Iforgetwhen，butnotverylongafterIhadpublished“Erewhon“in1872，itoccurredtometoaskmyselfwhatcourseeventsinErewhonwouldprobablytakeafterMr。Higgs，asIsupposeImaynowcallhim，hadmadehisescapeintheballoonwithArowhena。GivenapeopleintheconditionssupposedtoexistinErewhon，andgiventheapparentlymiraculousascentofaremarkablestrangerintotheheavenswithanearthlybride——whatwouldbetheeffectonthepeoplegenerally？
Therewasnouseintryingtosolvethisproblembefore，say，twentyyearsshouldhavegiventimeforErewhoniandevelopmentstoassumesomethinglikepermanentshape，andin1892IwastoobusywithbooksnowpublishedtobeabletoattendtoErewhon。Itwasnottilltheearlywinterof1900，i。e。asnearlyasmaybethirtyyearsafterthedateofHiggs’sescape，thatIfoundtimetodealwiththequestionabovestated，andtoanswerit，accordingtomylights，inthebookwhichInowlaybeforethepublic。
Ihaveconcluded，Ibelieverightly，thattheeventsdescribedinChapterXXIV。of“Erewhon“wouldgiverisetosuchacataclysmicchangeintheoldErewhonianopinionsaswouldresultinthedevelopmentofanewreligion。Nowthedevelopmentofallnewreligionsfollowsmuchthesamegeneralcourse。Inallcasesthetimesaremoreorlessoutofjoint——olderfaithsarelosingtheirholduponthemasses。Atsuchtimes，letapersonalityappear，stronginitself，andmadetoseemstillstrongerbyassociationwithsomesupposedtranscendentmiracle，anditwillbeeasytoraiseaLohere！thatwillattractmanyfollowers。Iftherebeasinglegreat，andapparentlywell-authenticated，miracle，otherswillaccreteroundit；then，inallreligionsthathavesooriginated，therewillfollowtemples，priests，rites，sincerebelievers，andunscrupulousexploitersofpubliccredulity。TochronicletheeventsthatfollowedHiggs’sballoonascentwithoutshewingthattheyweremuchastheyhavebeenunderlikeconditionsinotherplaces，wouldbetoholdthemirroruptosomethingverywideofnature。
Analogy，however，betweencoursesofeventsisonething——historicparallelismsabound；analogybetweenthemainactorsineventsisaverydifferentone，andone，moreover，ofwhichfewexamplescanbefound。ThedevelopmentofthenewideasinErewhonisafamiliarone，butthereisnomorelikenessbetweenHiggsandthefounderofanyotherreligion，thanthereisbetweenJesusChristandMahomet。
Heisatypicalmiddle-classEnglishman，deeplytaintedwithpriggishnessinhisearlieryears，butingreatpartfreedfromitbythesweetusesofadversity。
IfImaybeallowedforamomenttospeakaboutmyself，IwouldsaythatIhaveneverceasedtoprofessmyselfamemberofthemoreadvancedwingoftheEnglishBroadChurch。Whatthosewhobelongtothiswingbelieve，Ibelieve。Whattheyreject，Ireject。Notwopeoplethinkabsolutelyalikeonanysubject，butwhenI
conversewithadvancedBroadChurchmenIfindmyselfinsubstantialharmonywiththem。Ibelieve——andshouldbeverysorryifIdidnotbelieve——that，mutatismutandis，suchmenwillfindtheadvicegivenonpp。277-281and287-291ofthisbookmuchwhat，underthesupposedcircumstances，theywouldthemselvesgive。
Lastly，IshouldexpressmygreatobligationstoMr。R。A。
StreatfeildoftheBritishMuseum，who，intheabsencefromEnglandofmyfriendMr。H。FestingJones，haskindlysupervisedthecorrectionsofmybookasitpassedthroughthepress。
SAMUELBUTLER。
May1，1901。
CHAPTERI：UPSANDDOWNSOFFORTUNE——MYFATHERSTARTSFOREREWHON
Beforetellingthestoryofmyfather’ssecondvisittotheremarkablecountrywhichhediscoverednowsomethirtyyearssince，Ishouldperhapssayafewwordsabouthiscareerbetweenthepublicationofhisbookin1872，andhisdeathintheearlysummerof1891。Ishallthustouchbrieflyonthecausesthatoccasionedhisfailuretomaintainthatholdonthepublicwhichhehadapparentlysecuredatfirst。
Hisbook，asthereadermayperhapsknow，waspublishedanonymously，andmypoorfatherusedtoascribetheacclamationwithwhichitwasreceived，tothefactthatnooneknewwhoitmightnothavebeenwrittenby。Omneignotumpromagnifico，andduringitsmonthofanonymitythebookwasafrequenttopicofappreciativecommentingoodliterarycircles。Almostcoincidentlywiththediscoverythathewasamerenobody，peoplebegantofeelthattheiradmirationhadbeentoohastilybestowed，andbeforelongopinionturnedallthemoreseriouslyagainsthimforthisveryreason。Thesubscription，towhichtheLordMayorhadatfirstgivenhiscordialsupport，wascurtlyannouncedasclosedbeforeithadbeenopenedaweek；ithadmetwithsolittlesuccessthatIwillnotspecifytheamounteventuallyhandedover，notwithoutprotest，tomyfather；small，however，asitwas，henarrowlyescapedbeingprosecutedfortryingtoobtainmoneyunderfalsepretences。
TheGeographicalSociety，whichhadforafewdaysreceivedhimwithopenarms，wasamongthefirsttoturnuponhim——not，sofarasIcanascertain，onaccountofthemysteryinwhichhehadenshroudedtheexactwhereaboutsofErewhon，noryetbyreasonofitsbeingpersistentlyallegedthathewassubjecttofrequentattacksofalcoholicpoisoning——butthroughhisownwantoftact，andahighly-strungnervousstate，whichledhimtoattachtoomuchimportancetohisowndiscoveries，andnotenoughtothoseofotherpeople。This，atleast，wasmyfather’sversionofthematter，asIhearditfromhisownlipsinthelateryearsofhislife。
“Iwasstillveryyoung。”hesaidtome，“andmymindwasmoreorlessunhingedbythestrangenessandperilofmyadventures。”Bethisasitmay，Ifearthereisnodoubtthathewasinjudicious；
andanounceofjudgementisworthapoundofdiscovery。
Hence，inasurprisinglyshorttime，hefoundhimselfdroppedevenbythosewhohadtakenhimupmostwarmly，andhaddonemosttofindhimthatemploymentasawriterofreligioustractsonwhichhislivelihoodwasthendependent。Thediscredit，however，intowhichmyfatherfell，hadtheeffectofdeterringanyconsiderablenumberofpeoplefromtryingtorediscoverErewhon，andthuscausedittoremainasunknowntogeographersingeneralasthoughithadneverbeenfound。Afewshepherdsandcadetsatup-countrystationshad，indeed，triedtofollowinmyfather’sfootsteps，duringthetimewhenhisbookwasstillbeingtakenseriously；buttheyhadmostofthemreturned，unabletofacethedifficultiesthathadopposedthem。Somefew，however，hadnotreturned，andthoughsearchwasmadeforthem，theirbodieshadnotbeenfound。
WhenhereachedErewhononhissecondvisit，myfatherlearnedthatothershadattemptedtovisitthecountrymorerecently——probablyquiteindependentlyofhisownbook；andbeforehehadhimselfbeeninitmanyhourshegatheredwhatthefateofthesepoorfellowsdoubtlesswas。
AnotherreasonthatmadeitmoreeasyforErewhontoremainunknown，wasthefactthatthemoremountainousdistricts，thoughrepeatedlyprospectedforgold，hadbeenpronouncednon-auriferous，andastherewasnosheeporcattlecountry，saveafewriver-bedflatsabovetheuppergorgesofanyoftherivers，andnogametotemptthesportsman，therewasnothingtoinducepeopletopenetrateintothefastnessesofthegreatsnowyrange。Nomore，therefore，beingheardofErewhon，myfather’sbookcametoberegardedasamereworkoffiction，andIhaveheardquiterecentlyofitshavingbeenseenonasecond-handbookstall，marked“6d。
veryreadable。”
Thoughtherewasnotruthinthestoriesaboutmyfather’sbeingsubjecttoattacksofalcoholicpoisoning，yet，duringthefirstfewyearsafterhisreturntoEngland，hisoccasionalfitsofungovernableexcitementgavesomecolourtotheopinionthatmuchofwhathesaidhehadseenanddonemightbeonlysubjectivelytrue。IrefermoreparticularlytohisinterviewwithChowbokinthewool-shed，andhishighlycoloureddescriptionofthestatuesonthetopofthepassleadingintoErewhon。Theseweresoonsetdownasforgeriesofdelirium，anditwasmaliciouslyurged，thatthoughinhisbookhehadonlyadmittedhavingtaken“twoorthreebottlesofbrandy“withhim，hehadprobablytakenatleastadozen；andthatifonthenightbeforehereachedthestatueshehad“onlyfourouncesofbrandy“left，hemusthavebeendrinkingheavilyfortheprecedingfortnightorthreeweeks。Thosewhoreadthefollowingpageswill，Ithink，rejectallideathatmyfatherwasinastateofdelirium，notwithoutsurprisethatanyoneshouldhaveeverentertainedit。
ItwasChowbokwho，ifhedidnotoriginatethesecalumnies，didmuchtodisseminateandgaincredenceforthem。HeremainedinEnglandforsomeyears，andnevertiredofdoingwhathecouldtodisparagemyfather。Thecunningcreaturehadingratiatedhimselfwithourleadingreligioussocieties，especiallywiththemoreevangelicalamongthem。Whateverdoubttheremightbeabouthissincerity，therewasnoneabouthiscolour，andacolouredconvertinthosedayswasmorethanExeterHallcouldresist。Chowboksawthattherewasnoroomforhimandformyfather，anddeclaredmypoorfather’sstorytobealmostwhollyfalse。Itwastrue，hesaid，thatheandmyfatherhadexploredthehead-watersoftheriverdescribedinhisbook，buthedeniedthatmyfatherhadgoneonwithouthim，andhenamedtheriverasonedistantbymanythousandsofmilesfromtheoneitreallywas。Hesaidthatafteraboutafortnighthehadreturnedincompanywithmyfather，whobythattimehadbecomeincapacitatedforfurthertravel。Atthispointhewouldshrughisshoulders，lookmysterious，andthussay“alcoholicpoisoning“evenmoreeffectivelythanifhehadutteredthewordsthemselves。Foraman’stongueliesofteninhisshoulders。
Readersofmyfather’sbookwillrememberthatChowbokhadgivenaverydifferentversionwhenhehadreturnedtohisemployer’sstation；butTimeandDistanceaffordcoverunderwhichfalsehoodcanoftendotruthtodeathsecurely。
Ineverunderstoodwhymyfatherdidnotbringmymotherforwardtoconfirmhisstory。HemayhavedonesowhileIwastooyoungtoknowanythingaboutit。Butwhenpeoplehavemadeuptheirminds，theyareimpatientoffurtherevidence；mymother，moreover，wasofaveryretiringdisposition。TheItalianssay：-
“ChilontanovaammogliareSaraingannato，ovorraingannare。”
“Ifamangoesfarafieldforawife，hewillbedeceived——ormeansdeceiving。”Theproverbisastrueforwomenasformen，andmymotherwasneverquitehappyinhernewsurroundings。Wilfullydeceivedsheassuredlywasnot，butshecouldnotaccustomherselftoEnglishmodesofthought；indeedsheneverevennearlymasteredourlanguage；myfatheralwaystalkedwithherinErewhonian，andsodidI，forasachildshehadtaughtmetodoso，andIwasasfluentwithherlanguageaswithmyfather’s。InthisrespectsheoftentoldmeIcouldpassmyselfoffanywhereinErewhonasanative；Isharedalsoherpersonalappearance，forthoughnotwhollyunlikemyfather，Ihadtakenmorecloselyaftermymother。
Inmind，ifImayventuretosayso，IbelieveIwasmorelikemyfather。
ImayaswellhereinformthereaderthatIwasbornattheendofSeptember1871，andwaschristenedJohn，aftermygrandfather。
FromwhatIhavesaidabovehewillreadilybelievethatmyearliestexperiencesweresomewhatsqualid。MemoriesofchildhoodrushvividlyuponmewhenIpassthroughalowLondonalley，andcatchthefaintsicklysmellthatpervadesit——halfparaffin，halfblack-currants，butwhollysomethingverydifferent。IhaveafancythatwelivedinBlackmoorStreet，offDruryLane。Myfather，whenfirstIknewofhisdoinganythingatall，supportedmymotherandmyselfbydrawingpictureswithcolouredchalksuponthepavement；Iusedsometimestowatchhim，andmarvelattheskillwithwhichherepresentedfogs，floods，andfires。Thesethree“f’s。”hewouldsay，werehisthreebestfriends，fortheywereeasytodoandbroughtinhalfpencefreely。Thereturnofthedovetothearkwashisfavouritesubject。Suchalittleark，onsuchahazymorning，andsuchalittlepigeon——therestofthepicturebeingcheapsky，andstillcheapersea；nothing，Ihaveoftenheardhimsay，wasmorepopularthanthiswithhisclients。
Heheldittobehismasterpiece，butwouldaddwithsomenaivetethatheconsideredhimselfapublicbenefactorforcarryingitoutinsuchperishablefashion。“Atanyrate。”hewouldsay，“noonecanbequeathoneofmymanyreplicastothenation。”
Ineverlearnedhowmuchmyfatherearnedbyhisprofession，butitmusthavebeensomethingconsiderable，forwealwayshadenoughtoeatanddrink；Iimaginethathedidbetterthanmanyastrugglingartistwithmoreambitiousaims。HewasstrictlytemperateduringallthetimethatIknewanythingabouthim，buthewasnotateetotaler；Ineversawanyofthefitsofnervousexcitementwhichinhisearlieryearshaddonesomuchtowreckhim。Intheevenings，andondayswhenthestateofthepavementdidnotpermithimtowork，hetookgreatpainswithmyeducation，whichhecouldverywelldo，forasaboyhehadbeeninthesixthformofoneofourforemostpublicschools。Ifoundhimapatient，kindlyinstructor，whiletomymotherhewasamodelhusband。Whateverothersmayhavesaidabouthim，Icanneverthinkofhimwithoutveryaffectionaterespect。
Thingswentonquietlyenough，asaboveindicated，tillIwasaboutfourteen，whenbyafreakoffortunemyfatherbecamesuddenlyaffluent。Abrotherofhisfather’shademigratedtoAustraliain1851，andhadamassedgreatwealth。Weknewofhisexistence，buttherehadbeennointercoursebetweenhimandmyfather，andwedidnotevenknowthathewasrichandunmarried。Hediedintestatetowardstheendof1885，andmyfatherwastheonlyrelativehehad，except，ofcourse，myself，forbothmyfather’ssistershaddiedyoung，andwithoutleavingchildren。
Thesolicitorthroughwhomthenewsreacheduswas，happily，amanofthehighestintegrity，andalsoverysensibleandkind。HewasaMr。AlfredEmeryCathie，of15Clifford’sInn，E。C。，andmyfatherplacedhimselfunreservedlyinhishands。Iwasatoncesenttoafirst-rateschool，andsuchpainshadmyfathertakenwithmethatIwasplacedinahigherformthanmighthavebeenexpectedconsideringmyage。Thewayinwhichhehadtaughtmehadpreventedmyfeelinganydislikeforstudy；Ithereforestuckfairlywelltomybooks，whilenotneglectingthegameswhicharesoimportantapartofhealthyeducation。Everythingwentwellwithme，bothasregardsmastersandschool-fellows；nevertheless，Iwasdeclaredtobeofahighlynervousandimaginativetemperament，andtheschooldoctormorethanonceurgedourheadmasternottopushmeforwardtoorapidly——forwhichIhaveeversinceheldmyselfhisdebtor。
Earlyin1890，IbeingthenhomefromOxfordwhereIhadbeenenteredintheprecedingyear，mymotherdied；notsomuchfromactiveillness，asfromwhatwasinrealityakindofmaladiedupays。Allalongshehadfeltherselfanexile，andthoughshehadborneupwonderfullyduringmyfather’slongstrugglewithadversity，shebegantobreakassoonasprosperityhadremovedthenecessityforexertiononherownpart。
Myfathercouldneverdivesthimselfofthefeelingthathehadwreckedherlifebyinducinghertoshareherlotwithhisown；tosaythathewasstrickenwithremorseonlosingherisnotenough；
hehadbeensostrickenalmostfromthefirstyearofhismarriage；
onherdeathhewashauntedbythewrongheaccusedhimself——asitseemstomeveryunjustly——ofhavingdoneher，foritwasneitherhisfaultnorhers——itwasAte。
Hisunrestsoonassumedtheformofaburningdesiretorevisitthecountryinwhichheandmymotherhadbeenhappiertogetherthanperhapstheyeveragainwere。IhadoftenheardhimbetrayahankeringafterareturntoErewhon，disguisedsothatnooneshouldrecognisehim；butaslongasmymotherlivedhewouldnotleaveher。Whendeathhadtakenherfromhim，hesoevidentlystoodinneedofacompletechangeofscene，thateventhosefriendswhohadmoststronglydissuadedhimfromwhattheydeemedamadcapenterprise，thoughtitbettertoleavehimtohimself。Itwouldhavematteredlittlehowmuchtheytriedtodissuadehim，forbeforelonghispassionatelongingforthejourneybecamesoovermasteringthatnothingshortofrestraintinprisonoramadhousecouldhavestayedhisgoing；butwewerenoteasyabouthim。“Hehadbettergo。”saidMr。Cathietome，whenIwasathomefortheEastervacation，“andgetitover。Heisnotwell，butheisstillintheprimeoflife；doubtlesshewillcomebackwithrenewedhealthandwillsettledowntoaquiethomelifeagain。”
This，however，wasnotsaidtillithadbecomeplainthatinafewdaysmyfatherwouldbeonhisway。Hehadmadeanewwill，andleftanamplepowerofattorneywithMr。Cathie——or，aswealwayscalledhim，Alfred——whowastosupplymewithwhatevermoneyI
wanted；hehadputallothermattersinorderincaseanythingshouldhappentopreventhiseverreturning，andhesetoutonOctober1，1890，morecomposedandcheerfulthanIhadseenhimforsometimepast。
IhadnotrealisedhowseriousthedangertomyfatherwouldbeifhewererecognisedwhilehewasinErewhon，forIamashamedtosaythatIhadnotyetreadhisbook。Ihadheardoverandoveragainofhisflightwithmymotherintheballoon，andhadlongsincereadhisfewopeningchapters，butIhadfound，asaboynaturallywould，thatthesucceedingpageswerealittledull，andsoonputthebookaside。Myfather，indeed，repeatedlyurgedmenottoreadit，forhesaidtherewasmuchinit——moreespeciallyintheearlierchapters，whichIhadalonefoundinteresting——thathewouldgladlycancelifhecould。“Butthere！“hehadsaidwithalaugh，“whatdoesitmatter？“
Hehadhardlyleft，beforeIreadhisbookfromendtoend，and，onhavingdoneso，notonlyappreciatedtherisksthathewouldhavetorun，butwasstruckwiththewidedifferencebetweenhischaracterashehadhimselfportrayedit，andtheestimateIhadformedofitfrompersonalknowledge。When，onhisreturn，hedetailedtomehisadventures，theaccounthegaveofwhathehadsaidanddonecorrespondedwithmyownideasconcerninghim；butI
doubtnotthereaderwillseethatthetwentyyearsbetweenhisfirstandsecondvisithadmodifiedhimevenmorethansolonganintervalmightbeexpectedtodo。
Iheardfromhimrepeatedlyduringthefirsttwomonthsofhisabsence，andwassurprisedtofindthathehadstayedforaweekortendaysatmorethanoneplaceofcallonhisoutwardjourney。OnNovember26hewrotefromtheportwhencehewastostartforErewhon，seeminglyingoodhealthandspirits；andonDecember27，1891，hetelegraphedforahundredpoundstobewiredouttohimatthissameport。ThispuzzledbothMr。Cathieandmyself，fortheintervalbetweenNovember26andDecember27seemedtooshorttoadmitofhishavingpaidhisvisittoErewhonandreturned；as，moreover，hehadaddedthewords，“Cominghome。”weratherhopedthathehadabandonedhisintentionofgoingthere。
Wewerealsosurprisedathiswantingsomuchmoney，forhehadtakenahundredpoundsingold，whichfromsomefancy，hehadstowedinasmallsilverjewel-boxthathehadgivenmymothernotlongbeforeshedied。Hehadalsotakenahundredpoundsworthofgoldnuggets，whichhehadintendedtosellinErewhonsoastoprovidehimselfwithmoneywhenhegotthere。
IshouldexplainthatthesenuggetswouldbeworthinErewhonfullytentimesasmuchastheywouldinEurope，owingtothegreatscarcityofgoldinthatcountry。TheErewhoniancoinageisentirelysilver——whichisabundant，andworthmuchwhatitisinEngland——orcopper，whichisalsoplentiful；butwhatweshouldcallfivepounds’worthofsilvermoneywouldnotbuymorethanoneofourhalf-sovereignsingold。
Hehadputhisnuggetsintotenbrownhollandbags，andhehadhadsecretpocketsmadefortheoldErewhoniandresswhichhehadwornwhenheescaped，sothatheneedneverhavemorethanonebagofnuggetsaccessibleatatime。Hewasnotlikely，therefore，tohavebeenrobbed。Hispassagetotheportabovereferredtohadbeenpaidbeforehestarted，anditseemedimpossiblethatamanofhisveryinexpensivehabitsshouldhavespenttwohundredpoundsinasinglemonth——forthenuggetswouldbeimmediatelyconvertibleinanEnglishcolony。Therewasnothing，however，tobedonebuttocableoutthemoneyandwaitmyfather’sarrival。
Returningforamomenttomyfather’soldErewhoniandress，I
shouldsaythathehadpreserveditsimplyasamementoandwithoutanyideathatheshouldagainwantit。Itwasnotthecourtdressthathadbeenprovidedforhimontheoccasionofhisvisittothekingandqueen，buttheeverydayclothingthathehadbeenorderedtowearwhenhewasputinprison，thoughhisEnglishcoat，waistcoat，andtrousershadbeenallowedtoremaininhisownpossession。These，Ihadseenfromhisbook，hadbeenpresentedbyhimtothequeenwiththeexceptionoftwobuttons，whichhehadgiventoYramasakeepsake，andhadbeenpreservedbyherdisplayeduponawoodendummy。Thedressinwhichheescapedhadbeensoiledduringthehoursthatheandmymotherhadbeeninthesea，andhadalsosufferedfromneglectduringtheyearsofhispoverty；buthewishedtopasshimselfoffasacommonpeasantorworking-man，sohepreferredtohaveitsetinorderasmightbestbedone，ratherthancopied。
SocautiouswasheinthematterofdressthathetookwithhimthebootshehadwornonleavingErewhon，lesttheforeignmakeofhisEnglishbootsshouldarousesuspicion。Theywerenearlynew，andwhenhehadhadthemsoftenedandwellgreased，hefoundhecouldstillwearthemquitecomfortably。
Buttoreturn。HereachedhomelateatnightonedayatthebeginningofFebruary，andaglancewasenoughtoshowthathewasanalteredman。“Whatisthematter？“saidI，shockedathisappearance。“DidyougotoErewhon，andwereyouill-treatedthere？“
“IwenttoErewhon。”hesaid，“andIwasnotill-treatedthere，butIhavebeensoshakenthatIfearIshallquitelosemyreason。Donotaskmemorenow。Iwilltellyouaboutitallto-morrow。Letmehavesomethingtoeat，andgotobed。”
Whenwemetatbreakfastnextmorning，hegreetedmewithallhisusualwarmthofaffection，buthewasstilltaciturn。“Iwillbegintotellyouaboutit。”hesaid，“afterbreakfast。Whereisyourdearmother？HowwasitthatIhave……“
Thenofasuddenhismemoryreturned，andheburstintotears。
Inowsaw，tomyhorror，thathismindwasgone。Whenherecovered，hesaid：“Ithasallcomebackagain，butattimesnowIamablank，andeveryweekammoreandmoreso。IdaresayI
shallbesensiblenowforseveralhours。Wewillgointothestudyafterbreakfast，andIwilltalktoyouaslongasIcandoso。”
Letthereaderspareme，andletmesparethereaderanydescriptionofwhatwebothofusfelt。
Whenwewereinthestudy，myfathersaid，“Mydearestboy，getpenandpaperandtakenotesofwhatItellyou。Itwillbealldisjointed；onedayIshallrememberthis，andanotherthat，buttherewillnotbemanymoredaysonwhichIshallrememberanythingatall。Icannotwriteacoherentpage。You，whenIamgone，canpiecewhatItellyoutogether，andtellitasIshouldhavetolditifIhadbeenstillsound。Butdonotpublishityet；itmightdoharmtothosedeargoodpeople。Takethenotesnow，andarrangethemthesoonerthebetter，foryoumaywanttoaskmequestions，andIshallnotbeheremuchlonger。Letpublishingwaittillyouareconfidentthatpublicationcandonoharm；andaboveall，saynothingtobetraythewhereaboutsofErewhon，beyondadmittingwhichIfearIhavealreadydonethatitisintheSouthernhemisphere。”
TheseinstructionsIhavereligiouslyobeyed。Forthefirstdaysafterhisreturn，myfatherhadfewattacksoflossofmemory，andIwasinhopesthathisformerhealthofmindwouldreturnwhenhefoundhimselfinhisoldsurroundings。Duringthesedayshepouredforththestoryofhisadventuressofast，thatifIhadnothadafancyforacquiringshorthand，Ishouldnothavebeenabletokeeppacewithhim。Irepeatedlyurgedhimnottoovertaxhisstrength，buthewasoppressedbythefearthatifhedidnotspeakatonce，hemightneverbeabletotellmeallhehadtosay；Ihad，therefore，tosubmit，thoughseeingplainlyenoughthathewasonlyhasteningthecompleteparalysiswhichhesogreatlyfeared。
Sometimeshisnarrativewouldbecoherentforpagestogether，andhecouldansweranyquestionswithouthesitation；atothers，hewasnowhereandnowthere，andifItriedtokeephimtotheorderofeventshewouldsaythathehadforgottenintermediateincidents，butthattheywouldprobablycomebacktohim，andIshouldperhapsbeabletoputthemintheirproperplaces。
AfterabouttendaysheseemedsatisfiedthatIhadgotallthefacts，andthatwiththehelpofthepamphletswhichhehadbroughtwithhimIshouldbeabletomakeoutaconnectedstory。
“Remember。”hesaid，“thatIthoughtIwasquitewellsolongasI
wasinErewhon，anddonotletmeappearasanythingelse。”
Whenhehadfullydeliveredhimself，heseemedeasierinhismind，butbeforeamonthhadpassedhebecamecompletelyparalysed，andthoughhelingeredtillthebeginningofJune，hewasseldommorethandimlyconsciousofwhatwasgoingonaroundhim。
Hisdeathrobbedmeofonewhohadbeenaverykindanduprightelderbrotherratherthanafather；andsostronglyhaveIfelthisinfluencestillpresent，livingandworking，asIbelieveforbetterwithinme，thatIdidnothesitatetocopytheepitaphwhichhesawintheMusicalBankatFairmead，{1}andtohaveitinscribedontheverysimplemonumentwhichhedesiredshouldalonemarkhisgrave。
***
Theforegoingwaswritteninthesummerof1891；whatInowaddshouldbedatedDecember3，1900。If，inthecourseofmywork，I
havemisrepresentedmyfather，asIfearImayhavesometimesdone，Iwouldaskmyreaderstorememberthatnomancantellanother’sstorywithoutsomeinvoluntarymisrepresentationbothoffactsandcharacters。Theywill，ofcourse，seethat“ErewhonRevisited“iswrittenbyonewhohasfarlessliteraryskillthantheauthorof“Erewhon；“butagainIwouldaskindulgenceonthescoreofyouth，andthefactthatthisismyfirstbook。Itwaswrittennearlytenyearsago，i。e。inthemonthsfromMarchtoAugust1891，butforreasonsalreadygivenitcouldnotthenbemadepublic。Ihavenowreceivedpermission，andthereforepublishthefollowingchapters，exactly，orverynearlyexactly，astheywereleftwhenIhadfinishededitingmyfather’sdiaries，andthenotesItookdownfromhisownmouth——withtheexception，ofcourse，oftheselastfewlines，hurriedlywrittenasIamonthepointofleavingEngland，oftheadditionsImadein1892，onreturningfrommyownthreehours’stayinErewhon，andofthePostscript。
CHAPTERII：TOTHEFOOTOFTHEPASSINTOEREWHON
WhenmyfatherreachedthecolonyforwhichhehadleftEnglandsometwenty-twoyearspreviously，heboughtahorse，andstartedupcountryontheeveningofthedayafterhisarrival，whichwas，asIhavesaid，ononeofthelastdaysofNovember1890。HehadtakenanEnglishsaddlewithhim，andacoupleofroomyandstronglymadesaddle-bags。Inthesehepackedhismoney，hisnuggets，sometea，sugar，tobacco，salt，aflaskofbrandy，matches，andasmanyship’sbiscuitsashethoughthewaslikelytowant；hetooknomeat，forhecouldsupplyhimselffromsomeaccommodation-houseorsheep-station，whennearingthepointafterwhichhewouldhavetobegincampingout。HerolledhisErewhoniandressandsmalltoilettenecessariesinsideawarmredblanket，andstrappedtherollontothefrontpartofhissaddle。OntootherD’s，withwhichhissaddlewasamplyprovided，hestrappedhisErewhonianboots，atinpannikin，andabillythatwouldholdaboutaquart。Ishould，perhaps，explaintoEnglishreadersthatabillyisatincan，thenameforwhichdoubtlessofFrenchCanadianoriginisderivedfromthewords“fairebouillir。”Healsotookwithhimapairofhobblesandasmallhatchet。
Hespentthreewholedaysinridingacrosstheplains，andwasstruckwiththeverysmallsignsofchangethathecoulddetect，butthefallinwool，andthefailure，sofar，toestablishafrozenmeattrade，hadpreventedanymaterialdevelopmentoftheresourcesofthecountry。Whenhehadgottothefrontranges，hefolloweduptherivernexttothenorthoftheonethathehadexploredyearsago，andfromtheheadwatersofwhichhehadbeenledtodiscovertheonlypracticablepassintoErewhon。Hedidthis，partlytoavoidtheterriblydangerousdescentontothebedofthemorenorthernriver，andpartlytoescapebeingseenbyshepherdsorbullock-driverswhomightrememberhim。
Ifhehadattemptedtogetthroughthegorgeofthisriverin1870，hewouldhavefounditimpassable；butafewriver-bedflatshadbeendiscoveredabovethegorge，onwhichtherewasnowashepherd’shut，andonthediscoveryoftheseflatsanarrowhorsetrackhadbeenmadefromoneendofthegorgetotheother。
Hewashospitablyentertainedattheshepherd’shutjustmentioned，whichhereachedonMonday，December1。Hetoldtheshepherdinchargeofitthathehadcometoseeifhecouldfindtracesofalargewinglessbird，whoseexistencehadbeenreportedashavingbeendiscoveredamongtheextremeheadwatersoftheriver。
“Becareful，sir，saidtheshepherd；“theriverisverydangerous；
severalpeople——oneonlyaboutayearago——haveleftthishut，andthoughtheirhorsesandtheircampshavebeenfound，theirbodieshavenot。Whenagreatfreshcomesdown，itwouldcarryabodyouttoseaintwenty-fourhours。”
Heevidentlyhadnoideathattherewasapassthroughtherangesuptheriver，whichmightexplainthedisappearanceofanexplorer。
Nextdaymyfatherbegantoascendtheriver。Therewassomuchtangledgrowthstillunburntwherevertherewasroomforittogrow，andsomuchswamp，thatmyfatherhadtokeepalmostentirelytotheriver-bed——andheretherewasagooddealofquicksand。Thestonesalsowereoftenlargeforsomedistancetogether，andhehadtocrossandrecrossstreamsoftherivermorethanonce，sothatthoughhetravelledalldaywiththeexceptionofacoupleofhoursfordinner，hehadnotmademorethansomefiveandtwentymileswhenhereachedasuitablecampingground，whereheunsaddledhishorse，hobbledhim，andturnedhimouttofeed。Thegrasswasbeginningtoseed，sothatthoughitwasnonetooplentiful，whattherewasofitmadeexcellentfeed。
Helithisfire，madehimselfsometea，atehiscoldmuttonandbiscuits，andlithispipe，exactlyashehaddonetwentyyearsbefore。Therewastheclearstarlitsky，therushingriver，andthestuntedtreesonthemountain-side；thewoodhenscried，andthe“more-pork“hootedouthertwomonotonousnotesexactlyastheyhaddoneyearssince；onemoment，andtimehadsoflownbackwardsthatyouthcameboundingbacktohimwiththereturnofhisyouth’ssurroundings；thenext，andtheinterveningtwentyyears——mostofthemgrimones——roseupmockinglybeforehim，andthebuoyancyofhopeyieldedtothedespondencyofadmittedfailure。Byandbybuoyancyreasserteditself，and，soothedbythepeaceandbeautyofthenight，hewrappedhimselfupinhisblanketanddroppedoffintoadreamlessslumber。
Nextmorning，i。e。December3，herosesoonafterdawn，bathedinabackwateroftheriver，gothisbreakfast，foundhishorseontheriver-bed，andstartedassoonashehaddulypackedandloaded。
Hehadnowtocrossstreamsoftheriverandrecrossthemmoreoftenthanontheprecedingday，andthis，thoughhishorsetookwelltothewater，requiredcare；forhewasanxiousnottowethissaddle-bags，anditwasonlybycrossingatthewide，smooth，waterabovearapid，andbypickingplaceswheretheriverranintwoorthreestreams，thathecouldfindfordswherehispractisedeyetoldhimthatthewaterwouldnotbeabovehishorse’sbelly——fortheriverwasofgreatvolume。Fortunately，therehadbeenalatefallofsnowonthehigherranges，andtheriverwas，forthesummerseason，low。
Towardsevening，havingtravelled，sofarashecouldguess，sometwentyorfiveandtwentymilesforhehadmadeanothermiddayhalt，hereachedtheplace，whichheeasilyrecognised，asthatwherehehadcampedbeforecrossingtothepassthatledintoErewhon。Itwasthelastpieceofgroundthatcouldbecalledaflatthoughitwasinrealityonlytheslopingdeltaofastreamthatdescendedfromthepassbeforereachingalargeglacierthathadencroachedontheriver-bed，whichittraversedatrightanglesforaconsiderabledistance。
Hereheagaincamped，hobbledhishorse，andturnedhimadrift，hopingthathemightagainfindhimsometwoorthreemonthshence，fortherewasagooddealofsweetgrasshereandthere，withsow-
thistleandanise；andthecoarsetussockgrasswouldbeinfullseedshortly，whichalonewouldkeephimgoingforaslongatimeasmyfatherexpectedtobeaway。Littledidhethinkthatheshouldwanthimagainsoshortly。
Havingattendedtohishorse，hegothissupper，andwhilesmokinghispipecongratulatedhimselfonthewayinwhichsomethinghadsmoothedawayalltheobstaclesthathadsonearlybaffledhimonhisearlierjourney。Washebeingluredontohisdestructionbysomemaliciousfiend，orbefriendedbyonewhohadcompassiononhimandwishedhimwell？Hisnaturallysanguinetemperamentinclinedhimtoadoptthefriendlyspirittheory，inthepeaceofwhichheagainlaidhimselfdowntorest，andsleptsoundlyfromdarktilldawn。
Inthemorning，thoughthewaterwassomewhaticy，heagainbathed，andthenputonhisErewhonianbootsanddress。HestowedhisEuropeanclothes，withsomedifficulty，intohissaddle-bags。
HereinalsohelefthiscasefullofEnglishsovereigns，hissparepipes，hispurse，whichcontainedtwopoundsingoldandsevenoreightshillings，partofhisstockoftobacco，andwhateverprovisionwaslefthim，exceptthemeat——whichheleftforsundryhawksandparrotsthatwereeyeinghisproceedingsapparentlywithoutfearofman。HisnuggetsheconcealedinthesecretpocketsofwhichIhavealreadyspoken，keepingonebagaloneaccessible。
Hehadhadhishairandbeardcutshortonshipboardthedaybeforehelanded。ThesehenowdyedwithadyethathehadbroughtfromEngland，andwhichinafewminutesturnedthemverynearlyblack。
Healsostainedhisfaceandhandsdeepbrown。Hehunghissaddleandbridle，hisEnglishboots，andhissaddle-bagsonthehighestboughthathecouldreach，andmadethemfairlyfastwithstripsofflaxleaf，fortherewassomestuntedflaxgrowingonthegroundwherehehadcamped。Hefearedthat，dowhathemight，theywouldnotescapetheinquisitivethievishnessoftheparrots，whosestrongbeakscouldeasilycutleather；buthecoulddonothingmore。Itoccurstome，thoughmyfathernevertoldmeso，thatitwasperhapswithaviewtothesebirdsthathehadchosentoputhisEnglishsovereignsintoametalbox，withaclasptoitwhichwoulddefythem。
Hemadearollofhisblanket，andslungitoverhisshoulder；healsotookhispipe，tobacco，alittletea，afewship’sbiscuits，andhisbillyandpannikin；matchesandsaltgowithoutsaying。
Whenhehadthusorderedeverythingasnearlytohissatisfactionashecould，helookedathiswatchforthelasttime，ashebelieved，tillmanyweeksshouldhavegoneby，andfoundittobeaboutseveno’clock。Rememberingwhattroubleithadgothimintoyearsbefore，hetookdownhissaddle-bags，reopenedthem，andputthewatchinside。Hethensethimselftoclimbthemountainside，towardsthesaddleonwhichhehadseenthestatues。
CHAPTERIII：MYFATHERWHILECAMPINGISACCOSTEDBYPROFESSORS
HANKYANDPANKY
Myfatherfoundtheascentmorefatiguingthanherememberedittohavebeen。Theclimb，hesaid，wassteady，andtookhimbetweenfourandfivehours，asnearashecouldguess，nowthathehadnowatch；butitofferednothingthatcouldbecalledadifficulty，andthewatercoursethatcamedownfromthesaddlewasasufficientguide；onceortwicetherewerewaterfalls，buttheydidnotseriouslydelayhim。
Afterhehadclimbedsomethreethousandfeet，hebegantobeonthealertforsomesoundofghostlychantingfromthestatues；butheheardnothing，andtoiledontillhecametoasprinklingoffreshsnow——partofthefallwhichhehadobservedontheprecedingdayashavingwhitenedthehighermountains；heknew，therefore，thathemustnowbenearingthesaddle。Thesnowgrewrapidlydeeper，andbythetimehereachedthestatuesthegroundwascoveredtoadepthoftwoorthreeinches。
Hefoundthestatuessmallerthanhehadexpected。Hehadsaidinhisbook——writtenmanymonthsafterhehadseenthem——thattheywereaboutsixtimesthesizeoflife，buthenowthoughtthatfourorfivetimeswouldhavebeenenoughtosay。Theirmouthsweremuchcloggedwithsnow，sothateventhoughtherehadbeenastrongwindwhichtherewasnottheywouldnothavechanted。Inotherrespectshefoundthemnotlessmysteriouslyimpressivethanatfirst。Hewalkedtwoorthreetimesallroundthem，andthenwenton。
Thesnowdidnotcontinuefardown，butbeforelongmyfatherenteredathickbankofcloud，andhadtofeelhiswaycautiouslyalongthestreamthatdescendedfromthepass。Itwassometwohoursbeforeheemergedintoclearair，andfoundhimselfonthelevelbedofanoldlakenowgrassedover。Hehadquiteforgottenthisfeatureofthedescent——perhapsthecloudshadhungoverit；
hewasoverjoyed，however，tofindthattheflatgroundaboundedwithakindofquail，largerthanours，andhardly，ifatall，smallerthanapartridge。Theabundanceofthesequailssurprisedhim，forhedidnotrememberthemasplentifulanywhereontheErewhoniansideofthemountains。
TheErewhonianquail，likeitsnownearly，ifnotquite，extinctNewZealandcongener，cantakethreesuccessiveflightsofafewyardseach，butthenbecomesexhausted；hencequailsareonlyfoundongroundthatisneverburned，andwheretherearenowildanimalstomolestthem；thecatsanddogsthataccompanyEuropeancivilisationsoonexterminatethem；myfather，therefore，feltsafeinconcludingthathewasstillfarfromanyvillage。Moreoverhecouldseenosheeporgoat’sdung；andthissurprisedhim，forhethoughthehadfoundsignsofpasturagemuchhigherthanthis。
Doubtless，hesaidtohimself，whenhewrotehisbookhehadforgottenhowlongthedescenthadbeen。Butitwasodd，forthegrasswasgoodfeedenough，andought，heconsidered，tohavebeenwellstocked。
Tiredwithhisclimb，duringwhichhehadnotrestedtotakefood，buthadeatenbiscuits，ashewalked，hegavehimselfagoodlongrest，andwhenrefreshed，herandownacoupleofdozenquails，someofwhichhemeanttoeatwhenhecampedforthenight，whiletheotherswouldhelphimoutofadifficultywhichhadbeentroublinghimforsometime。
Whatwashetosaywhenpeopleaskedhim，astheyweresuretodo，howhewasliving？AndhowwashetogetenoughErewhonianmoneytokeephimgoingtillhecouldfindsomesafemeansofsellingafewofhisnuggets？HehadhadalittleErewhonianmoneywhenhewentupintheballoon，buthadthrownitover，witheverythingelseexcepttheclothesheworeandhisMSS。，whentheballoonwasnearingthewater。Hehadnothingwithhimthathedaredofferforsale，andthoughhehadplentyofgold，wasinrealitypenniless。
When，therefore，hesawthequails，heagainfeltasthoughsomefriendlyspiritwassmoothinghiswaybeforehim。WhatmoreeasythantosellthematColdharbourforsothenameofthetowninwhichhehadbeenimprisonedshouldbetranslated，whereheknewtheywereadelicacy，andwouldfetchhimthevalueofanEnglishshillingapiece？
Ittookhimbetweentwoandthreehourstocatchtwodozen。Whenhehadthusgotwhatheconsideredasufficientstock，hetiedtheirlegstogetherwithrushes，andranastoutstickthroughthewholelot。Soonafterwardshecameuponawoodofstuntedpines，which，thoughtherewasnotmuchundergrowth，neverthelessaffordedconsiderableshelterandenabledhimtogatherwoodenoughtomakehimselfagoodfire。Thiswasacceptable，forthoughthedayswerelong，itwasnowevening，andassoonasthesunhadgonetheairbecamecrispandfrosty。
Hereheresolvedtopassthenight。Hechoseapartwherethetreeswerethickest，lithisfire，pluckedandcleanedfourquails，filledhisbillywithwaterfromthestreamhardby，madeteainhispannikin，grilledtwoofhisbirdsontheembers，atethem，andwhenhehaddoneallthis，helithispipeandbegantothinkthingsover。“Sofarsogood。”saidhetohimself；buthardlyhadthewordspassedthroughhismindbeforehewasstartledbythesoundofvoices，stillatsomedistance，butevidentlydrawingtowardshim。
Heinstantlygathereduphisbilly，pannikin，tea，biscuits，andblanket，allofwhichhehaddeterminedtodiscardandhideonthefollowingmorning；everythingthatcouldbetrayhimhecarriedfullhasteintothewoodsomefewyardsoff，inthedirectionoppositetothatfromwhichthevoiceswerecoming，buthelethisquailsliewheretheywere，andputhispipeandtobaccoinhispocket。
Thevoicesdrewnearerandnearer，anditwasallmyfathercoulddotogetbackandsitdowninnocentlybyhisfire，beforehecouldhearwhatwasbeingsaid。
“Thankgoodness。”saidoneofthespeakersofcourseintheErewhonianlanguage，“weseemtobefindingsomebodyatlast。I
hopeitisnotsomepoacher；wehadbetterbecareful。”
“Nonsense！“saidtheother。“Itmustbeoneoftherangers。NoonewoulddaretolightafirewhilepoachingontheKing’spreserves。Whato’clockdoyoumakeit？“
“Halfafternine。”Andthewatchwasstillinthespeaker’shandasheemergedfromdarknessintotheglowinglightofthefire。Myfatherglancedatit，andsawthatitwasexactlyliketheonehehadwornonenteringErewhonnearlytwentyyearspreviously。
Thewatch，however，wasaverysmallmatter；thedressofthesetwomenfortherewereonlytwowasfarmoredisconcerting。TheywerenotintheErewhoniancostume。TheonewasdressedlikeanEnglishmanorwould-beEnglishman，whiletheotherwaswearingthesamekindofclothesbutturnedthewrongwayround，sothatwhenhisfacewastowardsmyfatherhisbodyseemedtohaveitsbacktowardshim，andviceverso。Theman’shead，infact，appearedtohavebeenscrewedrightround；andyetitwasplainthatifhewerestrippedhewouldbefoundbuiltlikeotherpeople。
Whatcoulditallmean？Themenwereaboutfiftyyearsold。Theywerewell-to-dopeople，wellclad，wellfed，andwerefeltinstinctivelybymyfathertobelongtotheacademicclasses。ThatoneofthemshouldbedressedlikeasensibleEnglishmandismayedmyfatherasmuchasthattheothershouldhaveawatch，andlookasifhehadjustbrokenoutofBedlam，orasKingDagobertmusthavelookedifhehadwornallhisclothesasheissaidtohavewornhisbreeches。Bothworetheirclothessoeasily——forhewhoworethemreversedhadevidentlybeenmeasuredwithaviewtothisabsurdfashion——thatitwasplaintheirdresswashabitual。
Myfatherwasalarmedaswellasastounded，forhesawthatwhatlittleplanofacampaignhehadformedmustbereconstructed，andhehadnoideainwhatdirectionhisnextmoveshouldbetaken；buthewasareadyman，andknewthatwhenpeoplehavetakenanyideaintotheirheads，alittleconfirmationwillfixit。Afirstideaislikeastrongseedling；itwillgrowifitcan。
Inlesstimethanitwillhavetakenthereadertogetthroughthelastforegoingparagraphs，myfathertookupthecuefurnishedhimbythesecondspeaker。
“Yes。”saidhe，goingboldlyuptothisgentleman，“Iamoneoftherangers，anditismydutytoaskyouwhatyouaredoinghereupontheKing’spreserves。”
“Quiteso，myman。”wastherejoinder。“Wehavebeentoseethestatuesattheheadofthepass，andhaveapermitfromtheMayorofSunch’stontoenteruponthepreserves。Welostourselvesinthethickfog，bothgoingandcomingback。”
Myfatherinwardlyblessedthefog。Hedidnotcatchthenameofthetown，butpresentlyfoundthatitwascommonlypronouncedasI
havewrittenit。
“Bepleasedtoshowitme。”saidmyfatherinhispolitestmanner。
Onthisadocumentwashandedtohim。
IwillhereexplainthatIshalltranslatethenamesofmenandplaces，aswellasthesubstanceofthedocument；andIshalltranslateallnamesinfuture。IndeedIhavejustdonesointhecaseofSunch’ston。Asanexample，letmeexplainthatthetrueErewhoniannamesforHankyandPanky，towhomthereaderwillbeimmediatelyintroduced，areSukohandSukop——namestoocacophonoustobereadwithpleasurebytheEnglishpublic。ImustaskthereadertobelievethatinallcasesIamdoingmybesttogivethespiritoftheoriginalname。
IwouldalsoexpressmyregretthatmyfatherdidnoteitheruniformlykeeptothetrueErewhoniannames，asinthecasesofSenojNosnibor，Ydgrun，Thims，&c——nameswhichoccurconstantlyinErewhon——orelseinvariablyinventaname，ashedidwheneverheconsideredthetruenameimpossible。Mypoormother’sname，forexample，wasreallyNnaHaras，andMahaina’sEnajYsteb，whichhedarednotface。He，therefore，gavethesecharactersthefirstnamesthateuphonysuggested，withoutanyattemptattranslation。
Rightlyorwrongly，Ihavedeterminedtokeepconsistentlytotranslationforallnamesnotusedinmyfather’sbook；andthroughout，whetherasregardsnamesorconversations，Ishalltranslatewiththefreedomwithoutwhichnotranslationrisesaboveconstruelevel。
Letmenowreturntothepermit。Theearlierpartofthedocumentwasprinted，andranasfollows：-
ExtractsfromtheActfortheafforestingofcertainlandslyingbetweenthetownofSunchildston，formerlycalledColdharbour，andthemountainswhichboundthekingdomofErewhon，passedintheyearThree，beingtheeighthyearofthereignofhisMostGraciousMajestyKingWell-belovedtheTwenty-Second。
“WhereasitisexpedienttopreventanyofhisMajesty’ssubjectsfromtryingtocrossoverintounknownlandsbeyondthemountains，andinlikemannertoprotecthisMajesty’skingdomfromintrusiononthepartofforeigndevils，itisherebyenactedthatcertainlands，moreparticularlydescribedhereafter，shallbeafforestedandsetapartasahunting-groundforhisMajesty’sprivateuse。
“ItisalsoenactedthattheRangersandUnder-rangersshallberequiredtoimmediatelykillwithoutparleyanyforeigndevilwhomtheymayencountercomingfromtheothersideofthemountains。
Theyaretoweightthebody，andthrowitintotheBluePoolunderthewaterfallshownontheplanheretoannexed；butonpainofimprisonmentforlifetheyshallnotreservetotheirownuseanyarticlebelongingtothedeceased。NeithershalltheydivulgewhattheyhavedonetoanyonesavetheHeadRanger，whoshallreportthecircumstancesofthecasefullyandminutelytohisMajesty。
“AsregardsanyofhisMajesty’ssubjectswhomaybetakenwhiletrespassingonhisMajesty’spreserveswithoutaspecialpermitsignedbytheMayorofSunchildston，oranywhomaybeconvictedofpoachingonthesaidpreserves，theRangersshallforthwitharrestthemandbringthembeforetheMayorofSunchildston，whoshallenquireintotheirantecedents，andpunishthemwithsuchtermofimprisonment，withhardlabour，ashemaythinkfit，providedthatnosuchtermbeoflessdurationthantwelvecalendarmonths。
“ForthefurtherprovisionsofthesaidAct，thosewhomitmayconcernarereferredtotheActinfull，acopyofwhichmaybeseenattheofficialresidenceoftheMayorofSunchildston。”
ThenfollowedinMS。“XIX。xii。29。PermitProfessorHanky，RoyalProfessorofWorldlyWisdomatBridgeford，seatoflearning，cityofthepeoplewhoareabovesuspicion，andProfessorPanky，RoyalProfessorofUnworldlyWisdominthesaidcity，oreitherofthem“[heretheMS。ended，therestofthepermitbeinginprint]
“topassfreelyduringthespaceofforty-eighthoursfromthedatehereof，overtheKing’spreserves，provided，underpainofimprisonmentwithhardlabourfortwelvemonths，thattheydonotkill，norcausetobekilled，noreat，ifanotherhavekilled，anyoneormoreofhisMajesty’squails。”
Thesignaturewassuchascrawlthatmyfathercouldnotreadit，butunderneathwasprinted，“MayorofSunchildston，formerlycalledColdharbour。”
Whatamassofinformationdidnotmyfathergatherasheread，butwhatafargreatermassdidhenotseethathemustgetholdoferehecouldreconstructhisplansintelligently。
“Theyearthree。”indeed；andXIX。xii。29，inRomanandArabiccharacters！TherewerenosuchcharacterswhenhewasinErewhonbefore。ItflasheduponhimthathehadrepeatedlyshewnthemtotheNosnibors，andhadonceevenwrittenthemdown。Itcouldnotbethat……No，itwasimpossible；andyettherewastheEuropeandress，aimedatbytheoneProfessor，andattainedbytheother。
Again“XIX。”whatwasthat？“xii。”mightdoforDecember，butitwasnowthe4thofDecembernotthe29th。“Afforested“too？Thenthatwaswhyhehadseennosheeptracks。Andhowaboutthequailshehadsoinnocentlykilled？WhatwouldhavehappenedifhehadtriedtoselltheminColdharbour？Whatotherlikefatalerrormighthenotignorantlycommit？AndwhyhadColdharbourbecomeSunchildston？
Thesethoughtsracedthroughmypoorfather’sbrainasheslowlyperusedthepaperhandedtohimbytheProfessors。Togivehimselftimehefeignedtobeapoorscholar，butwhenhehaddelayedaslongashedared，hereturnedittotheonewhohadgivenithim。
Withoutchangingamusclehesaid-
“Yourpermit，sir，isquiteregular。YoucaneitherstayherethenightorgoontoSunchildstonasyouthinkfit。MayIaskwhichofyoutwogentlemenisProfessorHanky，andwhichProfessorPanky？“
“MynameisPanky。”saidtheonewhohadthewatch，whoworehisclothesreversed，andwhohadthoughtmyfathermightbeapoacher。
“AndmineHanky。”saidtheother。
“Whatdoyouthink，Panky。”headded，turningtohisbrotherProfessor，“hadwenotbetterstayheretillsunrise？Wearebothofustired，andthisfellowcanmakeusagoodfire。Itisverydark，andtherewillbenomoonthistwohours。Wearehungry，butwecanholdouttillwegettoSunchildston；itcannotbemorethaneightorninemilesfurtherdown。”
Pankyassented，butthen，turningsharplytomyfather，hesaid，“Myman，whatareyoudoingintheforbiddendress？Whyareyounotinranger’suniform，andwhatisthemeaningofallthosequails？“Forhisseedlingideathatmyfatherwasinrealityapoacherwasdoingitsbesttogrow。
Quickasthoughtmyfatheranswered，“TheHeadRangersentmeamessagethismorningtodeliverhimthreedozenquailsatSunchildstonbyto-morrowafternoon。Asforthedress，wecanrunthequailsdownquickerinit，andhesaysnothingtoussolongasweonlywearoutoldclothesandputonouruniformsbeforewenearthetown。Myuniformisintheranger’sshelteranhourandahalfhigherupthevalley。”
“Seewhatcomes。”saidPanky，“ofhavingawhippersnappernotyettwentyyearsoldintheresponsiblepostofHeadRanger。Asforthisfellow，hemaybespeakingthetruth，butIdistrusthim。”
“Themanisallright，Panky。”saidHanky，“andseemstobeadecentfellowenough。”Thentomyfather，“Howmanybracehaveyougot？“Andhelookedatthemalittlewistfully。
“Ihavebeenatitallday，sir，andIhaveonlygoteightbrace。
Imustrundowntenmorebraceto-morrow。”
“Isee，Isee。”Then，turningtoPanky，hesaid，“Ofcourse，theyarewantedfortheMayor’sbanquetonSunday。Bytheway，wehavenotyetreceivedourinvitation；IsupposeweshallfinditwhenwegetbacktoSunchildston。”
“Sunday，Sunday，Sunday！“groanedmyfatherinwardly；buthechangednotamuscleofhisface，andsaidstolidlytoProfessorHanky，“Ithinkyoumustberight，sir；buttherewasnothingsaidaboutittome，Iwasonlytoldtobringthebirds。”
ThustenderlydidhewatertheProfessor’ssecondseedling。ButPankyhadhisseedlingtoo，and，Cain-like，wasjealousthatHanky’sshouldflourishwhilehisownwaswithering。
“Andwhat，pray，myman。”hesaidsomewhatperemptorilytomyfather，“arethosetwopluckedquailsdoing？Wereyoutodeliverthemplucked？AndwhatbirddidthosebonesbelongtowhichIseelyingbythefirewiththefleshalleatenoffthem？Aretheunder-rangersallowednotonlytoweartheforbiddendressbuttoeattheKing’squailsaswell？“
Theforminwhichthequestionwasaskedgavemyfatherhiscue。
Helaughedheartily，andsaid，“Why，sir，thosepluckedbirdsarelandrails，notquails，andthosebonesarelandrailbones。Lookatthisthigh-bone；wasthereeveraquailwithsuchaboneasthat？“
IcannotsaywhetherornoProfessorPankywasreallydeceivedbythesweeteffronterywithwhichmyfatherprofferedhimthebone。
Ifhewastakenin，hisanswerwasdictatedsimplybyadonnishunwillingnesstoallowanyonetobebetterinformedonanysubjectthanhewashimself。
Myfather，whenIsuggestedthistohim，wouldnothearofit。“Ohno。”hesaid；“themanknewwellenoughthatIwaslying。”Howeverthismaybe，theProfessor’smannerchanged。
“Youareright。”hesaid，“Ithoughttheywerelandrailbones，butwasnotsuretillIhadoneinmyhand。Isee，too，thatthepluckedbirdsarelandrails，butthereislittlelight，andIhavenotoftenseenthemwithouttheirfeathers。”
“Ithink。”saidmyfathertome，“thatHankyknewwhathisfriendmeant，forhesaid，’Panky，Iamveryhungry。’“
“Oh，Hanky，Hanky。”saidtheother，modulatinghisharshvoicetillitwasquitepleasant。“Don’tcorruptthepoorman。”
“Panky，dropthat；wearenotatBridgefordnow；Iamveryhungry，andIbelievehalfthosebirdsarenotquailsbutlandrails。”
Myfathersawhewassafe。Hesaid，“Perhapssomeofthemmightprovetobeso，sir，undercertaincircumstances。Iamapoorman，sir。”
“Come，come。”saidHanky；andheslippedasumequaltoabouthalf-
a-crownintomyfather’shand。
“Idonotknowwhatyoumean，sir。”saidmyfather，“andifIdid，half-a-crownwouldnotbenearlyenough。”
“Hanky。”saidPanky，“youmustgetthisfellowtogiveyoulessons。”
CHAPTERIV：MYFATHEROVERHEARSMOREOFHANKYANDPANKY’S
CONVERSATION
Myfather，schooledunderadversity，knewthatitwasneverwelltopressadvantagetoofar。Hetooktheequivalentoffiveshillingsforthreebrace，whichwassomewhatlessthanthebirdswouldhavebeenworthwhenthingswereashehadknownthem。Moreover，heconsentedtotakeashilling’sworthofMusicalBankmoney，whichashehasexplainedinhisbookhasnoappreciablevalueoutsidethesebanks。HedidthisbecauseheknewthatitwouldberespectabletobeseencarryingalittleMusicalBankmoney，andalsobecausehewishedtogivesomeofittotheBritishMuseum，whereheknewthatthiscuriouscoinagewasunrepresented。Butthecoinsstruckhimasbeingmuchthinnerandsmallerthanhehadrememberedthem。
ItwasPanky，notHanky，whohadgivenhimtheMusicalBankmoney。
Pankywasthegreaterhumbugofthetwo，forhewouldhumbugevenhimself——athing，bytheway，notveryhardtodo；andyethewasthelesssuccessfulhumbug，forhecouldhumbugnoonewhowasworthhumbugging——notforlong。Hanky’soccasionalfranknessputpeopleofftheirguard。Hewasthemerecommon，superficial，perfunctoryProfessor，who，beingaProfessor，wouldofcourseprofess，butwouldnotliemorethanwasinthebond；hewaslog-
rolledandlog-rolling，butstill，inarobustwolfishfashion，human。
Panky，ontheotherhand，washardlyhuman；hehadthrownhimselfsoearnestlyintohiswork，thathehadbecomealivinglie。IfhehadhadtoplaythepartofOthellohewouldhaveblackedhimselfallover，andverylikelysmotheredhisDesdemonaingoodearnest。
Hankywouldhardlyhaveblackedhimselfbehindtheears，andhisDesdemonawouldhavebeenquitesafe。
Philosophersarelikequailsintherespectthattheycantaketwoorthreeflightsofimagination，butrarelymorewithoutanintervalofrepose。TheProfessorshadimaginedmyfathertobeapoacherandaranger；theyhadimaginedthequailstobewantedforSunday’sbanquet；theyhadimaginedthattheyimaginedatleastPankyhadthattheywereabouttoeatlandrails；theywerenowexhausted，andcowereddownintothegrassoftheirordinaryconversation，payingnomoreattentiontomyfatherthanifhehadbeenalog。He，poorman，drankineverywordtheysaid，whileseeminglyintentonnothingbuthisquails，eachoneofwhichhecutupwithaknifeborrowedfromHanky。Twohadbeenpluckedalready，sohelaidtheseatonceupontheclearembers。
“Idonotknowwhatwearetodowithourselves。”saidHanky，“tillSunday。To-dayisThursday——itisthetwenty-ninth，isitnot？
Yes，ofcourseitis——Sundayisthefirst。Besides，itisonourpermit。To-morrowwecanrest；what，Iwonder，canwedoonSaturday？Buttheotherswillbeherethen，andwecantellthemaboutthestatues。”
“Yes，butmindyoudonotblurtoutanythingaboutthelandrails。”
“IthinkwemaytellDr。Downie。”
“Tellnobody。”saidPanky。