the universe, which it is
urged might contain all manner of things which are not now to be found therein.
To open his eyes to these possibilities, and so to prepare him for all sorts of
emergencies, is the object of this system of hypothetics. To imagine a set of
utterly strange and impossible contingencies, and require the youths to give
intelligent answers to the questions that arise therefrom, is reckoned the
fittest conceivable way of preparing them for the actual conduct of their
affairs in after life.
    Thus they are taught what is called the hypothetical language for many of
their best years - a language which was originally composed at a time when the
country was in a very different state of civilization to what it is at present,
a state which has long since disappeared and been superseded. Many valuable
maxims and noble thoughts which were at one time concealed in it have become
current in their modern literature, and have been translated over and over again
into the language now spoken. Surely then it would seem enough that the study of
the original language should be confined to the few whose instincts led them
naturally to pursue it.
    But the Erewhonians think differently; the store they set by this
hypothetical language can hardly be believed; they will even give anyone a
maintenance for life if he attains a considerable proficiency in the study of
it; nay, they will spend years in learning to translate some of their own good
poetry into the hypothetical language - to do so with fluency being reckoned a
distinguishing mark of a scholar and a gentleman. Heaven forbid that I should be
flippant, but it appeared to me to be a wanton waste of good human energy that
men should spend years and years in the perfection of so barren an exercise,
when their own civilization presented problems by the hundred which cried aloud
for solution and would have paid the solver handsomely; but people know their
own affairs best. If the youths chose it for themselves I should have wondered
less; but they do not choose it; they have it thrust upon them, and for the most
part are disinclined towards it. I can only say that all I heard in defence of
the system was insufficient to make me think very highly of its advantages.
    The arguments in favour of the deliberate development of the unreasoning
faculties were much more cogent. But here they depart from the principles on
which they justify their study of hypothetics; for they base the importance
which they assign to hypothetics upon the fact of their being a preparation for
the extraordinary, while their study of Unreason rests upon its developing those
faculties which are required for the daily conduct of affairs. Hence