'What a wonderful nation, then, this must be, where you not only get
purses gratis but even well loaded! What use, then, is all this heavy
gold? It is a tremendous trouble to carry; I will empty the bag into
this kennel, for money surely can be of no use in a city where, when in
want of cash, you have only to go into a shop and buy a purse!'

'Your pardon!' said his companion; 'far from this being the case,
Vraibleusia is, without doubt, the dearest country in the world.'

'If, then,' said the inquisitive Popanilla, with great animation, 'if,
then, this country be the dearest in the world; if, how -- '

'My good friend!' said his companion, 'I really am the last person in
the world to answer questions. All that I know is, that this country is
extremely dear, and that the only way to get things cheap is to
encourage Competition.'

Here the progress of his companion was impeded for some time by a great
crowd, which had assembled to catch a glimpse of a man who was to fly
off a steeple, but who had not yet arrived. A chimney-sweeper observed
to a scientific friend that probably the density of the atmosphere might
prevent the intended volitation; and Popanilla, who, having read almost
as many pamphlets as the observer, now felt quite at home, exceedingly
admired the observation.

'He must be a very superior man, this gentleman in black!' said
Popanilla to his companion.

'By no means! he is of the lowest class in society. But you are