Sky; the whispering Zephyrs wanton'd in the Leaves, and gently bore
along the enchanting Musick of the feather'd Choir: The Sea here knew no
Storms, nor threatning Wave, with Mountain swell, menaced the Ships,
which safely plough'd the peaceful Bosom of the Deep. _Æolus_ and all
his boisterous Sons were banish'd from these happy Seats, and only
kindly Breezes fann'd the fragrant Air. In short, all was ravishing, and
Nature seem'd here to have given her last Perfection to her Works, and
to rejoice in her finish'd Labours.
I found my Spirits so invigorated by the refreshing Odours, of this
Paradice, so elated with the Serenity of the Heavens, and the Beauties
which every where entertained and rejoiced my Sight, that in Extasy I
broke out into this grateful Soliloquy.
O Source of Wisdom, Eternal Light of the Universe! what Adorations
can express the grateful Acknowledgments of thy diffusive Bounty!
Who can contemplate the beauty of thy Works, the Product of thy
single _Fiat_, and not acknowledge thy Omnipotence, Omniscience, and
extensive Goodness! What Tongue can refrain from singing thy Praise!
What Heart so hard, but must be melted into Love! Oh Eternal
Creator, pity my Weakness, and since I cannot speak a Gratitude
adequate to thy Mercies, accept the Fulness of my Heart, too
redundant for Expression.
As I spoke this, in the _Cacklogallinian_ Tongue, _Volatilio_ came up to
me, and said,
"Alas! _Probusomo_, how can a finite Being return Praises adequate to
infinite Mercies! Let us return such as we are capable of; let the
Probity of our Lives speak our Gratitude; by our Charity for each
other endeavour to imitate the Divine Goodness, and speak our Love
to him, by that we shew to Mortals, the Work of his Divine Will,
however they may differ from us, and from one another, in their
Species. I am glad I am not deceived in my Opinion of you. I
believed from the Observation I made of your Life in a corrupt and
dissolute Court, that you fear'd the first Being of Beings, and for
that Reason chose you Companion of this hitherto unattempted
Journey; for I expected a Blessing would attend my Undertaking,
while such a one was embark'd with me: For to the Shame of our
Nation, we own a Deity in Words, but deny him in our Actions: We
acknowledge this Divine Being must be pure and just, and that our
Lives (as he must abominate all Impurity and Injustice) ought to be
conformable to his Attributes, wou'd we hope his Favour and
Protection, notwithstanding we act diametrically opposite, as the
most ready Method to procure our Happiness."
Finding our selves press'd by Hunger, we descended the Mountain, at the
Foot of which we found a Plantation of Olive Trees, and abundance of
Pear, standing Apricock, Nectarn, Peach, Orange, and Lemon Trees,
interspers'd. We satisfied our craving Appetites with the Fruit we
gather'd, and then getting into my _Palanquin_, _Volatilio_ leading the
Way, we went in Search of the Inhabitants. Our Flight was little better
than a Soar, that we might with more Advantage view the Country.
After a couple of Hours, he saw a House, but of so great a Height,
and so very large, I who was short-sighted in Comparison of the
_Cacklogallinians_, took it for a great Hill; I told him my Opinion, but
he assured me I was mistaken. We therefore urg'd forward, and I alighted
not far from this Palace, for I could term it no other, from the
Largeness and Beauty of its Structure. We had been discover'd, as I had
reason to believe, some Time, and a Number of People about Thirty, at
our alighting, immediately encompass'd me. The gigantick Make of these
Inhabitants struck me with a panick Fear, which I also discover'd in the
Eyes of the _Cacklogallinians_.
They were of different Statures, from Thirty to an Hundred and Fifty
Foot high, as near as I cou'd guess; some of them were near as thick
as long, some proportionable, and others shap'd like a Pine, being no
thicker than my self, tho' tall of an Hundred Foot.
I resolv'd however to conceal, if possible, the Terror I was in, and
coming out of my _Palanquin_, I went to salute the Company, when I
observ'd they retired from me in proportion as I advanced, and like a
Vapour, or an _Ignis fatuus_, the Air being mov'd by my Motion, drove
those which were directly opposite still before me.
I stood still, they did the same; if I was astonish'd at their Make, and
at what other things I had observ'd, I was more so, when I saw one of
the tallest, dwindle in the Twinkling of an Eye, to a Pigmy, fly into
the Air without Wings, and carry off a Giant in each Hand by the Hair of
the Head.
They were all differently dress'd at their first Appearance; some like
Generals in Armour, some were in Ecclesiastical, and some in Gowns not
unlike our Barristers at Law. Some were dress'd as fine as Imagination
could make 'em, but with the quickness of Thought, these Dresses were
all changed, who was cover'd with Rags one Moment, the next was in
Purple, with a Crown on his Head; the Beau in Rags; the Priest assum'd
the Air and Dress of a Bully, and the General was turn'd into a demure
Figure resembling a _Quaker_.
I was struck dumb with Amazement, and while I was considering with my
self what this should mean, I observ'd a Man riding up to us, mounted on
a Lion; when he came to the others, I found him of the common Size with
the Inhabitants of our Globe; he had on his Head a Crown of Bays, which
in an Instant chang'd to a Fool's Cap, and his Lion to an Ass. He drew
from his Breast a Rowl like a Quire of Written Paper, which using as a
Sword, he set upon the others, and dispers'd them. Some ran over the
Sea, as on dry Ground; others flew into the Air, and some sunk into the
Earth. Then alighting from his Ass, he opened the Jaws of the Animal,
went down his Throat, and they both vanish'd.
After I had recover'd my Fright, I told _Volatilio_, that I fear'd this
Planet was inhabited by evil Spirits. He answered, that what we had
seen, was sufficient to induce us to believe so. We look'd for the
House, which we saw rise into the Air, and vanish in Flame and Smoke,
which strengthen'd our Opinion. However, we resolv'd to go forward, when
one of the _Palanquineers_ said he saw a House on the left, and People
of my Size and Species making towards us.
We determin'd therefore to wait their Arrival, which was in less than a
Quarter of an Hour. They accosted me very courteously, as I could gather
from their Gestures, tho' they seem'd surprized at the Size of the
_Cacklogallinians_. I was not less amaz'd at the Beauty of their
Persons, and the Becomingness of their Dress, either of which I can give
no just Idea of. Let it suffice, that I seem'd both in my own, and in
the Eyes of the _Cacklogallinians_, something of the same Species, but
frightfully ugly.
These People are neither a corporeal, nor an aerial Substance, but (I
know not how otherwise to express my self) between both. They spoke to
me in a Language I did not understand, but the Tone of their Voices, and
the Smoothness of their Syllables, were divinely harmonious. I bow'd my
Body to the Ground three times, and offer'd my Credentials, which one of
them took, but by the shaking of his Head, I found understood nothing of
the Contents. _Volatilio_ then address'd himself to them, which made
them look on one another, as People who hardly believed their Senses.
As I had address'd these _Selenites_ in the _Cacklogallinian_ Language,
I had a Mind to try, if speaking in those of the _Europeans_ (for I
understood, beside my own, the _French_ and _Spanish_) I should have any
better Success. I therefore spoke in _English_, and, to my great Joy,
one of the Company answer'd me. He ask'd me, Whether I came from the
World? if so, how I durst undertake so perilous a Journey? I told him,
I would satisfy his Curiosity in answering all his Questions, but
desired he would give me some Time; for I had been so terrified by
Phantoms, since my Arrival, that I was hardly capable of Recollection.
While I was speaking, a Man on Horseback ran full speed upon me with a
drawn Sabre, to cleave me down; but the _Selenite_ waving his Hand, he
soon vanish'd.
"You need, _said he_, apprehend nothing from these Shades; they are
the Souls of the Inhabitants of your World, which being loos'd from
the Body by Sleep, resort here, and for the short Space allotted
them, indulge the Passions which predominate, or undergo the
Misfortunes they fear while they are in your Globe. Look ye, _said
he_, yonder is a Wretch going to the Gallows, and his Soul feels the
same Agony, as if it was a real Sentence to be executed on him. Our
Charity obliges us, when we see those imaginary Ills, to drive the
Soul back to its Body, which we do, by waving our Hand in the Air,
and the agonizing Dreamer wakes. We do also retain them by a Virtue
peculiar to the _Selenites_, and as they sometimes administer a
great deal of Diversion, we do it for our Entertainment, which is
the Reason of those long Naps of two or three Days, nay, of as many
Weeks, which cause the Wonder of your World. The Souls of your
impure Dreamers never reach beyond the middle Region. But we delay
too long inviting you to our Habitations, where you shall have all
possible Care taken of you. But by what Art have you taught Fowls
articulate Sounds? and where could you possibly find them of that
Size?"
I told him they were rational Beings, but that the Story was now too
long to tell him; he presented me to the rest of the Company, and, at
my Request, the _Cacklogallinians_ were humanly treated, whom otherwise
they had look'd upon as overgrown dunghill Fowls. _Volatilio_ did not
appear much surpriz'd at this, who had once esteem'd me a Prodigy of
Nature. As we walk'd to the House, one of the _Selenites_ address'd me
in the _Spanish_ Language, with the known Affiability and Gravity of
that Nation.
"Sir, _said he_, I cannot consider you as other, than the bravest and
wisest of all Mortals, who could find the Way to reach our World,
and had the Courage to undertake the Journey; for it's certain, none
cloath'd in Flesh ever (before you) made so bold an Attempt, or at
least succeeded in it: Tho' I have read the Chimera's of _Dominick
Gonzales_. While you stay amongst us, you may depend upon our
treating you with all the Respect answerable to so great Merit, and
in every thing endeavour, as far as the Power we have will permit,
that the Design of your Journey may not be frustrated, which I am
apt to believe, is no other than to extend your Knowledge."
I return'd him many Thanks for his Humanity, but told him I durst not
attribute to my self the Character he gave me; that I was a Lover of
Truth, and would not, on any Account, disguise the real Motive which
sent me on an Undertaking I look'd upon impossible to go thro' with,
and which I very unwillingly embark'd in: But since, contrary to my
Expectations, Providence has guided me to this Terrestrial Paradice,
I should esteem my self extreamly happy, if I might be permitted to ask
such Questions as my Curiosity might prompt me to.
He answer'd, that nothing I desir'd to know should be kept from me. We
soon reach'd the House, which was regular, neat, and convenient. We all
sat down in an inner Hall, and he who spoke _English_, desired I would
give an Account, both of the Motives, the Manner, and Accidents of my
Journey, which I did as succinctly as possible, interpreting the
Credentials, when I gave them.
He was astonish'd at the Account I gave him of the _Cacklogallinians_,
and said, if my Account was not back'd with ocular Demonstration, he
should take their Story for the Ravings of a distemper'd Brain.
"I find, _said he_, you begin to be drowzy; I would therefore have
you and your rational Fowls (as you call them) repose your selves,
while I in the _Vernacular_ Language, repeat to my Companions the
Wonders I have heard from you."
We were indeed very sleepy, and I was heartily glad of the Proposal, as
were also the _Cacklogallinians_, when I mention'd it to them. They, as
well as my self, were provided each of them with a Bed, in very handsome
and commodious Rooms. These Beds were so very soft, that I seem'd to lye
on a Couch of Air. When we awak'd, the _Selenites_ came into my Chamber,
and told me it was time to take some Nourishment; that they had provided
Corn for my Companions, and desir'd I would sit down to Supper with
them, it being their usual time.
"Why, Sir, _said I_, to our _English_ Interpreter, do you sup by
Day-light? You mistake, _said he_, it is now Night; your World to
the Inhabitants of this Hemisphere (which is always turn'd to it,
this Planet moving in an Epicycle) reflects so strong the Sun's
Light, that your Error is excusable. What then, _said I_, do those
of the other Hemisphere for Light? They have it, _said he_, from the
Planets."
I went with them into a Parlour, where, after a Hymn was sung, we sat
down to a Table cover'd with Sallets and all sorts of Fruits.
"You must, _said the Selenite_, content your self with what we can
offer you, which is nothing but the spontaneous Products of the
Earth: We cannot invite you to other, since the eating any thing
that has had Life, is look'd upon with Abhorrence, and never known
in this World: But I am satisfied you will easily accommodate
your self to our Diet, since the Taste of our Fruits is much more
exquisite than yours, since they fully satisfy, and never cloy:"
Which I found true by Experience, and I was so far from hankering after
Flesh, that even the Thoughts of it were shocking and nauseous to me.
We drank the most delicious Wine, which they press'd from the Grape
into their Cups, and which was no way intoxicating. After Supper, the
_Selenite_ address'd himself to me in Words to this Effect.
"I have acquainted my Friends here present, who are come to pass some
Days with me, both with the Contents of the _Cacklogallinian_
Emperor's Letter, and the Reasons which mov'd this Prince to desire
an Intercourse between the two Worlds, and we will all of us wait on
you to our Prince's Court, tho' strictly speaking, we neither have,
nor need a Governour; and we pay the distant Respect due to your
Princes to the eldest among us, as he is the nearest to eternal
Happiness. But that I may give you some Idea, both of this World,
and its Inhabitants, you must learn, that Men in yours are endued
with a Soul and an Understanding; the Soul is a material Substance,
and cloathes the Understanding, as the Body does the Soul; at the
Separation of these two, the Body is again resolved into Earth, and
the Soul of the Virtuous is placed in this Planet, till the
Understanding being freed from it by a Separation we may call Death,
tho' not attended with Fear or Agony, it is resolved into our Earth,
and its Principle of Life, the Understanding, returns to the Great
Creator; for till we have here purg'd off what of Humanity remains
attach'd to the Soul, we can never hope to appear before the pure
Eyes of the Deity.
"We are here, _said he_, in a State of Ease and Happiness, tho' no
way comparable to that we expect at our Dissolution, which we as
earnestly long for, as you Mortals carefully avoid it. We forget
nothing that pass'd while we were cloath'd in Flesh, and Inhabitants
of your Globe, and have no other Uneasiness, than what the
Reflection of our Ingratitude to the Eternal Goodness, while in
Life, creates in us, which the Eternal lessens in proportion to our
Repentance, which is here very sincere. This will cease your Wonder
at hearing the Sublunary Languages.
"We have here no Passions to gratify, no Wants to supply, the Roots
of Vice, which under no Denomination is known among us; consequently
no Laws, nor Governours to execute them, are here necessary.
"Had the _Cacklogallinian_ Prince known thus much, he would have been
sensible how vain were his Expectations of getting from us the Gold
he thirsts after: For were we to meet with the purest Veins of that
Metal, by removing only one Turf, not a _Selenite_ would think it
worth his while.
"This is a Place of Peace and Tranquillity, and this World is exactly
adapted to the Temper of its Inhabitants: Nature here is in an
Eternal Calm; we enjoy an everlasting Spring; the Soil yields
nothing noxious, and we can never want the Necessaries of Life,
since every Herb affords a salubrious Repast to the _Selenites_.
"We pass our Days without Labour, without other Anxiety, than what I
mention'd, and the longing Desire we have for our Dissolution, makes
every coming Day encrease our Happiness.
"We have not here, as in your World, Distinction of Sexes; for know,
all Souls are masculine (if I may be allow'd that Term, after what
I've said) however distinguish'd in the Body; and tho' of late Years
the Number of those which change your World for this (especially of
the _European_ Quarter) is very small; yet we do not apprehend our
World will be left unpeopled."
"You say, _replied I_, that none but the virtuous Soul reaches these
blissfull Seats; what then becomes of the Vicious? and how comes it,
that the Soul, when loosed by Sleep, I suppose without Distinction,
retires hither?"
"The Decrees, _said he_, of the Almighty are inscrutable, and you
ask me Questions are not in my Power to resolve you."
"Have not, _said I_, the _Cacklogallinians_ Souls, think you, since
they're endued with Reason?" "If they have, _said he_, they never
are sent hither."
I repeated this Discourse to the _Cacklogallinians_, which made
_Volatilio_ extreamly melancholly.
Happy Men! _said he,_ to whose Species the divine Goodness has been
so indulgent! Miserable _Cacklogallinians_! if destin'd, after
bearing the Ills of Life, to Annihilation. Let us, _Probusomo_,
never think of returning, but beg we may be allow'd to end our Days
with these Favourites of Heaven.
I interpreted this to the _Selenite_, who shook his Head, and said it
was, he believ'd, impossible. That he did not doubt but Providence would
reward the Virtuous of his Species; that his Mercy and Justice were
without Bound, which ought to keep him from desponding.
The next Day a great Number of _Selenites_ came to see me, and
entertain'd me with abundance of Candour. I seeing no Difference in
Dress, nor any Deference paid to any, as distinguish'd by a superior
Rank, I took Liberty to ask my _English Selenite_, if all the
Inhabitants were upon a Level, and if they had no Servants nor
Artificers?
"We have, _said he_, no Distinctions among us; who in your World
begg'd Alms, with us, has the same Respect as he who govern'd a
Province: Tho', to say Truth, we have but few of your sublunary
Quality among us. We have no Occasion for Servants; we are all
Artificers, and none where Help is necessary, but offers his with
Alacrity. For Example, would I build a House, every one here, and
as many more as were wanting, would take a Pleasure to assist me."
He told me, that the next Day they intended to present me to _Abrahijo_,
the oldest _Selenite_.
Accordingly, we set out at Sun-rising, and entered a Bark about a League
from the House, and having pass'd about four Leagues on a River which
ran thro' a Valley beautiful beyond Description, we went ashore within
an Hundred Yards _Abrahijo_'s Place of Abode.
When we came in, the venerable old Man, whose compos'd and chearful
Countenance spoke the Heaven of his Mind, rose from his Chair, and came
to meet us; he was of a great Age, but free from the Infirmities which
attend it in our World.
The _English Selenite_ presented me to him with few Words, and he
received me with Tenderness.
After he was inform'd of my Story, he spoke to me by our Interpreter,
to this Effect.
"My Son, I hope you will reap a solid Advantage from the perilous
Journey you have made, tho' your Expectation of finding Riches among
us is frustrated. All that I have to give you, is my Advice to
return to your World, place your Happiness in nothing transitory;
nor imagine that any Riches, but those which are Eternal, which
neither _Thief can carry away, nor Rust corrupt_, are worthy of your
Pursuit. Keep continually in your Eye the Joys prepared for those
who employ the Talents they are entrusted with, as they ought:
Reflect upon the little Content your World can afford you: Consider
how short is Life, and that you have but little Time to spare for
Trifles, when the grand Business, the securing your eternal Rest,
ought to employ your Mind. You are there in a State of Probation,
and you must there chuse whether you will be happy or miserable; you
will not be put to a second Trial; you sign at once your own
Sentence, and it will stand irrevocable, either for or against you.
Weigh well the Difference between a momentary and imperfect, and an
eternal and solid Happiness, to which the Divine Goodness invites
you; nay, by that Calmness, that Peace of Mind, which attends a
virtuous Life, bribes you to make Choice of, if you desire to be
among us, be your own Friend, and you will be sure to have those
Desires gratify'd. But you must now return, since it was never
known, that gross Flesh and Blood ever before breath'd this Air, and
that your Stay may be fatal to you, and disturb the Tranquillity of
the _Selenites_. This I prophesy, and my Compassion obliges me to
warn you of it."
I made him a profound Reverence, thank'd him for his charitable
Admonition, and told him I hoped nothing should win me from the
Performance of a Duty which carry'd with it such ineffable Rewards.
That if no greater were promised, than those indulged to the
_Selenites_, I would refuse no Misery attending the most abject Life,
to be enrolled in the Number of the Inhabitants of that happy Region.
"I wish, _replied he_, the false Glare of the World does not hinder
the Execution of these just Resolutions: But that I may give you
what Assistance is in our Power, in hopes of having you among us, we
will shew the World unmask'd; that is, we will detain some time the
Souls of Sleepers, that you may see what Man is, how false, how
vain, in all he acts or wishes. Know, that the Soul loos'd by Sleep,
has the Power to call about it all the Images which it would employ,
can raise imaginary Structures, form Seas, Lands, Fowls, Beasts, or
whatever the rational Faculty is intent upon. You shall now take
some Refreshment, and after that we will both divert and instruct
you."
The Table was spread by himself and the other _Selenites_, the
_Cacklogallinians_ and my self invited, and I observ'd it differ'd
nothing, either in Quality or Quantity, from that of my _English_
Host.
After a solemn Adoration of the ineffable Creator, each took his Place;
having finish'd our Meal, at which a strict Silence was observed,
_Abrahijo_ took me by the Hand, and led me into a neighbouring Field,
the Beauty of which far excell'd that of the most labour'd and
artificial Garden among us.
"Here, _said he_, observe yon Shade; I shall not detain it, that you
may see the Care and Uneasiness attending Riches."
The Shade represented an old withered starv'd Carcass, brooding over
Chests of Money. Immediately appeared three ill-look'd Fellows; Want,
Despair, and Murder, were lively-pictur'd in their Faces; they were
taking out the Iron Bars of the old Man's Window, when all vanish'd of a
sudden. I ask'd the Meaning of it; he told me, the Terror the Dream of
Thieves put him into, had awaken'd him; and the Minute he slept again, I
should see again his Shade. Hardly had _Abrahijo_ done speaking, when I
again saw the old Man, with a young well-dress'd Spark standing by him,
who paid him great Respect. I heard him say very distinctly,