The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-10-26

A priest, learned in the lore of an
cient and modern literature, had open
cd rooms for public instruction, and
styled himself upon his door, "Profes,
sor of Universal Knowledge
The King, in passing one day Oh
served the notice, and walking in, in
quired what was meant by Universal
knowledge. The Priest answered, of
course, it was the knowledge of all
things possible. This answer not cx-
actly suiting the King, he resolved to
test the capabilities Of the Professor.
If says he, you profess Universal
knowledge, then you will be able to
answer three questions. Which shall
propose to you. They are as follows,
and you must answer them by tomor-
row at this time, or your head will be
struck from your shoulders.
First, tell me how many baskets of
earth there are in yondcr mountain.
Secondly, inform me how much the
King is worth.
Thirdly, tell me, exactly, of what
the King is thinking about at the time.
This was different turn to affairs
from what the Professor expected, and
he was sorely perplexed. He went at
once to his study, resolved to. do his
utmost to comply with such an unheard
of, and to him unreasonable request.
Books were snatched from his shelves;
manuscripts wore carefully examined;
calculations made, and all his available
means put in requisition to solve these
questions, on which depended his life.
50 few hours to accomplish so much
death the price of failure, together
with a desire to establish his rcputa
ton, all wrought upon his mental and
physical frame to such degree tnat he
was soon in fever of excitement. He
had almost buried himself in his books
scraps of paper with figures and
signs covered his table, and lay scat
tered on the foor-yct the result was
inattained. Still more intense grew
the excitement as he thought, figured
and read, while the perspiration stood
in large drops upon his forehead, and
rolled down his face. lie was vcrging
towards despair-his whole system
trembling with nervous agitation, when
his servant entering the room, and
alarmed at the wild and excited look
Of his master, eagerly inquired the
cause. Hurried he related what had
strange questions, the
fearful. penalty. Instead, however,
Of partaking of his masters emotion,
the servant very coolly replied:
Is that all the trouble p? Leave the
matter to NELL answer for YOU
After some conversation, it was pro-
posed by the servant to adopt his mas
ter's-habit, and meet the king at the
appointed hour. This offer was read |
ly acceeded to by the Priest, who, to |
speak the truth, thought more of his
'wn head than his servants, at that
Disguised as the Professor, !
The servant met the King, and told
lim he was ready to answer his ques-
ions.
'Tell me, then, said the King, how
many baskets of earth are in yonder
'That depends, your Majesty, upon
circumstances.
What circumstances p
The size of the baskets. If one is
IS large as a mountain, one will con-
ain it. If half as large, two if one
ourth, four, &c.
The king was 50 much pleased with
he reply, that he expressed himself
atisfied, and proceeded to the second {
question. {
Tell us how much tic King is
iorth 2 {
Well, your Majesty, Jesus Christ t
'as sold for Thirty pieces of silver, and
c was the King of Heaven and Earth; {
l conclude you are worth about one !
iece.' I
To this answer the King could not c
bject. and he was nevertheless so /
leased with the wit displayed that he S
aid t
Very well, sir; but can you an a
Ser my last question, and tell me Of j
hat | am now thinking d
Most certainly, your Majesty. h
'ou are now thinking that you are f
liking with the Priest Professor, Il
hereas it is only his servant Id