THE NATION: Woe Throughout the Nomes

The time when the tax jell due came upon the nomes [Egyptian provinces) as a terrible crisis which affected the whole population. For several days there was nothing to be heard but protestations, threats, beating, cries of pain from the taxpayers, and piercing lamentations from women and children.

—G. Maspero's The Dawn of Civilization: Egypt and Chaldea

As it was in the beginning, piercing lamentations arose last week from Wallagrass, Maine to San Ysidro, Calif. Some U.S. taxpayers tried to smile through their tears. Along with their painfully signed checks, they sent the...