ChapterI。
Iamanativeof_____，intheUnitedStatesofAmerica。MyancestorsmigratedfromEnglandinthereignofCharlesII。;
andmygrandfatherwasnotundistinguishedintheWarofIndependence。Myfamily，therefore，enjoyedasomewhathighsocialpositioninrightofbirth;andbeingalsoopulent，theywereconsidereddisqualifiedforthepublicservice。MyfatheronceranforCongress，butwassignallydefeatedbyhistailor。
Afterthateventheinterferedlittleinpolitics，andlivedmuchinhislibrary。Iwastheeldestofthreesons，andsentattheageofsixteentotheoldcountry，partlytocompletemyliteraryeducation，partlytocommencemycommercialtraininginamercantilefirmatLiverpool。MyfatherdiedshortlyafterIwastwenty—one;andbeingleftwelloff，andhavingatastefortravelandadventure，Iresigned，foratime，allpursuitofthealmightydollar，andbecameadesultorywandereroverthefaceoftheearth。
Intheyear18__，happeningtobein_____，Iwasinvitedbyaprofessionalengineer，withwhomIhadmadeacquaintance，tovisittherecessesofthe________mine，uponwhichhewasemployed。
Thereaderwillunderstand，ereheclosethisnarrative，myreasonforconcealingallcluetothedistrictofwhichI
write，andwillperhapsthankmeforrefrainingfromanydescriptionthatmaytendtoitsdiscovery。
6Letmesay，then，asbrieflyaspossible，thatIaccompaniedtheengineerintotheinteriorofthemine，andbecamesostrangelyfascinatedbyitsgloomywonders，andsointerestedinmyfriend’sexplorations，thatIprolongedmystayintheneighbourhood，anddescendeddaily，forsomeweeks，intothevaultsandgallerieshollowedbynatureandartbeneaththesurfaceoftheearth。Theengineerwaspersuadedthatfarricherdepositsofmineralwealththanhadyetbeendetected，wouldbefoundinanewshaftthathadbeencommencedunderhisoperations。Inpiercingthisshaftwecameonedayuponachasmjaggedandseeminglycharredatthesides，asifburstasunderatsomedistantperiodbyvolcanicfires。Downthischasmmyfriendcausedhimselftobeloweredina’cage，’
havingfirsttestedtheatmospherebythesafety—lamp。Heremainednearlyanhourintheabyss。Whenhereturnedhewasverypale，andwithananxious，thoughtfulexpressionofface，verydifferentfromitsordinarycharacter，whichwasopen，cheerful，andfearless。
Hesaidbrieflythatthedescentappearedtohimunsafe，andleadingtonoresult;and，suspendingfurtheroperationsintheshaft，wereturnedtothemorefamiliarpartsofthemine。
Alltherestofthatdaytheengineerseemedpreoccupiedbysomeabsorbingthought。Hewasunusuallytaciturn，andtherewasascared，bewilderedlookinhiseyes，asthatofamanwhohasseenaghost。Atnight，aswetwoweresittingaloneinthelodgingwesharedtogethernearthemouthofthemine，I
saidtomyfriend，—
\"Tellmefranklywhatyousawinthatchasm：Iamsureitwassomethingstrangeandterrible。Whateveritbe，ithasleftyourmindinastateofdoubt。Insuchacasetwoheadsarebetterthanone。Confideinme。\"
Theengineerlongendeavouredtoevademyinquiries;butas，whilehespoke，hehelpedhimselfunconsciouslyoutofthebrandy—flasktoadegreetowhichhewaswhollyunaccustomed，7forhewasaverytemperateman，hisreservegraduallymeltedaway。Hewhowouldkeephimselftohimselfshouldimitatethedumbanimals，anddrinkwater。Atlasthesaid，\"Iwilltellyouall。Whenthecagestopped，Ifoundmyselfonaridgeofrock;andbelowme，thechasm，takingaslantingdirection，shotdowntoaconsiderabledepth，thedarknessofwhichmylampcouldnothavepenetrated。Butthroughit，tomyinfinitesurprise，streamedupwardasteadybrilliantlight。Coulditbeanyvolcanicfire？Inthatcase，surelyIshouldhavefelttheheat。Still，ifonthistherewasdoubt，itwasoftheutmostimportancetoourcommonsafetytoclearitup。I
examinedthesidesofthedescent，andfoundthatIcouldventuretotrustmyselftotheirregularprojectionofledges，atleastforsomeway。Ileftthecageandclambereddown。AsIdrewnearerandnearertothelight，thechasmbecamewider，andatlastIsaw，tomyunspeakableamaze，abroadlevelroadatthebottomoftheabyss，illuminedasfarastheeyecouldreachbywhatseemedartificialgas—lampsplacedatregularintervals，asinthethoroughfareofagreatcity;andIheardconfusedlyatadistanceahumasofhumanvoices。Iknow，ofcourse，thatnorivalminersareatworkinthisdistrict。
Whosecouldbethosevoices？Whathumanhandscouldhavelevelledthatroadandmarshalledthoselamps？
\"Thesuperstitiousbelief，commontominers，thatgnomesorfiendsdwellwithinthebowelsoftheearth，begantoseizeme。
Ishudderedatthethoughtofdescendingfurtherandbravingtheinhabitantsofthisnethervalley。NorindeedcouldIhavedonesowithoutropes，asfromthespotIhadreachedtothebottomofthechasmthesidesoftherocksankdownabrupt，smooth，andsheer。Iretracedmystepswithsomedifficulty。
NowIhavetoldyouall。\"
\"Youwilldescendagain？\"
\"Iought，yetIfeelasifIdurstnot。\"
\"Atrustycompanionhalvesthejourneyanddoublesthecourage。
8Iwillgowithyou。Wewillprovideourselveswithropesofsuitablelengthandstrength—and—pardonme—youmustnotdrinkmoreto—night。ourhandsandfeetmustbesteadyandfirmtomorrow。\"
ChapterII。
Withthemorningmyfriend’snerveswererebraced，andhewasnotlessexcitedbycuriositythanmyself。Perhapsmore;forheevidentlybelievedinhisownstory，andIfeltconsiderabledoubtofit;notthathewouldhavewilfullytoldanuntruth，butthatIthoughthemusthavebeenunderoneofthosehallucinationswhichseizeonourfancyorournervesinsolitary，unaccustomedplaces，andinwhichwegiveshapetotheformlessandsoundtothedumb。
Weselectedsixveteranminerstowatchourdescent;andasthecageheldonlyoneatatime，theengineerdescendedfirst;andwhenhehadgainedtheledgeatwhichhehadbeforehalted，thecagerearoseforme。Isoongainedhisside。Wehadprovidedourselveswithastrongcoilofrope。
Thelightstruckonmysightasithaddonethedaybeforeonmyfriend’s。Thehollowthroughwhichitcameslopeddiagonally：itseemedtomeadiffusedatmosphericlight，notlikethatfromfire，butsoftandsilvery，asfromanorthernstar。Quittingthecage，wedescended，oneaftertheother，easilyenough，owingtothejutsintheside，tillwereachedtheplaceatwhichmyfriendhadpreviouslyhalted，andwhichwasaprojectionjustspaciousenoughtoallowustostandabreast。Fromthisspotthechasmwidenedrapidlylikethelowerendofavastfunnel，andIsawdistinctlythevalley，theroad，thelampswhichmycompanionhaddescribed。Hehadexaggeratednothing。Iheardthesoundshehadheard—amingledindescribablehumasofvoicesandadulltrampasof9feet。Strainingmyeyefartherdown，Iclearlybeheldatadistancetheoutlineofsomelargebuilding。Itcouldnotbemerenaturalrock，itwastoosymmetrical，withhugeheavyEgyptian—likecolumns，andthewholelightedasfromwithin。I
hadaboutmeasmallpocket—telescope，andbytheaidofthis，Icoulddistinguish，nearthebuildingImention，twoformswhichseemedhuman，thoughIcouldnotbesure。Atleasttheywereliving，fortheymoved，andbothvanishedwithinthebuilding。Wenowproceededtoattachtheendoftheropewehadbroughtwithustotheledgeonwhichwestood，bytheaidofclampsandgrapplinghooks，withwhich，aswellaswithnecessarytools，wewereprovided。
Wewerealmostsilentinourwork。Wetoiledlikemenafraidtospeaktoeachother。Oneendoftheropebeingthusapparentlymadefirmtotheledge，theother，towhichwefastenedafragmentoftherock，restedonthegroundbelow，adistanceofsomefiftyfeet。Iwasayoungermanandamoreactivemanthanmycompanion，andhavingservedonboardshipinmyboyhood，thismodeoftransitwasmorefamiliartomethantohim。InawhisperIclaimedtheprecedence，sothatwhenIgainedthegroundImightservetoholdtheropemoresteadyforhisdescent。Igotsafelytothegroundbeneath，andtheengineernowbegantolowerhimself。Buthehadscarcelyaccomplishedtenfeetofthedescent，whenthefastenings，whichwehadfanciedsosecure，gaveway，orrathertherockitselfprovedtreacherousandcrumbledbeneaththestrain;andtheunhappymanwasprecipitatedtothebottom，fallingjustatmyfeet，andbringingdownwithhisfallsplintersoftherock，oneofwhich，fortunatelybutasmallone，struckandforthetimestunnedme。WhenIrecoveredmysensesIsawmycompanionaninanimatemassbesideme，lifeutterlyextinct。WhileIwasbendingoverhiscorpseingriefandhorror，Iheardcloseathandastrangesoundbetweenasnortandahiss;andturninginstinctivelytothequarterfrom10whichitcame，Isawemergingfromadarkfissureintherockavastandterriblehead，withopenjawsanddull，ghastly，hungryeyes—theheadofamonstrousreptileresemblingthatofthecrocodileoralligator，butinfinitelylargerthanthelargestcreatureofthatkindIhadeverbeheldinmytravels。
Istartedtomyfeetandfleddownthevalleyatmyutmostspeed。Istoppedatlast，ashamedofmypanicandmyflight，andreturnedtothespotonwhichIhadleftthebodyofmyfriend。Itwasgone;doubtlessthemonsterhadalreadydrawnitintoitsdenanddevouredit。theropeandthegrappling—
hooksstilllaywheretheyhadfallen，buttheyaffordedmenochanceofreturn;itwasimpossibletore—attachthemtotherockabove，andthesidesoftherockweretoosheerandsmoothforhumanstepstoclamber。Iwasaloneinthisstrangeworld，amidstthebowelsoftheearth。
ChapterIII。
SlowlyandcautiouslyIwentmysolitarywaydownthelamplitroadandtowardsthelargebuildingIhavedescribed。TheroaditselfseemedlikeagreatAlpinepass，skirtingrockymountainsofwhichtheonethroughwhosechasmIhaddescendedformedalink。Deepbelowtotheleftlayavastvalley，whichpresentedtomyastonishedeyetheunmistakeableevidencesofartandculture。Therewerefieldscoveredwithastrangevegetation，similartononeIhaveseenabovetheearth;thecolourofitnotgreen，butratherofadullandleadenhueorofagoldenred。
Therewerelakesandrivuletswhichseemedtohavebeencurvedintoartificialbanks;someofpurewater，othersthatshonelikepoolsofnaphtha。Atmyrighthand，ravinesanddefilesopenedamidsttherocks，withpassesbetween，evidentlyconstructedbyart，andborderedbytreesresembling，forthe11mostpart，giganticferns，withexquisitevarietiesoffeatheryfoliage，andstemslikethoseofthepalm—tree。Othersweremorelikethecane—plant，buttaller，bearinglargeclustersofflowers。Others，again，hadtheformofenormousfungi，withshortthickstemssupportingawidedome—likeroof，fromwhicheitherroseordroopedlongslenderbranches。Thewholescenebehind，before，andbesidemefarastheeyecouldreach，wasbrilliantwithinnumerablelamps。TheworldwithoutasunwasbrightandwarmasanItalianlandscapeatnoon，buttheairlessoppressive，theheatsofter。Norwasthescenebeforemevoidofsignsofhabitation。Icoulddistinguishatadistance，whetheronthebanksofthelakeorrivulet，orhalf—wayuponeminences，embeddedamidstthevegetation，buildingsthatmustsurelybethehomesofmen。Icouldevendiscover，thoughfaroff，formsthatappearedtomehumanmovingamidstthelandscape。AsIpausedtogaze，Isawtotheright，glidingquicklythroughtheair，whatappearedasmallboat，impelledbysailsshapedlikewings。Itsoonpassedoutofsight，descendingamidsttheshadesofaforest。Rightabovemetherewasnosky，butonlyacavernousroof。Thisroofgrewhigherandhigheratthedistanceofthelandscapesbeyond，tillitbecameimperceptible，asanatmosphereofhazeformeditselfbeneath。
Continuingmywalk，Istarted，—fromabushthatresembledagreattangleofsea—weeds，interspersedwithfern—likeshrubsandplantsoflargeleafageshapedlikethatofthealoeorprickly—pear，—acuriousanimalaboutthesizeandshapeofadeer。Butas，afterboundingawayafewpaces，itturnedroundandgazedatmeinquisitively，Iperceivedthatitwasnotlikeanyspeciesofdeernowextantabovetheearth，butitbroughtinstantlytomyrecollectionaplastercastIhadseeninsomemuseumofavarietyoftheelkstag，saidtohaveexistedbeforetheDeluge。Thecreatureseemedtameenough，and，afterinspectingmeamomentortwo，begantograzeonthesingularherbiagearoundundismayedandcareless。
12
ChapterIV。
Inowcameinfullsightofthebuilding。Yes，ithadbeenmadebyhands，andhollowedpartlyoutofagreatrock。I
shouldhavesupposeditatthefirstglancetohavebeenoftheearliestformofEgyptianarchitecture。Itwasfrontedbyhugecolumns，taperingupwardfrommassiveplinths，andwithcapitalsthat，asIcamenearer，IperceivedtobemoreornamentalandmorefantasticallygracefulthatEgyptianarchitectureallows。AstheCorinthiancapitalmimicstheleafoftheacanthus，sothecapitalsofthesecolumnsimitatedthefoliageofthevegetationneighbouringthem，somealoe—like，somefern—like。Andnowtherecameoutofthisbuildingaform—human;—wasithuman？Itstoodonthebroadwayandlookedaround，beheldmeandapproached。Itcamewithinafewyardsofme，andatthesightandpresenceofitanindescribableaweandtremorseizedme，rootingmyfeettotheground。ItremindedmeofsymbolicalimagesofGeniusorDemonthatareseenonEtruscanvasesorlimnedonthewallsofEasternsepulchres—imagesthatborrowtheoutlinesofman，andareyetofanotherrace。Itwastall，notgigantic，buttallasthetallestmanbelowtheheightofgiants。
Itschiefcoveringseemedtometobecomposedoflargewingsfoldedoveritsbreastandreachingtoitsknees;therestofitsattirewascomposedofanundertunicandleggingsofsomethinfibrousmaterial。Itworeonitsheadakindoftiarathatshonewithjewels，andcarriedinitsrighthandaslenderstaffofbrightmetallikepolishedsteel。Buttheface！itwasthatwhichinspiredmyaweandmyterror。Itwasthefaceofman，butyetofatypeofmandistinctfromourknownextantraces。Thenearestapproachtoitinoutlineandexpressionisthefaceofthesculpturedsphinx—soregularinitscalm，intellectual，mysteriousbeauty。Itscolourwaspeculiar，more13likethatoftheredmanthananyothervarietyofourspecies，andyetdifferentfromit—aricherandasofterhue，withlargeblackeyes，deepandbrilliant，andbrowsarchedasasemicircle。Thefacewasbeardless;butanamelesssomethingintheaspect，tranquilthoughtheexpression，andbeauteousthoughthefeatures，rousedthatinstinctofdangerwhichthesightofatigerorserpentarouses。Ifeltthatthismanlikeimagewasendowedwithforcesinimicaltoman。Asitdrewnear，acoldshuddercameoverme。Ifellonmykneesandcoveredmyfacewithmyhands。
ChapterV。
Avoiceaccostedme—averyquietandverymusicalkeyofvoice—inalanguageofwhichIcouldnotunderstandaword，butitservedtodispelmyfear。Iuncoveredmyfaceandlookedup。Thestranger（Icouldscarcelybringmyselftocallhimman）surveyedmewithaneyethatseemedtoreadtotheverydepthsofmyheart。Hethenplacedhislefthandonmyforehead，andwiththestaffinhisright，gentlytouchedmyshoulder。Theeffectofthisdoublecontactwasmagical。Inplaceofmyformerterrortherepassedintomeasenseofcontentment，ofjoy，ofconfidenceinmyselfandinthebeingbeforeme。Iroseandspokeinmyownlanguage。Helistenedtomewithapparentattention，butwithaslightsurpriseinhislooks;andshookhishead，asiftosignifythatIwasnotunderstood。Hethentookmebythehandandledmeinsilencetothebuilding。Theentrancewasopen—indeedtherewasnodoortoit。Weenteredanimmensehall，lightedbythesamekindoflustreasinthescenewithout，butdiffusingafragrantodour。Thefloorwasinlargetesselatedblocksofpreciousmetals，andpartlycoveredwithasortofmatlike14carpeting。Astrainoflowmusic，aboveandaround，undulatedasiffrominvisibleinstruments，seemingtobelongnaturallytotheplace，justasthesoundofmurmuringwatersbelongstoarockylandscape，orthewarbleofbirdstovernalgroves。
Afigureinasimplergarbthanthatofmyguide，butofsimilarfashion，wasstandingmotionlessnearthethreshold。
Myguidetouchedittwicewithhisstaff，anditputitselfintoarapidandglidingmovement，skimmingnoiselesslyoverthefloor。Gazingonit，Ithensawthatitwasnolivingform，butamechanicalautomaton。Itmightbetwominutesafteritvanishedthroughadoorlessopening，halfscreenedbycurtainsattheotherendofthehall，whenthroughthesameopeningadvancedaboyofabouttwelveyearsold，withfeaturescloselyresemblingthoseofmyguide，sothattheyseemedtomeevidentlysonandfather。Onseeingmethechildutteredacry，andliftedastafflikethatbornebymyguide，asifinmenace。Atawordfromtheelderhedroppedit。Thetwothenconversedforsomemoments，examiningmewhiletheyspoke。Thechildtouchedmygarments，andstrokedmyfacewithevidentcuriosity，utteringasoundlikealaugh，butwithanhilaritymoresubduedthatthemirthofourlaughter。Presentlytheroofofthehallopened，andaplatformdescended，seeminglyconstructedonthesameprincipleasthe’lifts’usedinhotelsandwarehousesformountingfromonestorytoanother。
Thestrangerplacedhimselfandthechildontheplatform，andmotionedtometodothesame，whichIdid。Weascendedquicklyandsafely，andalightedinthemidstofacorridorwithdoorwaysoneitherside。
ThroughoneofthesedoorwaysIwasconductedintoachamberfittedupwithanorientalsplendour;thewallsweretesselatedwithspars，andmetals，anduncutjewels;cushionsanddivansabounded;aperturesasforwindowsbutunglazed，weremadeinthechamberopeningtothefloor;andasIpassedalongI
15observedthattheseopeningsledintospaciousbalconies，andcommandedviewsoftheilluminedlandscapewithout。Incagessuspendedfromtheceilingtherewerebirdsofstrangeformandbrightplumage，whichatourentrancesetupachorusofsong，modulatedintotuneasisthatofourpipingbullfinches。A
deliciousfragrance，fromcensersofgoldelaboratelysculptured，filledtheair。Severalautomata，liketheoneIhadseen，stooddumbandmotionlessbythewalls。Thestrangerplacedmebesidehimonadivanandagainspoketome，andagainIspoke，butwithouttheleastadvancetowardsunderstandingeachother。
ButnowIbegantofeeltheeffectsoftheblowIhadreceivedfromthesplintersofthefallingrockmoreacutelythatIhaddoneatfirst。
Therecameovermeasenseofsicklyfaintness，accompaniedwithacute，lancinatingpainsintheheadandneck。Isankbackontheseatandstroveinvaintostifleagroan。Onthisthechild，whohadhithertoseemedtoeyemewithdistrustordislike，kneltbymysidetosupportme;takingoneofmyhandsinbothhisown，heapproachedhislipstomyforehead，breathingonitsoftly。Inafewmomentsmypainceased;adrowsy，heavycalmcreptoverme;Ifellasleep。
HowlongIremainedinthisstateIknownot，butwhenIwokeI
feltperfectlyrestored。Myeyesopeneduponagroupofsilentforms，seatedaroundmeinthegravityandquietudeofOrientals—allmoreorlesslikethefirststranger;thesamemantlingwings，thesamefashionofgarment，thesamesphinx—likefaces，withthedeepdarkeyesandredman’scolour;aboveall，thesametypeofrace—raceakintoman’s，butinfinitelystrongerofformandgrandeurofaspect—andinspiringthesameunutterablefeelingofdread。Yeteachcountenancewasmildandtranquil，andevenkindlyinexpression。And，strangelyenough，itseemedtomethatinthisverycalmandbenignityconsistedthesecretofthedreadwhichthecountenancesinspired。Theyseemedasvoidofthelinesandshadowswhichcareandsorrow，andpassionandsin，16leaveuponthefacesofmen，asarethefacesofsculpturedgods，oras，intheeyesofChristianmourners，seemthepeacefulbrowsofthedead。
Ifeltawarmhandonmyshoulder;itwasthechild’s。Inhiseyestherewasasortofloftypityandtenderness，suchasthatwithwhichwemaygazeonsomesufferingbirdorbutterfly。Ishrankfromthattouch—Ishrankfromthateye。
Iwasvaguelyimpressedwithabeliefthat，hadhesopleased，thatchildcouldhavekilledmeaseasilyasamancankillabirdorabutterfly。Thechildseemedpainedatmyrepugnance，quittedme，andplacedhimselfbesideoneofthewindows。Theotherscontinuedtoconversewitheachotherinalowtone，andbytheirglancestowardsmeIcouldperceivethatIwastheobjectoftheirconversation。OneinespecialseemedtobeurgingsomeproposalaffectingmeonthebeingwhomIhadfirstmet，andthislastbyhisgestureseemedabouttoassenttoit，whenthechildsuddenlyquittedhispostbythewindow，placedhimselfbetweenmeandtheotherforms，asifinprotection，andspokequicklyandeagerly。BysomeintuitionorinstinctI
feltthatthechildIhadbeforesodreadedwaspleadinginmybehalf。Erehehadceasedanotherstrangerenteredtheroom。
Heappearedolderthantherest，thoughnotold;hiscountenancelesssmoothlyserenethantheirs，thoughequallyregularinitsfeatures，seemedtometohavemorethetouchofahumanityakintomyown。Helistenedquietlytothewordsaddressedtohim，firstbymyguide，nextbytwoothersofthegroup，andlastlybythechild;thenturnedtowardsmyself，andaddressedme，notbywords，butbysignsandgestures。TheseI
fanciedthatIperfectlyunderstood，andIwasnotmistaken。I
comprehendedthatheinquiredwhenceIcame。Iextendedmyarm，andpointedtowardstheroadwhichhadledmefromthechasmintherock;thenanideaseizedme。Idrewforthmypocket—book，andsketchedononeofitsblankleavesaroughdesignoftheledgeoftherock，therope，myselfclingingtoit;thenofthecavernousrockbelow，theheadofthereptile，17thelifelessformofmyfriend。Igavethisprimitivekindofhieroglyphtomyinterrogator，who，afterinspectingitgravely，handedittohisnextneighbour，anditthuspassedroundthegroup。ThebeingIhadatfirstencounteredthensaidafewwords，andthechild，whoapproachedandlookedatmydrawing，noddedasifhecomprehendeditspurport，and，returningtothewindow，expandedthewingsattachedtohisform，shookthemonceortwice，andthenlaunchedhimselfintospacewithout。Istartedupinamazeandhastenedtothewindow。Thechildwasalreadyintheair，buoyedonhiswings，whichhedidnotflaptoandfroasabirddoes，butwhichwereelevatedoverhishead，andseemedtobearhimsteadilyaloftwithouteffortofhisown。Hisflightseemedasswiftasaneagle’s;andIobservedthatitwastowardstherockwhenceI
haddescended，ofwhichtheoutlineloomedvisibleinthebrilliantatmosphere。Inaveryfewminuteshereturned，skimmingthroughtheopeningfromwhichhehadgone，anddroppingonthefloortheropeandgrappling—hooksIhadleftatthedescentfromthechasm。Somewordsinalowtonepassedbetweenthebeingpresent;oneofthegrouptouchedanautomaton，whichstartedforwardandglidedfromtheroom;thenthelastcomer，whohadaddressedmebygestures，rose，tookmebythehand，andledmeintothecorridor。TheretheplatformbywhichIhadmountedawaitedus;weplacedourselvesonitandwereloweredintothehallbelow。Mynewcompanion，stillholdingmebythehand，conductedmefromthebuildingintoastreet（sotospeak）thatstretchedbeyondit，withbuildingsoneitherside，separatedfromeachotherbygardensbrightwithrich—colouredvegetationandstrangeflowers。
Interspersedamidstthesegardens，whichweredividedfromeachotherbylowwalls，orwalkingslowlyalongtheroad，weremanyformssimilartothoseIhadalreadyseen。Someofthepassers—by，onobservingme，approachedmyguide，evidentlybytheirtones，looks，andgesturesaddressingtohiminquiries18aboutmyself。Inafewmomentsacrowdcollectedaroundus，examiningmewithgreatinterest，asifIweresomerarewildanimal。Yeteveningratifyingtheircuriositytheypreservedagraveandcourteousdemeanour;andafterafewwordsfrommyguide，whoseemedtometodeprecateobstructioninourroad，theyfellbackwithastatelyinclinationofhead，andresumedtheirownwaywithtranquilindifference。Midwayinthisthoroughfarewestoppedatabuildingthatdifferedfromthosewehadhithertopassed，inasmuchasitformedthreesidesofavastcourt，attheanglesofwhichwereloftypyramidaltowers;
intheopenspacebetweenthesideswasacircularfountainofcolossaldimensions，andthrowingupadazzlingsprayofwhatseemedtomefire。Weenteredthebuildingthroughanopendoorwayandcameintoanenormoushall，inwhichwereseveralgroupsofchildren，allapparentlyemployedinworkasatsomegreatfactory。Therewasahugeengineinthewallwhichwasinfullplay，withwheelsandcylindersresemblingourownsteam—engines，exceptthatitwasrichlyornamentedwithpreciousstonesandmetals，andappearedtoemanateapalephosphorescentatmosphereofshiftinglight。Manyofthechildrenwereatsomemysteriousworkonthismachinery，otherswereseatedbeforetables。Iwasnotallowedtolingerlongenoughtoexamineintothenatureoftheiremployment。Notoneyoungvoicewasheard—notoneyoungfaceturnedtogazeonus。
Theywereallstillandindifferentasmaybeghosts，throughthemidstofwhichpassunnoticedtheformsoftheliving。
Quittingthishall，myguideledmethroughagalleryrichlypaintedincompartments，withabarbaricmixtureofgoldinthecolours，likepicturesbyLouisCranach。ThesubjectsdescribedonthesewallsappearedtomyglanceasintendedtoillustrateeventsinthehistoryoftheraceamidstwhichIwasadmitted。Inalltherewerefigures，mostofthemlikethemanlikecreaturesIhadseen，butnotallinthesamefashionofgarb，norallwithwings。Therewerealsotheeffigiesof19variousanimalsandbirds，whollystrangetome，withbackgroundsdepictinglandscapesorbuildings。Sofarasmyimperfectknowledgeofthepictorialartwouldallowmetoformanopinion，thesepaintingsseemedveryaccurateindesignandveryrichincolouring，showingaperfectknowledgeofperspective，buttheirdetailsnotarrangedaccordingtotherulesofcompositionacknowledgedbyourartists—wanting，asitwere，acentre;sothattheeffectwasvague，scattered，confused，bewildering—theywerelikeheterogeneousfragmentsofadreamofart。
Wenowcameintoaroomofmoderatesize，inwhichwasassembledwhatIafterwardsknewtobethefamilyofmyguide，seatedatatablespreadasforrepast。Theformsthusgroupedwerethoseofmyguide’swife，hisdaughter，andtwosons。I
recognisedatoncethedifferencebetweenthetwosexes，thoughthetwofemaleswereoftallerstatureandamplerproportionsthanthemales;andtheircountenances，ifstillmoresymmetricalinoutlineandcontour，weredevoidofthesoftnessandtimidityofexpressionwhichgivecharmtothefaceofwomanasseenontheearthabove。Thewifeworenowings，thedaughterworewingslongerthanthoseofthemales。
Myguideutteredafewwords，onwhichallthepersonsseatedrose，andwiththatpeculiarmildnessoflookandmannerwhichIhavebeforenoticed，andwhichis，intruth，thecommonattributeofthisformidablerace，theysalutedmeaccordingtotheirfashion，whichconsistsinlayingtherighthandverygentlyontheheadandutteringasoftsibilantmonosyllable—
S。Si，equivalentto\"Welcome。\"
Themistressofthehousethenseatedmebesideher，andheapedagoldenplatterbeforemefromoneofthedishes。
WhileIate（andthoughtheviandswerenewtome，Imarvelledmoreatthedelicacythanthestrangenessoftheirflavour），mycompanionsconversedquietly，and，sofarasIcoulddetect，withpoliteavoidanceofanydirectreferencetomyself，orany20obtrusivescrutinyofmyappearance。YetIwasthefirstcreatureofthatvarietyofthehumanracetowhichIbelongthattheyhadeverbeheld，andwasconsequentlyregardedbythemasamostcuriousandabnormalphenomenon。Butallrudenessisunknowntothispeople，andtheyoungestchildistaughttodespiseanyvehementemotionaldemonstration。whenthemealwasended，myguideagaintookmebythehand，and，re—enteringthegallery，touchedametallicplateinscribedwithstrangefigures，andwhichIrightlyconjecturedtobeofthenatureofourtelegraphs。Aplatformdescended，butthistimewemountedtoamuchgreaterheightthanintheformerbuilding，andfoundourselvesinaroomofmoderatedimensions，andwhichinitsgeneralcharacterhadmuchthatmightbefamiliartotheassociationsofavisitorfromtheupperworld。
Therewereshelvesonthewallcontainingwhatappearedtobebooks，andindeedwereso;mostlyverysmall，likeourdiamondduodecimos，shapedinthefashionofourvolumes，andboundinsheetsoffinemetal。Therewereseveralcurious—lookingpiecesofmechanismscatteredabout，apparentlymodels，suchasmightbeseeninthestudyofanyprofessionalmechanician。
Fourautomata（mechanicalcontrivanceswhich，withthesepeople，answertheordinarypurposesofdomesticservice）stoodphantom—likeateachangleinthewall。Inarecesswasalowcouch，orbedwithpillows。Awindow，withcurtainsofsomefibrousmaterialdrawnaside，openeduponalargebalcony。Myhoststeppedoutintothebalcony;Ifollowedhim。Wewereontheuppermoststoryofoneoftheangularpyramids;theviewbeyondwasofawildandsolemnbeautyimpossibletodescribe：—
thevastrangesofprecipitousrockwhichformedthedistantbackground，theintermediatevalleysofmysticmany—colouredherbiage，theflashofwaters，manyofthemlikestreamsofroseateflame，theserenelustrediffusedoverallbymyriadsoflamps，combinedtoformawholeofwhichnowordsofmine21canconveyadequatedescription;sosplendidwasit，yetsosombre;solovely，yetsoawful。
Butmyattentionwassoondivertedfromthesenetherlandscapes。
Suddenlytherearose，asfromthestreetsbelow，aburstofjoyousmusic;thenawingedformsoaredintothespace;anotherasifinchaseofthefirst，anotherandanother;othersafterothers，tillthecrowdgrewthickandthenumbercountless。
Buthowdescribethefantasticgraceoftheseformsintheirundulatingmovements！Theyappearedengagedinsomesportoramusement;nowformingintooppositesquadrons;nowscattering;
noweachgroupthreadingtheother，soaring，descending，interweaving，severing;allinmeasuredtimetothemusicbelow，asifinthedanceofthefabledPeri。
Iturnedmygazeonmyhostinafeverishwonder。Iventuredtoplacemyhandonthelargewingsthatlayfoldedonhisbreast，andindoingsoaslightshockasofelectricitypassedthroughme。Irecoiledinfear;myhostsmiled，andasifcourteouslytogratifymycuriosity，slowlyexpandedhispinions。Iobservedthathisgarmentbeneaththembecamedilatedasabladderthatfillswithair。Thearmsseemedtoslideintothewings，andinanothermomenthehadlaunchedhimselfintotheluminousatmosphere，andhoveredthere，still，andwithoutspreadwings，asaneaglethatbasksinthesun。
Then，rapidlyasaneagleswoops，herusheddownwardsintothemidstofoneofthegroups，skimmingthroughthemidst，andassuddenlyagainsoaringaloft。Thereon，threeforms，inoneofwhichIthoughttorecognisemyhost’sdaughter，detachedthemselvesfromtherest，andfollowedhimasabirdsportivelyfollowsabird。Myeyes，dazzledwiththelightsandbewilderedbythethrongs，ceasedtodistinguishthegyrationsandevolutionsofthesewingedplaymates，tillpresentlymyhostre—emergedfromthecrowdandalightedatmyside。
ThestrangenessofallIhadseenbegannowtooperatefastonmysenses;myminditselfbegantowander。Thoughnotinclined22tobesuperstitious，norhithertobelievingthatmancouldbebroughtintobodilycommunicationwithdemons，Ifelttheterrorandthewildexcitementwithwhich，intheGothicages，atravellermighthavepersuadedhimselfthathewitnesseda’sabbat’offiendsandwitches。Ihaveavaguerecollectionofhavingattemptedwithvehementgesticulation，andformsofexorcism，andloudincoherentwords，torepelmycourteousandindulgenthost;ofhismildendeavorstocalmandsootheme;ofhisintelligentconjecturethatmyfrightandbewildermentwereoccasionedbythedifferenceofformandmovementbetweenuswhichthewingsthathadexcitedmymarvellingcuriosityhad，inexercise，madestillmorestronglyperceptible;ofthegentlesmilewithwhichhehadsoughttodispelmyalarmbydroppingthewingstothegroundandendeavouringtoshowmethattheywerebutamechanicalcontrivance。Thatsuddentransformationdidbutincreasemyhorror，andasextremefrightoftenshowsitselfbyextremedaring，Isprangathisthroatlikeawildbeast。OnaninstantIwasfelledtothegroundasbyanelectricshock，andthelastconfusedimagesfloatingbeforemysightereIbecamewhollyinsensible，weretheformofmyhostkneelingbesidemewithonehandonmyforehead，andthebeautifulcalmfaceofhisdaughter，withlarge，deep，inscrutableeyesintentlyfixeduponmyown。
ChapterVI。
Iremainedinthisunconsciousstate，asIafterwardslearned，formanydays，evenforsomeweeksaccordingtoourcomputationoftime。WhenIrecoveredIwasinastrangeroom，myhostandallhisfamilyweregatheredroundme，andtomyutteramazemyhost’sdaughteraccostedmeinmyownlanguagewithaslightlyforeignaccent。
\"Howdoyoufeel？\"sheasked。
23ItwassomemomentsbeforeIcouldovercomemysurpriseenoughtofalterout，\"Youknowmylanguage？How？Whoandwhatareyou？\"
Myhostsmiledandmotionedtooneofhissons，whothentookfromatableanumberofthinmetallicsheetsonwhichweretraceddrawingsofvariousfigures—ahouse，atree，abird，aman，&c。
InthesedesignsIrecognisedmyownstyleofdrawing。Undereachfigurewaswrittenthenameofitinmylanguage，andinmywriting;andinanotherhandwritingawordstrangetomebeneathit。
Saidthehost，\"Thuswebegan;andmydaughterZee，whobelongstotheCollegeofSages，hasbeenyourinstructressandourstoo。\"
Zeethenplacedbeforemeothermetallicsheets，onwhich，inmywriting，wordsfirst，andthensentences，wereinscribed。
Undereachwordandeachsentencestrangecharactersinanotherhand。Rallyingmysenses，Icomprehendedthatthusarudedictionaryhadbeeneffected。HaditbeendonewhileIwasdreaming？\"Thatisenoughnow，\"saidZee，inatoneofcommand。
\"Reposeandtakefood。\"
ChapterVII。
Aroomtomyselfwasassignedtomeinthisvastedifice。Itwasprettilyandfantasticallyarranged，butwithoutanyofthesplendourofmetal—workorgemswhichwasdisplayedinthemorepublicapartments。Thewallswerehungwithavariegatedmattingmadefromthestalksandfibersofplants，andthefloorcarpetedwiththesame。
Thebedwaswithoutcurtains，itssupportsofironrestingonballsofcrystal;thecoverings，ofathinwhitesubstanceresemblingcotton。Thereweresundryshelvescontainingbooks。
24Acurtainedrecesscommunicatedwithanaviaryfilledwithsinging—birds，ofwhichIdidnotrecogniseoneresemblingthoseIhaveseenonearth，exceptabeautifulspeciesofdove，thoughthiswasdistinguishedfromourdovesbyatallcrestofbluishplumes。Allthesebirdshadbeentrainedtosinginartfultunes，andgreatlyexceededtheskillofourpipingbullfinches，whichcanrarelyachievemorethantwotunes，andcannot，Ibelieve，singthoseinconcert。Onemighthavesupposedone’sselfatanoperainlisteningtothevoicesinmyaviary。Therewereduetsandtrios，andquartettsandchoruses，allarrangedasinonepieceofmusic。DidIwantsilencefromthebirds？Ihadbuttodrawacurtainovertheaviary，andtheirsonghushedastheyfoundthemselvesleftinthedark。Anotheropeningformedawindow，notglazed，butontouchingaspring，ashutterascendedfromthefloor，formedofsomesubstancelesstransparentthanglass，butstillsufficientlypellucidtoallowasoftenedviewofthescenewithout。Tothiswindowwasattachedabalcony，orratherhanginggarden，whereingrewmanygracefulplantsandbrilliantflowers。Theapartmentanditsappurtenanceshadthusacharacter，ifstrangeindetail，stillfamiliar，asawhole，tomodernnotionsofluxury，andwouldhaveexcitedadmirationiffoundattachedtotheapartmentsofanEnglishduchessorafashionableFrenchauthor。BeforeIarrivedthiswasZee’schamber;shehadhospitablyassignedittome。
Somehoursafterthewakingupwhichisdescribedinmylastchapter，IwaslyingaloneonmycouchtryingtofixmythoughtsonconjectureastothenatureandgenusofthepeopleamongstwhomIwasthrown，whenmyhostandhisdaughterZeeenteredtheroom。Myhost，stillspeakingmynativelanguage，inquiredwithmuchpoliteness，whetheritwouldbeagreeabletometoconverse，orifIpreferredsolitude。Ireplied，thatI
shouldfeelmuchhonouredandobligedbytheopportunityofferedmetoexpressmygratitudeforthehospitalityandcivilitiesIhadreceivedinacountrytowhichIwasastranger，25andtolearnenoughofitscustomsandmannersnottooffendthroughignorance。
AsIspoke，Ihadofcourserisenfrommycouch：butZee，muchtomyconfusion，curtlyorderedmetoliedownagain，andtherewassomethinginhervoiceandeye，gentleasbothwere，thatcompelledmyobedience。Shethenseatedherselfunconcernedlyatthefootofmybed，whileherfathertookhisplaceonadivanafewfeetdistant。
\"Butwhatpartoftheworlddoyoucomefrom？\"askedmyhost，\"thatweshouldappearsostrangetoyouandyoutous？Ihaveseenindividualspecimensofnearlyalltheracesdifferingfromourown，excepttheprimevalsavageswhodwellinthemostdesolateandremoterecessesofuncultivatednature，unacquaintedwithotherlightthanthattheyobtainfromvolcanicfires，andcontentedtogropetheirwayinthedark，asdomanycreeping，crawlingandflyingthings。Butcertainlyyoucannotbeamemberofthosebarbaroustribes，nor，ontheotherhand，doyouseemtobelongtoanycivilisedpeople。\"
Iwassomewhatnettledatthislastobservation，andrepliedthatIhadthehonourtobelongtooneofthemostcivilisednationsoftheearth;andthat，sofaraslightwasconcerned，whileIadmiredtheingenuityanddisregardofexpensewithwhichmyhostandhisfellow—citizenshadcontrivedtoilluminetheregionsunpenetratedbytheraysofthesun，yetIcouldnotconceivehowanywhohadoncebeheldtheorbsofheavencouldcomparetotheirlustretheartificiallightsinventedbythenecessitiesofman。Butmyhostsaidhehadseenspecimensofmostoftheracesdifferingfromhisown，savethewretchedbarbarianshehadmentioned。Now，wasitpossiblethathehadneverbeenonthesurfaceoftheearth，orcouldheonlybereferringtocommunitiesburiedwithinitsentrails？
Myhostwasforsomemomentssilent;hiscountenanceshowedadegreeofsurprisewhichthepeopleofthatraceveryrarely26manifestunderanycircumstances，howsoeverextraordinary。ButZeewasmoreintelligent，andexclaimed，\"Soyousee，myfather，thatthereistruthintheoldtradition;therealwaysistruthineverytraditioncommonlybelievedinalltimesandbyalltribes。\"
\"Zee，\"saidmyhostmildly，\"youbelongtotheCollegeofSages，andoughttobewiserthanIam;but，aschiefoftheLight—preservingCouncil，itismydutytotakenothingforgrantedtillitisprovedtotheevidenceofmyownsenses。\"
Then，turningtome，heaskedmeseveralquestionsaboutthesurfaceoftheearthandtheheavenlybodies;uponwhich，thoughIansweredhimtothebestofmyknowledge，myanswersseemednottosatisfynorconvincehim。Heshookhisheadquietly，and，changingthesubjectratherabruptly，askedhowI
hadcomedownfromwhathewaspleasedtocalloneworldtotheother。Ianswered，thatunderthesurfaceoftheearththerewereminescontainingminerals，ormetals，essentialtoourwantsandourprogressinallartsandindustries;andIthenbrieflyexplainedthemannerinwhich，whileexploringoneofthosemines，Iandmyill—fatedfriendhadobtainedaglimpseoftheregionsintowhichwehaddescended，andhowthedescenthadcosthimhislife;appealingtotheropeandgrappling—
hooksthatthechildhadbroughttothehouseinwhichIhadbeenatfirstreceived，asawitnessofthetruthfulnessofmystory。
Myhostthenproceededtoquestionmeastothehabitsandmodesoflifeamongtheracesontheupperearth，moreespeciallyamongthoseconsideredtobethemostadvancedinthatcivilisationwhichhewaspleasedtodefine\"theartofdiffusingthroughoutacommunitythetranquilhappinesswhichbelongstoavirtuousandwell—orderedhousehold。\"NaturallydesiringtorepresentinthemostfavourablecolourstheworldfromwhichIcame，Itouchedbutslightly，thoughindulgently，ontheantiquatedanddecayinginstitutionsofEurope，inorder27toexpatiateonthepresentgrandeurandprospectivepre—eminenceofthatgloriousAmericanRepublic，inwhichEuropeenviouslyseeksitsmodelandtremblinglyforeseesitsdoom。SelectingforanexampleofthesociallifeoftheUnitedStatesthatcityinwhichprogressadvancesatthefastestrate，IindulgedinananimateddescriptionofthemoralhabitsofNewYork。Mortifiedtosee，bythefacesofmylisteners，thatIdidnotmakethefavourableimpressionIhadanticipated，Ielevatedmytheme;dwellingontheexcellenceofdemocraticinstitutions，theirpromotionoftranquilhappinessbythegovernmentofparty，andthemodeinwhichtheydiffusedsuchhappinessthroughoutthecommunitybypreferring，fortheexerciseofpowerandtheacquisitionofhonours，thelowliestcitizensinpointofproperty，education，andcharacter。
Fortunatelyrecollectingtheperorationofaspeech，onthepurifyinginfluencesofAmericandemocracyandtheirdestinedspreadovertheworld，madebyacertaineloquentsenator（forwhosevoteintheSenateaRailwayCompany，towhichmytwobrothersbelonged，hadjustpaid20，000dollars），Iwoundupbyrepeatingitsglowingpredictionsofthemagnificentfuturethatsmileduponmankind—whentheflagoffreedomshouldfloatoveranentirecontinent，andtwohundredmillionsofintelligentcitizens，accustomedfrominfancytothedailyuseofrevolvers，shouldapplytoacoweringuniversethedoctrineofthePatriotMonroe。
WhenIhadconcluded，myhostgentlyshookhishead，andfellintoamusingstudy，makingasigntomeandhisdaughtertoremainsilentwhilehereflected。Andafteratimehesaid，inaveryearnestandsolemntone，\"Ifyouthinkasyousay，thatyou，thoughastranger，havereceivedkindnessatthehandsofmeandmine，Iadjureyoutorevealnothingtoanyotherofourpeoplerespectingtheworldfromwhichyoucame，unless，onconsideration，Igiveyoupermissiontodoso。Doyouconsenttothisrequest？\"
28\"OfcourseIpledgemyword，toit，\"saidI，somewhatamazed;
andIextendedmyrighthandtograsphis。Butheplacedmyhandgentlyonhisforeheadandhisownrighthandonmybreast，whichisthecustomamongstthisraceinallmattersofpromiseorverbalobligations。Thenturningtohisdaughter，hesaid，\"Andyou，Zee，willnotrepeattoanyonewhatthestrangerhassaid，ormaysay，tomeortoyou，ofaworldotherthanourown。\"Zeeroseandkissedherfatheronthetemples，saying，withasmile，\"AGy’stongueiswanton，butlovecanfetteritfast。Andif，myfather，youfearlestachancewordfrommeoryourselfcouldexposeourcommunitytodanger，byadesiretoexploreaworldbeyondus，willnotawaveofthe’vril，’properlyimpelled，washeventhememoryofwhatwehaveheardthestrangersayoutofthetabletsofthebrain？\"
\"Whatisthevril？\"Iasked。
TherewithZeebegantoenterintoanexplanationofwhichI
understoodverylittle，forthereisnowordinanylanguageI
knowwhichisanexactsynonymforvril。Ishouldcallitelectricity，exceptthatitcomprehendsinitsmanifoldbranchesotherforcesofnature，towhich，inourscientificnomenclature，differingnamesareassigned，suchasmagnetism，galvanism，&c。Thesepeopleconsiderthatinvriltheyhavearrivedattheunityinnaturalenergeticagencies，whichhasbeenconjecturedbymanyphilosophersaboveground，andwhichFaradaythusintimatesunderthemorecautioustermofcorrelation：—
\"Ihavelongheldanopinion，\"saysthatillustriousexperimentalist，\"almostamountingtoaconviction，incommon，Ibelieve，withmanyotherloversofnaturalknowledge，thatthevariousformsunderwhichtheforcesofmatteraremademanifest，haveonecommonorigin;or，inotherwords，aresodirectlyrelatedandmutuallydependentthattheyareconvertible，asitwereintooneanother，andpossessequivalentsofpowerintheiraction。\"
29Thesesubterraneanphilosophersassertthatbyoneoperationofvril，whichFaradaywouldperhapscall’atmosphericmagnetism，’
theycaninfluencethevariationsoftemperature—inplainwords，theweather;thatbyoperations，akintothoseascribedtomesmerism，electro—biology，odicforce，&c。，butappliedscientifically，throughvrilconductors，theycanexerciseinfluenceoverminds，andbodiesanimalandvegetable，toanextentnotsurpassedintheromancesofourmystics。Toallsuchagenciestheygivethecommonnameofvril。Zeeaskedmeif，inmyworld，itwasnotknownthatallthefacultiesofthemindcouldbequickenedtoadegreeunknowninthewakingstate，bytranceorvision，inwhichthethoughtsofonebraincouldbetransmittedtoanother，andknowledgebethusrapidlyinterchanged。Ireplied，thattherewereamongstusstoriestoldofsuchtranceorvision，andthatIhadheardmuchandseensomethinginmesmericclairvoyance;butthatthesepracticeshadfallenmuchintodisuseorcontempt，partlybecauseofthegrossimposturestowhichtheyhadbeenmadesubservient，andpartlybecause，evenwheretheeffectsuponcertainabnormalconstitutionsweregenuinelyproduced，theeffectswhenfairlyexaminedandanalysed，wereveryunsatisfactory—nottoberelieduponforanysystematictruthfulnessoranypracticalpurpose，andrenderedverymischievoustocredulouspersonsbythesuperstitionstheytendedtoproduce。Zeereceivedmyanswerswithmuchbenignantattention，andsaidthatsimilarinstancesofabuseandcredulityhadbeenfamiliartotheirownscientificexperienceintheinfancyoftheirknowledge，andwhilethepropertiesofvrilweremisapprehended，butthatshereservedfurtherdiscussiononthissubjecttillIwasmorefittedtoenterintoit。Shecontentedherselfwithadding，thatitwasthroughtheagencyofvril，whileIhadbeenplacedinthestateoftrance，thatIhadbeenmadeacquaintedwiththerudimentsoftheirlanguage;andthatsheandherfather，whoaloneofthefamily，30tookthepainstowatchtheexperiment，hadacquiredagreaterproportionateknowledgeofmylanguagethanIoftheirown;
partlybecausemylanguagewasmuchsimplerthantheirs，comprisingfarlessofcomplexideas;andpartlybecausetheirorganisationwas，byhereditaryculture，muchmoreductileandmorereadilycapableofacquiringknowledgethanmine。AtthisIsecretlydemurred;andhavinghadinthecourseofapracticallife，tosharpenmywits，whetherathomeorintravel，Icouldnotallowthatmycerebralorganisationcouldpossiblybedullerthanthatofpeoplewhohadlivedalltheirlivesbylamplight。However，whileIwasthusthinking，Zeequietlypointedherforefingeratmyforehead，andsentmetosleep。