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I had the curiosity to inquire what would be done to any of
Chowbok's tribe if they crossed over into Erewhon。 I was told that
nobody knew； inasmuch as such a thing had not happened for ages。
They would be too ugly to be allowed to go at large； but not so
much so as to be criminally liable。 Their offence in having come
would be a moral one； but they would be beyond the straightener's
art。 Possibly they would be consigned to the Hospital for
Incurable Bores； and made to work at being bored for so many hours
a day by the Erewhonian inhabitants of the hospital； who are
extremely impatient of one another's boredom； but would soon die if
they had no one whom they might borein fact； that they would be
kept as professional borees。 When I heard this； it occurred to me
that some rumours of its substance might perhaps have become
current among Chowbok's people； for the agony of his fear had been
too great to have been inspired by the mere dread of being burnt
alive before the statues。
I also questioned them about the museum of old machines； and the
cause of the apparent retrogression in all arts； sciences； and
inventions。 I learnt that about four hundred years previously； the
state of mechanical knowledge was far beyond our own； and was
advancing with prodigious rapidity； until one of the most learned
professors of hypothetics wrote an extraordinary book （from which I
propose to give extracts later on）； proving that the machines were
ultimately destined to supplant the race of man； and to become
instinct with a vitality as different from； and superior to； that
of animals； as animal to vegetable life。 So convincing was his
reasoning； or unreasoning； to this effect； that he carried the
country with him； and they made a clean sweep of all machinery that
had not been in use for more than two hundred and seventy…one years
（which period was arrived at after a series of compromises）； and
strictly forbade all further improvements and inventions under pain
of being considered in the eye of the law to be labouring under
typhus fever； which they regard as one of the worst of all crimes。
This is the only case in which they have confounded mental and
physical diseases； and they do it even here as by an avowed legal
fiction。 I became uneasy when I remembered about my watch； but
they comforted me with the assurance that transgression in this
matter was now so unheard of； that the law could afford to be
lenient towards an utter stranger； especially towards one who had
such a good character （they meant physique）； and such beautiful
light hair。 Moreover the watch was a real curiosity； and would be
a welcome addition to the metropolitan collection； so they did not
think I need let it trouble me seriously。
I will write； however； more fully upon this subject when I deal
with the Colleges of Unreason； and the Book of the Machines。
In about a month from the time of our starting I was told that our
journey was nearly over。 The bandage was now dispensed with； for
it seemed impossible that I should ever be able to find my way back
without being captured。 Then we rolled merrily along through the
streets of a handsome town； and got on to a long； broad； and level
road； with poplar trees on either side。 The road was raised
slightly above the surrounding country； and had formerly been a
railway； the fields on either side were in the highest conceivable
cultivation； but the harvest and also the vintage had been already
gathered。 The weather had got cooler more rapidly than could be
quite accounted for by the progress of the season； so I rather
thought that we must have been making away from the sun； and were
some degrees farther from the equator than when we started。 Even
here the vegetation showed that the climate was a hot one； yet
there was no lack of vigour among the people； on the contrary； they
were a very hardy race； and capable of great endurance。 For the
hundredth time I thought that； take them all round； I had never
seen their equals in respect of physique； and they looked as good…
natured as they were robust。 The flowers were for the most part
over； but their absence was in some measure compensated for by a
profusion of delicious fruit； closely resembling the figs； peaches；
and pears of Italy and France。 I saw no wild animals； but birds
were plentiful and much as in Europe； but not tame as they had been
on the other side the ranges。 They were shot at with the cross…bow
and with arrows； gunpowder being unknown； or at any rate not in
use。
We were now nearing the metropolis and I could see great towers and
fortifications； and lofty buildings that looked like palaces。 I
began to be nervous as to my reception； but I had got on very well
so far； and resolved to continue upon the same plan as hitherto
namely； to behave just as though I were in England until I saw that
I was making a blunder； and then to say nothing till I could gather
how the land lay。 We drew nearer and nearer。 The news of my
approach had got abroad； and there was a great crowd collected on
either side the road； who greeted me with marks of most respectful
curiosity； keeping me bowing constantly in acknowledgement from
side to side。
When we were about a mile off； we were met by the Mayor and several
Councillors； among whom was a venerable old man； who was introduced
to me by the Mayor （for so I suppose I should call him） as the
gentleman who had invited me to his house。 I bowed deeply and told
him how grateful I felt to him； and how gladly I would accept his
hospitality。 He forbade me to say more； and pointing to his
carriage； which was close at hand； he motioned me to a seat
therein。 I again bowed profoundly to the Mayor and Councillors；
and drove off with my entertainer； whose name was Senoj Nosnibor。
After about half a mile the carriage turned off the main road； and
we drove under the walls of the town till we reached a palazzo on a
slight eminence； and just on the outskirts of the city。 This was
Senoj Nosnibor's house； and nothing can be imagined finer。 It was
situated near the magnificent and venerable ruins of the old
railway station； which formed an imposing feature from the gardens
of the house。 The grounds； some ten or a dozen acres in extent；
were laid out in terraced gardens； one above the other； with
flights of broad steps ascending and descending the declivity of
the garden。 On these steps there were statues of most exquisite
workmanship。 Besides the statues there were vases filled with
various shrubs that were new to me； and on either side the flights
of steps there were rows of old cypresses and cedars； with grassy
alleys between them。 Then came choice vineyards and orchards of
fruit…trees in full bearing。
The house itself was approached by a court…yard； and round it was a
corridor on to which rooms opened； as at Pompeii。 In the middle of
the court there was a bath and a fountain。 Having passed the court
we came to the main body of the house； which was two stories in
height。 The rooms were large and lofty； perhaps at first they
looked rather bare of furniture； but in hot climates people
generally keep their rooms more bare than they do in colder ones。
I missed also the sight of a grand piano or some similar
instrument； there being no means of producing music in any of the
rooms save the larger drawing…room； where there were half a dozen
large bronze gongs； which the ladies used occasionally to beat
about at random。 It was not pleasant to hear them； but I have
heard quite as unpleasant music both before and since。
Mr。 Nosnibor took me through several spacious rooms till we reached
a boudoir where were his wife and daughters； of whom I had heard
from the interpreter。 Mrs。 Nosnibor was about forty years old； and
still handsome； but she had grown very stout： her daughters were
in the prime of youth and exquisitely beautiful。 I gave the
preference almost at once to the younger； whose name was Arowhena；
for the elder sister was haughty； while the younger had a very
winning manner。 Mrs。 Nosnibor received me with the perfection of
courtesy； so that I must have indeed been shy and nervous if I had
not at once felt welc