Another World: Fragments from the Star City of MontalluyahLumley, Benjamin
Science
Another World: Fragments from the Star City of Montalluyah
Lumley, Benjamin
Utopias
These are pictures showing the spare and lean cattle of earlier times,
the former paucity of our flocks and herds, and the present innumerable
supplies,--the result of good treatment, and of people's obedience to a
law of mine which forbade them to slaughter the female, so that our
resources for multiplying our stocks should not be diminished. The
present humane method of treating animals, and the dispatching of the
animal without pain, are admirably depicted.[1]
[Footnote 1: See p. 213.]
VII. THE ALLMANYUKA.
The different stages of my progress in creating the Allmanyuka, or new
food, substituted by me for a strong, stimulating, and injurious
condiment previously in general use, are represented in another series
of paintings, showing the incipient thought and its perfection, the
fruit in its various phases, my anxiety while watching the growth of the
fruit, my joy when success had crowned my efforts, and the gratitude of
the people.[2]
[Footnote 2: See p. 220.]
VIII. THE STAR INSTRUMENT.
The Tootmanyoso is seen looking through the "Star Instrument," while
worlds are opening in the distance. This "star instrument," or "world
viewer," is a gigantic telescope of immense power, aided by electricity,
constructed for me at my suggestion.[1] The power of our telescopes is
wondrously increased by electric and chemical combinations, but this one
excelled all others in magnitude and power.
[Footnote 1: See p. 299.]
IX. NAVIGATION.
Navigation before and since my reign is here depicted. The frail and
sluggish ships of former times are contrasted with the swift and
powerful ships constructed in my reign.[2]
[Footnote 2: See p. 268.]
X. CONSUMPTION OF THE VITALITY.
An episode connected with the discovery of the incipient cause of this
malady is here represented.[3]
[Footnote 3: See p. 235.]
XI. MADNESS.
In a series of pictures are portrayed various incidents illustrating the
injuries formerly inflicted from ignorance of the causes of the malady,
the really mad having often been regarded as sane, whilst many of the
sane were treated as mad. Every phase of the malady as it formerly
existed is depicted, as also the discoveries and incidents attending its
detection and cure in its incipiency.
XII. EXPOSITION OF THE NEW DOCTRINES.
While representing the Tootmanyoso expounding some of his leading
doctrines, the artist has given to many of the countenances a fearful
expression of hatred and incredulity, while the Tootmanyoso's calm and
settled purpose is grandly expressed in the dignity, eloquence, and
unswerving faith depicted in his aspect and general bearing.
In this picture, too, are seen figures of children clothed in rich
habits, who had been brought up in idleness, and taught to respect
little else than money; some deriding, some in the act of throwing
missiles at the principal figure, whom others are revering.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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