The far-reaching changes in Erewhonian
institutions with which the reader is already acquainted followed as a
matter of course.
"I know the difficulty," said my father presently, "with which the King
was persuaded to allow the way in which the Sunchild's dress should be
worn to be a matter of opinion, not dogma. I see we have adopted
different fashions. Have you any decided opinions upon the subject?"
"I have; but I will ask you not to press me for them. Let this matter
remain as the King has left it."
My father thought that he might now venture on a shot. So he said, "I
have always understood, too, that the King forced the repeal of the laws
against machinery on the Bridgeford committee, as another condition of
his assent?"
"Certainly. He insisted on this, partly to gratify the Queen, who had
not yet forgiven him, and who had set her heart on having a watch, and
partly because he expected that a development of the country's resources,
in consequence of a freer use of machinery, would bring more money into
his exchequer. Bridgeford fought hard and wisely here, but they had
gained so much by the Musical Bank Managers being recognised as the
authorised exponents of Sunchildism, that they thought it wise to
yield--apparently with a good grace--and thus gild the pill which his
Majesty was about to swallow.
Pages:
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187