“Far from agreeing with you,” continued he, “that every creature that has legs, arms, hands, eyes and ears as I have, possesses a soul like me; I declare to you, that I am absolutely persuaded, that three fourths of the men and all the women are but mere machines.”

“There may possibly be as much truth,” answered the favorite, “as politeness in what you say.”

“Oh!” says the Sultan, “madam seems to be angry: and why the devil do you take it into your head to philosophize, if you will not allow one to speak the truth? Is it in the schools that politeness is to be sought for? I have left you full elbow-room; pray, allow me the same, if you please. Well, then, I was saying, that ye are all beasts.”

“Yes, prince; and this is what remained to be proved,” added Mirzoza.