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for the presentthat I would then leave her； and set to work upon
maturing my plan as fast as possible。 We got a chance of being
alone together； and then I gave myself the loose rein； and told her
how passionately and devotedly I loved her。 She said little in
return； but her tears （which I could not refrain from answering
with my own） and the little she did say were quite enough to show
me that I should meet with no obstacle from her。 Then I asked her
whether she would run a terrible risk which we should share in
common； if； in case of success； I could take her to my own people；
to the home of my mother and sisters； who would welcome her very
gladly。 At the same time I pointed out that the chances of failure
were far greater than those of success； and that the probability
was that even though I could get so far as to carry my design into
execution； it would end in death to us both。
I was not mistaken in her； she said that she believed I loved her
as much as she loved me； and that she would brave anything if I
could only assure her that what I proposed would not be thought
dishonourable in England； she could not live without me； and would
rather die with me than alone； that death was perhaps the best for
us both； that I must plan； and that when the hour came I was to
send for her； and trust her not to fail me； and so after many tears
and embraces； we tore ourselves away。
I then left the Nosnibors； took a lodging in the town； and became
melancholy to my heart's content。 Arowhena and I used to see each
other sometimes； for I had taken to going regularly to the Musical
Banks； but Mrs。 Nosnibor and Zulora both treated me with
considerable coldness。 I felt sure that they suspected me。
Arowhena looked miserable； and I saw that her purse was now always
as full as she could fill it with the Musical Bank moneymuch
fuller than of old。 Then the horrible thought occurred to me that
her health might break down； and that she might be subjected to a
criminal prosecution。 Oh！ how I hated Erewhon at that time。
I was still received at court； but my good looks were beginning to
fail me； and I was not such an adept at concealing the effects of
pain as the Erewhonians are。 I could see that my friends began to
look concerned about me； and was obliged to take a leaf out of
Mahaina's book； and pretend to have developed a taste for drinking。
I even consulted a straightener as though this were so； and
submitted to much discomfort。 This made matters better for a time；
but I could see that my friends thought less highly of my
constitution as my flesh began to fall away。
I was told that the poor made an outcry about my pension； and I saw
a stinging article in an anti…ministerial paper； in which the
writer went so far as to say that my having light hair reflected
little credit upon me； inasmuch as I had been reported to have said
that it was a common thing in the country from which I came。 I
have reason to believe that Mr。 Nosnibor himself inspired this
article。 Presently it came round to me that the king had begun to
dwell upon my having been possessed of a watch； and to say that I
ought to be treated medicinally for having told him a lie about the
balloons。 I saw misfortune gathering round me in every direction；
and felt that I should have need of all my wits and a good many
more； if I was to steer myself and Arowhena to a good conclusion。
There were some who continued to show me kindness； and strange to
say； I received the most from the very persons from whom I should
have least expected itI mean from the cashiers of the Musical
Banks。 I had made the acquaintance of several of these persons；
and now that I frequented their bank； they were inclined to make a
good deal of me。 One of them； seeing that I was thoroughly out of
health； though of course he pretended not to notice it； suggested
that I should take a little change of air and go down with him to
one of the principal towns； which was some two or three days'
journey from the metropolis； and the chief seat of the Colleges of
Unreason； he assured me that I should be delighted with what I saw；
and that I should receive a most hospitable welcome。 I determined
therefore to accept the invitation。
We started two or three days later； and after a night on the road；
we arrived at our destination towards evening。 It was now full
spring； and as nearly as might be ten months since I had started
with Chowbok on my expedition； but it seemed more like ten years。
The trees were in their freshest beauty； and the air had become
warm without being oppressively hot。 After having lived so many
months in the metropolis； the sight of the country； and the country
villages through which we passed refreshed me greatly； but I could
not forget my troubles。 The last five miles or so were the most
beautiful part of the journey； for the country became more
undulating； and the woods were more extensive； but the first sight
of the city of the colleges itself was the most delightful of all。
I cannot imagine that there can be any fairer in the whole world；
and I expressed my pleasure to my companion； and thanked him for
having brought me。
We drove to an inn in the middle of the town； and then； while it
was still light； my friend the cashier； whose name was Thims； took
me for a stroll in the streets and in the court…yards of the
principal colleges。 Their beauty and interest were extreme； it was
impossible to see them without being attracted towards them； and I
thought to myself that he must be indeed an ill…grained and
ungrateful person who can have been a member of one of these
colleges without retaining an affectionate feeling towards it for
the rest of his life。 All my misgivings gave way at once when I
saw the beauty and venerable appearance of this delightful city。
For half…an…hour I forgot both myself and Arowhena。
After supper Mr。 Thims told me a good deal about the system of
education which is here practised。 I already knew a part of what I
heard； but much was new to me； and I obtained a better idea of the
Erewhonian position than I had done hitherto： nevertheless there
were parts of the scheme of which I could not comprehend the
fitness； although I fully admit that this inability was probably
the result of my having been trained so very differently； and to my
being then much out of sorts。
The main feature in their system is the prominence which they give
to a study which I can only translate by the word 〃hypothetics。〃
They argue thusthat to teach a boy merely the nature of the
things which exist in the world around him； and about which he will
have to be conversant during his whole life； would be giving him
but a narrow and shallow conception of the universe； which it is
urged might contain all manner of things which are not now to be
found therein。 To open his eyes to these possibilities； and so to
prepare him for all sorts of emergencies； is the object of this
system of hypothetics。 To imagine a set of utterly strange and
impossible contingencies； and require the youths to give
intelligent answers to the questions that arise therefrom； is
reckoned the fittest conceivable way of preparing them for the
actual conduct of their affairs in after life。
Thus they are taught what is called the hypothetical language for
many of their best yearsa language which was originally composed
at a time when the country was in a very different state of
civilisation to what it is at present； a state which has long since
disappeared and been superseded。 Many valuable maxims and noble
thoughts which were at one time concealed in it have become current
in their modern literature； and have been translated over and over
again into the language now spoken。 Surely then it would seem
enough that the study of the original language should be confined
to the few whose instincts led them naturally to pursue it。
But the Erewhonians think differently； the store they set by this
hypothetical language can hardly be believed； they will even give
any one a maintenance for life if he attains a considerable
proficiency in the study of it； nay； they will spend years in
learning to translate some of th