_The Court of the_ Potuan _Empire_.
At length we came to the Royal City of _Potu_, which for Beauty
and Magnificence might vie with any. The Buildings there are more
numerous and extensive than at _Keba_, and the Streets wider and more
commodious. The _Forum_, which was the first Place we were brought to,
was fill’d with Numbers of Merchants, and surrounded every Way with
Shops of Artists and Tradesmen. But I saw with some Astonishment in the
Middle of the _Forum_ a certain Criminal with a Halter about his Neck,
and a large Company of grave and elderly Trees standing round him. Upon
my asking what was the Matter, and for what Crime he deserved Hanging,
especially as I thought no Crime here was Capital, it was told me,
that this Offender was a Projector, who had advis’d the Abolition of a
certain old Custom; that those who stood round him were the Senators
and Lawyers, who then and there examined the Projector’s Scheme,
so that if it should appear that it was a well digested Thing, and
salutary to the Commonwealth, the Offender was not only absolv’d, but
rewarded; but if injurious to the Publick, or if the Projector by the
Repeal of this Law appear’d to have glanc’d at his own Advantage, he
was presently to be hang’d as a Disturber of the Realm. And this is the
Reason why few are found to run this Risque, or have Courage enough to
advise the Abrogation of any Law, unless the Thing be so demonstrably
evident and just, that the Success of it cannot be doubted of: So
persuaded are the Subterraneans, that the ancient Laws and Institutions
of their Ancestors are to be maintain’d and rever’d. For they believe
the Government would be in Danger, if for the Wantonness of every
Body, those Laws were to be chang’d or disannul’d. What, alas! said I
to myself, would become of the Projectors of our World, who, under a
Pretence of publick Emolument, are daily hatching and inventing new
Laws, with an Eye only to their private Gains, instead of the common
Benefit?
At length we were introduced into a spacious House, which was the usual
Place of Reception for all who were sent from the Seminaries throughout
the Empire. In the same Place are brought up those who are to attend
upon the Prince. Our Captain, the _Karatti_, bid us be in Readiness,
while he went to acquaint his Highness with our Arrival. He had scarce
left us when we heard a Noise, like that of great Rejoicings, and
immediately the Air echo’d with the Sound of Trumpets and Beat of
Drums. Alarm’d at this Noise we went out, and beheld a certain Tree
magnificently attended and crown’d with a Chaplet of Flowers, and
presently discover’d that it was the same Citizen whom we just now saw
in the _Forum_ with his Neck in a Halter. The Reason of this Triumph
was the Approbation of that Law, which at the Peril of his Head he had
advised. But by what Arguments he attack’d the old Law, I could never
reach to the Knowledge, by Reason of the great Silence of the People;
and hence it is, that the least Matter transacted in the Senate in
relation to the Government never transpires, or takes the least Air.
Far otherwise it is with us, where the Actions of the Senate and the
whole of their Debates are reported, weigh’d and criticiz’d upon in
every Tavern and Street.
In the Space of an Hour the _Karatti_ returns, and commands us all to
follow him. We obey’d. As we went, we met certain young Trees, who
offer’d to Sale little printed Books of curious and memorable Things.
Among the rest, I cast my Eye upon a small Book, the Title of which
was, “A full and true Account of the strange flying Dragon, that
appear’d in the Element last Year.” There did I behold myself, that is,
my Effigies engrav’d just as I appear’d when I was whirling round this
Planet with my Harpoon and my long Rope. I could not help smiling at
the Figure, and said to myself,
_Hei! qualis facies! & quali digna tabella!_
Having bought the Book for three _Kilacs_, which is equivalent to about
two Shillings of our Money, I walk’d on gravely to the Palace. Art
and Elegance seem’d to preside here, rather than Profusion and a vain
Magnificence. I observ’d the Prince had very few Attendants; for such
was his Temperance, that he had discarded whatever was superfluous. Nor
is there indeed the same Necessity for as many Servants as our Courts
require. For as many Branches as these Trees had, so many Arms; so that
the common Labours and Business of the Household could be done with at
least thrice the Expedition.
It was about Dinner-time when we arriv’d at Court: And since it was his
Highness’s Pleasure to talk with me alone, I was introduced into the
Presence-Chamber. There is in this Prince a very remarkable Mixture of
Mildness and Gravity. Such was his Steadiness, that his Countenance
was never known to have the least Cloud upon it. Seeing the Prince, I
instantly fell upon my Knees. The Courtiers were astonished at this
Adoration, and when I told his Highness (who ask’d me) the Reason why
I bent my Knee, he commanded me to rise, saying, that such a sort of
Reverence was due to the Deity alone; adding, that nothing could
obtain the Favour of the Prince but Obedience and Industry. When I
rose, he ask’d me sundry Questions,
_Qua veniam, causamq; viæ, nomenq; rogatus,
Et patriam: Patria est, respondeo, grandior Orbis.
Klimius est Nomen; veni nec puppe per undas,
Nec pede per terras; patuit mihi pervius Æther._
He then proceeded to enquire what I had met with in my Journey,
and what were the Customs and Usages of our World. After which I
proceeded to explain, as sensibly as I could, the Wit, the Virtues,
the civiliz’d Manners of the Men of our World, and every Thing that
Mankind pride themselves in. He receiv’d my Account very coldly, and
at some Things which I thought would not have rais’d his Admiration,
he perfectly yawn’d. Lord! said I to myself, how different are the
Tastes of Mortals! that what gives One the most sensible Pleasure, to
Another shall be quite nauseous! But what most offended his Highness
was the Relation I gave him of our Law-Proceedings, of the Eloquence
of our Lawyers, and the quick Dispatch of the Judges in pronouncing
Sentence. While I was endeavouring to make this still clearer to him,
he interrupted me by turning the Discourse to something else, and at
length he proceeded to an Enquiry into our Religion and Worship. I then
explain’d to him in a concise Manner, the several Articles of our
Faith; at the Recital of which he somewhat soften’d his Countenance,
attesting that he could readily subscribe to them, and he could not
chuse but wonder how a Race of People of such weak Judgments should
entertain such sound Notions of God and his Worship. But when he heard
that the Christians were divided into Sects without Number, and that
upon some Differences in Matters of Faith, People of the same Blood and
Family would cruelly persecute one another, he answer’d thus: “Among
us also there are a large Variety of different Sentiments concerning
Things pertaining to divine Worship: But one Man does not persecute
another for that. All Persecution for speculative Matters or Errors
arising from the sole Variety of our Perceptions, can spring from
nothing but Pride, one thinking himself wiser and more penetrating than
the rest. But such Pride must be highly displeasing in the Eyes of the
Supreme Being, who must be a Lover of Humility and Meekness in Mortals.
We never teaze an Assembly of Judges about any one who shall happen to
dissent from the receiv’d Opinions in Points of Speculation, provided
he does it sincerely, and also conforms in practical Matters to the
publick Worship of the Deity. And in this we pursue the Track chalk’d
out to us by our Ancestors, who always thought it inhuman to fetter
the Understanding, and tyrannize over the Conscience. In our Politicks
we extremely recommend the Observance of this Rule, so that if my
Subjects should differ about the Make of my Body, the Manner of my
Life, or about my Oeconomy or any such sort of Thing, yet at the same
time acknowledg’d me for their lawful Sovereign to whom Obedience is
due, I think them all good Subjects.” To this I reply’d, May it please
your most Serene Highness, such a Conduct would in our World be call’d
_Syncretism_, and would be highly condemned by the Learned. He did not
give me room to say any more, and seeming to be a little displeas’d
walk’d away, and commanded me to stay till Dinner was over.
His Highness sat down to Table with his Royal Consort and their Son,
together with the High Chancellor, or _Kadoki_. This same _Kadoki_
was in the first Esteem among the _Potuans_ for the Politeness of his
Manners, as well as his Prudence and Wariness. For full twenty Years
he never once gave his Sentiments in the Senate-House, but the rest
immediately came into them, nor ever decreed any thing with regard to
the Publick, but what stood firm and unshaken, so that his Decrees
were so many Axioms. But then he was so slow of Apprehension, that for
the least of them he used to require the Space of fourteen Days; and
therefore in our World he would hardly be thought fit for Business of
great Moment, where all Delay passes for Sloth and Laziness. But since
whatever he once apprehended he understood through and through, and
since he executed nothing but upon the severest Examination, hence he
might be said to do more in Reality than ten others, who mighty readily
set about Business, and are frequently styl’d Great Geniuses, but whose
Decrees must afterwards be mended, alter’d, and lick’d into Shape;
insomuch that at the Expiration of their Office, it is discover’d that
they have attempted every thing and brought nothing to Perfection.
Among the Maxims therefore of the _Potuan_ Court, this is one, That
they who are so forward at Business, are like those who walk to and fro
and tread a great deal of Ground, but gain none.
When the Family were seated, a Virgin enter’d with eight Branches
and as many Dishes, so that in a Moment the whole Table was cover’d.
Presently another Tree enter’d with eight Vessels of different Kinds
of Wine. This latter had nine Branches, and so was judg’d extremely
qualified for the domestick Business of the Court. And thus by two
Servants only this whole Affair was commodiously performed, which
in terrestrial Courts is not to be done without a perfect Army of
Servants. With the same Dexterity the Dishes were remov’d, as they had
been at first placed. It was a frugal but not inelegant Meal. Of the
whole Number of Dishes, the Sovereign confin’d himself to one. Not so
the great Ones of our Globe, who never think a Supper grand, unless one
Course of Dishes give way to a finer and more exquisite Succession.
During the Repast, the Conversation run upon Morality or Politicks; so
that even these sensual Pleasures had a Seasoning of Learning. Mention
also was made of me, whom from the Quickness of my Apprehension they
took to be _not the Wood out of which_ Mercury _was to be made_.
The Repast being ended, I was order’d to produce my Testimonial; which
being perus’d, the Prince directing his Eyes down to my Feet, said,
the _Karatti_ had judg’d right, and that so it ought to be. Quite
thunderstruck with this Answer, and overwhelm’d in Tears, I implor’d
a Revisal of the Testimonial, since upon a more intimate Scrutiny
into the Virtues of my Mind, and the Endowments of my Understanding,
I might reasonably expect a milder Judgment to be made. His Highness
being a merciful and equitable Prince, not at all incensed at this
forward and unusual Request, enjoin’d the _Karatti_ then present, to
examine me anew, and as accurately as possibly. During this Trial, the
Prince stept aside to read some other Testimonials. The Prince having
withdrawn himself, the _Karatti_ proposed a new Set of Questions to be
solv’d by me. I answer’d them with my usual Readiness; upon which he
spake thus to me: _You take a Thing presently, but not entirely; for
your Solutions shew that the Question is readily perceiv’d, but not
intimately understood_.
The Examination being finish’d, the Prince went into the
Council-Chamber, and soon return’d with a final Sentence to this
Purpose: That I had acted imprudently in calling in Question the
Judgment of _Karatti_, and that therefore I had incurr’d the Penalty
which the _third lesser Space of the fourth greater Space_ inflicts
upon Slanderers (by the greater and lesser Spaces, or _Skibal_ and
_Kibal_, they mean Books and Chapters) and that I deserv’d to undergo
the _Venæ-section_ in both my Branches, and also to be imprison’d.
The Words of the Law, _lib._ 4. _cap._ 3. concerning Defamation are
these, _Spik. antri. Flak. Shak. mak. Tabu Mihalatti Silac_. But tho’
the Sense of the Words was very clear and evident, and the Law too
sacred to be evaded, yet his most Serene Highness, by a Stretch of his
Prerogative, thought fit to pardon this Offence of mine, occasioned
through an Immaturity of Judgment, as well as Ignorance of the Law,
which could hardly be said to be infring’d by this Indulgence to me,
inasmuch as I was a Stranger and a Foreigner. And to give me a more
ample Testimony of his most gracious Favour, he appointed me one of
his Messengers in Ordinary, an Honour I ought to hold myself highly
satisfy’d with.
Immediately the _Kiva_, or Secretary, was sent for, who enroll’d my
Name in the Book of Promotions, together with the Names of several
other Candidates. This Secretary was a most extraordinary Person; for
he had eleven Pair of Branches, and could consequently write eleven
Letters all at the same Time, and with the same Ease and Expedition
that we can one; yet he had a very indifferent Judgment, upon which
Account he never could expect any farther Promotion, and so he grew old
in the same Post which he had fill’d for thirty Years. I contracted a
close Friendship with him, and indeed I could not help cultivating an
Affection for him, because all the Edicts and Letters of State, which
he wrote, I, as Messenger in Ordinary, dispers’d over the Province.
I was often astonish’d to see him execute Business with so much
Dexterity; for it was a common Thing with him to write eleven Letters
at once, and afterward seal them all in the same Instant. Among the
Blessings therefore of a Family, a large Number of Branches is reckon’d
one. And hence the Women in Child-Bed, immediately after the Birth of
the Infant, are wont to signify to the Neighbours how many Branches it
has brought into the World with it. It was reported, that the Father of
our Secretary was born with twelve, and that his Family had long been
famous for a Plurality of Branches.
The Diploma, which constituted me in my Office, being order’d to
be drawn out, I now retir’d to my Repose. But tho’ my Limbs were
excessively tir’d, yet was I not able to compose myself to Sleep.
That ignoble Employment, to which I was condemn’d, run continually in
my Head, and I thought it the greatest Debasement imaginable for one
who was a Candidate for Holy Orders, and a Bachelor of Arts in the
Upper World, to be chang’d into a vile Subterranean Court-Messenger.
With these mortifying Thoughts did I waste a great Part of the
Night, and during this Agitation, I several Times perus’d my
University-Testimonium, which I had brought with me; (for as I observ’d
above, the Night is almost as light as the Day.) At length quite jaded
with thinking, I sunk into the Arms of Sleep. But what a Variety of
Scenes presented themselves to my disturb’d Imagination! I thought I
was return’d to my own Country, and relating aloud to vast Numbers of
People all that had befel me in my subterranean Tour; presently I was
sailing in the Air again, and engag’d with the Griffin once more, who
gave me so warm a Reception, as that it wak’d me out of my Sleep. But
how was I shock’d when I beheld by my Bedside a Monkey of the largest
Size, which, by Reason of the Doors being left open, had got into my
Chamber. This unlook’d for Spectacle chill’d all my Blood, and made me
alarm the House with my Cries for Assistance. Some Trees, which lay in
the adjacent Chambers, immediately entering, disengag’d me from the
Struggle, and drove the beastly Creature away. I understood afterwards,
that this Accident afforded the Prince plentiful Matter for Laughter.
But that I might run no such Risque for the future, he gave Command
that I should be habited after the subterranean Fashion, and adorn’d
with artificial Branches. As for my _European_ Garments, they were
taken from me, and for their Novelty hung up in the Prince’s Wardrobe,
with this Inscription: “_The Dress of a superterranean Animal_.” Bless
me! said I to myself, if Master _Andrews_, the Taylor at _Bergen_, who
made this Suit, should know that his Workmanship was preserv’d among
the Curiosities of a subterranean Prince, without Doubt he would grow
vain, and think himself as great a Man as any in the City.
After this Misfortune Sleep quite forsook me. In the Morning my Diploma
was brought me, which gave me the full Powers to execute my Office.
A Multiplicity of Business pour’d in upon me soon, and carrying the
Royal Edicts and Letters to every City of his Dominions, I was the
_perpetual Motion_ itself. In these Expeditions I explor’d the Genius
of the Country, and in many Places discover’d an uncommon Measure of
Politeness and Understanding. Only the Inhabitants of the City of
_Maholki_, which were all _Brambles_, seem’d to me something rude and
uncultivated. Every Province has its peculiar Trees, or Natives of
the Place, particularly the Province of Husbandmen. Tho’ in the great
Cities, and especially in the Capital, there is a Mixture of all Sorts.
The high Sentiments I had entertain’d of the Wisdom of this People
encreased, as fast as I had fresh Opportunities of inspecting into
them. Those very Laws and Customs, which I had disapprov’d, upon mature
Reflection, extorted all my Admiration. I could easily bring a Cloud of
Instances of certain Manners and Usages, which upon a transient View
appear’d absurd, but which to the curious Enquirer, would be full of
Solidity and Wisdom. Out of a thousand I shall produce but this one,
which gives you a perfect Idea of this People. A certain Student in
Humanity stood Candidate for the vacant Mastership of a School. His
Pretensions were strengthen’d in this Manner, to wit, the Inhabitants
of the City of _Nahami_ certify’d, that the Candidate had liv’d very
quietly for four Years together with a wanton and unfaithful Wife,
and wore his Horns very patiently. The Certificate was couch’d in the
following Style: “Whereas the learned and venerable _Jocthan Hu_ has
requir’d of his Neighbours a Testimonial of his Life and Morals, We the
Citizens living in that Street or Portion of the City call’d _Posko_,
do testify, that the said _Jocthan Hu_ has liv’d in Wedlock for full
four Years with a disloyal Wife, and that without the least Noise or
Disturbance; that he has wore his Horns with a laudable Patience, and
with such Meekness, has bore this Misfortune, that we judge him highly
worthy to succeed to the vacant Mastership, if his Learning be but
equal to his Morals. Given under our Hands this 10th Day of the Month
_Palm_, in the 3000ndth Year after the great Deluge.”
To this Recommendation was annex’d a Testimonial from the Seminary of
the _Karatti_, of his Learning and Studies, which seem’d to be more
to the Purpose. For what great Merit Cuckoldom had to bear the Bell
from all other Doctors, I could not readily apprehend. But here lay
the Sense and Meaning of this strange Testimonial, _viz._ Among the
Virtues that principally recommend a Teacher, Moderation is one. For
with all his Pomp of Learning, unless he has an invincible Patience,
he must be but indifferently qualify’d for the Scholastick Employment,
which should be exercised without Severity or Passion, lest by untimely
Corrections the Minds of the Youths should be harden’d. And since a
greater Instance of Moderation could hardly be given, than this of the
Candidate, therefore his Neighbours insisted chiefly on this Argument,
as every Thing was to be hop’d for from a Teacher so renown’d for this
necessary Virtue. It is said his Majesty laugh’d immoderately at so
unusual a Recommendation, but since it was far from being absurd, he
conferr’d the vacant Mastership upon the Petitioner. And in Effect, he
understood and discharg’d his Duty with such Address, and so engag’d
his Pupils by his Mildness and Clemency, that they regarded him rather
as a Parent than a Tutor, and such was their Passion for Learning under
such soft and gentle Government, that thro’ the whole Dominions there
were few Schools that annually sent out such eminent, learned and
civiliz’d Trees.
As during the several Years of my Employment, I had frequent
Opportunities of inspecting into the Nature of the Soil, into the
Genius and Manners of the People, into their Policy, Religion, Laws and
Studies, I hope it will not be unacceptable to the Reader, if I collect
into one View what he will meet with separately throughout the whole
Book.