When the family of the prætor called in the morning to escort us to the
scholia puellulitas, Correliana received the attentions of M. Hollydorf
with marked pleasure; indeed, the happiness of the prætor and her mother
was so joyfully exultant, that it attracted the attention of the
Kyronese as well as our own. The temple on the north, occupying the
esplanade of the second foræ, was the counterpart of the southern in
architectural design. But its site was more commanding, embracing in the
view obtained from the parapet walk, the latifundium, the grove of the
temple beyond the cinctus gate, and the river expanse in the Bœotian
vale below. On the south the terraced road could be traced in its upward
windings to the brink of the basaltic cliff. To the north the view was
in like manner circumscribed by the precipice and its outjutting flank
of wooded hills. Within the enclosure of the temple walls the hill-slope
to the north was more abrupt and shaded, and from its cooler temperature
it was better adapted for the culture of fruitful shrubs and trees. The
weissich of the falling water, and ring of the basaltic cubes, was much
more distinctly impressed in their ever varying intonations, rendering
hearing upon the parapet difficult, while in the colonnades of the
eastern courts of the enclosure conversation became irksome and
wearying. These effects were produced by the larger concavity in the
southern face, by an inclination given to the main body of the water,
from a northern curve in the direction of the river current above; a
jutting columnar screen, without the falling water, formed a
reverberating chamber that reflected the sound northward. Mr. Welson,
remarking the effort required for speaking and hearing, asked the prætor
the reason of the founder’s preferring the shady courts of the northern
temple, for the tender female plants, with its greater disadvantages
from the louder sound of the falls, when the warm mellow rays of the
southern were so much better adapted for the development of the motherly
germ of affection?
Before answering, the prætor turned his eyes upon the questioner with a
quizzical glance, then replied,—“What you have observed is, from present
appearances, true, and we learned that the prætor Indegatus made the
selection in accordance with the judgment your discernment has
expressed. But, in referring the reasons of his choice to the Dosch
Giganteo, he reversed his decision, sustaining his judgment by urging
the special adaptation of the supposed objections for counteracting the
then prevalent disposition of the Heraclean women for invidious gossip,
and their initiation into a staid, thoughtful mood, necessary for
overcoming their hereditary inclinations for tongue talk. As I perceive
that the question of Mr. Welson echoes your common curiosity to learn
the influence of the choice, I will notice some of the effects in their
course of development. Yesterday you remarked, while upon the temple
walls of the boys’ enclosure, that the whirr of the falling water
scarcely interfered with conversation, after you became accustomed to
its counter resonance upon your voices, while here we are obliged to
seek the screen of a turret, and then speak and hear with difficulty;
not so much from the overwhelming loudness, as the confused blending of
sound, that renders articulate modulation tiresome. Although partially
overcome when the ear becomes accustomed to the impression, still the
monotonous replication of variations in kind, without order in sequence,
is too close, as the Dosch informs me, in its resemblance to the
unmeaning plash of words, to distinguish in utterance those void of
affectionate sympathy. This toning influence imposes a thoughtful
silence upon those inclined to speak in freedom from the sympathetic
direction of thought devisement, encouraging a mood for the study of
individuality. The Dosch advises me that a prattling novice, from your
race, would soon discover that expressionless words became involved in
the wish-a-washy plash and whirr of the falling waters; and with
repetition would feel the reflection, in burlesque effect, for the
enlightenment of her understanding, when fully sensible of the vague
implication, and of necessity would be obliged to limit her speech to
the honest expression of affectionate emotions. This, he says, has
rendered the cataracts of your country unpopular with your fashionable
ladies, after the sight-seeing impression has been gratified; still
springs being preferred as a place of fashionable sojourn, as they
neither confuse or rival in noisy revel their tongues. In proof of what
I wish to convey to your understanding, you will perceive that upon
useful subjects of enlightenment, the Manatitlan voice is readily heard
by our accustomed ears. But when I pronounce fashionable dress, society,
public opinion, theatre, and like synonyms of multitudinous expression,
the sound becomes confused with the noisy repetitions of the water,
requiring labored and labiate vocalization to make you comprehend their
import. Indeed, I perceive that your ears are at as great a loss to
recognize the familiar words, as I am to judge of their meaning from the
mimicry of sound. But how quickly your perceptive attention is attracted
by the sympathetic tones of my voice when attuned in approximation to an
affectionate wish! Our scholastic ninietas never turn a deaf ear, or a
void eye from an expression in word or emotion prompted by kindly
affection, during the heaviest roar of the winter’s flood. But folly
invested with the blatant mechanism of Demosthenic oratory, or the
rhyming jointure of poetical numbers, could not be distinguished in the
faintest weish of a season of drouth. You will perceive from these hints
that the elements favored the choice of Giganteo; and will now be able
to test the wisdom of the preference that subjected our females to the
restraining influence of this water power, so effectual for the
suppression of a voiceful tongue, hollow in the resonant expression of
truthful sincerity. We have been informed by Manatitlan auramentors,
that your women are almost universally afflicted with a gabbling
epidemic of the tongue, beyond which, and the ear, the impression of
their utterances rarely reaches; and we are truly glad that you have an
abundant supply of large waterfalls provided as successful aids for the
inauguration of a thoughtfully silent era. The shades of the northern
colonnades and courts have, by the reflection of this wise choice, been
made luminous with the rays of affectionate goodness, for woman’s
sympathy in its purity and brightness can illumine the darkest night
with enduring warmth proof to the vicissitudes of time and place.”
_Dr. Baāhar._ “Since the days of Archimedes there has certainly never
been a hydrostatic invention for the practical use of water, that can
compare with the beneficial result you proclaim.”
_Prætor._ “The Dosch desires me to give you the assurance that the
hydraulic power of the cataract has been so well tested for tempering in
infancy and youth a tendency to volubility, that with the least
inclination to fanatical superstition, the globular form of the earth
might be esteemed the result of providential intention designed for the
regulation of woman’s tongue, as it necessitates the waterfall in the
flow of rivers.”
This humorous interpretation of design excited a smile; but Correliana
assured the members of the corps, that the effect produced by the sound
of the waterfall had been but little exaggerated, inasmuch as it
directly induced a thoughtful mood, and disinclination to speak. After a
moment’s thoughtful silence, she asked her father if the selection had
in reality been made with the provised intention of inducting thought by
interrupting speech; and if the women of Heraclea had at any anterior
date given cause for the constant reproof of falling water, to chide
them for the heedless use of the tongue? To which question the father
replied, “You must recollect, Correliana, that many centuries have
passed since the temples were dedicated to educational direction. Then,
as you are aware, Indegatus had been subjected to traitorous annoyances,
from which the Manatitlan Dosch of the period relieved him, enabling him
to cope successfully with disaffection which had been fanned by woman’s
tongue. The Dosch also desires me to remind you of the lessons you have
been taught of the commune degradation of civilized women in Giga
countries.”
_Padre._ “I have often heard of hydropathic treatment of scolding and
gadding women, but this is certainly a great improvement, as it obviates
by anticipation the ducking-stool.”
Descending from the temple walls into the garden court, the necks of
Correliana and her mother were suddenly enclosed in the arms of a
surpassingly beautiful form, whose face was concealed by a profusion of
golden hair, which floated in glancing sheen, like the floss of the
silk-tree, over the heads of the united three, closing from view the
caresses, which seemed to impart to the atmosphere a reciprocal flow of
pervading affection, causing each member of the corps to stand
transfixed with emotions transcending by far the highest attainments of
admiration. M. Hollydorf stood like a statue fully enravished from self,
for he alone had caught a glimpse of the sunbeam’s features, as its rays
darted from their concealment, animated with a glow of gladness, that
had been lying in wait for a joyful surprise. Bewildered with amazement,
he was seemingly lost to his personal identity, for he remained heedless
and motionless, until recalled by the prætor’s salutation. “Luocuratia,
my evoce, you must not forget the presence of our deliverers. This is M.
Hollydorf, of whom your mother and sister have so often spoken.” Then
leaving M. Hollydorf, with herself absorbed, he proceeded to introduce
the other members of the corps, individually, the names of each
Luocuratia pronounced mechanically, in repetition, without even the
accompaniment of a furtive glance in diversion from the object of her
first attraction. With her arms still encircling the neck of her mother
and sister, she looked out from the veil of her hair, regarding M.
Hollydorf with changing flushes of perplexed emotion coursing beneath
her transparent skin, like borealian flashes beaming in a moonlit sky.
Mr. Welson, whose quick perception had caught the source of the spell’s
inspiration took the prætor’s arm, and then beckoning his companions,
they joined the happy parents, who added to the fullness of their joy by
introducing the members of the corps to their daughters. After enjoying
the mutual flow of unbounded affection between parents and children, for
a short time, as the centre of attraction, the prætor conducted them
through the gate alcove of the garden screen, to an acacia hedge,
through the interstices of which they could observe, undetected, the
scenes of affectionate endearment, in animated, but silent flow, passing
in the conscious enactment of thoughtful impression, between the
clustering family groups.
At the conclusion of a pæan song of thanksgiving, they engaged in
various pastimes, improvised from the joyous promptings of the occasion,
in which both old and young participated. All their movements were so
replete with the affectionate expression of gleesome mirth, song, and
frolic wit, the paucity of lingual accompaniments was scarcely noticed.
The impression of our own feelings, in unison, the padre recognized, who
declared, upon his conscience, that he felt a brighter glow of conscious
affection than words could convey, imparted from their silent expression
of joyous reciprocation. He soon became so wrought with the intensity of
affectionate participation, that he could not resist the attraction, but
darted from ambush, exclaiming, “Upon my soul, I know that I shall be
like a bull in a china shop, but I must be with them,” and was soon in
their midst, with face aglow from smiling excitement. The young Kyronese
maidens, from toddling infancy to seven,—the first stage in the course
of instinctive life,—soon took possession of the padre by the right of
preëmption, holding him captive from its conferred privileges of
priority in discovery; but permitted the Heraclean parents and children
to participate in their joy, although holding him as a special bondsman
to their arbitrary sway. Detaining Cleorita and Oviata as interpreters,
they enlisted the padre as the representative champion of his race in
their pastimes. But as an agile athlete his career was more successful
for the enlistment of mirth, than for either grace or speed, for he
fared worse than Dr. Baāhar in his trial with the family of the prætor,
as he was unable to hold the shadows of an old man, of an hundred and
sixty years, and his wife. Indeed, his movements and appearance
indicated that he was their elder in age, for with graceful steps of
equal pace, they kept their shadows from his feet, when in the eye of
the sun they were lengthened in the rise of the hill. The merriment
caused by his defeat cast no shadow over his happy face, but with
buoyant smiles he challenged Dr. Baāhar’s badinage with the desire of
testing his right to criticise. This accepted, he was again defeated,
without other evidences of chagrin than the frequent use of an
apologetic if, in disjunctive evidence of his ability to outrun the
best, when free from its restraint. The swift action and graceful
motions of the Heraclean women, maidens, and men in running exceeded by
far the highest descriptive flights of poetical imagination devoted to
wood-nymph disportings upon the velvet sod, or those of the sea upon its
margin of sand, in derivation from Grecian fable and song. While
bestowing the warmest encomiums in the honest expression of admiration,
the curiosity of the corps was excited to learn the means by which the
graceful uniformity of the women had been preserved, in disengagement
from the ungainly inheritance derived from the impression, supposed to
be inherent with their first estate. For, with our civilisation, a broad
expansion of pelvic continuations, with the angular articulation of the
lower extremities, are esteemed as a progenic provision for ease in the
functional speciality of procreation. The prætor answered from the
dictation of the Dosch: “Our censorial guardians have, from the earliest
date of Manatitlan direction, recognized the body’s unlimited capability
for improvement, under the restrictive advisement of an education
devoted to the kindly reciprocation of experience. Admonished by the
negative effects, described as the resulting cause, that had produced
with the women of your race unwieldy obesity, with a consequent lack of
animus power for current communication independent of language, they
studied to perfect themselves in the Manatitlan art of quality
improvement, for increase in affectionate transmission, from the impress
of exampled alliance, without words. The Doschessa invokes you to
conceive in imagination the impression that would be made upon our
women, if, without previous description they should discover a flock of
your Giga belles swinging up the avenue of the latifundium, with the
longitude, latitude, and circumference of their dresses in oscillating
sway from the movements of their limbs in semi-revolution, at an oblique
angle from their broad pelvic axis.”
_Mr. Welson._ “Fear would certainly be the first emotion, and I doubt if
upon nearer acquaintance they would be able to discover in them
qualities of merit sufficient for the stay of disgust. Unless, in their
kindly pity, they should look upon them as samples of a female species
of humans, who had in penance for stupidity been made to assume the role
of jennies, self-condemned as beasts of burden to bear the material
emblems of folly. Indeed, when fully impressed with the utter dearth of
their conceptive intelligence, beyond the formulistic rites of
fashionable instinct, and rote rehearsals of prayers for selfish
preservation, from the goading effects of self-immolation styled
conscience, even pity would be likely to suffer in trembling hesitation
upon the verge of abhorrence.”
We will now leave the prætor and Dosch to entertain their guests in the
courts and colonnades, while in reversion we complete our description of
the garden tableau. After the prætor’s departure with his guests,
Luocuratia, unmindful of aught else, gazed through her flowing veil of
hair upon the face of M. Hollydorf, with the wondering daze of the fawn
when surprised in its leafy covert by the gentle presence of woman. With
one arm still encircling her sister’s neck, yet seemingly unconscious of
her presence, she was recalled to herself, from the dreamy maze of her
vision, by the voice of her mother. Then she asked with fluttering
hesitation, “What is it?” Correliana caressingly removed the arm from
her neck, then gathering her sister’s flowing hair from her brow, bore
it back from her face, and while her mother bound it with a silicoth
fillet, whisperingly, with the prelude of a kiss, replied, “It is
yourself, Luocuratia, be calm, and to-night you shall know.” M.
Hollydorf, who had attended Correliana like a doomed shadow, from the
day they left the _Tortuga_, thinking and acting from her prompting,
even in matters pertaining to his professional avocations, had with the
first glance that he caught of her sister’s face, stood like one
transfixed, his eyes alternating from one to the other, until the
attraction of Luocuratia’s involved his own. Placing Luocuratia in her
mother’s charge, Correliana took M. Hollydorf’s hand and directed him to
a vine-covered alcove in the lower garden walk. When seated, she said,
“We are so thankful, for we are now saved from the inherent misery that
broods like a pall over your people. You will now be happy, but not
yourself again! If I should allow you to recover from the amazement of
your surprise, without an explanation, you might think me lacking in
truthful sympathy, which we hold, under direction, as the privileged
source of our affection. Advised, from the first, of the instability of
instinctive ‘love’ founded upon personal attractions, which is the
ruling incentive for marriage with your race, I withheld from you a
knowledge of my sister’s existence, and our twin resemblance, that her
affections might not be invoked with peril; for as you have felt, we are
endowed with the censorial essentials of perception in premonition of
cause and effect. The long delayed visit to our schools was deferred,
for the proof of your susceptibility to our current flow, and constancy
in affection; and we are happy in being able to feel the assurance that
the transfer of your allegiance to her keeping will be free from
regretful reflection. Notwithstanding the long endurance to which you
have been subjected, and the severity of the trial for the cure of your
self-imposed humiliation, the result not only compensates for your
suffering, but confirms the wisdom of the judgment that prompted the
restraint, by enhancing the zest with the security of a happy fruition.
The relief to me is unspeakable, for in my assisted study of your
peculiarities we have learned that from your appreciation of our
unselfish affection the idea of returning to your people has become
repugnant beyond the endurance of thought. Your sensitiveness so well
corresponds with Curatia’s in nature, that we are sure her influence
will aid you in transferring your sole reliance for happiness to
Heraclean keeping, but not in forgetfulness of your responsibility for
the welfare of your people. But it is well for you to understand her
inability to cope with selfishness, which we are informed, holds supreme
control with your race. Even my bolder nature that dared almost
inevitable capture by our savage foes, from the physical weakness of our
people, from want, shrinks with the thought of incurring the instinctive
abuse they are said to heap upon the good and evil alike, who oppose
their gainful lusts.”
M. Hollydorf’s countenance was at first moved with reflective
embarrassment, from the self-impressed accusation of inconstancy, but as
Correliana made no allusion to his defection, except for the expression
in grateful relief, his spirits gradually revived from selfimposed
oppression. Yet in attempting to express his appreciation of the
remarkable resemblance of features, his tongue refused logical
utterance. In anticipation of what he wished to say, Correliana bid him
rest easy on the score of the past, as a full relation of all that had
transpired would in no way impair the confidence of Luocuratia, but
would rather tend to increase the development of her affection from the
preference you have shown for her resemblance. This tacit sanction, for
the transfer, restored M. Hollydorf’s grateful impressions, which raised
his spirits to an unwonted degree of elation. But a serious shade of
thought having settled upon the brow of Correliana his apprehensions
were again startled. Observing the relapse she hastened to reassure him,
by asking, “How is it that you, and Captain Greenwood, have remained so
long under the rule of selfishness, with natures so quick for the
appreciation of our example?”
M. Hollydorf thoughtfully replied: “It was undoubtedly with us as with
thousands of others, whose thoughts in association were under the
control of evil example, in following the educated usages of the past
with unquestioning and reverential reliance, expressed in the fatuous
motto of society in all its grades, which contends that ‘what has been,
will be, to all eternity.’ This willfully blind abrogation of creative
indications for self-reduction to brutality, has been fostered by a
religion that directly encourages evil by offering the means of
redemption to the vilest, by rights and ceremonies which ignore the
practical evidences of purity and goodness. Offering in substitution,
vague terms which lure the stupid masses to present misery and a
hopeless material end. A modicum of these prestigical word combinations,
the padre has furnished for the education of your tonguester birds; but
if you should pass through the streets of our cities, with every step,
your eyes, nose, and ears would be saluted with defilements that would
cause you to shrink with shame from your kinship with civilized
humanity.”
“Alue!” exclaimed Correliana, with sadness, “we are so puzzled in our
endeavors to understand the source of the misleading infatuation; as the
means of happiness is so evident and easy, and their rejection so
labored, inconsistent, and unnatural, pardon my sincerity, that we are
constrained, from the testimony, to believe that civilized
enlightenment, with your other vague terms, are in fact the wordy
hallucinations of precedental madness. In the review of our past lives,
under the impression of your example, we have absolutely acknowledged
the impeachment, replied M. Hollydorf. Even Dr. Baāhar’s fantastical
ideas of precedental ‘virtue,’ derived from the vicarious nursing of a
maiden aunt, whose celebic worship was devoted to the curative
inspiration of a pill-box, which imposed upon him the humors of medical
study, has at last in so far yielded to the affectionate sincerity of
Heraclean example that he secludes himself when he worships, with the
smoke offerings of the pipe dedicated by imperial and princely lips, as
a reflection of worldly honors.”
_Correliana._ “But your women, M. Hollydorf? Do they no longer feel
within them the current affection bestowed for transmission with an
increase from happy usage?”
_M. Hollydorf._ “Here, in besieged seclusion, you have had but little
opportunity, even with Manatitlan teachings, to learn with a realizing
impression the besetting temptations of envious vanity, which have
beguiled our women from their natural inheritance of unselfish love; and
if their more extended and practical experience has failed to open for
understanding vision the vista of civilized woman’s folly, my efforts
will prove a bewildering aggravation to your already puzzled perception.
But if you persevere in your colonistic intention, and are able to
sustain the shock imparted from the degradation of your sex from all the
hopeful endearments that should render life desirable for transmission,
you will, I fear, despondingly lament the hopeless nature of your
undertaking. Then, you will, I doubt not, shed tears of bitterness more
acute from baffled sympathy, than those bestowed in memorial tribute for
your relatives when triply besieged by savage foes, famine, and
pestilence.”
_Correliana._ “But you have ruined cities, like old Heraclea, scattered
broadcast over the surface of your continents, which bespeak in as plain
language the end of folly, envy, hate, and revenge?”
_M. Hollydorf._ “These are visited by pilgrims of curiosity, who in
retailing their conjectural wares of relic origin, give no practical
heed to cause and effect for the inauguration of an era of educated
prevention. Yea more, on their return to the haunts of civilization
jostle with indifference living memorials of a misery as abject in
servile dependence upon drones, as the slaves who passed a laboring and
starving existence in rearing these ruined fanes of delusion for the
gratification of ambitious bigotry and despotism.”
_Correliana._ “But you, as men, represent the different nationalities
considered to be the most and least susceptible to kindly intelligence;
yet each of you, in your degree, have held yourselves, from choice, with
few exceptions, amenable to our example. All of your adherents have
acknowledged themselves better and happier than they ever expected to be
in life. Still, you doubt our ability to enlist, with the simplicity and
purity of our example, the affectionate reciprocations of your women?
Surely you speak in riddles of enactment and theory, as perplexing as if
in discourse you should say, empty barns full of grain. Are there not
many others among your learned men equally able to distinguish that
purity and goodness are in reality the source of happiness; and from
their own experience, that evil results in misery and woe? Then why do
your anticipations forbode for our kindly sympathies a distress so
dire?”
_M. Hollydorf._ “There are undoubtedly many thousands, if not millions,
who would hold themselves as gratefully amenable to your affectionate
example as the members of the corps, if they could be subjected to the
same experience. For we are in no way better than the well disposed
commonalty, and were as heedless before we were attracted by your
example, as the generality. Speaking honestly, in my own behalf, for my
own disparagement, I rarely, if ever, became disengaged in thought from
the instincts of selfishness while in association with the most exalted
of our kind. In truth, I never felt in the remotest degree that there
was a reality in the reputed second existence advocated by our
mythology, and was in no way impressed with an assurance of immortality,
until we were imperceptibly led to recognize its impression from the
example of yourself and people. But you must recollect that our meeting
was under peculiar auspices, which enlisted and absorbed our sympathies
to the exclusion of self, as if in premonition of the eventful
recompense following in train. No favoring circumstances like those
transpiring for our introduction, will be likely to prepossess our
people in your undertaking, for their own behoof, if we except the
sensational announcement which will herald your origin, in connection
with our Animalculan discovery. The impression that will be imparted
from your exampled exposition of the effects of Heraclean education will
prove as evanescent in the substitution of purity and goodness for the
material excitements of instinctive gratification, as the opening
imitations of the popular humorist, or lyceum lecturer, who attract the
attention of their audiences for an hour with quips and snaffles of
idiomatic license, or theories as valueless as shadows. If the
proscriptor’s compilations should fail to awaken their thoughtful
interest, in their own behalf, with a realizing desire for the
inauguration of a system of education for the benefit of succeeding
generations, then I fear that your treasured hopes will find in
recognition a tardy requital.”
_Correliana._ “But are not the emotions expressed by your word
friendship, the talismanic offshoots of affection; and will they not aid
our example enlisted for the inauguration of a system of education that
will bestow upon their children a living realization of immortal
impressions?”
_M. Hollydorf._ “Better by far that you rely upon your own unaided
example, and in no way venture your hopes upon the hazard of its trial!
For there is not in the word catalogue of instinctive delusions, one so
hypocritically heartless and treacherous. Friendship in demonstration
with our race, is, as the Dosch has informed you, a ‘marketable
commodity,’ as variable in expressed quality and price as the puff
stocks founded upon the gambling exchange of gold. It extends its
material aid upon like security in kind, and gold as the medium, is the
equivalent of grateful reciprocation. In fact, gratitude and friendship
in manifestation with us may be truthfully expressed as an ambuscade of
expectation lying in wait for the surprise of future favors. It grieves
me that I have no truthful resource from which to impart consolation and
assurance, in solace for the encouragement of your proposed adventure;
for, to our judgment, the sanction of the Manatitlan auramentors offers
the only hopeful warrant of its feasibility. But for the better
exposition of the instinctive heartlessness of our race, I will endeavor
to give you a true representation of the result of our discovery, if the
golden deposits of your mountains and rivers should be revealed to the
students of our colleges. Abandoning their studies they would lead in
the tide of adventurous emigration, and on reaching your city, heedless
of your example, they would take advantage of weakness as a license,
that in gratification would defy tears, pleadings, and expostulations
advocating your rights of local option. The Englishman would hold it as
his sovereign right to do as he pleased, with the certainty that his
government would hold you responsible for any resistance to his acts,
and with the pretext of an alleged affront, the ocean cormorant would
plume her wings and sharpen her beak and talons for your engorgement,
esteeming you and your city ‘lawful prey.’ Emigrants from my own, and
nations of kindred habits, would claim the philosophical privilege of
corrupting your fruits and grains, by brewing and distilling them into
strong drinks; which Tacitus, a historian of your race, alleges was the
practice of the Germans from the period of their earliest settlements.
But a few days, or weeks, would pass, before your city’s present cleanly
freedom from the evidences of detrition, would be changed into a sty
reeking with filth and saintly odors, and your temple schools into
progenic beer nurseries for the instinctive propagation of liberalism,
and sogdonian classics, peculiar to the transition period of the
incursive pot-pourri invasions of the northern, eastern, and western
hordes, into Germany. In usurpation of the current flow of affection,
that responds in grateful songs of praise to the Creator, the hoarse
croaking of maudlin revellers would make night hideous with strepitant
grunts of liberty and instinctive patriotism; while in vindication of
hereditary privilege, they would exhibit their memorial ‘love and
friendship’ by sword emblazonry tattooed upon each other’s cheeks,
chorused in medley with oaths from English, Irish, French, and other
idiomatic mouths as accompaniments to their manuals in the art of self
defense. If your people should adventure affectionate expostulation in
behalf of their children, they in reply would exhibit their bloated and
bleared visages as the fatherly source of a new and regenerate race of
freemen, delivered by the democratic efficacy of saving grace from the
pulings of puritanism. Well aware of my inherited defects and
unworthiness for the privileged enjoyment of your people’s purity, I
shudder with the reflection that the current of your affection could be
stayed, and forever turned backward, if by rumor the golden treasures in
utensil use should be bruited in the civilized purlieus of our cities
for the attraction of their troglodyte grovellers hitherward.”
_Correliana_ (with clasped hands and tearful eyes.) “May goodness
forefend us from a calamity so dire! Better by far the consummation so
long urged by our savage foes! But we must still cling to our hopes
founded upon your ready perception of an affection that enables us to
live away from human bodies with habits such as you have so wofully
described.”
As Correliana uttered in fervent appeal her invocation, the prætor
called M. Hollydorf to indicate the selection he had made from the young
maidens to fulfill the marriage intention with the verging graduates of
the male department? In answer to this quizzical request, he
acknowledged that the only maidens he had seen were Luocuratia and
Correliana, but with his happy impressions would endeavor to make amends
for his selfishness. All, with the exception of the padre, confirmed the
censor’s choice, but he with his usual uncertitude of thought made such
varied and liberal selections that in consummation they would have
proved sadly polygamous. The Dosch had already explained that the
education of the Heraclean children had been limited to the practical
requirements for the supply of family wants, in conducive aid for the
perfection of happy association. So that in the educational department
of letters the variety had been of the most meagre description, the
quota of information relative to the affairs of the world at large
having been supplied by Manatitlan auramentors. Accomplishments and
ritual formulistic ceremonies were unknown.
We were more than surprised with admiration, when we visited the kitchen
department, in which the manipulations were conducted with such ease and
purity, that our previous ideas entertained of housekeeping were quite
confounded. During our inspection of the kitchen, the busy hands of a
detachment of young maidens were engaged in the preparation of food for
the midday collation; their faces the while were beaming with the rays
of unspeakable gladness, and their eyes in condimental purity imparted
luxurious joy, as a relishing foretaste to the edible results of their
culinary pastimes. In keeping the bright glow of the unique utensils, of
beautifully alloyed gold, reflected in the convex and concave radiance
of their disks the lustrous embodiment of maidenly proportions, with
faces comically imaged in grotesque contrast with the reality. The
dwarfed reduction of their graceful forms and faces to a semblance in
breadth of visaged mouth, nose, cheek, and eyes, to the chattel biddy
instincts who hold untidy supremacy in the kitchen departments of
civilization, gave a mirthful vitality to the metallic expression that
heightened the ludicrous effect, so that under our watchful gaze, it
would occasionally culminate in the voiceful melody of a laugh. Purity
and order reigned supreme, so that there was neither odor or speck for
insect attraction. The effect of this ruling self-dependence was
heightened with vivid impression, from the expression of grateful pride
that beamed with the emulative exhibition of their “useful
accomplishments.” In their personalities they were so free from adhesive
taint, that the atmosphere seemed pervaded with the clarifying
transpirations of beings exalted above the grossness of mortality.
Our own unworthy selves, reflected in contrast from the clear
transparency of their bodily investments, caused us to shrink abashed
from the hallowed precincts that bespoke in their immaculate purity a
perfection that we had supposed beyond the reach of mortal attainment.
M. Hollydorf, who was of us all the most sensitively mindful in holding
himself amenable to the Heraclean example in personal purity, scarcely
ventured to cross the threshold, for among the hand-maidens Luocuratia
had taken her place, but with her thoughtful face tinged with blushes
shadowed from the dawning realm of unrevealed emotions. Her side-
glances, timidly regardful in wondering perplexity, surveyed the object
of her newborn attraction in thoughtful search for the evidences of
reciprocal impression. But the educated society sophistications of M.
Hollydorf’s instinctive self clouded the frankness of his expression
with the turmoil of impulsive excitement, that rendered him
unintelligible and diffident in bearing. This sensitive shield of
instinct baffled her longing search for the current impressions of
assimilation, imparting to her hands a trembling uncertainty, plainly
indicating that her devotions were not fully enlisted for the
ritualistic perfection required for the shapely modeling of the oracular
cakes intrusted to her leavening touch of purity. To our less enamored
vision her touch seemed to impart chaste consecration, for not the
slightest stain or discoloration from edible crudity, in preparation for
the elaboration of fire, was retained by her hands, so that in contrast
we were again inclined to revolt from ourselves. But with all our
opposition, intrusive memory forced upon us, with prompted aid, the
contrast of swinish priests administering their wafers of dough
desecrated by their filthy hands for the unthinking drove specialities
of the common herd. In verification of the common impression, the padre
whispered to Mr. Welson, “I wish to goodness I dared receive one of
those crumpets from her hands, for upon my soul I believe it would
shrive me for a taste of purity?”
M. Hollydorf overhearing the padre’s supplication cast upon him a
grateful look of appreciation. Admonished by our feelings of grossness,
we with reverence retreated beyond the charmed circle, but lingered
within view screened by a hedge of rose and honeysuckle, through which
our eyes paid worshipful devotion to the digital service of the kitchen
nymphs. Without the aid of mystic conjurations, the scene seemed
invested with a refinement of purity that exceeded the compass of
instinct, raising our capacities for the realization of beauty, with a
halcyon blending, for the perception of an enduring affection. Spell-
bound within our enclosure, delightfully absorbed with our thoughtful
contemplations, and nectarious impressions, varied with occasional
voiceful melodies, concerted in time to the movements of busy hands and
feet, we were startled from our reveries, and retranslated back to the
grossness of appetite, by the exclamation, “Oh, for a Tobias sausage,
well underlayed and flanked with gamey kraut, and a mug of foamy lager,
for I am as hungry as a bear.”
The body of Dr. Baāhar appeared in the rear of this hungry ejaculation,
enveloped in flowers and cuttings bestowed by the teachers from the
garden growths cultivated by the pupils. In a moment the carols of the
kitchen celestas ceased, and sidelong glances were directed to the hedge
to detect the intruder whose guttural accents betrayed the profanity of
his petition. The effect produced by this interruption may be truthfully
likened to the hush imposed upon the twilight warblings of the water-
thrush, swayed in tuneful measure upon the spray by the evening zephyr,
and the rippling accompaniment of a flowing stream, when its evening
carols are suddenly checked and silenced, for the night, by the croaking
heralds of darkness from the sedgy confines of a neighboring bog. Even
the padre, whose stomach had many a time and oft remonstrated with
indigestive harshness against the introduction of crab salad,—saur-
kraut’s English and American cousin,—egg-nogs, brandy smashes, and like
poetical compounds for its disposal, stood aghast at this profanation of
the divinities’ edible incantations. Finding himself unexpectedly
subjected to an array of admonitory glances, his eyes sought through the
openings in the hedge the cause of his cool reception, and with its
revelation became aware of his invocation’s apostate grossness. As he
stood peering through the leafy screen, forgetful of his flowery
decorations, he looked like a satyr wood-god of ancient devisement, in
orchidean envelope, regaling his sight with a surreptitious view of the
grove nymphs while adorning their persons for the festal mysteries.
Correliana, who came with the teachers to escort us to the refectory
colonnade, with the desire of the scholars that we would test the relish
of their food preparations, aided in disrobing the doctor of his flowery
dress; this accomplished we joined the parents and children who were
waiting to receive us in the vestibule. The tables were covered with
cloths of tinted white interwoven from the fibres of the plantain and
tree silk-floss, which produced a novel effect. This cloth was styled
Tapalmtræ, a web of lighter texture being used for raiment. When seated,
the Dosch addressing us from the platform of the tympano-microscope,
which had been transferred from the prætor’s table for the day, asked us
to bestow our critical attention upon the cloth, to detect its
conservative peculiarities for cleanly protection and rejection of
corrupt attaint. The brightness, purity, and softness of the fabric, had
not only attracted our attention as consonant with the characteristics
of Correliana, on the occasion of our first interview, although reduced
for the supply of others’ necessities, to the limits of modesty, in
extremity, but had with the scientific zest of curiosity been the
subject of speculative investigation after our arrival in Heraclea. But
since our introduction to the Manatitlans, it had only attracted our
attention, feeling well assured that all in accruance for mutual benefit
would in season be made known. “Its apparent peculiarities, in their
partial perfection, we have been enabled to bestow upon the Heracleans,”
explained the Dosch, “for their advantage during the trials of the
siege. Although, from the lack of material, and means of elaboration,
imperfect in comparison with our attainments in its illimitable
adaptation for the fulfillment of all material requirements for
protection, it has subserved with them for the supply of a protective
agent to their textile fabrics, conservative in transmissible durability
and sanitary purity. Its special adaptative qualities are the extremes
of mobility and immobility, and imponderability in degree sufficient for
relieving the impressions of weight. These, together with a non-adhesive
surface, with a capability for rendering it elastic and non-elastic to
either extreme, and indestructible from exposure to the elements, have
served as invaluable aids for comfort and their preservation. As an
effective aid for increasing the durability of textile fabrics, you can
judge when I state that the garments and cloths are heir-looms of
centuries’ transmission as well with the Heracleans as with our race; an
electrical current keeping them repulsively free from impurity, they are
to all intents new to each succeeding generation.”
_Padre._ “Why, what a boon the art will prove to the world? especially
to the poor, who will esteem you their benefactors forevermore.”
_Dosch._ “It has, with many other attainments, been achieved by goodness
for the perfection of purity; and as the miseries of your race are self-
inflicted from the stupidity of over-indulgence, its bestowal upon them,
in their present state, would prove an encouragement to evil, rather
than for its abatement. From this consideration we do not intend to hold
ourselves culpable by offering it as a premium for the cultivation of
selfish greed and luxurious indulgence. The scientific improvements of
your progressive race in the adaptation of vegetable, animal, and
metallic productions for the development of their tiger instincts, is
quite sufficient for the exemplification of their delusive aspirations,
without prostituting the labors of affection for the encouragement of
envious hatred.”
_Padre._ “But do you arrogate to yourselves greater goodness in your
decrees than God, who bestows sun and rain on the good and evil alike?”
_Dosch._ “Your distinction of Creative indications in the bestowal of
gifts, is, in delusive appeal an assumption characteristic with
sectarianism. It should be evident to perception, that Creative
benefactions extend to the whole creation, to the reptile, and monkey,
as well as to the higher grades of mankind. But the endowment of
humanity with powers of discernment to distinguish between good and
evil, is an indication of intention that directly implies the privilege
of choice for securing the results of happiness or misery. In other
words, if man prostitutes his privilege, and makes a brute of himself,
he must expect the living void of bestiality, and incapacity for present
happiness, with its affectionate premonitions of immortality.”
When seated, the prætor, while acknowledging the superiority of knives
and forks, drew from his hand its transparent glove, offering it as an
apology for the use of their fingers in eating, by showing that it was
repellant to adhesive matter. Although instructed in the use of chop-
sticks, and knives and forks, they were not yet proficient in their use,
and would prefer the use of their fingers with their silicoth gloves if
the habit would not offend? This accorded, a maiden was self-assigned to
each guest who adjusted Mappas (napkins) to their necks. Luocuratia,
radiant with blushes and smiles, assumed the charge of M. Hollydorf,
assisted by an Indian maiden of singular beauty. Correliana observing
the curious interest excited by her presence and others of her race,
introduced her by the name of Toitla, as one of their foster sisters of
the Betongo tribe, taken when infants and adopted for a hostage
education; their parents visiting them whenever an opportunity offered
without attracting the notice of their savage allies, a swinging bridge
having been constructed for the northern basin of the falls to
facilitate their entrance and exit unobserved. “To their gratitude,” she
exclaimed with tearful eyes, “we are indebted for the food that
preserved us from starvation, when the malignant river savages sowed
caterpillars and other noxious grubs upon the wind, from the brink of
the precipice, which destroyed our means of subsistence.”
After the first course of maize and banana-bread,—styled by the padre
crumpets, while under the moulding pressure of Luocuratia’s fair
hands,—the elder maidens seated themselves beside their parents, the
little ones taking their places, their busy eyes watchful for an
opportunity to render aid in supplying the wants of their parents and
guests. So well versed were they in the language of eyes, tongues were
rarely used. Our most skillful performer with the knife and fork caused
them to stand on tiptoe with wonder, in view of their rapid alternations
in the transfer of food to his mouth, although himself unmindful of
special notice. Whether the pantomimic expressions evoked from their
symmetrical hands, arms, and questioning eyes, were elicited from the
quantity or facile speed in the disposal of food, we could not judge. At
the close of the refection, the prætor remarked, that the impression of
their debt of gratitude was accumulating so fast from an increase in
happiness, they felt sensitively the poverty of their resources for
making suitable returns. “But if you will only wait with confidence, our
dispositions will find some method of recompense that will prove more
acceptable than metallic gold?”
Mr. Welson assured him if true happiness could be considered a meed for
equivalent reciprocation, the Heracleans had conferred far more by their
example than they had received.
_Dosch._ “Then you must fain remain content with each other, and bestow
your mutual aid upon the less favored for the recognition of your source
of happiness. As the day is drawing to a close, perhaps Dr. Baāhar will
favor us, and the other children, with his impressions and ideas derived
from his associations of the day?”
The doctor, without apology, responded as follows: “During the day I
have been so enchanted with the harmonizing voices of the parents and
children, free from chiding, whining importunities and reproachful
bitterness, common to our schools, both male and female, that I was
often prompted to speak to you of the effect that has ever been accorded
to harmony in musical concord, from the remotest antiquity; but checked
myself from reverting to classical fables in view of the brighter
reality of your example, which has impressed me with the reflection of a
future, made glorious with the realization of your true affection, as
the only abiding source of happiness. We feel ourselves novices in
appreciation and capacity for reciprocation, as well as in the power of
self-command, but will treasure your loving example for a clearer
perception of our faults of omission and commission. Notwithstanding our
gratitude has but recently emerged from its cocoon of selfishness, we
feel that its rays are brighter, warmer, and more kindly in their
influence and extension, and truly hope that we shall be able to reflect
your example for the lasting good of the well disposed. If the
possibility or probability of reducing a woman’s tongue, young or old,
of any race, to the limits of useful, witty, or consoling speech,
dictated from thoughtful impressions for kindly reciprocation, had been
advocated in my presence by the members of the royal scientific
societies of London, Paris, or Berlin, I should have given less heed to
their arguments in support of feasibility, than to the babblings of a
brook. Or if in prophecy, the scenes of to-day had been foretold as a
probable event likely to occur by any transition, I should have
attributed its source to the fantastical chimeras of a fool. Moreover,
if in thought suggestion the Manatitlan auramentors had substituted the
idea that I could improve upon ancestral precedents, I should have
thought myself, when free from their influence, subject to the freaks of
insanity. Albeit not much given to respect in following advice, or
imitating parental example in my youth, still both law and gospel
forbade one to think himself wiser in his generation than his
antecedents; from this prevailing authority we expected that our men
would wield their swords, and the women their tongues, in opposition to
their own promulgated ways and means of salvation, to the end. From the
light of this morning’s example I can realize, in view of the past, that
inconsistency is the soul of instinctive selfishness, as well as the
‘substance’ of law and gospel, upon which we found our vaunted
civilization. In addition, your system of education founded upon the
practical adaptation of study to the requirements of life, makes me feel
that I have used my brain as a store-house for the vile and useless
lumber of past ages, which had better have been buried in the
instinctive grave of oblivion. In fact, I have hibernated in common with
the class styled learned men, in company with the corrupt bodies of a
dead ancestry; and while subject to the winter gloom of instinct, have
existed in ritualistic dependence upon the fancied nutriment derived
from sucking my mental paws, while in truth exhausting my resources of
vitality, and hopes of immortality. But whatever there is in me left of
rational appreciation, capable of being cultivated in diversion from the
baneful influence of the past, shall be devoted to the welfare of future
generations, for the abatement of selfish greed which seeks to
accumulate in excess of self-requirements to the detriment of others.”
At the close of the doctor’s declaration of faith, the padre quietly
remarked to Mr. Welson, that he fully believed in the Manatitlans and
their power of thought substitution. Then, after even-song, Correliana
led in a hymn commemorative of Heraclean deliverance, of which the
following is an imperfect rendition:—
“Father Supreme, our guide and stay,
When sore opprest for others’ wrongs,
In pity, Thou didst ope a way
To save; to Thee the praise belongs.
“Guide those, to whom we owe the aid,
Under Thy sole direction sent,
That our paths of peace may be made
Through them the sign of great event.
“That instead of war brings goodwill,
Preferring kindred love to self,
That others’ joy may prove their skill
In place of hoarding useless pelf.
“Nor deem it ill, that they can learn
From Manatitlans peaceful sway,
Love’s power to bring like return,
And bear from hate the palm away.”
After exacting a promise that we would accompany their parents on their
next monthly visit, we were permitted to depart, and, as the temple
gates closed, held in review, with thoughtful silence, the scenes of the
day, feeling within us that they were the index of future happiness for
our race. Our thoughtful revery was broken by Lindenhoff, the corps’
genealogical curator of sound, who expostulated: “It is strange that the
Heracleans still continue to drone the old pæan cadences practiced by
the Greeks four thousand years ago, after hearing the Manatitlan
operatists; for they are really a wonderful people, and superior
musicians, notwithstanding their lack of power for the expression of the
deeper emotions of rage, love, and revenge, which are in reality the
vitality and soul of our great master’s compositions. They show but
little versatility in fugue movement, which expresses the gliding power
of musical intelligence; this certainly discovers a material lack of
appreciation, however accomplished they may be in other respects. In
fact, the Manatitlans would be esteemed as superior vocalists the world
over, if they could register a little more volume to their voices. I
would much rather undergo one of Mr. Welson’s practical jokes than
listen again to the droning of the Heracleans, for their execution was
perfectly shocking, and they have far less capacity in the lower scale
than the bumble-bee.”
The music taster’s criticism provoked a hearty laugh, but the padre,
with warmth, exclaimed: “Upon my soul, for the life of me, I can’t see
any cause for fault finding with sound, when the words harmonized so
well with one’s feelings of grateful sympathy. A good heartfelt
invocation from such voices, which were as beautiful as their faces,
should not be questioned by our coarse natures! Why, man alive, if I had
had the voice of a nightingale, it would have choked with kindly
emotions from the harmony of their affectionate solicitations in our
behalf! Faugh, man, your opera tral-la-la yells are as empty as the
screechings of cockatoos and the croakings of frogs in comparison! The
chord of sympathy they touched is beyond the reach of your Norma
quirketizations.”
All joined in hearty commendation of the padre’s strictures on the
hypercritical curator, Mr. Welson reminding him that the Maniculan
choristers would have failed to impress his sensitive ears with their
excellence without the magnifying aid of the tympanum. “In full chorus,
to the unassisted ear, their music would have sounded monotonous, hardly
reaching in volume the lisping chirrupings of an infantile cricket,
heard from its home in a distant cranny. As with your registrations of
impressions derived from its voice, the Heracleans would find Manatitlan
instruction wanting in volume for successful imitation. But,” he added,
as Correliana overtook them, “here is the offending composer; we will
now hear what she has to say in extenuation for neglect of opportunity
for improvement in the cultivation of fugue flights above the reach of
harmony.”
Correliana, observing the quizzical expression of mirth that accompanied
this appeal, inquired the cause. In answer, Mr. Welson rehearsed the
criticism of the curator, to which she blushingly replied: “You will, I
hope, consider in our behalf, when I acknowledge the justness of your
criticism, that before your arrival we were constantly harrassed with
troubles which required the active employment of our people’s thoughts
in the devisement of expedients for preservation. These kept us occupied
with the full enlistment of our sympathies, so that we could only
exercise our musical inclinations in the transmitted current of our
original songs of thanksgiving. But in our greatest distress we longed
for a harmonized extension of capacity, that you have supplied with
adjuvantic aids, from which, in time, we hope that we may be able to
render you satisfaction, with the evidences of industrious application.”
The curator of sound was too much abashed for an apologetic reply; and
the Dosch requested Mr. Welson to say, that for their evening’s
entertainment he would relate the circumstances that placed the
“dulcetina” in the hands of Captain Greenwood for disposal.