Produced by Paul Lappen
The Last American
A Fragment from the journal of KHAN-LI, Prince ofDimph-Yoo-Chur and Admiral in the Persian Navypresented by J. A. MITCHELL
EDITION DE LUXE Illustrated in Color by F. W. ReadWith Decorative Designs by Albert D. Blashfield and Illustrationsby the Author
1889
A FEW WORDS BY HEDFUL
SURNAMED "THE AXIS OF WISDOM"
Curator of the Imperial Museum at Shiraz.
Author of "The Celestial Conquest of Kaly-phorn-ya," and of
"Northern Mehrika under the Hy-Bernyan Rulers"
The astounding discoveries of Khan-li of Dimph-yoo-chur have thrownfloods of light upon the domestic life of the Mehrikan people. Helittle realized when he landed upon that sleeping continent what aservice he was about to render history, or what enthusiasm hisdiscoveries would arouse among Persian archaeologists.
Every student of antiquity is familiar with these facts.
But for the benefit of those who have yet to acquire a knowledge ofthis extraordinary people, I advise, first, a visit to the Museum atTeheran in order to excite their interest in the subject, and second,the reading of such books as Nofuhl's "What we Found in the West," andNoz-yt-ahl's "History of the Mehrikans." The last-named is a completeand reliable history of these people from the birth of the Republicunder George-wash-yn-tun to the year 1990, when they ceased to existas a nation. I must say, however, that Noz-yt-ahl leaves the readermuch confused concerning the period between the massacre of theProtestants in 1927, and the overflow of the Murfey dynasty in 1940.
He holds the opinion with many other historians that the Mehrikanswere a mongrel race, with little or no patriotism, and were purelyimitative; simply an enlarged copy of other nationalities extant atthe time. He pronounces them a shallow, nervous, extravagant people,and accords them but few redeeming virtues. This, of course, is just;but nevertheless they will always be an interesting study by reason oftheir rapid growth, their vast numbers, their marvellous mechanicalingenuity and their sudden and almost unaccountable disappearance.
The wealth, luxury, and gradual decline of the native population; thefrightful climatic changes which swept the country like a mower'sscythe; the rapid conversion of a vast continent, alive with millionsof pleasure-loving people, into a silent wilderness, where the sun andmoon look down in turn upon hundreds of weed-grown cities,—all thisis told by Noz-yt-ahl with force and accuracy.
"Here's Truth. 'Tis a bitter pill but good physic."
10th May
There is land ahead!
Grip-til-lah was first to see it, and when he shouted the tidings myheart beat fast with joy. The famished crew have forgotten theirdisconsolate stomachs and are dancing about the deck. 'Tis not I,forsooth, who shall restrain them! A month of emptiness upon a heavysea is preparation for any folly. Nofuhl alone is without enthusiasm.The old man's heart seems dead.
We can see the land plainly, a dim strip along the western horizon. Afair wind blows from the northeast, but we get on with cruelhindrance, for the Zlotuhb is a heavy ship, her bluff bow andvoluminous bottom ill fitting her for speed.
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