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26 led me to think of politics, so I made inquiries concerning their form of government.

“Our Government, Captain Periwinkle,” he said, “is Republican. The chief ruler, or Yuengai, is elected by the whole of the people, and resides in Atazatlan, which is the political capital of Neuroomia. You may have noticed his house on a hill to your right as you were approaching the city.” I had. “There are,” he continued, “many other large cities in Neuroomia, and one of them even much larger than Atazatlan; but you shall doubtless see them all. I should have told you, however,” he went on, “that notwithstanding the great powers conferred upon the Yuengai, or President, the office in reality is more of a social than a political character, for he seldom has to interfere with the course of justice or the administration of a province. Each territory has its own governor and legislature, yet he is looked up to by all as the head, and his decision in many matters, though not in all, is final. He is elected for a period of ten years, and as a general rule it is not desirable that he should be under one hundred years of age.”

“Great heavens!” I exclaimed. “To what age do your people live?”

“According to our statistics,” he answered, “the