You may think it absurd when I describe a certain system that was a stepping stone to such splendid results.  Were this peculiar system to be named, we should likely call it:  “The Human Seal System.”

Each person born into the world of Tor-tu is officially sealed or tattooed on the forehead and on the arm.  It is done by the township book-keeper, whose duty it is to keep a correct record of all births, devoting a new ledger page to each infant.

This seal is a life-long mark, and must not be interfered with under any circumstances.  In case the stamp is disturbed by accident, the person must report to the township book-keeper either in person or by proxy, and the stamp must be replaced on some conspicuous part of the head.

There are eighteen governments of Tor-tu that united on this scheme.  It is so arranged that no two persons of all these millions have identical marks.  Each government has its seal of different designs from all the others.

Circles, ellipses and rectangles, with various modifications, compose the eighteen forms in use.  The most powerful of the eighteen governments has for its seal the following design, which I have filled out as completely as I could, using our own figures instead of their numerals which would, of course, be unintelligible to us.

[Illustration:  Tor-tu seal]

This is the actual size of the design as it appears on the forehead.

13 represents the number of the state.

21 represents the number of the county.

10 represents the number of the township.

12 represents the color of the person.

352, in the center, represents the individual’s number.

This same mark is the individual’s signature for life.  It cannot be changed, although the person is allowed to have a metallic or rubber cut of his own design, provided he writes the individual number by hand, for any one else doing this would be a forger.

The township clerk is also the collector of the public funds.  To him each person born in that township is compelled to render an annual report of his residence, occupation, and certain other facts relating to his life in general.

If any minor or adult commits a criminal act upon which the civil court has passed, this finding is recorded in the township record on the individual’s page and, when the criminal has served his sentence, this fact is also recorded.  This is a severe law for the criminal, but it is a great stimulus to a law-abiding career.

It is also customary for public courts to confer on worthy persons special marks of honor for extraordinary deeds or acts.  A record of such rendering is also kept.

In presenting annual reports to the clerk each father reports for his minor children.  This puts the father on a rightful plane of dignity before his children, and the parent who makes a wise use of these provisions can and does reach far better results than can otherwise be done.