The next morning two or three people
sent their servants to the hotel with sweetmeats, and inquiries whether I
had quite recovered from my ill humour. On receiving the good things I
felt in half a mind to be ill-tempered every evening; but I disliked the
condolences and the inquiries, and found it most comfortable to keep my
natural temper, which is smooth enough generally.
Among those who came to visit me were some who had received a liberal
education at the Colleges of Unreason, and taken the highest degrees in
hypothetics, which are their principal study. These gentlemen had now
settled down to various employments in the country, as straighteners,
managers and cashiers of the Musical Banks, priests of religion, or what
not, and carrying their education with them they diffused a leaven of
culture throughout the country. I naturally questioned them about many
of the things which had puzzled me since my arrival. I inquired what was
the object and meaning of the statues which I had seen upon the plateau
of the pass. I was told that they dated from a very remote period, and
that there were several other such groups in the country, but none so
remarkable as the one which I had seen.
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