They assembled their wise men, and concocted
the most ingenious constitution it is possible to conceive. For a
while they managed remarkably well; only their habit of bragging was
prodigious. The thing ended, however, in the consolidation of the
thirteen states, with some fifteen or twenty others, in the most
odious and insupportable despotism that was ever heard of upon the
face of the Earth.
I asked what was the name of the usurping tyrant.
As well as the Count could recollect, it was Mob.
Not knowing what to say to this, I raised my voice, and deplored the
Egyptian ignorance of steam.
The Count looked at me with much astonishment, but made no answer.
The silent gentleman, however, gave me a violent nudge in the ribs
with his elbows- told me I had sufficiently exposed myself for once-
and demanded if I was really such a fool as not to know that the
modern steam-engine is derived from the invention of Hero, through
Solomon de Caus.
We were now in imminent danger of being discomfited; but, as good
luck would have it, Doctor Ponnonner, having rallied, returned to
our rescue, and inquired if the people of Egypt would seriously
pretend to rival the moderns in the all- important particular of
dress.
The Count, at this, glanced downward to the straps of his
pantaloons, and then taking hold of the end of one of his
coat-tails, held it up close to his eyes for some minutes. Letting
it fall, at last, his mouth extended itself very gradually from ear to
ear; but I do not remember that he said any thing in the way of reply.
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