"
"I confess again," replied the Count, with much suavity, "that I
am somewhat at a loss to comprehend you; pray, to what particulars
of science do you allude?"
Here our whole party, joining voices, detailed, at great length, the
assumptions of phrenology and the marvels of animal magnetism.
Having heard us to an end, the Count proceeded to relate a few
anecdotes, which rendered it evident that prototypes of Gall and
Spurzheim had flourished and faded in Egypt so long ago as to have
been nearly forgotten, and that the manoeuvres of Mesmer were really
very contemptible tricks when put in collation with the positive
miracles of the Theban savans, who created lice and a great many other
similar things.
I here asked the Count if his people were able to calculate
eclipses. He smiled rather contemptuously, and said they were.
This put me a little out, but I began to make other inquiries in
regard to his astronomical knowledge, when a member of the company,
who had never as yet opened his mouth, whispered in my ear, that for
information on this head, I had better consult Ptolemy (whoever
Ptolemy is), as well as one Plutarch de facie lunae.
I then questioned the Mummy about burning-glasses and lenses, and,
in general, about the manufacture of glass; but I had not made an
end of my queries before the silent member again touched me quietly on
the elbow, and begged me for God's sake to take a peep at Diodorus
Siculus.
Pages:
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24