The two finally escape in a balloon and Higgs promises to return to the title land to teach Christianity.  
The first part of it was written as an article titled "Darwin among the Machines," and signed Cellarius.  After he is deserted by Chowbok, the main character is well received by the natives of the land he visits because of his rare blonde hair, though his watch is confiscated since machinery is illegal.  A dispute over the marriage of Zulora causes a rift between the main character and the embezzler Nosnibor, whose daughter Arowhena he falls in love with.  The two finally escape in a balloon and Higgs promises to return to the title land to teach Christianity.  FTP, identify this 1872 novel by Samuel Butler.
The first part of it was written as an article titled "Darwin among the Machines," and signed Cellarius.  
Erewhon