od had "besmirched the honor of Earthmen
everywhere" was considered at least partially responsible
for the resignations. (See editorial.)

Editorial, Manchester _Guardian_:

... It is a truism that an accepted wit has only to say,
'Pass the butter,' and everyone will laugh. Professor
McLeod, however, far from being an accepted wit, seems
rather to be in the position of a medieval Court Fool, who
was laughed _at_ rather than _with_. As a consequence, all
Earthmen have been branded as Fools....

Statement made by the American Senator from Alabama:

"He has made us all look like jackasses in the eyes of the
Galactics, and at this precarious time in human history it
is my considered opinion that such actions are treasonous to
the human race and to Earth and should be treated and
considered as such!"

Book review, _Literary Checklist_, Helvar III, Bornis Cluster:

"Interstellar Ark, an Earthman's View of the Galaxy,"
translated from the original tongue by Vonis Delf, Cr. 5.00.
This inexpensive little book is one of the most
entertainingly funny publications in current print. The
author, one John McLeod, is a member of a type 3-7B race
inhabiting a planet in the Outer Fringes.... As an example
of the unwitting humor of the book, we have only to quote
the following:

"I was shown to my quarters shortly before takeoff. Captain
Benarly had assigned me a spacious cabin which was almost
luxurious in its furnishings. The bed was one of the most
comfortable I have ever slept in."

Or the following:

"I found the members of the crew to be friendly and
co-operative, especially Nern Cronzel, the ship's
physician."

It is our prediction that this little gem will be enjoyed
for a long time to come and will be a real money-maker for
its publishers.

* * * * *

_They haven't hanged me yet_, McLeod thought. He sat in his apartment
alone and realized that it would take very little to get him hanged.

How could one book have aroused such wrath? Even as he thought it,
McLeod knew the answer to that question. It wasn't the book. No one
who had read it two and a half years before had said anything against
it.

No, it wasn't the book. It was the Galactic reaction to the book.
Already feeling inferior because of the stand-offish attitude o