668 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



therefore sent his sons, Probus and Pacificus, to be educated in the distant city at 

 the academy of the famous Publius Schola, who, in conformity with his renowned 

 principles according to which knowledge is of no importance, taught them 

 nothing but character based upon grammar— with the result that they both 

 became most admirable persons. Thus when they returned home after their 

 education had been completed, Probus and Pacificus did not care to do any farm 

 work, but discussed the philosophy of Plato and Balfurius. Probus was so 

 scrupulous in his dealings with every one that when he bought anything he gave 

 the vendor all his (that is, his father's) money ; and Pacificus had such a sweet 

 temper that if a little dog bit him on the calf he would merely turn round and pat 

 it. Bos had another and an older son called Manlius, who was, however, of no 

 account because he had no character and was employed merely upon the mean 

 work of the farm. 



In the same forest, there lived at some distance another farmer called 

 Gerymon, who was very envious of Bos because his own clearing was not so sunny 

 as that of Bos and was situated further away from the high-road ; and he spent 

 his time in drinking beer and sharpening the swords and daggers which hung 

 on his wall, instead of confining himself to the cultivation of his excellent potato 

 patches. Now this Gerymon was a big stout man whose temper had become 

 very bad and jealous with his potations. 



One morning Probus and Pacificus, who had got out of bed at 1 1 a.m., and were 

 walking in the forest airing scented handkerchiefs in the sunshine, discussing the 

 existence of ghosts with the most admirable lodgic, making remarks upon the 

 beauty of butterflies, and writing sentiments in notebooks with jewelled pencils, 

 heard a most terrific noise. On looking up they found Gerymon attacking their 

 father Bos. Gerymon's belt was full of enormous swords and pistols and he was 

 hammering Bos down to the ground, because the latter, who had become distinctly 

 stupid in his old age, had nothing to defend himself with but a bludgeon, and no 

 weapon of offence but a contemptible little sword, which was of the finest temper 

 but was too small to reach his adversary. Seeing his sons, Bos shouted for 

 help ; but they held back. " My dear fathah," said Probus, " I am not at all 

 sure whether your quarrel is a just one. In the nachah of things dear Mr. 

 Gerymon has as much right to your potato patch as you have, and I think it 

 would be distinctly wicked in me to join in this struggle.''' Pacificus also said, 

 " It is quite against my principles to contend with any one. I fear, my dear 

 fathah, that it would be wicked in me to assist you, though you are my 

 fathah." 



With that Gerymon knocked over poor Bos and was just about to jump heavily 

 on his body, when Manlius (helped by some neighbours) rushed in to save his 

 father, overpowered Gerymon, and tied him up hand and foot so that he could 

 not do any more mischief. Then Manlius and the neighbours, who had observed 

 the conduct of Probus and Pacificus, said, " You miserable curs, do you not 

 possess enough character to understand that a man must help his own father 

 when in mortal danger, right or wrong, and not wait to argue ? " With that they 

 beat them about all through the forest ; and when Bos recovered from his 

 shock he forbade them to consider their characters any more, forbade them also to 

 continue their studies on bergosophy and lodgic, and made them hoe potatoes for 

 the rest of their lives. Poor Gerymon also remained tied up for a long time and 

 gradually grew so thin that his skin hung in folds upon his ample chest — and he 

 too became wiser in time. 



