Page 92 - erewhon

no lack of vigour among the people; on the contrary, they
were a very hardy race, and capable of great endurance. For
the hundredth time I thought that, take them all round, I
had never seen their equals in respect of physique, and they
looked as good- natured as they were robust. The flowers
were for the most part over, but their absence was in some
measure compensated for by a profusion of delicious fruit,
closely resembling the figs, peaches, and pears of Italy and
France. I saw no wild animals, but birds were plentiful and
much as in Europe, but not tame as they had been on the
other side the ranges. They were shot at with the cross-bow
and with arrows, gunpowder being unknown, or at any rate
not in use.
We were now nearing the metropolis and I could see
great towers and fortifications, and lofty buildings that
looked like palaces. I began to be nervous as to my reception;
but I had got on very well so far, and resolved to continue
upon the same plan as hitherto— namely, to behave just
as though I were in England until I saw that I was making
a blunder, and then to say nothing till I could gather how
the land lay. We drew nearer and nearer. The news of my
approach had got abroad, and there was a great crowd col-
lected on either side the road, who greeted me with marks
of most respectful curiosity, keeping me bowing constantly
in acknowledgement from side to side.
When we were about a mile off, we were met by the May-
or and several Councillors, among whom was a venerable
old man, who was introduced to me by the Mayor (for so
I suppose I should call him) as the gentleman who had in-

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