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generally found that the more intelligent among the Artisan and Soldier
classes manifest a slight increase of their third side or base； and a
shrinkage of the two other sides。 Intermarriages （arranged by the Priests）
between the sons and daughters of these more intellectual members of the
lower classes generally result in an offspring approximating still more to
the type of the Equal…Sided Triangle。
Rarelyin proportion to the vast numbers of Isosceles births is a
genuine and certifiable Equal…Sided Triangle produced from Isosceles
parents （footnote 1）。 Such a birth requires； as its antecedents； not only a
series of carefully arranged intermarriages； but also a long…continued
exercise of frugality and self…control on the part of the would…be ancestors
of the coming Equilateral； and a patient； systematic； and continuous
development of the Isosceles intellect through many generations。
The birth of a True Equilateral Triangle from Isosceles parents is the
subject of rejoicing in our country for many furlongs round。 After a strict
examination conducted by the Sanitary and Social Board； the infant； if
certified as Regular； is with solemn ceremonial admitted into the class of
Equilaterals。 He is then immediately taken from his proud yet sorrowing
parents and adopted by some childless Equilateral； who is bound by oath
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never to permit the child henceforth to enter his former home or so much
as to look upon his relations again； for fear lest the freshly developed
organism may； by force of unconscious imitation； fall back again into his
hereditary level。
The occasional emergence of an Equilateral from the ranks of his serf…
born ancestors is welcomed； not only by the poor serfs themselves； as a
gleam of light and hope shed upon the monotonous squalor of their
existence； but also by the Aristocracy at large； for all the higher classes are
well aware that these rare phenomena； while they do little or nothing to
vulgarize their own privileges； serve as almost useful barrier against
revolution from below。
Had the acute…angled rabble been all； without exception； absolutely
destitute of hope and of ambition； they might have found leaders in some
of their many seditious outbreaks； so able as to render their superior
numbers and strength too much even for the wisdom of the Circles。 But a
wise ordinance of Nature has decreed that in proportion as the working…
classes increase in intelligence； knowledge； and all virtue； in that same
proportion their acute angle （which makes them physically terrible） shall
increase also and approximate to their comparatively harmless angle of the
Equilateral Triangle。 Thus； in the most brutal and formidable off the
soldier class creatures almost on a level with women in their lack of
intelligence it is found that； as they wax in the mental ability necessary
to employ their tremendous penetrating power to advantage； so do they
wane in the power of penetration itself。
How admirable is the Law of Compensation！ And how perfect a proof
of the natural fitness and； I may almost say； the divine origin of the
aristocratic constitution of the States of Flatland！ By a judicious use of this
Law of Nature； the Polygons and Circles are almost always able to stifle
sedition in its very cradle； taking advantage of the irrepressible and
boundless hopefulness of the human mind。 Art also comes to the aid of
Law and Order。 It is generally found possibleby a little artificial
compression or expansion on the part of the State physiciansto make
some of the more intelligent leaders of a rebellion perfectly Regular； and
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to admit them at once into the privileged classes； a much larger number；
who are still below the standard； allured by the prospect of being
ultimately ennobled； are induced to enter the State Hospitals； where they
are kept in honourable confinement for life； one or two alone of the most
obstinate； foolish； and hopelessly irregular are led to execution。
Then the wretched rabble of the Isosceles； planless and leaderless； are
ether transfixed without resistance by the small body of their brethren
whom the Chief Circle keeps in pay for emergencies of this kind； or else
more often； by means of jealousies and suspicious skillfully fomented
among them by the Circular party； they are stirred to mutual warfare； and
perish by one another's angles。 No less than one hundred and twenty
rebellions are recorded in our annals； besides minor outbreaks numbered
at two hundred and thirty…five； and they have all ended thus。
Footnote 1。 〃What need of a certificate？〃 a Spaceland critic may ask：
〃Is not the procreation of a Square Son a certificate from Nature herself；
proving the Equal…sidedness of the Father？〃 I reply that no Lady of any
position will mary an uncertified Triangle。 Square offspring has sometimes
resulted from a slightly Irregular Triangle； but in almost every such case
the Irregularity of the first generation is visited on the third； which either
fails to attain the Pentagonal rank； or relapses to the Triangular。
SECTION 4 Concerning the Women
If our highly pointed Triangles of the Soldier class are formidable； it
may be readily inferred that far more formidable are our Women。 For； if a
Soldier is a wedge； a Woman is a needle； being； so to speak； ALL point； at
least at the two extremities。 Add to this the power of making herself
practically invisible at will； and you will perceive that a Female； in
Flatland； is a creature by no means to be trifled with。
But here； perhaps； some of my younger Readers may ask HOW a
woman in Flatland can make herself invisible。 This ought； I think； to be
apparent without any explanation。 However； a few words will make it
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clear to the most unreflecting。
Place a needle on the table。 Then； with