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been our kinsman or friend within the abode in which we live。 We thus
feel more sensibly that he still lives； though not visibly so to us。 But our
sentiments in this； as in all things； are created by custom。 Custom is not
to be changed by a wise An； any more than it is changed by a wise
Community； without the greatest deliberation； followed by the most
earnest conviction。 It is only thus that change ceases to be changeability；
and once made is made for good。
When we regained the house； Aph…Lin summoned some of the
children in his service and sent them round to several of his friends；
requesting their attendance that day； during the Easy Hours； to a festival in
honour of his kinsman's recall to the All…Good。 This was the largest and
gayest assembly I ever witnessed during my stay among the Ana； and was
prolonged far into the Silent Hours。
The banquet was spread in a vast chamber reserved especially for
grand occasions。 This differed from our entertainments； and was not
without a certain resemblance to those we read of in the luxurious age of
the Roman empire。 There was not one great table set out； but numerous
small tables； each appropriated to eight guests。 It is considered that
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beyond that number conversation languishes and friendship cools。 The
Ana never laugh loud； as I have before observed； but the cheerful ring of
their voices at the various tables betokened gaiety of intercourse。 As they
have no stimulant drinks； and are temperate in food； though so choice and
dainty； the banquet itself did not last long。 The tables sank through the
floor； 127and then came musical entertainments for those who liked them。
Many； however； wandered away：… some of the younger ascended in their
wings； for the hall was roofless； forming aerial dances； others strolled
through the various apartments； examining the curiosities with which they
were stored； or formed themselves into groups for various games； the
favourite of which is a complicated kind of chess played by eight persons。
I mixed with the crowd； but was prevented joining in the conversation by
the constant companionship of one or the other of my host's sons；
appointed to keep me from obtrusive questionings。 The guests； however；
noticed me but slightly； they had grown accustomed to my appearance；
seeing me so often in the streets； and I had ceased to excite much curiosity。
To my great delight Zee avoided me； and evidently sought to excite
my jealousy by marked attentions to a very handsome young An； who
（though； as is the modest custom of the males when addressed by females；
he answered with downcast eyes and blushing cheeks； and was demure
and shy as young ladies new to the world are in most civilised countries；
except England and America） was evidently much charmed by the tall Gy；
and ready to falter a bashful 〃Yes〃 if she had actually proposed。
Fervently hoping that she would； and more and more averse to the idea of
reduction to a cinder after I had seen the rapidity with which a human
body can be hurried into a pinch of dust； I amused myself by watching the
manners of the other young people。 I had the satisfaction of observing
that Zee was no singular assertor of a female's most valued rights。
Wherever I turned my eyes； or lent my ears； it seemed to me that the Gy
was the wooing party； and the An the coy and reluctant one。 The pretty
innocent airs which an An gave himself on being thus courted； the
dexterity with which he evaded direct answers to professions of
attachment； or turned into jest the flattering compliments addressed to him；
would have done honour to the 128most accomplished coquette。 Both
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The Coming Race
my male chaperons were subjected greatly to these seductive influences；
and both acquitted themselves with wonderful honour to their tact and
self…control。
I said to the elder son； who preferred mechanical employments to the
management of a great property； and who was of an eminently
philosophical temperament；… 〃I find it difficult to conceive how at your
age； and with all the intoxicating effects on the senses； of music and lights
and perfumes； you can be so cold to that impassioned young Gy who has
just left you with tears in her eyes at your cruelty。〃
The young An replied with a sigh； 〃Gentle Tish； the greatest
misfortune in life is to marry one Gy if you are in love with another。〃
〃Oh！ You are in love with another？〃
〃Alas！ Yes。〃
〃And she does not return your love？〃
〃I don't know。 Sometimes a look； a tone； makes me hope so； but she
has never plainly told me that she loves me。〃
〃Have you not whispered in her own ear that you love her？〃
〃Fie！ What are you thinking of？ What world do you come from？
Could I so betray the dignity of my sex？ Could I be so un…Anly… so lost
to shame； as to own love to a Gy who has not first owned hers to me？〃
〃Pardon： I was not quite aware that you pushed the modesty of your
sex so far。 But does no An ever say to a Gy； 'I love you；' till she says it
first to him？〃
〃I can't say that no An has ever done so； but if he ever does； he is
disgraced in the eyes of the Ana； and secretly despised by the Gy…ei。 No
Gy； well brought up； would listen to him； she would consider that he
audaciously infringed on the rights of her sex； while outraging the
modesty which dignifies his own。 It is very provoking；〃 continued the
An； 〃for she whom I love has certainly courted no one else； and I cannot
but think she likes me。 Sometimes I suspect that she does not court me
because she fears I would ask some unreasonable settlement as 129to the
surrender of her rights。 But if so； she cannot really love me； for where a
Gy really loves she forgoes all rights。〃
〃Is this young Gy present？〃
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〃Oh yes。 She sits yonder talking to my mother。〃
I looked in the direction to which my eyes were thus guided； and saw a
Gy dressed in robes of bright red； which among this people is a sign that a
Gy as yet prefers a single state。 She wears gray； a neutral tint； to indicate
that she is looking about for a spouse； dark purple if she wishes to intimate
that she has made a choice； purple and orange when she is betrothed or
married； light blue when she is divorced or a widow； and would marry
again。 Light blue is of course seldom seen。
Among a people where all are of so high a type of beauty； it is difficult
to single out one as peculiarly handsome。 My young friend's choice
seemed to me to possess the average of