_Sequel of the preceding conversation._
Mangogul was the only person that had given attention to Mirzoza's
philosophic lecture without interrupting her; and as he was pretty much
inclined to contradict, she was astonish'd at it. "Does the Sultan
allow my system from beginning to end?" said she within herself. "No,
that is not probable: has he found it too bad to deign to attack it?
that may be. My notions are not the most just that have been broach'd
to this day; I grant it: but neither are they the most false; and I am
apt to think that worse have been invented."
In order to clear up this doubt, the favorite resolved to ask some
questions of Mangogul. "Well, prince," said she, "what are your
thoughts of my system?" "It is admirable," answered the Sultan; "I find
but one defect in it." "What defect is that?" replied the favorite.
"It is," said Mangogul, "that it is as false as false can be. Pursuant
to your notions, we must all be endowed with souls: now observe, my
soul's delight, that there is not common sense in this supposition. I
have a soul: there is an animal that acts most part of the time as if
he had none; and perhaps in reality he has none, even while he acts as
if he had one. But he has a nose made like mine; I feel that I have a
soul, and that I think: therefore that animal has a soul, and thinks
likewise. This argument has been made use of above a thousand years,
and it has been impertinent full as long."
"I own," said the favorite, "that it is not always evident that others
think." "And add," replied Mangogul, "that it is evident on an hundred
occasions that they do not think." "But in my opinion," says Mirzoza,
"it would be going a great length, to infer from thence, that they
never have or ever will think. A person is not always a beast, for
having been so sometimes; and your highness----"
Mirzoza, fearing to offend the Sultan, stopt short. "Continue, madam,"
said Mangogul, "I understand you; would you not have said, has my
highness never acted the beast? I answer you, that I have now and then,
and that even I excused others for taking me for such: for you may
easily imagine, that they did not fail so to do, tho' they dared not to
speak out."----"Ah! prince," cried the favorite, "if men refused a soul
to the greatest monarch upon earth, to whom could they allow one?"
"Pray, forbear compliments," says Mangogul. "I have for a moment laid
down the crown and scepter. I have ceased to be Sultan, in order to
be a philosopher, and I can hear and speak the truth. I believe I
have given you proofs of the one; and you have hinted to me, without
offending me, and quite at your ease, that I have been sometimes no
better than a beast. Permit me thoroughly to fulfil the duties of my
new character.
"Far from agreeing with you," continued he, "that every creature
that has legs, arms, hands, eyes and ears as I have, possesses a soul
like me; I declare to you, that I am absolutely perswaded, that three
fourths of the men and all the women are but mere machines."
"There may possibly be as much truth," answered the favorite, "as
politeness in what you say."
"Oh!" says the Sultan, "madam seems to be angry: and why the devil
do you take it into your head to philosophize, if you will not allow
one to speak the truth? Is it in the schools that politeness is to be
sought for? I have left you full elbow-room; pray, allow me the same,
if you please. Well, then, I was saying, that ye are all beasts."
"Yes, prince; and this is what remained to be proved," added Mirzoza.
"Nothing more easy," answered the Sultan. Then he set about detailing
all the impertinences which had been said over and over, with as little
wit and delicacy as possible, against a sex which possesses both these
qualities in a sovereign degree. Never was Mirzoza's patience put to a
greater trial; and you would never be so tired in your whole life, as
if I related all Mangogul's reasonings. This prince, who did not want
good sense, was that day absurd beyond all comprehension: of which you
shall be a judge. "It is so true, by Jupiter," said he, "that a woman
is but an animal, that I'll wager, if I turn Cucufa's ring on my mare,
I shall make her speak like a woman."
"Without doubt," answered Mirzoza, "there is the strongest argument
that has ever been, or ever will be made against us." Then she burst
out into a loud fit of laughter. Mangogul, vexed to see no end to
her laughter, went out in a hurry, resolved to try the whimsical
experiment, which occur'd to his imagination.