Part 7

Justice in general is freely administer’d without Respect of Persons. Against the Prince only no Action can lie during his Life, but upon his Death the publick Accusers, or (if one may so call them) the Council for the Kingdom, cite him to Judgment. There in full Senate the Actions of the departed Monarch are strictly examin’d, and at length Sentence is pronounc’d, which according to the Merit of the Deceas’d is distinguish’d by different Words and Characters, such as these, _Laudably_; _Not illaudably_; _Well_; _Not ill_; _Tolerably_; _Indifferently_; which Words are proclaim’d aloud to the People, and afterwards engrav’d on the Monument of the Deceas’d. The _Potuans_ give this Account of that Custom: That the Prince while living cannot be proceeded against without great Commotions and Disturbances; for that during his Life a perfect Obedience and inviolable Veneration should still be paid him, which indeed is the very Basis of Government. But when that Obligation is dissolv’d by Death, the Subjects then have Liberty to call his Actions to a strict Account. Thus by this salutary, tho’ very paradoxical Law, the Security of the Sovereign is provided for, his Authority not at all invaded, and the Welfare of the People at the same Time promoted. For these Characters, tho’ given to the Dead, are to the Living so many Spurs to Virtue. The _Potuan_ Histories for four hundred Years afford only two Instances of Princes who bore the last mention’d Character, that is, that of _Indifferent_. All the others obtain’d either the _Laudable_ or the _Not illaudable_ Character, as appears from the Inscriptions upon their sepulchral Monuments, which have escap’d the Injuries of Time. The Character of _Indifferent_, which in the _Potuan_ Language is call’d _Rip-fac-si_, causes such Grief in the Royal Family, that the Successor of the deceas’d Prince, with all his Kindred, mourn for six whole Months. And so far are the Heirs from resenting the odious Character given by the Judges, that it becomes a new Incentive to them to signalize themselves by noble and worthy Actions, and to efface the Infamy of the Family by a Conduct full of Virtue, Prudence, Justice and Moderation.

The Cause why one of the two Princes above-mention’d had the Title of _Indifferent_ given him, was this: The _Potuans_ are a brave and warlike People; they never declare War themselves, but if War be declar’d against them they push it with all imaginable Vigour. By these Means they are the Umpires between contending Nations, and the several Kingdoms of this Globe submit to their mild and pacific Sway. But a Prince, by Name _Mikleta_, seiz’d with the Ambition of extending his Dominions, made War upon a neighbouring Kingdom, and subdued it. But as much as the victorious _Potuans_ gain’d by the Conquest, so much they lost of their ancient Renown; the Love of the bordering Nations was now chang’d into Dread and Jealousy; and that high Idea of their Justice, by which the State grew into Reputation, was now vanish’d. The _Potuans_ finding this, to regain the lost Affections of their angry Neighbours, branded the Memory of the deceas’d Prince with this Mark of Infamy. What the Crime of the other _indifferent_ Prince was, is not altogether so clear.

Their publick Doctors or Teachers are such as have attain’d to the third Age. To explain this it must be observ’d, that here Life is divided into three Ages. The first is that in which they are instructed in publick Affairs. In the second they publickly pursue and exercise what they have learnt. And in the third, being honourably dismiss’d from their Employments, they then take upon them the Instruction of the Juniors. Hence, none have a Right to teach in publick but such as are grown old in the Administration of publick Affairs, since none are so capable of laying down solid Rules as those who have drawn their Knowledge from long Experience.

If any one already infamous for the Immorality of his Life should however give wholesome Advice to the State, the Name of the Person is suppress’d, lest it should lose its Effect from the Character of its Author, and the Decree pursuant to such Advice is shelter’d under the Name of some more honourable Person. Thus the good Opinion is known, and the bad Author conceal’d.

I was inform’d, that with respect to Religion, it was prohibited to dispute about the prime Articles of Faith, particularly about the Essence and Attributes of the Deity. But as to all other Points, it is free for every one to propose their Opinions and engage in Controversies. For, say they, the Inconveniences which arise from such Contentions may be compar’d to Storms, which indeed throw down Houses, but at the same Time cleanse the Air, and prevent that Putrefaction which would arise from a stagnant Atmosphere. The Reason of their having few Holidays, is, lest a Spirit of Idleness should creep upon them; for the _Potuans_ believe that good People as duly worship God when employ’d in useful Labours, as they do by Vows and Prayers.

The Study of Poetry meets with but cold Encouragement; yet they are not altogether destitute of Poets. But the subterranean Poetry differs from Prose only in the Sublimity of Style; and they receiv’d what I told them concerning our Rhime and Measure with the utmost Derision.

Among the _Potuan_ Doctors some are call’d _Professors of Taste_. It is their Province to see that the Minds of the Youth are not employ’d in senseless Controversies and Things of no Use; to take Care that no trivial and vulgar Writings get abroad to poison and debauch the Taste; and to suppress or blot out from every Book whatever is writ in Defiance of common Sense. And to this End alone certain Persons are appointed to revise and censure Books; far otherwise than it is in our World, where the Licensers of Books shall suppress the very best, only perhaps because they deviate something from the reigning Opinions, from the receiv’d Manner of Expression, or because they lash the Vices of the Age with too strong a Sincerity, and too fine a Vivacity. By this Means, great Geniuses are in a Manner suffocated and stifled, and Writings of a good Stamp are for ever buried. But yet, as the _Potuans_ have a free Commerce with the Neighbour Nations, among other Commodities, some Books of a poor and trivial Turn will creep abroad. Upon which Account Censors are appointed by the State, who from Time to Time visit the Booksellers Shops. These are call’d _Syla-Macati_, that is, _Purgers of Booksellers Shops_. For as among us there is a certain Sort of Men, who brush and cleanse our Chimnies once a Year, so those Censors, who pry and examine into the Books that are put to Sale, cleanse away all the Dregs, that is, such Books, or Parts of Books, as would deprave the Taste, and convey them to the Jaques. Bless me! said I to myself, What Havock would be made among our Books, if such an Institution were to take Place among us!

But what cannot be enough commended, is the Care they take in sounding the Genius of their Youth, in order to know what Course of Life they will be fittest for. For as in Musick a judicious Ear distinguishes every little Sound; in the same Manner these piercing Judges of the Virtues and Vices of the Mind, form their Sentiments from some seemingly inconsiderable Hints, from perhaps a Cast of the Eye, from a Frown, from Dejection, Mirth, Laughter, Speech, and even Silence. ’Tis by these Things they easily know every one’s Propensity, and also what is contrary to his Constitution.

But to return to what concerns myself. I pass’d my Time, it may be well imagin’d, not in the most agreeable Manner with these paradoxical Trees, who treated me with Disdain upon Account of that too forward and unsettled Judgment which they imputed to me. I grew impatient under those Scoffs they were ever flinging out; for they even went so far, as to give me the Nick-name of _Skabba_, which in their Language signifies _over-hasty_. But what chagrin’d me most, was that my very Laundress, tho’ of the Dregs of the Populace, and one of the most miserable and indigent Trees herself, did not even scruple to call me by that Name of Reproach.

CHAP. IX.

_The Author’s Journey round the Planet_

+Nazar.+

Having continued in the unpleasing Employment of King’s Messenger for two whole Years, and carry’d the Royal Mandates and Letters Patents to every Province of the Empire, I at last grew tir’d of so troublesome and so unworthy an Office. Accordingly I again and again petition’d his Serene Highness to grant me an honourable Dismission, and at the same Time sollicited a more reputable Employment. But I met with nothing but Repulses from his Highness, whose constant Reply was, that a more important Office was above my Strength and Capacity. He alledg’d also, that the Laws and Customs of the Country were Death to my Hopes, in that they admitted only fit and proper Persons to the most eminent and arduous Posts of Government; that therefore I must make a Virtue of Necessity, and rest myself contented, till I had done something to merit better Fortune. He concluded his Advice in Terms like those of the Poet,

_Metiri se quemque suo modulo ac pede fas est. E cœlo magnum descendit Nosce teipsum, Figendum ac memori tractandum pectore._

These repeated Refusals were enough to throw me upon the most daring and desperate Designs. From that Day forward my Invention was upon the Rack to produce something, that should demonstrate the Excellence of my Genius, and wipe away my present Infamy. Accordingly, for a whole Year I study’d the Laws and Customs of the Country with an invincible Application, resolv’d to discover, whether there were in them any Defects that requir’d a Reformation. I open’d my Design to a certain Bush, with whom I had contracted a close Intimacy, and with whom I us’d to converse very freely upon all Subjects, whether grave or gay. He thought my Design not altogether absurd, but extremely question’d, whether it would be of any Service to the State. He added, that it should be the Care of a Reformer, to be a thorough Master of the Nature and Genius of the Country he intends to reform; because the same Thing might, in different Countries, produce different Effects, as the same Medicine may be good for some Bodies, and pernicious to others. He likewise inform’d me of the Danger I expos’d myself to in this Experiment, that no less than my Life depended on it, which must be a Forfeit to the State, should my Project have the Misfortune to be condemn’d by the Judges. He therefore ardently intreated me to bestow a little more Reflexion on this Affair; tho’ he did not plainly dissuade me from my Attempt, since he thought it not impossible, that a Sagacity, like mine, might at length discover something useful, as well to myself, as to the State. I took the Advice of my Friend, and for a Time laid aside my Scheme, and with a laudable Patience continued to discharge my Duty, by visiting the various Cities and Provinces of the Kingdom after the usual Manner. These repeated Expeditions furnish’d me with an Opportunity of making Enquiries into the State of the Kingdom, as well as that of the bordering Nations; and lest what I had observ’d in my Travels should escape my Memory, I penn’d it all down, and making a little Volume of it, humbly presented it to the Prince. How much his Serene Highness was taken with this Work appear’d afterward, by his doing me the Honour to commend my Labours in full Senate; and having again attentively perus’d my Book, he was pleas’d to make use of my Services in a farther Discovery of the whole Planet _Nazar_. I expected a different Recompence for my Labours, but was forc’d to say with the Poet,

——_Virtus laudatur & alget._

But since I was fond of Novelty, and had Hopes that so bountiful a Prince would never leave me unrewarded after my Return, I set about the Work with a good Degree of Pleasure.

The whole Globe of the Planet _Nazar_, altho’ scarce six hundred Miles in Circumference, yet to the Inhabitants appears of an immense Extent, by Reason of the Slowness of their Motion. And hence to this Day a great many Countries, and particularly the more remote ones, are utterly unknown to the Natives. A _Potuan_ would hardly be able to travel over this Globe on foot in two Years. But what embarrass’d me most, was the Fear I had that a Variety of Languages would put me to great Difficulties. But I was soon undeceiv’d, and reviv’d to hear, that the Inhabitants of the whole Planet, tho’ wonderfully different in their Manners, yet all spoke the same Tongue; and besides this, that the whole Race of Trees were in the main harmless, sociable, and beneficent Beings, so that I might, without the least Danger, make the Tour of the whole Globe. This redoubled my Ardour, and in the Month of _Poplars_ I began my Journey.

What follows is so marvellous, that it looks more like a poetic Fiction, or the Chimæras of ungovern’d Fancy, than Reality and Truth; especially since those Varieties, both of Body Mind, which in this Journey I met with, are such as one would never expect to find between the most distant Nations. It must be observ’d, that many Kingdoms here are separated from each other by Seas and Straits, not unlike the _Archipelago_ in _Europe_. These Straits are seldom cross’d; but for the Benefit of Travellers, there are certain Ferrymen that keep their Stations on the Banks in Readiness to transport the Passengers. It is very rare, that the Natives ever venture beyond the Limits of their own Country; and if compell’d, by Necessity, to make a Voyage, they soon return, as if impatient of a foreign Soil. Hence, as many Nations as there are, you see so many new Worlds in a Manner. The principal Cause of this vast Dissimilitude, is the different Nature of the Lands, as appears from the various Colours on the Surface, and from the surprizing Difference between the Plants, Herbs, and Fruits; it is the less Wonder, therefore, if with that Diversity of the Soil, and the Products of it, there should also be found a no less surprizing Variety of Inhabitants, and even opposite Natures and Tempers. In our World, indeed, even Nations the most remote, differ very little from each other in Genius, Manners, Learning, Shape and Colour. For since the Nature of the Earth is almost every where the same, except that one Part is more fruitful than another, and since the Nature of our Plants, Herbs, and Water, is nearly the same every where, hence nothing heterogeneous or uncommon is produc’d, as in this subterranean Planet, where every Tract of Land has its own peculiar Property. Strangers are allow’d to trade and travel, but not to settle out of their own Country; nor, indeed, could such a Liberty be well granted, considering the great Diversity and Opposition of Natures between each other. Hence all Foreigners that you meet with, are either Merchants or Travellers. The Countries which border upon the _Potuan_ Dominions, are nearly of the same Nature with them. Their Inhabitants were formerly often at War with the _Potuans_; but at this Day they are either in Alliance with them, or having been subdued, they now rest contented in their Subjection to so mild a Power. But if you once cross the great Sea, which divides their whole Globe, new Scenes present themselves, together with new and strange Creatures unknown to the _Potuans_. One only Thing they have in common, and that is, that all the Creatures of this Globe are rational Trees, and all use the same Dialect. This makes Travelling very pleasant, especially as the Merchants and Foreigners, perpetually passing thro’ every Province, give People an Opportunity of seeing Creatures extreamly strange and unlike themselves. Thus much I thought proper to premise, lest tender Ears should be offended with the subsequent Narration, and the Author reproach’d with Want of Veracity.

It would be a tiresome and an unprofitable Task, to recount every Thing singly, and in exact historical Order, that I met with in my Travels. Let it suffice, that I give an Account of those particular People only, whose Character, Description, and Manners have something so unusual and marvellous in them, that upon their Account this Planet of _Nazar_ may be reckon’d one of the principal Prodigies of the Universe. I must here call to Mind an Observation I have before made, that this whole Race and Country of rational Trees differ very little in Sense and Judgment from the _Potuans_; but in their Rites and Customs, in their Make and Temper, there is so much Diversity, that every Province you would swear to be a new World.

In the Province of _Quamso_, which is the first beyond the Sea, the Inhabitants are subject to no Infirmities or Diseases of Body, but each enjoys a perfect Health from Youth to latest Age. I could not help thinking them the most happy of Mortals. But upon a slight Acquaintance with them, I found myself infinitely mistaken. For as, upon one Hand, I saw nobody sad or sorrowful; so upon the other, I saw nobody pleas’d and joyful. For as we never highly relish the Serenity of the Heavens, and the Weather, unless we have been sensible of the Hardships of a different Temperature of the Air; so these Trees taste no Felicity, because it is perpetual and uninterrupted, and never know the Pleasure of Health, for want of knowing the Misery of Diseases. Their Life is one eternal Indolence. Their Enjoyments are never exquisite, and those alone can taste the Sweets of Life, who have their Pleasures season’d with a little Pain. I protest, that I never found, in any Country upon the Face of the Earth, such lifeless Creatures, or such cold and insipid Conversations. The People are harmless, but deserve neither your Love or Hatred. You fear no Affront, and you expect no Favour. In a Word, here is nothing either to please or displease. Besides, as that continual Health never brings the Image of Death before their Eyes, nor ever moves their Concern towards the Afflicted and Diseased, so they pass their Days in dull Security, and never know the generous Warmths of Pity and Compassion; nor do the least Footsteps of Love, or any such tender Affection appear there. In Truth, Diseases remind us of our Mortality, excite us to die well, and keep the Soul as it were equipt for its Journey to that World from whence none return; and as they afflict us with Pain, so they inspire a Sympathy towards others when afflicted. This leads one easily to discern how much Diseases, and the Danger of dying, contribute to Charity, Love, and all the social Affections, and that those People unjustly complain of their Creator for appointing these Afflictions, which are so full of real Advantage. It must be observ’d, that these Trees, as often as they remove into other Places, are expos’d to the same Evils and Casualties of Life that others are. This is a Proof to me, that they are indebted to the Climate for this peculiar Advantage, if indeed it can be call’d an Advantage.

The Province of _Lalac_, surnam’d _Mascatta_, or the _Blest_, seems to correspond with its Name; for there the Earth produces all Things spontaneously.

_Flumina jam lactis, jam flumina Nectaris ibant, Flavaque de viridi stillabant ilice mella: Ipsa quoque immunis, rastroque intacta, nec ullis Saucia vomeribus, per se dabat omnia tellus._

But this extraordinary Circumstance does not render the Natives one Jot happier. For as there is no Need of Labour to procure their daily Sustenance, they spend their Days in Softness, Sloth, and Luxury, and so lay the Foundation of innumerable Diseases, and untimely Deaths. The Nature of this Country affords ample Matter for our serious Reflexion; in particular it appears, from the Condition of the People, that Husbandmen, Servants and Labourers, are far happier than those, who, free from the Fatigue of providing for themselves, are devoted to Idleness and Pleasure.

_Nempe inamarescunt epulæ sine fine petitæ, Illusique pedes vitiosum ferre recusant Corpus._

Hence follows a Train of vicious Actions, desperate Resolutions, and violent Deaths, which are here observ’d to be very common. For the perpetual Affluence in which they live, in Length of Time quite wears away all Taste and Sense of Pleasure, and almost infallibly introduces a downright Loathing of Life. Thus this Region, which appear’d at first like the Abodes of the Blest, was in Reality the Seat of Sorrow, and more an Object of my Compassion than my Envy.

_Hoc celerare fugam, terrâque excedere jussit._

The next Province is that of _Mardak_; they are _Cypresses_, all of the same Form and Height, and differ only from each other by the different Make of their Eyes. Some have long Eyes, some square Eyes; some have small ones, others have Eyes so large as to take up the whole Space of the Forehead. Some are born with two, others with three, and some with four Eyes. There are also those who have only one Eye; and these might be reputed the Offspring of _Polyphemus_, but that their one Eye is seated in the hinder Part of the Head. And hence, according to the different Shape of their Eyes, they are divided into so many Tribes, the Names of which are as follows:

1. _Nagiri_, or those who have long Eyes, and to whom consequently every Object appears long.

2. _Naquiri_, those who have square Eyes.

3. _Talampi_, the small Eyes.

4. _Faraku_, those who have two Eyes, one of which is more oblique than the other.

5. _Mehanki_, three Eyes.

6. _Tarrasuki_, four Eyes.

7. _Harramba_, those whose Eyes occupy the Space of the whole Forehead.

8. _Skadolki_, those who have only one Eye in the hinder Part of the Head.

The most numerous, and of course the most powerful Tribe, is that of the _Nagiri_, or those who have long Eyes, and to whom consequently all Objects appear long. From this Tribe are taken the Senators, the Priests, and all such as bear Office in the State. These sit at the Helm, nor do they admit any one from another Tribe to a Post in the Government, unless he shall first confess, and confirm his Confession with an Oath, that a certain Tablet, dedicated to the Sun, and plac’d in the most conspicuous Part of the Temple, appears to him to be long. This sacred Tablet of the Sun is the principal Object of the _Mardakanian_ Worship. Hence the honester Part of the Citizens, who start at Perjury, are excluded from all publick Honours, and what is worse, are expos’d to a thousand Sneers, Railleries, and even Persecutions; and tho’ they over and over protest, that they cannot disbelieve their Eyes, they are still complain’d of, and what is only a Fault of Nature, is imputed to their Obstinacy and Malice.

The Form of the Oath, which all, who are admitted to publick Employments and Honours, are forc’d to subscribe to, is this,

_Kaka manasca quihompu miriac Facku mesimbrii Caphani Crukkia Manascar quebriac Krusundora._

That is, I _A. B._ do swear, that the sacred Tablet of the Sun appears to me to be long, and I promise that I will persist in this Opinion to my last Breath.

After this Oath, they are declar’d fit for the Service of the State, and are incorporated into the Tribe of the _Nagiri_.