"They were great only in numbers and too weak to endure success. At the beginning of the twentieth century--as they counted time--huge fortunes were amassed in a day, and the Mehrikans became drunk with money." Whereupon I exclaimed, "O Land of Delight! For much money is cheering." But the old man shook his head. "Very true, O Prince; but the effect was woful. These vast fortunes soon dominated all things, even the seat of government and the courts of Justice. Tricks of finance brought fabulous gains. Young men became demoralized. For sober industry with its moderate profits was ridiculed." "Verily, that would be natural!" I said. "But in a land where all were rich who was found to cook and scrub, to fetch and carry and to till the soil? For none will shovel earth when his pockets are stuffed with gold." "All were not rich. And when the poor also became greedy they became hostile. Then began social upheavals with bloodshed and havoc." [Illustration: A Street Scene in Ancient Nhu-Yok (The costumes and manner of riding are taken from metal plates now in the museum at Teheran)] _20th May_ An icy wind from the northeast with a violent rain. Yesterday we gasped with the hot air. To-day we are shivering in winter clothing. _21st May_ The same as yesterday. Most of us are ill. My teeth chatter and my body is both hot and cold. A storm more wicked never wailed about a ship. Lev-el-Hedyd calls it the shrieking voices of the hundred millions of Mehrikans who must have perished in similar weather. _16th June_ It is many days since I have touched this journal. A hateful sickness has been upon me, destroying all energy and courage. A sort of fever, and yet my limbs were cold. I could not describe it if I would. Nōfūhl came into the cabin this evening with some of his metal plates and discoursed upon them. He has no respect for the intellects of the early Mehrikans. I thought for a moment I had caught him in a contradiction, but he was right as usual. It was thus: _Nōfūhl._ They were great readers. _Khan-li._ You have told us they had no literature. Were they great readers of nothing? _Nōfūhl._ Verily, thou hast said it! Vast sheets of paper were published daily in which all crimes were recorded in detail. The more revolting the deed, the more minute the description. Horrors were their chief delight. Scandals were drunk in with thirstful eyes. These chronicles of crime and filth were issued by hundreds of thousands. There was hardly a family in the land but had one. _Khan-li._ And did this take the place of literature? _Nōfūhl._ Even so. _20th June_