the coming race(一个即临种族)-第10节
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settlement all originally had the same proportions of land dealt out to them；
but some； more adventurous than others； had extended their possessions
farther into the bordering wilds； or had improved into richer fertility the
produce of their fields； or entered into commerce or trade。 Thus；
necessarily； some had grown richer than others； but none had become
absolutely poor； or wanting anything which their tastes desired。 If they
did so； it was always in their power to migrate； or at the worst to apply；
without shame and with certainty of aid； to the rich； for all the members of
the community considered themselves as brothers of one affectionate and
united family。 More upon this head will be treated of incidentally as my
narrative proceeds。 38 The chief care of the supreme magistrate was to
communicate with certain active departments charged with the
administration of special details。 The most important and essential of
such details was that connected with the due provision of light。 Of this
department my host； Aph…Lin； was the chief。 Another department； which
might be called the foreign； communicated with the neighbouring kindred
states； principally for the purpose of ascertaining all new inventions； and
to a third department all such inventions and improvements in machinery
were committed for trial。 Connected with this department was the
College of Sages… a college especially favoured by such of the Ana as
were widowed and childless； and by the young unmarried females；
amongst whom Zee was the most active； and； if what we call renown or
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distinction was a thing acknowledged by this people （which I shall later
show it is not）； among the more renowned or distinguished。 It is by the
female Professors of this College that those studies which are deemed of
least use in practical life… as purely speculative philosophy； the history of
remote periods； and such sciences as entomology； conchology； &c。… are the
more diligently cultivated。 Zee； whose mind； active as Aristotle's；
equally embraced the largest domains and the minutest details of thought；
had written two volumes on the parasite insect that dwells amid the hairs
of a tiger's* paw； which work was considered the best authority on that
interesting subject。
* The animal here referred to has many points of difference from the
tiger of the upper world。 It is larger； and with a broader paw； and still
more receding frontal。 It haunts the side of lakes and pools； and feeds
principally on fishes； though it does not object to any terrestrial animal of
inferior strength that comes in its way。 It is becoming very scarce even
in the wild districts； where it is devoured by gigantic reptiles。 I
apprehended that it clearly belongs to the tiger species； since the parasite
animalcule found in its paw； like that in the Asiatic tiger； is a miniature
image of itself。
But the researches of the sages are not confined to such subtle or
elegant studies。 They comprise various others more 39important； and
especially the properties of vril； to the perception of which their finer
nervous organisation renders the female Professors eminently keen。 It is
out of this college that the Tur； or chief magistrate； selects Councillors；
limited to three； in the rare instances in which novelty of event or
circumstance perplexes his own judgment。
There are a few other departments of minor consequence； but all are
carried on so noiselessly； and quietly that the evidence of a government
seems to vanish altogether； and social order to be as regular and
unobtrusive as if it were a law of nature。 Machinery is employed to an
inconceivable extent in all the operations of labour within and without
doors； and it is the unceasing object of the department charged with its
administration to extend its efficiency。 There is no class of labourers or
servants； but all who are required to assist or control the machinery are
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The Coming Race
found in the children； from the time they leave the care of their mothers to
the marriageable age； which they place at sixteen for the Gy…ei （the
females）； twenty for the Ana （the males）。 These children are formed into
bands and sections under their own chiefs； each following the pursuits in
which he is most pleased； or for which he feels himself most fitted。
Some take to handicrafts； some to agriculture； some to household work；
and some to the only services of danger to which the population is
exposed； for the sole perils that threaten this tribe are； first； from those
occasional convulsions within the earth； to foresee and guard against
which tasks their utmost ingenuity… irruptions of fire and water； the storms
of subterranean winds and escaping gases。 At the borders of the domain；
and at all places where such peril might be apprehended； vigilant
inspectors are stationed with telegraphic communications to the hall in
which chosen sages take it by turns to hold perpetual sittings。 These
inspectors are always selected from the elder boys approaching the age of
puberty； and on the principle that at that age observation is more acute and
the physical forces more alert than at any other。 The second service of
danger； less grave； 40is in the destruction of all creatures hostile to the life；
or the culture； or even the comfort； of the Ana。 Of these the most
formidable are the vast reptiles； of some of which antediluvian relics are
preserved in our museums； and certain gigantic winged creatures； half bird；
half reptile。 These； together with lesser wild animals； corresponding to
our tigers or venomous serpents； it is left to the younger children to hunt
and destroy； because； according to the Ana； here ruthlessness is wanted；
and the younger the child the more ruthlessly he will destroy。 There is
another class of animals in the destruction of which discrimination is to be
used； and against which children of intermediate age are appointed…
animals that do not threaten the life of man； but ravage the produce of his
labour； varieties of the elk and deer species； and a smaller creature much
akin to our rabbit； though infinitely more destructive to crops； and much
more cunning in its mode of depredation。 It is the first object of these
appointed infants； to tame the more intelligent of such animals into respect
for enclosures signalised by conspicuous landmarks； as dogs are taught to
respect a larder； or even to guard the master's property。 It is only where
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such creatures are found untamable to this extent that they are destroyed。
Life is never taken away for food or for sport； and never spared where
untamably inimical to the Ana。 Concomitantly with these bodily
services and tasks； the mental education of the children goes on till
boyhood ceases。 It is the general custom； then； to pass though a course
of instruction at the College of Sages； in which； besides more general
studies； the pupil receives special lessons in such vocation or direction
of intellect as he himself selects。 Some； however； prefer to pass this
period of probation in travel； or to emigrate； or to settle down at once
into rural or commercial pursuits。 No force is put upon individual
inclination。
