 downward sweep of his long-descending beard. His dress
was a chamber-robe of the richest Genoa velvet, with ample sleeves, clasped with
frogs of gold, and lined with sables. It was fastened round his middle by a
broad belt of virgin parchment, round which were represented, in crimson
characters, the signs of the Zodiac. He rose and bowed to the King, yet with the
air of one to whom such exalted society was familiar, and who was not at all
likely, even in the royal presence, to compromise the dignity then especially
affected by the pursuers of science.
    »You are engaged, father,« said the King, »and, as I think, with this
new-fashioned art of multiplying manuscripts, by the intervention of machinery.
Can things of such mechanical and terrestrial import interest the thoughts of
one, before whom Heaven has unrolled her own celestial volumes?«
    »My brother,« replied Martivalle, - »for so the tenant of this cell must
term even the King of France, when he deigns to visit him as a disciple, -
believe me that, in considering the consequences of this invention, I read with
as certain augury, as by any combination of the heavenly bodies, the most awful
and portentous changes. When I reflect with what slow and limited supplies the
stream of science hath hitherto descended to us; how difficult to be obtained by
those most ardent in its search; how certain to be neglected by all who regard
their ease; how liable to be diverted, or altogether dried up, by the invasions
of barbarism; can I look forward, without wonder and astonishment, to the lot of
a succeeding generation, on whom knowledge will descend like the first and
second rain, uninterrupted, unabated, unbounded; fertilising some grounds, and
overflowing others; changing the whole form of social life; establishing and
overthrowing religions; erecting and destroying kingdoms« -
    »Hold, Galeotti,« said Louis, - »shall these changes come in our time?«
    »No, my royal brother,« replied Martivalle; »this invention may be likened
to a young tree, which is now newly planted, but shall, in succeeding
generations, bear fruit as fatal, yet as precious, as that of the Garden of
Eden; the knowledge, namely, of good and evil.«
    Louis answered, after a moment's pause, »Let futurity look to what concerns
them - we are men of this age, and to this age we will confine our care.
Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. - Tell
