l ranks. Votes based upon capital were commonly called
"mortal" votes, because they could be lost; those based upon learning
were called "immortal," because they were permanent, and because of
their customarily imperishable character they were naturally more valued
than the other sort. I say "customarily" for the reason that these votes
were not absolutely imperishable, since insanity could suspend them.

Under this system, gambling and speculation almost ceased in the
republic. A man honoured as the possessor of great voting power could
not afford to risk the loss of it upon a doubtful chance.

It was curious to observe the manners and customs which the enlargement
plan produced. Walking the street with a friend one day he delivered
a careless bow to a passer-by, and then remarked that that person
possessed only one vote and would probably never earn another; he was
more respectful to the next acquaintance he met; he explained that this
salute was a four-vote bow. I tried to "average" the importance of the
people he accosted after that, by the-nature of his bows, but my success
was only partial, because of the somewhat greater homage paid to the
immortals than to the mortals. My friend explained. He said there was
no law to regulate this thing, except that most powerful of all laws,
custom. Custom had created these varying bows, and in time they had
become easy and natural. At this moment he delivered himself of a very
profound salute, and then said, "Now there's a man who began life as a
shoemaker's apprentice, and without education; now he swings twenty-two
mortal votes and two immortal ones; he expects to pass a high-school
examination this year and climb a couple of votes higher among the
immortals; mighty valuable citizen."

By and by my friend met a venerable personage, and not only made him
a most elaborate bow, but also took off his hat. I took off mine, too,
with a mysterious awe. I was beginning to be infected.

"What grandee is that?"

"That is our most illustrious astronomer. He hasn't any money, but is
fearfully learned. Nine immortals is his political weight! He would
swing a hundred and fifty votes if our system were perfect."

"Is there any altitude of mere moneyed grandeur that you take off your
hat to?"

"No. Nine immortal votes is the only power we uncover for that is,
in civil life. Very great officials receive that mark of homage, of
course."

It was common to hear people admiringly mentio