The Coming Race is a speculative fantasy novel by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. It follows a traveler who discovers an advanced subterranean civilization and its mysterious energy. A foundational work of underground-world fiction, it invites reflection on progress, power, and society.
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Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
THE COMING RACE by Edward Bulwer, Lord Lytton Chapter I. I am a native of _____, in the United States of America. My ancestors migrated from England in the reign of Charles II.; and my grandfather was not undistinguished in the War of Independence. My family, therefore, enjoyed a somewhat high social position in right of birth; and being also opulent, they were considered disqualified for the public service. My father once ran for Congress, but was signally defeated by his tailor. After that event he interfered little in politics, and lived much in his library. I was the eldest of three sons, and sent at the age of sixteen to the old country, partly to complete my literary education, partly to commence my commercial training in a mercantile firm at Liverpool. My father died shortly after I was twenty-one; and being left well off, and having a taste for travel and adventure, I resigned, for a time, all pursuit of the almighty dollar, and became a desultory
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