SPHERE。Andwhatisthenextnumber？
I。Six。
SPHERE。Exactly。Thenyouseeyouhaveansweredyourownquestion。
TheCubewhichyouwillgeneratewillbeboundedbysixsides，thatistosay，sixofyourinsides。Youseeitallnow，eh？
\"Monster，\"Ishrieked，\"bethoujuggler，enchanter，dream，ordevil，nomorewillIendurethymockeries。EitherthouorImustperish。\"
AndsayingthesewordsIprecipitatedmyselfuponhim。
Section17。HowtheSphere，havinginvaintriedwords，resortedtodeedsItwasinvain。IbroughtmyhardestrightangleintoviolentcollisionwiththeStranger，pressingonhimwithaforcesufficienttohavedestroyedanyordinaryCircle：butIcouldfeelhimslowlyandunarrestablyslippingfrommycontact;noedgingtotherightnortotheleft，butmovingsomehowoutoftheworld，andvanishingtonothing。Soontherewasablank。ButstillIheardtheIntruder’svoice。
SPHERE。Whywillyourefusetolistentoreason？
Ihadhopedtofindinyou——asbeingamanofsenseandanaccomplishedmathematician——afitapostlefortheGospeloftheThreeDimensions，whichIamallowedtopreachonceonlyinathousandyears：butnowIknownothowtoconvinceyou。
Stay，Ihaveit。Deeds，andnotwords，shallproclaimthetruth。
Listen，myfriend。
IhavetoldyouIcanseefrommypositioninSpacetheinsideofallthingsthatyouconsiderclosed。Forexample，Iseeinyondercupboardnearwhichyouarestanding，severalofwhatyoucallboxes（butlikeeverythingelseinFlatland，theyhavenotopsnorbottoms）fullofmoney;Iseealsotwotabletsofaccounts。Iamabouttodescendintothatcupboardandtobringyouoneofthosetablets。Isawyoulockthecupboardhalfanhourago，andIknowyouhavethekeyinyourpossession。
ButIdescendfromSpace;thedoors，yousee，remainunmoved。
NowIaminthecupboardandamtakingthetablet。NowIhaveit。
NowIascendwithit。
Irushedtotheclosetanddashedthedooropen。Oneofthetabletswasgone。Withamockinglaugh，theStrangerappearedintheothercorneroftheroom，andatthesametimethetabletappeareduponthefloor。Itookitup。Therecouldbenodoubt——
itwasthemissingtablet。
Igroanedwithhorror，doubtingwhetherIwasnotoutofmysenses;
buttheStrangercontinued：\"Surelyyoumustnowseethatmyexplanation，andnoother，suitsthephenomena。WhatyoucallSolidthingsarereallysuperficial;whatyoucallSpaceisreallynothingbutagreatPlane。IaminSpace，andlookdownupontheinsidesofthethingsofwhichyouonlyseetheoutsides。
YoucouldleavethisPlaneyourself，ifyoucouldbutsummonupthenecessaryvolition。AslightupwardordownwardmotionwouldenableyoutoseeallthatIcansee。
\"ThehigherImount，andthefurtherIgofromyourPlane，themoreIcansee，thoughofcourseIseeitonasmallerscale。
Forexample，Iamascending;nowIcanseeyourneighbourtheHexagonandhisfamilyintheirseveralapartments;nowIseetheinsideoftheTheatre，tendoorsoff，fromwhichtheaudienceisonlyjustdeparting;andontheothersideaCircleinhisstudy，sittingathisbooks。NowIshallcomebacktoyou。
And，asacrowningproof，whatdoyousaytomygivingyouatouch，justtheleasttouch，inyourstomach？Itwillnotseriouslyinjureyou，andtheslightpainyoumaysuffercannotbecomparedwiththementalbenefityouwillreceive。\"
BeforeIcouldutterawordofremonstrance，Ifeltashootingpaininmyinside，andademoniacallaughseemedtoissuefromwithinme。
Amomentafterwardsthesharpagonyhadceased，leavingnothingbutadullachebehind，andtheStrangerbegantoreappear，saying，ashegraduallyincreasedinsize，\"There，Ihavenothurtyoumuch，haveI？Ifyouarenotconvincednow，Idon’tknowwhatwillconvinceyou。Whatsayyou？\"
Myresolutionwastaken。ItseemedintolerablethatIshouldendureexistencesubjecttothearbitraryvisitationsofaMagicianwhocouldthusplaytrickswithone’sverystomach。IfonlyIcouldinanywaymanagetopinhimagainstthewalltillhelpcame！
OncemoreIdashedmyhardestangleagainsthim，atthesametimealarmingthewholehouseholdbymycriesforaid。Ibelieve，atthemomentofmyonset，theStrangerhadsunkbelowourPlane，andreallyfounddifficultyinrising。Inanycaseheremainedmotionless，whileI，hearing，asIthought，thesoundofsomehelpapproaching，pressedagainsthimwithredoubledvigour，andcontinuedtoshoutforassistance。
AconvulsiveshudderranthroughtheSphere。\"Thismustnotbe，\"
IthoughtIheardhimsay：\"eitherhemustlistentoreason，orImusthaverecoursetothelastresourceofcivilization。\"
Then，addressingmeinaloudertone，hehurriedlyexclaimed，\"Listen：nostrangermustwitnesswhatyouhavewitnessed。
SendyourWifebackatonce，beforesheenterstheapartment。
TheGospelofThreeDimensionsmustnotbethusfrustrated。
Notthusmustthefruitsofonethousandyearsofwaitingbethrownaway。Ihearhercoming。Back！back！Awayfromme，oryoumustgowithme——whitheryouknownot——intotheLandofThreeDimensions！\"
\"Fool！Madman！Irregular！\"Iexclaimed;\"neverwillIreleasethee;
thoushaltpaythepenaltyofthineimpostures。\"
\"Ha！Isitcometothis？\"thunderedtheStranger：\"thenmeetyourfate：outofyourPlaneyougo。Once，twice，thrice！
’Tisdone！\"
Section18。HowIcametoSpaceland，andwhatIsawthereAnunspeakablehorrorseizedme。Therewasadarkness;
thenadizzy，sickeningsensationofsightthatwasnotlikeseeing;
IsawaLinethatwasnoLine;SpacethatwasnotSpace：
Iwasmyself，andnotmyself。WhenIcouldfindvoice，Ishriekedaloudinagony，\"EitherthisismadnessoritisHell。\"
\"Itisneither，\"calmlyrepliedthevoiceoftheSphere，\"itisKnowledge;itisThreeDimensions：openyoureyeonceagainandtrytolooksteadily。\"
Ilooked，and，behold，anewworld！Therestoodbeforeme，visiblyincorporate，allthatIhadbeforeinferred，conjectured，dreamed，ofperfectCircularbeauty。WhatseemedthecentreoftheStranger’sformlayopentomyview：yetIcouldseenoheart，norlungs，norarteries，onlyabeautifulharmoniousSomething——
forwhichIhadnowords;butyou，myReadersinSpaceland，wouldcallitthesurfaceoftheSphere。
ProstratingmyselfmentallybeforemyGuide，Icried，\"Howisit，OdivineidealofconsummatelovelinessandwisdomthatIseethyinside，andyetcannotdiscernthyheart，thylungs，thyarteries，thyliver？\"\"Whatyouthinkyousee，youseenot，\"hereplied;
\"itisnotgiventoyou，nortoanyotherBeingtobeholdmyinternalparts。IamofadifferentorderofBeingsfromthoseinFlatland。WereIaCircle，youcoulddiscernmyintestines，butIamaBeing，composedasItoldyoubefore，ofmanyCircles，theManyintheOne，calledinthiscountryaSphere。And，justastheoutsideofaCubeisaSquare，sotheoutsideofaSpherepresentstheappearanceofaCircle。\"
BewilderedthoughIwasbymyTeacher’senigmaticutterance，Inolongerchafedagainstit，butworshippedhiminsilentadoration。
Hecontinued，withmoremildnessinhisvoice。\"DistressnotyourselfifyoucannotatfirstunderstandthedeepermysteriesofSpaceland。
Bydegreestheywilldawnuponyou。Letusbeginbycastingbackaglanceattheregionwhenceyoucame。ReturnwithmeawhiletotheplainsofFlatland，andIwillshewyouthatwhichyouhaveoftenreasonedandthoughtabout，butneverseenwiththesenseofsight——avisibleangle。\"\"Impossible！\"Icried;
but，theSphereleadingtheway，Ifollowedasifinadream，tilloncemorehisvoicearrestedme：\"Lookyonder，andbeholdyourownPentagonalhouse，andallitsinmates。\"
Ilookedbelow，andsawwithmyphysicaleyeallthatdomesticindividualitywhichIhadhithertomerelyinferredwiththeunderstanding。AndhowpoorandshadowywastheinferredconjectureincomparisonwiththerealitywhichInowbeheld！
MyfourSonscalmlyasleepintheNorth-Westernrooms，mytwoorphanGrandsonstotheSouth;theServants，theButler，myDaughter，allintheirseveralapartments。OnlymyaffectionateWife，alarmedbymycontinuedabsence，hadquittedherroomandwasrovingupanddownintheHall，anxiouslyawaitingmyreturn。AlsothePage，arousedbymycries，hadlefthisroom，andunderpretextofascertainingwhetherIhadfallensomewhereinafaint，waspryingintothecabinetinmystudy。
AllthisIcouldnowSEE，notmerelyinfer;andaswecamenearerandnearer，Icoulddiscerneventhecontentsofmycabinet，andthetwochestsofgold，andthetabletsofwhichtheSpherehadmademention。
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PolicemanPolicemanTouchedbymyWife’sdistress，Iwouldhavesprungdownwardtoreassureher，butIfoundmyselfincapableofmotion。
\"TroublenotyourselfaboutyourWife，\"saidmyGuide：
\"shewillnotbelongleftinanxiety;meantime，letustakeasurveyofFlatland。\"
OncemoreIfeltmyselfrisingthroughspace。ItwasevenastheSpherehadsaid。Thefurtherwerecededfromtheobjectwebeheld，thelargerbecamethefieldofvision。Mynativecity，withtheinteriorofeveryhouseandeverycreaturetherein，layopentomyviewinminiature。Wemountedhigher，andlo，thesecretsoftheearth，thedepthsofminesandinmostcavernsofthehills，werebaredbeforeme。
Awestruckatthesightofthemysteriesoftheearth，thusunveiledbeforemyunworthyeye，IsaidtomyCompanion，\"Behold，IambecomeasaGod。Forthewisemeninourcountrysaythattoseeallthings，orastheyexpressit，OMNIVIDENCE，istheattributeofGodalone。\"TherewassomethingofscorninthevoiceofmyTeacherashemadeanswer：\"Isitsoindeed？
Thentheverypick-pocketsandcut-throatsofmycountryaretobeworshippedbyyourwisemenasbeingGods：
forthereisnotoneofthemthatdoesnotseeasmuchasyouseenow。
Buttrustme，yourwisemenarewrong。\"
I。ThenisomnividencetheattributeofothersbesidesGods？
SPHERE。Idonotknow。But，ifapick-pocketoracut-throatofourcountrycanseeeverythingthatisinyourcountry，surelythatisnoreasonwhythepick-pocketorcut-throatshouldbeacceptedbyyouasaGod。Thisomnividence，asyoucallit——
itisnotacommonwordinSpaceland——doesitmakeyoumorejust，moremerciful，lessselfish，moreloving？Notintheleast。
Thenhowdoesitmakeyoumoredivine？
I。\"Moremerciful，moreloving！\"Butthesearethequalitiesofwomen！AndweknowthataCircleisahigherBeingthanaStraightLine，insofarasknowledgeandwisdomaremoretobeesteemedthanmereaffection。
SPHERE。Itisnotformetoclassifyhumanfacultiesaccordingtomerit。YetmanyofthebestandwisestinSpacelandthinkmoreoftheaffectionsthanoftheunderstanding，moreofyourdespisedStraightLinesthanofyourbelaudedCircles。Butenoughofthis。
Lookyonder。Doyouknowthatbuilding？
Ilooked，andafaroffIsawanimmensePolygonalstructure，inwhichIrecognizedtheGeneralAssemblyHalloftheStatesofFlatland，surroundedbydenselinesofPentagonalbuildingsatrightanglestoeachother，whichIknewtobestreets;andIperceivedthatIwasapproachingthegreatMetropolis。
\"Herewedescend，\"saidmyGuide。Itwasnowmorning，thefirsthourofthefirstdayofthetwothousandthyearofourera。
Acting，aswastheirwont，instrictaccordancewithprecedent，thehighestCirclesoftherealmweremeetinginsolemnconclave，astheyhadmetonthefirsthourofthefirstdayoftheyear1000，andalsoonthefirsthourofthefirstdayoftheyear0。
TheminutesofthepreviousmeetingswerenowreadbyonewhomI
atoncerecognizedasmybrother，aperfectlySymmetricalSquare，andtheChiefClerkoftheHighCouncil。Itwasfoundrecordedoneachoccasionthat：\"WhereastheStateshadbeentroubledbydiversill-intentionedpersonspretendingtohavereceivedrevelationsfromanotherWorld，andprofessingtoproducedemonstrationswherebytheyhadinstigatedtofrenzyboththemselvesandothers，ithadbeenforthiscauseunanimouslyresolvedbytheGrandCouncilthatonthefirstdayofeachmillenary，specialinjunctionsbesenttothePrefectsintheseveraldistrictsofFlatland，tomakestrictsearchforsuchmisguidedpersons，andwithoutformalityofmathematicalexamination，todestroyallsuchaswereIsoscelesofanydegree，toscourgeandimprisonanyregularTriangle，tocauseanySquareorPentagontobesenttothedistrictAsylum，andtoarrestanyoneofhigherrank，sendinghimstraightwaytotheCapitaltobeexaminedandjudgedbytheCouncil。\"
\"Youhearyourfate，\"saidtheSpheretome，whiletheCouncilwaspassingforthethirdtimetheformalresolution。
\"DeathorimprisonmentawaitstheApostleoftheGospelofThreeDimensions。\"\"Notso，\"repliedI，\"thematterisnowsocleartome，thenatureofrealspacesopalpable，thatmethinksIcouldmakeachildunderstandit。Permitmebuttodescendatthismomentandenlightenthem。\"\"Notyet，\"saidmyGuide，\"thetimewillcomeforthat。MeantimeImustperformmymission。
Staythouthereinthyplace。\"Sayingthesewords，heleapedwithgreatdexterityintothesea（ifImaysocallit）
ofFlatland，rightinthemidstoftheringofCounsellors。\"Icome，\"
criedhe，\"toproclaimthatthereisalandofThreeDimensions。\"
IcouldseemanyoftheyoungerCounsellorsstartbackinmanifesthorror，astheSphere’scircularsectionwidenedbeforethem。ButonasignfromthepresidingCircle——whoshewednottheslightestalarmorsurprise——sixIsoscelesofalowtypefromsixdifferentquartersrushedupontheSphere。
\"Wehavehim，\"theycried;\"No;yes;wehavehimstill！he’sgoing！
he’sgone！\"
\"MyLords，\"saidthePresidenttotheJuniorCirclesoftheCouncil，\"thereisnottheslightestneedforsurprise;thesecretarchives，towhichIalonehaveaccess，tellmethatasimilaroccurrencehappenedonthelasttwomillennialcommencements。Youwill，ofcourse，saynothingofthesetriflesoutsidetheCabinet。\"
Raisinghisvoice，henowsummonedtheguards。\"Arrestthepolicemen;
gagthem。Youknowyourduty。\"Afterhehadconsignedtotheirfatethewretchedpolicemen——ill-fatedandunwillingwitnessesofaState-secretwhichtheywerenottobepermittedtoreveal——
heagainaddressedtheCounsellors。\"MyLords，thebusinessoftheCouncilbeingconcluded，IhaveonlytowishyouahappyNewYear。\"Beforedeparting，heexpressed，atsomelength，totheClerk，myexcellentbutmostunfortunatebrother，hissincereregretthat，inaccordancewithprecedentandforthesakeofsecrecy，hemustcondemnhimtoperpetualimprisonment，butaddedhissatisfactionthat，unlesssomementionweremadebyhimofthatday’sincident，hislifewouldbespared。
Section19。How，thoughtheSphereshewedmeothermysteriesofSpaceland，Istilldesiredmore;andwhatcameofitWhenIsawmypoorbrotherledawaytoimprisonment，IattemptedtoleapdownintotheCouncilChamber，desiringtointercedeonhisbehalf，oratleastbidhimfarewell。ButIfoundthatIhadnomotionofmyown。IabsolutelydependedonthevolitionofmyGuide，whosaidingloomytones，\"Heednotthybrother;
haplythoushalthaveampletimehereaftertocondolewithhim。
Followme。\"
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Oncemoreweascendedintospace。\"Hitherto，\"saidtheSphere，\"IhaveshewnyounaughtsavePlaneFiguresandtheirinteriors。
NowImustintroduceyoutoSolids，andrevealtoyoutheplanuponwhichtheyareconstructed。Beholdthismultitudeofmoveablesquarecards。See，Iputoneonanother，not，asyousupposed，Northwardoftheother，butONtheother。
Nowasecond，nowathird。See，IambuildingupaSolidbyamultitudeofSquaresparalleltooneanother。NowtheSolidiscomplete，beingashighasitislongandbroad，andwecallitaCube。\"
\"Pardonme，myLord，\"repliedI;\"buttomyeyetheappearanceisasofanIrregularFigurewhoseinsideislaidopentotheview;
inotherwords，methinksIseenoSolid，butaPlanesuchasweinferinFlatland;onlyofanIrregularitywhichbetokenssomemonstrouscriminal，sothattheverysightofitispainfultomyeyes。\"
\"True，\"saidtheSphere，\"itappearstoyouaPlane，becauseyouarenotaccustomedtolightandshadeandperspective;
justasinFlatlandaHexagonwouldappearaStraightLinetoonewhohasnottheArtofSightRecognition。ButinrealityitisaSolid，asyoushalllearnbythesenseofFeeling。\"
HethenintroducedmetotheCube，andIfoundthatthismarvellousBeingwasindeednoPlane，butaSolid;andthathewasendowedwithsixplanesidesandeightterminalpointscalledsolidangles;andIrememberedthesayingoftheSpherethatjustsuchaCreatureasthiswouldbeformedbyaSquaremoving，inSpace，paralleltohimself：andIrejoicedtothinkthatsoinsignificantaCreatureasIcouldinsomesensebecalledtheProgenitorofsoillustriousanoffspring。
ButstillIcouldnotfullyunderstandthemeaningofwhatmyTeacherhadtoldmeconcerning\"light\"and\"shade\"and\"perspective\";
andIdidnothesitatetoputmydifficultiesbeforehim。
WereItogivetheSphere’sexplanationofthesematters，succinctandclearthoughitwas，itwouldbetedioustoaninhabitantofSpace，whoknowsthesethingsalready。Sufficeit，thatbyhislucidstatements，andbychangingthepositionofobjectsandlights，andbyallowingmetofeeltheseveralobjectsandevenhisownsacredPerson，heatlastmadeallthingscleartome，sothatIcouldnowreadilydistinguishbetweenaCircleandaSphere，aPlaneFigureandaSolid。
ThiswastheClimax，theParadise，ofmystrangeeventfulHistory。
HenceforthIhavetorelatethestoryofmymiserableFall：——
mostmiserable，yetsurelymostundeserved！Forwhyshouldthethirstforknowledgebearoused，onlytobedisappointedandpunished？
Myvolitionshrinksfromthepainfultaskofrecallingmyhumiliation;
yet，likeasecondPrometheus，Iwillendurethisandworse，ifbyanymeansImayarouseintheinteriorsofPlaneandSolidHumanityaspiritofrebellionagainsttheConceitwhichwouldlimitourDimensionstoTwoorThreeoranynumbershortofInfinity。
Awaythenwithallpersonalconsiderations！Letmecontinuetotheend，asIbegan，withoutfurtherdigressionsoranticipations，pursuingtheplainpathofdispassionateHistory。Theexactfacts，theexactwords，——andtheyareburntinuponmybrain，——
shallbesetdownwithoutalterationofaniota;andletmyReadersjudgebetweenmeandDestiny。
TheSpherewouldwillinglyhavecontinuedhislessonsbyindoctrinatingmeintheconformationofallregularSolids，Cylinders，Cones，Pyramids，Pentahedrons，Hexahedrons，Dodecahedrons，andSpheres：butIventuredtointerrupthim。NotthatIwasweariedofknowledge。Onthecontrary，Ithirstedforyetdeeperandfullerdraughtsthanhewasofferingtome。
\"Pardonme，\"saidI，\"OThouWhomImustnolongeraddressasthePerfectionofallBeauty;butletmebegtheetovouchsafethyservantasightofthineinterior。\"
SPHERE。Mywhat？
I。Thineinterior：thystomach，thyintestines。
SPHERE。Whencethisill-timedimpertinentrequest？AndwhatmeanyoubysayingthatIamnolongerthePerfectionofallBeauty？
I。MyLord，yourownwisdomhastaughtmetoaspiretoOneevenmoregreat，morebeautiful，andmorecloselyapproximatetoPerfectionthanyourself。Asyouyourself，superiortoallFlatlandforms，combinemanyCirclesinOne，sodoubtlessthereisOneaboveyouwhocombinesmanySpheresinOneSupremeExistence，surpassingeventheSolidsofSpaceland。Andevenaswe，whoarenowinSpace，lookdownonFlatlandandseetheinsidesofallthings，soofacertaintythereisyetaboveussomehigher，purerregion，whitherthoudostsurelypurposetoleadme——
OThouWhomIshallalwayscall，everywhereandinallDimensions，myPriest，Philosopher，andFriend——someyetmorespaciousSpace，somemoredimensionableDimensionality，fromthevantage-groundofwhichweshalllookdowntogetherupontherevealedinsidesofSolidthings，andwherethineownintestines，andthoseofthykindredSpheres，willlieexposedtotheviewofthepoorwanderingexilefromFlatland，towhomsomuchhasalreadybeenvouchsafed。
SPHERE。Pooh！Stuff！Enoughofthistrifling！Thetimeisshort，andmuchremainstobedonebeforeyouarefittoproclaimtheGospelofThreeDimensionstoyourblindbenightedcountrymeninFlatland。
I。Nay，graciousTeacher，denymenotwhatIknowitisinthypowertoperform。Grantmebutoneglimpseofthineinterior，andIamsatisfiedforever，remaininghenceforththydocilepupil，thyunemancipableslave，readytoreceiveallthyteachingsandtofeeduponthewordsthatfallfromthylips。
SPHERE。Well，then，tocontentandsilenceyou，letmesayatonce，IwouldshewyouwhatyouwishifIcould;butIcannot。
Wouldyouhavemeturnmystomachinsideouttoobligeyou？
I。ButmyLordhasshewnmetheintestinesofallmycountrymenintheLandofTwoDimensionsbytakingmewithhimintotheLandofThree。WhatthereforemoreeasythannowtotakehisservantonasecondjourneyintotheblessedregionoftheFourthDimension，whereIshalllookdownwithhimoncemoreuponthislandofThreeDimensions，andseetheinsideofeverythree-dimensionedhouse，thesecretsofthesolidearth，thetreasuresoftheminesinSpaceland，andtheintestinesofeverysolidlivingcreature，evenofthenobleandadorableSpheres。
SPHERE。ButwhereisthislandofFourDimensions？
I。Iknownot：butdoubtlessmyTeacherknows。
SPHERE。NotI。Thereisnosuchland。Theveryideaofitisutterlyinconceivable。
I。Notinconceivable，myLord，tome，andthereforestilllessinconceivabletomyMaster。Nay，Idespairnotthat，evenhere，inthisregionofThreeDimensions，yourLordship’sartmaymaketheFourthDimensionvisibletome;justasintheLandofTwoDimensionsmyTeacher’sskillwouldfainhaveopenedtheeyesofhisblindservanttotheinvisiblepresenceofaThirdDimension，thoughIsawitnot。
Letmerecallthepast。WasInottaughtbelowthatwhenIsawaLineandinferredaPlane，IinrealitysawaThirdunrecognizedDimension，notthesameasbrightness，called\"height\"？Anddoesitnotnowfollowthat，inthisregion，whenIseeaPlaneandinferaSolid，IreallyseeaFourthunrecognizedDimension，notthesameascolour，butexistent，thoughinfinitesimalandincapableofmeasurement？
Andbesidesthis，thereistheArgumentfromAnalogyofFigures。
SPHERE。Analogy！Nonsense：whatanalogy？
I。YourLordshiptemptshisservanttoseewhetherherememberstherevelationsimpartedtohim。Triflenotwithme，myLord;
Icrave，Ithirst，formoreknowledge。DoubtlesswecannotSEE
thatotherhigherSpacelandnow，becausewewehavenoeyeinourstomachs。But，justasthereWAStherealmofFlatland，thoughthatpoorpunyLinelandMonarchcouldneitherturntoleftnorrighttodiscernit，andjustasthereWAScloseathand，andtouchingmyframe，thelandofThreeDimensions，thoughI，blindsenselesswretch，hadnopowertotouchit，noeyeinmyinteriortodiscernit，soofasuretythereisaFourthDimension，whichmyLordperceiveswiththeinnereyeofthought。AndthatitmustexistmyLordhimselfhastaughtme。
Orcanhehaveforgottenwhathehimselfimpartedtohisservant？
InOneDimension，didnotamovingPointproduceaLinewithTWOterminalpoints？
InTwoDimensions，didnotamovingLineproduceaSquarewithFOURterminalpoints？
InThreeDimensions，didnotamovingSquareproduce——
didnotthiseyeofminebeholdit——thatblessedBeing，aCube，withEIGHTterminalpoints？
AndinFourDimensionsshallnotamovingCube——alas，forAnalogy，andalasfortheProgressofTruth，ifitbenotso——shallnot，Isay，themotionofadivineCuberesultinastillmoredivineOrganizationwithSIXTEENterminalpoints？
BeholdtheinfallibleconfirmationoftheSeries，2，4，8，16：
isnotthisaGeometricalProgression？Isnotthis——ifImightquotemyLord’sownwords——\"strictlyaccordingtoAnalogy\"？
Again，wasInottaughtbymyLordthatasinaLinethereareTWOboundingPoints，andinaSquarethereareFOUR
boundingLines，soinaCubetheremustbeSIXboundingSquares？
BeholdoncemoretheconfirmingSeries，2，4，6：isnotthisanArithmeticalProgression？AndconsequentlydoesitnotofnecessityfollowthatthemoredivineoffspringofthedivineCubeintheLandofFourDimensions，musthave8boundingCubes：
andisnotthisalso，asmyLordhastaughtmetobelieve，\"strictlyaccordingtoAnalogy\"？
O，myLord，myLord，behold，Icastmyselfinfaithuponconjecture，notknowingthefacts;andIappealtoyourLordshiptoconfirmordenymylogicalanticipations。IfIamwrong，Iyield，andwillnolongerdemandafourthDimension;but，ifIamright，myLordwilllistentoreason。
Iasktherefore，isit，orisitnot，thefact，thaterenowyourcountrymenalsohavewitnessedthedescentofBeingsofahigherorderthantheirown，enteringclosedrooms，evenasyourLordshipenteredmine，withouttheopeningofdoorsorwindows，andappearingandvanishingatwill？OnthereplytothisquestionIamreadytostakeeverything。Denyit，andIamhenceforthsilent。Onlyvouchsafeananswer。
SPHERE。（AFTERAPAUSE）。Itisreportedso。Butmenaredividedinopinionastothefacts。Andevengrantingthefacts，theyexplainthemindifferentways。Andinanycase，howevergreatmaybethenumberofdifferentexplanations，noonehasadoptedorsuggestedthetheoryofaFourthDimension。
Therefore，prayhavedonewiththistrifling，andletusreturntobusiness。
I。Iwascertainofit。Iwascertainthatmyanticipationswouldbefulfilled。Andnowhavepatiencewithmeandanswermeyetonemorequestion，bestofTeachers！Thosewhohavethusappeared——
nooneknowswhence——andhavereturned——nooneknowswhither——
havetheyalsocontractedtheirsectionsandvanishedsomehowintothatmoreSpaciousSpace，whitherInowentreatyoutoconductme？
SPHERE（MOODILY）。Theyhavevanished，certainly——
iftheyeverappeared。Butmostpeoplesaythatthesevisionsarosefromthethought——youwillnotunderstandme——fromthebrain;
fromtheperturbedangularityoftheSeer。
I。Saytheyso？Oh，believethemnot。Orifitindeedbeso，thatthisotherSpaceisreallyThoughtland，thentakemetothatblessedRegionwhereIinThoughtshallseetheinsidesofallsolidthings。There，beforemyravishedeye，aCube，movinginsomealtogethernewdirection，butstrictlyaccordingtoAnalogy，soastomakeeveryparticleofhisinteriorpassthroughanewkindofSpace，withawakeofitsown——shallcreateastillmoreperfectperfectionthanhimself，withsixteenterminalExtra-solidangles，andEightsolidCubesforhisPerimeter。
Andoncethere，shallwestayourupwardcourse？InthatblessedregionofFourDimensions，shallwelingeronthethresholdoftheFifth，andnotentertherein？Ah，no！Letusratherresolvethatourambitionshallsoarwithourcorporalascent。Then，yieldingtoourintellectualonset，thegatesoftheSixthDimensionshallflyopen;afterthataSeventh，andthenanEighth——
HowlongIshouldhavecontinuedIknownot。InvaindidtheSphere，inhisvoiceofthunder，reiteratehiscommandofsilence，andthreatenmewiththedirestpenaltiesifIpersisted。
Nothingcouldstemthefloodofmyecstaticaspirations。
PerhapsIwastoblame;butindeedIwasintoxicatedwiththerecentdraughtsofTruthtowhichhehimselfhadintroducedme。
However，theendwasnotlongincoming。Mywordswerecutshortbyacrashoutside，andasimultaneouscrashinsideme，whichimpelledmethroughspacewithavelocitythatprecludedspeech。
Down！down！down！Iwasrapidlydescending;andIknewthatreturntoFlatlandwasmydoom。Oneglimpse，onelastandnever-to-be-forgottenglimpseIhadofthatdulllevelwilderness——whichwasnowtobecomemyUniverseagain——
spreadoutbeforemyeye。Thenadarkness。Thenafinal，all-consummatingthunder-peal;and，whenIcametomyself，IwasoncemoreacommoncreepingSquare，inmyStudyathome，listeningtothePeace-CryofmyapproachingWife。
Section20。HowtheSphereencouragedmeinaVisionAlthoughIhadlessthanaminuteforreflection，Ifelt，byakindofinstinct，thatImustconcealmyexperiencesfrommyWife。
NotthatIapprehended，atthemoment，anydangerfromherdivulgingmysecret，butIknewthattoanyWomaninFlatlandthenarrativeofmyadventuresmustneedsbeunintelligible。
SoIendeavouredtoreassureherbysomestory，inventedfortheoccasion，thatIhadaccidentallyfallenthroughthetrap-doorofthecellar，andhadtherelainstunned。
TheSouthwardattractioninourcountryissoslightthateventoaWomanmytalenecessarilyappearedextraordinaryandwell-nighincredible;butmyWife，whosegoodsensefarexceedsthatoftheaverageofherSex，andwhoperceivedthatIwasunusuallyexcited，didnotarguewithmeonthesubject，butinsistedthatIwasillandrequiredrepose。Iwasgladofanexcuseforretiringtomychambertothinkquietlyoverwhathadhappened。WhenIwasatlastbymyself，adrowsysensationfellonme;butbeforemyeyesclosedIendeavouredtoreproducetheThirdDimension，andespeciallytheprocessbywhichaCubeisconstructedthroughthemotionofaSquare。ItwasnotsoclearasIcouldhavewished;butIrememberedthatitmustbe\"Upward，andyetnotNorthward\"，andIdeterminedsteadfastlytoretainthesewordsasthecluewhich，iffirmlygrasped，couldnotfailtoguidemetothesolution。Somechanicallyrepeating，likeacharm，thewords，\"Upward，yetnotNorthward\"，Ifellintoasoundrefreshingsleep。
DuringmyslumberIhadadream。IthoughtIwasoncemorebythesideoftheSphere，whoselustroushuebetokenedthathehadexchangedhiswrathagainstmeforperfectplacability。WeweremovingtogethertowardsabrightbutinfinitesimallysmallPoint，towhichmyMasterdirectedmyattention。Asweapproached，methoughtthereissuedfromitaslighthummingnoiseasfromoneofyourSpacelandbluebottles，onlylessresonantbyfar，soslightindeedthatevenintheperfectstillnessoftheVacuumthroughwhichwesoared，thesoundreachednotourearstillwecheckedourflightatadistancefromitofsomethingundertwentyhumandiagonals。
\"Lookyonder，\"saidmyGuide，\"inFlatlandthouhastlived;
ofLinelandthouhastreceivedavision;thouhastsoaredwithmetotheheightsofSpaceland;now，inordertocompletetherangeofthyexperience，Iconducttheedownwardtothelowestdepthofexistence，eventotherealmofPointland，theAbyssofNodimensions。
\"Beholdyonmiserablecreature。ThatPointisaBeinglikeourselves，butconfinedtothenon-dimensionalGulf。HeishimselfhisownWorld，hisownUniverse;ofanyotherthanhimselfhecanformnoconception;heknowsnotLength，norBreadth，norHeight，forhehashadnoexperienceofthem;hehasnocognizanceevenofthenumberTwo;norhasheathoughtofPlurality;
forheishimselfhisOneandAll，beingreallyNothing。
Yetmarkhisperfectself-contentment，andhencelearnthislesson，thattobeself-contentedistobevileandignorant，andthattoaspireisbetterthantobeblindlyandimpotentlyhappy。
Nowlisten。\"
Heceased;andtherearosefromthelittlebuzzingcreatureatiny，low，monotonous，butdistincttinkling，asfromoneofyourSpacelandphonographs，fromwhichIcaughtthesewords，\"Infinitebeatitudeofexistence！Itis;andthereisnoneelsebesideIt。\"
\"What，\"saidI，\"doesthepunycreaturemeanby’it’？\"
\"Hemeanshimself，\"saidtheSphere：\"haveyounotnoticedbeforenow，thatbabiesandbabyishpeoplewhocannotdistinguishthemselvesfromtheworld，speakofthemselvesintheThirdPerson？
Buthush！\"
\"ItfillsallSpace，\"continuedthelittlesoliloquizingCreature，\"andwhatItfills，Itis。WhatItthinks，thatItutters;
andwhatItutters，thatIthears;andItitselfisThinker，Utterer，Hearer，Thought，Word，Audition;itistheOne，andyettheAllinAll。Ah，thehappinessah，thehappinessofBeing！\"
\"Canyounotstartlethelittlethingoutofitscomplacency？\"saidI。
\"Tellitwhatitreallyis，asyoutoldme;revealtoitthenarrowlimitationsofPointland，andleadituptosomethinghigher。\"\"Thatisnoeasytask，\"saidmyMaster;\"tryyou。\"
Hereon，raisingmyvoicetotheuttermost，IaddressedthePointasfollows：
\"Silence，silence，contemptibleCreature。YoucallyourselftheAllinAll，butyouaretheNothing：yourso-calledUniverseisamerespeckinaLine，andaLineisamereshadowascomparedwith——\"\"Hush，hush，youhavesaidenough，\"
interruptedtheSphere，\"nowlisten，andmarktheeffectofyourharangueontheKingofPointland。\"
ThelustreoftheMonarch，whobeamedmorebrightlythaneveruponhearingmywords，shewedclearlythatheretainedhiscomplacency;
andIhadhardlyceasedwhenhetookuphisstrainagain。
\"Ah，thejoy，ah，thejoyofThought！WhatcanItnotachievebythinking！ItsownThoughtcomingtoItself，suggestiveofItsdisparagement，therebytoenhanceItshappiness！Sweetrebellionstirreduptoresultintriumph！Ah，thedivinecreativepoweroftheAllinOne！Ah，thejoy，thejoyofBeing！\"
\"Yousee，\"saidmyTeacher，\"howlittleyourwordshavedone。SofarastheMonarchunderstandsthematall，heacceptsthemashisown——
forhecannotconceiveofanyotherexcepthimself——
andplumeshimselfuponthevarietyof’ItsThought’asaninstanceofcreativePower。LetusleavethisGodofPointlandtotheignorantfruitionofhisomnipresenceandomniscience：nothingthatyouorI
candocanrescuehimfromhisself-satisfaction。\"
Afterthis，aswefloatedgentlybacktoFlatland，IcouldhearthemildvoiceofmyCompanionpointingthemoralofmyvision，andstimulatingmetoaspire，andtoteachotherstoaspire。
Hehadbeenangeredatfirst——heconfessed——bymyambitiontosoartoDimensionsabovetheThird;but，sincethen，hehadreceivedfreshinsight，andhewasnottooproudtoacknowledgehiserrortoaPupil。ThenheproceededtoinitiatemeintomysteriesyethigherthanthoseIhadwitnessed，shewingmehowtoconstructExtra-SolidsbythemotionofSolids，andDoubleExtra-SolidsbythemotionofExtra-Solids，andall\"strictlyaccordingtoAnalogy\"，allbymethodssosimple，soeasy，astobepatenteventotheFemaleSex。
Section21。HowItriedtoteachtheTheoryofThreeDimensionstomyGrandson，andwithwhatsuccessIawokerejoicing，andbegantoreflectonthegloriouscareerbeforeme。Iwouldgoforth，methought，atonce，andevangelizethewholeofFlatland。EventoWomenandSoldiersshouldtheGospelofThreeDimensionsbeproclaimed。IwouldbeginwithmyWife。
JustasIhaddecidedontheplanofmyoperations，Iheardthesoundofmanyvoicesinthestreetcommandingsilence。
Thenfollowedaloudervoice。Itwasaherald’sproclamation。
Listeningattentively，IrecognizedthewordsoftheResolutionoftheCouncil，enjoiningthearrest，imprisonment，orexecutionofanyonewhoshouldpervertthemindsofthepeoplebydelusions，andbyprofessingtohavereceivedrevelationsfromanotherWorld。
Ireflected。Thisdangerwasnottobetrifledwith。ItwouldbebettertoavoiditbyomittingallmentionofmyRevelation，andbyproceedingonthepathofDemonstration——whichafterall，seemedsosimpleandsoconclusivethatnothingwouldbelostbydiscardingtheformermeans。\"Upward，notNorthward\"——
wasthecluetothewholeproof。IthadseemedtomefairlyclearbeforeIfellasleep;andwhenIfirstawoke，freshfrommydream，ithadappearedaspatentasArithmetic;butsomehowitdidnotseemtomequitesoobviousnow。ThoughmyWifeenteredtheroomopportunelyjustatthatmoment，Idecided，afterwehadexchangedafewwordsofcommonplaceconversation，nottobeginwithher。
MyPentagonalSonsweremenofcharacterandstanding，andphysiciansofnomeanreputation，butnotgreatinmathematics，and，inthatrespect，unfitformypurpose。ButitoccurredtomethatayounganddocileHexagon，withamathematicalturn，wouldbeamostsuitablepupil。WhythereforenotmakemyfirstexperimentwithmylittleprecociousGrandson，whosecasualremarksonthemeaningof3^3hadmetwiththeapprovaloftheSphere？Discussingthematterwithhim，amereboy，Ishouldbeinperfectsafety;forhewouldknownothingoftheProclamationoftheCouncil;whereasIcouldnotfeelsurethatmySons——sogreatlydidtheirpatriotismandreverencefortheCirclespredominateovermereblindaffection——
mightnotfeelcompelledtohandmeovertothePrefect，iftheyfoundmeseriouslymaintainingtheseditiousheresyoftheThirdDimension。
ButthefirstthingtobedonewastosatisfyinsomewaythecuriosityofmyWife，whonaturallywishedtoknowsomethingofthereasonsforwhichtheCirclehaddesiredthatmysteriousinterview，andofthemeansbywhichhehadenteredthehouse。WithoutenteringintothedetailsoftheelaborateaccountIgaveher，——anaccount，Ifear，notquitesoconsistentwithtruthasmyReadersinSpacelandmightdesire，——ImustbecontentwithsayingthatIsucceededatlastinpersuadinghertoreturnquietlytoherhouseholddutieswithoutelicitingfrommeanyreferencetotheWorldofThreeDimensions。Thisdone，IimmediatelysentformyGrandson;
for，toconfessthetruth，IfeltthatallthatIhadseenandheardwasinsomestrangewayslippingawayfromme，liketheimageofahalf-grasped，tantalizingdream，andIlongedtoessaymyskillinmakingafirstdisciple。
WhenmyGrandsonenteredtheroomIcarefullysecuredthedoor。
Then，sittingdownbyhissideandtakingourmathematicaltablets，——or，asyouwouldcallthem，Lines——Itoldhimwewouldresumethelessonofyesterday。ItaughthimoncemorehowaPointbymotioninOneDimensionproducesaLine，andhowastraightLineinTwoDimensionsproducesaSquare。Afterthis，forcingalaugh，Isaid，\"Andnow，youscamp，youwantedtomakemebelievethataSquaremayinthesamewaybymotion’Upward，notNorthward’
produceanotherfigure，asortofextraSquareinThreeDimensions。
Saythatagain，youyoungrascal。\"
Atthismomentweheardoncemoretheherald’s\"Oyes！Oyes！\"
outsideinthestreetproclaimingtheResolutionoftheCouncil。
Youngthoughhewas，myGrandson——whowasunusuallyintelligentforhisage，andbredupinperfectreverencefortheauthorityoftheCircles——tookinthesituationwithanacutenessforwhichIwasquiteunprepared。HeremainedsilenttillthelastwordsoftheProclamationhaddiedaway，andthen，burstingintotears，\"DearGrandpapa，\"hesaid，\"thatwasonlymyfun，andofcourseImeantnothingatallbyit;andwedidnotknowanythingthenaboutthenewLaw;andIdon’tthinkIsaidanythingabouttheThirdDimension;andIamsureIdidnotsayonewordabout’Upward，notNorthward’，forthatwouldbesuchnonsense，youknow。HowcouldathingmoveUpward，andnotNorthward？
UpwardandnotNorthward！EvenifIwereababy，Icouldnotbesoabsurdasthat。Howsillyitis！Ha！ha！ha！\"
\"Notatallsilly，\"saidI，losingmytemper;\"hereforexample，ItakethisSquare，\"and，attheword，IgraspedamoveableSquare，whichwaslyingathand——\"andImoveit，yousee，notNorthwardbut——yes，ImoveitUpward——thatistosay，notNorthward，butImoveitsomewhere——notexactlylikethis，butsomehow——\"
HereIbroughtmysentencetoaninaneconclusion，shakingtheSquareaboutinapurposelessmanner，muchtotheamusementofmyGrandson，whoburstoutlaughinglouderthanever，anddeclaredthatIwasnotteachinghim，butjokingwithhim;andsosayingheunlockedthedoorandranoutoftheroom。ThusendedmyfirstattempttoconvertapupiltotheGospelofThreeDimensions。
Section22。HowIthentriedtodiffusetheTheoryofThreeDimensionsbyothermeans，andoftheresultMyfailurewithmyGrandsondidnotencouragemetocommunicatemysecrettoothersofmyhousehold;yetneitherwasIledbyittodespairofsuccess。OnlyIsawthatImustnotwhollyrelyonthecatch-phrase，\"Upward，notNorthward\"，butmustratherendeavourtoseekademonstrationbysettingbeforethepublicaclearviewofthewholesubject;andforthispurposeitseemednecessarytoresorttowriting。
SoIdevotedseveralmonthsinprivacytothecompositionofatreatiseonthemysteriesofThreeDimensions。Only，withtheviewofevadingtheLaw，ifpossible，IspokenotofaphysicalDimension，butofaThoughtlandwhence，intheory，aFigurecouldlookdownuponFlatlandandseesimultaneouslytheinsidesofallthings，andwhereitwaspossiblethattheremightbesupposedtoexistaFigureenvironed，asitwere，withsixSquares，andcontainingeightterminalPoints。ButinwritingthisbookIfoundmyselfsadlyhamperedbytheimpossibilityofdrawingsuchdiagramsaswerenecessaryformypurpose;forofcourse，inourcountryofFlatland，therearenotabletsbutLines，andnodiagramsbutLines，allinonestraightLineandonlydistinguishablebydifferenceofsizeandbrightness;
sothat，whenIhadfinishedmytreatise（whichIentitled，\"ThroughFlatlandtoThoughtland\"）Icouldnotfeelcertainthatmanywouldunderstandmymeaning。
Meanwhilemylifewasunderacloud。Allpleasurespalleduponme;
allsightstantalizedandtemptedmetooutspokentreason，becauseIcouldnotbutcomparewhatIsawinTwoDimensionswithwhatitreallywasifseeninThree，andcouldhardlyrefrainfrommakingmycomparisonsaloud。IneglectedmyclientsandmyownbusinesstogivemyselftothecontemplationofthemysterieswhichIhadoncebeheld，yetwhichIcouldimparttonoone，andfounddailymoredifficulttoreproduceevenbeforemyownmentalvision。
Oneday，aboutelevenmonthsaftermyreturnfromSpaceland，ItriedtoseeaCubewithmyeyeclosed，butfailed;
andthoughIsucceededafterwards，Iwasnotthenquitecertain（norhaveIbeeneverafterwards）thatIhadexactlyrealizedtheoriginal。Thismadememoremelancholythanbefore，anddeterminedmetotakesomestep;yetwhat，Iknewnot。
IfeltthatIwouldhavebeenwillingtosacrificemylifefortheCause，iftherebyIcouldhaveproducedconviction。
ButifIcouldnotconvincemyGrandson，howcouldIconvincethehighestandmostdevelopedCirclesintheland？
Andyetattimesmyspiritwastoostrongforme，andIgaveventtodangerousutterances。AlreadyIwasconsideredheterodoxifnottreasonable，andIwaskeenlyalivetothedangerofmyposition;neverthelessIcouldnotattimesrefrainfromburstingoutintosuspiciousorhalf-seditiousutterances，evenamongthehighestPolygonalandCircularsociety。When，forexample，thequestionaroseaboutthetreatmentofthoselunaticswhosaidthattheyhadreceivedthepowerofseeingtheinsidesofthings，IwouldquotethesayingofanancientCircle，whodeclaredthatprophetsandinspiredpeoplearealwaysconsideredbythemajoritytobemad;andIcouldnothelpoccasionallydroppingsuchexpressionsas\"theeyethatdiscernstheinteriorsofthings\"，and\"theall-seeingland\";onceortwiceIevenletfalltheforbiddenterms\"theThirdandFourthDimensions\"。Atlast，tocompleteaseriesofminorindiscretions，atameetingofourLocalSpeculativeSocietyheldatthepalaceofthePrefecthimself，——someextremelysillypersonhavingreadanelaboratepaperexhibitingtheprecisereasonswhyProvidencehaslimitedthenumberofDimensionstoTwo，andwhytheattributeofomnividenceisassignedtotheSupremealone——IsofarforgotmyselfastogiveanexactaccountofthewholeofmyvoyagewiththeSphereintoSpace，andtotheAssemblyHallinourMetropolis，andthentoSpaceagain，andofmyreturnhome，andofeverythingthatIhadseenandheardinfactorvision。Atfirst，indeed，IpretendedthatIwasdescribingtheimaginaryexperiencesofafictitiousperson;
butmyenthusiasmsoonforcedmetothrowoffalldisguise，andfinally，inaferventperoration，IexhortedallmyhearerstodivestthemselvesofprejudiceandtobecomebelieversintheThirdDimension。
NeedIsaythatIwasatoncearrestedandtakenbeforetheCouncil？
Nextmorning，standingintheveryplacewherebutaveryfewmonthsagotheSpherehadstoodinmycompany，Iwasallowedtobeginandtocontinuemynarrationunquestionedanduninterrupted。
ButfromthefirstIforesawmyfate;forthePresident，notingthataguardofthebettersortofPolicemenwasinattendance，ofangularitylittle，ifatall，under55degrees，orderedthemtoberelievedbeforeIbeganmydefence，byaninferiorclassof2or3degrees。Iknewonlytoowellwhatthatmeant。
Iwastobeexecutedorimprisoned，andmystorywastobekeptsecretfromtheworldbythesimultaneousdestructionoftheofficialswhohadheardit;and，thisbeingthecase，thePresidentdesiredtosubstitutethecheaperforthemoreexpensivevictims。
AfterIhadconcludedmydefence，thePresident，perhapsperceivingthatsomeofthejuniorCircleshadbeenmovedbymyevidentearnestness，askedmetwoquestions：——
1。WhetherIcouldindicatethedirectionwhichImeantwhenIusedthewords\"Upward，notNorthward\"？
2。WhetherIcouldbyanydiagramsordescriptions（otherthantheenumerationofimaginarysidesandangles）indicatetheFigureIwaspleasedtocallaCube？
IdeclaredthatIcouldsaynothingmore，andthatImustcommitmyselftotheTruth，whosecausewouldsurelyprevailintheend。
ThePresidentrepliedthathequiteconcurredinmysentiment，andthatIcouldnotdobetter。Imustbesentencedtoperpetualimprisonment;butiftheTruthintendedthatIshouldemergefromprisonandevangelizetheworld，theTruthmightbetrustedtobringthatresulttopass。MeanwhileIshouldbesubjectedtonodiscomfortthatwasnotnecessarytoprecludeescape，and，unlessIforfeitedtheprivilegebymisconduct，Ishouldbeoccasionallypermittedtoseemybrotherwhohadprecededmetomyprison。
SevenyearshaveelapsedandIamstillaprisoner，and——ifIexcepttheoccasionalvisitsofmybrother——
debarredfromallcompanionshipsavethatofmyjailers。
MybrotherisoneofthebestofSquares，just，sensible，cheerful，andnotwithoutfraternalaffection;yetIconfessthatmyweeklyinterviews，atleastinonerespect，causemethebitterestpain。HewaspresentwhentheSpheremanifestedhimselfintheCouncilChamber;hesawtheSphere’schangingsections;
heheardtheexplanationofthephenomenathengiventotheCircles。
Sincethattime，scarcelyaweekhaspassedduringsevenwholeyears，withouthishearingfrommearepetitionofthepartIplayedinthatmanifestation，togetherwithampledescriptionsofallthephenomenainSpaceland，andtheargumentsfortheexistenceofSolidthingsderivablefromAnalogy。Yet——Itakeshametobeforcedtoconfessit——mybrotherhasnotyetgraspedthenatureoftheThirdDimension，andfranklyavowshisdisbeliefintheexistenceofaSphere。
HenceIamabsolutelydestituteofconverts，and，foraughtthatIcansee，themillennialRevelationhasbeenmadetomefornothing。
PrometheusupinSpacelandwasboundforbringingdownfireformortals，butI——poorFlatlandPrometheus——liehereinprisonforbringingdownnothingtomycountrymen。YetIexistinthehopethatthesememoirs，insomemanner，Iknownothow，mayfindtheirwaytothemindsofhumanityinSomeDimension，andmaystiruparaceofrebelswhoshallrefusetobeconfinedtolimitedDimensionality。
Thatisthehopeofmybrightermoments。Alas，itisnotalwaysso。
HeavilyweighsonmeattimestheburdensomereflectionthatIcannothonestlysayIamconfidentastotheexactshapeoftheonce-seen，oft-regrettedCube;andinmynightlyvisionsthemysteriousprecept，\"Upward，notNorthward\"，hauntsmelikeasoul-devouringSphinx。
ItispartofthemartyrdomwhichIendureforthecauseoftheTruththatthereareseasonsofmentalweakness，whenCubesandSpheresflitawayintothebackgroundofscarce-possibleexistences;
whentheLandofThreeDimensionsseemsalmostasvisionaryastheLandofOneorNone;nay，wheneventhishardwallthatbarsmefrommyfreedom，theseverytabletsonwhichIamwriting，andallthesubstantialrealitiesofFlatlanditself，appearnobetterthantheoffspringofadiseasedimagination，orthebaselessfabricofadream。
THEENDofFLATLAND