"In 1789, Luigi Giovanni of the University of Bologna hung up a frog, connected an iron rod to its muscles, then connected its nerves to a copper plate. The frog would twitch as a result. Giovanni believed it was the 'bioelectricity' within the frog at work."
"Oh." Listening to Edgeworth's explanation, Georgiana could not help recalling the bloody scene, as well as poor Neville Longbottom. He had dissected an entire barrel of horned toads, which looked rather like his pet Trevor.
"Mr. Alessandro Volta of the University of Pavia, however, became interested in this phenomenon. He invented a device called a 'voltaic pile.' Oh, I remember that in 1801, the First Consul invited him to the French Academy to present his findings. Did you hear his report?"
"No, I didn't," Georgiana said.
"Why not?" Edgeworth asked curiously.
"I'm a woman, and I wasn't invited to audit lectures at the French Academy until this year."
"That's absurd. In Italy, coeducation is already quite common, and the University of Bologna even has a female professor of Greek," Edgeworth said indignantly.
"Don't neglect the other guests, madam," Lacretelle reminded her with a smile at her ear.
"Sorry. We'll talk again next time." Georgiana smiled awkwardly at Edgeworth.
"Until next time." Edgeworth waved amiably at Georgiana, and then they went their separate ways.
"I don't think the First Consul would approve of coeducation, madam," Lacretelle said. "He only allows nuns to educate young ladies from wealthy families."
Georgiana maintained her smile. She was not at all surprised that Bonaparte would do such a thing.
"I wonder if you have heard that the First Consul is planning to close the French Political Institute," Lacretelle asked.
Georgiana did not answer. If the institute had not been about to close, why would she have been invited to