Part 1, Chapter 8

It was during my visit at my friend's house that I first witnessed the peculiar manner in which the markets in Mizora are conducted. Everything, as usual, was fastidiously neat and clean. The fruit and vegetables were fresh and perfect. I examined quantities of them to satisfy myself, and not a blemish or imperfection could be found on any. None but buyers were attending market. Baskets of fruit, bunches of vegetables and, in fact, everything exhibited for sale, had the quality and the price labeled upon it. Small wicker baskets were near to receive the change. When a buyer had selected what suited her, she dropped the label and the change in the basket. I saw one basket filled with gold and silver coin, yet not one would be missing when the owner came to count up the sales. Sometimes a purchaser was obliged to change a large piece of money, but it was always done accurately.

It was during a visit to my friend’s house that I first saw the unusual way markets were run in Mizora. Everything, as usual, was extremely neat and clean. The fruit and vegetables were fresh and perfect. I examined many of them to be sure, and I could not find a single blemish or imperfection. Only buyers were at the market. Baskets of fruit, bunches of vegetables, and everything else for sale were labeled with their quality and price. Small wicker baskets stood nearby to receive the payment. When a buyer chose what she wanted, she dropped the label and the money into the basket. I saw one basket filled with gold and silver coins. Yet not one coin would be missing when the owner came to count the sales. Sometimes a buyer had to make change for a large coin, but it was always done accurately.

There was one singular trait these people possessed that, in conjunction with their other characteristics, may seem unnatural: they would give and exact the last centime (a quarter of a cent) in a trade. I noticed this peculiarity so frequently that I inquired the reason for it, and when I had studied it over I decided that, like all the other rules that these admirable people had established, it was wise. Said my friend:

These people had one unusual trait that may seem unnatural alongside their other qualities. In a trade, they would pay and demand every last centime (a quarter of a cent). I noticed this so often that I asked why. After thinking it over, I decided the practice was wise, like all the other rules these admirable people had established. My friend said:

"We set a just value on everything we prepare for sale. Anything above or below that, would be unjust to buyer or seller."

"We set a fair price for everything we sell. A higher or lower price would be unfair to the buyer or seller."

The varieties of apples, pears, peaches and other fruits had their names attached, with the quality, sweet, sour, or slightly acid. In no instance was it found to be incorrectly stated. I came to one stall that contained nothing but glass jars of butter and cream. The butter was a rich buff color, like very fine qualities I had seen in my own country. The cream, an article I am fond of drinking, looked so tempting I longed to purchase a glass for that purpose. The lady whom I accompanied (my hostess' cook) informed me that it was artificially prepared. The butter and cheese were chemical productions. Different laboratories produced articles of varying flavor, according to the chemist's skill. Although their construction was no secret, yet some laboratories enjoyed special reputation for their butter and cheese owing to the accuracy with which their elements were combined.

The varieties of apples, pears, peaches, and other fruits were labeled with their names and tastes: sweet, sour, or slightly acidic. In every case, the label was accurate. I came to a stall that held nothing but glass jars of butter and cream. The butter was a rich buff color, like the finest butter I had seen in my own country. I am fond of drinking cream, and this cream looked so tempting that I longed to buy a glass. The lady accompanying me was my hostess’s cook. She told me that the cream was artificially prepared. The butter and cheese were made by chemical processes. Different laboratories produced foods with different flavors, depending on the chemist’s skill. The methods were no secret, but some laboratories were especially known for their butter and cheese. This was because they combined the ingredients with such accuracy.

She gave me quite a history about artificial food, also how they kept fruits and vegetables in their natural state for years without decaying or losing their flavor, so that when eaten they were nearly as fine as when freshly gathered. After hearing that the cream was manufactured, I resolved to taste it. Dropping my coin into the basket, I took up a glass and drank it. A look of disgust crossed the countenance of my companion.

She gave me a detailed history of artificial food. She also explained how they kept fruits and vegetables in their natural state for years without decay or loss of flavor. So when eaten, they were nearly as good as when freshly picked. After hearing that the cream was manufactured, I decided to taste it. I dropped my coin into the basket, picked up a glass, and drank the cream. A look of disgust crossed my companion’s face.

"Do you not drink this?" I asked in surprise, as I set down the empty vessel. "It is truly delicious."

"Don't you drink this?" I asked in surprise as I set down the empty cup. "It's really delicious."

"At regular meal times we all use it, and sometimes drink it in preference to other beverages—but never in public. You will never see a citizen of Mizora eating in public. Look all over this market and you will not discover one person, either adult or child, eating or drinking, unless it be water."

“We all use it at regular meals, and sometimes we drink it instead of other beverages, but never in public. You will never see a citizen of Mizora eating in public. Look around this whole market. You will not find anyone, adult or child, eating or drinking anything except water.”

I could not; and I felt keenly mortified at my mistake. Yet in my own country and others that, according to our standard, are highly civilized, a beverage is made from the juice of the corn that is not only drank in public places, but its effects, which are always unbecoming, are exhibited also, and frequently without reproof. However, I said nothing to my companion about this beverage. It bears no comparison in color or taste to that made in Mizora. I could not have distinguished the latter from the finest dairy cream.

I could not, and I felt deeply embarrassed by my mistake. Yet in my own country and others, which by our standards are highly civilized, a drink is made from corn juice. People drink it in public places and display its effects, which are always unbecoming, often without being reproached. However, I said nothing to my companion about this drink. Its color and taste are nothing like those of the drink made in Mizora. I could not have told the Mizora drink from the finest dairy cream.

The next place of interest that I visited were their mercantile bazars or stores. Here I found things looking quite familiar. The goods were piled upon shelves behind counters, and numerous clerks were in attendance. It was the regular day for shopping among the Mizora ladies, and the merchants had made a display of their prettiest and richest goods. I noticed the ladies were as elegantly dressed as if for a reception, and learned that it was the custom. They would meet a great many friends and acquaintances, and dressed to honor the occasion.

The next places of interest I visited were their markets and stores. Things looked quite familiar there. Goods were piled on shelves behind counters, and many clerks were ready to help. It was the Mizora ladies’ regular shopping day. The merchants had displayed their prettiest and finest goods. I noticed that the ladies were dressed as elegantly as if they were going to a reception. I learned that this was customary. They would meet many friends and acquaintances, and they dressed to honor the occasion.

It was my first shopping experience in Mizora, and I quite mortified myself by removing my glove and rubbing and examining closely the goods I thought of purchasing. I entirely ignored the sweet voice of the clerk that was gently informing me that it was "pure linen" or "pure wool," so habituated had I become in my own country to being my own judge of the quality of the goods I was purchasing, regardless always of the seller's recommendation of it. I found it difficult, especially in such circumstances, to always remember their strict adherence to honesty and fair dealing. I felt rebuked when I looked around and saw the actions of the other ladies in buying.

It was my first shopping experience in Mizora, and I embarrassed myself. I took off my glove and rubbed and closely examined the goods I was thinking of buying. I completely ignored the clerk's sweet voice as she gently assured me that the goods were "pure linen" or "pure wool." In my own country, I had grown used to judging the quality of goods for myself, regardless of the seller's recommendation. I found it difficult, especially while shopping, to remember that people in Mizora were strictly honest and fair in their dealings. I felt ashamed when I looked around and saw how the other ladies shopped.

In manufactured goods, as in all other things, not the slightest cheatery is to be found. Woolen and cotton mixtures were never sold for pure wool. Nobody seemed to have heard of the art of glossing muslin cuffs and collars and selling them for pure linen.

There was not the slightest dishonesty in manufactured goods, just as there was none in anything else. Wool and cotton blends were never sold as pure wool. No one seemed to have heard of giving muslin cuffs and collars a glossy finish and selling them as pure linen.

Fearing that I had wounded the feelings of the lady in attendance upon me, I hastened to apologize by explaining the peculiar methods of trade that were practiced in my own country. They were immediately pronounced barbarous.

I feared I had hurt the feelings of the woman attending me, so I quickly apologized. I explained the peculiar ways trade was conducted in my country. These were immediately called barbaric.

I noticed that ladies in shopping examined colors and effects of trimmings or combinations, but never examined the quality. Whatever the attendant said about that was received as a fact.

I noticed that women shopping examined colors and how trimmings or combinations looked, but never checked the quality. They accepted whatever the attendant said about that as fact.

The reason for the absence of attendants in the markets and the presence of them in mercantile houses was apparent at once. The market articles were brought fresh every day, while goods were stored.

The reason markets had no attendants while stores did was immediately clear. Market items were brought in fresh every day, while store goods were kept in stock.

Their business houses and their manner of shopping were unlike anything I had ever met with before. The houses were all built in a hollow square, enclosing a garden with a fountain in the center. These were invariably roofed over with glass, as was the entire building. In winter the garden was as warm as the interior of the store. It was adorned with flowers and shrubs. I often saw ladies and children promenading in these pretty inclosures, or sitting on their rustic sofas conversing, while their friends were shopping in the store. The arrangement gave perfect light and comfort to both clerks and customers, and the display of rich and handsome fabrics was enhanced by the bit of scenery beyond. In summer the water for the fountain was artificially cooled.

Their stores and the way they shopped were unlike anything I had ever seen. All the stores were built around a garden with a fountain in the center. The gardens and the entire buildings were always roofed with glass. In winter, each garden was as warm as the inside of the store. Flowers and shrubs decorated the gardens. I often saw women and children strolling in these pretty spaces. Others sat on rustic sofas and talked while their friends shopped in the store. The arrangement gave both clerks and customers excellent light and comfort. The garden scenery beyond also enhanced the display of rich, beautiful fabrics. In summer, the water for the fountain was artificially cooled.

Every clerk was provided with a chair suspended by pulleys from strong iron rods fastened above. They could be raised or lowered at will; and when not occupied, could be drawn up out of the way. After the goods were purchased, they were placed in a machine that wrapped and tied them ready for delivery.

Each clerk had a chair suspended by pulleys from strong iron rods fastened overhead. The chairs could be raised or lowered at will. When not in use, they could be pulled up out of the way. After the goods were purchased, they were placed in a machine that wrapped and tied them for delivery.

A dining-room was always a part of every store. I desired to be shown this, and found it as tasteful and elegant in its appointments as a private one would be. Silver and china and fine damask made it inviting to the eye, and I had no doubt the cooking corresponded as well with the taste.

Every store had a dining room. I asked to see it and found it as tasteful and elegantly furnished as a private dining room. Silver, china, and fine damask made it pleasing to the eye. I had no doubt that the cooking was just as pleasing to the taste.

The streets of Mizora were all paved, even the roads through the villages were furnished an artificial cover, durable, smooth and elastic. For this purpose a variety of materials were used. Some had artificial stone, in the manufacture of which Mizora could surpass nature's production. Artificial wood they also made and used for pavements, as well as cement made of fine sand. The latter was the least durable, but possessed considerable elasticity and made a very fine driving park. They were experimenting when I came away on sanded glass for road beds. The difficulty was to overcome its susceptibility to attrition. After business hours every street was swept by a machine. The streets and sidewalks, in dry weather, were as free from soil as the floor of a private-house would be.

All the streets of Mizora were paved. Even the roads through the villages had a durable, smooth, elastic surface. A variety of materials were used for this purpose. Some roads were paved with artificial stone, which Mizora could make better than nature itself. They also made artificial wood and used it for paving, along with cement made from fine sand. The cement was the least durable material, but it was quite elastic and made an excellent surface for driving. When I left, they were experimenting with sanded glass for roadbeds. The difficulty was making it resistant to wear. After business hours, a machine swept every street. In dry weather, the streets and sidewalks were as free of dirt as the floor of a private home.

Animals and domestic fowls had long been extinct in Mizora. This was one cause of the weird silence that so impressed me on my first view of their capital city. Invention had superceded the usefulness of animals in all departments: in the field and the chemistry of food. Artificial power was utilized for all vehicles.

Animals and domestic birds had long been extinct in Mizora. This was one cause of the eerie silence that struck me when I first saw their capital city. Inventions had replaced animals in every area, from farming to food chemistry. Artificial power was used for all vehicles.

The vehicle most popular with the Mizora ladies for shopping and culling purposes, was a very low carriage, sometimes with two seats, sometimes with one. They were upholstered with the richest fabrics, were exceedingly light and graceful in shape, and not above three feet from the ground. They were strong and durable, though frequently not exceeding fifty pounds in weight. The wheel was the curious and ingenious part of the structure, for in its peculiar construction lay the delight of its motion. The spokes were flat bands of steel, curved outward to the tire. The carriage had no spring other than these spokes, yet it moved like a boat gliding down stream with the current. I was fortunate enough to preserve a drawing of this wheel, which I hope some day to introduce in my own land. The carriages were propelled by compressed air or electricity; and sometimes with a mechanism that was simply pressed with the foot. I liked the compressed air best. It was most easily managed by me. The Mizora ladies preferred electricity, of which I was always afraid. They were experimenting with a new propelling power during my stay that was to be acted upon by light, but it had not come into general use, although I saw some vehicles that were propelled by it. They moved with incredible speed, so rapid indeed, that the upper part of the carriage had to be constructed of glass, and securely closed while in motion, to protect the occupant. It was destined, I heard some of their scientists say, to become universal, as it was the most economical power yet discovered. They patiently tried to explain it to me, but my faculties were not receptive to such advanced philosophy, and I had to abandon the hope of ever introducing it into my own country.

The most popular vehicle among Mizora ladies for shopping and visiting was a very low carriage. It sometimes had two seats and sometimes one. The carriages were upholstered in the richest fabrics, with very light, graceful shapes. They stood no more than three feet off the ground. They were strong and durable, though they often weighed no more than fifty pounds. The wheel was the curious and ingenious part of the design. Its unusual construction made the motion so delightful. The spokes were flat steel bands that curved outward to the tire. The carriage had no springs apart from these spokes, yet it moved like a boat gliding downstream with the current. I was fortunate enough to preserve a drawing of the wheel. I hope someday to introduce it in my own land. The carriages were powered by compressed air or electricity. Some were powered by a mechanism operated simply by pressing with the foot. I liked compressed air best because it was easiest for me to manage. The Mizora ladies preferred electricity, which I always feared. During my stay, they were experimenting with a new source of power activated by light. It had not come into general use, although I saw some vehicles powered by it. They moved at incredible speeds. They were so fast that the upper part of the carriage had to be made of glass. It also had to be securely closed while moving to protect the occupant. I heard some of their scientists say this power would eventually become universal. It was the most economical power yet discovered. They patiently tried to explain it to me, but my mind could not grasp such advanced science. I had to give up hope of ever introducing it in my own country.

There was another article manufactured in Mizora that excited my wonder and admiration. It was elastic glass. I have frequently mentioned the unique uses that they made of it, and I must now explain why. They had discovered a process to render it as pliable as rubber. It was more useful than rubber could be, for it was almost indestructible. It had superceded iron in many ways. All cooking utensils were made of it. It entered largely into the construction and decoration of houses. All cisterns and cellars had an inner lining of it. All underground pipes were made of it, and many things that are the necessities and luxuries of life.

Another product made in Mizora filled me with wonder and admiration. It was elastic glass. I have often mentioned its unusual uses, and now I must explain why. The people of Mizora had discovered a way to make glass as flexible as rubber. It was more useful than rubber could be because it was almost indestructible. It had replaced iron in many uses. All cooking utensils were made of it. It was widely used in building and decorating houses. All cisterns and cellars were lined with it. All underground pipes were made of it, as were many necessities and luxuries of life.

They spun it into threads as fine and delicate as a spider's gossamer, and wove it into a network of clear or variegated colors that dazzled the eye to behold. Innumerable were the lovely fabrics made of it. The frailest lace, in the most intricate and aerial patterns, that had the advantage of never soiling, never tearing, and never wearing out. Curtains for drawing-room arches were frequently made of it. Some of them looked like woven dew drops.

They spun it into threads as fine and delicate as spider silk. They wove the threads into a mesh of clear or multicolored strands that dazzled the eye. They made countless lovely fabrics from it. The most delicate lace had intricate, airy patterns and never got dirty, tore, or wore out. Curtains for drawing-room arches were often made from it. Some looked like woven drops of dew.

One set of curtains that I greatly admired, and was a long time ignorant of what they were made of, were so unique, I must do myself the pleasure to describe them. They hung across the arch that led to the glass conservatory attached to my friend's handsome dwelling. Three very thin sheets of glass were woven separately and then joined at the edges so ingeniously as to defy detection. The inside curtain was one solid color: crimson. Over this was a curtain of snow flakes, delicate as those aerial nothings of the sky, and more durable than any fabric known. Hung across the arched entrance to a conservatory, with a great globe of white fire shining through it, it was lovely as the blush of Aphrodite when she rose from the sea, veiled in its fleecy foam.

One set of curtains I greatly admired was so unique that I must describe it. For a long time, I did not know what the curtains were made of. They hung across the arch leading to the glass conservatory attached to my friend's handsome home. Three very thin sheets of glass had been woven separately. Then they were joined at the edges so cleverly that the joins could not be seen. The inner curtain was solid crimson. Over it hung a curtain of snowflakes, as delicate as those airy nothings that fall from the sky. Yet it was more durable than any known fabric. Hanging across the arched entrance to the conservatory, with a great globe of white fire shining through it, the curtain was lovely. It was as lovely as Aphrodite's blush when she rose from the sea, veiled in its fleecy foam.

They also possessed the art of making glass highly refractive. Their table-ware surpassed in beauty all that I had ever previously seen. I saw tea cups as frail looking as soap bubbles, possessing the delicate iridescence of opals. Many other exquisite designs were the product of its flexibility and transparency. The first article that attracted my attention was the dress of an actress on the stage. It was lace, made of gossamer threads of amber in the design of lilies and leaves, and was worn over black velvet.

They also knew how to make glass highly refractive. Their tableware was more beautiful than anything I had ever seen before. I saw teacups that looked as fragile as soap bubbles, with the delicate iridescence of opals. The glass's flexibility and transparency also made many other exquisite designs possible. The first item that caught my attention was an actress's dress on the stage. It was lace, made of delicate amber threads in a pattern of lilies and leaves. She wore it over black velvet.

The wonderful water scene that I beheld at the theatre was produced by waves made of glass and edged with foam, a milky glass spun into tiny bubbles. They were agitated by machinery that caused them to roll with a terribly natural look. The blinding flashes of lightning had been the display of genuine electricity.

The wonderful water scene I saw at the theater was made with glass waves edged with foam. The foam was made of milky glass spun into tiny bubbles. Machinery made the waves roll with a frighteningly realistic motion. The blinding flashes of lightning were made with real electricity.

Nothing in the way of artistic effect could call forth admiration or favorable comment unless it was so exact an imitation of nature as to not be distinguished from the real without the closest scrutiny. In private life no one assumed a part. All the acting I ever saw in Mizora was done upon the stage.

No work of art drew admiration or praise unless it imitated nature so exactly that only the closest inspection could distinguish it from the real thing. In private life, no one pretended to be someone else. All the acting I ever saw in Mizora took place on the stage.

I could not appreciate their mental pleasures, any more than a savage could delight in a nocturne of Chopin. Yet one was the intellectual ecstasy of a sublime intelligence, and the other the harmonious rapture of a divinely melodious soul. I must here mention that the processes of chemical experiment in Mizora differed materially from those I had known. I had once seen and tasted a preparation called artificial cream that had been prepared by a friend of my fathers, an eminent English chemist. It was simply a combination of the known properties of cream united in the presence of gentle heat. But in Mizora they took certain chemicals and converted them into milk, and cream, and cheese, and butter, and every variety of meat, in a vessel that admitted neither air nor light. They claimed that the elements of air and light exercised a material influence upon the chemical production of foods, that they could not be made successfully by artificial processes when exposed to those two agents. Their earliest efforts had been unsuccessful of exact imitation, and a perfect result had only been obtained by closely counterfeiting the processes of nature.

I could no more appreciate their mental pleasures than a savage could enjoy a Chopin nocturne. Yet one was the intellectual ecstasy of a sublime mind. The other was the harmonious rapture of a divinely melodious soul. I should mention that chemical experiments in Mizora were very different from those I had known. I had once seen and tasted a preparation called artificial cream. It had been made by a friend of my father's, a distinguished English chemist. He had simply combined the known properties of cream under gentle heat. In Mizora, however, they took certain chemicals and turned them into milk, cream, cheese, butter, and every variety of meat. They did this in a vessel that let in neither air nor light. They claimed that air and light had a significant effect on the chemical production of foods. They said foods could not be made successfully by artificial processes when exposed to either air or light. Their earliest attempts had failed to produce exact copies. They had achieved perfect results only by closely imitating the processes of nature.

The cream prepared artificially that I had tasted in London, was the same color and consistency as natural cream, but it lacked its relish. The cream manufactured in Mizora was a perfect imitation of the finest dairy product.

The artificial cream I had tasted in London had the same color and consistency as natural cream, but it lacked the flavor. The cream made in Mizora was a perfect imitation of the finest dairy cream.

It was the same with meats; they combined the elements, and the article produced possessed no detrimental flavor. It was a more economical way of obtaining meat than by fattening animals.

The same was true of meat. They combined the elements to produce meat with no unpleasant flavor. This was a cheaper way to obtain meat than fattening animals.

They were equally fortunate in the manufacture of clothing. Every mountain was a cultivated forest, from which they obtained every variety of fabric; silks, satins, velvets, laces, woolen goods, and the richest articles of beauty and luxury, in which to array themselves, were put upon the market at a trifling cost, compared to what they were manufactured at in my own country. Pallid and haggard women and children, working incessantly for a pittance that barely sustained existence, was the ultimatum that the search after the cause of cheap prices arrived at in my world, but here it traveled from one bevy of beautiful workwoman to another until it ended at the Laboratory where Science sat throned, the grand, majestic, humane Queen of this thrice happy land.

They were equally fortunate in making clothing. Every mountain was a cultivated forest that supplied them with every kind of fabric. Silks, satins, velvets, lace, woolen goods, and the finest luxuries for their clothing were sold at very low prices. They cost little compared with what it cost to make them in my own country. In my world, a search for the cause of low prices led to pale, haggard women and children. They worked constantly for a pittance that barely kept them alive. But here, the search led from one group of beautiful women workers to another. It ended at the Laboratory, where Science sat on her throne, the grand, majestic, humane Queen of this thrice-happy land.