CHAPTER XXVI.
GRIMM'S LAW AGAIN Dinner was now announced, and Oxenden laid the manuscript aside; whereupon they adjourned to the cabin, where they proceeded to discuss both the repast and the manuscript.
"Well," said Featherstone, "More's story seems to be approaching a crisis.

What do you think of it now, Melick?
Do you still think it a sensational novel ?" "Partly so," said Melick; "but it would be nearer the mark to call it a satirical romance." "Why not a scientific romance ?" "Because there's precious little science in it, but a good deal of quiet satire." "Satire on what ?" asked Featherstone.

"I'll be hanged if I can see it." "Oh, well," said Melick, "on things in general.

The satire is directed against the restlessness of humanity; its impulses, feelings, hopes, and fears--all that men do and feel and suffer.

It mocks us by exhibiting a new race of men, animated by passions and impulses which are directly the opposite of ours, and yet no nearer happiness than we are.