Hieroglyphic Tales
Hieroglyphic Tales
An odd little book of ' Hieroglyphic Tales' appeared in 1785, of which only six copies are said to have been printed. The 'Tales' were written by Walpole during the years 1771 and 1772. He described them as 'even wilder than the Castle of Otranto,' and assured his friends that, despite appearances, they were not written 'in the gout' nor when he was 'out of his senses.'
Book Excerpt
e
erudition passes the lands of the sea, is too well acquainted with all
human sciences to require information. It is therefore that his exalted
wisdom prefers accounts of what never happened, to any relation either
in history or divinity--You lie, said the emperor; when I exclude truth,
I certainly do not mean to forbid divinity--How many divinities have
you in Europe, woman? The council of Trent, replied Gronovia, has
decided--the emperor began to snore--I mean, continued Gronovia, that
notwithstanding all father Paul has asserted, cardinal Palavicini
affirms that in the three first sessions of that council--the emperor
was now fast asleep, which the princess and the chief eunuch perceiving,
clapped several pillows upon his face, and held them there till he
expired. As soon as they were convinced he was dead, the princess,
putting on every mark of despair and concern, issued to the divan,
where she was immediately proclaimed empress. The emperor, it was given
out, had died of an hermorrhoidal cholic, but to
Editor's choice
(view all)Popular books in Short Story Collection, Fiction and Literature
Readers reviews
0.0
LoginSign up
Be the first to review this book