ChapterXVII。
TheVril—ya，beingexcludedfromallsightoftheheavenlybodies，andhavingnootherdifferencebetweennightanddaythanthatwhichtheydeemitconvenienttomakeforthemselves，—donot，ofcourse，arriveattheirdivisionsoftimebythesameprocessthatwedo;butIfounditeasybytheaidofmywatch，whichIluckilyhadaboutme，tocomputetheirtimewithgreatnicety。IreserveforafutureworkonthescienceandliteratureoftheVril—ya，shouldIlivetocompleteit，alldetailsastothemannerinwhichtheyarriveattheirrotationoftime;andcontentmyselfherewithsaying，thatinpointofduration，theiryeardiffersveryslightlyfromours，butthatthedivisionsoftheiryeararebynomeansthesame。Theirday，（includingwhatwecallnight）consistsoftwentyhoursofourtime，insteadoftwenty—four，andofcoursetheiryearcomprisesthecorrespondentincreaseinthenumberofdaysbywhichitissummedup。Theysubdividethetwentyhoursoftheirdaythus—eighthours，*calledthe\"SilentHours，\"forrepose;
eighthours，calledthe\"EarnestTime，\"forthepursuitsandoccupationsoflife;andfourhourscalledthe\"EasyTime\"
（withwhichwhatImaytermtheirdaycloses），allottedtofestivities，sport，recreation，orfamilyconverse，accordingtotheirseveraltastesandinclinations。
*Forthesakeofconvenience，Iadoptthewordhours，days，years，&c。，inanygeneralreferencetosubdivisionsoftimeamongtheVril—ya;thosetermsbutlooselycorresponding，however，withsuchsubdivisions。
But，intruth，outofdoorsthereisnonight。Theymaintain，bothinthestreetsandinthesurroundingcountry，tothelimitsoftheirterritory，thesamedegreeoflightatallhours。Only，withindoors，theylowerittoasofttwilightduringtheSilentHours。Theyhaveagreathorrorofperfect81darkness，andtheirlightsareneverwhollyextinguished。Onoccasionsoffestivitytheycontinuethedurationoffulllight，butequallykeepnoteofthedistinctionbetweennightandday，bymechanicalcontrivanceswhichanswerthepurposeofourclocksandwatches。Theyareveryfondofmusic;anditisbymusicthatthesechronometersstriketheprincipaldivisionoftime。Ateveryoneoftheirhours，duringtheirday，thesoundscomingfromallthetime—piecesintheirpublicbuildings，andcaughtup，asitwere，bythoseofhousesorhamletsscatteredamidstthelandscapeswithoutthecity，haveaneffectsingularlysweet，andyetsingularlysolemn。ButduringtheSilentHoursthesesoundsaresosubduedastobeonlyfaintlyheardbyawakingear。Theyhavenochangeofseasons，and，atleastontheterritoryofthistribe，theatmosphereseemedtomeveryequable，warmasthatofanItaliansummer，andhumidratherthandry;intheforenoonusuallyverystill，butattimesinvadedbystrongblastsfromtherocksthatmadethebordersoftheirdomain。ButtimeisthesametothemforsowingorreapingasintheGoldenIslesoftheancientpoets。Atthesamemomentyouseetheyoungerplantsinbladeorbud，theolderinearorfruit。Allfruit—bearingplants，however，afterfruitage，eithershedorchangethecolouroftheirleaves。Butthatwhichinterestedmemostinreckoninguptheirdivisionsoftimewastheascertainmentoftheaveragedurationoflifeamongstthem。I
foundonminuteinquirythatthisveryconsiderablyexceededthetermallottedtousontheupperearth。Whatseventyyearsaretous，onehundredyearsaretothem。Noristhistheonlyadvantagetheyhaveoverusinlongevity，forasfewamongusattaintotheageofseventy，so，onthecontrary，fewamongthemdiebeforetheageofonehundred;andtheyenjoyageneraldegreeofhealthandvigourwhichmakeslifeitselfablessingeventothelast。Variouscausescontributetothisresult：theabsenceofallalcoholicstimulants;temperancein82food;moreespecially，perhaps，aserenityofmindundisturbedbyanxiousoccupationsandeagerpassions。Theyarenottormentedbyouravariceorourambition;theyappearperfectlyindifferenteventothedesireoffame;theyarecapableofgreataffection，buttheirloveshowsitselfinatenderandcheerfulcomplaisance，and，whileformingtheirhappiness，seemsrarely，ifever，toconstitutetheirwoe。AstheGyissureonlytomarrywheresheherselffixesherchoice，andashere，notlessthanaboveground，itisthefemaleonwhomthehappinessofhomedepends;sotheGy，havingchosenthemateshepreferstoallothers，islenienttohisfaults，consultshishumours，anddoesherbesttosecurehisattachment。Thedeathofabelovedoneisofcoursewiththem，aswithus，acauseforsorrow;butnotonlyisdeathwiththemsomuchmorerarebeforethatageinwhichitbecomesarelease，butwhenitdoesoccurthesurvivortakesmuchmoreconsolationthan，Iamafraid，thegeneralityofusdo，inthecertaintyofreunioninanotherandyethappierlife。
Allthesecauses，then，concurtotheirhealthfulandenjoyablelongevity，though，nodoubt，muchalsomustbeowingtohereditaryorganisation。Accordingtotheirrecords，however，inthoseearlierstagesoftheirsocietywhentheylivedincommunitiesresemblingours，agitatedbyfiercecompetition，theirliveswereconsiderablyshorter，andtheirmaladiesmorenumerousandgrave。Theythemselvessaythatthedurationoflife，too，hasincreased，andisstillontheincrease，sincetheirdiscoveryoftheinvigoratingandmedicinalpropertiesofvril，appliedforremedialpurposes。Theyhavefewprofessionalandregularpractitionersofmedicine，andthesearechieflyGy—ei，who，especiallyifwidowedandchildless，findgreatdelightinthehealingart，andevenundertakesurgicaloperationsinthosecasesrequiredbyaccident，or，morerarely，bydisease。
Theyhavetheirdiversionsandentertainments，and，duringtheEasyTimeoftheirday，theyarewonttoassembleingreatnumbersforthosewingedsportsintheairwhichIhavealready83described。Theyhavealsopublichallsformusic，andeventheatres，atwhichareperformedpiecesthatappearedtomesomewhattoresembletheplaysoftheChinese—dramasthatarethrownbackintodistanttimesfortheireventsandpersonages，inwhichallclassicunitiesareoutrageouslyviolated，andthehero，inoncesceneachild，inthenextisanoldman，andsoforth。Theseplaysareofveryancientcomposition，andtheirstoriescastinremotetimes。Theyappearedtomeverydull，onthewhole，butwererelievedbystartlingmechanicalcontrivances，andakindoffarcicalbroadhumour，anddetachedpassagesofgreatvigourandpowerexpressedinlanguagehighlypoetical，butsomewhatoverchargedwithmetaphorandtrope。Infine，theyseemedtomeverymuchwhattheplaysofShakespeareseemedtoaParisianinthetimeofLouisXV。，orperhapstoanEnglishmaninthereignofCharlesII。
Theaudience，ofwhichtheGy—eiconstitutedthechiefportion，appearedtoenjoygreatlytherepresentationofthesedramas，which，forsosedateandmajesticaraceoffemales，surprisedme，tillIobservedthatalltheperformerswereundertheageofadolescence，andconjecturedtrulythatthemothersandsisterscametopleasetheirchildrenandbrothers。
Ihavesaidthatthesedramasareofgreatantiquity。Nonewplays，indeednoimaginativeworkssufficientlyimportanttosurvivetheirimmediateday，appeartohavebeencomposedforseveralgenerations。Infact，thoughthereisnolackofnewpublications，andtheyhaveevenwhatmaybecallednewspapers，thesearechieflydevotedtomechanicalscience，reportsofnewinventions，announcementsrespectingvariousdetailsofbusiness—inshort，topracticalmatters。Sometimesachildwritesalittletaleofadventure，orayoungGyventsheramoroushopesorfearsinapoem;buttheseeffusionsareofverylittlemerit，andareseldomreadexceptbychildrenandmaidenGy—ei。Themostinterestingworksofapurelyliterarycharacterarethoseofexplorationsandtravelsintootherregionsofthisnetherworld，whicharegenerallywrittenby84youngemigrants，andarereadwithgreataviditybytherelationsandfriendstheyhaveleftbehind。
IcouldnothelpexpressingtoAph—Linmysurprisethatacommunityinwhichmechanicalsciencehadmadesomarvellousaprogress，andinwhichintellectualcivilisationhadexhibiteditselfinrealisingthoseobjectsforthehappinessofthepeople，whichthepoliticalphilosophersabovegroundhad，afteragesofstruggle，prettygenerallyagreedtoconsiderunattainablevisions，should，nevertheless，besowhollywithoutacontemporaneousliterature，despitetheexcellencetowhichculturehadbroughtalanguageatoncesorichandsimple，vigourousandmusical。
Myhostreplied—\"Doyounotpercievethataliteraturesuchasyoumeanwouldbewhollyincompatiblewiththatperfectionofsocialorpoliticalfelicityatwhichyoudousthehonourtothinkwehavearrived？Wehaveatlast，aftercenturiesofstruggle，settledintoaformofgovernmentwithwhichwearecontent，andinwhich，asweallownodifferencesofrank，andnohonoursarepaidtoadministratorsdistinguishingthemfromothers，thereisnostimulusgiventoindividualambition。Noonewouldreadworksadvocatingtheoriesthatinvolvedanypoliticalorsocialchange，andthereforenoonewritesthem。
IfnowandthenanAnfeelshimselfdissatisfiedwithourtranquilmodeoflife，hedoesnotattackit;hegoesaway。
Thusallthatpartofliterature（andtojudgebytheancientbooksinourpubliclibraries，itwasonceaverylargepart），whichrelatestospeculativetheoriesonsocietyisbecomeutterlyextinct。Again，formerlytherewasavastdealwrittenrespectingtheattributesandessenceoftheAll—Good，andtheargumentsforandagainstafuturestate;butnowweallrecognisetwofacts，thatthereISaDivineBeing，andthereIS
afuturestate，andweallequallyagreethatifwewroteourfingerstothebone，wecouldnotthrowanylightuponthenatureandconditionsofthatfuturestate，orquickenourapprehensionsoftheattributesandessenceofthatDivine85Being。Thusanotherpartofliteraturehasbecomealsoextinct，happilyforourrace;forinthetimewhensomuchwaswrittenonsubjectswhichnoonecoulddetermine，peopleseemedtoliveinaperpetualstateofquarrelandcontention。So，too，avastpartofourancientliteratureconsistsofhistoricalrecordsofwarsanrevolutionsduringthetimeswhentheAnalivedinlargeandturbulentsocieties，eachseekingaggrandisementattheexpenseoftheother。Youseeourserenemodeoflifenow;suchithasbeenforages。Wehavenoeventstochronicle。Whatmoreofuscanbesaidthanthat，’theywereborn，theywerehappy，theydied？’Comingnexttothatpartofliteraturewhichismoreunderthecontroloftheimagination，suchaswhatwecallGlaubsila，orcolloquially’Glaubs，’andyoucallpoetry，thereasonsforitsdeclineamongstusareabundantlyobvious。
\"Wefind，byreferringtothegreatmasterpiecesinthatdepartmentofliteraturewhichweallstillreadwithpleasure，butofwhichnonewouldtolerateimitations，thattheyconsistintheportraitureofpassionswhichwenolongerexperience—
ambition，vengeance，unhallowedlove，thethirstforwarlikerenown，andsuchlike。Theoldpoetslivedinanatmosphereimpregnatedwiththesepassions，andfeltvividlywhattheyexpressedglowingly。Noonecanexpresssuchpassionsnow，fornoonecanfeelthem，ormeetwithanysympathyinhisreadersifhedid。Again，theoldpoetryhasamainelementinitsdissectionofthosecomplexmysteriesofhumancharacterwhichconducetoabnormalvicesandcrimes，orleadtosignalandextraordinaryvirtues。Butoursociety，havinggotridoftemptationstoanyprominentvicesandcrimes，hasnecessarilyrenderedthemoralaveragesoequal，thattherearenoverysalientvirtues。Withoutitsancientfoodofstrongpassions，vastcrimes，heroicexcellences，poetrythereforeis，ifnotactuallystarvedtodeath，reducedtoaverymeagrediet。
Thereisstillthepoetryofdescription—descriptionofrocks，andtrees，andwaters，andcommonhouseholdlife;andouryoungGy—eiweavemuchofthisinsipidkindofcompositionintotheirloveverses。\"
86
\"Suchpoetry，\"saidI，\"mightsurelybemadeverycharming;andwehavecriticsamongstuswhoconsideritahigherkindthanthatwhichdepictsthecrimes，oranalysesthepassions，ofman。Atallevents，poetryoftheinspiredkindyoumentionisapoetrythatnowadayscommandsmorereadersthananyotheramongthepeopleIhaveleftaboveground。\"
\"Possibly;butthenIsupposethewriterstakegreatpainswiththelanguagetheyemploy，anddevotethemselvestothecultureandpolishofwordsandrhythmsofanart？\"
\"Certainlytheydo：allgreatpoetsdothat。Thoughthegiftofpoetrymaybeinborn，thegiftrequiresasmuchcaretomakeitavailableasablockofmetaldoestobemadeintooneofyourengines。\"
\"Anddoubtlessyourpoetshavesomeincentivetobestowallthosepainsuponsuchverbalprettinesses？\"
\"Well，Ipresumetheirinstinctofsongwouldmakethemsingasthebirddoes;buttocultivatethesongintoverbalorartificialprettiness，probablydoesneedaninducementfromwithout，andourpoetsfinditintheloveoffame—perhaps，nowandthen，inthewantofmoney。\"
\"Preciselyso。Butinoursocietyweattachfametonothingwhichman，inthatmomentofhisdurationwhichiscalled’life，’canperform。Weshouldsoonlosethatequalitywhichconstitutesthefelicitousessenceofourcommonwealthifweselectedanyindividualforpre—eminentpraise：pre—eminentpraisewouldconferpre—eminentpower，andthemomentitweregiven，evilpassions，nowdormant，wouldawake：othermenwouldimmediatelycovetpraise，thenwouldariseenvy，andwithenvyhate，andwithhatecalumnyandpersecution。Ourhistorytellsusthatmostofthepoetsandmostofthewriterswho，intheoldtime，werefavouredwiththegreatestpraise，werealsoassailedbythegreatestvituperation，andeven，onthewhole，87renderedveryunhappy，partlybytheattacksofjealousrivals，partlybythediseasedmentalconstitutionwhichanacquiredsensitivenesstopraiseandtoblametendstoengender。Asforthestimulusofwant;inthefirstplace，nomaninourcommunityknowsthegoadofpoverty;and，secondly，ifhedid，almosteveryoccupationwouldbemorelucrativethanwriting。
\"Ourpubliclibrariescontainallthebooksofthepastwhichtimehaspreserved;thosebooks，forthereasonsabovestated，areinfinitelybetterthananycanwritenowadays，andtheyareopentoalltoreadwithoutcost。Wearenotsuchfoolsastopayforreadinginferiorbooks，whenwecanreadsuperiorbooksfornothing。\"
\"Withus，noveltyhasanattraction;andanewbook，ifbad，isreadwhenanoldbook，thoughgood，isneglected。\"
\"Novelty，tobarbarousstatesofsocietystrugglingindespairforsomethingbetter，hasnodoubtanattraction，deniedtous，whoseenothingtogaininnovelties;butafterall，itisobservedbyoneofourgreatauthorsfourthousandyearsago，that’hewhostudiesoldbookswillalwaysfindinthemsomethingnew，andhewhoreadsnewbookswillalwaysfindinthemsomethingold。’Buttoreturntothequestionyouhaveraised，therebeingthenamongstusnostimulustopainstakinglabour，whetherindesireoffameorinpressureofwant，suchashavethepoetictemperament，nodoubtventitinsong，asyousaythebirdsings;butforlackofelaboratecultureitfailsofanaudience，and，failingofanaudience，diesout，ofitself，amidsttheordinaryavocationsoflife。\"
\"Buthowisitthatthesediscouragementstothecultivationofliteraturedonotoperateagainstthatofscience？\"
\"Yourquestionamazesme。Themotivetoscienceistheloveoftruthapartfromallconsiderationoffame，andsciencewithustooisdevotedalmostsolelytopracticaluses，essentialtooursocialconversationandthecomfortsofourdailylife。No88fameisaskedbytheinventor，andnoneisgiventohim;heenjoysanoccupationcongenialtohistastes，andneedingnowearandtearofthepassions。Manmusthaveexerciseforhismindaswellasbody;andcontinuousexercise，ratherthanviolent，isbestforboth。Ourmostingeniouscultivatorsofscienceare，asageneralrule，thelongestlivedandthemostfreefromdisease。Paintingisanamusementtomany，buttheartisnotwhatitwasinformertimes，whenthegreatpaintersinourvariouscommunitiesviedwitheachotherfortheprizeofagoldencrown，whichgavethemasocialrankequaltothatofthekingsunderwhomtheylived。Youwillthusdoubtlesshaveobservedinourarchaeologicaldepartmenthowsuperiorinpointofartthepictureswereseveralthousandyearsago。
Perhapsitisbecausemusicis，inreality，morealliedtosciencethanitistopoetry，that，ofallthepleasurablearts，musicisthatwhichflourishesthemostamongstus。
Still，eveninmusictheabsenceofstimulusinpraiseorfamehasservedtopreventanygreatsuperiorityofoneindividualoveranother;andweratherexcelinchoralmusic，withtheaidofourvastmechanicalinstruments，inwhichwemakegreatuseoftheagencyofwater，*thaninsingleperformers。\"
*ThismayremindthestudentofNero’sinventionofamusicalmachine，bywhichwaterwasmadetoperformthepartofanorchestra，andonwhichhewasemployedwhentheconspiracyagainsthimbrokeout。
\"Wehavehadscarcelyanyoriginalcomposerforsomeages。Ourfavoriteairsareveryancientinsubstance，buthaveadmittedmanycomplicatedvariationsbyinferior，thoughingenious，musicians。\"
\"AretherenopoliticalsocietiesamongtheAnawhichareanimatedbythosepassions，subjectedtothosecrimes，andadmittingthosedisparitiesincondition，inintellect，andinmorality，whichthestateofyourtribe，orindeedoftheVril—yagenerally，hasleftbehindinitsprogresstoperfection？Ifso，amongsuchsocietiesperhapsPoetryandhersisterartsstillcontinuetobehonouredandtoimprove？\"
89
\"Therearesuchsocietiesinremoteregions，butwedonotadmitthemwithinthepaleofcivilisedcommunities;wescarcelyevengivethemthenameofAna，andcertainlynotthatofVril—ya。Theyaresavages，livingchieflyinthatlowstageofbeing，Koom—Posh，tendingnecessarilytoitsownhideousdissolutioninGlek—Nas。Theirwretchedexistenceispassedinperpetualcontestandperpetualchange。Whentheydonotfightwiththeirneighbours，theyfightamongthemselves。Theyaredividedintosections，whichabuse，plunder，andsometimesmurdereachother，andonthemostfrivolouspointsofdifferencethatwouldbeunintelligibletousifwehadnotreadhistory，andseenthatwetoohavepassedthroughthesameearlystateofignoranceandbarbarism。Anytrifleissufficienttosetthemtogetherbytheears。Theypretendtobeallequals，andthemoretheyhavestruggledtobeso，byremovingolddistinctions，andstartingafresh，themoreglaringandintolerablethedisparitybecomes，becausenothinginhereditaryaffectionsandassociationsislefttosoftentheonenakeddistinctionbetweenthemanywhohavenothingandthefewwhohavemuch。Ofcoursethemanyhatethefew，butwithoutthefewtheycouldnotlive。Themanyarealwaysassailingthefew;sometimestheyexterminatethefew;butassoonastheyhavedoneso，anewfewstartsoutofthemany，andishardertodealwiththantheoldfew。Forwheresocietiesarelarge，andcompetitiontohavesomethingisthepredominantfever，theremustbealwaysmanylosersandfewgainers。Inshort，theyaresavagesgropingtheirwayinthedarktowardssomegleamoflight，andwoulddemandourcommiserationfortheirinfirmities，if，likeallsavages，theydidnotprovoketheirowndestructionbytheirarroganceandcruelty。Canyouimaginethatcreaturesofthiskind，armedonlywithsuchmiserableweaponsasyoumayseeinourmuseumofantiquities，clumsyirontubeschargedwithsaltpetre，havemorethanoncethreatenedwithdestructionatribeofthe90Vril—ya，whichdwellsnearesttothem，becausetheysaytheyhavethirtymillionsofpopulation—andthattribemayhavefiftythousand—ifthelatterdonotaccepttheirnotionsofSoc—Sec（moneygetting）onsometradingprincipleswhichtheyhavetheimpudencetocall’alawofcivilisation’？\"
\"Butthirtymillionsofpopulationareformidableoddsagainstfiftythousand！\"
Myhoststaredatmeastonished。\"Stranger，\"saidhe，\"youcouldnothaveheardmesaythatthisthreatenedtribebelongstotheVril—ya;anditonlywaitsforthesesavagestodeclarewar，inordertocommissionsomehalf—a—dozensmallchildrentosweepawaytheirwholepopulation。\"
AtthesewordsIfeltathrillofhorror，recognisingmuchmoreaffinitywith\"thesavages\"thanIdidwiththeVril—ya，andrememberingallIhadsaidinpraiseofthegloriousAmericaninstitutions，whichAph—LinstigmatisedasKoom—Posh。
Recoveringmyself—possession，IaskedifthereweremodesoftransitbywhichIcouldsafelyvisitthistemerariousandremotepeople。
\"Youcantravelwithsafety，byvrilagency，eitheralongthegroundoramidtheair，throughoutalltherangeofthecommunitieswithwhichwearealliedandakin;butIcannotvouchforyoursafetyinbarbarousnationsgovernedbydifferentlawsfromours;nations，indeed，sobenighted，thatthereareamongthemlargenumberswhoactuallylivebystealingfromeachother，andonecouldnotwithsafetyintheSilentHoursevenleavethedoorsofone’sownhouseopen。\"
HereourconversationwasinterruptedbytheentranceofTaee，whocametoinformusthathe，havingbeendeputedtodiscoveranddestroytheenormousreptilewhichIhadseenonmyfirstarrival，hadbeenonthewatchforiteversincehisvisittome，andhadbegantosuspectthatmyeyeshaddeceivedme，orthatthecreaturehadmadeitswaythroughthecavitieswithin91therockstothewildregionsinwhichdweltitskindredrace，—
whenitgaveevidencesofitswhereaboutsbyagreatdevastationoftheherbageborderingoneofthelakes。\"And，\"
saidTaee，\"Ifeelsurethatwithinthatlakeitisnowhiding。
So，\"（turningtome）\"Ithoughtitmightamuseyoutoaccompanymetoseethewaywedestroysuchunpleasantvisitors。\"AsI
lookedatthefaceoftheyoungchild，andcalledtomindtheenormoussizeofthecreatureheproposedtoexterminate，I
feltmyselfshudderwithfearforhim，andperhapsfearformyself，ifIaccompaniedhiminsuchachase。Butmycuriositytowitnessthedestructiveeffectsoftheboastedvril，andmyunwillingnesstolowermyselfintheeyesofaninfantbybetrayingapprehensionsofpersonalsafety，prevailedovermyfirstimpulse。Accordingly，IthankedTaeeforhiscourteousconsiderationformyamusement，andprofessedmywillingnesstosetoutwithhimonsodivertinganenterprise。
ChapterXVIII。
AsTaeeandmyself，onquittingthetown，andleavingtotheleftthemainroadwhichledtoit，struckintothefields，thestrangeandsolemnbeautyofthelandscape，lightedup，bynumberlesslamps，tothevergeofthehorizon，fascinatedmyeyes，andrenderedmeforsometimeaninattentivelistenertothetalkofmycompanion。
Alongourwayvariousoperationsofagriculturewerebeingcarriedonbymachinery，theformsofwhichwerenewtome，andforthemostpartverygraceful;foramongthesepeopleartbeingsocultivatedforthesakeofmereutility，exhibitsitselfinadorningorrefiningtheshapesofusefulobjects。
Preciousmetalsandgemsaresoprofuseamongthem，thattheyarelavishedonthingsdevotedtopurposesthemost92commonplace;andtheirloveofutilityleadsthemtobeautifyitstools，andquickenstheirimaginationinawayunknowntothemselves。
Inallservice，whetherinoroutofdoors，theymakegreatuseofautomatonfigures，whicharesoingenious，andsoplianttotheoperationsofvril，thattheyactuallyseemgiftedwithreason。ItwasscarcelypossibletodistinguishthefiguresI
beheld，apparentlyguidingorsuperintendingtherapidmovementsofvastengines，fromhumanformsendowedwiththought。
Bydegrees，aswecontinuedtowalkon，myattentionbecamerousedbythelivelyandacuteremarksofmycompanion。Theintelligenceofthechildrenamongthisraceismarvellouslyprecocious，perhapsfromthehabitofhavingintrustedtothem，atsoearlyanage，thetoilsandresponsibilitiesofmiddleage。Indeed，inconversingwithTaee，Ifeltasiftalkingwithsomesuperiorandobservantmanofmyownyears。IaskedhimifhecouldformanyestimateofthenumberofcommunitiesintowhichtheraceoftheVril—yaissubdivided。
\"Notexactly，\"hesaid，\"becausetheymultiply，ofcourse，everyyearasthesurplusofeachcommunityisdraftedoff。
ButIheardmyfathersaythat，accordingtothelastreport，therewereamillionandahalfofcommunitiesspeakingourlanguage，andadoptingourinstitutionsandformsoflifeandgovernment;but，Ibelieve，withsomedifferences，aboutwhichyouhadbetteraskZee。SheknowsmorethanmostoftheAnado。AnAncareslessforthingsthatdonotconcernhimthanaGydoes;theGy—eiareinquisitivecreatures。\"
\"Doeseachcommunityrestrictitselftothesamenumberoffamiliesoramountofpopulationthatyoudo？\"
\"No;somehavemuchsmallerpopulations，somehavelarger—
varyingaccordingtotheextentofthecountrytheyappropriate，ortothedegreeofexcellencetowhichtheyhavebroughttheirmachinery。Eachcommunitysetsitsownlimitaccordingtocircumstances，takingcarealwaysthatthereshall93neverariseanyclassofpoorbythepressureofpopulationupontheproductivepowersofthedomain;andthatnostateshallbetoolargeforagovernmentresemblingthatofasinglewell—orderedfamily。Iimaginethatnovrilcommunityexceedsthirty—thousandhouseholds。But，asageneralrule，thesmallerthecommunity，providedtherebehandsenoughtodojusticetothecapacitiesoftheterritoryitoccupies，therichereachindividualis，andthelargerthesumcontributedtothegeneraltreasury，—aboveall，thehappierandthemoretranquilisthewholepoliticalbody，andthemoreperfecttheproductsofitsindustry。ThestatewhichalltribesoftheVril—yaacknowledgetobethehighestincivilisation，andwhichhasbroughtthevrilforcetoitsfullestdevelopment，isperhapsthesmallest。Itlimitsitselftofourthousandfamilies;buteveryinchofitsterritoryiscultivatedtotheutmostperfectionofgardenground;itsmachineryexcelsthatofeveryothertribe，andthereisnoproductofitsindustryinanydepartmentwhichisnotsoughtfor，atextraordinaryprices，byeachcommunityofourrace。Allourtribesmakethisstatetheirmodel，consideringthatweshouldreachthehigheststateofcivilisationallowedtomortalsifwecouldunitethegreatestdegreeofhappinesswiththehighestdegreeofintellectualachievement;anditisclearthatthesmallerthesocietythelessdifficultthatwillbe。Oursistoolargeforit。\"
Thisreplysetmethinking。IremindedmyselfofthatlittlestateofAthens，withonlytwentythousandfreecitizens，andwhichtothisdayourmightiestnationsregardasthesupremeguideandmodelinalldepartmentsofintellect。ButthenAthenspermittedfiercerivalryandperpetualchange，andwascertainlynothappy。Rousingmyselffromthereverieintowhichthesereflectionshadplungedme，Ibroughtbackourtalktothesubjectsconnectedwithemigration。
\"But，\"saidI，\"when，Isupposeyearly，acertainnumberamong94youagreetoquithomeandfoundanewcommunityelsewhere，theymustnecessarilybeveryfew，andscarcelysufficient，evenwiththehelpofthemachinestheytakewiththem，tocleartheground，andbuildtowns，andformacivilisedstatewiththecomfortsandluxuriesinwhichtheyhadbeenreared。\"
\"Youmistake。AllthetribesoftheVril—yaareinconstantcommunicationwitheachother，andsettleamongstthemselveseachyearwhatproportionofonecommunitywillunitewiththeemigrantsofanother，soastoformastateofsufficientsize;
andtheplaceforemigrationisagreeduponatleastayearbefore，andpioneerssentfromeachstatetolevelrocks，andembankwaters，andconstructhouses;sothatwhentheemigrantsatlastgo，theyfindacityalreadymade，andacountryarounditatleastpartiallycleared。Ourhardylifeaschildrenmakeustakecheerfullytotravelandadventure。Imeantoemigratemyselfwhenofage。\"
\"Dotheemigrantsalwaysselectplaceshithertouninhabitedandbarren？\"
\"Asyetgenerally，becauseitisourrulenevertodestroyexceptwhennecessarytoourwell—being。Ofcourse，wecannotsettleinlandsalreadyoccupiedbytheVril—ya;andifwetakethecultivatedlandsoftheotherracesofAna，wemustutterlydestroythepreviousinhabitants。Sometimes，asitis，wetakewastespots，andfindthatatroublesome，quarrelsomeraceofAna，especiallyifundertheadministrationofKoom—PoshorGlek—Nas，resentsourvicinity，andpicksaquarrelwithus;
then，ofcourse，asmenacingourwelfare，wedestroyit：thereisnocomingtotermsofpeacewitharacesoidioticthatitisalwayschangingtheformofgovernmentwhichrepresentsit。
Koom—Posh，\"saidthechild，emphatically，\"isbadenough，stillithasbrains，thoughatthebackofitshead，andisnotwithoutaheart;butinGlek—Nasthebrainandheartofthecreaturesdisappear，andtheybecomealljaws，claws，andbelly。\"
95\"Youexpressyourselfstrongly。AllowmetoinformyouthatI
myself，andIamproudtosayit，amthecitizenofaKoom—Posh。\"
\"Inolonger，\"answeredTaee，\"wondertoseeyouheresofarfromyourhome。WhatwastheconditionofyournativecommunitybeforeitbecameaKoom—Posh？\"
\"Asettlementofemigrants—likethosesettlementswhichyourtribesendsforth—butsofarunlikeyoursettlements，thatitwasdependentonthestatefromwhichitcame。Itshookoffthatyoke，and，crownedwitheternalglory，becameaKoom—Posh。\"
\"Eternalglory！HowlonghastheKoom—Poshlasted？\"
\"About100years。\"
\"ThelengthofanAn’slife—averyyoungcommunity。Inmuchlessthananother100yearsyourKoom—PoshwillbeaGlek—Nas。\"
\"Nay，theoldeststatesintheworldIcomefrom，havesuchfaithinitsduration，thattheyareallgraduallyshapingtheirinstitutionssoastomeltintoours，andtheirmostthoughtfulpoliticianssaythat，whethertheylikeitornot，theinevitabletendencyoftheseoldstatesistowardsKoom—Posh—erie。\"
\"Theoldstates？\"
\"Yes，theoldstates。\"
\"Withpopulationsverysmallinproportiontotheareaofproductiveland？\"
\"Onthecontrary，withpopulationsverylargeinproportiontothatarea。\"
\"Isee！oldstatesindeed！—sooldastobecomedrivellingiftheydon’tpackoffthatsurpluspopulationaswedoours—veryoldstates！—very，veryold！Pray，Tish，doyouthinkitwiseforveryoldmentotrytoturnhead—over—heelsasveryyoungchildrendo？Andifyouaskthemwhytheyattemptedsuchantics，shouldyounotlaughiftheyansweredthatbyimitatingveryyoungchildrentheycouldbecomeveryyoungchildrenthemselves？Ancienthistoryaboundswithinstancesofthissortagreatmanythousandyearsago—andineveryinstanceavery96oldstatethatplayedatKoom—PoshsoontumbledintoGlek—Nas。
Then，inhorrorofitsownself，itcriedoutforamaster，asanoldmaninhisdotagecriesoutforanurse;andafterasuccessionofmastersornurses，moreorlesslong，thatveryoldstatediedoutofhistory。AveryoldstateattemptingKoom—Posh—erieislikeaveryoldmanwhopullsdownthehousetowhichhehasbeenaccustomed，buthehassoexhaustedhisvigourinpullingdown，thatallhecandointhewayofrebuildingistorunupacrazyhut，inwhichhimselfandhissuccessorswhineout，’Howthewindblows！Howthewallsshake！’\"
\"MydearTaee，Imakeallexcuseforyourunenlightenedprejudices，whicheveryschoolboyeducatedinaKoom—Poshcouldeasilycontrovert，thoughhemightnotbesoprecociouslylearnedinancienthistoryasyouappeartobe。\"
\"Ilearned！notabitofit。Butwouldaschoolboy，educatedinyourKoom—Posh，askhisgreat—great—grandfatherorgreat—great—grandmothertostandonhisorherheadwiththefeetuppermost？Andifthepooroldfolkshesitated—say，’Whatdoyoufear？—seehowIdoit！’\"
\"Taee，Idisdaintoarguewithachildofyourage。Irepeat，ImakeallowancesforyourwantofthatculturewhichaKoom—Poshalonecanbestow。\"
\"I，inmyturn，\"answeredTaee，withanairofthesuavebutloftygoodbreedingwhichcharacteriseshisrace，\"notonlymakeallowancesforyouasnoteducatedamongtheVril—ya，butIentreatyoutovouchsafemeyourpardonfortheinsufficientrespecttothehabitsandopinionsofsoamiableaTish！\"
IoughtbeforetohaveobservedthatIwascommonlycalledTishbymyhostandhisfamily，asbeingapoliteandindeedapetname，literallysignifyingasmallbarbarian;thechildrenapplyitendearinglytothetamespeciesofFrogwhichtheykeepintheirgardens。
Wehadnowreachedthebanksofalake，andTaeeherepausedto97pointouttometheravagesmadeinfieldsskirtingit。\"Theenemycertainlylieswithinthesewaters，\"saidTaee。\"Observewhatshoalsoffisharecrowdedtogetheratthemargin。Eventhegreatfisheswiththesmallones，whoaretheirhabitualpreyandwhogenerallyshunthem，allforgettheirinstinctsinthepresenceofacommondestroyer。ThisreptilecertainlymustbelongtotheclassofKrek—a，whicharemoredevouringthananyother，andaresaidtobeamongthefewsurvivingspeciesoftheworld’sdreadestinhabitantsbeforetheAnawerecreated。TheappetiteofaKrekisinsatiable—itfeedsalikeuponvegetableandanimallife;butfortheswift—footedcreaturesoftheelkspeciesitistooslowinitsmovements。
ItsfavouritedaintyisanAnwhenitcancatchhimunawares;
andhencetheAnadestroyitrelentlesslywheneveritenterstheirdominion。Ihaveheardthatwhenourforefathersfirstclearedthiscountry，thesemonsters，andotherslikethem，abounded，and，vrilbeingthenundiscovered，manyofourraceweredevoured。Itwasimpossibletoexterminatethemwhollytillthatdiscoverywhichconstitutesthepowerandsustainsthecivilisationofourrace。Butaftertheusesofvrilbecamefamiliartous，allcreaturesinimicaltousweresoonannihilated。Still，oncea—yearorso，oneoftheseenormouscreatureswandersfromtheunreclaimedandsavagedistrictsbeyond，andwithinmymemoryonehasseizeduponayoungGywhowasbathinginthisverylake。Hadshebeenonlandandarmedwithherstaff，itwouldnothavedaredeventoshowitself;
for，likeallsavagecreatures，thereptilehasamarvellousinstinct，whichwarnsitagainstthebearerofthevrilwand。
Howtheyteachtheiryoungtoavoidhim，thoughseenforthefirsttime，isoneofthosemysterieswhichyoumayaskZeetoexplain，forIcannot。*
*Thereptileinthisinstinctdoesbutresembleourwildbirdsandanimals，whichwillnotcomeinreachofamanarmedwithagun。Whentheelectricwireswerefirstputup，partridgesstruckagainstthemintheirflight，andfelldownwounded。Noyoungergenerationsofpartridgesmeetwithasimilaraccident。
98SolongasIstandhere，themonsterwillnotstirfromitslurking—place;butwemustnowdecoyitforth。\"
\"Willthatnotbedifficult？\"
\"Notatall。Seatyourselfyonderonthatcrag（aboutonehundredyardsfromthebank），whileIretiretoadistance。Inashorttimethereptilewillcatchsightorscentofyou，andperceivingthatyouarenovril—bearer，willcomeforthtodevouryou。Assoonasitisfairlyoutofthewater，itbecomesmyprey。\"
\"DoyoumeantotellmethatIamtobethedecoytothathorriblemonsterwhichcouldengulfmewithinitsjawsinasecond！Ibegtodecline。\"
Thechildlaughed。\"Fearnothing，\"saidhe;\"onlysitstill。\"
Insteadofobeyingthecommand，Imadeabound，andwasabouttotakefairlytomyheels，whenTaeetouchedmeslightlyontheshoulder，and，fixinghiseyessteadilyonmine，Iwasrootedtothespot。Allpowerofvolitionleftme。Submissivetotheinfant’sgesture，Ifollowedhimtothecraghehadindicated，andseatedmyselfthereinsilence。Mostreadershaveseensomethingoftheeffectsofelectro—biology，whethergenuineorspurious。Noprofessorofthatdoubtfulcrafthadeverbeenabletoinfluenceathoughtoramovementofmine，butIwasameremachineatthewillofthisterriblechild。
Meanwhileheexpandedhiswings，soaredaloft，andalightedamidstacopseatthebrowofahillatsomedistance。
Iwasalone;andturningmyeyeswithanindescribablesensationofhorrortowardsthelake，Ikeptthemfixedonitswater，spell—bound。Itmightbetenorfifteenminutes，tomeitseemedages，beforethestillsurface，gleamingunderthelamplight，begantobeagitatedtowardsthecentre。Atthesametimetheshoalsoffishnearthemarginevincedtheirsenseoftheenemy’sapproachbysplashandleapandbubblingcircle。Icoulddetecttheirhurriedflighthitherandthither，someevencastingthemselvesashore。Along，dark，99undulousfurrowcamemovingalongthewaters，nearerandnearer，tillthevastheadofthereptileemerged—itsjawsbristlingwithfangs，anditsdulleyesfixingthemselveshungrilyonthespotwhereIsatmotionless。Andnowitsforefeetwereonthestrand—nowitsenormousbreast，scaledoneithersideasinarmour，inthecentreshowingitscorrugatedskinofadullvenomousyellow;andnowitswholelengthwasontheland，ahundredfeetormorefromthejawtothetail。
AnotherstrideofthoseghastlyfeetwouldhavebroughtittothespotwhereIsat。Therewasbutamomentbetweenmeandthisgrimformofdeath，whenwhatseemedaflashoflightningshotthroughtheair，smote，and，foraspaceoftimebrieferthanthatinwhichamancandrawhisbreath，envelopedthemonster;andthen，astheflashvanished，therelaybeforemeablackened，charred，smoulderingmass，asomethinggigantic，butofwhicheventheoutlinesofformwereburnedaway，andrapidlycrumblingintodustandashes。Iremainedstillseated，stillspeechless，ice—coldwithanewsensationofdread;whathadbeenhorrorwasnowawe。
Ifeltthechild’shandonmyhead—fearleftme—thespellwasbroken—Iroseup。\"YouseewithwhateasetheVril—yadestroytheirenemies，\"saidTaee;andthen，movingtowardsthebank，hecontemplatedthesmoulderingrelicsofthemonster，andsaidquietly，\"Ihavedestroyedlargercreatures，butnonewithsomuchpleasure。Yes，itISaKrek;whatsufferingitmusthaveinflictedwhileitlived！\"Thenhetookupthepoorfishesthathadflungthemselvesashore，andrestoredthemmercifullytotheirnativeelement。
ChapterXIX。
Aswewalkedbacktothetown，Taeetookanewandcircuitousway，inordertoshowmewhat，touseafamiliarterm，Iwill100callthe’Station，’fromwhichemigrantsortravellerstoothercommunitiescommencetheirjourneys。Ihad，onaformeroccasion，expressedawishtoseetheirvehicles。TheseI
foundtobeoftwokinds，oneforlandjourneys，oneforaerialvoyages：theformerwereofallsizesandforms，somenotlargerthananordinarycarriage，somemovablehousesofonestoryandcontainingseveralrooms，furnishedaccordingtotheideasofcomfortorluxurywhichareentertainedbytheVril—ya。Theaerialvehicleswereoflightsubstances，nottheleastresemblingourballoons，butratherourboatsandpleasure—vessels，withhelmandrudder，withlargewingsorpaddles，andacentralmachineworkedbyvril。Allthevehiclesbothforlandorairwereindeedworkedbythatpotentandmysteriousagency。
Isawaconvoysetoutonitsjourney，butithadfewpassengers，containingchieflyarticlesofmerchandise，andwasboundtoaneighbouringcommunity;foramongallthetribesoftheVril—yathereisconsiderablecommercialinterchange。I
mayhereobserve，thattheirmoneycurrencydoesnotconsistofthepreciousmetals，whicharetoocommonamongthemforthatpurpose。Thesmallercoinsinordinaryusearemanufacturedfromapeculiarfossilshell，thecomparativelyscarceremnantofsomeveryearlydeluge，orotherconvulsionofnature，bywhichaspecieshasbecomeextinct。Itisminute，andflatasanoyster，andtakesajewel—likepolish。ThiscoinagecirculatesamongallthetribesoftheVril—ya。Theirlargertransactionsarecarriedonmuchlikeours，bybillsofexchange，andthinmetallicplateswhichanswerthepurposeofourbank—notes。
LetmetakethisoccasionofaddingthatthetaxationamongthetribeIbecameacquaintedwithwasveryconsiderable，comparedwiththeamountofpopulation。ButIneverheardthatanyonegrumbledatit，foritwasdevotedtopurposesofuniversalutility，andindeednecessarytothecivilisationofthetribe。
Thecostoflightingsolargearangeofcountry，ofproviding101foremigration，ofmaintainingthepublicbuildingsatwhichthevariousoperationsofnationalintellectwerecarriedon，fromthefirsteducationofaninfanttothedepartmentsinwhichtheCollegeofSageswereperpetuallytryingnewexperimentsinmechanicalscience;alltheseinvolvedthenecessityforconsiderablestatefunds。TotheseImustaddanitemthatstruckmeasverysingular。Ihavesaidthatallthehumanlabourrequiredbythestateiscarriedonbychildrenuptothemarriageableage。Forthislabourthestatepays，andatarateimmeasurablyhigherthanourownremunerationtolabourevenintheUnitedStates。Accordingtotheirtheory，everychild，maleorfemale，onattainingthemarriageableage，andthereterminatingtheperiodoflabour，shouldhaveacquiredenoughforanindependentcompetenceduringlife。As，nomatterwhatthedisparityoffortuneintheparents，allthechildrenmustequallyserve，soallareequallypaidaccordingtotheirseveralagesorthenatureoftheirwork。Wheretheparentsorfriendschoosetoretainachildintheirownservice，theymustpayintothepublicfundinthesameratioasthestatepaystothechildrenitemploys;andthissumishandedovertothechildwhentheperiodofserviceexpires。
Thispracticeserves，nodoubt，torenderthenotionofsocialequalityfamiliarandagreeable;andifitmaybesaidthatallthechildrenformademocracy，nolesstrulyitmaybesaidthatalltheadultsformanaristocracy。TheexquisitepolitenessandrefinementofmannersamongtheVril—ya，thegenerosityoftheirsentiments，theabsoluteleisuretheyenjoyforfollowingouttheirownprivatepursuits，theamenitiesoftheirdomesticintercourse，inwhichtheyseemasmembersofonenobleorderthatcanhavenodistrustofeachother’swordordeed，allcombinetomaketheVril—yathemostperfectnobilitywhichapoliticaldiscipleofPlatoorSidneycouldconceivefortheidealofanaristocraticrepublic。
102
ChapterXX。
>FromthedateoftheexpeditionwithTaeewhichIhavejustnarrated，thechildpaidmefrequentvisits。Hehadtakenalikingtome，whichIcordiallyreturned。Indeed，ashewasnotyettwelveyearsold，andhadnotcommencedthecourseofscientificstudieswithwhichchildhoodclosesinthatcountry，myintellectwaslessinferiortohisthantothatoftheeldermembersofhisrace，especiallyoftheGy—ei，andmostespeciallyoftheaccomplishedZee。ThechildrenoftheVril—ya，havingupontheirmindstheweightofsomanyactivedutiesandgraveresponsibilities，arenotgenerallymirthful;
butTaee，withallhiswisdom，hadmuchoftheplayfulgood—humouroneoftenfindsthecharacteristicofelderlymenofgenius。Hefeltthatsortofpleasureinmysocietywhichaboyofasimilarageintheupperworldhasinthecompanyofapetdogormonkey。Itamusedhimtotryandteachmethewaysofhispeople，asitamusesanephewofminetomakehispoodlewalkonhishindlegsorjumpthroughahoop。Iwillinglylentmyselftosuchexperiments，butIneverachievedthesuccessofthepoodle。IwasverymuchinterestedatfirstintheattempttoplythewingswhichtheyoungestoftheVril—yauseasnimblyandeasilyasoursdotheirlegsandarms;butmyeffortswereattendedwithcontusionsseriousenoughtomakemeabandonthemindespair。
Thesewings，asIbeforesaid，areverylarge，reachingtotheknee，andinreposethrownbacksoastoformaverygracefulmantle。Theyarecomposedfromthefeathersofagiganticbirdthataboundsintherockyheightsofthecountry—thecolourmostlywhite，butsometimeswithreddishstreaks。Theyarefastenedroundtheshoulderswithlightbutstrongspringsofsteel;and，whenexpanded，thearmsslidethroughloopsforthatpurpose，forming，asitwere，astoutcentralmembrane。
Asthearmsareraised，atubularliningbeneaththevestor103tunicbecomes，bymechanicalcontrivanceinflatedwithair，increasedordiminishedatwillbythemovementofthearms，andservingtobuoythewholeformasonbladders。Thewingsandtheballoon—likeapparatusarehighlychargedwithvril;
andwhenthebodyisthuswaftedupward，itseemstobecomesingularlylightenedofitsweight。Ifounditeasyenoughtosoarfromtheground;indeed，whenthewingswerespreaditwasscarcelypossiblenottosoar，butthencamethedifficultyandthedanger。Iutterlyfailedinthepowertouseanddirectthepinions，thoughIamconsideredamongmyownraceunusuallyalertandreadyinbodilyexercises，andamaverypracticedswimmer。Icouldonlymakethemostconfusedandblunderingeffortsatflight。Iwastheservantofthewings;thewingswerenotmyservants—theywerebeyondmycontrol;andwhenbyaviolentstrainofmuscle，and，Imustfairlyown，inthatabnormalstrengthwhichisgivenbyexcessivefright，Icurbedtheirgyrationsandbroughtthemneartothebody，itseemedasifIlostthesustainingpowerstoredinthemandtheconnectingbladders，aswhentheairisletoutofaballoon，andfoundmyselfprecipitatedagaintotheearth;saved，indeed，bysomespasmodicflutterings，frombeingdashedtopieces，butnotsavedfromthebruisesandthestunofaheavyfall。Iwould，however，haveperseveredinmyattempts，butfortheadviceorthecommandsofthescientificZee，whohadbenevolentlyaccompaniedmyflutterings，and，indeed，onthelastoccasion，flyingjustunderme，receivedmyformasitfellonherownexpandedwings，andpreservedmefrombreakingmyheadontheroofofthepyramidfromwhichwehadascended。
\"Isee，\"shesaid，\"thatyourtrialsareinvain，notfromthefaultofthewingsandtheirappurtenances，norfromanyimperfectnessandmalformationofyourowncorpuscularsystem，butfromirremediable，becauseorganic，defectinyourpowerofvolition。Learnthattheconnectionbetweenthewillandtheagenciesofthatfluidwhichhasbeensubjectedtothecontrol104oftheVril—yawasneverestablishedbythefirstdiscoverers，neverachievedbyasinglegeneration;ithasgoneonincreasing，likeotherpropertiesofrace，inproportionasithasbeenuniformlytransmittedfromparenttochild，sothat，atlast，ithasbecomeaninstinct;andaninfantAnofourracewillstoflyasintuitivelyandunconsciouslyashewillstowalk。Hethusplieshisinventedorartificialwingswithasmuchsafetyasabirdpliesthosewithwhichitisborn。I
didnotthinksufficientlyofthiswhenIallowedyoutotryanexperimentwhichalluredme，forIhavelongedtohaveinyouacompanion。Ishallabandontheexperimentnow。Yourlifeisbecomingdeartome。\"HerewiththeGy’svoiceandfacesoftened，andIfeltmoreseriouslyalarmedthanIhadbeeninmypreviousflights。