ll see
whether women are over-precise or self-important."

On that day M. Hippolyte Ceres paid his first call. He was a Deputy of
Alca, and one of the youngest members of the House. His father was
said to have kept a dram shop, but he himself was a lawyer of robust
physique, a good though prolix speaker, with a self-important air and a
reputation for ability.

"M. Ceres," said the mistress of the house, "your constituency is one of
the finest in Alca."

"And there are fresh improvements made in it every day, Madame."

"Unfortunately, it is impossible to take a stroll through it any
longer," said M. Boutourle.

"Why?" asked M. Ceres.

"On account of the motors, of course."

"Do not give them a bad name," answered the Deputy. "They are our great
national industry."

"I know. The Penguins of to-day make me think of the ancient Egyptians.
According to Clement of Alexandria, Taine tells us--though he misquotes
the text--the Egyptians worshipped the crocodiles that devoured them.
The Penguins to-day worship the motors that crush them. Without a doubt
the future belongs to the metal beast. We are no more likely to go back
to cabs than we are to go back to the diligence. And the long martyrdom
of the horse will come to an end. The motor, which the frenzied cupidity
of manufacturers hurls like a juggernaut's car upon the bewildered
people and of which the idle and fashionable make a foolish though fatal
elegance, will soon begin to perform its true function, and putting its
strength at the service of the entire people, will behave like a docile,
toiling monster. But in order that the motor may cease to be injurious
and become beneficent we must build roads suited to its speed, roads
which it cannot tear up with its ferocious tyres, and from which it will
send no clouds of poisonous dust into human lungs. We ought not to allow
slower vehicles or mere animals to go upon those roads, and we should
establish garages upon them and foot-bridges over them, and so create
order and harmony among the means of communication of the future. That
is the wish of every good citizen."

Madame Clarence led the conversation back to the improvements in M.
Ceres' constituency. M. Ceres showed his enthusiasm for demolitions,
tunnelings, constructions, reconstructions, and all other fruitful
operations.

"We build to-day in an admirable style," said he; "everywhere majestic
avenues are being reared. Was ever anything as fine as our arcade