Such, madam, was this golden age; such those good old times, which you daily hear regretted: but let those dotards prate on, and do you believe that we have our Turennes and our Colberts, that, all things considered, the present is better than the time past; and that if the people are happier under Mangogul than they were under Kanaglou, his highness’s reign is more illustrious than that of his grandfather, because the happiness of the subject is the exact measure of the greatness of the prince. But let us return to the particulars of Kanaglou’s reign.

“I will begin by the origin of the Pantins.”

“Selim, I will excuse you, I know that story by heart,” says the favorite, “proceed to other matters.”

“Madam,” answered Selim, “might one ask from whom you have it?”

“Why,” says Mirzoza, “it is published.”