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regarded as one of some inferior and barbarous tribe whom Aph…Lin
entertained as a guest。
The city was large in proportion to the territory round it； which was of
no greater extent than many an English or Hungarian nobleman's estate；
but the whole if it； to the verge of the rocks which constituted its boundary；
was cultivated to the nicest degree； except where certain allotments of
mountain and pasture were humanely left free to the sustenance of the
harmless animals they had tamed； though not for domestic use。 So great
is their kindness towards these humbler creatures； that a sum is devoted
from the public treasury for the purpose of deporting them to other Vril…ya
communities willing to receive them （chiefly new colonies）； whenever
they become too numerous for the pastures allotted to them in their native
place。 They do not； however； multiply to an extent comparable to the
ratio at which； with us； animals bred for slaughter； increase。 It seems a
law of nature that animals not useful to man gradually recede from the
domains he occupies； or even become extinct。 It is an old custom of the
various sovereign states amidst which the race of the Vril…ya are
distributed； to leave between each state a neutral and uncultivated border…
land。 In the instance of the community I speak of； this tract； being a
ridge of savage rocks； was impassable by foot； but was easily surmounted；
whether by the wings of the inhabitants or the air…boats； of which I shall
speak hereafter。 Roads through it were also cut for the transit of vehicles
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impelled by vril。 These intercommunicating tracts were always kept
lighted； and the expense thereof defrayed by a special tax； to which all the
communities comprehended in the denomination of Vril…ya contribute in
settled proportions。 By these means a considerable commercial traffic
with other states； both near and distant； was carried on。 The surplus
wealth on this special community was chiefly agricultural。 The
61community was also eminent for skill in constructing implements
connected with the arts of husbandry。 In exchange for such merchandise
it obtained articles more of luxury than necessity。 There were few things
imported on which they set a higher price than birds taught to pipe artful
tunes in concert。 These were brought from a great distance； and were
marvellous for beauty of song and plumage。 I understand that
extraordinary care was taken by their breeders and teachers in selection；
and that the species had wonderfully improved during the last few years。
I saw no other pet animals among this community except some very
amusing and sportive creatures of the Batrachian species； resembling frogs；
but with very intelligent countenances； which the children were fond of；
and kept in their private gardens。 They appear to have no animals akin to
our dogs or horses； though that learned naturalist； Zee； informed me that
such creatures had once existed in those parts； and might now be found in
regions inhabited by other races than the Vril…ya。 She said that they had
gradually disappeared from the more civilised world since the discovery of
vril； and the results attending that discovery had dispensed with their uses。
Machinery and the invention of wings had superseded the horse as a beast
of burden； and the dog was no longer wanted either for protection or the
chase； as it had been when the ancestors of the Vril…ya feared the
aggressions of their own kind； or hunted the lesser animals for food。
Indeed； however； so far as the horse was concerned； this region was so
rocky that a horse could have been； there； of little use either for pastime or
burden。 The only creature they use for the latter purpose is a kind of
large goat which is much employed on farms。 The nature of the
surrounding soil in these districts may be said to have first suggested the
invention of wings and air…boats。 The largeness of space in proportion to
the space occupied by the city； was occasioned by the custom of
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The Coming Race
surrounding every house with a separate garden。 The broad main street；
in which Aph…Lin dwelt； expanded into a vast square； in which were
62placed the College of Sages and all the public offices； a magnificent
fountain of the luminous fluid which I call naptha （I am ignorant of its real
nature） in the centre。 All these public edifices have a uniform character
of massiveness and solidity。 They reminded me of the architectural
pictures of Martin。 Along the upper stories of each ran a balcony； or
rather a terraced garden； supported by columns； filled with flowering
plants； and tenanted by many kinds of tame birds。 》From the square
branched several streets； all broad and brilliantly lighted； and ascending up
the eminence on either side。 In my excursions in the town I was never
allowed to go alone； Aph…Lin or his daughter was my habitual companion。
In this community the adult Gy is seen walking with any young An as
familiarly as if there were no difference of sex。
The retail shops are not very numerous； the persons who attend on a
customer are all children of various ages； and exceedingly intelligent and
courteous； but without the least touch of importunity or cringing。 The
shopkeeper himself might or might not be visible； when visible； he seemed
rarely employed on any matter connected with his professional business；
and yet he had taken to that business from special liking for it； and quite
independently of his general sources of fortune。
The Ana of the community are； on the whole； an indolent set of beings
after the active age of childhood。 Whether by temperament or
philosophy； they rank repose among the chief blessings of life。 Indeed；
when you take away from a human 63being the incenti