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CHAPTER Vni.
THE SPIRITS WITNESS AN ANCIENT SURGICAL OPERATION—
AND ATHOTHIS PRAISES JEWISH DOCTORS, MUCH TO THE
DISGUST OF PAULUS ANDROCYDES.
HE parlor was furnished in the highest style of
oriental magnificence, and was half filled with
swarthy men, whose features indicated a Semitic
extraction.
Seated on a divan, in the full light of the window, was
a patriarchal father of Israel, whose bronzed face, promi-
nent nose, and dark careworn eyes were intently bent
over the form of an infant which lay on a pillow in his
lap. Kneeling on a cushion in front of this patriarch
was another venerable man, whose snow-white hair and
long flowing silvery beard evidenced a ripe old age.
Gathered around, and quietly watching the skillful
manipulations of the operator, were a number of guests,
including several physicians.
" The Jewish faculty seem to be enjoying itself this
morning," remarked Paulus Androcydes, in a sneering
tone. " With the natural timidity of their race they are
mere lookers on in surgery and leave even this simple oper-
ation to a non-professional. What a superstitious and
barbarous custom is this !"
"Behold the wisdom of this ancient people!" said
Athothis. " They continue to practice the useful hygi-
enic measures handed down to them by the Egyptians."
" I have always been taught that circumcision originated
