inst the Emerald Republic, which
insolently contends with our pigs for the hegemony of hams and sauces in
all the markets of the universe."

"Who is that legislator?" asked Doctor Obnubile.

"He is a pig merchant."

"Is there any opposition?" said the President. "I put the proposition to
the vote."

The war against the Emerald Republic was voted with uplifted hands by a
very large majority.

"What?" said Obnubile to the interpreter; "you have voted a war with
that rapidity and that indifference!"

"Oh! it is an unimportant war which will hardly cost eight million
dollars."

"And men . . ."

"The men are included in the eight million dollars."

Then Doctor Obnubile bent his head in bitter reflection.

"Since wealth and civilization admit of as many causes of wars as
poverty and barbarism, since the folly and wickedness of men are
incurable, there remains but one good action to be done. The wise man
will collect enough dynamite to blow up this planet. When its fragments
fly through space an imperceptible amelioration will be accomplished
in the universe and a satisfaction will be given to the universal
conscience. Moreover, this universal conscience does not exist."

BOOK V. MODERN TIMES: CHATILLON

I. THE REVEREND FATHERS AGARIC AND CORNEMUSE

Every system of government produces people who are dissatisfied. The
Republic or Public Thing produced them at first from among the nobles
who had been despoiled of their ancient privileges. These looked with
regret and hope to Prince Crucho, the last of the Draconides, a prince
adorned both with the grace of youth and the melancholy of exile.
It also produced them from among the smaller traders, who, owing to
profound economic causes, no longer gained a livelihood. They believed
that this was the fault of the republic which they had at first adored
and from which each day they were now becoming more detached. The
financiers, both Christians and Jews, became by their insolence and
their cupidity the scourge of the country, which they plundered and
degraded, as well as the scandal of a government which they never
troubled either to destroy or preserve, so confident were they that they
could operate without hindrance under all governments. Nevertheless,
their sympathies inclined to absolute power as the best protection
against the socialists, their puny but ardent adversaries. And just
as they imitated the habits of the aristocrats, so they imitated t