shipped back to Erewhon and carry the good seed
with them.
    I can see no hitch nor difficulty about the matter, and trust that this book
will sufficiently advertise the scheme to insure the subscription of the
necessary capital; as soon as this is forthcoming I will guarantee that I
convert the Erewhonians not only into good Christians but into a source of
considerable profit to the shareholders.
    I should add that I cannot claim the credit for having originated the above
scheme. I had been for months at my wit's end, forming plan after plan for the
evangelization of Erewhon, when by one of those special interpositions which
should be a sufficient answer to the sceptic, and make even the most confirmed
rationalist irrational, my eye was directed to the following paragraph in the
Times newspaper, of one of the first days in January 1872:
 
        »POLYNESIANS IN QUEENSLAND. - The Marquis of Normanby, the new Governor
        of Queensland, has completed his inspection of the northern districts of
        the colony. It is stated that at Mackay, one of the best sugar-growing
        districts, his Excellency saw a good deal of the Polynesians. In the
        course of a speech to those who entertained him there, the Marquis said:
        I have been told that the means by which Polynesians were obtained were
        not legitimate, but I have failed to perceive this, in so far at least
        as Queensland is concerned; and, if one can judge by the countenances
        and manners of the Polynesians, they experience no regret at their
        position. But his Excellency pointed out the advantage of giving them
        religious instruction. It would tend to set at rest an uneasy feeling
        which at present existed in the country to know that they were inclined
        to retain the Polynesians, and teach them religion.«
 
I feel that comment is unnecessary, and will therefore conclude with one word of
thanks to the reader who may have had the patience to follow me through my
adventures without losing his temper; but with two, for any who may write at
once to the Secretary of the Erewhon Evangelization Company, Limited (at the
address which shall hereafter be advertised), and request to have his name put
down as a shareholder.
 
P.S. - I had just received and corrected the last proof of the foregoing volume,
and was walking down the Strand from Temple Bar to Charing Cross, when on
passing Exeter Hall I saw a number of devout-looking people crowding into the
building with faces full of interested and complacent anticipation. I stopped,
and saw an announcement that a missionary meeting was to be held forthwith, and
that the native missionary, the Rev.