Penguinia, compelled to do as they did, sank under the pressure of her armaments.
Everybody deplored or pretended to deplore so grievous a necessity.
However, the rich, and those engaged in business or affairs, submitted to it with a good heart through a spirit of patriotism, and because they counted on the soldiers and sailors to defend their goods at home and to acquire markets and territories abroad.

The great manufacturers encouraged the making of cannons and ships through a zeal for the national defence and in order to obtain orders.

Among the citizens of middle rank and of the liberal professions some resigned themselves to this state of affairs without complaining, believing that it would last for ever; others waited impatiently for its end and thought they might be able to lead the powers to a simultaneous disarmament.
The illustrious Professor Obnubile belonged to this latter class.
"War," said he, "is a barbarity to which the progress of civilization will put an end.

The great democracies are pacific and will soon impose their will upon the aristocrats." Professor Obnubile, who had for sixty years led a solitary and retired life in his laboratory, whither external noises did not penetrate, resolved to observe the spirit of the peoples for himself.

He began his studies with the greatest of all democracies and set sail for New Atlantis.
After a voyage of fifteen days his steamer entered, during the night, the harbour of Titanport, where thousands of ships were anchored.