim，IamforthemomentdoubtfulwhetherhemaynotbeaStraightLine，or，inotherwords，aWoman。Again，whenIaminthecompanyofoneofmytwohexagonalGrandsons，contemplatingoneofhissides（AB）fullfront，itwillbeevidentfromtheaccompanyingdiagramthatIshallseeonewholeline（AB）
incomparativebrightness（shadingoffhardlyatallattheends）
andtwosmallerlines（CAandBD）dimthroughoutandshadingawayintogreaterdimnesstowardstheextremitiesCandD。
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ButImustnotgivewaytothetemptationofenlargingonthesetopics。ThemeanestmathematicianinSpacelandwillreadilybelievemewhenIassertthattheproblemsoflife，whichpresentthemselvestothewell-educated——whentheyarethemselvesinmotion，rotating，advancingorretreating，andatthesametimeattemptingtodiscriminatebythesenseofsightbetweenanumberofPolygonsofhighrankmovingindifferentdirections，asforexampleinaball-roomorconversazione——mustbeofanaturetotasktheangularityofthemostintellectual，andamplyjustifytherichendowmentsoftheLearnedProfessorsofGeometry，bothStaticandKinetic，intheillustriousUniversityofWentbridge，wheretheScienceandArtofSightRecognitionareregularlytaughttolargeclassesoftheELITEoftheStates。
Itisonlyafewofthescionsofournoblestandwealthiesthouses，whoareabletogivethetimeandmoneynecessaryforthethoroughprosecutionofthisnobleandvaluableArt。Eventome，aMathematicianofnomeanstanding，andtheGrandfatheroftwomosthopefulandperfectlyregularHexagons，tofindmyselfinthemidstofacrowdofrotatingPolygonsofthehigherclasses，isoccasionallyveryperplexing。AndofcoursetoacommonTradesman，orSerf，suchasightisalmostasunintelligibleasitwouldbetoyou，myReader，wereyousuddenlytransportedintoourcountry。
InsuchacrowdyoucouldseeonallsidesofyounothingbutaLine，apparentlystraight，butofwhichthepartswouldvaryirregularlyandperpetuallyinbrightnessordimness。EvenifyouhadcompletedyourthirdyearinthePentagonalandHexagonalclassesintheUniversity，andwereperfectinthetheoryofthesubject，youwouldstillfindthattherewasneedofmanyyearsofexperience，beforeyoucouldmoveinafashionablecrowdwithoutjostlingagainstyourbetters，whomitisagainstetiquettetoaskto\"feel\"，andwho，bytheirsuperiorcultureandbreeding，knowallaboutyourmovements，whileyouknowverylittleornothingabouttheirs。Inaword，tocomportoneselfwithperfectproprietyinPolygonalsociety，oneoughttobeaPolygononeself。Suchatleastisthepainfulteachingofmyexperience。
ItisastonishinghowmuchtheArt——orImayalmostcallitinstinct——ofSightRecognitionisdevelopedbythehabitualpracticeofitandbytheavoidanceofthecustomof\"Feeling\"。Justas，withyou，thedeafanddumb，ifonceallowedtogesticulateandtousethehand-alphabet，willneveracquirethemoredifficultbutfarmorevaluableartoflipspeechandlip-reading，soitiswithusasregards\"Seeing\"and\"Feeling\"。Nonewhoinearlyliferesortto\"Feeling\"willeverlearn\"Seeing\"inperfection。
Forthisreason，amongourHigherClasses，\"Feeling\"isdiscouragedorabsolutelyforbidden。Fromthecradletheirchildren，insteadofgoingtothePublicElementaryschools（wheretheartofFeelingistaught），aresenttohigherSeminariesofanexclusivecharacter;andatourillustriousUniversity，to\"feel\"isregardedasamostseriousfault，involvingRusticationforthefirstoffence，andExpulsionforthesecond。
ButamongthelowerclassestheartofSightRecognitionisregardedasanunattainableluxury。AcommonTradesmancannotaffordtolethissonspendathirdofhislifeinabstractstudies。
Thechildrenofthepoorarethereforeallowedto\"feel\"
fromtheirearliestyears，andtheygaintherebyaprecocityandanearlyvivacitywhichcontrastatfirstmostfavourablywiththeinert，undeveloped，andlistlessbehaviourofthehalf-instructedyouthsofthePolygonalclass;butwhenthelatterhaveatlastcompletedtheirUniversitycourse，andarepreparedtoputtheirtheoryintopractice，thechangethatcomesoverthemmayalmostbedescribedasanewbirth，andineveryart，science，andsocialpursuittheyrapidlyovertakeanddistancetheirTriangularcompetitors。
OnlyafewofthePolygonalClassfailtopasstheFinalTestorLeavingExaminationattheUniversity。Theconditionoftheunsuccessfulminorityistrulypitiable。Rejectedfromthehigherclass，theyarealsodespisedbythelower。
TheyhaveneitherthematuredandsystematicallytrainedpowersofthePolygonalBachelorsandMastersofArts，noryetthenativeprecocityandmercurialversatilityoftheyouthfulTradesman。
Theprofessions，thepublicservices，areclosedagainstthem;
andthoughinmostStatestheyarenotactuallydebarredfrommarriage，yettheyhavethegreatestdifficultyinformingsuitablealliances，asexperienceshewsthattheoffspringofsuchunfortunateandill-endowedparentsisgenerallyitselfunfortunate，ifnotpositivelyIrregular。
ItisfromthesespecimensoftherefuseofourNobilitythatthegreatTumultsandSeditionsofpastageshavegenerallyderivedtheirleaders;andsogreatisthemischiefthencearisingthatanincreasingminorityofourmoreprogressiveStatesmenareofopinionthattruemercywoulddictatetheirentiresuppression，byenactingthatallwhofailtopasstheFinalExaminationoftheUniversityshouldbeeitherimprisonedforlife，orextinguishedbyapainlessdeath。
ButIfindmyselfdigressingintothesubjectofIrregularities，amatterofsuchvitalinterestthatitdemandsaseparatesection。
Section7。ConcerningIrregularFiguresThroughoutthepreviouspagesIhavebeenassuming——
whatperhapsshouldhavebeenlaiddownatthebeginningasadistinctandfundamentalproposition——thateveryhumanbeinginFlatlandisaRegularFigure，thatistosayofregularconstruction。
BythisImeanthataWomanmustnotonlybealine，butastraightline;thatanArtisanorSoldiermusthavetwoofhissidesequal;thatTradesmenmusthavethreesidesequal;
Lawyers（ofwhichclassIamahumblemember），foursidesequal，andgenerally，thatineveryPolygon，allthesidesmustbeequal。
Thesizeofthesideswouldofcoursedependupontheageoftheindividual。AFemaleatbirthwouldbeaboutaninchlong，whileatalladultWomanmightextendtoafoot。AstotheMalesofeveryclass，itmayberoughlysaidthatthelengthofanadult’ssides，whenaddedtogether，istwofeetoralittlemore。
Butthesizeofoursidesisnotunderconsideration。
IamspeakingoftheEQUALITYofsides，anditdoesnotneedmuchreflectiontoseethatthewholeofthesociallifeinFlatlandrestsuponthefundamentalfactthatNaturewillsallFigurestohavetheirsidesequal。
Ifoursideswereunequalouranglesmightbeunequal。
Insteadofitsbeingsufficienttofeel，orestimatebysight，asingleangleinordertodeterminetheformofanindividual，itwouldbenecessarytoascertaineachanglebytheexperimentofFeeling。Butlifewouldbetooshortforsuchatediousgrouping。
ThewholescienceandartofSightRecognitionwouldatonceperish;
Feeling，sofarasitisanart，wouldnotlongsurvive;
intercoursewouldbecomeperilousorimpossible;therewouldbeanendtoallconfidence，allforethought;noonewouldbesafeinmakingthemostsimplesocialarrangements;inaword，civilizationwouldrelapseintobarbarism。
AmIgoingtoofasttocarrymyReaderswithmetotheseobviousconclusions？Surelyamoment’sreflection，andasingleinstancefromcommonlife，mustconvinceeveryonethatourwholesocialsystemisbaseduponRegularity，orEqualityofAngles。
Youmeet，forexample，twoorthreeTradesmeninthestreet，whomyourecognizeatoncetobeTradesmenbyaglanceattheiranglesandrapidlybedimmedsides，andyouaskthemtostepintoyourhousetolunch。Thisyoudoatpresentwithperfectconfidence，becauseeveryoneknowstoaninchortwotheareaoccupiedbyanadultTriangle：butimaginethatyourTradesmandragsbehindhisregularandrespectablevertex，aparallelogramoftwelveorthirteeninchesindiagonal：——whatareyoutodowithsuchamonsterstickingfastinyourhousedoor？
ButIaminsultingtheintelligenceofmyReadersbyaccumulatingdetailswhichmustbepatenttoeveryonewhoenjoystheadvantagesofaResidenceinSpaceland。Obviouslythemeasurementsofasingleanglewouldnolongerbesufficientundersuchportentouscircumstances;one’swholelifewouldbetakenupinfeelingorsurveyingtheperimeterofone’sacquaintances。
Alreadythedifficultiesofavoidingacollisioninacrowdareenoughtotaxthesagacityofevenawell-educatedSquare;butifnoonecouldcalculatetheRegularityofasinglefigureinthecompany，allwouldbechaosandconfusion，andtheslightestpanicwouldcauseseriousinjuries，or——iftherehappenedtobeanyWomenorSoldierspresent——perhapsconsiderablelossoflife。
ExpediencythereforeconcurswithNatureinstampingthesealofitsapprovaluponRegularityofconformation：norhastheLawbeenbackwardinsecondingtheirefforts。\"IrregularityofFigure\"
meanswithusthesameas，ormorethan，acombinationofmoralobliquityandcriminalitywithyou，andistreatedaccordingly。
Therearenotwanting，itistrue，somepromulgatorsofparadoxeswhomaintainthatthereisnonecessaryconnectionbetweengeometricalandmoralIrregularity。\"TheIrregular\"，theysay，\"isfromhisbirthscoutedbyhisownparents，deridedbyhisbrothersandsisters，neglectedbythedomestics，scornedandsuspectedbysociety，andexcludedfromallpostsofresponsibility，trust，andusefulactivity。Hiseverymovementisjealouslywatchedbythepolicetillhecomesofageandpresentshimselfforinspection;thenheiseitherdestroyed，ifheisfoundtoexceedthefixedmarginofdeviation，orelseimmuredinaGovernmentOfficeasaclerkoftheseventhclass;preventedfrommarriage;forcedtodrudgeatanuninterestingoccupationforamiserablestipend;
obligedtoliveandboardattheoffice，andtotakeevenhisvacationunderclosesupervision;whatwonderthathumannature，eveninthebestandpurest，isembitteredandpervertedbysuchsurroundings！\"
Allthisveryplausiblereasoningdoesnotconvinceme，asithasnotconvincedthewisestofourStatesmen，thatourancestorserredinlayingitdownasanaxiomofpolicythatthetolerationofIrregularityisincompatiblewiththesafetyoftheState。
Doubtless，thelifeofanIrregularishard;buttheinterestsoftheGreaterNumberrequirethatitshallbehard。IfamanwithatriangularfrontandapolygonalbackwereallowedtoexistandtopropagateastillmoreIrregularposterity，whatwouldbecomeoftheartsoflife？ArethehousesanddoorsandchurchesinFlatlandtobealteredinordertoaccommodatesuchmonsters？
Areourticket-collectorstoberequiredtomeasureeveryman’sperimeterbeforetheyallowhimtoenteratheatreortotakehisplaceinalectureroom？IsanIrregulartobeexemptedfromthemilitia？Andifnot，howishetobepreventedfromcarryingdesolationintotheranksofhiscomrades？Again，whatirresistibletemptationstofraudulentimposturesmustneedsbesetsuchacreature！Howeasyforhimtoenterashopwithhispolygonalfrontforemost，andtoordergoodstoanyextentfromaconfidingtradesman！LettheadvocatesofafalselycalledPhilanthropypleadastheymayfortheabrogationoftheIrregularPenalLaws，IformyparthaveneverknownanIrregularwhowasnotalsowhatNatureevidentlyintendedhimtobe——ahypocrite，amisanthropist，and，uptothelimitsofhispower，aperpetratorofallmannerofmischief。
NotthatIshouldbedisposedtorecommend（atpresent）
theextrememeasuresadoptedbysomeStates，whereaninfantwhoseangledeviatesbyhalfadegreefromthecorrectangularityissummarilydestroyedatbirth。Someofourhighestandablestmen，menofrealgenius，haveduringtheirearliestdayslabouredunderdeviationsasgreatas，orevengreaterthan，forty-fiveminutes：
andthelossoftheirpreciousliveswouldhavebeenanirreparableinjurytotheState。Theartofhealingalsohasachievedsomeofitsmostglorioustriumphsinthecompressions，extensions，trepannings，colligations，andothersurgicalordiaeteticoperationsbywhichIrregularityhasbeenpartlyorwhollycured。
AdvocatingthereforeaVIAMEDIA，Iwouldlaydownnofixedorabsolutelineofdemarcation;butattheperiodwhentheframeisjustbeginningtoset，andwhentheMedicalBoardhasreportedthatrecoveryisimprobable，IwouldsuggestthattheIrregularoffspringbepainlesslyandmercifullyconsumed。
Section8。OftheAncientPracticeofPaintingIfmyReadershavefollowedmewithanyattentionuptothispoint，theywillnotbesurprisedtohearthatlifeissomewhatdullinFlatland。Idonot，ofcourse，meanthattherearenotbattles，conspiracies，tumults，factions，andallthoseotherphenomenawhicharesupposedtomakeHistoryinteresting;norwouldIdenythatthestrangemixtureoftheproblemsoflifeandtheproblemsofMathematics，continuallyinducingconjectureandgivingtheopportunityofimmediateverification，impartstoourexistenceazestwhichyouinSpacelandcanhardlycomprehend。IspeaknowfromtheaestheticandartisticpointofviewwhenIsaythatlifewithusisdull;aestheticallyandartistically，verydullindeed。
Howcanitbeotherwise，whenallone’sprospect，allone’slandscapes，historicalpieces，portraits，flowers，stilllife，arenothingbutasingleline，withnovarietiesexceptdegreesofbrightnessandobscurity？
Itwasnotalwaysthus。Colour，ifTraditionspeaksthetruth，onceforthespaceofhalfadozencenturiesormore，threwatransientsplendouroverthelivesofourancestorsintheremotestages。Someprivateindividual——aPentagonwhosenameisvariouslyreported——havingcasuallydiscoveredtheconstituentsofthesimplercoloursandarudimentarymethodofpainting，issaidtohavebegundecoratingfirsthishouse，thenhisslaves，thenhisFather，hisSons，andGrandsons，lastlyhimself。Theconvenienceaswellasthebeautyoftheresultscommendedthemselvestoall。WhereverChromatistes，——
forbythatnamethemosttrustworthyauthoritiesconcurincallinghim，——turnedhisvariegatedframe，thereheatonceexcitedattention，andattractedrespect。Noonenowneededto\"feel\"him;noonemistookhisfrontforhisback;
allhismovementswerereadilyascertainedbyhisneighbourswithouttheslighteststrainontheirpowersofcalculation;
noonejostledhim，orfailedtomakewayforhim;hisvoicewassavedthelabourofthatexhaustingutterancebywhichwecolourlessSquaresandPentagonsareoftenforcedtoproclaimourindividualitywhenwemoveamidacrowdofignorantIsosceles。
Thefashionspreadlikewildfire。Beforeaweekwasover，everySquareandTriangleinthedistricthadcopiedtheexampleofChromatistes，andonlyafewofthemoreconservativePentagonsstillheldout。AmonthortwofoundeventheDodecagonsinfectedwiththeinnovation。AyearhadnotelapsedbeforethehabithadspreadtoallbuttheveryhighestoftheNobility。
Needlesstosay，thecustomsoonmadeitswayfromthedistrictofChromatistestosurroundingregions;andwithintwogenerationsnooneinallFlatlandwascolourlessexcepttheWomenandthePriests。
HereNatureherselfappearedtoerectabarrier，andtopleadagainstextendingtheinnovationtothesetwoclasses。
Many-sidednesswasalmostessentialasapretextfortheInnovators。
\"DistinctionofsidesisintendedbyNaturetoimplydistinctionofcolours\"——suchwasthesophismwhichinthosedaysflewfrommouthtomouth，convertingwholetownsatatimetothenewculture。ButmanifestlytoourPriestsandWomenthisadagedidnotapply。Thelatterhadonlyoneside，andtherefore——plurallyandpedanticallyspeaking——NOSIDES。
Theformer——ifatleasttheywouldasserttheirclaimtobereallyandtrulyCircles，andnotmerehigh-classPolygonswithaninfinitelylargenumberofinfinitesimallysmallsides——
wereinthehabitofboasting（whatWomenconfessedanddeplored）
thattheyalsohadnosides，beingblessedwithaperimeterofoneline，or，inotherwords，aCircumference。HenceitcametopassthatthesetwoClassescouldseenoforceintheso-calledaxiomabout\"DistinctionofSidesimplyingDistinctionofColour\";andwhenallothershadsuccumbedtothefascinationsofcorporaldecoration，thePriestsandtheWomenalonestillremainedpurefromthepollutionofpaint。
Immoral，licentious，anarchical，unscientific——callthembywhatnamesyouwill——yet，fromanaestheticpointofview，thoseancientdaysoftheColourRevoltwerethegloriouschildhoodofArtinFlatland——achildhood，alas，thatneverripenedintomanhood，norevenreachedtheblossomofyouth。Tolivewastheninitselfadelight，becauselivingimpliedseeing。Evenatasmallparty，thecompanywasapleasuretobehold;therichlyvariedhuesoftheassemblyinachurchortheatrearesaidtohavemorethanonceprovedtoodistractingforourgreatestteachersandactors;
butmostravishingofallissaidtohavebeentheunspeakablemagnificenceofamilitaryreview。
ThesightofalineofbattleoftwentythousandIsoscelessuddenlyfacingabout，andexchangingthesombreblackoftheirbasesfortheorangeandpurpleofthetwosidesincludingtheiracuteangle;
themilitiaoftheEquilateralTrianglestricolouredinred，white，andblue;themauve，ultra-marine，gamboge，andburntumberoftheSquareartillerymenrapidlyrotatingneartheirvermilionguns;
thedashingandflashingofthefive-colouredandsix-colouredPentagonsandHexagonscareeringacrossthefieldintheirofficesofsurgeons，geometriciansandaides-de-camp——allthesemaywellhavebeensufficienttorendercrediblethefamousstoryhowanillustriousCircle，overcomebytheartisticbeautyoftheforcesunderhiscommand，threwasidehismarshal’sbatonandhisroyalcrown，exclaimingthathehenceforthexchangedthemfortheartist’spencil。Howgreatandgloriousthesensuousdevelopmentofthesedaysmusthavebeenisinpartindicatedbytheverylanguageandvocabularyoftheperiod。
ThecommonestutterancesofthecommonestcitizensinthetimeoftheColourRevoltseemtohavebeensuffusedwitharichertingeofwordorthought;andtothateraweareevennowindebtedforourfinestpoetryandforwhateverrhythmstillremainsinthemorescientificutteranceofthesemoderndays。
Section9。OftheUniversalColourBillButmeanwhiletheintellectualArtswerefastdecaying。
TheArtofSightRecognition，beingnolongerneeded，wasnolongerpractised;andthestudiesofGeometry，Statics，Kinetics，andotherkindredsubjects，camesoontobeconsideredsuperfluous，andfellintodisrespectandneglectevenatourUniversity。TheinferiorArtofFeelingspeedilyexperiencedthesamefateatourElementarySchools。ThentheIsoscelesclasses，assertingthattheSpecimenswerenolongerusednorneeded，andrefusingtopaythecustomarytributefromtheCriminalclassestotheserviceofEducation，waxeddailymorenumerousandmoreinsolentonthestrengthoftheirimmunityfromtheoldburdenwhichhadformerlyexercisedthetwofoldwholesomeeffectofatoncetamingtheirbrutalnatureandthinningtheirexcessivenumbers。
YearbyyeartheSoldiersandArtisansbeganmorevehementlytoassert——andwithincreasingtruth——thattherewasnogreatdifferencebetweenthemandtheveryhighestclassofPolygons，nowthattheywereraisedtoanequalitywiththelatter，andenabledtograpplewithallthedifficultiesandsolvealltheproblemsoflife，whetherStaticalorKinetical，bythesimpleprocessofColourRecognition。NotcontentwiththenaturalneglectintowhichSightRecognitionwasfalling，theybeganboldlytodemandthelegalprohibitionofall\"monopolizingandaristocraticArts\"
andtheconsequentabolitionofallendowmentsforthestudiesofSightRecognition，Mathematics，andFeeling。Soon，theybegantoinsistthatinasmuchasColour，whichwasasecondNature，haddestroyedtheneedofaristocraticdistinctions，theLawshouldfollowinthesamepath，andthathenceforthallindividualsandallclassesshouldberecognizedasabsolutelyequalandentitledtoequalrights。
FindingthehigherOrderswaveringandundecided，theleadersoftheRevolutionadvancedstillfurtherintheirrequirements，andatlastdemandedthatallclassesalike，thePriestsandtheWomennotexcepted，shoulddohomagetoColourbysubmittingtobepainted。
WhenitwasobjectedthatPriestsandWomenhadnosides，theyretortedthatNatureandExpediencyconcurredindictatingthatthefronthalfofeveryhumanbeing（thatistosay，thehalfcontaininghiseyeandmouth）shouldbedistinguishablefromhishinderhalf。TheythereforebroughtbeforeageneralandextraordinaryAssemblyofalltheStatesofFlatlandaBillproposingthatineveryWomanthehalfcontainingtheeyeandmouthshouldbecolouredred，andtheotherhalfgreen。
ThePriestsweretobepaintedinthesameway，redbeingappliedtothatsemicircleinwhichtheeyeandmouthformedthemiddlepoint;
whiletheotherorhindersemicirclewastobecolouredgreen。
Therewasnolittlecunninginthisproposal，whichindeedemanatednotfromanyIsosceles——fornobeingsodegradedwouldhavehadangularityenoughtoappreciate，muchlesstodevise，suchamodelofstate-craft——butfromanIrregularCirclewho，insteadofbeingdestroyedinhischildhood，wasreservedbyafoolishindulgencetobringdesolationonhiscountryanddestructiononmyriadsofhisfollowers。
OntheonehandthepropositionwascalculatedtobringtheWomeninallclassesovertothesideoftheChromaticInnovation。
ForbyassigningtotheWomenthesametwocoloursaswereassignedtothePriests，theRevolutioniststherebyensuredthat，incertainpositions，everyWomanwouldappearlikeaPriest，andbetreatedwithcorrespondingrespectanddeference——
aprospectthatcouldnotfailtoattracttheFemaleSexinamass。
ButbysomeofmyReadersthepossibilityoftheidenticalappearanceofPriestsandWomen，underthenewLegislation，maynotberecognized;ifso，awordortwowillmakeitobvious。
Imagineawomandulydecorated，accordingtothenewCode;
withthefronthalf（i。e。thehalfcontainingeyeandmouth）red，andwiththehinderhalfgreen。Lookatherfromoneside。
Obviouslyyouwillseeastraightline，HALFRED，HALFGREEN。
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NowimagineaPriest，whosemouthisatM，andwhosefrontsemicircle（AMB）isconsequentlycolouredred，whilehishindersemicircleisgreen;sothatthediameterABdividesthegreenfromthered。
IfyoucontemplatetheGreatMansoastohaveyoureyeinthesamestraightlineashisdividingdiameter（AB），whatyouwillseewillbeastraightline（CBD），ofwhichONEHALF（CB）WILLBERED，ANDTHEOTHER（BD）GREEN。Thewholeline（CD）willberathershorterperhapsthanthatofafull-sizedWoman，andwillshadeoffmorerapidlytowardsitsextremities;
buttheidentityofthecolourswouldgiveyouanimmediateimpressionofidentityofClass，makingyouneglectfulofotherdetails。
BearinmindthedecayofSightRecognitionwhichthreatenedsocietyatthetimeoftheColourRevolt;addtoothecertaintythatWomenwouldspeedilylearntoshadeofftheirextremitiessoastoimitatetheCircles;itmustthenbesurelyobvioustoyou，mydearReader，thattheColourBillplacedusunderagreatdangerofconfoundingaPriestwithayoungWoman。
HowattractivethisprospectmusthavebeentotheFrailSexmayreadilybeimagined。Theyanticipatedwithdelighttheconfusionthatwouldensue。Athometheymighthearpoliticalandecclesiasticalsecretsintendednotforthembutfortheirhusbandsandbrothers，andmightevenissuecommandsinthenameofapriestlyCircle;
outofdoorsthestrikingcombinationofredandgreen，withoutadditionofanyothercolours，wouldbesuretoleadthecommonpeopleintoendlessmistakes，andtheWomenwouldgainwhatevertheCircleslost，inthedeferenceofthepassersby。
AsforthescandalthatwouldbefalltheCircularClassifthefrivolousandunseemlyconductoftheWomenwereimputedtothem，andastotheconsequentsubversionoftheConstitution，theFemaleSexcouldnotbeexpectedtogiveathoughttotheseconsiderations。EveninthehouseholdsoftheCircles，theWomenwereallinfavouroftheUniversalColourBill。
ThesecondobjectaimedatbytheBillwasthegradualdemoralizationoftheCirclesthemselves。Inthegeneralintellectualdecaytheystillpreservedtheirpristineclearnessandstrengthofunderstanding。Fromtheirearliestchildhood，familiarizedintheirCircularhouseholdswiththetotalabsenceofColour，theNoblesalonepreservedtheSacredArtofSightRecognition，withalltheadvantagesthatresultfromthatadmirabletrainingoftheintellect。Hence，uptothedateoftheintroductionoftheUniversalColourBill，theCircleshadnotonlyheldtheirown，butevenincreasedtheirleadoftheotherclassesbyabstinencefromthepopularfashion。
NowthereforetheartfulIrregularwhomIdescribedaboveastherealauthorofthisdiabolicalBill，determinedatoneblowtolowerthestatusoftheHierarchybyforcingthemtosubmittothepollutionofColour，andatthesametimetodestroytheirdomesticopportunitiesoftrainingintheArtofSightRecognition，soastoenfeebletheirintellectsbydeprivingthemoftheirpureandcolourlesshomes。Oncesubjectedtothechromatictaint，everyparentalandeverychildishCirclewoulddemoralizeeachother。
OnlyindiscerningbetweentheFatherandtheMotherwouldtheCircularinfantfindproblemsfortheexerciseofitsunderstanding——problemstoooftenlikelytobecorruptedbymaternalimpostureswiththeresultofshakingthechild’sfaithinalllogicalconclusions。ThusbydegreestheintellectuallustreofthePriestlyOrderwouldwane，andtheroadwouldthenlieopenforatotaldestructionofallAristocraticLegislatureandforthesubversionofourPrivilegedClasses。
Section10。OftheSuppressionoftheChromaticSeditionTheagitationfortheUniversalColourBillcontinuedforthreeyears;
anduptothelastmomentofthatperioditseemedasthoughAnarchyweredestinedtotriumph。
AwholearmyofPolygons，whoturnedouttofightasprivatesoldiers，wasutterlyannihilatedbyasuperiorforceofIsoscelesTriangles——
theSquaresandPentagonsmeanwhileremainingneutral。
Worsethanall，someoftheablestCirclesfellapreytoconjugalfury。Infuriatedbypoliticalanimosity，thewivesinmanyanoblehouseholdweariedtheirlordswithprayerstogiveuptheiroppositiontotheColourBill;andsome，findingtheirentreatiesfruitless，fellonandslaughteredtheirinnocentchildrenandhusband，perishingthemselvesintheactofcarnage。Itisrecordedthatduringthattriennialagitationnolessthantwenty-threeCirclesperishedindomesticdiscord。
Greatindeedwastheperil。ItseemedasthoughthePriestshadnochoicebetweensubmissionandextermination;whensuddenlythecourseofeventswascompletelychangedbyoneofthosepicturesqueincidentswhichStatesmenoughtnevertoneglect，oftentoanticipate，andsometimesperhapstooriginate，becauseoftheabsurdlydisproportionatepowerwithwhichtheyappealtothesympathiesofthepopulace。
IthappenedthatanIsoscelesofalowtype，withabrainlittleifatallabovefourdegrees——accidentallydabblinginthecoloursofsomeTradesmanwhoseshophehadplundered——paintedhimself，orcausedhimselftobepainted（forthestoryvaries）
withthetwelvecoloursofaDodecagon。GoingintotheMarketPlaceheaccostedinafeignedvoiceamaiden，theorphandaughterofanoblePolygon，whoseaffectioninformerdayshehadsoughtinvain;andbyaseriesofdeceptions——aided，ontheoneside，byastringofluckyaccidentstoolongtorelate，andontheother，byanalmostinconceivablefatuityandneglectofordinaryprecautionsonthepartoftherelationsofthebride——hesucceededinconsummatingthemarriage。Theunhappygirlcommittedsuicideondiscoveringthefraudtowhichshehadbeensubjected。
WhenthenewsofthiscatastrophespreadfromStatetoStatethemindsoftheWomenwereviolentlyagitated。Sympathywiththemiserablevictimandanticipationsofsimilardeceptionsforthemselves，theirsisters，andtheirdaughters，madethemnowregardtheColourBillinanentirelynewaspect。
Notafewopenlyavowedthemselvesconvertedtoantagonism;
therestneededonlyaslightstimulustomakeasimilaravowal。
Seizingthisfavourableopportunity，theCircleshastilyconvenedanextraordinaryAssemblyoftheStates;andbesidestheusualguardofConvicts，theysecuredtheattendanceofalargenumberofreactionaryWomen。
Amidstanunprecedentedconcourse，theChiefCircleofthosedays——bynamePantocyclus——arosetofindhimselfhissedandhootedbyahundredandtwentythousandIsosceles。ButhesecuredsilencebydeclaringthathenceforththeCircleswouldenteronapolicyofConcession;yieldingtothewishesofthemajority，theywouldaccepttheColourBill。Theuproarbeingatonceconvertedtoapplause，heinvitedChromatistes，theleaderoftheSedition，intothecentreofthehall，toreceiveinthenameofhisfollowersthesubmissionoftheHierarchy。Thenfollowedaspeech，amasterpieceofrhetoric，whichoccupiednearlyadayinthedelivery，andtowhichnosummarycandojustice。
WithagraveappearanceofimpartialityhedeclaredthatastheywerenowfinallycommittingthemselvestoReformorInnovation，itwasdesirablethattheyshouldtakeonelastviewoftheperimeterofthewholesubject，itsdefectsaswellasitsadvantages。
GraduallyintroducingthementionofthedangerstotheTradesmen，theProfessionalClassesandtheGentlemen，hesilencedtherisingmurmursoftheIsoscelesbyremindingthemthat，inspiteofallthesedefects，hewaswillingtoaccepttheBillifitwasapprovedbythemajority。Butitwasmanifestthatall，excepttheIsosceles，weremovedbyhiswordsandwereeitherneutraloraversetotheBill。
TurningnowtotheWorkmenheassertedthattheirinterestsmustnotbeneglected，andthat，iftheyintendedtoaccepttheColourBill，theyoughtatleasttodosowithfullviewoftheconsequences。
Manyofthem，hesaid，wereonthepointofbeingadmittedtotheclassoftheRegularTriangles;othersanticipatedfortheirchildrenadistinctiontheycouldnothopeforthemselves。
Thathonourableambitionwouldnowhavetobesacrificed。
WiththeuniversaladoptionofColour，alldistinctionswouldcease;
RegularitywouldbeconfusedwithIrregularity;developmentwouldgiveplacetoretrogression;theWorkmanwouldinafewgenerationsbedegradedtotheleveloftheMilitary，oreventheConvictClass;
politicalpowerwouldbeinthehandsofthegreatestnumber，thatistosaytheCriminalClasses，whowerealreadymorenumerousthantheWorkmen，andwouldsoonout-numberalltheotherClassesputtogetherwhentheusualCompensativeLawsofNaturewereviolated。
AsubduedmurmurofassentranthroughtheranksoftheArtisans，andChromatistes，inalarm，attemptedtostepforwardandaddressthem。ButhefoundhimselfencompassedwithguardsandforcedtoremainsilentwhiletheChiefCircleinafewimpassionedwordsmadeafinalappealtotheWomen，exclaimingthat，iftheColourBillpassed，nomarriagewouldhenceforthbesafe，nowoman’shonoursecure;fraud，deception，hypocrisywouldpervadeeveryhousehold;domesticblisswouldsharethefateoftheConstitutionandpasstospeedyperdition。\"Soonerthanthis，\"
hecried，\"Comedeath。\"
Atthesewords，whichwerethepreconcertedsignalforaction，theIsoscelesConvictsfellonandtransfixedthewretchedChromatistes;theRegularClasses，openingtheirranks，madewayforabandofWomenwho，underdirectionoftheCircles，moved，backforemost，invisiblyandunerringlyupontheunconscioussoldiers;theArtisans，imitatingtheexampleoftheirbetters，alsoopenedtheirranks。MeantimebandsofConvictsoccupiedeveryentrancewithanimpenetrablephalanx。
Thebattle，orrathercarnage，wasofshortduration。
UndertheskillfulgeneralshipoftheCirclesalmosteveryWoman’schargewasfatalandverymanyextractedtheirstinguninjured，readyforasecondslaughter。Butnosecondblowwasneeded;
therabbleoftheIsoscelesdidtherestofthebusinessforthemselves。Surprised，leader-less，attackedinfrontbyinvisiblefoes，andfindingegresscutoffbytheConvictsbehindthem，theyatonce——aftertheirmanner——lostallpresenceofmind，andraisedthecryof\"treachery\"。Thissealedtheirfate。
EveryIsoscelesnowsawandfeltafoeineveryother。
Inhalfanhournotoneofthatvastmultitudewasliving;
andthefragmentsofsevenscorethousandoftheCriminalClassslainbyoneanother’sanglesattestedthetriumphofOrder。
TheCirclesdelayednottopushtheirvictorytotheuttermost。
TheWorkingMentheysparedbutdecimated。TheMilitiaoftheEquilateralswasatoncecalledout;andeveryTrianglesuspectedofIrregularityonreasonablegrounds，wasdestroyedbyCourtMartial，withouttheformalityofexactmeasurementbytheSocialBoard。ThehomesoftheMilitaryandArtisanclasseswereinspectedinacourseofvisitationsextendingthroughupwardsofayear;andduringthatperiodeverytown，village，andhamletwassystematicallypurgedofthatexcessofthelowerorderswhichhadbeenbroughtaboutbytheneglecttopaythetributeofCriminalstotheSchoolsandUniversity，andbytheviolationoftheothernaturalLawsoftheConstitutionofFlatland。Thusthebalanceofclasseswasagainrestored。
NeedlesstosaythathenceforththeuseofColourwasabolished，anditspossessionprohibited。EventheutteranceofanyworddenotingColour，exceptbytheCirclesorbyqualifiedscientificteachers，waspunishedbyaseverepenalty。OnlyatourUniversityinsomeoftheveryhighestandmostesotericclasses——whichImyselfhaveneverbeenprivilegedtoattend——
itisunderstoodthatthesparinguseofColourisstillsanctionedforthepurposeofillustratingsomeofthedeeperproblemsofmathematics。ButofthisIcanonlyspeakfromhearsay。
ElsewhereinFlatland，Colourisnownon-existent。Theartofmakingitisknowntoonlyonelivingperson，theChiefCircleforthetimebeing;andbyhimitishandeddownonhisdeath-bedtononebuthisSuccessor。Onemanufactoryaloneproducesit;and，lestthesecretshouldbebetrayed，theWorkmenareannuallyconsumed，andfreshonesintroduced。SogreatistheterrorwithwhichevennowourAristocracylooksbacktothefar-distantdaysoftheagitationfortheUniversalColourBill。
Section11。ConcerningourPriestsItishightimethatIshouldpassfromthesebriefanddiscursivenotesaboutthingsinFlatlandtothecentraleventofthisbook，myinitiationintothemysteriesofSpace。THATismysubject;
allthathasgonebeforeismerelypreface。
ForthisreasonImustomitmanymattersofwhichtheexplanationwouldnot，Iflattermyself，bewithoutinterestformyReaders：
asforexample，ourmethodofpropellingandstoppingourselves，althoughdestituteoffeet;themeansbywhichwegivefixitytostructuresofwood，stone，orbrick，althoughofcoursewehavenohands，norcanwelayfoundationsasyoucan，noravailourselvesofthelateralpressureoftheearth;
themannerinwhichtherainoriginatesintheintervalsbetweenourvariouszones，sothatthenorthernregionsdonotinterceptthemoisturefromfallingonthesouthern;thenatureofourhillsandmines，ourtreesandvegetables，ourseasonsandharvests;
ourAlphabetandmethodofwriting，adaptedtoourlineartablets;
theseandahundredotherdetailsofourphysicalexistenceImustpassover，nordoImentionthemnowexcepttoindicatetomyreadersthattheiromissionproceedsnotfromforgetfulnessonthepartoftheauthor，butfromhisregardforthetimeoftheReader。
YetbeforeIproceedtomylegitimatesubjectsomefewfinalremarkswillnodoubtbeexpectedbymyReadersuponthosepillarsandmainstaysoftheConstitutionofFlatland，thecontrollersofourconductandshapersofourdestiny，theobjectsofuniversalhomageandalmostofadoration：
needIsaythatImeanourCirclesorPriests？
WhenIcallthemPriests，letmenotbeunderstoodasmeaningnomorethanthetermdenoteswithyou。Withus，ourPriestsareAdministratorsofallBusiness，Art，andScience;
DirectorsofTrade，Commerce，Generalship，Architecture，Engineering，Education，Statesmanship，Legislature，Morality，Theology;
doingnothingthemselves，theyaretheCausesofeverythingworthdoing，thatisdonebyothers。
AlthoughpopularlyeveryonecalledaCircleisdeemedaCircle，yetamongthebettereducatedClassesitisknownthatnoCircleisreallyaCircle，butonlyaPolygonwithaverylargenumberofverysmallsides。Asthenumberofthesidesincreases，aPolygonapproximatestoaCircle;and，whenthenumberisverygreatindeed，sayforexamplethreeorfourhundred，itisextremelydifficultforthemostdelicatetouchtofeelanypolygonalangles。Letmesayrather，itWOULDbedifficult：
for，asIhaveshownabove，RecognitionbyFeelingisunknownamongthehighestsociety，andtoFEELaCirclewouldbeconsideredamostaudaciousinsult。ThishabitofabstentionfromFeelinginthebestsocietyenablesaCirclethemoreeasilytosustaintheveilofmysteryinwhich，fromhisearliestyears，heiswonttoenwraptheexactnatureofhisPerimeterorCircumference。
ThreefeetbeingtheaveragePerimeteritfollowsthat，inaPolygonofthreehundredsideseachsidewillbenomorethanthehundredthpartofafootinlength，orlittlemorethanthetenthpartofaninch;andinaPolygonofsixorsevenhundredsidesthesidesarelittlelargerthanthediameterofaSpacelandpin-head。
Itisalwaysassumed，bycourtesy，thattheChiefCircleforthetimebeinghastenthousandsides。
TheascentoftheposterityoftheCirclesinthesocialscaleisnotrestricted，asitisamongthelowerRegularclasses，bytheLawofNaturewhichlimitstheincreaseofsidestooneineachgeneration。Ifitwereso，thenumberofsidesinaCirclewouldbeamerequestionofpedigreeandarithmetic，andthefourhundredandninety-seventhdescendantofanEquilateralTrianglewouldnecessarilybeaPolygonwithfivehundredsides。Butthisisnotthecase。Nature’sLawprescribestwoantagonisticdecreesaffectingCircularpropagation;
first，thatastheraceclimbshigherinthescaleofdevelopment，sodevelopmentshallproceedatanacceleratedpace;second，thatinthesameproportion，theraceshallbecomelessfertile。
ConsequentlyinthehomeofaPolygonoffourorfivehundredsidesitisraretofindason;morethanoneisneverseen。
Ontheotherhandthesonofafive-hundred-sidedPolygonhasbeenknowntopossessfivehundredandfifty，orevensixhundredsides。
ArtalsostepsintohelptheprocessofthehigherEvolution。
OurphysicianshavediscoveredthatthesmallandtendersidesofaninfantPolygonofthehigherclasscanbefractured，andhiswholeframere-set，withsuchexactnessthataPolygonoftwoorthreehundredsidessometimes——bynomeansalways，fortheprocessisattendedwithseriousrisk——butsometimesoverleapstwoorthreehundredgenerations，andasitweredoublesatastroke，thenumberofhisprogenitorsandthenobilityofhisdescent。
Manyapromisingchildissacrificedinthisway。Scarcelyoneoutoftensurvives。YetsostrongistheparentalambitionamongthosePolygonswhoare，asitwere，onthefringeoftheCircularclass，thatitisveryraretofindaNoblemanofthatpositioninsociety，whohasneglectedtoplacehisfirst-bornintheCircularNeo-TherapeuticGymnasiumbeforehehasattainedtheageofamonth。
Oneyeardeterminessuccessorfailure。Attheendofthattimethechildhas，inallprobability，addedonemoretothetombstonesthatcrowdtheNeo-TherapeuticCemetery;butonrareoccasionsagladprocessionbearsbackthelittleonetohisexultantparents，nolongeraPolygon，butaCircle，atleastbycourtesy：
andasingleinstanceofsoblessedaresultinducesmultitudesofPolygonalparentstosubmittosimilardomesticsacrifices，whichhaveadissimilarissue。
Section12。OftheDoctrineofourPriestsAstothedoctrineoftheCirclesitmaybrieflybesummedupinasinglemaxim，\"AttendtoyourConfiguration。\"Whetherpolitical，ecclesiastical，ormoral，alltheirteachinghasforitsobjecttheimprovementofindividualandcollectiveConfiguration——
withspecialreferenceofcoursetotheConfigurationoftheCircles，towhichallotherobjectsaresubordinated。
ItisthemeritoftheCirclesthattheyhaveeffectuallysuppressedthoseancientheresieswhichledmentowasteenergyandsympathyinthevainbeliefthatconductdependsuponwill，effort，training，encouragement，praise，oranythingelsebutConfiguration。
ItwasPantocyclus——theillustriousCirclementionedabove，asthequelleroftheColourRevolt——whofirstconvincedmankindthatConfigurationmakestheman;thatif，forexample，youarebornanIsosceleswithtwounevensides，youwillassuredlygowrongunlessyouhavethemmadeeven——forwhichpurposeyoumustgototheIsoscelesHospital;similarly，ifyouareaTriangle，orSquare，orevenaPolygon，bornwithanyIrregularity，youmustbetakentooneoftheRegularHospitalstohaveyourdiseasecured;otherwiseyouwillendyourdaysintheStatePrisonorbytheangleoftheStateExecutioner。
Allfaultsordefects，fromtheslightestmisconducttothemostflagitiouscrime，PantocyclusattributedtosomedeviationfromperfectRegularityinthebodilyfigure，causedperhaps（ifnotcongenital）bysomecollisioninacrowd;byneglecttotakeexercise，orbytakingtoomuchofit;orevenbyasuddenchangeoftemperature，resultinginashrinkageorexpansioninsometoosusceptiblepartoftheframe。Therefore，concludedthatillustriousPhilosopher，neithergoodconductnorbadconductisafitsubject，inanysoberestimation，foreitherpraiseorblame。Forwhyshouldyoupraise，forexample，theintegrityofaSquarewhofaithfullydefendstheinterestsofhisclient，whenyououghtinrealityrathertoadmiretheexactprecisionofhisrightangles？Oragain，whyblamealying，thievishIsosceleswhenyououghtrathertodeploretheincurableinequalityofhissides？
Theoretically，thisdoctrineisunquestionable;butithaspracticaldrawbacks。IndealingwithanIsosceles，ifarascalpleadsthathecannothelpstealingbecauseofhisunevenness，youreplythatforthatveryreason，becausehecannothelpbeinganuisancetohisneighbours，you，theMagistrate，cannothelpsentencinghimtobeconsumed——andthere’sanendofthematter。
Butinlittledomesticdifficulties，wherethepenaltyofconsumption，ordeath，isoutofthequestion，thistheoryofConfigurationsometimescomesinawkwardly;andImustconfessthatoccasionallywhenoneofmyownHexagonalGrandsonspleadsasanexcuseforhisdisobediencethatasuddenchangeofthetemperaturehasbeentoomuchforhisPerimeter，andthatIoughttolaytheblamenotonhimbutonhisConfiguration，whichcanonlybestrengthenedbyabundanceofthechoicestsweetmeats，Ineitherseemywaylogicallytoreject，norpracticallytoaccept，hisconclusions。
Formyownpart，IfinditbesttoassumethatagoodsoundscoldingorcastigationhassomelatentandstrengtheninginfluenceonmyGrandson’sConfiguration;thoughIownthatIhavenogroundsforthinkingso。AtalleventsIamnotaloneinmywayofextricatingmyselffromthisdilemma;forIfindthatmanyofthehighestCircles，sittingasJudgesinlawcourts，usepraiseandblametowardsRegularandIrregularFigures;
andintheirhomesIknowbyexperiencethat，whenscoldingtheirchildren，theyspeakabout\"right\"or\"wrong\"asvehementlyandpassionatelyasiftheybelievedthatthesenamesrepresentedrealexistences，andthatahumanFigureisreallycapableofchoosingbetweenthem。
ConstantlycarryingouttheirpolicyofmakingConfigurationtheleadingideaineverymind，theCirclesreversethenatureofthatCommandmentwhichinSpacelandregulatestherelationsbetweenparentsandchildren。Withyou，childrenaretaughttohonourtheirparents;withus——nexttotheCircles，whoarethechiefobjectofuniversalhomage——amanistaughttohonourhisGrandson，ifhehasone;or，ifnot，hisSon。
By\"honour\"，however，isbynomeansmeant\"indulgence\"，butareverentregardfortheirhighestinterests：andtheCirclesteachthatthedutyoffathersistosubordinatetheirownintereststothoseofposterity，therebyadvancingthewelfareofthewholeStateaswellasthatoftheirownimmediatedescendants。
TheweakpointinthesystemoftheCircles——ifahumbleSquaremayventuretospeakofanythingCircularascontaininganyelementofweakness——appearstometobefoundintheirrelationswithWomen。
AsitisoftheutmostimportanceforSocietythatIrregularbirthsshouldbediscouraged，itfollowsthatnoWomanwhohasanyIrregularitiesinherancestryisafitpartnerforonewhodesiresthathisposterityshouldrisebyregulardegreesinthesocialscale。
NowtheIrregularityofaMaleisamatterofmeasurement;
butasallWomenarestraight，andthereforevisiblyRegularsotospeak，onehastodevisesomeothermeansofascertainingwhatImaycalltheirinvisibleIrregularity，thatistosaytheirpotentialIrregularitiesasregardspossibleoffspring。
Thisiseffectedbycarefully-keptpedigrees，whicharepreservedandsupervisedbytheState;andwithoutacertifiedpedigreenoWomanisallowedtomarry。
NowitmighthavebeensupposedthataCircle——proudofhisancestryandregardfulforaposteritywhichmightpossiblyissuehereafterinaChiefCircle——wouldbemorecarefulthananyothertochooseawifewhohadnoblotonherescutcheon。Butitisnotso。
ThecareinchoosingaRegularwifeappearstodiminishasonerisesinthesocialscale。NothingwouldinduceanaspiringIsosceles，whohadhopesofgeneratinganEquilateralSon，totakeawifewhoreckonedasingleIrregularityamongherAncestors;
aSquareorPentagon，whoisconfidentthathisfamilyissteadilyontherise，doesnotinquireabovethefive-hundredthgeneration;
aHexagonorDodecagonisevenmorecarelessofthewife’spedigree;
butaCirclehasbeenknowndeliberatelytotakeawifewhohashadanIrregularGreat-Grandfather，andallbecauseofsomeslightsuperiorityoflustre，orbecauseofthecharmsofalowvoice——which，withus，evenmorethanyou，isthought\"anexcellentthinginWoman\"。
Suchill-judgedmarriagesare，asmightbeexpected，barren，iftheydonotresultinpositiveIrregularityorindiminutionofsides;butnoneoftheseevilshavehithertoprovedsufficientlydeterrent。Thelossofafewsidesinahighly-developedPolygonisnoteasilynoticed，andissometimescompensatedbyasuccessfuloperationintheNeo-TherapeuticGymnasium，asIhavedescribedabove;andtheCirclesaretoomuchdisposedtoacquiesceininfecundityasaLawofthesuperiordevelopment。
Yet，ifthisevilbenotarrested，thegradualdiminutionoftheCircularclassmaysoonbecomemorerapid，andthetimemaybenotfardistantwhen，theracebeingnolongerabletoproduceaChiefCircle，theConstitutionofFlatlandmustfall。
Oneotherwordofwarningsuggestsitselftome，thoughIcannotsoeasilymentionaremedy;andthisalsoreferstoourrelationswithWomen。Aboutthreehundredyearsago，itwasdecreedbytheChiefCirclethat，sincewomenaredeficientinReasonbutabundantinEmotion，theyoughtnolongertobetreatedasrational，norreceiveanymentaleducation。Theconsequencewasthattheywerenolongertaughttoread，noreventomasterArithmeticenoughtoenablethemtocounttheanglesoftheirhusbandorchildren;andhencetheysensiblydeclinedduringeachgenerationinintellectualpower。Andthissystemoffemalenon-educationorquietismstillprevails。
Myfearisthat，withthebestintentions，thispolicyhasbeencarriedsofarastoreactinjuriouslyontheMaleSex。
Fortheconsequenceisthat，asthingsnoware，weMaleshavetoleadakindofbi-lingual，andImayalmostsaybi-mental，existence。
WithWomen，wespeakof\"love\"，\"duty\"，\"right\"，\"wrong\"，\"pity\"，\"hope\"，andotherirrationalandemotionalconceptions，whichhavenoexistence，andthefictionofwhichhasnoobjectexcepttocontrolfeminineexuberances;butamongourselves，andinourbooks，wehaveanentirelydifferentvocabularyandImayalmostsay，idiom。\"Love\"thenbecomes\"theanticipationofbenefits\";\"duty\"becomes\"necessity\"or\"fitness\";andotherwordsarecorrespondinglytransmuted。Moreover，amongWomen，weuselanguageimplyingtheutmostdeferencefortheirSex;
andtheyfullybelievethattheChiefCircleHimselfisnotmoredevoutlyadoredbyusthantheyare：butbehindtheirbackstheyarebothregardedandspokenof——byallexcepttheveryyoung——
asbeinglittlebetterthan\"mindlessorganisms\"。
OurTheologyalsointheWomen’schambersisentirelydifferentfromourTheologyelsewhere。
Nowmyhumblefearisthatthisdoubletraining，inlanguageaswellasinthought，imposessomewhattooheavyaburdenupontheyoung，especiallywhen，attheageofthreeyearsold，theyaretakenfromthematernalcareandtaughttounlearntheoldlanguage——
exceptforthepurposeofrepeatingitinthepresenceoftheirMothersandNurses——andtolearnthevocabularyandidiomofscience。AlreadymethinksIdiscernaweaknessinthegraspofmathematicaltruthatthepresenttimeascomparedwiththemorerobustintellectofourancestorsthreehundredyearsago。
IsaynothingofthepossibledangerifaWomanshouldeversurreptitiouslylearntoreadandconveytoherSextheresultofherperusalofasinglepopularvolume;norofthepossibilitythattheindiscretionordisobedienceofsomeinfantMalemightrevealtoaMotherthesecretsofthelogicaldialect。
OnthesimplegroundoftheenfeeblingoftheMaleintellect，IrestthishumbleappealtothehighestAuthoritiestoreconsidertheregulationsofFemaleeducation。
PARTII：OTHERWORLDS
\"Obravenewworlds，thathavesuchpeopleinthem！\"
Section13。HowIhadaVisionofLinelandItwasthelastdaybutoneofthe1999thyearofourera，andthefirstdayoftheLongVacation。HavingamusedmyselftillalatehourwithmyfavouriterecreationofGeometry，Ihadretiredtorestwithanunsolvedprobleminmymind。
InthenightIhadadream。
IsawbeforemeavastmultitudeofsmallStraightLines（whichInaturallyassumedtobeWomen）interspersedwithotherBeingsstillsmallerandofthenatureoflustrouspoints——allmovingtoandfroinoneandthesameStraightLine，and，asnearlyasI
couldjudge，withthesamevelocity。
Anoiseofconfused，multitudinouschirpingortwitteringissuedfromthematintervalsaslongastheyweremoving;
butsometimestheyceasedfrommotion，andthenallwassilence。