CHAPTER I. -The Coming Race

In Chapter 1 of “The Coming Race,” the narrator begins by establishing his American lineage, which traces back to England during the reign of Charles II. His family, notable for its role in the War of Independence and social standing, eschewed public service after a failed congressional bid by his father. Turning to academia, the narrator, the eldest of three, ventures to England at sixteen for education and starts a commercial training in Liverpool. Following his father’s death, with a substantial inheritance and a penchant for adventure, he sets out on global travels.

During 18__, his journey takes him to an unspecified location where an invitation from an engineer friend leads to the exploration of a mine. The narrator is drawn into the mystery and allure of the subterranean world, accompanying his friend daily into the depths, fascinated by the natural and man-made marvels. Their investigation reveals a promising new shaft, and in pursuing it, they stumble upon a chasm, charred and seemingly fissured by ancient volcanic activity. The engineer’s descent into this abyss results in a profound change, marked by a newfound reticence and a visible agitation, stirring the narrator’s curiosity and concern.

Confronted by his friend’s unusual behavior and leveraging the disarming effects of brandy, the narrator presses for the truth. The engineer, abandoning his initial reserve, recounts his extraordinary discovery at the chasm’s base: a vast, illuminated road, bathed in the glow of what appears to be artificial lighting, suggestive of an unknown civilization’s handiwork. This revelation, hinting at a reality far removed from the known and the tangible, sets the stage for a narrative woven around the unknown depths of the earth and the mysteries it harbors, evoking a sense of wonder and unease as the tale unfolds.