20000 льє під водою

           Thirtyfirst-ratepictures,uniformlyframed,separatedbybrightdrapery,ornamentedthewalls,whichwerehungwithtapestryofseveredesign.Isawworksofgreatvalue,thegreaterpartofwhichIhadadmiredinthespecialcollectionsofEurope,andintheexhibitionsofpaintings.

           Someadmirablestatuesinmarbleandbronze,afterthefinestantiquemodels,stooduponpedestalsinthecornersofthismagnificentmuseum.Amazement,astheCaptainoftheNautilushadpredicted,hadalreadybeguntotakepossessionofme.

           "Professor,"saidthisstrangeman,"youmustexcusetheunceremoniouswayinwhichIreceiveyou,andthedisorderofthisroom."

           "Sir,"Ianswered,"withoutseekingtoknowwhoyouare,Irecogniseinyouanartist."

           "Anamateur,nothingmore,sir.FormerlyIlovedtocollectthesebeautifulworkscreatedbythehandofman.Isoughtthemgreedily,andferretedthemoutindefatigably,andIhavebeenabletobringtogethersomeobjectsofgreatvalue.Thesearemylastsouvenirsofthatworldwhichisdeadtome.Inmyeyes,yourmodernartistsarealreadyold;theyhavetwoorthreethousandyearsofexistence;Iconfoundtheminmyownmind.Mastershavenoage."

           Underelegantglasscases,fixedbycopperrivets,wereclassedandlabelledthemostpreciousproductionsoftheseawhichhadeverbeenpresentedtotheeyeofanaturalist.Mydelightasaprofessormaybeconceived.

           Apart,inseparatecompartments,werespreadoutchapletsofpearlsofthegreatestbeauty,whichreflectedtheelectriclightinlittlesparksoffire;