80 Days Around The Globe

Day 2 Paris

The Exposition Universelle sprawled over the grounds of the purpose built Palais Du Champ de Mars; hot air balloons sailed gently across the sky, and the powdery light of the Yablochkov candles gleamed invitingly.

I suppressed the memories of the siege and visited the exposition.

I headed to the red and purple tents of the Artificers Guild, draped with banners emblazoned with their copper lily sigil.

It had the most incredible display of machines; as though a scrapyard had been brought to playful life.  One of the Artificers was explaining the Guild's Credo to a group of sticky fingered children. 

"The copper lily stamp of the Guild is an assurance of safety and quality," the Artificer said, before pausing to gently discourage a toddler's ambition of flight. 

"we build and maintain everything from children's toys," she gestured a clockwork monkey, which was enthusiastically banging a pair of cymbals, "to airship engines, and even mechanical workers."

I leaned closer, and remained silent, eager to hear more of this wondrous mechanised future.

"An automaton worker will never tire or feel hunger or thirst. It can function happily under the scorching sun, and will not get phossy jaw or cotton lung if it works in a factory."

"surely an automaton is as expensive to fuel as a human is to feed?" I asked "If not more!"

The artificer released the child now squirming in her arms, and gave me a lopsided grin. "For now. But we hope to build our automata more efficiently, and find cheaper fuels."She raised her voice a little, to address the small crowd that had gathered to eavesdrop on our exchange.

"The Artificers Guild operates across the borders of nation, caste and creed."

I nodded with approval. "When we become Artificers we give up our personal loyalties and swear to use our skills only for peaceful aims," The artificer continued. "the cleverest engineers and inventors all  working together to shape a better future for all the world!"

I clapped, along with the rest of the crowd, carried along by her strident tones and enthusiasm.

The artificer caught my sleeve as the crowd dispersed. "How was my speech? I rehearsed it all night! Was it too much?"

"It was very stirring," I assured her, and she gave me a bright, grateful grin as i returned to the central square, stopping here and there to gaze at the wonders of the exposition.

Avenues sprawled in every direction between the inviting illuminated pavilions of the exposition.

I decided to take my leave, and I returned to Monsieur Fogg, who was sitting eating a meal of plain boiled beaf à l'anglaise.

"did you enjoy the exposition?" my master inquired diffidently, as though i had been out visiting an aged great aunt rather than witnessing all the wonders that the modern world had to offer.

"Do you think we will encounter Artificers on our travels?" I asked with enthusiasm.

"Assuredly: i intend for us to use the most efficient transport available."

I dreamed that night of mechanical wonders and automatons with beautifully enamelled faces, knowing little of the strange inventions and stranger peoples I would soon encounter on my journey around the world!