But hoax, with these sort
of people, is, I believe, a general term for all matters above their
comprehension. For my part, I cannot conceive upon what data they have
founded such an accusation. Let us see what they say:
Imprimus. That certain wags in Rotterdam have certain especial
antipathies to certain burgomasters and astronomers.
Don't understand at all.
Secondly. That an odd little dwarf and bottle conjurer, both of
whose ears, for some misdemeanor, have been cut off close to his head,
has been missing for several days from the neighboring city of Bruges.
Well- what of that?
Thirdly. That the newspapers which were stuck all over the little
balloon were newspapers of Holland, and therefore could not have
been made in the moon. They were dirty papers- very dirty- and Gluck,
the printer, would take his Bible oath to their having been printed in
Rotterdam.
He was mistaken- undoubtedly- mistaken.
Fourthly, That Hans Phaall himself, the druken villain, and the
three very idle gentlemen styled his creditors, were all seen, no
longer than two or three days ago, in a tippling house in the suburbs,
having just returned, with money in their pockets, from a trip
beyond the sea.
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