第3章

ChapterXIII。

Thispeoplehaveareligion，and，whatevermaybesaidagainstit，atleastithasthesestrangepeculiarities：firstly，thatallbelieveinthecreedtheyprofess;secondly，thattheyallpracticethepreceptswhichthecreedinculcates。TheyuniteintheworshipofonedivineCreatorandSustaineroftheuniverse。Theybelievethatitisoneofthepropertiesoftheall—permeatingagencyofvril，totransmittothewell—springoflifeandintelligenceeverythoughtthatalivingcreaturecanconceive;andthoughtheydonotcontendthattheideaofaDietyisinnate，yettheysaythattheAn（man）istheonlycreature，sofarastheirobservationofnatureextends，towhom’thecapacityofconceivingthatidea，’withallthetrainsofthoughtwhichopenoutfromit，isvouchsafed。Theyholdthatthiscapacityisaprivilegethatcannothavebeengiveninvain，andhencethatprayerandthanksgivingare55acceptabletothedivineCreator，andnecessarytothecompletedevelopmentofthehumancreature。Theyoffertheirdevotionsbothinprivateandpublic。Notbeingconsideredoneoftheirspecies，Iwasnotadmittedintothebuildingortempleinwhichthepublicworshipisrendered;butIaminformedthattheserviceisexceedinglyshort，andunattendedwithanypompofceremony。ItisadoctrinewiththeVril—ya，thatearnestdevotionorcompleteabstractionfromtheactualworldcannot，withbenefittoitself，bemaintainedlongatastretchbythehumanmind，especiallyinpublic，andthatallattemptstodosoeitherleadtofanaticismortohypocrisy。Whentheyprayinprivate，itiswhentheyarealoneorwiththeiryoungchildren。

TheysaythatinancienttimestherewasagreatnumberofbookswrittenuponspeculationsastothenatureoftheDiety，andupontheformsofbelieforworshipsupposedtobemostagreeabletoHim。Butthesewerefoundtoleadtosuchheatedandangrydisputationsasnotonlytoshakethepeaceofthecommunityanddividefamiliesbeforethemostunited，butinthecourseofdiscussingtheattributesoftheDiety，theexistenceoftheDietyHimselfbecamearguedaway，or，whatwasworse，becameinvestedwiththepassionsandinfirmitiesofthehumandisputants。\"For，\"saidmyhost，\"sinceafinitebeinglikeanAncannotpossiblydefinetheInfinite，so，whenheendeavourstorealiseanideaoftheDivinity，heonlyreducestheDivinityintoanAnlikehimself。\"Duringthelaterages，therefore，alltheologicalspeculations，thoughnotforbidden，havebeensodiscouragedastohavefallenutterlyintodisuse。

TheVril—yauniteinaconvictionofafuturestate，morefelicitousandmoreperfectthanthepresent。Iftheyhaveveryvaguenotionsofthedoctrineofrewardsandpunishments，itisperhapsbecausetheyhavenosystemsofrewardsandpunishmentsamongthemselves，fortherearenocrimestopunish，andtheirmoralstandardissoeventhatnoAnamong56themis，uponthewhole，consideredmorevirtuousthananother。

Ifoneexcels，perhapsinonevirtue，anotherequallyexcelsinsomeothervirtue;Ifonehashisprevalentfaultorinfirmity，soalsoanotherhashis。Infact，intheirextraordinarymodeoflife。therearesofewtemptationstowrong，thattheyaregood（accordingtotheirnotionsofgoodness）merelybecausetheylive。Theyhavesomefancifulnotionsuponthecontinuanceoflife，whenoncebestowed，eveninthevegetableworld，asthereaderwillseeinthenextchapter。

ChapterXIV。

Though，asIhavesaid，theVril—yadiscourageallspeculationsonthenatureoftheSupremeBeing，theyappeartoconcurinabeliefbywhichtheythinktosolvethatgreatproblemoftheexistenceofevilwhichhassoperplexedthephilosophyoftheupperworld。TheyholdthatwhereverHehasoncegivenlife，withtheperceptionsofthatlife，howeverfaintitbe，asinaplant，thelifeisneverdestroyed;itpassesintonewandimprovedforms，thoughnotinthisplanet（differingthereinfromtheordinarydoctrineofmetempsychosis），andthatthelivingthingretainsthesenseofidentity，sothatitconnectsitspastlifewithitsfuture，andis’conscious’ofitsprogressiveimprovementinthescaleofjoy。Fortheysaythat，withoutthisassumption，theycannot，accordingtothelightsofhumanreasonvouchsafedtothem，discovertheperfectjusticewhichmustbeaconstituentqualityoftheAll—WiseandtheAll—Good。Injustice，theysay，canonlyemanatefromthreecauses：wantofwisdomtoperceivewhatisjust，wantofbenevolencetodesire，wantofpowertofulfillit;andthateachofthesethreewantsisincompatibleintheAll—Wise，the57All—Good，theAll—Powerful。Butthat，whileeveninthislife，thewisdom，thebenevolence，andthepoweroftheSupremeBeingaresufficientlyapparenttocompelourrecognition，thejusticenecessarilyresultingfromthoseattributes，absolutelyrequiresanotherlife，notformanonly，butforeverylivingthingoftheinferiororders。That，alikeintheanimalandthevegetableworld，weseeoneindividualrendered，bycircumstancesbeyonditscontrol，exceedinglywretchedcomparedtoitsneighbours—oneonlyexistsasthepreyofanother—evenaplantsuffersfromdiseasetillitperishesprematurely，whiletheplantnexttoitrejoicesinitsvitalityandlivesoutitshappylifefreefromapang。ThatitisanerroneousanalogyfromhumaninfirmitiestoreplybysayingthattheSupremeBeingonlyactsbygenerallaws，therebymakinghisownsecondarycausessopotentastomartheessentialkindnessoftheFirstCause;andastillmeanerandmoreignorantconceptionoftheAll—Good，todismisswithabriefcontemptallconsiderationofjusticeforthemyriadformsintowhichHehasinfusedlife，andassumethatjusticeisonlyduetothesingleproductoftheAn。ThereisnosmallandnogreatintheeyesofthedivineLife—Giver。Butoncegrantthatnothing，howeverhumble，whichfeelsthatitlivesandsuffers，canperishthroughtheseriesofages，thatallitssufferinghere，ifcontinuousfromthemomentofitsbirthtothatofitstransfertoanotherformofbeing，wouldbemorebriefcomparedwitheternitythanthecryofthenew—borniscomparedtothewholelifeofaman;andoncesupposethatthislivingthingretainsitssenseofidentitywhensotransformed（forwithoutthatsenseitcouldbeawareofnofuturebeing），andthough，indeed，thefulfilmentofdivinejusticeisremovedfromthescopeofourken，yetwehavearighttoassumeittobeuniformanduniversal，andnotvaryingandpartial，asitwouldbeifactingonlyupongeneralandsecondarylaws;becausesuchperfectjusticeflowsofnecessityfromperfectnessofknowledgetoconceive，perfectnessoflovetowill，andperfectnessofpowertocompleteit。

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HoweverfantasticthisbeliefoftheVril—yamaybe，ittendsperhapstoconfirmpoliticallythesystemsofgovernmentwhich，admittingdifferentdegreesofwealth，yetestablishesperfectequalityinrank，exquisitemildnessinallrelationsandintercourse，andtendernesstoallcreatedthingswhichthegoodofthecommunitydoesnotrequirethemtodestroy。Andthoughtheirnotionofcompensationtoatorturedinsectoracankeredflowermayseemtosomeofusaverywildcrotchet，yet，atleast，isnotamischievousone;anditmayfurnishmatterfornounpleasingreflectiontothinkthatwithintheabyssesofearth，neverlitbyarayfromthematerialheavens，thereshouldhavepenetratedsoluminousaconvictionoftheineffablegoodnessoftheCreator—sofixedanideathatthegenerallawsbywhichHeactscannotadmitofanypartialinjusticeorevil，andthereforecannotbecomprehendedwithoutreferencetotheiractionoverallspaceandthroughoutalltime。Andsince，asI

shallhaveoccasiontoobservelater，theintellectualconditionsandsocialsystemsofthissubterraneanracecompriseandharmonisegreat，andapparentlyantagonistic，varietiesinphilosophicaldoctrineandspeculationwhichhavefromtimetotimebeenstarted，discussed，dismissed，andhavere—appearedamongstthinkersordreamersintheupperworld，—soImayperhapsappropriatelyconcludethisreferencetothebeliefoftheVril—ya，thatself—consciousorsentientlifeoncegivenisindestructibleamonginferiorcreaturesaswellasinman，byaneloquentpassagefromtheworkofthateminentzoologist，LouisAgassiz，whichIhaveonlyjustmetwith，manyyearsafterIhadcommittedtopapertheserecollectionsofthelifeoftheVril—yawhichInowreduceintosomethinglikearrangementandform：\"Therelationswhichindividualanimalsbeartooneanotherareofsuchacharacterthattheyoughtlongagotohavebeenconsideredassufficientproofthatnoorganisedbeingcouldeverhavebeencalledintoexistencebyotheragencythan59bythedirectinterventionofareflectivemind。Thisarguesstronglyinfavouroftheexistenceineveryanimalofanimmaterialprinciplesimilartothatwhichbyitsexcellenceandsuperiorendowmentsplacesmansomuchabovetheanimals;yettheprincipleunquestionablyexists，andwhetheritbecalledsense，reason，orinstinct，itpresentsinthewholerangeoforganisedbeingsaseriesofphenomenacloselylinkedtogether，anduponitarebasednotonlythehighermanifestationsofthemind，buttheverypermanenceofthespecificdifferenceswhichcharacteriseeveryorganism。Mostoftheargumentsinfavouroftheimmortalityofmanapplyequallytothepermanencyofthisprincipleinotherlivingbeings。MayInotaddthatafuturelifeinwhichmanwouldbedeprivedofthatgreatsourceofenjoymentandintellectualandmoralimprovementwhichresultsfromthecontemplationoftheharmoniesofanorganicworldwouldinvolvealamentableloss？AndmaywenotlooktoaspiritualconcertofthecombinedworldsandALLtheirinhabitantsinthepresenceoftheirCreatorasthehighestconceptionofparadise？\"—’EssayonClassification，’sect。

xvii。p。97—99。

ChapterXV。

KindtomeasIfoundallinthishousehold，theyoungdaughterofmyhostwasthemostconsiderateandthoughtfulinherkindness。AthersuggestionIlaidasidethehabilimentsinwhichIhaddescendedfromtheupperearth，andadoptedthedressoftheVril—ya，withtheexceptionoftheartfulwingswhichservedthem，whenonfoot，asagracefulmantle。ButasmanyoftheVril—ya，whenoccupiedinurbanpursuits，didnotwearthesewings，thisexceptioncreatednomarkeddifferencebetweenmyselfandtheraceamongwhomIsojourned，andIwasthusenabledtovisitthetownwithoutexcitingunpleasant60curiosity。OutofthehouseholdnoonesuspectedthatIhadcomefromtheupperworld，andIwasbutregardedasoneofsomeinferiorandbarbaroustribewhomAph—Linentertainedasaguest。

Thecitywaslargeinproportiontotheterritoryroundit，whichwasofnogreaterextentthanmanyanEnglishorHungariannobleman’sestate;butthewholeifit，tothevergeoftherockswhichconstituteditsboundary，wascultivatedtothenicestdegree，exceptwherecertainallotmentsofmountainandpasturewerehumanelyleftfreetothesustenanceoftheharmlessanimalstheyhadtamed，thoughnotfordomesticuse。

Sogreatistheirkindnesstowardsthesehumblercreatures，thatasumisdevotedfromthepublictreasuryforthepurposeofdeportingthemtootherVril—yacommunitieswillingtoreceivethem（chieflynewcolonies），whenevertheybecometoonumerousforthepasturesallottedtothemintheirnativeplace。Theydonot，however，multiplytoanextentcomparabletotheratioatwhich，withus，animalsbredforslaughter，increase。Itseemsalawofnaturethatanimalsnotusefultomangraduallyrecedefromthedomainsheoccupies，orevenbecomeextinct。ItisanoldcustomofthevarioussovereignstatesamidstwhichtheraceoftheVril—yaaredistributed，toleavebetweeneachstateaneutralanduncultivatedborder—land。IntheinstanceofthecommunityIspeakof，thistract，beingaridgeofsavagerocks，wasimpassablebyfoot，butwaseasilysurmounted，whetherbythewingsoftheinhabitantsortheair—boats，ofwhichIshallspeakhereafter。

Roadsthroughitwerealsocutforthetransitofvehiclesimpelledbyvril。Theseintercommunicatingtractswerealwayskeptlighted，andtheexpensethereofdefrayedbyaspecialtax，towhichallthecommunitiescomprehendedinthedenominationofVril—yacontributeinsettledproportions。Bythesemeansaconsiderablecommercialtrafficwithotherstates，bothnearanddistant，wascarriedon。Thesurpluswealthonthisspecialcommunitywaschieflyagricultural。The61communitywasalsoeminentforskillinconstructingimplementsconnectedwiththeartsofhusbandry。Inexchangeforsuchmerchandiseitobtainedarticlesmoreofluxurythannecessity。

Therewerefewthingsimportedonwhichtheysetahigherpricethanbirdstaughttopipeartfultunesinconcert。Thesewerebroughtfromagreatdistance，andweremarvellousforbeautyofsongandplumage。Iunderstandthatextraordinarycarewastakenbytheirbreedersandteachersinselection，andthatthespecieshadwonderfullyimprovedduringthelastfewyears。I

sawnootherpetanimalsamongthiscommunityexceptsomeveryamusingandsportivecreaturesoftheBatrachianspecies，resemblingfrogs，butwithveryintelligentcountenances，whichthechildrenwerefondof，andkeptintheirprivategardens。

Theyappeartohavenoanimalsakintoourdogsorhorses，thoughthatlearnednaturalist，Zee，informedmethatsuchcreatureshadonceexistedinthoseparts，andmightnowbefoundinregionsinhabitedbyotherracesthantheVril—ya。

Shesaidthattheyhadgraduallydisappearedfromthemorecivilisedworldsincethediscoveryofvril，andtheresultsattendingthatdiscoveryhaddispensedwiththeiruses。

Machineryandtheinventionofwingshadsupersededthehorseasabeastofburden;andthedogwasnolongerwantedeitherforprotectionorthechase，asithadbeenwhentheancestorsoftheVril—yafearedtheaggressionsoftheirownkind，orhuntedthelesseranimalsforfood。Indeed，however，sofarasthehorsewasconcerned，thisregionwassorockythatahorsecouldhavebeen，there，oflittleuseeitherforpastimeorburden。Theonlycreaturetheyuseforthelatterpurposeisakindoflargegoatwhichismuchemployedonfarms。Thenatureofthesurroundingsoilinthesedistrictsmaybesaidtohavefirstsuggestedtheinventionofwingsandair—boats。Thelargenessofspaceinproportiontothespaceoccupiedbythecity，wasoccasionedbythecustomofsurroundingeveryhousewithaseparategarden。Thebroadmainstreet，inwhichAph—Lindwelt，expandedintoavastsquare，inwhichwere62placedtheCollegeofSagesandallthepublicoffices;amagnificentfountainoftheluminousfluidwhichIcallnaptha（Iamignorantofitsrealnature）inthecentre。Allthesepublicedificeshaveauniformcharacterofmassivenessandsolidity。TheyremindedmeofthearchitecturalpicturesofMartin。Alongtheupperstoriesofeachranabalcony，orratheraterracedgarden，supportedbycolumns，filledwithfloweringplants，andtenantedbymanykindsoftamebirds。

>Fromthesquarebranchedseveralstreets，allbroadandbrilliantlylighted，andascendinguptheeminenceoneitherside。InmyexcursionsinthetownIwasneverallowedtogoalone;Aph—Linorhisdaughterwasmyhabitualcompanion。InthiscommunitytheadultGyisseenwalkingwithanyyoungAnasfamiliarlyasiftherewerenodifferenceofsex。

Theretailshopsarenotverynumerous;thepersonswhoattendonacustomerareallchildrenofvariousages，andexceedinglyintelligentandcourteous，butwithouttheleasttouchofimportunityorcringing。Theshopkeeperhimselfmightormightnotbevisible;whenvisible，heseemedrarelyemployedonanymatterconnectedwithhisprofessionalbusiness;andyethehadtakentothatbusinessfromspeciallikingforit，andquiteindependentlyofhisgeneralsourcesoffortune。

TheAnaofthecommunityare，onthewhole，anindolentsetofbeingsaftertheactiveageofchildhood。Whetherbytemperamentorphilosophy，theyrankreposeamongthechiefblessingsoflife。Indeed，whenyoutakeawayfromahuman63beingtheincentivestoactionwhicharefoundincupidityorambition，itseemstomenowonderthatherestsquiet。

Intheirordinarymovementstheyprefertheuseoftheirfeettothatoftheirwings。Butfortheirsportsor（toindulgeinaboldmisuseofterms）theirpublic’promenades，’theyemploythelatter，alsofortheaerialdancesIhavedescribed，aswellasforvisitingtheircountryplaces，whicharemostlyplacedonloftyheights;and，whenstillyoung，theyprefertheirwingsfortravelintotheotherregionsoftheAna，tovehicularconveyances。

Thosewhoaccustomthemselvestoflightcanfly，iflessrapidlythansomebirds，yetfromtwenty—fivetothirtymilesanhour，andkeepupthatrateforfiveorsixhoursatastretch。ButtheAnagenerally，onreachingmiddleage，arenotfondofrapidmovementsrequiringviolentexercise。

Perhapsforthisreason，astheyholdadoctrinewhichourownphysicianswilldoubtlessapprove—viz。，thatregulartranspirationthroughtheporesoftheskinisessentialtohealth，theyhabituallyusethesweating—bathstowhichwegivethenameTurkishorRoman，succeededbydouchesofperfumedwaters。Theyhavegreatfaithinthesalubriousvirtueofcertainperfumes。

Itistheircustomalso，atstatedbutrareperiods，perhapsfourtimesa—yearwheninhealth，touseabathchargedwithvril。*

*Ioncetriedtheeffectofthevrilbath。ItwasverysimilarinitsinvigoratingpowerstothatofthebathsatGastein，thevirtuesofwhichareascribedbymanyphysicianstoelectricity;butthoughsimilar，theeffectofthevrilbathwasmorelasting。

Theyconsiderthatthisfluid，sparinglyused，isagreatsustaineroflife;butusedinexcess，wheninthenormalstateofhealth，rathertendstoreactionandexhaustedvitality。

Fornearlyalltheirdiseases，however，theyresorttoitasthechiefassistanttonatureinthrowingofftheircomplaint。

Intheirownwaytheyarethemostluxuriousofpeople，butalltheirluxuriesareinnocent。Theymaybesaidtodwellinanatmosphereofmusicandfragrance。Everyroomhasits64mechanicalcontrivancesformelodioussounds，usuallytuneddowntosoft—murmurednotes，whichseemlikesweetwhispersfrominvisiblespirits。Theyaretooaccustomedtothesegentlesoundstofindthemahindrancetoconversation，nor，whenalone，toreflection。Buttheyhaveanotionthattobreatheanairfilledwithcontinuousmelodyandperfumehasnecessarilyaneffectatoncesoothingandelevatingupontheformationofcharacterandthehabitsofthought。Thoughsotemperate，andwithtotalabstinencefromotheranimalfoodthanmilk，andfromallintoxicatingdrinks，theyaredelicateanddaintytoanextremeinfoodandbeverage;andinalltheirsportseventheoldexhibitachildlikegaiety。Happinessistheendatwhichtheyaim，notastheexcitementofamoment，butastheprevailingconditionoftheentireexistence;andregardforthehappinessofeachotherisevincedbytheexquisiteamenityoftheirmanners。

Theirconformationofskullhasmarkeddifferencesfromthatofanyknownracesintheupperworld，thoughIcannothelpthinkingitadevelopment，inthecourseofcountlessagesoftheBrachycephalictypeoftheAgeofStoneinLyell’s’ElementsofGeology，’C。X。，p。113，ascomparedwiththeDolichocephalictypeofthebeginningoftheAgeofIron，correspondentwiththatnowsoprevalentamongstus，andcalledtheCeltictype。Ithasthesamecomparativemassivenessofforehead，notrecedingliketheCeltic—thesameevenroundnessinthefrontalorgans;butitisfarloftierintheapex，andfarlesspronouncedinthehindercranialhemispherewherephrenologistsplacetheanimalorgans。Tospeakasaphrenologist，thecraniumcommontotheVril—yahastheorgansofweight，number，tune，form，order，causality，verylargelydeveloped;thatofconstructionmuchmorepronouncedthanthatofideality。Thosewhicharecalledthemoralorgans，suchasconscientiousnessandbenevolence，areamazinglyfull;

amativenessandcombativenessarebothsmall;adhesivenesslarge;theorganofdestructiveness（i。e。，ofdetermined65clearanceofinterveningobstacles）immense，butlessthanthatofbenevolence;andtheirphiloprogenitivenesstakesratherthecharacterofcompassionandtendernesstothingsthatneedaidorprotectionthanoftheanimalloveofoffspring。Inevermetwithonepersondeformedormisshapen。Thebeautyoftheircountenancesisnotonlyinsymmetryoffeature，butinasmoothnessofsurface，whichcontinueswithoutlineorwrinkletotheextremeofoldage，andaserenesweetnessofexpression，combinedwiththatmajestywhichseemstocomefromconsciousnessofpowerandthefreedomofallterror，physicalormoral。Itisthatverysweetness，combinedwiththatmajesty，whichinspiredinabeholderlikemyself，accustomedtostrivewiththepassionsofmankind，asentimentofhumiliation，ofawe，ofdread。Itissuchanexpressionasapaintermightgivetoademi—god，agenius，anangel。ThemalesoftheVril—yaareentirelybeardless;theGy—eisometimes，inoldage，developasmallmoustache。

IwassurprisedtofindthatthecolouroftheirskinwasnotuniformlythatwhichIhadremarkedinthoseindividualswhomI

hadfirstencountered，—somebeingmuchfairer，andevenwithblueeyes，andhairofadeepgoldenauburn，thoughstillofcomplexionswarmerorricherintonethanpersonsinthenorthofEurope。

IwastoldthatthisadmixtureofcolouringarosefromintermarriagewithotherandmoredistanttribesoftheVril—ya，who，whetherbytheaccidentofclimateorearlydistinctionofrace，wereoffairerhuesthanthetribesofwhichthiscommunityformedone。Itwasconsideredthatthedark—redskinshowedthemostancientfamilyofAna;buttheyattachednosentimentofpridetothatantiquity，and，onthecontrary，believedtheirpresentexcellenceofbreedcamefromfrequentcrossingwithotherfamiliesdiffering，yetakin;andtheyencouragesuchintermarriages，alwaysprovidedthatitbewiththeVril—yanations。Nationswhich，notconformingtheir66mannersandinstitutionstothoseoftheVril—ya，norindeedheldcapableofacquiringthepowersoverthevrilagencieswhichithadtakenthemgenerationstoattainandtransmit，wereregardedwithmoredisdainthanthecitizensofNewYorkregardthenegroes。

IlearnedfromZee，whohadmoreloreinallmattersthananymalewithwhomIwasbroughtintofamiliarconverse，thatthesuperiorityoftheVril—yawassupposedtohaveoriginatedintheintensityoftheirearlierstrugglesagainstobstaclesinnatureamidstthelocalitiesinwhichtheyhadfirstsettled。

\"Wherever，\"saidZee，moralising，\"wherevergoesonthatearlyprocessinthehistoryofcivilisation，bywhichlifeismadeastruggle，inwhichtheindividualhastoputforthallhispowerstocompetewithhisfellow，weinvariablyfindthisresult—viz。，sinceinthecompetitionavastnumbermustperish，natureselectsforpreservationonlythestrongestspecimens。Withourrace，therefore，evenbeforethediscoveryofvril，onlythehighestorganisationswerepreserved;andthereisamongourancientbooksalegend，oncepopularlybelieved，thatweweredrivenfromaregionthatseemstodenotetheworldyoucomefrom，inordertoperfectourconditionandattaintothepuresteliminationofourspeciesbytheseverityofthestrugglesourforefathersunderwent;andthat，whenoureducationshallbecomefinallycompleted，wearedestinedtoreturntotheupperworld，andsupplantalltheinferiorracesnowexistingtherein。\"

Aph—LinandZeeoftenconversedwithmeinprivateuponthepoliticalandsocialconditionsofthatupperworld，inwhichZeesophilosophicallyassumedthattheinhabitantsweretobeexterminatedonedayorotherbytheadventoftheVril—ya。

Theyfoundinmyaccounts，—inwhichIcontinuedtodoallI

could（withoutlaunchingintofalsehoodssopositivethattheywouldhavebeeneasilydetectedbytheshrewdnessofmylisteners）topresentourpowersandourselvesinthemostflatteringpointofview，—perpetualsubjectsofcomparison67betweenourmostcivilisedpopulationsandthemeanersubterraneanraceswhichtheyconsideredhopelesslyplungedinbarbarism，anddoomedtogradualifcertainextinction。Buttheybothagreedindesiringtoconcealfromtheircommunityallprematureopeningintotheregionslightedbythesun;bothwerehumane，andshrunkfromthethoughtofannihilatingsomanymillionsofcreatures;andthepicturesIdrewofourlife，highlycolouredastheywere，saddenedthem。InvainI

boastedofourgreatmen—poets，philosophers，orators，generals—anddefiedtheVril—yatoproducetheirequals。

\"Alas，\"saidZee，\"thispredominanceofthefewoverthemanyisthesurestandmostfatalsignofaraceincorrigiblysavage。Seeyounotthattheprimaryconditionofmortalhappinessconsistsintheextinctionofthatstrifeandcompetitionbetweenindividuals，which，nomatterwhatformsofgovernmenttheyadopt，renderthemanysubordinatetothefew，destroyreallibertytotheindividual，whatevermaybethenominallibertyofthestate，andannulthatcalmofexistence，withoutwhich，felicity，mentalorbodily，cannotbeattained？

Ournotionis，thatthemorewecanassimilatelifetotheexistencewhichournoblestideascanconceivetobethatofspiritsontheothersideofthegrave，why，themoreweapproximatetoadivinehappinesshere，andthemoreeasilyweglideintotheconditionsofbeinghereafter。For，surely，allwecanimagineofthelifeofgods，orofblessedimmortals，supposestheabsenceofself—madecaresandcontentiouspassions，suchasavariceandambition。Itseemstousthatitmustbealifeofserenetranquility，notindeedwithoutactiveoccupationstotheintellectualorspiritualpowers，butoccupations，ofwhatsoevernaturetheybe，congenialtotheidiosyncrasiesofeach，notforcedandrepugnant—alifegladdenedbytheuntrammelledinterchangeofgentleaffections，inwhichthemoralatmosphereutterlykillshateandvengeance，andstrifeandrivalry。Suchisthepoliticalstatetowhich68allthetribesandfamiliesoftheVril—yaseektoattain，andtowardsthatgoalallourtheoriesofgovernmentareshaped。

Youseehowutterlyopposedissuchaprogresstothatoftheuncivilisednationsfromwhichyoucome，andwhichaimatasystematicperpetuityoftroubles，andcares，andwarringpassionsaggravatedmoreandmoreastheirprogressstormsitswayonward。Themostpowerfulofalltheracesinourworld，beyondthepaleoftheVril—ya，esteemsitselfthebestgovernedofallpoliticalsocieties，andtohavereachedinthatrespecttheextremeendatwhichpoliticalwisdomcanarrive，sothattheothernationsshouldtendmoreorlesstocopyit。Ithasestablished，onitsbroadestbase，theKoom—Posh—viz。，thegovernmentoftheignorantupontheprincipleofbeingthemostnumerous。Ithasplacedthesupremeblissinthevyingwitheachotherinallthings，sothattheevilpassionsareneverinrepose—vyingforpower，forwealth，foreminenceofsomekind;andinthisrivalryitishorribletohearthevituperation，theslanders，andcalumnieswhicheventhebestandmildestamongthemheaponeachotherwithoutremorseorshame。\"

\"Someyearsago，\"saidAph—Lin，\"Ivisitedthispeople，andtheirmiseryanddegradationwerethemoreappallingbecausetheywerealwaysboastingoftheirfelicityandgrandeurascomparedwiththerestoftheirspecies。Andthereisnohopethatthispeople，whichevidentlyresemblesyourown，canimprove，becausealltheirnotionstendtofurtherdeterioration。Theydesiretoenlargetheirdominionmoreandmore，indirectantagonismtothetruththat，beyondaverylimitedrange，itisimpossibletosecuretoacommunitythehappinesswhichbelongstoawell—orderedfamily;andthemoretheymatureasystembywhichafewindividualsareheatedandswollentoasizeabovethestandardslendernessofthemillions，themoretheychuckleandexact，andcryout，’Seebywhatgreatexceptionstothecommonlittlenessofourraceweprovethemagnificentresultsofoursystem！’\"

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\"Infact，\"resumedZee，\"ifthewisdomofhumanlifebetoapproximatetothesereneequalityofimmortals，therecanbenomoredirectflyingoffintotheoppositedirectionthanasystemwhichaimsatcarryingtotheutmosttheinequalitiesandturbulencesofmortals。NordoIseehow，byanyformsofreligiousbelief，mortals，soacting，couldfitthemselveseventoappreciatethejoysofimmortalstowhichtheystillexpecttobetransferredbythemereactofdying。Onthecontrary，mindsaccustomedtoplacehappinessinthingssomuchthereverseofgodlike，wouldfindthehappinessofgodsexceedinglydull，andwouldlongtogetbacktoaworldinwhichtheycouldquarrelwitheachother。\"

ChapterXVI。

IhavespokensomuchoftheVrilStaffthatmyreadermayexpectmetodescribeit。ThisIcannotdoaccurately，forI

wasneverallowedtohandleitforfearofsometerribleaccidentoccasionedbymyignoranceofitsuse;andIhavenodoubtthatitrequiresmuchskillandpracticeintheexerciseofitsvariouspowers。Itishollow，andhasinthehandleseveralstops，keys，orspringsbywhichitsforcecanbealtered，modified，ordirected—sothatbyoneprocessitdestroys，byanotheritheals—byoneitcanrendtherock，byanotherdispersethevapour—byoneitaffectsbodies，byanotheritcanexerciseacertaininfluenceoverminds。Itisusuallycarriedintheconvenientsizeofawalking—staff，butithasslidesbywhichitcanbelengthenedorshortenedatwill。Whenusedforspecialpurposes，theupperpartrestsinthehollowofthepalmwiththeforeandmiddlefingersprotruded。Iwasassured，however，thatitspowerwasnotequalinall，butproportionedtotheamountofcertainvril70propertiesinthewearerinaffinity，or’rapport’withthepurposestobeeffected。Someweremorepotenttodestroy，otherstoheal，&c。;muchalsodependedonthecalmandsteadinessofvolitioninthemanipulator。Theyassertthatthefullexerciseofvrilpowercanonlybeacquiredbytheconstitutionaltemperament—i。e。，byhereditarilytransmittedorganisation—andthatafemaleinfantoffouryearsoldbelongingtotheVril—yaracescanaccomplishfeatswhichalifespentinitspracticewouldnotenablethestrongestandmostskilledmechanician，bornoutofthepaleoftheVril—yatoachieve。Allthesewandsarenotequallycomplicated;thoseintrustedtochildrenaremuchsimplerthanthosebornebysagesofeithersex，andconstructedwithaviewtothespecialobjectonwhichthechildrenareemployed;whichasIhavebeforesaid，isamongtheyoungestchildrenthemostdestructive。Inthewandsofwivesandmothersthecorrelativedestroyingforceisusuallyabstracted，thehealingpowerfullycharged。IwishIcouldsaymoreindetailofthissingularconductorofthevrilfluid，butitsmachineryisasexquisiteasitseffectsaremarvellous。

Ishouldsay，however，thatthispeoplehaveinventedcertaintubesbywhichthevrilfluidcanbeconductedtowardstheobjectitismeanttodestroy，throughoutadistancealmostindefinite;atleastIputitmodestlywhenIsayfrom500to600miles。Andtheirmathematicalscienceasappliedtosuchpurposeissonicelyaccurate，thatonthereportofsomeobserverinanair—boat，anymemberofthevrildepartmentcanestimateunerringlythenatureofinterveningobstacles，theheighttowhichtheprojectileinstrumentshouldberaised，andtheextenttowhichitshouldbecharged，soastoreducetoasheswithinaspaceoftimetooshortformetoventuretospecifyit，acapitaltwiceasvastasLondon。

CertainlytheseAnaarewonderfulmathematicians—wonderfulfortheadaptationoftheinventivefacultytopracticaluses。

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IwentwithmyhostandhisdaughterZeeoverthegreatpublicmuseum，whichoccupiesawingintheCollegeofSages，andinwhicharehoarded，ascuriousspecimensoftheignorantandblunderingexperimentsofancienttimes，manycontrivancesonwhichweprideourselvesasrecentachievements。Inonedepartment，carelesslythrownasideasobsoletelumber，aretubesfordestroyinglifebymetallicballsandaninflammablepowder，ontheprincipleofourcannonsandcatapults，andevenstillmoremurderousthanourlatestimprovements。

Myhostspokeofthesewithasmileofcontempt，suchasanartilleryofficermightbestowonthebowsandarrowsoftheChinese。Inanotherdepartmentthereweremodelsofvehiclesandvesselsworkedbysteam，andofanair—balloonwhichmighthavebeenconstructedbyMontgolfier。\"Such，\"saidZee，withanairofmeditativewisdom—\"suchwerethefeebletriflingswithnatureofoursavageforefathers，eretheyhadevenaglimmeringperceptionofthepropertiesofvril！\"

ThisyoungGywasamagnificentspecimenofthemuscularforcetowhichthefemalesofhercountryattain。Herfeatureswerebeautiful，likethoseofallherrace：neverintheupperworldhaveIseenafacesograndandsofaultless，butherdevotiontothesevererstudieshadgiventohercountenanceanexpressionofabstractthoughtwhichrendereditsomewhatsternwheninrepose;andsuchasternnessbecameformidablewhenobservedinconnectionwithherampleshouldersandloftystature。ShewastallevenforaGy，andIsawherliftupacannonaseasilyasIcouldliftapocket—pistol。Zeeinspiredmewithaprofoundterror—aterrorwhichincreasedwhenwecameintoadepartmentofthemuseumappropriatedtomodelsofcontrivancesworkedbytheagencyofvril;forhere，merelybyacertainplayofhervrilstaff，sheherselfstandingatadistance，sheputintomovementlargeandweightysubstances。

Sheseemedtoendowthemwithintelligence，andtomakethem72comprehendandobeyhercommand。Shesetcomplicatedpiecesofmachineryintomovement，arrestedthemovementorcontinuedit，until，withinanincrediblyshorttime，variouskindsofrawmaterialwerereproducedassymmetricalworksofart，completeandperfect。Whatevereffectmesmerismorelectro—biologyproducesoverthenervesandmusclesofanimatedobjects，thisyoungGyproducedbythemotionsofherslenderrodoverthespringsandwheelsoflifelessmechanism。

WhenImentionedtomycompanionsmyastonishmentatthisinfluenceoverinanimatematter—whileowningthat，inourworld，Ihadwitnessedphenomenawhichshowedthatovercertainlivingorganisationscertainotherlivingorganisationscouldestablishaninfluencegenuineinitself，butoftenexaggeratedbycredulityorcraft—Zee，whowasmoreinterestedinsuchsubjectsthanherfather，bademestretchforthmyhand，andthen，placingitbesideherown，shecalledmyattentiontocertaindistinctionsoftypeandcharacter。Inthefirstplace，thethumboftheGy（and，asIafterwardsnoticed，ofallthatrace，maleorfemale）wasmuchlarger，atoncelongerandmoremassive，thanisfoundwithourspeciesaboveground。

Thereisalmost，inthis，asgreatadifferenceasthereisbetweenthethumbofamanandthatofagorilla。Secondly，thepalmisproportionallythickerthanours—thetextureoftheskininfinitelyfinerandsofter—itsaveragewarmthisgreater。Moreremarkablethanallthis，isavisiblenerve，perceptibleundertheskin，whichstartsfromthewristskirtingtheballofthethumb，andbranching，fork—like，attherootsoftheforeandmiddlefingers。\"Withyourslightformationofthumb，\"saidthephilosophicalyoungGy，\"andwiththeabsenceofthenervewhichyoufindmoreorlessdevelopedinthehandsofourrace，youcanneverachieveotherthanimperfectandfeeblepowerovertheagencyofvril;butsofarasthenerveisconcerned，thatisnotfoundinthehandsofourearliestprogenitors，norinthoseoftherudertribeswithoutthepaleoftheVril—ya。Ithasbeenslowlydeveloped73inthecourseofgenerations，commencingintheearlyachievements，andincreasingwiththecontinuousexercise，ofthevrilpower;therefore，inthecourseofoneortwothousandyears，suchanervemaypossiblybeengenderedinthosehigherbeingsofyourrace，whodevotethemselvestothatparamountsciencethroughwhichisattainedcommandoverallthesubtlerforcesofnaturepermeatedbyvril。Butwhenyoutalkofmatterassomethinginitselfinertandmotionless，yourparentsortutorssurelycannothaveleftyousoignorantasnottoknowthatnoformofmatterismotionlessandinert：

everyparticleisconstantlyinmotionandconstantlyacteduponbyagencies，ofwhichheatisthemostapparentandrapid，butvrilthemostsubtle，and，whenskilfullywielded，themostpowerful。Sothat，infact，thecurrentlaunchedbymyhandandguidedbymywilldoesbutrenderquickerandmorepotenttheactionwhichiseternallyatworkuponeveryparticleofmatter，howeverinertandstubbornitmayseem。Ifaheapofmetalbenotcapableoforiginatingathoughtofitsown，yet，throughitsinternalsusceptibilitytomovement，itobtainsthepowertoreceivethethoughtoftheintellectualagentatworkonit;bywhich，whenconveyedwithasufficientforceofthevrilpower，itisasmuchcompelledtoobeyasifitweredisplacedbyavisiblebodilyforce。Itisanimatedforthetimebeingbythesoulthusinfusedintoit，sothatonemayalmostsaythatitlivesandreasons。Withoutthiswecouldnotmakeourautomatasupplytheplaceofservants。

IwastoomuchinaweofthethewsandthelearningoftheyoungGytohazardtheriskofarguingwithher。Ihadreadsomewhereinmyschoolboydaysthatawiseman，disputingwithaRomanEmperor，suddenlydrewinhishorns;andwhentheemperoraskedhimwhetherhehadnothingfurthertosayonhissideofthequestion，replied，\"Nay，Caesar，thereisnoarguingagainstareasonerwhocommandstenlegions。\"

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ThoughIhadasecretpersuasionthat，whatevertherealeffectsofvriluponmatter，Mr。Faradaycouldhaveprovedheraveryshallowphilosopherastoitsextentoritscauses，I

hadnodoubtthatZeecouldhavebrainedalltheFellowsoftheRoyalSociety，oneaftertheother，withablowofherfist。

Everysensiblemanknowsthatitisuselesstoarguewithanyordinaryfemaleuponmattershecomprehends;buttoarguewithaGysevenfeethighuponthemysteriesofvril，—aswellargueinadesert，andwithasimoon！

AmidthevariousdepartmentstowhichthevastbuildingoftheCollegeofSageswasappropriated，thatwhichinterestedmemostwasdevotedtothearchaeologyoftheVril—ya，andcomprisedaveryancientcollectionofportraits。InthesethepigmentsandgroundworkemployedwereofsodurableanaturethatevenpicturessaidtobeexecutedatdatesasremoteasthoseintheearliestannalsoftheChinese，retainedmuchfreshnessofcolour。Inexaminingthiscollection，twothingsespeciallystruckme：—first，thatthepicturessaidtobebetween6000and7000yearsoldwereofamuchhigherdegreeofartthananyproducedwithinthelast3000or4000years;and，second，thattheportraitswithintheformerperiodmuchmoreresembledourownupperworldandEuropeantypesofcountenance。Someofthem，indeedremindedmeoftheItalianheadswhichlookoutfromthecanvasesofTitian—speakingofambitionorcraft，ofcareorofgrief，withfurrowsinwhichthepassionshavepassedwithironploughshare。Thesewerethecountenancesofmenwhohadlivedinstruggleandconflictbeforethediscoveryofthelatentforcesofvrilhadchangedthecharacterofsociety—menwhohadfoughtwitheachotherforpowerorfameasweintheupperworldfight。

Thetypeoffacebegantoevinceamarkedchangeaboutathousandyearsafterthevrilrevolution，becomingthen，witheachgeneration，moreserene，andinthatserenitymore75terriblydistinctfromthefacesoflabouringandsinfulmen;

whileinproportionasthebeautyandthegrandeurofthecountenanceitselfbecamemorefullydeveloped，theartofthepainterbecamemoretameandmonotonous。

Butthegreatestcuriosityinthecollectionwasthatofthreeportraitsbelongingtothepre—historicalage，and，accordingtomythicaltradition，takenbytheordersofaphilosopher，whoseoriginandattributeswereasmuchmixedupwithsymbolicalfableasthoseofanIndianBudhoraGreekPrometheus。

>Fromthismysteriouspersonage，atonceasageandahero，alltheprincipalsectionsoftheVril—yaracepretendtotraceacommonorigin。

Theportraitsareofthephilosopherhimself，ofhisgrandfather，andgreat—grandfather。Theyareallatfulllength。Thephilosopherisattiredinalongtunicwhichseemstoformaloosesuitofscalyarmour，borrowed，perhaps，fromsomefishorreptile，butthefeetandhandsareexposed：thedigitsinbotharewonderfullylong，andwebbed。Hehaslittleornoperceptiblethroat，andalowrecedingforehead，notatalltheidealofasage’s。Hehasbrightbrownprominenteyes，averywidemouthandhighcheekbones，andamuddycomplexion。

Accordingtotradition，thisphilosopherhadlivedtoapatriarchalage，extendingovermanycenturies，andheremembereddistinctlyinmiddlelifehisgrandfatherassurviving，andinchildhoodhisgreat—grandfather;theportraitofthefirsthehadtaken，orcausedtobetaken，whileyetalive—thatofthelatterwastakenfromhiseffigiesinmummy。

Theportraitofhisgrandfatherhadthefeaturesandaspectofthephilosopher，onlymuchmoreexaggerated：hewasnotdressed，andthecolourofhisbodywassingular;thebreastandstomachyellow，theshouldersandlegsofadullbronzehue：thegreat—grandfatherwasamagnificentspecimenoftheBatrachiangenus，aGiantFrog，’puretsimple。’

Amongthepithysayingswhich，accordingtotradition，thephilosopherbequeathedtoposterityinrhythmicalformand76sententiousbrevity，thisisnotablyrecorded：\"Humbleyourselves，mydescendants;thefatherofyourracewasa’twat’（tadpole）：exaltyourselves，mydescendants，foritwasthesameDivineThoughtwhichcreatedyourfatherthatdevelopsitselfinexaltingyou。\"

Aph—LintoldmethisfablewhileIgazedonthethreeBatrachianportraits。Isaidinreply：\"YoumakeajestofmysupposedignoranceandcredulityasanuneducatedTish，butthoughthesehorribledaubsmaybeofgreatantiquity，andwereintended，perhaps，forsomerudecaracature，Ipresumethatnoneofyourraceeveninthelessenlightenedages，everbelievedthatthegreat—grandsonofaFrogbecameasententiousphilosopher;orthatanysection，IwillnotsayoftheloftyVril—ya，butofthemeanestvarietiesofthehumanrace，haditsorigininaTadpole。\"

\"Pardonme，\"answeredAph—Lin：\"inwhatwecalltheWranglingorPhilosophicalPeriodofHistory，whichwasatitsheightaboutseventhousandyearsago，therewasaverydistinguishednaturalist，whoprovedtothesatisfactionofnumerousdisciplessuchanalogicalandanatomicalagreementsinstructurebetweenanAnandaFrog，astoshowthatoutoftheonemusthavedevelopedtheother。Theyhadsomediseasesincommon;theywerebothsubjecttothesameparasiticalwormsintheintestines;and，strangetosay，theAnhas，inhisstructure，aswimming—bladder，nolongerofanyusetohim，butwhichisarudimentthatclearlyproveshisdescentfromaFrog。Noristhereanyargumentagainstthistheorytobefoundintherelativedifferenceofsize，fortherearestillexistentinourworldFrogsofasizeandstaturenotinferiortoourown，andmanythousandyearsagotheyappeartohavebeenstilllarger。\"

\"Iunderstandthat，\"saidI，\"becauseFrogsthisenormousare，accordingtooureminentgeologists，whoperhapssawthemindreams，saidtohavebeendistinguishedinhabitantsoftheupperworldbeforetheDeluge;andsuchFrogsareexactlythecreatureslikelytohaveflourishedinthelakesandmorassesofyoursubterraneanregions。Butpray，proceed。\"

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\"IntheWranglingPeriodofHistory，whateveronesageassertedanothersagewassuretocontradict。Infact，itwasamaximinthatage，thatthehumanreasoncouldonlybesustainedaloftbybeingtossedtoandfrointheperpetualmotionofcontradiction;andthereforeanothersectofphilosophersmaintainedthedoctrinethattheAnwasnotthedescendantoftheFrog，butthattheFrogwasclearlytheimproveddevelopmentoftheAn。TheshapeoftheFrog，takengenerally，wasmuchmoresymmetricalthanthatoftheAn;besidethebeautifulconformationofitslowerlimbs，itsflanksandshouldersthemajorityoftheAnainthatdaywerealmostdeformed，andcertainlyill—shaped。Again，theFroghadthepowertolivealikeonlandandinwater—amightyprivilege，partakingofaspiritualessencedeniedtotheAn，sincethedisuseofhisswimming—bladderclearlyproveshisdegenerationfromahigherdevelopmentofspecies。Again，theearlierracesoftheAnaseemtohavebeencoveredwithhair，and，eventoacomparativelyrecentdate，hirsutebushesdeformedtheveryfacesofourancestors，spreadingwildovertheircheeksandchins，assimilarbushes，mypoorTish，spreadwildoveryours。

ButtheobjectofthehigherracesoftheAnathroughcountlessgenerationshasbeentoeraseallvestigeofconnectionwithhairyvertebrata，andtheyhavegraduallyeliminatedthatdebasingcapillaryexcrementbythelawofsexualselection;

theGy—einaturallypreferringyouthorthebeautyofsmoothfaces。ButthedegreeoftheFroginthescaleofthevertebrataisshowninthis，thathehasnohairatall，notevenonhishead。HewasborntothathairlessperfectionwhichthemostbeautifuloftheAna，despitethecultureofincalculableages，havenotyetattained。ThewonderfulcomplicationanddelicacyofaFrog’snervoussystemandarterialcirculationwereshownbythisschooltobemoresusceptibleofenjoymentthanourinferior，oratleastsimpler，physicalframeallowsustobe。TheexaminationofaFrog’shand，ifImayusethatexpression，accountedforits78keenersusceptibilitytolove，andtosociallifeingeneral。

Infact，gregariousandamatoryasaretheAna，Frogsarestillmoreso。Inshort，thesetwoschoolsragedagainsteachother;

oneassertingtheAntobetheperfectedtypeoftheFrog;theotherthattheFrogwasthehighestdevelopmentoftheAn。Themoralistsweredividedinopinionwiththenaturalists，butthebulkofthemsidedwiththeFrog—preferenceschool。Theysaid，withmuchplausibility，thatinmoralconduct（viz。，intheadherencetorulesbestadaptedtothehealthandwelfareoftheindividualandthecommunity）therecouldbenodoubtofthevastsuperiorityoftheFrog。Allhistoryshowedthewholesaleimmoralityofthehumanrace，thecompletedisregard，evenbythemostrenownedamongstthem，ofthelawswhichtheyacknowledgedtobeessentialtotheirownandthegeneralhappinessandwellbeing。ButtheseverestcriticoftheFrogracecouldnotdetectintheirmannersasingleaberrationfromthemorallawtacitlyrecognisedbythemselves。Andwhat，afterall，canbetheprofitofcivilisationifsuperiorityinmoralconductbenottheaimforwhichitstrives，andthetestbywhichitsprogressshouldbejudged？

\"Infine，theadherentsofthistheorypresumedthatinsomeremoteperiodtheFrogracehadbeentheimproveddevelopmentoftheHuman;butthat，fromsomecauseswhichdefiedrationalconjecture，theyhadnotmaintainedtheiroriginalpositioninthescaleofnature;whiletheAna，thoughofinferiororganisation，had，bydintlessoftheirvirtuesthantheirvices，suchasferocityandcunning，graduallyacquiredascendancy，muchasamongthehumanraceitselftribesutterlybarbaroushave，bysuperiorityinsimilarvices，utterlydestroyedorreducedintoinsignificancetribesoriginallyexcellingtheminmentalgiftsandculture。Unhappilythesedisputesbecameinvolvedwiththereligiousnotionsofthatage;andassocietywasthenadministeredunderthegovernmentoftheKoom—Posh，who，beingthemostignorant，wereofcourse79themostinflammableclass—themultitudetookthewholequestionoutofthehandsofthephilosophers;politicalchiefssawthattheFrogdispute，sotakenupbythepopulace，couldbecomeamostvaluableinstrumentoftheirambition;andfornotlessthanonethousandyearswarandmassacreprevailed，duringwhichperiodthephilosophersonbothsideswerebutchered，andthegovernmentofKoom—Poshitselfwashappilybroughttoanendbytheascendancyofafamilythatclearlyestablisheditsdescentfromtheaboriginaltadpole，andfurnisheddespoticrulerstothevariousnationsoftheAna。

Thesedespotsfinallydisappeared，atleastfromourcommunities，asthediscoveryofvrilledtothetranquilinstitutionsunderwhichflourishalltheracesoftheVril—ya。\"

\"Anddonowranglersorphilosophersnowexisttorevivethedispute;ordotheyallrecognisetheoriginofyourraceinthetadpole？\"

\"Nay，suchdisputes，\"saidZee，withaloftysmile，\"belongtothePah—bodhofthedarkages，andnowonlyservefortheamusementofinfants。Whenweknowtheelementsoutofwhichourbodiesarecomposed，elementsincommontothehumblestvegetableplants，canitsignifywhethertheAll—Wisecombinedthoseelementsoutofoneformmorethananother，inordertocreatethatinwhichHehasplacedthecapacitytoreceivetheideaofHimself，andallthevariedgrandeursofintellecttowhichthatideagivesbirth？TheAninrealitycommencedtoexistasAnwiththedonationofthatcapacity，and，withthatcapacity，thesensetoacknowledgethat，howeverthroughthecountlessageshisracemayimproveinwisdom，itcannevercombinetheelementsatitscommandintotheformofatadpole。\"

\"Youspeakwell，Zee，\"saidAph—Lin;\"anditisenoughforusshortlivedmortalstofeelareasonableassurancethatwhethertheoriginoftheAnwasatadpoleornot，heisnomorelikelytobecomeatadpoleagainthantheinstitutionsoftheVril—yaarelikelytorelapseintotheheavingquagmireandcertainstrife—rotofaKoom—Posh。\"

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