the coming race(一个即临种族)-第13章
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superiority over the Ana which they once possessed； just as in the
inferior animals above the earth many peculiarities in their original
formation； intended by nature for their protection； gradually fade or
become inoperative when not needed under altered circumstances。 I
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should be sorry； however； for any An who induced a Gy to make the
experiment whether he or she were the stronger。
》From the incident I have narrated； the Ana date certain alterations in
the marriage customs； tending； perhaps； somewhat to the advantage of the
male。 They now bind themselves in wedlock only for three years； at the
end of each third year either male or female can divorce the other and is
free to marry again。 At the end of ten years the An has the privilege
of taking a second wife； allowing the first to retire if she so please。
These regulations are for the most part a dead letter； divorces and
polygamy are extremely rare； and the marriage state now seems singularly
happy and serene among this astonishing people；… the Gy…ei；
notwithstanding their boastful superiority in physical strength and
intellectual abilities； being much curbed into gentle manners by the dread
of separation or of a second wife； and the Ana being very much the
creatures of custom； and not； except under great aggravation； likely to
exchange for hazardous novelties faces and manners to which they are
reconciled by habit。 But there is one privilege the Gy…ei carefully retain；
and the desire for which perhaps forms the secret motive of most lady
asserters of woman rights above ground。 They claim the privilege； here
usurped by men； of proclaiming their love and urging their suit； in other
words； of being the wooing party rather than the wooed。 Such a
44phenomenon as an old maid does not exist among the Gy…ei。 Indeed it
is very seldom that a Gy does not secure any An upon whom she sets her
heart； if his affections be not strongly engaged elsewhere。 However coy；
reluctant； and prudish； the male she courts may prove at first； yet her
perseverance； her ardour； her persuasive powers； her command over the
mystic agencies of vril； are pretty sure to run down his neck into what we
call 〃the fatal noose。〃 Their argument for the reversal of that relationship
of the sexes which the blind tyranny of man has established on the surface
of the earth； appears cogent； and is advanced with a frankness which might
well be commended to impartial consideration。 They say； that of the two
the female is by nature of a more loving disposition than the male… that
love occupies a larger space in her thoughts； and is more essential to her
happiness； and that therefore she ought to be the wooing party； that
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The Coming Race
otherwise the male is a shy and dubitant creature… that he has often a
selfish predilection for the single state… that he often pretends to
misunderstand tender glances and delicate hints… that； in short； he must be
resolutely pursued and captured。 They add； moreover； that unless the Gy
can secure the An of her choice； and one whom she would not select out of
the whole world becomes her mate； she is not only less happy than she
otherwise would be； but she is not so good a being； that her qualities of
heart are not sufficiently developed； whereas the An is a creature that less
lastingly concentrates his affections on one object； that if he cannot get
the Gy whom he prefers he easily reconciles himself to another Gy； and；
finally； that at the worst； if he is loved and taken care of； it is less
necessary to the welfare of his existence that he should love as well as
be loved； he grows contented with his creature comforts； and the many
occupations of thought which he creates for himself。
Whatever may be said as to this reasoning； the system works well for
the male； for being thus sure that he is truly and ardently loved； and that
the more coy and reluctant he shows 45himself； the more determination to
secure him increases； he generally contrives to make his consent
dependent on such conditions as he thinks the best calculated to insure； if
not a blissful； at least a peaceful life。 Each individual An has his own
hobbies； his own ways； his own predilections； and； whatever they may be；
he demands a promise of full and unrestrained concession to them。 This；
in the pursuit of her object； the Gy readily promises； and as the
characteristic of this extraordinary people is an implicit veneration for
truth； and her word once given is never broken even by the giddiest Gy；
the conditions stipulated for are religiously observed。 In fact；
notwithstanding all their abstract rights and powers； the Gy…ei are the most
amiable； conciliatory； and submissive wives I have ever seen even in the
happiest households above ground。 It is an aphorism among them； that
〃where a Gy loves it is her pleasure to obey。〃 It will be observed that in
the relationship of the sexes I have spoken only of marriage； for such is
the moral perfection to which this community has attained； that any
illicit connection is as little possible amongst them as it would be to a
couple of linnets during the time they agree to live in pairs。
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CHAPTER XI。
Nothing had more perplexed me in seeking to reconcile my sense to
the existence of regions extending below the surface of the earth； and
habitable by beings； if dissimilar from； still； in all material points of
organism； akin to those in the upper world； than the contradiction thus
presented to the doctrine in which； I believe； most geologists and
philosophers concur… viz。； that though with us the sun is the great source
of heat； yet the deeper we go beneath the crust of the earth； the greater is
the increasing heat； being； it is said； found in the 46ratio of a degree for
every foot； commencing from fifty feet below the surface。 But though
the domains of the tribe I speak of were； on the higher ground； so
comparatively near to the surface； that I could account for a temperature；
therein； suitable to organic life； yet even the ravines and valleys of that
realm were much less hot than philosophers would deem possible at
such a depth… certainly not warmer than the south of France； or at least
of Italy。 And according to all the accounts I received； vast tracts
immeasurably deeper beneath the surface； and in which one mi
