Note E10 — Chapter XVII · POWER OF STEAM AND CONTEMPT OF ARTISANS.

“It is related of the Scythians that they became involved in a contest with the descendants of certain of their slaves, who successfully resisted them in several battles, whereupon one of them said: ‘Men of Scythia, what are we doing? By fighting with our slaves, both we ourselves by being slain become fewer in number, and by killing them we shall hereafter have fewer to rule over. Now, therefore, it seems to me that we should lay aside our spears and bows, and that everyone, taking a horsewhip, should go directly to them; for so long as they saw us with arms, they considered themselves equal to us, and born of equal birth; but when they shall see us with our whips instead of arms, they will soon learn that they are our slaves, and being conscious of that will no longer resist.’ The Scythians, having heard this, adopted the advice; and the slaves, struck with astonishment at what was done, forgot to fight and fled.”—Herodotus, “Melpomene,” IV. §§ 3, 4. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1882.