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may gaze on some suffering bird or butterfly。 I shrank from that touch… I
shrank from that eye。 I was vaguely impressed with a belief that； had he
so pleased； that child could have killed me as easily as a man can kill a
bird or a butterfly。 The child seemed pained at my repugnance； quitted
me； and placed himself beside one of the windows。 The others continued
to converse with each other in a low tone； and by their glances towards me
I could perceive that I was the object of their conversation。 One in
especial seemed to be urging some proposal affecting me on the being
whom I had first met； and this last by his gesture seemed about to assent to
it； when the child suddenly quitted his post by the window； placed himself
between me and the other forms； as if in protection； and spoke quickly and
eagerly。 By some intuition or instinct I felt that the child I had before so
dreaded was pleading in my behalf。 Ere he had ceased another stranger
entered the room。 He appeared older than the rest； though not old； his
countenance less smoothly serene than theirs； though equally regular in its
features； seemed to me to have more the touch of a humanity akin to my
own。 He listened quietly to the words addressed to him； first by my
guide； next by two others of the group； and lastly by the child； then turned
towards myself； and addressed me； not by words； but by signs and
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The Coming Race
gestures。 These I fancied that I perfectly understood； and I was not
mistaken。 I comprehended that he inquired whence I came。 I extended
my arm； and pointed towards the road which had led me from the chasm
in the rock； then an idea seized me。 I drew forth my pocket…book； and
sketched on one of its blank leaves a rough design of the ledge of the rock；
the rope； myself clinging to it； then of the cavernous rock below； the head
of the reptile； 17the lifeless form of my friend。 I gave this primitive kind
of hieroglyph to my interrogator； who； after inspecting it gravely； handed
it to his next neighbour； and it thus passed round the group。 The being I
had at first encountered then said a few words； and the child； who
approached and looked at my drawing； nodded as if he comprehended its
purport； and； returning to the window； expanded the wings attached to his
form； shook them once or twice； and then launched himself into space
without。 I started up in amaze and hastened to the window。 The child
was already in the air； buoyed on his wings； which he did not flap to and
fro as a bird does； but which were elevated over his head； and seemed to
bear him steadily aloft without effort of his own。 His flight seemed as
swift as an eagle's； and I observed that it was towards the rock whence I
had descended； of which the outline loomed visible in the brilliant
atmosphere。 In a very few minutes he returned； skimming through the
opening from which he had gone； and dropping on the floor the rope and
grappling…hooks I had left at the descent from the chasm。 Some words in
a low tone passed between the being present； one of the group touched an
automaton； which started forward and glided from the room； then the last
comer； who had addressed me by gestures； rose； took me by the hand； and
led me into the corridor。 There the platform by which I had mounted
awaited us； we placed ourselves on it and were lowered into the hall below。
My new companion； still holding me by the hand； conducted me from the
building into a street （so to speak） that stretched beyond it； with buildings
on either side； separated from each other by gardens bright with rich…
coloured vegetation and strange flowers。 Interspersed amidst these
gardens； which were divided from each other by low walls； or walking
slowly along the road； were many forms similar to those I had already
seen。 Some of the passers…by； on observing me； approached my guide；
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The Coming Race
evidently by their tones； looks； and gestures addressing to him inquiries
18about myself。 In a few moments a crowd collected around us；
examining me with great interest； as if I were some rare wild animal。 Yet
even in gratifying their curiosity they preserved a grave and courteous
demeanour； and after a few words from my guide； who seemed to me to
deprecate obstruction in our road； they fell back with a stately inclination
of head； and resumed their own way with tranquil indifference。 Midway
in this thoroughfare we stopped at a building that differed from those we
had hitherto passed； inasmuch as it formed three sides of a vast court； at
the angles of which were lofty pyramidal towers； in the open space
between the sides was a circular fountain of colossal dimensions； and
throwing up a dazzling spray of what seemed to me fire。 We entered the
building through an open doorway and came into an enormous hall； in
which were several groups of children； all apparently employed in work as
at some great factory。 There was a huge engine in the wall which was in
full play； with wheels and cylinders resembling our own steam…engines；
except that it was richly ornamented with precious stones and metals； and
appeared to emanate a pale phosphorescent atmosphere of shifting light。
Many of the children were at some mysterious work on this machinery；
others were seated before tables。 I was not allowed to linger long enough
to examine into the nature of their employment。 Not one young voice
was heard… not one young face turned to gaze on us。 They were all still
and indifferent as may be ghosts； through the midst of which pass
unnoticed the forms of the living。
Quitting this hall； my guide led me through a gallery richly painted in
compartments； with a barbaric mixture of gold in the colours； like pictures
by Louis Cranach。 The subjects described on these walls appeared to my
glance as intended to illustrate events in the history of the race amidst
which I was admitted。 In all there were figures； most of them like the
manlike creatures I had seen； but not all in the same fashion of garb； nor
all with wings。 There were also the effigies of 19various animals and
birds； wholly strange to me； with backgrounds depicting landscapes or
buildings。 So far as my imperfect knowledge of the pictorial art would
allow me to form an opinion； these paintings seemed very accurate in
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The Coming Race
design and very rich in colouring； showing a perfect knowledge of
perspective； but their details not arranged according to the rules of
composition acknowledged by our artists… wanting； as it were； a centre； so
that the effect was vague； scattered； confused； bewildering… they were like
heterogeneous fragments of a dream of art。
We now came into a room of moderate size； in which was assembled
what I afterwards knew to be the family of my guide； seated at a table
spread as for repast。 The forms thus grouped were those of my guide's
wife； his daughter； and two sons。 I recognised at once the difference
between the two sexes； though the two females were of taller stature and
ampler proportions than the males； and their countenances； if still more
symmetrical in outline and contour； were devoid of the softness and
timidity of expression which give charm to the face of woman as seen on
the earth above。 The wife wore no wings； the daughter wore wings
longer than those of the males。
My guide uttered a few words； on which all the perso