THE KINGDOM OF POTU AND ITS INHABITANTS.
The kingdom of _Potu_ is enclosed within very narrow boundaries, and
occupies but a small space of the inner globe.
The whole planet _Nazar_ is scarcely six hundred miles in circumference,
and may be travelled over its whole extent without guide or interpreter,
for there is but one language throughout. As the Europeans on our globe
take the first rank among the nations, so are the _Potuans_
distinguished among the nations of _Nazar_ for their virtue and
understanding.
The roads are dotted by stone pillars, which, covered with inscriptions,
denote every mile; affixed to them are hands pointing the road to every
city and village;--splendid cities and prosperous villages! The country
is intersected by greater and lesser canals, on which boats propelled by
oars, skim with wonderful celerity. The oars are driven by self-moving
machines, so quietly that very little motion is given to the water. The
planet Nazar has the same motion with the earth, and all the
peculiarities of the latter planet: night and day; spring, summer,
autumn, and winter. The inhabitants consist of oak, lime, poplar, thorn,
and pine trees, from which the months--there being six in each
subterranean year--take their names.
The chronology is peculiar, being fixed by remarkable occurrences. Their
oldest tradition is, that three thousand years ago, a mighty comet
appeared, immediately after which followed a flood, which swept off all
the races of trees, animals, &c., with the exception of one or two of
each race, who saved themselves upon a high mountain, and from whom
descended the present inhabitants. Corn and other grain with the fruits
common to Europe, grow here in great profusion. The waters are filled
with fish, and upon the banks of the rivers are seated splendid country
houses. Their drink is prepared from certain herbs, which bloom at all
times of the year.
In _Potu_ is established a very useful law called the "generation law."
This law varies the liberties and advantages of the people according to
the number of children each one possesses. Thus, he who is the father of
six children is exempted from all common and extraordinary taxes.
Therefore generation is quite as useful and desirable in this country as
on the earth it is burthensome and dangerous: below ground never was
such a thing imagined as a small-pox-tax.
No one can hold two offices at once. It is thought that each office,
however small, requires the sole attention of its occupant, and that
none should be employed in that which they do not understand.
I remember to have heard the philosopher _Rakbasi_ speak thus: "Every
one should know his own talents, and should impartially judge of his
own merits and faults; otherwise the actor must be considered more
sensible than natural men; for he chooses, not the best part, but that
which he can execute best. Shall we allow the actor to be wiser on the
stage than we in life?"
The inhabitants of this kingdom are not divided into classes; those
alone being regarded who are noted for virtue and industry. The highest
rank, if rank it may be called, is given to those who possess the
greatest number of branches, they being enabled to do the most work.
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