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 evangelisation 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 Evangelisation
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 mi