He added, that the
only reason they were unworked was the exquisite flavour of the
water-melons in his empire, which was so delicious that his subjects of
all classes, passing their whole day in devouring them, could be induced
neither by force nor persuasion to do anything else. The cause was so
reasonable, and the security so satisfactory, that the Vraibleusian
Government felt themselves authorised in shipping off immediately all
the gold in the island. Pink shells abounded, and stocks were still
higher.
'You have no mines in Vraibleusia, I believe?' said Popanilla to the
Aboriginal.
'No! but we have taxes.'
'Very true!' said Popanilla.
'I understand that a messenger has just arrived from the West,' said the
Secretary to the Fantaisian Plenipotentiary. 'He must bring interesting
intelligence from such interesting countries. Next to ourselves, they
are evidently the most happy, the most wealthy, the most enlightened,
and the most powerful Governments in the world. Although founded only
last week, they already rank in the first class of nations.
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