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of wit and in exactitude of balance； but to the grosser barbarian conception
of what is gravity…removing it is irresistible。
I am； however； reminded of the saying by perceiving that I was on the
point of recording certain details of recent occurrence without first
unrolling to your mind the incidents from which it has arisen that the
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person who is now communicating with you is no longer reposing in the
Capital； but spending a period profitably in observing the habits of those
who dwell in the more secluded recesses on the outskirts of the Island。
This reversal of the proper sequence of affairs would doubtless strike
those around as an instance of setting the banquet before the horse。
Without delay； then； to pursue the allusion to its appropriate end； I will
return； as it may be said； to my nosebag。
At various points about the streets of the Capital there are certain
caverns artificially let into the bowels of the earth； to which any person
may betake himself upon purchasing a printed sign which he must display
to the guardian of the gate。 Once within the underneathmost parts he is
free to be carried from place to place by means of the trains of carriages
which I have already described to you； until he would return to the outer
surface； when he must again display his talisman before he is permitted to
pass forth。 Nor is this an empty form； for upon an occasion this person
himself witnessed a very bitter contention between a keeper of the barrier
and one whose token had through some cause lost its potency。
In the company of the experienced I had previously gone through the
trial without mischance； so that recently when I expressed a wish to visit a
certain Palace； and was informed that the most convenient manner would
be to descend into the nearest cavern； I had no reasonable device for
avoiding the encounter。 Nevertheless； enlightened sire； I will not attempt
to conceal from your omniscience that I was by no means impetuous
towards the adventure。 Owing to the pugnacious and unworthy suspicions
of those who direct their destinies； I have not yet been able to penetrate the
exact connection between the movements of these hot…smoke chariots and
the Unseen Forces。 To a person whose chief object in life is to avoid
giving offence to any of the innumerable demons which are ever on the
watch to revenge themselves upon our slightest indiscretion； this
uncertainty opens an unending vista of intolerable possibilities。 As if to
emphasise the perils of this overhanging doubt the surroundings are
ingeniously arranged so as to represent as nearly as practicable the terrors
of the Beneath World。 Both by day and night a funereal gloom envelops
the caverns； the pathways and resting…places are meagre and so
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constructed as to be devoid of attraction or repose； and by a skilful
contrivance the natural atmosphere is secretly withdrawn and a very
acrimonious sulphurous haze driven in to replace it。 In sudden and
unforeseen places eyes of fire open and close with disconcerting rapidity；
and even change colour in vindictive significance； wooden hands are
outstretched as in unrelenting rigidity against supplication； or； divining the
unexpressed thoughts； inexorably point； as one gazes； still deeper into the
recesses of the earth； while the air is never free from the sounds of groans；
shrieks； the rattling of chains； dull； hopeless noises beneath one's feet or
overhead； and the hoarse wordless cries of despair with which the
attending slaves of the caverns greet the distant clamour of every
approaching fire…chariot。 Admittedly the intention of the device is
benevolently conceived； and it is strenuously asserted that many persons
of corrupt habits and ill…balanced lives； upon waking unexpectedly while
passing through these Beneath Parts； have abandoned the remainder of
their journey； and； escaping hastily to the outer air； have from that time
onwards led a pure and consistent existence； but； on the other foot； those
who are compelled to use the caverns daily； freely confess that the
surroundings to not in any material degree purify their lives of tranquillise
the nature of their inner thoughts。
In this emergency I did not neglect to write out a diversity of charms
against every possible variety of evil influence； and concealing them
lavishly about my head and body； I presented myself with the outer
confidence of a person who is inured to the exploit。 Doubtless thereby
being mistaken for one of themselves in the obscurity； I received the
inscribed safeguard without opposition； and even an added sum in copper
pieces； which I discreetly returned to the one behind the shutter； with the
request that he would honourably burn a few joss sticks or sacrifice to a
trivial amount； to the success of my journey。 In such a manner I reached an
awaiting train； and； taking up within it a position of retiring modesty； I
definitely committed myself to the undertaking。
At the next tarrying place there entered a barbarian of high…class
appearance； and being by this time less assured of my competence in the
matter unaided； both on account of the multiplicity of evil omens on every
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side； and the perverse impulses of the guiding demon； whereby at sudden
angles certain of my organs had the emotion of being left irrevocably
behind and others of being snatched relentlessly forward； I approached
him courteously。
〃Behold；〃 I said； 〃many thousand li of water； both fresh and bitter；
flow between the one who is addressing you and his native town of Yuen…
ping； where the tablets at the street corners are as familiar to him as the
lines of his own unshapely hands； for； as it is truly said； 'Does the starling
know the lotus roots； or the pomfret read its way by the signs among the
upper branches of the pines？' Out of the necessities of his ignorance and
your own overwhelming condescension enlighten him； therefore； whether
the destination of this fire…chariot by any chance corresponds with the
inscribed name upon his talisman？〃
Thus adjured； the stranger benevolently turned himself to the detail；
and upon consulting a book of symbols he expressed himself to this wise：
that after a sufficient interval I should come into a certain station； called in
part after the title of the enlightened ruler of this Island； and there
abandoning the train which was carrying us； I should enter another which
would bring me out of the Beneath Parts and presently into the midst of
that Palace which I sought。 This advice seemed good； for a reasonable
connection might be supposed to exist between a station so auspiciously
called and a Palace bearing the harmonious name of the gracious and
universally…revered sovereign…consort。 Accordingly I thanked him
ceremoniously； not only on my own part； but also on behalf of eleven
generations of immediate ancestors； and in the name of seven generations
who should come after； and he on his side agreeably replied that he was
sure his grandmother would have done as much for mine； and he sincerely
hoped that none of his great…great…grandchildren would prove less obliging。
In this intellectual manner； varied with the entertainment of profuse bows；
the time passed cordially between us until the barbarian reached his own
alighting stage； when he again repeated the various details of the strategy
for my observance。
At this point let it be set forth deliberately that there e