"Yes, the organs of observation and self-appropriation," resumed the first, "are strongly developed. That head is enough to hang an angel!"
"Alas! alas!" cried the poor doctor; "would to Heaven that I had not lost my wig!"
"It would have been of no avail, if you had retained it," said one of the judges gravely, "as it would have been forcibly removed; and even if you had worn your own hair, you must have had your head shaved; for, knowing the general corruption and inaccuracy of witnesses, the judges of this enlightened court reject verbal testimony altogether, and form their correct and infallible judgments upon the sure and undeviating basis of that most profound and useful of all sciences—craniology."
"And happy are the prisoners judged by so wise a rule," said another.
"Yes," rejoined a third; "for, though the minds of men are weak, and their judgments liable to err, the broad and general principles of science must ever remain unchangeably the same."
In this manner they went on, whilst the poor doctor, looking ruefully from one to another, as they severally pronounced their opinions, stood the very image of despair.
"Let us question him," resumed the first magistrate: "what were you doing when you were taken?"
"I was making gunpowder," sighed Dr. Entwerfen.
"The wretch!" exclaimed all his judges together; "he acknowledges he was manufacturing weapons for our destruction."
"And how were you making this gunpowder," resumed the judge.