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gave signs of very grave displeasure； which disturbed me all the
more because I could not conceive wherein it could have offended
them。
I remember that when they first found it I had thought of Paley；
and how he tells us that a savage on seeing a watch would at once
conclude that it was designed。 True； these people were not
savages； but I none the less felt sure that this was the conclusion
they would arrive at； and I was thinking what a wonderfully wise
man Archbishop Paley must have been； when I was aroused by a look
of horror and dismay upon the face of the magistrate； a look which
conveyed to me the impression that he regarded my watch not as
having been designed； but rather as the designer of himself and of
the universe； or as at any rate one of the great first causes of
all things。
Then it struck me that this view was quite as likely to be taken as
the other by a people who had no experience of European
civilisation； and I was a little piqued with Paley for having led
me so much astray； but I soon discovered that I had misinterpreted
the expression on the magistrate's face； and that it was one not of
fear； but hatred。 He spoke to me solemnly and sternly for two or
three minutes。 Then； reflecting that this was of no use； he caused
me to be conducted through several passages into a large room；
which I afterwards found was the museum of the town； and wherein I
beheld a sight which astonished me more than anything that I had
yet seen。
It was filled with cases containing all manner of curiositiessuch
as skeletons； stuffed birds and animals； carvings in stone （whereof
I saw several that were like those on the saddle； only smaller）；
but the greater part of the room was occupied by broken machinery
of all descriptions。 The larger specimens had a case to
themselves； and tickets with writing on them in a character which I
could not understand。 There were fragments of steam engines； all
broken and rusted； among them I saw a cylinder and piston； a broken
fly…wheel； and part of a crank； which was laid on the ground by
their side。 Again； there was a very old carriage whose wheels in
spite of rust and decay； I could see； had been designed originally
for iron rails。 Indeed； there were fragments of a great many of
our own most advanced inventions； but they seemed all to be several
hundred years old； and to be placed where they were； not for
instruction； but curiosity。 As I said before； all were marred and
broken。
We passed many cases； and at last came to one in which there were
several clocks and two or three old watches。 Here the magistrate
stopped； and opening the case began comparing my watch with the
others。 The design was different； but the thing was clearly the
same。 On this he turned to me and made me a speech in a severe and
injured tone of voice； pointing repeatedly to the watches in the
case； and to my own； neither did he seem in the least appeased
until I made signs to him that he had better take my watch and put
it with the others。 This had some effect in calming him。 I said
in English （trusting to tone and manner to convey my meaning） that
I was exceedingly sorry if I had been found to have anything
contraband in my possession； that I had had no intention of evading
the ordinary tolls； and that I would gladly forfeit the watch if my
doing so would atone for an unintentional violation of the law。 He
began presently to relent； and spoke to me in a kinder manner。 I
think he saw that I had offended without knowledge； but I believe
the chief thing that brought him round was my not seeming to be
afraid of him； although I was quite respectful； this； and my having
light hair and complexion； on which he had remarked previously by
signs； as every one else had done。
I afterwards found that it was reckoned a very great merit to have
fair hair； this being a thing of the rarest possible occurrence；
and greatly admired and envied in all who were possessed of it。
However that might be； my watch was taken from me； but our peace
was made； and I was conducted back to the room where I had been
examined。 The magistrate then made me another speech； whereon I
was taken to a building hard by； which I soon discovered to be the
common prison of the town； but in which an apartment was assigned
me separate from the other prisoners。 The room contained a bed；
table； and chairs； also a fireplace and a washing…stand。 There was
another door； which opened on to a balcony； with a flight of steps
descending into a walled garden of some size。 The man who
conducted me into this room made signs to me that I might go down
and walk in the garden whenever I pleased； and intimated that I
should shortly have something brought me to eat。 I was allowed to
retain my blankets； and the few things which I had wrapped inside
them； but it was plain that I was to consider myself a prisoner
for how long a period I could not by any means determine。 He then
left me alone。
CHAPTER VIII： IN PRISON
And now for the first time my courage completely failed me。 It is
enough to say that I was penniless； and a prisoner in a foreign
country； where I had no friend； nor any knowledge of the customs or
language of the people。 I was at the mercy of men with whom I had
little in common。 And yet； engrossed as I was with my extremely
difficult and doubtful position； I could not help feeling deeply
interested in the people among whom I had fallen。 What was the
meaning of that room full of old machinery which I had just seen；
and of the displeasure with which the magistrate had regarded my
watch？ The people had very little machinery now。 I had been
struck with this over and over again； though I had not been more
than four…and…twenty hours in the country。 They were about as far
advanced as Europeans of the twelfth or thirteenth century；
certainly not more so。 And yet they must have had at one time the
fullest knowledge of our own most recent inventions。 How could it
have happened that having been once so far in advance they were now
as much behind us？ It was evident that it was not from ignorance。
They knew my watch as a watch when they saw it； and the care with
which the broken machines were preserved and ticketed； proved that
they had not lost the recollection of their former civilisation。
The more I thought； the less I could understand it； but at last I
concluded that they must have worked out their mines of coal and
iron； till either none were left； or so few； that the use of these
metals was restricted to the very highest nobility。 This was the
only solution I could think of； and； though I afterwards found how
entirely mistaken it was； I felt quite sure then that it must be
the right one。
I had hardly arrived at this opinion for above four or five
minutes； when the door opened； and a young woman made her
appearance with a tray； and a very appetising smell of dinner。 I
gazed upon her with admiration as she laid a cloth and set a
savoury…looking dish upon the table。 As I beheld her I felt as
though my position was already much ameliorated； for the very sight
of her carried great comfort。 She was not more than twenty； rather
abov