Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-07-20
Getting Ahead Of a Monarch.

A friend Of ours from across the waters, re-
lated to us the following anecdote as an act
ual occurrence in oriental clmes. Il possess
es depth of thought and freshness Of wit too
good TO be lost:
A priest, learned in the lore of ancient and
modern literature, mad opened rooms for pub
lie instruction, and STYLED himself upon his
door "ProlesSOr of Universal Knowledge"
The ktrg in passing one day. observed the
notice, and walking in, inquired what he
meant by universal knowledge. The priest
answered, Of course, iii was knowledge OF
all things possible. This answer not exactly
suitng the King, he resolved 10 test the capa-
bilitieS Of the professor.
'lf," said he, "you profess universal knowl-
edge, then you will be able to answer three
questions which shall propose to you. They
are as follows, and you must be able to an
Swer them by Tomorrow by this time, or your
head shall be struck from your ShOulderS.--
First,tell me how many baskets Of earth there
are in:yonder mountain. Secondly, inform me
how much the king is worth. Tnirdly, tell
me, exactly, Of what the king is thinking at
| the time"
This was different turn Of affairs from
what the professor expected, and he waSSore-
ly peTplexed. He went at once TO his study,
resolved 70 do his utmost to comply with such
an rnheard Of, and to him unreasonable re-
quest. Books were Snatched from his shelves;
manuscripts were examined; calculations
made, and all his available means put in re-
QUESTION to solve these questions, on which
depended his life. So few hours to toaccomplish
so much--death the price of lailure-together
with desire to establish his reputation, all
wrought upon his mental aud physical frame
| TO such degree that he was soon in fever
of excitement. He had almost buried himself
in his books, scraps OF paper with figures and
signs covered the table, and lay scattered on
the floor; YET the result was unattalned. Still
| more intense grew tie excitement 0s he
| thought, figured and read, while the perSpira-
ton stood in large drops upon his forehead, ,and
rolled down his face. He was yerging to-
wards despair; his whole system trembel with
nervous agitation, whea his servant entering
the room; and, alarmed at the wild aud excl
ted look o! his master, eagerly inquired the
cause. HuTiedly he related wha; had hap
pened; the strange questions; the fearful pen
raltN Instead, however, Of partaking Of his
masters emotion, the servant very cody re.
Piled,
"Is that all the trouble Leave the matter
to me-l'El answer for you.''
After some conversation, it was proposed
! by the servant 10 adopt his masters habit and
meet the king at the appointed hour. The
offer was-readiy acceded 10 blythe priest, who
| TO speak The truth, thought more OF his own
head than b servants Just al that moment,
Disguised The professor, theseTvaut met the
king and told him he was ready TO answer his
questions.
"TeI me them" said the king, chow many
baskets OF earth are there in yOnder noun
tain" f.
'"rhat depends, your majesty, upon circum-
Stances"
"What circumstances ?"
"The size of the baskets. Ifone is as large
as the mountain, one will contain 1t. If half
as large, two; if one fourth, four, etc.
The king was Sc much amused at the reply
that he expressed himself satisfied, and pro
ceeded to the second question.
'rell me how much the king is worth ~
"Well, your majesty, Jesus Christ was sold
for thirty pieCes Of silver, and ne was the king
of heaven and earth, so conclude the king is
werh about one piece"
To this answer the king could not object,
and he was nevertheless so pleased with the
wit displaye, that he said:
every well, sir, but can you answer my last
question, and tell me OF what am now think
ing ?"
"Most certainly, your majesty; you are now
thinking that you are talk ng with the priest
professor, whereas it IS only his servant"
1t is unnecessary 20 add that both heads
were safely upon their shoulders, and both
received rich tokens of kingly favor.