The Manatitlans: or, A record of recent scientific explorations in the Andean La Plata, S. A.Smile, R. Elton
Science
The Manatitlans: or, A record of recent scientific explorations in the Andean La Plata, S. A.
Smile, R. Elton
Science fiction, American
The prætor and his family, including Cleorita and Oviata Arcos, with the
Four, awaited, on the morning succeeding the eventful day of Manito’s
animalculan introduction, the coming of the Dosch of Manatitla in the
audience chamber of the house, dedicated by Correliana in aptitude to
the developing powers of the tympano-microscope, “the auriculum.” After
a short delay of expectation, the courier falcon appeared at poise, from
which in swift descent it came in downward incline direct to its perch
on Correliana’s wrist. But a second elapsed before the tympanum reëchoed
in cheery tones of salutation the voice of our expected visitor. Our
attention attracted to the field of magnifying reflection, discovered a
coterie of animalculans, of nearly the same size, grouped about the
speaker. With the salutation, “Afferens scientiam errantes gigantes,” he
addressed us as follows:—
* * * * *
For ages untold, our race have waited in patient expectation for the
morning’s dawn when they could salute yours face to face, and impart to
you a source of happiness that in life realizes communion with
immortality. To us has been vouchsafed this coveted privilege, and it
shall be our study to improve it to your advantage. Notwithstanding the
malapropos accident—casting upon Correliana an arch glance that wrought
for her face a scarlet veil—of yesterday, which detracted from the
dignity of an introduction so important to the regenerative welfare of
your race, we were glad that auspicious mirth was the trophy of the
occasion, rather than tears of grief, of which we shall be mindful in
adjudging our censure to the cause. Joyous mirth we have esteemed an
evidence of goodness, for it declares itself beyond the reach of selfish
impediment that breeds evil intention; even when the foibles of our kind
become the subjects of humorous provocation. Mirth is ill timed, when
preconcerted with a knowledge that a portion of those present will be
unable to appreciate the humorous incentive; as it opens wide the door
of suspicion with your peoples, who have been educated under the partial
sway of national habits and customs. Dissimilarity in habits and
customs, under national patronage, begets from seeming incongruity a
disposition to gibe with missile retorts, fledged and tipped with
ironical sarcasms, as rankling in effect as the pointed weapons in the
mouth of Mr. Welson’s knighted chief. To be frank, if the ludicrous
scene of yesterday had occurred with matured acquaintance, I should not
have spared the demure, but conscious blushes of the fair medium. Our
first acquaintance with you, although not mutual in personal
recognition, is of older date than yesterday, and upon it has been
founded our predilections, which in train have led to the many
concurrent circumstances favoring the happy issue of our more direct
scheme, devised for the liberation of your race from the pampering
trammels of instinct.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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