Atherden | From the Flashman Papers of 1849....

that when the poor heathen saw our steamships and elections and drains and bottled beer, he’d realise what a benighted ass he’d been and come into the fold. But he don’t. Oh, he’ll take what he fancies, and can use (cheap booze and rifles, for example), but not on that account will he think we’re better. He knows different.





	You see, it’s been the great illusion of our civilisation
	that when the poor heathen saw our steamships and elections and drains and bottled beer, he’d realise what a benighted ass he’d been and come into the fold. But he don’t. Oh, he’ll take what he fancies, and can use (cheap booze and rifles, for example), but not on that account will he think we’re better. He knows different.