"There were many causes," he answered. "The Mehrikans themselves were of English origin, but people from all parts of Europe came here in vast numbers. Although the original comers were vigorous and hardy the effect of climate upon succeeding generations was fatal. They became flat-chested and thin, with scanty hair, fragile teeth, and weak digestions. Nervous diseases unknown to us wrought deadly havoc. Children were reared with difficulty. Between 1945 and 1960, the last census of which any record remains, the population decreased from ninety millions to less than twelve millions. Climatic changes, the like of which no other land ever experienced, began at that period, and finished in less than ten years a work made easy by nervous natures and rapid lives. The temperature would skip in a single day from burning heat to winter's cold. No constitution could withstand it, and this vast continent became once more an empty wilderness." Much more of the same nature he told us, but I am too sleepy to write longer. We explored the rest of the mansion, finding many things of interest. I caused several objects to be carried aboard the _Zlōtuhb_. (These objects are now in the museum of the Imperial College, at Teheran.) _14th May_ Hotter than yesterday. In the afternoon we were rowed up the river and landed for a short walk. It is unsafe to brave the sun. The more I learn of these Mehrikans the less interesting they become. Nōfūhl is of much the same mind, judging from our conversation to-day, as we walked along together. It was in this wise: _Khan-li_. How alike the houses! How monotonous! _Nōfūhl_. So, also, were the occupants. They thought alike, worked alike, ate, dressed and conversed alike. They read the same books; they fashioned their garments as directed, with no regard for the size or figure of the individual, and copied to a stitch the fashions of Europeans. _Khan-li_. But the close-fitting apparel of the European must have been sadly uncomfortable in the heat of a Mehrikan summer. _Nōfūhl_. So probably it was. Stiff boxes of varying patterns adorned the heads of men. Curious jackets with tight sleeves compressed the body. The feet throbbed and burned in close-fitting casings of unyielding leather, and linen made stiff by artificial means was drawn tightly about the neck. _Khan-li_. Allah! What idiots! _Nōfūhl_. Even so are they considered. _Khan-li_. To what quality of their minds do you attribute such love of needless suffering? _Nōfūhl_. It was their desire to be like others. A natural feeling in a vulgar people. _15th May_