,,giphantia3 ,,or ,a ,,view of ,,what ,,has ,,passed1 ,,what ,,is ,,now ,,passing1 ,and1 during the ,,present ,century1 ,,what ,,will ,,pass1 ,,in ,,the ,,world4 ,translated from the original ,,french1 ,with explanatory ,notes4 ,,london4 ,printed for ,,robert ,,horsfield1 in ,ludgate-,street4 #agfa4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,to ,,the ,honble ,,miss ,,ross4 ,,madam1 ,upon your hearing the other day ,giphantia much praised by some friends1 and those no ill judges1 you expressed a desire to see it in ,english1 as you had not1 you said1 ,french enough to read the original4 ,i immediately resolved to gratify your desire1 and that very day sat about the translation4 ,it is now finished3 and1 as my hand is not very legible1 ,i take the liberty to address it to you in print with this ,epistle ,dedicatory2 which1 as neither you1 nor the ,author1 want any encomiums1 nor the ,translator any excuses1 ,i shall cut short1 and beg leave to subscribe myself with great respect and sincerity1 ,madam1 ,your most obedient and most humble servant1 ,feb4 #e1 #agfa4 ,the ,translator4 ,,table ,,of ,,the ,,chapters4 ,,part ,i4 ,page ,,introduction #a ,,chap4 ,i4 ,,the ,,hurricane #d ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,,the ,,fine ,,prospect #i ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,,the ,,voice #ac ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,,the ,,reverse #af ,,chap4 ,v4 ,,the ,,apparitions #bd ,,chap4 ,,vi4 ,,the ,,surfaces #bg ,,chap4 ,,vii4 ,,the ,,globe #cd ,,chap4 ,,viii4 ,,the ,,discourses #ch ,,chap4 ,,ix4 ,,happiness #df ,,chap4 ,x4 ,,the ,,hodge-,,podge #ea ,,chap4 ,,xi4 ,,the ,,mirrour #ef ,,chap4 ,,xii4 ,,the ,,trial #fc ,,chap4 ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,talents #gc ,,chap4 ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,taste ,,of ,,the ,,age #gi ,,chap4 ,,xv4 ,,the ,,female ,,reasoner #hb ,,chap4 ,,xvi4 ,,the ,,crocodiles #he ,,chap4 ,,xvii4 ,,the ,,storm #ic ,,chap4 ,,xviii4 ,,the ,,gallery #ii ,,chap4 ,,xix4 ,,the ,,other ,,side ,,of ,,the ,,gallery #aaf ,illustration ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,giphantia4 ,,part ,,the ,,first4 ,,introduction4 ,no man ever had a stronger inclination for travelling than myself4 ,i consider'd the whole earth as my country1 and all mankind as my brethren1 and therefore thought it incumbent upon me to travel thro' the earth and visit my brethren4 ,i have walk'd over the ruins of the antient world1 have view'd the monuments of modern pride1 and1 at the sight of all-devouring time1 have wept over both4 ,i have often found great folly among the nations that pass for the most civiliz'd1 and sometimes as great wisdom among those that are counted the most savage4 ,i have seen small states supported by virtue1 and mighty empires shaken by vice1 whilst a mistaken policy has been employ'd to inrich the subjects1 without any endeavours to render them virtuous4 ,after having gone over the whole world and visited all the inhabitants1 ,i find it does not answer the pains ,i have taken4 ,i have just been reviewing my memoirs concerning the several nations1 their prejudices1 their customs and manners1 their politicks1 their laws1 their religion1 their history2 and ,i have thrown them all into the fire4 ,it grieves me to record such a monstrous mixture of humanity and barbarousness1 of grandeur and meanness1 of reason and folly4 ,the small part1 ,i have preserv'd1 is what ,i am now publishing4 ,if it has no other merit1 certainly it has novelty to recommend it4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,i4 ,,the ,,hurricane4 ,i was on the borders of ,guinea towards the desarts that bound it on the ,north4 ,i contemplated the immense wilds1 the very idea of which shocks the firmest mind4 ,on a sudden ,i was seized with an ardent desire to penetrate into those desarts and see how far nature denies herself to mankind4 ,perhaps 7said ,i7 among these scorching plains there is some fertile spot unknown to the rest of the world4 ,perhaps ,i shall find men who have neither been polished nor corrupted by commerce with others4 ,in vain did ,i represent to myself the dangers and even the almost certain death to which such an enterprize would expose me2 ,i could not drive the thought out of my head4 ,one winter's day 7for it was in the dog-days7 the wind being southwest1 the sky clear1 and the air temperate1 furnished with something to asswage hunger and thirst1 with a glass-mask to save my eyes from the clouds of sands1 and with a compass to guide my steps1 ,i sate out from the borders of ,guinea and advanced into the desart4 ,i went on two whole days without seeing any thing extraordinary3 in the beginning of the third ,i perceived all around me nothing but a few almost sapless shrubs and some tufts of rushes1 most of which were dried up by the heat of the sun4 ,these are nature's last productions in those barren regions2 here her teeming virtue stops1 nor can life be farther extended in those frightful solitudes4 ,i had scarce continued my course two hours over a sandy soil1 where the eye meets no object but scattered rocks1 when the wind growing higher1 began to put in motion the surface of the sands4 ,at first1 the sand only played about the foot of the rocks and formed small waves which lightly skimmed over the plain4 ,such are the little billows which are seen to rise and gently roll on the surface of the water when the sea begins to grow rough at the approach of a storm4 ,the sandy waves soon became larger1 dashed and broke one another2 and ,i was exposed to the most dreadful of hurricanes4 ,frequent whirlwinds arose1 which collecting the sands carried them in rapid gyrations to a vast height with horrible whistlings4 ,instantly after1 the sands1 left to themselves1 fell down in strait lines and formed mountains4 ,clouds of dust were mixed with the clouds of the atmosphere1 and heaven and earth seemed jumbled together4 ,sometimes the thickness of the whirlwinds deprived me entirely of the light of the sun3 and sometimes red transparent sands shone from afar3 the air appeared in a blaze1 and the sky seemed dissolved into sparks of fire4 ,mean time1 now tossed into the air by a sudden gust of wind1 and now hurled down by my own weight1 ,i found myself one while in clouds of sand1 and another while in a gulf4 ,every moment ,i should have been either buried or dashed in pieces1 had not a benevolent ,being 7who will appear presently7 protected me from all harm4 ,the terrible hurricane ceased with the day3 the night was calm1 and weariness overcoming my fears1 ,i fell asleep4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,,the ,,fine ,,prospect4 ,the sun was not yet risen1 when ,i wak'd3 but the first rays enlighten'd the east and objects began to be visible4 ,sleep had recover'd my strength and calm'd my spirits3 when ,i was awake1 my fears return'd1 and the image of death presented itself again to my anxious thoughts4 ,i was standing on a high rock1 from whence ,i could view every thing round me4 ,i cast1 with horror1 my eyes on that sandy region1 where ,i thought ,i should have found my grave4 ,what was my surprise when towards the north ,i spied an even1 vast and fertile plain6 ,from a state of the profoundest sorrow in an instant ,i pass'd 7which usually requires time7 to a state of the highest joy2 nature put on a new face2 and the frightful view of so many rocks confusedly dispers'd among the sands serv'd only to render more affecting and more agreeable the prospect of that delightful plain1 ,i was going to enter4 ,o nature6 how admirable are thy distributions6 how wisely manag'd the various scenes thou presentest to our sight6 ,the plants1 which grow on the edge of the plain are very small2 the soil does not yet supply sufficient moisture3 but as you advance1 vegetation flourishes1 and gives them a larger size and more height4 ,the trees are seen to rise by degrees and soon afford a shelter under their boughs4 ,at last1 trees co-eval with the world appear with their tops in the clouds and form an immense amphitheatre which majestically displays itself to the eyes of the traveller and proclaims that such a habitation is not made for mortals4 ,every thing seem'd new to me in this unknown land2 every thing threw me into astonishment4 ,not any of ,nature's productions which my eyes eagerly ran over resembles those that are seen any where else4 ,trees1 plants1 insects1 reptiles1 fishes1 birds1 all were form'd in a manner extraordinary1 and at the same time elegant and infinitely varied4 ,but what struck me with the greatest wonder1 was that an universal sensibility1 cloath'd with all imaginable forms animated the bodies that seem'd the least susceptible of it3 even to the very plants all gave signs of sensation4 ,i walk'd on slowly in this enchanted abode4 ,a delicious coolness kept my senses open to the pleasure2 a sweet scent glided into my blood with the air ,i breath'd2 my heart beat with an unusual force3 and joy enlighten'd my soul in its most gloomy recesses4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,,the ,,voice4 ,one thing surprised me3 ,i did not see any inhabitants in these gardens of delight4 ,i know not how many ideas disturbed my mind on that occasion1 when a voice struck my ears1 uttering these words3 8,stop and look stedfastly before thee2 behold him who has inspired thee to undertake so dangerous a voyage40 ,amazed1 ,i looked a good while and saw nothing3 at last ,i perceived a sort of spot1 a kind of shade fixed in the air a few paces from me4 ,i continued to look at it more attentively1 and fancied1 ,i saw a human form with a countenance so mild and ingaging that instead of being terrified1 the sight was to me a fresh motive of joy4 ,i am 7said the benevolent ,shade7 the ,prefect of this ,island4 ,thy inclination to ,philosophy has prepossessed me in thy favour3 ,i have followed thee in thy late journey and defended thee from the hurricane4 ,i will now show thee the rarities of the place2 and then ,i will take care to restore thee safe to thy country4 ,this ,solitude with which thou art so charmed1 stands in the midst of a tempestuous ocean of moving sands2 it is an island surrounded with inaccessible desarts1 which no mortal can pass without a supernatural aid4 ,its name is ,,giphantia4 ,it was given to the elementary spirits1 the day before the ,garden of ,eden was allotted to the parent of mankind4 ,not that the spirits spend their time here in ease and sloth4 ,what would you do1 ,o ye feeble mortals6 ,if dispersed in the air1 in the sea1 in the bowels of the earth1 in the sphere of fire1 they did not incessantly watch for your welfare8 ,without our care1 the unbridled elements would long since have effaced all remains of the human kind4 ,why cannot we preserve you entirely from their disorderly sallies8 ,alass6 our power extends not so far3 we cannot totally screen you from all the evils that surround you3 we only prevent your utter destruction4 ,it is here the elementary spirits come to refresh themselves after their labours2 it is here they hold their assemblies1 and concert the best measures for the administration of the elements4 ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,,the ,,reverse4 ,of all the ,countries in the world 7added the ,prefect7 ,giphantia is the only one where nature still preserves her primitive vigor4 ,she is incessantly labouring to increase the numerous tribes of ,vegetables and ,animals1 and to produce new kinds4 ,she organizes all with admirable skill2 but she does not always succeed1 in rendering them perpetual4 ,the ,mechanism of propagation is the master-piece of her wisdom3 sometimes she fails and her productions return for ever into nothing4 ,we cherish1 with our utmost care1 such as are sufficiently organized to produce their kind2 and then plant them out in the ,earth4 ,a ,naturalist wonders sometimes to find plants that had never been noticed before3 it is because we had just then supplied the earth with them1 of which he had not the least suspicion4 ,sometimes also these ,exotics not meeting with a proper ,climate1 decay by degrees and the species is lost4 ,such are those productions which are mention'd by the ,antients and which the ,moderns complain are no where to be found4 ,such a plant still subsists but has long droop'd1 and lost its qualities1 and deceives the ,physician who is daily disappointed4 ,the ,art is blam'd2 it is not known that the fault is in ,nature4 ,i have now a collection of new simples of the greatest virtue2 and ,i should have imparted them to mankind before now1 had there not been strong reasons to induce me to delay it4 ,for instance1 ,i have a sovereign plant to fix the human mind1 and which would give steadiness even to a ,babylonian3 but for these fifty years ,i have been diligently observing ,babylon1 and have not found one single moment1 wherein the ,inclinations1 ,customs1 and ,manners have been worth fixing4 ,i have another plant1 most excellent for checking the too lively sallies of the spirit of invention3 but thou knowest how rare these sallies are now-a-days3 never was invention at a lower ebb4 ,one would think that every thing has been said1 and that nothing more remained but to adapt things to the taste and mode of the age4 ,i have a root which would never fail to allay that sourness of the ,learned who censure one another3 but ,i observe that without their abusing and railing at each other1 no man would concern himself about their disputes4 ,it is a sort of pleasure to see them bring themselves as well as ,learning into contempt4 ,i leave the malignity of the readers to divert themselves with the malignity of the ,authors4 ,moreover1 do not imagine that nature sleeps in any part of the earth2 she strenuously labours even in those infinitely minute spaces where the eye cannot reach4 ,at ,giphantia1 she disposes matter on extraordinary plans1 and perpetually tends to produce something new3 she every where incessantly repeats her labours1 still endeavouring to carry her works to a degree of perfection which she never attains4 ,these flowers which so agreeably strike the eye1 she strives to render still more beautiful4 ,these animals1 which to you seem so dextrous1 she endeavours to render still more so4 ,in short1 ,man that to you appears so superior to the rest1 she tries to render still more perfect2 but in this her endeavours prove the most unsuccessful4 ,indeed1 one would think that mankind do all in their power to remain in a much lower rank than nature designs them6 and they seldom fail to turn to their hurt the best dispositions she gives them for their ,good4 ,on the ,babylonians1 for instance1 nature has bestowed an inexhaustible fund of agreeableness4 ,her aim was manifestly to form a people the most aimable4 ,they were made to enliven reason1 to root out the thorns that spring from the approaches of the sciences1 to soften the austerity of wisdom1 and1 if possible1 to adorn virtue4 ,thou knowest it3 her favours which should have been diffused on these objects have been diverted from their destination2 and frivolousness and debauchery have been cloathed with them4 ,in the hands of the ,babylonians1 vice loses all her deformity4 ,behold in their manners1 their discourses1 their writings1 with what discretion vice unveils herself1 with what art she ingages1 with what address she insinuates3 you have not yet thought of her1 and she is seated in your heart4 ,even he who1 by his function1 lifts up his voice against her1 dares not paint her in her true colours4 ,in a word1 no where does vice appear less vice than at ,babylon4 ,even to the very names1 all things are changed1 all things are softened4 ,the sincere and honest are now-a-days your modish men who are outwardly all complaisance but inwardly full of corruption3 ,good company are not the ,virtuous but those who excel in palliating vice4 ,the man of fortitude is not he that bears the shocks of fortune unmoved1 but he that braves ,providence4 ,bare-faced ,irreligion is now styled free-thinking1 blasphemy is called boldness of speech1 and the most shameful excesses1 ,gallantry4 ,thus it is that with what they might become a pattern to all nations1 the ,babylonians 7to say no worse7 are grown libertines of the most seducing and most dangerous kind4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,v4 ,,the ,,apparitions4 ,i return 7continues the ,prefect of ,giphantia7 to the elementary spirits4 ,their constant abode in the air1 always full of vapours and exhalations2 in the sea1 ever mixed with salts and earths2 in the fire1 perpetually used about a thousand heterogeneous bodies2 in the earth1 where all the other elements are blended together3 this abode1 ,i say1 by degrees spoils the pure essence of the spirits1 whose original nature is to be 7as to their material substance7 all fire1 all air1 or other unmixt element4 ,this degradation has sometimes gone so far1 as that by the mixture of the different elements1 the spirits have acquired a sufficient consistence to render them visible4 ,people have seen them in the fire and called them ,salamanders1 and ,cyclops3 they have seen them in the air and called them ,sylphs1 ,zephyrs1 ,aquilons3 they have seen them in the water and called them ,sea-nymphs1 ,naiads1 ,nereids1 ,tritons3 they have seen them in caverns1 desarts1 woods1 and have called them ,gnomes1 ,sylvans1 ,fauns1 ,satyrs1 c4 ,from the astonishment caused by these ,apparitions1 men sunk into fear1 and fear begot superstition4 ,to these1 ,creatures like themselves1 they erected altars which belong only to the ,creator4 ,their imagination magnifying what they had seen1 they soon formed a ,hierarchy of ,chimerical ,deities4 ,the ,sun appeared to them a luminous chariot guided by ,apollo through the celestial plains2 ,thunder1 a fiery bolt darted by ,jupiter at the heads of the guilty3 the ,ocean1 a vast empire1 where ,neptune ruled the waves3 the bowels of the earth1 the gloomy residence of ,pluto1 where he gave laws to the pale and timorous ,ghosts3 in a word1 they filled the world with ,gods and ,goddesses4 ,the ,earth itself became a ,deity4 ,when the elementary ,spirits perceived how apt their ,apparitions were to lead men into error1 they took measures to be no longer visible3 they devised a sort of refiner by which from time to time they get rid of all extraneous matter4 ,from thence forward1 no mortal eye has ever seen the least glimpse of these spirits4 ,,chap4 ,,vi4 ,,the ,,surfaces4 ,mean while the ,prefect moved on and ,i followed1 quite astonished and pensive4 ,at our coming out of the wood we found ourselves before a hill1 at the foot of which stood a hollow column above a hundred feet high and thick in proportion4 ,i saw issuing out of the top of the column vapours 7much like the exhalations raised by the sun7 in such abundance that they were very visible4 ,from the same column ,i saw coming out and dispersing themselves in the air certain human forms1 certain images still lighter than the vapours by which they were supported4 ,behold 7says the ,prefect7 the ,refiner of the ,elementary ,spirits4 ,the column is filled with four ,essences1 each of which has been extracted from each element4 ,the ,spirits plunge into them1 and by a mechanism1 too long to be described1 get rid of all extraneous matter4 ,the images which thou seest coming out of the column1 are nothing more than very thin surfaces which surrounded them and served to make them visible4 ,these surfaces partake of the different qualities of the spirits who excel more or less in certain respects1 as visages are expressive of the characters of men1 who differ infinitely4 ,thus1 there are images or surfaces of science1 of learning1 of prudence1 of wisdom1 c4 ,men often cloath themselves with them1 and like masks these surfaces make them appear very different from what they really are4 ,hence it is that you constantly meet with the appearance of every good1 of every virtue and every quality1 though the things themselves are scarce to be found any where4 ,at ,babylon especially1 these surfaces are in singular esteem3 all is seen there in appearance4 ,a ,babylonian had rather be nothing and appear every thing than to be every thing and appear nothing4 ,so1 you see only surfaces every where and of every kind4 ,surface of modesty1 the only thing needful for a ,babylonian lady3 it is called decency4 ,surface of friendship1 by the means of which all ,babylon seems to be but one family4 ,friendship is like a strong band made of very weak threads twisted together4 ,a ,babylonian is tied to no one by the band1 but he is tied to each of his fellow-citizens by a single thread4 ,surface of piety1 formerly much in use and of great influence1 now-a-days totally in disrepute4 ,it gives people a certain ,gothic air quite ridiculous in the eyes of the moderns4 ,it is now found only among a few adherents to the old bigots1 and in an order of men1 who1 on account of their function1 cannot lay it aside1 how desirous soever they may be4 ,surface of opulence1 one of the most striking things in ,babylon4 ,behold in the ,temples1 in the ,assemblies1 in the publick ,walks1 those citizens so richly dressed1 those women so adorned1 those children so neat1 so lively1 and who promise so fair to be one day as frivolous as their fathers3 follow them to their homes2 furniture of the best taste1 commodious apartments1 houses like little palaces1 all continues to proclaim opulence4 ,but stop there3 if you go any farther1 you will see families in distress and hearts overflowing with cares4 ,surface of probity1 for the use of ,politicians and those who concern themselves with the management of others4 ,these great men cannot be as honest as the lower people2 they have certain maxims from which they think it essential never to depart1 and from which it is no less essential that they appear extremely remote4 ,surface of patriotism1 of which the real substance has long since disappeared4 ,we must distinguish1 in the conduct of the ,babylonians1 between the ,theory and the ,practice4 ,the ,theory turns entirely upon ,patriotism4 ,publick ,good1 national ,interest1 ,glory of the ,babylonian ,name1 all this is the language of ,theory4 ,the ,practice hangs solely upon the hinge of private interest4 ,it is very remarkable that in this respect the ,babylonians have long been dupes of one another4 ,each plainly perceived that ,country did not much affect him2 but he heard others talk of it so often and so affectionately that he verily believed there was still such a thing as a true ,patriot4 ,but now their eyes are open and they see that all are alike4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,vii4 ,,the ,,globe4 ,such is the lot of the elementary spirits1 continued the ,prefect of ,giphantia4 ,no sooner are they out of the probation-column where they are purified1 but they return to their usual labours3 and to see where their presence is most necessary1 and where men have most need of their assistance4 ,at their coming out of the column they ascend this hill4 ,there by a mechanism which required the utmost skill of the spirits1 every thing that passes in all parts of the world is seen and heard4 ,thou art going to try the experiment thy self4 ,on each side of the column is a large stair-case of above a hundred steps which leads to the top of the hill4 ,we went up2 and were scarce half way when my ears were struck with a disagreeable humming which increased as we advanced4 ,when we came to a platform in which the hill ends1 the first thing that struck my eyes was a ,globe of a considerable diameter4 ,from the ,globe proceeded the noise which ,i heard4 ,at a distance it was a humming2 nearer1 it was a frightful thundering noise1 formed by a confused mixture of shouts for joy1 ravings of despair1 shrieks1 complaints1 singings1 murmurs1 acclamations1 laughter1 groans1 and whatever proclaims the immoderate sorrow and extravagant joy of mortals4 ,small imperceptible pipes 7said the ,prefect7 come from each point of the earth's surface and end at this ,globe4 ,the inside is organized so that the motion of the air which is propagated through the imperceptible pipes1 and grows weaker in time1 resumes fresh force at the entrance into the ,globe and becomes sensible again4 ,hence these noises and hummings4 ,but what would these confused sounds signify1 if means were not found to distinguish them8 ,behold the image of the earth painted on the ,globe2 the ,islands1 the ,continents1 the ,oceans which surround1 join1 and divide all4 ,dost thou not see ,europe1 that quarter of the earth that hath done so much mischief to the other three8 ,burning ,africa1 where the arts and the wants that attend them have never penetrated8 ,asia1 whose luxury1 passing to the ,european nations1 has done so much good1 according to some1 and so much hurt1 according to others6 ,america1 still dyed with the blood of its unhappy inhabitants1 whom men of a religion1 that breathes peace and good-will1 came to convert and barbarously murder8 ,observe what point of the ,globe1 thou pleases4 ,place there the end of this rod which ,i give thee1 and putting the other end to thy ear1 thou shalt hear distinctly whatever is said in the corresponding part of the earth4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,viii4 ,,discourses4 ,surprised at this prodigy1 ,i put the end of the rod upon ,babylon2 ,i applied my ear1 and heard what follows3 8,since you consult me about this writing1 ,i will fairly give you my opinion4 ,i think it discreet and too much so4 ,what6 not a word against the government1 against the manners1 against religion6 who will read you8 ,if you did but know how tired people are with ,history1 ,morality1 ,phylosophy1 ,verse1 ,prose1 and all that6 ,the whole world are turned writers2 and you will more easily find an author than a reader4 ,how make impression on the crowd8 ,how draw attention1 unless by strokes levelled1 right or wrong1 against place-men2 by luscious touches of imagination proper to excite the gust of pleasures blunted by excess2 by the trite arguments which1 though repeated a thousand times1 still please1 because they attack what we dread6 ,this in my opinion is the only course for a writer to take who has any pretensions to fame4 ,mind our ,philosophers3 when they reflect1 for instance1 on the nature of the soul1 they fall into a doubt which with all their reason they cannot get out of4 ,do they come to write8 ,they resolve the difficulty1 and the soul is mortal4 ,if they assert this1 it is not from an inward persuasion1 but from a desire to write1 and to write such things1 as will be read4 ,again1 if you had made yourself a party3 if you belonged to one of those clubs1 where the ,censor passes from hand to hand1 and where each1 in his turn1 is the ,idol6 ,but no2 you are among the literary cabals like a divine who should pretend to be neither ,jansenist nor ,molinist#a4 ,who1 think ye1 will take care of your interests8 ,who will preach you up8 ,who will inlist your name among those we respect80 ,i removed the end of the rod about a twentieth part of an inch lower and ,i heard1 probably1 a ,farmer of the imposts1 who was making his calculations upon the people4 8,is it not true 7said he7 that in the occasions of the state1 every one should contribute in proportion to his means1 after a deduction of his necessary expences8 ,is it not also true1 that a very short man spends less in cloaths than a very tall one8 ,is it not true that this difference of expence is very considerable1 since there is occasion for summer-habits1 winter-habits1 spring-habits1 autumn-habits1 country-habits1 riding-habits1 and ,i know not how many others8 ,there should be likewise morning and evening habits2 but the morning is not known at ,babylon4 ,i would therefore have all his ,majesty's subjects measured and taxed each inversely as his stature4444 ,another consideration of equal weight4 ,a ,tax on ,batchelors has been talked of2 but it was not considered4 ,money should be raised upon those who are rich enough to be married1 and especially upon those who are rich enough to venture upon having children4 ,and therefore married men should be taxed in a ratio compounded of the amount of their capitation and the number of their children4 ,i have in my pocket-book ,i know not how many projects as good as these1 and which ,i have very luckily devised4 ,each man has his talents3 this is mine3 and it is well known how much it is to be prized now-a-days40 ,at a little distance a ,grammarian was making his ,observations4 8,three languages 7said he7 are spoken at ,babylon3 that of the mob3 that of the petit maitre2 and that of the better sort4 ,the first serves to express in a disagreeable manner1 shocking things4 ,with all their judgment1 some authors have written in this language1 and the ,babylonians1 with all their niceness1 have read them with pleasure4 ,the second is made up of a certain contexture of words without any meaning4 ,you may talk this language a whole day together1 and when you have done1 it will be found you have said nothing at all4 ,to enter into the character of the idiom1 it is essential to talk incessantly without reason1 and as far as possible from common sense4 ,the third wants a certain precision2 a certain force and certain graces2 but it is susceptible of a singular elegance and clearness4 ,it will not perhaps be expressive enough of the flights of the poet or the transports of the musician3 but it expresses with admirable ease all the ideas of him who observes1 compares1 discusses1 and seeks the truth4 ,without doubt1 it is the properest language for reasoning2 and most unhappily it is the least used for that purpose40 ,methought ,i heard a woman's voice at a little distance1 and put my rod there4 8,i confess 7said she7 ,i am foolishly fond of this romance4 ,nothing can be better penned4 ,however1 this same ,julia1 who holds out during three volumes1 and does not surrender till the end of the fourth1 makes the intrigue a little too tedious4 ,it is also pity that the viscount advances so slowly4 ,he uses such preambles1 spends so much time in protestations1 and presses his conquest with so much caution1 that he has put me1 who am none of the liveliest1 a hundred times out of patience4 ,surely the author was little acquainted with the manners of the nation60 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,ix4 ,,happiness4 ,the end of my rod by chance fell upon an assembly1 where they were talking of ,happiness4 ,each declared his opinion as follows3 8,at length 7says one7 this superb ,colonnade is laid open2 they think of removing those pitiful little houses which darken that grand and beautiful front2 they repent of having built under ground to adorn a place2 ,taste is reviving2 the ,arts are going to flourish3 very shortly ,babylon will proclaim the magnificence of the monarch and the happiness of the people4444 ,it is a great question whether colonnades1 fine squares1 and large cities1 will make a nation happy3 they must be enriched4 ,industry must be excited1 agriculture incouraged1 manufactures increased1 and trade made to flourish3 without which1 all the rest is nothing4444 ,nonsense6 ,i have said it1 and ,i say it again3 if we will be happy1 our manners must be more simple2 the circle of our wants contracted2 and1 in a country-life1 we must withdraw from the vices which attend the luxury of cities4444 ,i do not know wherein consists the happiness of nations2 but ,i think the happiness of individuals consists in the health of the body and peace of the mind4444 ,assuredly not4 ,health causes no lively impression1 and tranquility is tiresome4 ,to be happy1 you must enjoy a great reputation2 for1 at every instant1 your ear will be tickled with encomiums4444 ,yes6 and at every instant your ear will be grated with censures1 because there is no pleasing every body4 ,it is my opinion1 every man is happy in proportion to his authority and power3 for one can gratify oneself in the same proportion4444 ,yes6 but then that eagerness will be wanting which stamps a value upon things3 if all was in our power1 we should care for nothing4 ,for my part1 ,i am of opinion1 that to be happy we must despise all things2 that is the only way to avoid all kind of vexation and trouble whatsoever4444 ,and ,i think1 we should concern ourselves with every thing3 by that means we shall partake of every occasion of joy4444 ,now ,i think we should be indifferent to every thing3 as the means of enjoying an unchangeable happiness4444 ,i take ,wisdom to be the thing1 for that alone will set us above all events4444 ,and ,i say1 it must be ,folly3 for ,folly creates her own happiness1 independently of any thing cross or disagreeable about her4444 ,you are all of you in the wrong4 ,nothing general can be assigned that may be productive of the happiness of particular persons4 ,so many men1 so many minds3 this desires one kind of happiness1 and that another3 one wishes for riches1 another is content with necessaries2 this would love and be loved2 that considers the passions as the bane of the soul4 ,every one must study himself and follow his own inclination4444 ,not at all2 and you are as much mistaken as the rest4 ,in vain do ,i persuade myself that ,i should be happy1 if ,i possessed such a thing2 the moment ,i have it1 ,i find it insufficient1 and wish for another4 ,we desire without end2 and never enjoy4 ,a certain man was continually travelling about1 and always on foot3 quite tired out1 he said3 ,if ,i had a horse ,i should be contented4 ,he had a horse2 but the rain1 the cold1 the sun were still troublesome to him4 ,a horse 7says he7 is not sufficient2 a chariot only can screen me from the inclemencies of the air4 ,his fortune increased1 and a chariot was bought4 ,what followed8 ,exercise till then had kept our traveller in health3 as soon as that ceased1 he grew infirm and gouty1 and presently after1 it was not possible for him to travel either on foot or on horseback or in a chariot40 ,,chap4 ,x4 ,,the ,,hodge-,,podge4 ,i did not keep the rod any longer in one place2 but moved it here and there without distinction3 and ,i heard only broken discourses1 such as these3 8,war1 taxes1 misery1 are dreaded2 insignificant fears all these3 alas6 mine are very different4 ,i have here framed a system upon ,earthquakes2 and1 by calculation1 ,i find that near the center of the globe there is now forming an internal fire that will turn the world upside down4 ,within six months the earth will burst like a bomb1 and all nature4444 ,yes6 all nature vanishes in my eyes2 thou alone dost exist for me3 extinguish1 my dear1 extinguish the flame thou has lighted in my bosom4 ,what a moment6 ,pleasure drowns all my senses3 my soul1 penetrated with delight1 seems to be upon the wing3 she beats1 she trembles1 she flies3 ,o receive her1 my dear1 she is wholly thine4 ,ah6 ,i hear my husband's footsteps2 let us run4444 ,courage1 brave soldiers6 strike home2 revenge your country2 let the blood flow1 and give no quarter4 ,may the ,islanders perish and the ,babylonians live6444 ,i do aver1 for my part that of all the nations there is not one so gay as the ,babylonians4 ,they always take things on the most smiling side4 ,one day of prosperity makes them forget a whole year of adversity4 ,even at their own misery1 they all sing2 and an epigram pays them for their losses caused by the follies of the ,great4444 ,o how little are our great ones6 and how foolish are our wise ones6 ,i cannot help thinking man an imperfect creature4 ,i plainly see nature's efforts to make him reasonable2 but ,i see too these efforts are fruitless4 ,materials are wanting4 ,there are but two ages3 the age of weakness in which we are born and pass two thirds of life2 and the age of infancy in which we grow old and die4 ,i have indeed heard talk of an age of reason2 but ,i do not see it come4 ,i conclude therefore1 and ,i say4444 ,yes6 madam6 of transparent cotton4 ,the discovery was very lately made in ,terra ,australis3 so no more colds and defluxions4 ,transparent handkerchiefs1 gloves1 and stockings1 will defend from the weather1 and at the same time give us a sight of that admirable bosom1 those charming arms1 that divine leg4444 ,doubts every where1 certainty no where4 ,how tired am ,i to hear1 to read1 to reflect1 and to know nothing precisely4 ,who will tell me only what is4444 ,this1 sir1 is the country-man who leaving his plough1 is come to talk with you about the affair of those poor orphans which is not ended4 ,that is true1 but what would you have8 ,we are so overwhelmed6 ,no matter1 it shall be decided4444 ,ah6 good sir1 ,i am glad to see you2 ,i owe you a compliment3 the last wig ,i had of you makes me look ten years older4 ,surely the gentleman did not think1 ,i had so magisterial a face6 ,do you know1 my dear sir1 that it is enough to make me look ridiculous1 and you to forfeit your reputation4444 ,grant1 ,o ,lord1 three weeks of a westerly wind that my ship may sail4444 ,o ,lord1 three weeks of an easterly wind that my ship may arrive4444 ,give me1 ,o ,god1 give me children4444 ,o ,god6 send a malignant fever upon my ungracious son4444 ,o ,lord6 grant me a husband4444 ,o ,god6 rid me of mine44440 ,perhaps all this ,hodge-,podge will not be relished by most of my readers4 ,i should be sorry for it4 ,to what end then do mortals hold such odd1 such silly and such contradictory discourses8 ,,chap4 ,,xi4 ,,the ,,mirrour4 ,as ,i was amusing myself with these broken speeches1 the ,prefect of ,giphantia presented me with a ,mirrour4 ,thou canst only 7says he7 guess at things3 but with thy rod and that glass1 thou art going to hear and see both at once2 nothing will escape thee2 thou wilt be as present to whatever passes4 ,from space to space 7continued the ,prefect7 there are in the atmosphere portions of air which the spirits have so ranged1 that they receive the rays reflected from the different parts of the earth1 and remit them to this ,mirrour3 so that by inclining the glass different ways1 the several parts of the earth's surface will be visible on it4 ,they will all appear one after the other1 if the ,mirrour is placed successively in all possible aspects4 ,it is in thy power to view the habitations of every mortal4 ,i hastily took up the wonderful glass4 ,in less than a quarter of an hour ,i surveyed the whole earth4 ,i perceived many void spaces1 even in the most populous countries6 and yet ,i saw men crowding1 jostling and destroying one another1 as if they had wanted room4 ,i looked about a good-while for happiness1 and found it no where2 not even in the most flourishing kingdoms4 ,i saw only some signs of it in the villages1 which by their remoteness were screened from the contagion of the cities4 ,i beheld in one view the vast countries which nature meant to separate by still vaster oceans2 and ,i saw men cover the sea with ships1 and by that means join even these distant countries4 ,this is plainly acting 7said ,i7 against nature's intentions3 such proceedings cannot be crowned with success4 ,accordingly1 ,europe does not appear more happy since her junction with ,america3 and ,i do not know whether she has not more reason to lament it4 ,i saw prejudices vary with the climates1 and1 every where1 do much good and much harm4 ,i beheld wise nations rejoice at the birth of their children1 and deplore the death of their relations and friends3 ,i beheld others more wise stand round the new-born babe1 and weep bitterly at the thoughts of the storms he was to undergo in the course of his life2 they reserved their rejoicings for funerals1 and congratulated the deceased upon their being delivered from the miseries of this world4 ,i saw the earth covered with monuments of all kinds1 which human weakness erects to the ambition of heroes4 ,in the very temples1 the brass and the marble1 which contain the remains of the dead1 present images of war1 and breathe slaughter3 the very statues of those friends of mankind1 of those pacific sovereigns1 whom the calamities of the times involve in short wars1 are adorned with warlike instruments and nations in chains1 as if ,laurels died in blood were only worthy to crown ,kings4 ,i saw the most respectable of human propensities carry men to the strangest excesses4 ,some were addressing their prayers to the ,sun1 others were imploring the aid of the ,moon1 and others prostrating themselves before ,mountains2 one was trembling at the aspect of thundering ,jove1 another was bending the knee to an ,ape4 ,the ,ox1 the ,dog1 the ,cat1 had their altars4 ,incense was burning even to ,vegetables2 ,grain1 ,beans1 and ,onions had their worship and votaries4 ,i saw the race of mankind divide themselves into as many ,parties as ,religions2 these ,parties ,i saw divest themselves of all humanity and cloath themselves with ,fanaticism1 and these ,fanatics worrying one another like wild beasts4 ,i saw men who adored the same ,god1 who sacrificed upon the same altar1 who preached to the people the doctrine of peace and love1 ,i saw these very men fall out about unintelligible questions1 and mutually hate1 persecute1 and destroy one another4 ,o ,god6 what will become of man1 if thy goodness doth not exceed their weakness and folly8 ,in a word1 ,i saw the several nations1 diversified in a thousand respects1 all agree in their not being one better than another4 ,all men are bad1 the ,ultramontane by system1 the ,iberian by pride1 the ,batavian by interest1 the ,german by roughness1 the ,islander by humour1 the ,babylonian by caprice1 and ,all by a general corruption of heart4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,xii4 ,,the ,,trial4 ,after this general survey of the whole earth1 ,i had a mind to view ,babylon in particular4 ,having turned my glass to the north1 and inclining it gently to the #bjth meridian1 ,i tried to find out that great city4 ,among the places that passed in succession under my eyes1 there was one that fixed my attention4 ,i saw a country-house1 neither small nor great1 neither too much adorned nor too naked4 ,all about it was more embellished by nature than by art4 ,it overlooked gardens1 groves1 and some ponds which bounded a hill on the east4 ,a country feast was at this time celebrating1 to which all the neighbouring inhabitants were come4 ,some1 stretched on the green turf1 were drinking large draughts1 and entertaining one another with their former amours2 and several were performing dances1 which the old men did not think so fine as those of time past4 ,seest thou 7says the ,prefect to me7 in the balcony1 that young lady who with a smiling air is viewing the sight8 ,she was married some days ago1 and it is on her account that this feast is made4 ,her name is ,sophia3 she has beauty as you see1 fortune1 wit1 and what is worth more than all the rest1 a stock of good sense4 ,she had five ,lovers at one time3 none made a deep impression in her heart1 none were displeasing to her2 she could not tell to which to give the preference4 ,one day she said to them1 ,i am young2 and it is not my intention to enter yet into the bands of matrimony1 which is always done too soon4 ,if my hand is so valuable as by your eager addresses you seem to think1 exert your endeavours to deserve it4 ,but1 ,i declare to you that ,i shall not make any choice these several years4 ,of ,sophia's five ,lovers1 the first was much inclined to extravagance4 ,women 7says he7 are taken with the outside3 let us spend freely and spare nothing4 ,the second had a fund of economy which bordered upon avarice4 ,sophia 7says he7 who has a solid judgment1 must think him best that shows himself capable of amassing riches3 let us turn to commerce4 ,the third was proud and haughty4 ,surely 7says he7 ,sophia1 who has noble thoughts1 will be touched with the lustre of glory3 let us take to arms4 ,the fourth was a studious man4 ,sophia 7says he7 who has so much sense1 will incline to where the most is to be found4 ,let us continue to cultivate our mind2 and strive to distinguish ourselves among the learned4 ,the fifth was an indolent man1 who gave himself little concern about worldly affairs3 he was at a loss what course to take4 ,each pursued his plan1 and pursued it with that ardor which love alone is capable of inspiring4 ,the prodigal expended part of his estate in cloaths1 in equipages1 in domesticks2 he built a fine house1 furnished it nobly1 kept open table1 gave balls and entertainments of all kinds3 nothing was talked of but his generosity and magnificence4 ,the merchant set all the springs of commerce in motion1 traded to all parts of the world and became one of the richest men of his country4 ,the military man sought occasions2 and soon signalized himself4 ,the studious man redoubled his efforts1 made discoveries1 and became famous4 ,mean while1 the indolent lover made his reflections2 and1 believing if he remained unactive he should be excluded1 he strove to conquer his indolence4 ,the estate1 he had from his ancestors1 seemed to him very sufficient1 and he did not care to meddle with commerce2 the hurry of war was quite opposite to his temper1 and he had no mind to take to arms2 he had never read but for his amusement1 the sciences did not seem to him worth the pains to come at them2 he had no ambition to become learned4 ,what then is to be done8 ,let us wait1 7says he7 time will show4 ,so he remained at his country-house1 pruning his trees1 reading ,horace1 and now and then going to see the only object that disturbed his tranquillity4 ,ever resolving to take some course1 the time slipt away1 and he took none4 ,the fatal hour approaches 7said he sometimes to ,sophia7 you are going to make your choice1 and most assuredly it will not be in my favour4 ,yet a few days1 and ,i am undone4 ,this peaceful retreat1 those delightful fields you will not grace1 you will not enliven1 with your presence4 ,those serene days that ,i reckoned to pass with you in the purest of pleasures were only flattering dreams with which love charmed my senses4 ,o ,sophia6 all that stirs the passions and troubles the repose of men has no power over me2 my desires are all centered in you2 and ,i am going to lose you for ever6 ,you are too reasonable1 replied ,sophia1 to take it ill that ,i should chuse where ,i think ,i shall be happy4 ,at last1 the time was expired1 and not without many reflections1 ,sophia resolved to make her choice4 ,she said to the prodigal3 if ,i have been the aim of your expences1 ,i am sorry for it3 but what you have done for my sake1 you would have done1 had ,i been out of the question4 ,you have lavished away one part of your estate to obtain a wife2 you would spend the other to avoid the trouble of management4 ,i advise you never to think of it4 ,she told the merchant1 soldier and scholar1 ,i am sensible1 you have shown a great regard for me3 but ,i think too you have shown no less1 you for riches1 you for glory1 and you for learning4 ,in trying to fix my inclination1 each has followed his own2 each would do as much for himself as for me4 ,should ,i chuse one of you1 his views would still rest upon other objects2 one would be busied with increasing his fortune1 the other with his promotion in the army1 and the third with his progress in the sciences4 ,i cannot therefore satisfy any one of you3 and my desire is to ingross the heart of the man who ingrosses mine4 ,the same day1 she saw the solitary gentleman4 ,you have long waited for it 7said she to him7 and ,i am at last going to declare my mind4 ,you know what your rivals have done to obtain my consent3 see what they were and what they are4 ,for your part1 such as you was1 such you remain4 ,i think1 ,i see the reason4 ,indifferent to all other things1 you have but one passion1 and ,i am its object4 ,i alone can render you happy4 ,well then6 my happiness shall be in creating yours4 ,i will share the delights of your solitude1 and will endeavour to increase them4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,talents4 ,i returned to my first object1 and1 after a long search1 ,i perceived on the mirrour a spot of land which seemed wrapped in a cloud4 ,there issued from thence a confused noise like the murmurs of an ebbing tide4 ,the sun quickly dispersed the vapours1 and ,i saw ,babylon4 ,i saw there spectacles wherein the calamities of past times are lamented1 in order to forget the calamities of the present2 ,i saw ,academies where they should examine and discuss1 but where they dispute and quarrel2 ,temples that are built against the restoration of religion2 ,orators1 who foretell to the seduced people the most terrible disasters1 and ,hearers who measure the expressions and criticize the style2 a ,palace wherein are placed ,magistrates for the security of your property1 and where you are conducted by ,guides who fleece you4 ,i cast my eyes on the publick walks and gardens1 ever open to idleness1 coquetry and recreation4 ,i beheld sitting alone on the grass a person who1 with a smile1 was penning down his ideas4 ,i fixed the paper1 and read what follows3 8,one day ,jupiter proclaimed through the whole earth1 that he had resolved to distribute different talents to the different nations2 that on such a day the distribution would be made at ,olympus2 and that the geniuses of the several nations should repair thither4 8,the ,genius of ,babylon stayed not till the day appointed1 but came the first of all to ,jupiter's palace4 ,he made his appearance with that air of confidence which is natural to him2 he uttered ,i know not how many very handsome and well-turned compliments1 and made presents to all the celestial court with a grace peculiar to him4 8,he gave the ,father of the gods a quintal of wild-fire of a late invention1 that his thunder may be more effectual and people begin to have faith3 to ,apollo a ,babylonian grammar1 that he may reform the oddities of the language3 to ,minerva a collection of ,romances1 that she may correct their licentiousness and teach the ,romancers to write decently3 to ,venus two small votive pictures1 to thank her for that the last year there were at ,babylon but two hundred thousand inhabitants who bore the long and painful marks of her favours4 8,he made his court to the ,gods1 wheedled the ,goddesses1 said and did so many handsome and pleasant things1 that nothing was talked of at ,jupiter's court but the agreeableness of the ,genius of ,babylon4 8,mean while1 the day appointed was come3 and ,jupiter1 having advised with his council1 made the distribution of the different talents to the ,geniuses of the several nations4 ,to this he assigned the gift of ,philosophy3 to that1 the gift of ,legislation2 and to another the gift of ,eloquence4 ,he said to one1 ,be ,thou the most ingenious2 to another1 ,be ,thou the most learned1 and ,thou1 the most frugal2 and ,thou1 the most warlike2 and ,thou1 the most politick3 and ,be ,thou 7said he1 speaking to the ,genius of ,babylon7 whatever thou chusest to be4 8,delighted with his success1 and returning home1 the ,genius of ,babylon is at all4 ,he framed ,i know not how many schemes1 and executed none4 ,he made most excellent laws1 and afterwards embroiled them with numberless explanations and comments4 8,he would likewise turn ,theologist1 and engaged in disputes which proved fatal to him4 8,he traded1 gained much1 enlarged his expences1 and became richer and less easy4 8,orator1 ,poet1 ,merchant1 ,philosopher1 he was every thing2 and in many things he attained to perfection1 but never could keep his ground40 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,taste ,,of ,,the ,,age4 ,two men of letters were walking at a little distance4 8,will you not own 7said one of them7 that1 two centuries ago1 our learning was in its infancy2 and hardly showed to what degree it might arrive4 ,in the last century1 it took root and rose so high that nothing was seen above it4 ,the greatest masters among the ,greeks and ,latins were taken for patterns3 they were equalled1 if not surpassed4 8,success inspires confidence2 and too much confidence breeds neglect4 ,to have the eye always on the ,antients grew distasteful4 ,they have had their merit 7said the ,babylonians7 and we have ours3 who can say we do not equal them8 ,they therefore set up for themselves3 and the taste1 not the more general and of all the nations1 but the taste peculiar to them characterized their works4 ,see almost all our poems1 our histories1 our speeches1 our books1 all is after the ,babylonian mode2 much of art1 little of nature2 a vast superficies1 no depth2 all is florid1 light1 lively1 sparkling2 all is pretty1 nothing is fine4 ,methinks ,i foresee the judgment of posterity3 they will consider the works of the seventeenth century as the greatest efforts of the nation towards the excellent2 and the works of the eighteenth1 as pictures wherein the ,babylonians have taken pleasure to paint themselves4 8,if our writers are capable to go back and resume their great patterns1 it is known what they can do2 they are sure to please all the world1 and for ever3 but1 if they continue to stand on their own bottom1 their works will be only trinkets of fancy1 on which the present taste stamps a value1 and which another taste will soon bury in oblivion40 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,xv4 ,,the ,,female ,,reasoner4 ,i saw two women apart1 one of which was talking3 she looked round her every moment with that air of uneasiness which expresses a confidence the most mysterious4 ,i lent my ear2 and with great difficulty ,i heard what follows3 8,i am obliged to thee1 my dear ,countess1 for the idea thou hast conceived of my prudence4 ,hearken2 ,i will hide nothing from thee2 thou shalt see how far ,i may be relied on4 ,we women are forced to guess things1 they will never be told us plainly3 but1 with a little attention1 it is easy for us to see how matters are4 ,for my part1 ,i have reflected on the maxims of the wise men of our days1 and from thence have drawn these conclusions4 ,it is only the mob that trouble themselves now about a future state2 the rewards and punishments of another world are words without a meaning2 which have long been discarded by people of fashion4 ,beasts and men 7of beasts the chief7 are made to be guided by the senses2 they should be actuated solely by the passions4 ,let each attentively listen to what is inspired into him by nature1 and let him follow her inspirations2 that is the way to happiness4 ,on the other hand1 society cannot subsist without laws1 and laws cannot be accommodated to the passions of every citizen4 ,they therefore who have placed their happiness in what is forbidden by law1 cannot behave too circumspectly4 ,they must always walk in the shade2 mystery should follow their steps1 and cast a veil on all their proceedings3 in a word1 they may do what they will1 provided they appear to do what they ought4 ,these1 my dear ,countess1 are the maxims ,i have gathered from the ,philosophy of the time4 ,i will not mention their influence on my conduct4 ,perhaps ,i really am what ,i appear to be3 but ,i should be quite otherwise1 that ,i might appear always such40 ,o ,babylon6 7said ,i to myself7 the leven has fermented the whole mass4 ,thou appearest very corrupt2 but thou art still more corrupt than thou appearest4 ,,chap4 ,,xvi4 ,,the ,,crocodiles4 ,during the course of my travels1 ,i saw in ,persia1 on the plains watered by the ,tedjen1 a dispute arise which divided the country and bred a surprising animosity in the people4 ,i was curious to see how that matter stood3 ,i placed the mirrour in the proper position1 and then put the end of the rod upon the globe1 so as ,i could see and hear what was doing4 ,the plain was covered with two numerous armies2 which were just going to join battle4 ,the ground of the quarrel was this3 ,a pious and learned ,musulman1 who used to read the ,alcoran with the zeal of an archangel and the penetration of a seraphim1 took it in his head one day to ask whether the dove1 that instructed ,mahomet1 spoke ,hebrew or ,arabic4 ,some said one thing1 some another2 and two parties were formed4 ,they disputed1 they wrote at large pro and con1 and could not agree4 ,to the warmth of the contest were added bitterness1 malignity its inseparable companion1 and policy1 which endeavours to make an advantage of every thing4 ,one party persecuted the other1 or was persecuted1 according as they were or were not uppermost4 ,they began with the forfeiture of estates and banishments2 and ended in an open war4 ,the sectaries had caballed so well1 that the people rose in arms against one another4 ,the two armies were just going to ingage1 when a venerable old man advanced1 and convening the heads1 made the following speech3 8,hearken1 ,o ye people of ,chorasan4 ,there was in ,egypt a famous city called ,ombi2 it was near another great city named ,tentyris3 both were situated on the fertile banks of the ,nile#b4 ,in that part1 the river bred a great number of ,crocodiles2 and these voracious animals so fiercely attacked these two cities1 that the inhabitants were going to remove4 ,the governours of ,tentyris were apprehensive that their authority would vanish1 and the citizens would come to be dispersed4 ,they assembled therefore the ,tentyrites and said3 8,you suffer the destructive animals to increase and multiply in peace4 ,hear what we have to declare to you in the name of the ,nile your foster-father and your ,god4 ,woe be unto you1 if you remain any longer in this state of indolence6 ,arm without delay1 and wage war against the monsters that devour your wives and children4 8,it was the injunction of the ,nile1 and not to be disputed4 ,the ,tentyrites took up arms1 but it was with great disadvantage1 and never was advice more imprudent4 ,the ,crocodiles1 invulnerable in almost all the parts of their bodies1 killed many more men than the men killed monsters4 ,the governours of ,ombi used a different artifice to keep the ,ombites from leaving their city4 8,hearken1 7said they to them7 the ,god ,nile speaks to you by our mouth3 ,i create plenty among the ,ombites1 ,i inrich their lands1 ,i fatten their flocks2 my waters flow and they grow rich4 ,the ,crocodile is my servant1 and ,i permit him now and then to feed upon some of them2 this is the only tribute ,i require for all my benefits3 and1 instead of rejoicing at having it in their power by a single act to render themselves agreeable to me1 they destroy one another1 if my servant seizes a few children4 ,let them cease to complain1 or ,i will cease to feed them2 ,i will with-hold my waters and all shall perish4 8,the moment the ,ombites knew the ,crocodile to be the favourite of the ,nile1 they erected altars to him2 and1 far from complaining when he was pleased to feed on their children1 they gloried in it4 ,is there a woman more happy than ,i8 7said an ,ombite7 ,i enjoy a competent fortune1 have a loving husband1 and three of my children have been eaten by the servant of our ,god ,nile4 8,in the mean time1 the favourite of the ,nile was killed by the ,tentyrites and worshipped by the ,ombites4 ,discord and animosity inflamed them against one another2 they went to war1 which ended in the destruction of both4 ,thus perished two cities1 dupes of their sincerity1 devoured by the ,crocodile1 and butchered by each other4 ,let this example open your eyes1 ,o ye unfortunate inhabitants of this happy climate4 ,cease to be victims of an irregular zeal3 worship ,god1 keep silence1 and live in peace40 ,scarce had the old man done speaking1 when a general murmur and menacing looks showed him how little he had moved the assembly1 so he withdrew with a sigh4 ,immediately the battle was joined2 and ,i turned away my eyes that ,i might not behold these mad people destroy one another4 ,i have a great deal more to show you1 7says the ,prefect7 let us lay down the mirrour and rod1 and walk on4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,xvii4 ,,the ,,storm4 ,some paces from the noisy globe1 the earth is hollowed1 and there appears a descent of forty or fifty steps of turf2 at the foot of which there is a beaten subterraneous path4 ,we went in2 and my guide1 after leading me through several dark turnings1 brought me at last to the light again4 ,he conducted me into a hall of a middling size1 and not much adorned1 where ,i was struck with a sight that raised my astonishment4 ,i saw1 out of a window1 a sea which seemed to me to be about a quarter of a mile distant4 ,the air1 full of clouds1 transmitted only that pale light which forebodes a storm3 the raging sea ran mountains high1 and the shore was whitened with the foam of the billows which broke on the beach4 ,by what miracle 7said ,i to myself7 has the air1 serene a moment ago1 been so suddenly obscured8 ,by what miracle do ,i see the ocean in the center of ,africa8 ,upon saying these words1 ,i hastily ran to convince my eyes of so improbable a thing4 ,but in trying to put my head out of the window1 ,i knocked it against something that felt like a wall4 ,stunned with the blow1 and still more with so many mysteries1 ,i drew back a few paces4 ,thy hurry 7said the ,prefect7 occasions thy mistake4 ,that window1 that vast horizon1 those thick clouds1 that raging sea1 are all but a picture4 ,from one astonishment ,i fell into another3 ,i drew near with fresh haste2 my eyes were still deceived1 and my hand could hardly convince me that a picture should have caused such an illusion4 ,the elementary spirits 7continued the ,prefect7 are not so able painters as naturalists2 thou shalt judge by their way of working4 ,thou knowest that the rays of light1 reflected from different bodies1 make a picture and paint the bodies upon all polished surfaces1 on the retina of the eye1 for instance1 on water1 on glass4 ,the elementary spirits have studied to fix these transient images3 they have composed a most subtile matter1 very viscous1 and proper to harden and dry1 by the help of which a picture is made in the twinkle of an eye4 ,they do over with this matter a piece of canvas1 and hold it before the objects they have a mind to paint4 ,the first effect of the canvas is that of a mirrour2 there are seen upon it all the bodies far and near1 whose image the light can transmit4 ,but what the glass cannot do1 the canvas1 by means of the viscous matter1 retains the images4 ,the mirrour shows the objects exactly1 but keeps none2 our canvases show them with the same exactness1 and retains them all4 ,this impression of the images is made the first instant they are received on the canvas1 which is immediately carried away into some dark place2 an hour after1 the subtile matter dries1 and you have a picture so much the more valuable1 as it cannot be imitated by art nor damaged by time4 ,we take1 in their purest source1 in the luminous bodies1 the colours which painters extract from different materials1 and which time never fails to alter4 ,the justness of the design1 the truth of the expression1 the gradation of the shades1 the stronger or weaker strokes1 the rules of perspective1 all these we leave to nature1 who1 with a sure and never-erring hand1 draws upon our canvases images which deceive the eye and make reason to doubt1 whether1 what are called real objects1 are not phantoms which impose upon the sight1 the hearing1 the feeling1 and all the senses at once4 ,the ,prefect then entered into some physical discussions1 first1 on the nature of the glutinous substance which intercepted and retained the rays2 secondly1 upon the difficulties of preparing and using it2 thirdly1 upon the struggle between the rays of light and the dried substance2 three problems1 which ,i propose to the naturalists of our days1 and leave to their sagacity4 ,mean while1 ,i could not take off my eyes from the picture4 ,a sensible spectator1 who from the shore beholds a tempestuous sea1 feels not more lively impressions3 such images are equivalent to the things themselves4 ,the ,prefect interrupted my extasy4 ,i keep you too long 7says he7 upon this storm1 by which the elementary spirits designed to represent allegorically the troublesome state of this world1 and mankind's stormy passage through the same3 turn thy eyes1 and behold what will feed thy curiosity and increase thy admiration4 ,,chap4 ,,xviii4 ,,the ,,gallery ,,or ,,the ,,fortune ,,of ,,mankind4 ,scarce had the ,prefect said these words2 when a folding-door opened on our right1 and let us into an immense ,gallery1 where my wonder was turned into amazement4 ,on each side1 above two hundred windows let in the light to such a degree1 that the eye could hardly bear its splendor4 ,the spaces between them were painted with that art1 ,i have just been describing4 ,out of each window1 was seen some part of the territory of the elementary spirits4 ,in each picture1 appeared woods1 fields1 seas1 nations1 armies1 whole regions2 and all these objects were painted with such truth1 that ,i was often forced to recollect myself1 that ,i might not fall again into illusion4 ,i could not tell1 every moment1 whether what ,i was viewing out of a window was not a painting1 or what ,i was looking at in a picture was not a reality4 ,survey with thy eyes 7said the ,prefect7 survey the most remarkable events that have shaken the earth and decided the fate of men4 ,alass6 what remains of all these powerful springs1 of all these great exploits8 the most real signs of them are the traces they have left upon our canvases in forming these pictures#c4 ,the most antient actions1 whose lustre has preserved their memory1 are the actions of violence4 ,nimrod1 the mighty hunter1 after having worried the wild beasts1 attacks his fellow-creatures4 ,see in the first picture that gigantic man1 the first of those heroes so renowned2 see in his looks pride1 ambition1 an ardent desire of rule4 ,he framed the first scheme of a kingdom1 and uniting men under the pretence of binding them together1 he enslaved them4 ,belus1 ,ninus1 ,semiramis ascend the throne1 which they strengthen by fresh acts of violence6 and of above thirty kings who successively reigned1 only one closed the wounds of mankind1 let ,asia take breath1 and governed like a philosopher3 his name is almost forgot4 ,history1 which glows at the sight of renowned and tragical events1 languishes over peaceable reigns3 and scarce mentions such sovereigns4 ,sardanapalus ends this series of kings4 ,enemy to noise1 disorder and war1 he mispends his time1 shuts himself up in his palace1 and sinks into effeminacy4 ,the women1 thou seest about him1 neither think nor exist but for him4 ,his looks give them life1 and he receives life from theirs4 ,what do ,i say8 ,he seeks himself with astonishment and finds himself not2 a surfeit of pleasures destroys his taste3 he does not live1 but languish4 ,in the mean time1 two of his generals#d loathing peace1 form schemes of conquests1 and feed1 themselves with bloody projects4 ,they deem themselves alone worthy to reign1 because they alone breathe war in the midst of the publick tranquillity4 ,see where they attack and dethrone their effeminate monarch3 and forcing him to destroy himself1 they seize and share his dominions4 ,thus the ,assyrian empire was dismembered1 after having kept ,asia in continual alarms above twelve hundred years4 ,kings succeeded both at ,nineveh and at ,babylon2 and all became famous for wars and ravages#e4 ,one of them laid ,egypt waste1 plundered ,palestine1 burnt ,jerusalem1 put out the eyes of a king whose children he had murdered1 drove from their country whole nations and put them in chains2 and1 after such expeditions1 he ordered altars to be erected to him1 and worship to be paid him as to a beneficent ,god4 ,see at the foot of his image1 incense burning and nations lying prostrate2 and admire how far the pride and abjection of mortals extend#f4 ,the next picture represents the infancy of ,cyrus1 and the particular moment wherein he gave signs of that intolerable haughtiness1 considered by the historians as the first sallies of a greatness of soul1 which to display itself wants only great occasions4 ,cyrus1 both by right of birth and right of conquest1 united ,assyria and ,media to ,persia1 and was the founder of the largest empire that ever existed4 ,his successors still think their bounds too narrow3 they send into ,greece1 which was then signalized in ,europe1 armies infinitely numerous1 the which are destroyed3 and the spirit of conquest had on that occasion the fate which unhappily it has not always4 ,the ,greeks1 freed from these powerful enemies1 turn their arms against one another3 they are animated by jealousy1 inflamed by the warm and dangerous eloquence of their orators1 and torn by civil wars4 ,persia falls into the same convulsions4 ,and when perhaps every thing was tending to peace1 ,alexander appears1 and all are embroiled worse than ever4 ,this picture shows him in that tender age wherein he lamented his father's conquests1 and saw with grief human blood shed by wounds1 he had not made4 ,scarce was he on the throne when he carried desolation into ,greece1 ,persia and ,india4 ,the world did not suffice for his murdering progress1 and his heart was still unsatisfied4 ,that other picture represents his death4 ,that destructive thunderbolt is at last extinguished1 ,alexander expires1 and casting his dying eyes on the grand monarchy he is going to leave1 nothing seems to comfort him but the prospect of the bloody tragedies of which his death is to be the signal4 ,of all ,alexander's dominions1 those to whom they belonged of right1 had the least share4 ,the empire was divided among his generals#g4 ,war was soon kindled amongst them1 continued among their descendants1 and ruined all the countries of which they had the rule4 ,among so many warlike kings1 ,ptolemy ,philadelphus appeared like a lily raised by chance in a field of thorns4 ,see in that immense library1 the monarch surrounded with old sages1 who are giving him an account of the numberless volumes which are before his eyes4 ,he was too great a lover of mankind to disturb their tranquillity2 and held them in such estimation1 that he collected from all countries the productions of their wit#h4 ,these kinds of riches seemed to him alone worthy his care4 ,he saw them with the same eye that other kings behold those metals which they search for in the bowels of the earth1 or which they fetch from the extremities of the world through rivulets of blood4 ,whilst discord rages amongst ,alexander's successors and their descendants2 already appeared in the center of ,italy the first sparks of the flame that was to spread over the universe and consume all nations4 ,like those bodies of a vast weight1 which1 not being in their just position1 swing themselves to and fro for some moments1 and then fix themselves immoveably2 ,rome1 subject successively to kings1 consuls1 decemvirs1 military tribunes1 settles a government and begins the conquest of the world4 ,this ambitious nation1 direct at first their forces against their neighbours4 ,in vain did the several ,italian states struggle for five hundred years against the fate of ,rome3 one while in subjection1 another while in rebellion3 now conquerors1 now conquered1 they were all in the end forced to submit to the yoke4 ,italy subdued and calmed1 that is1 reduced to the state of those robust bodies1 which by being exhausted fall into a consumption and weakness1 the ,romans cross the seas1 and go into ,africa in search of fresh enemies and other spoils4 ,carthage as ambitious1 perhaps as powerful1 but more unfortunate than her rival1 after a long and violent contest1 is overcome and destroyed4 ,corinth and ,numantia share the same fate4 ,about this time1 ,viriatus raised himself in the same manner as the ,romans4 ,in this picture1 he is a huntsman2 in that1 a robber2 in the third1 a general of an army2 and in the fourth1 he mounts the throne of ,lusitania4 ,but he was only a victim crowned by fortune to be sacrificed to the ambition of the ,romans#i4 ,asia is soon opened to these insatiable conquerors4 ,the empire daily enlarges1 and that enormous power over-runs all the known world4 ,the first passion of the ,romans was glory4 ,during seven centuries1 patriotism1 which policy cherished with so great success1 directed the love of glory in favour of the republic2 and the ,romans signalized themselves no less by their attachment to their country1 than by their warlike exploits4 ,this space was filled with a long train of heroes1 and those that followed1 despairing to become famous in the same manner1 sought to distinguish themselves by other methods4 ,rome was mistress of the world2 it appeared glorious to become master of ,rome4 ,sylla1 ,marius1 and some others1 showed that such a project was not impracticable3 ,csar accomplished it4 ,that boasted conqueror1 who was reproached with so many things1 effaced them all by his virtue3 by his military virtue which destroyed above a million of men1 oppressed his fellow-citizens1 and enslaved his country4 ,in vain did the republic exert her utmost endeavours to save her expiring liberty2 she was exhausted and stretched her hands to ,augustus1 who1 from a bad citizen1 became the best of masters4 ,raised to the empire1 he put an end to war1 and soon gave mankind a peace the most universal1 they had ever enjoyed4 ,the elementary spirits have given an idea of the pleasure of this general tranquillity1 by the agreeable prospect of the landskips which are here represented4 ,this peace4444 ,pray 7says ,i interrupting the ,prefect7 suspend a moment the rapid recital of so many revolutions2 give me leave to examine this picture1 and a little time to calm the perturbation of my mind4 ,how ,i love to see that beautiful sky2 those plains that lose themselves at a distance2 those pastures filled with flocks2 those fields covered with corn8 ,the breath of war blows far from those climates the vertiginous spirit of heroism4 ,this is indeed the seat of peace and tranquillity4 ,my imagination carries me to those delightful vallies3 ,i behold and contemplate nature1 whose labours nothing interrupts1 producing on every side life and pleasure4 ,my thoughts are composed and my spirits sedate amidst the tranquillity that reigns in those places3 my blood1 grown cool1 flows in my veins with the same gentle motion as the rivulets that water those green turfs2 and the passions now have on my mind only the effect of the zephyr1 which seems to play gently among the branches of leafy trees4 ,,chap4 ,,xix4 ,,the ,,other ,,side ,,of ,,the ,,gallery4 ,the ,prefect soon resumed the thread of his discourse4 ,the quickness1 wherewith he ran over the ,gallery1 hardly gave me time to view the several pictures he was explaining4 ,i had not seen him before nor did ,i afterwards see him speak with so much action4 ,his face was inflamed1 his eyes darted fire1 and his words were too slow for his eagerness4 ,the language1 the manners1 the laws of the ,romans 7said he7 were spread over the world4 ,the nations1 conquered and settled1 became members of the empire2 and all the known world made but one family4 ,by what fatality was ,augustus's peace1 which seemed so unalterable1 of so short a duration8 ,mankind only breathed1 and were soon inflicted with new wounds4 ,when ,rome had no more kingdoms to subdue1 she had rebels to reduce4 ,several nations1 thinking it a great happiness or a great glory to be parted from the body of the empire1 rebelled in ,europe1 in ,asia1 in ,africa3 all were repressed4 ,thus most of the nations1 formerly attacked and defeated1 now the aggressors and reduced1 continued to be hurled from one misfortune to another2 and the following pictures1 those which represent the more celebrated times of the first ,emperors1 will still go on to present to thee spectacles of blood4 ,the three reigns of ,titus1 ,antoninus1 and ,marcus ,aurelius1 were three fine ,days in a severe ,winter4 ,those times1 nevertheless1 were times of peace1 in comparison of those that had gone before and those that came after4 ,the empire was like a body with a good constitution1 but which however is attacked with some disorders1 and shews that it is not far from its decline4 ,whilst the ,romans1 at first to extend1 then to support and sometimes to inrich themselves1 kept the world in awe1 pulled down what attempted to rise1 and penetrated wherever they were allured by rich spoils2 towards the ,north1 in those frozen climates where nature seems to reach only to expire1 there arose and increased1 in the bosom of peace and silence1 nations who were one day to humble the pride of the masters of the world4 ,three centuries had not yet passed since ,augustus's peace1 when1 in the reign of ,valerianus1 the deceitful hope of a more commodious and happy life armed these unpolished people4 ,see where they are coming out of their huts1 tumultuously gathering together1 marching in disorder1 and showing the way to the hideous multitudes who followed one another from age to age4 ,these foreign enemies1 coming when the empire was rent with internal rebellions1 shook the ,colossus4 ,it withstood however1 for some time1 the weight which pulled it down1 and one while ready to fall1 and another while erect1 it seemed sometimes to be going to stand firm again4 ,among the emperors who signalized themselves against the ,barbarians1 ,probus contributed the most to support the ,majesty of the ,roman name4 ,valiant1 but still more humane1 he abhorred war and continually waged it4 ,dost thou observe1 in the picture before thee1 that bald old man1 his air of candor1 his respectable countenance1 the plainness of every thing about him8 ,it is ,probus represented in the moment when1 beholding ,rome's enemies humbled1 full of the idea of that general peace he always desired1 he said3 8yet a few days and the empire will have no farther occasion for soldiers40 ,words which rendered him worthy of the veneration of the whole earth1 but which caused him to be murdered4 ,time passed1 the efforts of the ,barbarians redoubled1 and blood continued to be shed4 ,mean while1 the enemies of ,rome grew warlike1 and her defenders degenerated4 ,of this the chief causes were pride1 which increasing wants1 forces the citizen to refer every thing to his private interest2 the folly of most of the emperors1 which bred in the people a numbness which a few years confirm1 and which whole ages cannot remove2 perhaps too a weariness of the spirits2 for that ambition1 that haughtiness1 or1 if you please1 that ,roman grandeur1 was in the course of things an excessive effort1 which1 like an epidemical distemper come to its height1 must necessarily abate by degrees4 ,however this may be1 a century and half after their first invasions1 the ,barbarians began to make real progresses1 and dismember the ,western part of the empire4 ,amidst the troubles that then existed1 some kingdoms were established which still remain to this day4 ,just as ,earthquakes1 which raising the sea drown whole regions1 produce also new ,islands amidst the waves4 ,see the ,goths1 who after traversing sword in hand1 part of ,asia and all ,europe1 are settling in ,spain3 see the ,angles1 a people of ,germany1 who are passing into ,great ,britain1 and1 under pretence of aiding1 are seizing it3 see the ,franks1 other ,germans1 who are coming to free the ,gauls from the ,roman yoke and making them to submit to theirs4 ,in these unhappy times1 ,rome herself shares the same fate which she had made so many cities undergo2 she is plundered and sacked at several times#aj4 ,but the next pictures present to thee1 in a point of view still more dreadful1 regions laid waste1 fields bathed in blood1 and cities in ashes4 ,these are the exploits of ,attila and his rapid incursions in ,macedonia1 ,mysia1 ,thrace1 ,italy1 and almost through the whole world which he ravaged4 ,so many desolations1 proceeding from several conquerors1 would have made so many heroes3 coming from a single hand1 they form a terrible monster4 ,it is thus that military virtues show themselves in their true colours1 and become horrible when they meet in a center#aa4 ,during ,attila's ravages1 certain ,italians flying from his fury1 withdraw to the ,adriatic sea-side4 ,behold in this picture the men pale1 the women dishevelled1 and the children in tears4 ,some hide themselves among the rocks2 others dig themselves subterraneous retreats2 some ascend the hills1 and1 as far as their eyes can reach1 look whither the merciless conqueror1 whose name alone makes them tremble1 is still pursuing them to those desolate places1 so little proper for the habitation of men4 ,on every side thou canst see nothing but destruction and horror3 very soon however proud ,venice is going to rise out of these melancholy ruins4 ,shortly after1 the last blow is given to the ,western empire4 ,tyrannized by its rulers1 rent by factions1 weakened by continual losses1 and pressed by a fatal destiny1 it shakes under some emperors1 and falls under ,augustulus4 ,rome and ,italy1 successively a prey to two ,barbarians1 are afterwards united to the ,eastern empire1 from which by fresh misfortunes they were soon after detached again4 ,two centuries passed in cruel vicissitudes1 when a new scourge1 ,mahomet1 arose in the ,east4 ,he was deemed at first but as an impostor worthy of contempt3 but he had an understanding capable of the greatest things1 and a boldness which carried him to the highest enterprizes4 ,it was known how far he was able to go1 when his progress could no longer be opposed4 ,he over-ran part of the ,east1 and out of the ruins founded the kingdom of the ,khalifs4 ,the nations1 he subdued by force of arms1 he won by seduction2 and1 more fatal still to mankind than all the heroes whose pernicious actions die with them1 he sullied the human species with a stain which probably will never be effaced#ab4 ,in the ,west1 the misfortunes of the ,romans are renewed4 ,the ,lombards waste ,italy1 the ,moors settle in ,spain1 from whence they threaten the ,french3 new swarms of ,barbarians are going to invade the finest countries of ,europe4 ,at this time1 from the bosom of ,france arises a ,prince full of genius1 and of that military ardor which1 in a calm1 would have brought on a storm2 but which1 finding the tempest formed1 like an impetuous wind1 blew it away3 this was ,charlemain4 ,in this picture1 he checks the ,saracens2 in that1 he subdues ,germany2 moreover1 he destroys in ,italy the power of the ,lombards1 founds the temporal authority of the ,popes1 and receives the crown of the ,western empire4 ,charlemain's empire soon fell to pieces4 ,the partitions of the princes1 and the ambition of some chiefs1 detach whole nations from it4 ,weak or avaricious emperors give or sell liberty to others4 ,the rest is under particular lords3 the sovereign scarce keeps the title and shadow of authority4 ,dost thou observe that battle8 seest thou a numerous army defeated by fifteen hundred men8 ,it is the ra of the liberty of the ,helvetic body4 ,members of the empire1 but oppressed by tyrants1 the ,swiss shake off the yoke and form a government1 the wisdom of which cannot be too much admired4 ,their commerce extends but to necessaries3 they have soldiers only for their defence1 and these too are trained among other nations3 a constant peace reigns in the republic4 ,without covetousness1 without jealousy1 without ambition1 liberty and necessaries content them4 ,they are a people that talk the least of philosophy1 and are the most philosophical4 ,whilst the new ,western empire is rent1 the ,eastern is destroyed4 ,thou seest coming out of ,asia the last swarm of ,barbarians which were to fall upon ,europe#ac4 ,they advance3 and1 like huge masses which acquire more force in proportion to the height they fall from1 they crush ,constantinople and seize the ,eastern empire1 which they still possess to this day4 ,such is the disastrous contexture of the compendious ,history of mankind3 the crowd of particulars is only a crowd of less noted calamities4 ,the total of the nations1 especially the ,european1 is like a mass of quicksilver1 which the lightest impression puts in motion1 which the least shake divides and subdivides1 and of which chance unites again the parts in a thousand different manners4 ,who will find the means to fix them8 ,,the ,,end ,,of ,,the ,,first ,,part4 ,,giphantia3 ,,part ,,ii4 ,illustration ,,london1 ,printed in the ,year ,,mdcclx4 ,,table ,,of ,,the ,,chapters4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,page ,,chap4 ,i4 ,,the ,,repast #bja ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,,the ,,kernels #bab ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,,antient ,,love #bae ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,,the ,,grafts #bba ,,chap4 ,v4 ,,voluptas #bbh ,,chap4 ,,vi4 ,,perpetual ,,youth #bcc ,,chap4 ,,vii4 ,,the ,,itchings #bci ,,chap4 ,,viii4 ,,the ,,compensations #bdi ,,chap4 ,,ix4 ,,nil ,,admirari #bec ,,chap4 ,x4 ,,the ,,fantastical ,,tree #bei ,,chap4 ,,xi4 ,,the ,,predictions #bfe ,,chap4 ,,xii4 ,,the ,,system #bgd ,,chap4 ,,xiii4 ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,europeans #bib ,,chap4 ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,maxims #cjb ,,chap4 ,,xv4 ,,the ,,thermometers #cjf ,,chap4 ,,xvi4 ,,the ,,lentils #cab ,,chap4 ,,xvii4 ,,the ,,subterraneous ,,road #cah ,illustration ,,giphantia4 ,,part ,,the ,,second4 ,,chap4 ,i4 ,,the ,,repast4 ,my zeal has carried me farther than ,i should have imagined1 added the ,prefect2 it is time to think of what concerns thee4 ,the air of ,giphantia is lively and full of active corpuscles2 it keeps up the spirits2 and1 in spite of the fatigues1 thou hast endured in the desart1 it does not suffer thee to have the least sense of weariness1 ,however1 thou hast need of a more solid food4 ,i have ordered thee a ,repast1 and ,i will regale thee after the manner of the elementary spirits4 ,we went out of the gallery2 and the ,prefect conducted me to a grotto1 of which the architecture was so strange1 that ,i dare not venture to describe it4 ,the whole furniture was a marble table and a cane-chair1 on which he bid me sit down4 ,whatever ,i saw at ,giphantia was extraordinary1 the ,repast to which ,i was invited was not less so4 ,thirty salt-sellers filled with salts of different colours1 were placed on the table in a circle round a fruit1 much like our melons4 ,there was also a glass decanter full of water1 round which other salt-sellers formed another circle4 ,these preparations were not very tempting2 ,i never had less appetite4 ,however1 not to affront a host1 to whom ,i was so much obliged1 ,i tasted the fruit that he offered me4 ,the purest chymical earth purged of all foreign matter1 would have more taste4 ,i forced myself to swallow a few bits4 ,i drank a glass of water3 ,and ,i told the ,prefect1 that my strength was more than sufficiently recruited1 and if he pleased1 we would continue to visit the rarities of ,giphantia4 ,thou hast had 7said he7 the complaisance to taste the fruit and the liquor1 thou wilt farther oblige me to season them both4 ,the salts which stand round them have1 perhaps1 more virtue than thou art aware of4 ,i invite thee to try4 ,upon these words1 ,i viewed the salt-sellers more attentively1 ,i saw that each had a label2 and ,i read upon those that surrounded the insipid fruit1 salt of woodcock1 salt of quail1 salt of wild-duck1 salt of trout1 c4 ,upon the others1 ,i read1 concrete juice of ,rhenish1 of ,champagne1 of ,burgundy1 of ,usquebaugh1 of oil of ,venus1 of ,citron1 c4 ,having taken a small slice of the fruit1 ,i spread upon it a grain of one of those salts2 and putting it to my mouth ,i took it for the wing of an ortolan4 ,i looked upon the salt-seller from whence ,i had the salt1 and saw the word ortolan on the label4 ,astonished at this phnomenon1 ,i spread upon another slice salt of turbot1 and ,i thought ,i was eating one of the finest turbots the channel ever produced4 ,i tried the same experiment upon the water2 according to the salt ,i dissolved in it1 ,i drank wine of ,beaune1 of ,nuis1 of ,chambertin1 c4 ,my lord1 7said ,i to the ,prefect7 you have shewn me the columns1 the globe1 the mirrour1 the pictures2 ,i have admired the mechanism of these masterpieces1 and the wonderful skill of the elementary spirits2 but now1 my admiration is turned to desire4 ,is a mortal allowed to enter into the physical mysteries of the spirits8 ,may ,i learn from you1 this invaluable secret of your saline powders4 ,now-a-days more than ever1 7added ,i7 men 7especially the ,babylonians7 seek with eagerness whatever can please the senses2 and one of the things which raises the greatest emulation1 is to have a table covered with exquisite dainties4 ,their fore-fathers did not look upon a good cook as a person divine4 ,the most simple preparations sufficed for their food3 they thought no wines excelled those of their own country2 and sometimes those good men made a little too free with them4 ,the modern ,babylonians disgusted at this simplicity1 and hating hard drinking1 have taken a different method4 ,they are become sober1 but of a sensual and ambitious sobriety1 which1 by unheard of extracts and mixtures1 perpetually creates new tastes4 ,they search in the smallest fibres of the animals for the purest substance1 and1 under the name of essences1 they inclose in a little phial the produce of what would suffice for the nourishment of the most numerous families4 ,the most exquisite wines cannot satisfy their palate2 they esteem nothing but what is owing to a violence done to the order of nature's productions4 ,they extract the most active spirit of wine1 and thereto add all the spices of ,india3 ,and1 with such liquors1 seeds of fire1 collected from all the countries of the world1 flow in their veins4 ,you see 7continued ,i7 that with the secret of your savoury crystalizations1 ,i should be able to satisfy the nicest palates1 and please the most curious lovers of variety4 ,but what is much more important1 these saline extracts1 which are not prepared by the pernicious arts of the distiller and cook1 these extracts1 ,i say1 would not spoil the stomach in pleasing the taste2 high health would revive among us2 the primitive constitutions would be restored by degrees2 and mankind would resume a new youthful vigour2 in all respects1 a man might be a glutton without danger1 and1 that is saying a great deal of a vice1 which is become incorrigible4 ,i was not refused3 ,in less than half an hour1 the ,prefect taught me the whole art2 ,i actually resolve the savours1 with the same ease that ,newton did the colours4 ,from all the fruits that go to decay1 from all the plants of no use1 from even the herbs of the field1 in a word1 from all bodies whatever1 ,i extract all their savoury parts2 ,i analyze these parts2 ,i reduce them to their primitive particles2 and then uniting them again in all imaginable proportions1 ,i form saline powders1 which give such a taste as is desired4 ,i can inclose in a small snuff-box1 wherewith to make in an instant a complete entertainment1 courses1 ragouts1 fricassees1 deserts1 coffee1 tea1 with all kinds of wine and other liquors4 ,from a single bit1 though ever so insipid1 ,i produce at pleasure the wing of a partridge1 the thigh of a woodcock1 the tongue of a carp1 c4 ,from a decanter of water1 ,i draw ,tomar1 ,ai1 ,muscadine1 ,malmsey1 ,chian wine1 ,lacryma ,christi1 and a thousand others4 ,my secret should have been publick before now2 but all the advantages accruing from it do not remove a fear1 which1 as will be seen1 is surely not without foundation4 ,i am apprehensive that certain gentlemen1 incessantly busied to open new channels to convey to them the substance of the people1 may lay their greedy hands upon my salt1 and undertake to distribute it1 charged with some light tax4 ,these light taxes are known always to grow heavier1 and end with crushing2 much like those snow-balls1 which1 rolling down from the top of the mountains1 and soon growing immensely large1 root up trees1 throw down houses1 and destroy the fields4 ,let these gentlemen give in our newspapers1 a positive assurance that they will never meddle with the management of my savours2 the next day1 ,i will publish my secret1 distribute my powders1 and regale all ,babylon4 ,i think ,i know the world3 these gentlemen1 you will see1 will keep silence1 and ,i my salt1 and so nobody will be regaled4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,,the ,,kernels4 ,my dinner ended and my lesson learnt1 we sate out again4 ,let us 7said the ,prefect7 take the benefit of this long shady walk1 and go to the grove at the end of it4 ,by the way1 ,i will explain some matters relating to what ,i am going to show thee4 ,adam had just been driven out of ,paradise1 7continued the ,prefect37 ,the tree1 from which the fatal apple was gathered1 disappeared3 ,innocence1 everlasting peace1 unmixt pleasure vanished2 and death covered the earth with her mournful vail4 ,witnesses of ,adam's sin and punishment1 the elementary spirits remained in a consternation mixt with astonishment and fear4 ,all was silent1 like the dreadful calm1 which1 in a gloomy night1 succeeds the flashes of lightening4 ,one of our spirits perceiving on the ground the remains of the fatal apple1 hastily took them up1 and found three ,kernels3 these were so many treasures4 ,the forbidden tree1 which was the cause of ,man's misery1 was to have been the cause of his happiness4 ,it contained the shoots of the sciences1 arts1 and pleasures4 ,the little1 men know of these things1 is nothing in comparison of what this mysterious tree would have disclosed in their favour4 ,it was to vegetate1 blossom1 and bear seed for ever2 and the least of these seeds would have been the source of more delights than ever existed among the children of men4 ,we took great care of the three ,kernels1 which had escaped the total ruin just then befallen mankind2 this was not sufficient to repair their unhappy fate1 but it helped to soften it4 ,as soon as we were returned to ,giphantia1 we consulted upon what we could do in favour of mankind so terribly fallen4 ,most of the spirits took the office of governing the elements1 and1 as far as lay in their power1 of directing their motions1 according to the wants of men4 ,those that remained at ,giphantia1 were entrusted with the sowing of the three ,kernels1 and carefully to mind what they produced4 ,,chap4 ,,iii4 ,,antient ,,love4 ,as we were talking we entered into a pretty large grove1 in the midst of which1 ,i perceived a star formed by most beautiful shrubs4 ,from every part of these shrubs there darted forth a luminous matter1 whereon were painted all the colours of the rain-bow4 ,thus the sun1 viewed through the boughs of a thick tree1 seems crowned with sparkling rays1 on which shine the liveliest and most variegated colours4 ,the first ,kernel taken from the fatal apple and committed to the ground1 7said the ,prefect of ,giphantia7 produced a shrub of the nature of those thou seest4 ,its leaves were like those of the myrtle4 ,its purple blossoms1 speckled with white1 were raised round their stalks in form of pyramids4 ,its boughs were thick and interwoven with one another in a thousand different ways4 ,it was the most beautiful tree1 nature had ever produced1 therefore it was her most favorite object4 ,a soft zephyr1 gently moving its leaves1 seemed to animate them2 and never were they ruffled by the impetuous north winds2 never was the course of its sap obstructed by winter's frost1 or its moisture exhausted by summer's scorching heats2 an eternal spring reigned around it4 ,this singular tree1 was the ,tree of ,love4 ,it is well known what influence the extraneous particles of the air have upon us4 ,some accelerate or retard the motions of the blood1 others dull or raise the spirits1 sometimes they brighten the imagination1 and sometimes they cloud it with the gloomy vapours of melancholy4 ,those that were exhaled from the tree of ,love1 and dispersed over the earth1 brought the seeds of the most alluring pleasure4 ,till then1 men1 left to a blind instinct1 which inclined them to propagate their species1 shared that advantage 7if it is one7 with the rest of the animals4 ,but1 like a flower which opens to the first rays of the sun1 their hearts soon yielded to the first impressions of love1 and instinct gave place to sentiment4 ,with that passion they received a new life2 the face of nature seemed changed2 every thing became ingaging2 every thing touched them4 ,the other passions disappeared1 or were1 in respect of this1 like brooks to a river in which they are going to be lost4 ,superior to all events1 love heightened pleasure1 asswaged pain1 and gave a charm to things the most indifferent4 ,it enlivened the graces of youth1 alleviated the infirmities of age1 and lasted as long as life4 ,its power was not confined to the creating a tender and unchangeable attachment to the object beloved2 it inspired also a certain sentiment of sweetness1 which was infused into all men1 and united them together4 ,society was then as an endless chain1 each link was composed of two hearts joined by love4 ,the pleasure of others was a torment to none3 ,gloomy jealousy had not possessed the human heart1 nor envy shed her venom there4 ,concord multiplied pleasures3 ,a man was not more pleased with his own1 than with the happiness of others4 ,mankind was yet in infancy1 and unacquainted with excesses4 ,adversity did not depress them to annihilation1 nor prosperity puff them up to the loss of their senses4 ,their wants were few1 the arts had not increased them4 ,frightful poverty appeared not among them1 because they knew not riches2 every one had necessaries1 because none had superfluities4 ,utter strangers to the ridiculousness of rank1 they were not exalted with insolence1 nor did they servilely cringe2 no man was low1 because no man was high4 ,all was in order1 and men were as happy as their state would admit of4 ,o nature6 why dost thou not still enlighten us with those days of peace1 harmony1 and love6 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,,the ,,grafts4 ,the stinging nettle and wild briar increase and are renewed1 7continued the ,prefect7 the tree of ,love had not that privilege4 ,its blossoms vanished without leaving a kernel1 and its shoots planted in the ground did not take root2 they died and nature groaned4 ,mean while1 this only tree was going to decay2 its sap withdrew from most of the branches1 and the faded leaves withered on their boughs4 ,the elementary spirits were sensible how valuable the treasure was1 that the sons of men were going to lose1 and were under the deepest concern for them4 ,they studied therefore to find the means to fix love upon earth1 and imagined they had succeeded4 ,they took from the languishing and exhausted tree1 its best shoots and grafted them upon different stocks4 ,this precaution saved love1 but at the same time1 altered its nature4 ,nourished by an extraneous sap1 these shoots and their emanations quickly degenerated3 ,so the exotic plants which grow in our gardens by the assiduous care of the gardiner1 change their nature1 and lose almost all their virtues4 ,love then existed among men2 but what love8 ,it sprung from caprice1 was attached without choice1 and vanished with levity3 ,it became such as it is at this day amongst you4 ,it is no longer that common band which united mankind1 and rendered them happy2 it is on the contrary1 an inexhaustible fountain of discord4 ,formerly1 it was stronger alone than all the passions together2 it was subject only to reason3 ,now1 it is overcome by the weakest passion1 and hearkens to any thing but reason4 ,to say the truth2 it is no longer ,love3 ,phantoms have taken its place1 and receive the homage of men4 ,one in the highest ranks only finds objects worthy his vows2 he thinks it love1 it is only ambition4 ,another fixes his heart where fortune is lavish of her gifts1 he imagines1 love directs him1 but it is thirst of riches4 ,another flies from where delicateness of sentiments calls for his care and regard1 and runs where an easy object hardly gives him time to desire4 ,what is the ground of his haste8 a depraved appetite for pleasure4 ,of pure1 sincere1 and unmixt love there is none left2 the grafts are quite spoiled4 ,at ,babylon1 degenerated love varied with the fashions1 the manners1 and every thing else4 ,at first it gave into the ,romantick3 ,this was in the days of our good ,knights ,errant4 ,it was all fire1 transport1 extasy4 ,the eye of the fair was a sun1 the heart of the lover was a volcano1 and the rest of the same stamp4 ,in time1 it was found1 that all this was departing a little from nature2 in order therefore1 to make it more natural1 love was dressed like a shepherd with a flock and pipe2 and spoke the language of a swain4 ,in the heart of his noisy and tumultuous city1 a ,babylonian sung the refreshing coolness of the groves1 invited his mistress to drive her flock thither1 and offered to guard it against the wolves4 ,the pastoral language being drained1 the sentiment was refined1 and the heart analysed4 ,never had love appeared so subtilised4 ,to make a tolerable compliment to a girl beloved1 a man must have been a pretty good metaphysician4 ,the ,babylonians1 weary of thinking so deeply1 from the height of these sublime metaphysicks fell into free speeches1 double-meanings1 and wanton stories4 ,their behaviour was agreeable to their talk2 and love1 after having been a valiant knight-errant1 a whining shepherd and a sublime metaphysician1 is at last grown a libertine4 ,it will soon become a debauchee1 if it is not so already2 after which1 nothing remains but to turn religious2 and this is what ,i expect4 ,moreover1 the ,babylonians flatter themselves with being a people the most respectful to the ladies1 and boast of having it from their ancestors4 ,in this respect1 as in all others1 two things must be distinguished at ,babylon1 the appearance and the reality4 ,in appearance1 no place where women are more honoured2 in reality1 no place where they are less esteemed4 ,outwardly1 nothing but homages1 inwardly1 nothing but contempt4 ,it is even a principle at ,babylon1 that the men cannot have1 in an assembly1 too much respect for the sex1 nor1 in private too little4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,v4 ,,voluptas or ,,pleasure4 ,we came out of the grove4 ,men 7said ,i to the ,prefect7 are highly indebted to you for preserving love1 degenerated as it is4 ,if you did but know what a void there is among them now-a-days6 ,their amusements are so few1 that the least of all must be to them very valuable4 ,love no longer makes their happiness2 but it diverts them at least4 ,what would the ,babylonians do1 if love did not put in motion all those walking statues1 which you see so busy about the women8 ,they sigh1 they complain1 they request1 they press1 they obtain1 they are happy or dupes2 it is just the same thing3 ,but time passes1 and that is enough for the ,babylonians4 8,in the beginning 7continued the ,prefect7 nature1 ever attentive to the welfare of men1 begot ,voluptas4 ,she was an unadorned native beauty1 but full of those charms which characterises whatever comes out of the hands of the common parent of all ,beings4 ,nature gave her a golden cup1 and said3 ,go among men2 draw pleasure out of my works2 present it without distinction to all mortals2 quench their thirst1 but make them not drunk40 ,voluptas appeared upon earth4 ,men flocked together in crowds2 all drank largely of her cup2 all quenched their thirst1 none were intoxicated4 ,voluptas made herself desired1 presented herself seasonably1 and was always received with joy4 ,as she offered herself with restriction1 she was always cherished and never cloyed4 ,men1 not being enervated by excess1 preserved to a very advanced age1 all their organs in vigor2 their taste remained2 and old age still drank of ,voluptas's cup4 ,nature has a rival1 called ,art1 who1 incessantly employed in rendering himself useful or agreeable to society1 strives to supply what nature cannot or will not do for men4 ,he resumes nature's works1 retouches them1 sometimes embellishes1 often disguises and degrades them4 ,art failed not to observe the conduct of ,voluptas1 and to refine whatever she offered to mankind4 ,he could not bear an interval between pleasures1 and would have them succeed one another without intermission4 ,he ransacked all the countries of the world1 united all the objects of sensuality1 and multiplied a thousand ways the pleasures of sense4 ,men1 surrounded with so many alluring objects1 thought themselves happy1 and in their intoxication1 said3 ,without ,art1 ,nature is nothing4 ,but very soon their senses were cloyed2 satiety bred disgust1 and disgust made them indifferent to all kinds of pleasure4 ,neither ,art nor ,nature could affect them to any degree4 ,from that time1 they have hardly been able to amuse or divert themselves4 ,voluptas has no longer any charms for them4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,vi4 ,,perpetual ,,youth4 ,there is no place 7continued the ,prefect7 where these dissipations1 supposed to supply the room of pure pleasure1 are more necessary than at ,babylon2 so there is no place where they are more frequent4 ,the ,babylonians are known not to be made for much thinking1 and1 for good reason1 it is not desired they should think4 ,a wise policy has always proposed to keep as many employed as possible1 and to amuse the rest4 ,for these last it is1 that the arts of amusement are incouraged1 that publick walks are kept up at a great charge1 that spectacles of all kinds are exhibited1 and so many places tolerated1 where gaming1 drinking1 and licentiousness serve for food to these heedless men1 who1 without these avocations1 would not fail to disturb the society4 ,these various avocations fill up the moments of life to such a degree1 that there is no time for recollection1 and for counting the years that insensibly fly away4 ,a man declines1 decays1 is bent under the load of years1 and he has not once thought of it4 ,rather let us say1 there is no old-age at ,babylon1 for men of this kind3 ,a perpetual ,youth runs through their life2 the same agitations in the heart1 the same dullness in the soul1 and the same void in the mind4 ,youths of twenty-five and of sixty1 march with an equal pace to the same end4 ,the desires1 eagernesses1 sallies1 excesses are the same4 ,all forgetful of themselves1 still go on2 and death alone is capable to stop the career of these decrepid youths4 ,it is remarkable1 that one day1 one of those young old men1 bethought himself to make reflections4 8,when a man 7said he7 is come1 like me1 to a certain age1 he does not fully live1 he dies by degrees1 and he ought successively to renounce whatever does not suit his state4 ,there are things that become nobody1 which however are connived at in youth2 but which make an old man ridiculous4 ,what business have ,i now with this costly furniture1 these splendid equipages1 with this table served with so much profusion8 ,am ,i excusable for keeping a mistress1 whose luxuriousness will not fail to ruin me in the end8 does it become me to appear still in those places1 where licentiousness carries inconsiderate youth8 ,i will forsake a world for which ,i am no longer fit1 and will embrace that peaceful and retired life to which my declining age invites me4 ,what ,i shall retrench from my expences1 ,i will give to my nephew1 who is coming2 into the world1 and should set out with some figure4 ,since ,i am dying by degrees1 so by degrees he ought to inherit40 ,this resolution being taken and well taken1 a friend of his comes to visit him1 sees him thoughtful1 asks the reason and learns his design4 8,what1 7says he to him7 have you not still spirit enough to withstand reason8 ,she knocks1 and it is going to be opened6 what do you mean8 ,reason may be of use to a young man1 to curb the fury of his passions2 but must be fatal to an old one1 in totally extinguishing the little relish he has left for pleasures4 ,what a fine sight will it be1 to see ,plutarch's morals1 ,nicole's essays1 and ,pascal's thoughts lodged in thy brain1 close by ,bocace's novels1 ,la ,fontaine's tales1 and ,rousseau's epigrams6 ,believe me3 ,reason is good only for those1 who have cultivated it long ago2 heads made like ours cannot suit it4 ,our maxims and reason's are too contradictory2 and instead of regulating1 it would throw all into disorder and confusion40 8,but 7replied our new convert7 dost thou know what thou art doing with thy extraordinary eloquence8 never was so much reason used to prove1 that we must act against reason4 ,come1 let us go1 my dear marquis1 a free supper waits us at the 444 where the nymph1 thou knowest1 will compleat my conviction3 ,from thence we will go to the ball4 ,tomorrow1 champagne at your cousin the countess's1 and lansquenet1 at our friend the ,president's40 ,,chap4 ,,vii4 ,,the ,,itchings4 ,we walked toward the south4 ,on this side1 ,giphantia ends in a point1 and forms a little promontory1 from whence there is a large prospect4 ,this promontory is covered all over with a plant1 whose boughs descend and creep every way4 ,this is the production of the second ,kernel4 ,the plant never bears either leaves or blossoms1 or fruit3 ,it is formed by an infinite number of very thin small fibres1 which branch out of one another4 ,view carefully the fibres 7says the ,prefect to me47 ,dost thou see at their extremity1 little longish bodies1 which move so briskly8 ,they are small maggots1 which this plant breeds2 whether vegetation1 carried beyond its usual bounds1 produces them2 or whether there comes at the extremity of the fibres1 a sort of corruption1 by which they are engendered4 ,in time1 these maggots waste away so as to become invisible3 ,but withal they get wings1 and growing flies1 they disperse themselves over the earth4 ,there1 they stick fast to men1 and cease not to infest them with a sting given them by nature4 ,and as the tarantula1 with the poison which she leaves in the wound she has made1 inspires an immoderate desire to leap and dance1 just so these small insects cause1 according to their different kinds1 different ,itchings4 ,such are the itch of talking1 the itch of writing1 the itch of knowing1 the itch of shining1 the itch of being known1 with a hundred others4 ,hence1 all the motions1 men put themselves into1 all the efforts they make1 all the passions that stir them4 ,the sensation they feel on these occasions1 is so manifestly such as we are describing1 that when any one is seen in an uncommon agitation of body or mind1 it is very usual to say1 ,what fly stings8 what maggot bites8 ,though nothing can be seen1 it is perceived that the cause of so many motions is a stinging3 ,a man often finds it by experience1 and knows what it is owing to4 ,when once men are troubled with these restless prickings1 they cannot be quiet4 ,he1 for instance1 that is stung with the itch of talking1 is continually discoursing with every body1 correcting those that do not need it1 informing those that know more than himself4 ,his visage opens1 lengthens1 and shortens at pleasure3 ,he laughs with those that laugh1 weeps with those that weep1 without sharing the joy of the one1 or the grief of the other4 ,if by chance he gives you room to say any thing1 speak fast and stop not2 for1 in an instant1 he would begin again1 and take care not to be interrupted4 ,never does he lend an ear to any one2 and even when he seems to hold his tongue1 he is still muttering to himself4 ,he despises nothing so much as those silent animals1 who hear little and speak still less2 and he thinks no men more worthy of envy than those1 who have the talent of drawing a circle of admirers1 of raising the voice in the midst of them1 and of saying nothings incessantly applauded4 ,sometimes the itch of talking is turned into the itch of writing2 which comes to the same thing2 for writing1 is talking to the whole world4 ,then those torrents of words1 which flow from the mouth1 change their course and flow from the pen 444 what numbers of bablers in these silent libraries6 ,oh how must those who have ears1 and run over these immense collections1 be stunned with what they hear6 ,they are like great fairs1 where each author cries up his wares to the utmost of his power1 and spares nothing to promote the sale4 ,come 7says an ,antient7 come and learn of me to practice virtue and become happy2 come and draw from these pure fountains1 whose streams are polluted by the corruption of men4444 ,come rather to me 7cries a ,modern7 time and observation have opened our eyes2 we see things1 and only want to show them to you4444 ,mind them not 7says a ,romancer7 seek not truth there2 truth still lies in the bottom of ,democritus's well4 ,come therefore to me for amusement1 and ,i will help you to it4 ,come and read the life and exploits of the duke of 99 99 99 991 the model of the court2 he never attacked a girl without debauching her2 he has embroiled above fifty families1 and thrown whole towns into confusion3 ,he must1 it is plain1 be one of the most accomplished men of the age4444 ,i have things to offer you1 much more interesting than all this1 7says a ,versifier7 ,i have the prettiest odes and finest songs in the world1 little soft verses1 nosegays for ,iris1 and a complete collection of all the riddles and symbolical letters1 which for these ten years have puzzled the sagacity of the strongest heads in ,babylon4444 ,away with those trifles 7says a ,tragic ,poet7 and come to me3 ,i manage the passions as ,i please3 ,i will force tears from your eyes1 transport you out of your senses1 and make your hair stand an end4444 ,that is very kind indeed1 7says a ,comic ,poet7 but ,i believe1 it will be better to come to me1 who will make you laugh at all others and even at yourselves4 ,i pity you all1 7says a ,man-hater7 burn me all those books there and mine too2 and let there be no mention of learning1 arts1 sciences1 and the like wretched things2 for it is ,i that tell you1 as long as you have any reason1 you shall have neither wisdom1 nor conduct1 nor happiness4 ,i say nothing of the itch of knowledge1 which should always precede that of writing1 and which commonly follows it at a good distance1 and often never comes at all4 ,at ,babylon1 the itch of being singular1 is like an epidemical disease4 ,it is pretty well known wherein the ,babylonians are alike1 but it would be the work of an age1 to say wherein they differ4 ,every one distinguishes himself by some remarkable stroke4 ,hence comes the mode of portraits1 and the facility of drawing them4 ,draw them by fancy1 you are sure they will meet with a likeness2 draw them after nature1 you will never fail of originals4 ,there are some for the pulpit1 for the use of the orators who want grace1 there are some for the theatre1 for the use of poets who want genius1 there are some for writings of all kinds1 for the use of the authors who want ideas4 ,the most troublesome of all the itches produced by these insects1 is the itch of being known4 ,thou canst not conceive1 what efforts are made by all the men stung with this itch4 ,i say all the men2 for1 who has not a view to reputation and fame8 ,the ,artisan shows his work1 the ,gamester his calculations1 the ,poet his images1 the ,orator his grand strokes1 the ,scholar his discoveries1 the ,general his campaigns1 the ,minister his schemes4 ,and even he that sees the nothingness of this chimra1 still contemplates its charms1 and sighs after it3 ,just so a lover1 with a troubled heart1 strives to abandon a faithless mistress1 from whom he cannot bear to part4 ,what designs1 what efforts of imagination to make one's self talked of6 how many things attempted and dropt6 what hopes1 fears1 cares1 and follies of every kind6 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,viii4 ,,compensations4 ,what you tell me 7says ,i7 is very extraordinary4 ,but ,i cannot see why the elementary spirits raise and cultivate this plant with so great care4 ,they who wish us so much good1 in this respect do us very little4 ,to behold men1 stung to the quick1 acting like madmen1 losing their senses for chimeras1 is a thing1 in my opinion1 deserving pity2 but perhaps it may be an amusement to the elementary spirits4 ,like many others 7replied the ,prefect7 thou judgest and seest things but in one view4 ,the itches have their inconveniences2 but that is nothing in comparison of their advantages4 ,without the itch of talking and writing1 would eloquence be known8 ,would the sciences have been transmitted and improved from generation to generation8 ,would not you be like so many untaught children1 without ideas1 without knowledge1 without principles8 ,was it not for the itch of being known1 who would take the pains to amuse you1 to instruct you1 to be useful to you by the most interesting discoveries8 ,without the itch of ruling1 who would busy themselves in unravelling the chaos of the laws1 in hearing and judging your quarrels1 in watching for your safety8 ,without the itch of shining1 in what kingdom would policy find a vent for those respectable knick-knacks wherewith she adorns those she is pleased to distinguish8 ,and yet1 this kind of nothings are1 for the good of the state1 to be acquired at the price even of blood4 ,thanks to our flies1 there are some mad enough to sacrifice all for their sake1 and others fools enough to behold them with veneration4 ,take away our insects1 and men stand stupidly ranged by one another1 like so many statues2 let our insects fly1 and these statues receive new life1 and are as busy as bees4 ,one sings1 another dances1 this reads his verses and falls into an extasy1 that hears him and is tired3 ,the ,chymist is at his furnace1 the ,speculatist in his study1 the ,merchant at sea1 the ,astronomer discovers a new satellite1 the ,physician a new medicine1 the soldier a new manuvre2 in fine1 the statues are men2 and all this is owing to this plant and our care4 ,i beg 7said ,i to the ,prefect7 we may stand at a distance from this admirable plant2 ,i dread more than ,i can express1 the neighbourhood of these volatiles4 ,i rejoice much to see them authors of so many benefits2 but ,i fear still more1 the uneasiness they create4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,ix4 ,,nil ,,admirari4 ,your fearfulness1 7says the ,prefect7 surprises me4 ,tell me1 ,i pray1 what idea hast thou of what is called grandeur1 dignities1 and high rank in a state8 ,i am in this world 7answered ,i7 like a traveller1 who goes on his way curiously observing the objects1 but desiring none1 because he is but a passenger4 ,moreover1 if things are estimated according to the happiness they procure1 ,i do not think that the highest places should be much valued2 for1 ,i see1 they make no man happy1 and are a misfortune to many4 ,what of riches8 added the ,prefect4 ,pleasure 7said ,i7 is like a very rare commodity1 which1 however1 every one would fain purchase4 ,among those that succeed1 the rich buy it very dear1 it comes cheap to the rest3 ,one may as well be among the last as the first4 ,of the few pleasures that exist1 the lower class enjoy as large a share as the highest4 ,what of wit1 genius1 talents8 says the ,prefect4 ,one half of the world1 replied ,i1 study to amuse the other4 ,the first class is formed of men of talents2 whose brains are wound up by nature higher than ordinary4 ,they are incessantly striving to please3 ,if they fail1 they waste away with grief2 if they succeed1 it is never fully1 and a single censure creates them more pain than all the encomiums together give them pleasure4 ,it is1 therefore1 better to be of the second class1 ,i mean among those who are amused by the others4 ,as far as ,i see1 said the ,prefect1 the aspect of the great and their pomp1 of the scholar and his extensive genius1 of the rich and his vast possessions1 makes little or no impression on thy mind4 ,i confess1 replied ,i1 that no man was ever less dazzled with all this than myself4 ,wrapt in a certain coolness of sense1 ,i am guarded against all strong impressions4 ,i behold with the same eye the ignorant who know nothing1 and the learned who know all1 except truth2 the protector who plans1 though he knows his weakness1 and the protected who cringes1 though he perceives his superiority2 the peasant that is disgusted with the simplicity of his diet1 and the rich sensual1 who with thirty niceties1 can hardly make a dinner2 the duchess1 loaded with diamonds1 and the shepherdess decked with flowers2 vanity1 which dwells in the cottage as well as in the palace1 and upholds the low as well as the high2 care1 which sits on the throne by the king1 or follows the philosopher in his retirement4 ,all the parts on the stage of this world1 seem to me one no better than another3 but ,i do not desire to act any4 ,i would observe all and be taken up with nothing4 ,hence it is1 that ,i dreaded the neighbourhood of these restless flies4444 ,and hence it is precisely1 interrupted the ,prefect1 that thou hadst nothing to fear from them4 ,thou admirest nothing2 it is sufficient3 ,the flies can take no hold of thee4 ,the first impression they must make1 is the impression of surprise and admiration2 if they make not that1 they miss their aim4 ,but the moment admiration is admitted1 a crowd of passions quickly follow4 ,for1 in the object of wonder1 great hurt or great good is expected4 ,hence ,love or ,aversion1 and all their attendants2 restless ,desire which never sleeps2 ,joy1 which embraces and devours its objects2 ,melancholy1 which1 at a distance1 and with weeping eyes1 contemplates and calls for what it dreads3 ,confidence1 which walks with head erect1 and often meets a fall2 ,despair1 which is preceded by fear and followed by madness1 and a thousand others4 ,if thou wilt rest secure from their attacks1 cherish thy coolness of sense1 and never lose sight of the grand principle1 ,,nil ,,admirari4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,x4 ,,the ,,fantastical ,,tree4 ,after having walked some time by the side of a rivulet1 we came into a beautiful and spacious meadow4 ,it was enamelled with a thousand sorts of flowers1 whose various colours were1 at a distance1 blended together and formed shining carpets1 such as art has never woven4 ,the meadow was bounded by a piece of rock1 like a wall2 against which grew a tree1 like an espalier4 ,it did not rise above a man's height1 but spread itself to the right and left1 the length of the rock1 above three hundred paces4 ,its leaves were very thin and very narrow1 but in such abundance1 that it was not possible to see the least part1 either of the trunk or of the branches1 or of the surface of the rock4 ,thou seest1 said the ,prefect1 the product of the third and last ,kernel2 we give it the name of the ,fantastical ,tree4 ,from this precious tree it is1 that inventions1 discoveries1 arts and sciences take their original2 and that by a mechanism1 which will surprise thee4 ,thou knowest that the fibres of the leaves of a tree1 are ranged uniformly on each of them2 to see one1 is to see all the rest4 ,here1 this uniformity has no place2 each leaf has its fibres ranged in a particular manner2 there are not two alike in the ,fantastical ,tree4 ,but1 what is most wonderful1 the fibres1 on each leaf1 are ranged with symmetry1 and represent distinctly a thousand sorts of objects2 one while a colonnade1 an obelisk1 a decoration2 another while mechanical instruments2 here1 geometrical diagrams1 algebraical problems1 astronomical systems2 there1 physical machines1 chymical instruments1 plans of all kinds of works1 verse1 prose1 conversation1 history1 romances1 songs1 and the like4 ,these leaves do not fade4 ,when come to perfection they grow by degrees prodigiously small1 and roll themselves up in a thousand folds4 ,in this state1 they are so light1 that the wind blows them away2 and so small1 that they enter through the pores of the skin4 ,once admitted into the blood1 they circulate with the humours1 and generally stop at the brain1 where they cause a singular malady1 the progress of which is thus3 ,when one of the leaves is settled in the brain1 it is imbibed1 dilated1 opened1 becomes such as it was on the ,fantastical ,tree1 and presents to the mind the images wherewith it is covered4 ,during the operation1 the patient appears with his eyes fixed1 and a pensive air4 ,he seems to hear and see what passes about him1 but his thoughts are otherways employed4 ,he walks sometimes at a great rate1 and sometimes stands stock-still4 ,he rubs his forehead1 stamps with his foot1 and bites his nails4 ,they who have seen a geometrician upon the solution of a problem1 or a naturalist on the first glimpse of a physical explication1 must have observed these symptoms4 ,this violent state proceeds from the efforts of the soul1 to discern what is traced on the leaf2 it holds longer or shorter1 according as the leaf takes up more or less time in displaying1 and aptly presenting itself4 ,the abatement of the malady appears by light emanations from the brain1 such as some ideas suddenly conceived1 some designs hastily thrown upon paper1 some scheme sketched in a hurry4 ,the soul begins to discern the objects1 and contemplate at leisure the ,fantastical leaf4 ,these last symptoms declare an approaching crisis1 which quickly shows itself in a general evacuation of all that has been transmitted to the brain4 ,then verses flow1 difficulties are cleared1 problems are resolved1 phenomena are explained1 dissertations are multiplied1 chapters are heaped upon chapters2 and the whole takes the form of a book1 and the patient is cured4 ,of all the accidents which afflicted him1 there only remains an immoderate affection for the offspring of his brain1 of which he was delivered with so much pain4 ,,chap4 ,,xi4 ,,predictions4 ,behold1 added the ,prefect1 showing me the extent of the ,fantastical ,tree1 behold leaves for a century of designs1 of discoveries1 and of writings4 ,thou mayest examine at thy leisure what1 during that space1 will torment above a million of heads4 ,i drew near1 and attentively viewed a good while the wonderful tree1 especially those branches on which the sciences vegetated2 and after having examined it to the last boughs with all the attention and exactness ,i am capable of1 ,i think myself qualified to make here some ,predictions4 ,the historical branch has an admirable effect2 all the events are painted like a camayeu#ad1 as by the hand of the greatest masters4 ,so many leaves1 so many little pictures4 ,what will most surprise1 is1 that these pictures1 seen in different points of view1 represent the same subject1 but represent it very variously3 ,and1 according to the manner of beholding it1 the same action appears courageous or rash1 zealous or fanatical1 rational or silly1 proud or magnanimous4 ,so1 according to the point of view1 wherein these leaves present themselves to the brain of an historian1 he will see things in a good or bad light1 and will write accordingly4 ,i would not have such works entitled1 ,the history of what passed in such a time1 but rather1 ,the manner in which such an author saw what passed4 ,moreover this branch is plentifully furnished1 and should be so4 ,as long as there are men1 there will be ambition1 traitors1 disturbers of the publick peace1 merit will be forgotten and the worthless preferred1 virtue will be oppressed1 vice will be triumphant1 countries will be ravaged1 cities will be sacked1 and thrones will be dyed in blood2 and these are the food of history2 excellent school1 for youth to learn lessons of humanity1 candor1 and sincerity6 ,the metaphysical branch is almost equally furnished3 ,but its leaves are very thin1 and their fibres so excessively small1 that they are hardly perceivable4 ,i greatly pity the brains where they will settle4 ,i see but one way to give them ease3 ,and that is1 to treat the most thorny questions after the modern manner2 ,i mean to supply the want of clear ideas and deep reflections1 by bold and confident assertions1 which may serve to impose4 ,the moral branch droops1 and receives scarce any sap2 its withered leaves declare an approaching decay2 alas6 it is dying4 ,the plans on it are quite effaced4 ,this is too visible from the works that are published of this kind4 ,the ideas of good and evil are confounded2 virtue is so disguised as hardly to be known1 nor is it easy to discern what is to be called vice4 ,and yet1 the whole is not said4 ,there remains many arguments to be published against the obsolete notion of justice2 many jests to be passed upon those who still talk of probity in the old fashioned stile2 many fresh proofs to demonstrate1 that national1 private1 and especially personal interest1 should be the sole rule of conduct4 ,at these so fine lessons1 the ,babylonians will clap their hands and cry3 8,in truth1 all the world was blind2 and men did not see clearly till this present time40 ,the poetical branch is in a very bad state2 there are only a few boughs left1 among others1 the dramatic bough1 and that so very weak1 it can hardly support itself4 ,there will appear from time to time at ,babylon some tragic poets1 but no comic4 ,i suspect the reason4 ,formerly the ,babylonians were only ridiculous2 they were brought upon the stage and people laughed3 ,now1 they are almost all vicious1 but vicious upon principle2 and such objects by no means raise laughter4 ,the manners begin to be no longer theatrical4 ,the panegyrical branch is very considerable1 and bends under its load4 ,there will be panegyricks applicable to a great man from whom some favour is expected2 to an author who having flattered1 receives homage for homage2 to another1 who is flattered1 in order that he may flatter again4 ,there will be some commercial ones1 which will be sold1 to one for his protection1 to another for his table1 to a third for his money4 ,there will be also some1 and in great plenty for those1 who beg them3 ,but there will be hardly any for those that deserve them the most4 ,with good-sense alone1 and the simplest notions which a bough of the philosophical branch furnishes1 and which teach to estimate the things of this life according to their value1 there will be formed1 among the people1 a number of practical philosophers2 whilst1 among the men of letters1 all the penetration imaginable1 all the knowledge they think they have1 all the wit in the world will form only imperfect philosophers4 ,they will avoid praises1 but so as to attain them by some round-about way4 ,they will profess the most ardent zeal for all the citizens1 nay1 for all men in general2 but they will care only for themselves4 ,they will decide upon the most complicated1 the most obscure1 the most important questions1 with an astonishing confidence2 but in deciding everything they will clear up nothing4 ,they will wear outwardly the most reserved modesty2 inwardly they will be eaten up by ambition4 ,now1 shall we call such persons philosophers8 ,it is thus that we give the name of stars to those meteors1 which kindle sometimes in the upper region of the air1 make a blaze1 and instantly vanish4 ,in general1 ,i thought1 ,i saw upon a great number of leaves1 things entirely contradictory4 ,the century will slide away1 and the sentiments upon the same objects will not be reconciled4 ,according to custom1 each will speak his opinion1 and attack the rest4 ,disputes will arise2 and the most bitter ironies1 the strongest invectives1 the most cutting railleries1 nothing will be spared to raise the laughter of the crowd1 and the pity of the wise4 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,xii4 ,,the ,,system4 ,of an infinite number of plans of different works1 that ,i saw drawn on the leaves of the ,fantastical ,tree1 ,i remember three4 ,in the first1 the point in question is very abstract1 but treated in so singular a manner1 that perhaps it will not be disagreeable to give here a slight sketch of it4 8,when ,i have examined matter1 it has appeared to me1 that it could not think1 and ,i have readily admitted ,beings purely spiritual4 ,it is true1 the least ideas of such substances have never been formed4 ,this proves the sagacity of man does not reach very far3 ,but does it prove there is nothing beyond8 8,when ,i have considered the animals1 ,i have not been able to help thinking them intelligent1 and that so much ingenuity was not without some understanding4 ,they are1 therefore1 said ,i1 provided with a spiritual substance4 ,but what6 these insects1 these worms1 these microscopical animals1 who increase without number in the shortest space1 have they each a spiritual1 that is to say1 an unchangeable1 immortal soul8 ,i do not imagine1 any such thought ever entered into a sound head4 8,then calling to mind that intelligent ,being diffused through the whole earth1 and perhaps farther1 that immense spirit of whom some antient philosophers have talked1 under the name of the universal soul2 ,i have thought that1 without multiplying infinitely spiritual substances1 that soul was very proper to supply their place1 and alone sufficient to give life to all the animals4 ,i have therefore embraced the opinion of the antients1 but with one restriction4 8,they were persuaded that every thinking organized ,being1 is animated by a particle of the universal soul2 ,that cannot be4 ,if this soul is capable of perceptions1 it is spiritual1 and indivisible1 and if it is indivisible1 it cannot separate from itself any part to go and animate any ,being whatever4 ,if this spirit informs different bodies1 it is because it operates at the same time in different places2 and not because it sends any where some emanation of its substance4 8,farther3 ,the antients believed that man1 like the animals1 derived from the universal soul all the intelligence he is endowed with2 another mistake4 ,if we consider in man1 that hidden principle which carries him so efficaciously to follow the impressions of sense1 though ever so repugnant to reason1 we shall agree1 with the antients1 that this principle must be the same with that which animates1 rules1 and directs the animals2 the pure sensitive nature of the universal soul is visible in it4 ,but when ,i perceive in man another agent1 which tends to subject all his actions to the rules of justice2 which so often opposes the senses 7though seldom with success7 which1 even when it succeeds not to hinder the sin1 never fails to sting him with remorse and repentance2 ,i cannot help thinking1 that besides the universal spirit1 there is in man another principle of a superior order3 ,a principle known by the name of rational soul4 ,it is manifest by the clashing between the passions and reason1 that there are in us two contradictory ,beings1 which oppose one another4 ,if ,i may be allowed to compare things of so different a nature1 ,i should say that every thing which partakes of the universal soul is like a spunge soaked in water1 and immersed in the sea2 and that if1 moreover1 the body is endued with a reasonable soul 7which is the case of man7 it is like the same spunge soaked in water1 but in which a drop of oil has found its way4 8,in fine1 the antients believed1 that the universal soul was diffused every where2 but neither can ,that be4 ,perhaps it pervades the terrestrial globe1 or1 it may be1 the whole solar system1 or even farther3 ,but still it is certain1 it has its bounds1 it is ,god alone that fills immensity4 8,but how shall the existence of a thinking ,being be admitted1 which1 bounded as it is1 has however so prodigious an extension8 ,what ideas can be formed of its capaciousness and its limits8 ,how can it animate so many bodies physically separated one from the other1 and forming so many individuals8 ,let us fathom1 as far as in us lies1 these depths of obscurity4 8,since spiritual substances have no solidity1 they are penetrable1 and take up no room4 ,from their penetrability it follows1 that several spirits may exist in one and the same space1 and that a body may also be in the same place4 ,from their taking up no room it follows1 that they have neither length1 nor breadth1 nor depth2 that they have no extension properly so called4 ,but still a spirit is a real ,being1 a substance3 ,though it takes up no room1 it is necessarily some-where2 and1 though it has no extension properly so called1 it has necessarily its bounds4 ,so1 in a metaphysical sense1 all spiritual ,beings may be said to be more or less extended1 to contain1 and to be contained3 ,and then we may return to our companion of the spunge1 penetrated by a drop of oil1 impregnated with water1 and immersed in the sea40 8,on the other hand1 by virtue of the laws of combination1 the result of the unions necessarily differs from the substances that are united2 and it does not appear1 that the soul and the body should make an exception4 ,when the spirit and matter are united1 think not the spirit the same as before2 it is1 in some measure1 materialized2 think not the matter such as it was before2 it is1 in some measure1 spiritualized4 ,from this mixture results a new ,being1 different from pure spirit1 though it retains its noblest virtue2 different from brute matter1 though it partakes of its qualities3 ,it is a particular ,being1 forming an individual1 and thinking apart2 in fine1 it is such a ,being as you that are reading1 such as ,i that am writing4 ,therefore1 what perceives in us1 is properly speaking1 neither the universal spirit nor the rational soul1 nor organized matter3 but a compound of all three4 ,just as when a lion roars1 it is not the universal soul1 that is in a rage2 it is the compound of that soul and the brain of the lion4 ,hence it comes1 that each animal forms a separate thinking individual1 though all the animals think only by virtue of one and the same spirit1 the universal soul4 ,let us proceed without losing sight of the faint light which guides us thro' these dark paths4 8,we have seen that1 to form an animal1 there needs only a combination of organized matter1 and the universal soul2 and1 to form a man1 there must be another union of organized matter1 universal spirit1 and rational soul4 ,if the universal spirit was wanting2 ever obedient to the dictates of the rational soul1 we should see none but virtuous and spotless men1 such as are no where to be found4 ,if the rational soul was wanting1 abandoned to this instinct of the universal spirit1 which always follows the allurements of sense1 we should see none but monsters of vice and disorder4 8,the rational soul is united to the human body1 the instant the motion essential to life is settled there1 it is separated the instant that motion is destroyed2 and1 once separated1 it is known to return no more1 it departs for-ever2 and enters into a state of which there is to be no end4 8,the universal soul is united and separated in the same circumstances3 ,but it is not always separated for-ever4 ,let1 in any person1 the motion essential to life1 after having totally ceased1 come to be renewed1 7a thing which every physician knows to be very possible7 and what will be the consequence8 ,the rational soul1 which departed upon the ceasing of the vital motion1 cannot return2 but the universal soul1 always present1 cannot fail of re-uniting with the organized body set in motion again4 ,the man is dead1 for his soul is separated from his body4 ,he preserves1 however1 the air of a living man2 because the universal soul is re-settled in his brain1 which it directs tolerably well4 8,such to you appears a person perfectly recovered from an apoplectic or lethargic fit1 who is but half come to life2 his soul is flown2 there remains only the universal spirit4 ,excess of joy1 or of grief1 any sudden opposition may occasion death1 and does occasion it1 in fact1 oftener than is imagined4 ,let a fit of jealousy or passion affect you to a certain degree1 your soul1 too strongly shocked1 quits its habitation for-ever3 ,and1 let your friends say what they please1 or say what you will yourself1 you are dead1 positively dead4 ,however1 you are not buried3 the universal soul acts your part to the deception of the whole world1 and even of yourself4 8,do not complain therefore1 that a relation forgets you1 that a friend forsakes you1 that a wife betrays you4 ,alas6 perhaps it is a good while since you had a wife1 or relations1 or friends2 they are dead2 their images only remain4 8,how many deaths of this kind have ,i seen at ,babylon8 ,never1 for instance1 did contagious distemper make such havock as the late pious broils4 ,it is true1 the ,babylonians are so constituted1 that their soul sits very loose2 the least shock parts it from the body2 this is confirmed by observation4 ,call to mind their notorious quarrel about musick1 their rage1 their fury3 ,how few heads were untouched8 ,they are mad1 said some reasonable people3 ,but for my part1 ,i knew they were dead4 8,god rest the soul of the author of the ,petites ,lettres a de grands ,philosophes6 ,he had long been declining2 and at last died some months ago4 ,instantly1 the universal soul1 possessed of his brains1 dislodged some shreds of verses1 jumbled them together1 and framed that lifeless comedy1 the indecency of which gave offence to all the ,babylonians that remained alive4 8,i shall now speak of the signs by which the living may be distinguished from the dead3 ,and1 doubtless1 the reader sees already what these signs may be4 ,to behold wickedness with unconcern2 to be unmoved by virtue1 to mind only self-interest2 and without remorse1 to be carried away with the torrent of the age1 are signs of death4 ,be assured1 no rational soul inhabits such abandoned machines4 ,what numbers of dead amongst us6 you will say4 ,what numbers of dead amongst us6 will ,i answer4 8,as there are signs which declare that such a particular person1 who thinks himself1 and whom you think full of life1 is however deprived of it2 so there are signs which show the ravages1 these concealed deaths have made in the world4 ,for instance1 there must have been1 of late years1 a great mortality among the learned3 ,for1 if you observe almost all the productions of modern literature1 you will find only a playing with words1 destructive principles1 dangerous assertions1 dazzling hints4 ,alas6 our authors are manifestly but machines1 actuated by the universal soul4 8,and1 very lately1 have we not had fresh proofs of this mortality8 ,what is meant by these libels unworthy of the light8 ,these when's8 ,these if's8 ,these what-d'ye-calls8 ,these wherefore's8 ,and ,i know not how many more with which we are deluged4 ,be not persuaded that rational souls are capable of such excesses4 8,i will conclude with opening a door to new reflections4 ,suppose a man1 like so many others1 vegetates only1 and is reduced to the universal soul1 ,i demand whether the race of such a man is not in the same state4 ,if so1 ,i pity our posterity4 ,rational souls were scarce among our fore-fathers2 they are still more so among us2 surely there will be none left among our offspring4 ,all are degenerating1 and we are very near the last stage40 ,illustration ,,chap4 ,,xiii4 ,,letter ,,to ,,the ,,europeans4 ,the second of the works1 of which ,i remember to have seen the plan delineated on the leaves of the ,fantastical tree1 was digested into the form of a letter1 addressed to all the nations of ,europe1 the substance of which is as follows3 8,o ye powerful nations of ,europe2 nations polished1 ingenious1 learned1 warlike1 made to command the rest2 nations the most accomplished upon earth2 the times are come3 ,your profound schemes for the happiness of man have prospered3 ,you enjoy it at length1 and ,i congratulate you upon it4 8,in nature's infancy1 those uncivilised ages wherein men wandering in the fields1 were fed with the products of the earth1 a perfect security1 easy pleasure1 profound peace1 or rather languishing indolence benumbed all the faculties of the soul4 ,but when the sweets of property had flattered the human heart2 when each had his inclosure and could say1 ,this is mine2 then all was in motion4 ,a man had too much of one thing1 and too little of another2 he gave the superfluity for what he wanted3 ,and trade was established4 ,it was at first carried on among neighbours2 then1 from country to country2 and at last1 from one of the quarters of the world to the other three4 ,from that time1 mankind have formed but one numerous family1 whose members are incessantly employed in cheating one another4 ,the spirit of distrust1 finess1 and fraud1 have displayed all the springs of the soul2 the talents have shown themselves1 the arts have taken birth2 and men begin to enjoy the full extent of their understanding4 8,how well these profound speculatists have conjectured1 who have told us3 ,would you have a state flourish8 incourage populousness2 for real strength and riches consist in a great number of citizens4 ,to incourage populousness1 enlarge trade more and more1 set up manufactures1 introduce arts of every kind2 and1 to consume superfluities1 call in luxury4 ,let the names of those who have opened this admirable way1 be carefully preserved in our kalendar4 8,it is true1 by following this method1 you have missed your aim1 which was populousness4 ,what fortune soever a man may raise1 it is consumed by the boundless expence of luxury1 which always exceeds the revenues3 ,there is nothing left for the education and settlement of children2 and means must be used to have a small number1 or even none at all4 ,long races suit only those remote times when your ancestors1 plentifully furnished with necessaries1 were so unfortunate as to have no idea of pageantry4 ,it is no wonder1 if people so barbarous as not to know silk1 lace1 tea1 chocolate1 ,burgundy1 ,champagne1 should so increase in the northern regions1 as to over-run1 like a torrent1 all your countries1 should found monarchies1 and dictate laws1 which are revered to this day4 8,but what signifies populousness and multitude8 ,rejoice1 ,o ye fortunate nations2 for you have coffee and snuff1 cinnamon and musk1 sugar and furs1 tea and china4 ,how happy are you6 and how composed should your minds be6 8,it is true1 toils1 hunger1 thirst1 shoals1 storms1 sooner or later destroy these insatiable traders1 who traverse the seas to bring you these precious superfluities4 ,but with how many advantages are these petty inconveniences repaid8 ,the face of ,europe is entirely new6 even to your constitutions all is changed4 ,thousands of quintals of spices1 circulate in your blood1 carry fire into your inmost nerves1 and give you a new sort of ,being4 ,neither your health1 nor your diseases are like those of your fore-fathers4 ,their robust constitution1 simplicity of manners1 their native virtues1 are they comparable to the advantages you enjoy8 ,that sensibility of the organs1 that delicacy of mind and body1 those universal lights1 those vices of all kinds4444 ,what6 will it be said1 are vices also to be reckoned among the actual felicities of ,europe8 ,yes1 without doubt3 ,is it not daily proved1 that virtue heretofore might be useful to the prudent economy of your ancestors1 but that1 for enlightened citizens1 who no longer walk by the old rules1 vice is absolutely necessary1 or rather changes its nature and becomes virtue4 8,another advantage that you owe to the depth of your policy and extensiveness of your trade is1 that perpetual occasions offer to show your courage1 and to practice your military virtues4 8,when formerly your countries were under that vast dominion1 which swallowed up all the rest1 they sunk into indolence2 you had only short wars and long intervals of peace1 every thing languished4 ,but since1 out of the wrecks of that unwieldy empire1 a hundred petty states have been formed1 every thing has revived4 ,the ,europeans have incessantly quarrelled and fought for little spots of land2 the grand art of heroism is returned1 the art of sacking provinces and shedding blood3 ,and that balance of power so much talked of1 is at last established1 which puts all ,europe in arms at the motion of the least of its parts1 and by means of which1 a single spark is sufficient to set the whole earth in a flame4 8,let us not regret those times so productive of warriors1 when country heroes1 each at the head of two or three hundred vassals1 continually harrassed one another4 ,the seeds of dissention1 which were grown scarce in your climates1 have been sought in the farthest parts of the earth2 and from the bosom of the two ,indias1 commerce has brought fresh seeds of enmity1 discord1 and war4 8,these fertile sources are not exhausted2 there still remain countries to be discovered4 ,o ye indefatigable nations6 is your courage abated8 ,what6 should you confine yourselves to your late progresses1 as if there remained no unknown lands8 ,will you never go and hoist your standards1 and build forts1 directly under the ,poles8 ,rouse yourselves1 there are still left riches to plunder1 countries to waste1 blood to spill4 8,but why should you cast your eyes on such objects8 ,are not your possessions immense8 ,is not your luxury carried to the utmost height8 ,are there still new vices to be introduced among you8 ,and do not you begin to shake off the troublesome yoke of every sort of duty8 ,without doubt1 you are very well1 nor were you ever better4 ,the little way you have to arrive at perfection1 will soon be gone over4 ,when modern wisdom1 which timorously conceals herself still in the shade1 shall appear in broad day2 when she shall have raised her proud head1 and shall see all ,europe at her feet1 universally adopting her maxims1 then1 you will have neither religious nor moral principles2 you will be at the summit of felicity40 ,,chap4 ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,maxims4 ,the third work of which ,i remember to have seen the sketch on the ,fantastical ,tree1 was entitled1 ,rules of ,conduct for the ,eighteenth ,century1 addressed to a young ,babylonian1 who is coming into the world4 ,it contained the following ,maxims4 8,every country has its customs1 every age its manners2 and1 in human wisdom1 the only unchangeable ,maxim is1 to change with the times and places4 ,the most unquestionable ,maxims of the ,babylonians1 and of the present times are such as these3 8,to have true merit does not much signify2 but to have small talents is essential4 ,to make one's court1 for example1 and pretty verses1 is sufficient to prosper3 and even farther than can be imagined4 8,great faults shall be forgiven you1 but the least ridiculous ones are unpardonable4 ,you think right1 and say excellent things3 ,but take care you do not sneeze2 it will be such an indecorum1 that all the ,babylonish gravity would not be able to hold2 and you might speak still better things1 and not a soul hear you4 8,be particularly careful to act entirely with reference to yourself1 and to talk always with reference to the publick-good4 ,it is a fine word1 that publick-good3 ,if you would1 it will never enter into your heart2 but it must be always in your mouth4 8,seek not the esteem of the ,babylonians in place1 that leads to nothing2 seek to please4 ,what1 think you1 will esteem do for you8 ,it is so frozen a sentiment1 has so distant a relation to self6 ,but amuse their highnesses1 and their eminencies1 you will then be prized1 they will not suffer you out of their sight2 they will do all for you1 and think they can never do enough4 8,wait not to sollicit for a place you may be fit for2 probably you will not succeed4 ,but ask1 without distinction1 for whatever shall offer4 ,it is a secret to you1 but you must know1 that it often enters into the depth of true policy1 to prefer unfit persons1 and remove those that are capable4 8,in fine1 if you will prosper1 turn1 according to circumstances1 flatterer1 like a dedication2 quack1 like a preface2 verbose like a book of art or science2 enthusiast1 like a demi-philosopher2 liar1 like an historian2 fool-hardy1 like an author who is resolved to be talked of4 8,these are the true principles of wisdom3 ,but remember1 it is the ,babylonian wisdom of the ,eighteenth ,century40 ,,chap4 ,,xv4 ,,the ,,thermometers4 ,as ,i was attentively examining a leaf of the ,fantastical ,tree1 on which ,i perceived grand projects1 and insufficient means2 ,i saw another1 so small and curled as to be almost invisible1 fly off from a neighbouring bough1 and suddenly disappear4 ,at the same instant ,i felt a slight pricking in my forehead1 and a sort of restlessness in my head1 which ,i cannot describe1 and which has not left me ever since4 ,certainly this leaf has entered my brain1 and is labouring to unfold itself2 some new invention will result from it one time or other4 ,i even begin to suspect of what kind2 and ,i imagine1 it will be a mechanical affair4 ,if ,i am not mistaken it is this3 ,the different tempers1 the different talents1 the different dispositions depend upon the heat and motion1 more or less considerable1 of the animal spirits3 ,this is a settled point among the physicians2 ,i shall not appeal from their judgment4 ,the question would be to find a mechanical instrument1 to discover in each person the degree of heat and motion of this animal liquid1 in order to discern what any one is fit for1 and to employ him accordingly4 ,this is what ,i am seeking1 and what the leaf1 which is busy in my brain1 when unfolded will not fail to show me4 ,i will compose a quintessence analogous to the animal liquid2 and1 instead of spirits of wine1 ,i will fill thermometers with it4 ,on the side of the tube1 in the room of the different degrees of the temperature of the air1 there shall be an enumeration of the objects1 about which men are usually employed3 ,instead of cold1 temperate1 hot1 very hot1 c4 shall be put1 good for history1 good for physick1 good for poetry1 good for the gown1 good for the sword1 good for the mitre1 good for the baton1 good for ,bedlam1 c4 ,when a person shall put his hand upon the phial1 the liquor will be condensed1 or dilated2 and1 rising or falling in the tube1 will show what the person is good for4 ,i will present ,thermometers to sovereigns1 that they may chuse ,generals1 ,ministers1 ,counsellors1 and especially ,favourites1 who will love them enough to tell them the truth4 ,i will give some to ,bishops to fill their ,benefices and ,dignities1 for ,i observe1 that those who are appointed to watch1 should themselves be watched4 ,i will give some to ,fathers1 that their children may be wisely disposed of3 ,we shall not see them gird with a sword a son whom they ought to dedicate to the altar1 nor bury in a cloister a daughter who would have been the delight of a husband1 and the happiness of a family4 ,i will give some to the ,great1 that they may discern those who deserve their protection3 ,they will grant it no more to a base flatterer1 to a supple intriguer1 to an ostentatious mean person1 who has pretensions2 but to true merit1 which is seldom seen by them1 and never with all its advantages4 ,i will give some to those tender-hearted virtuous ,girls1 made to enliven the small number of our pleasures1 and to allay the multitude of our troubles4 ,with my ,thermometers1 they will chuse husbands worthy of their affection1 if any such there be2 and they will not see themselves given up to men born for the plague of their sex2 those men without morals1 who marry for life1 and espouse only for six months4 ,in fine1 ,i will give some to particular persons1 that each may examine himself1 and act accordingly3 ,for ,i observe1 that generally every one does what he should not do2 ,i see none but what are misplaced4 ,i am now solliciting for a pension1 to defray the vast expence1 that ,i must evidently be at in making ,thermometers1 even though ,i should give them only to such as most want them4 ,it is true1 that reflection might serve instead of my liquid and glass-tubes1 but reflections are known to be very rare4 ,for example1 it is now at ,babylon as on the real stage2 all is action1 nothing is thought1 and my ,thermometers may become a necessary piece of furniture4 ,,chap4 ,,xvi4 ,,the ,,lentils4 ,the sap which circulates in the ,fantastical ,tree1 said the ,prefect1 is exhausted in bearing and nourishing leaves4 ,let it be considered1 how many plans1 views1 projects1 come into men's heads2 the prodigious quantity of leaves that this tree must furnish will be astonishing2 and it will be no longer wondered1 that its whole substance is wasted in their production4 ,mean while1 the sap1 passing into the philosophical branch1 makes more progress there than any where else2 it produces blossoms1 and sometimes fruit4 ,these blossoms are of a singular form and colour1 that is to say1 admirable to some eyes1 and very odd to others4 ,their odour is very penetrating2 few love it1 many cannot bear it3 ,to like it1 requires a strong head1 and a brain organized on purpose4 ,these same blossoms are extremely delicate3 ,the least change of the air disorders their economy4 ,they generally fade without leaving any fruit4 ,in fine1 the fruit is very late1 and seldom comes to perfect maturity4 ,the shell is almost round1 divided within into little cells1 and ending at the top in a crown4 ,the little cells of the philosophical fruit1 are full of seeds transparent as crystal1 round and flatted like a ,lentil1 but infinitely smaller4 ,when the fruit is ripe1 it bursts2 the cells open1 the seeds come out4 ,but as they are very light1 they are suspended in the air1 and the wind blows them every way over the surface of the earth4 ,one thing would astonish thee if thou wast not a little versed in chymistry and optics1 and that is1 these philosophical grains have a particular analogy to the eye4 ,they will not stick to any other substance2 but1 as soon as they come within the reach of certain eyes1 they never fail to fasten on them1 and that just before the sight of the eye4 ,as they are perfectly transparent1 they cannot be perceived3 ,but they are discovered by their effects4 ,he that has a seed of this kind before his eyes1 sees things as they are1 and he cannot be imposed upon by chimras4 ,what used to appear to him great1 is prodigiously lessened1 and what appeared to him little1 is magnified in the same proportion2 so that to his eyes1 every thing is upon a level or nearly so4 ,in general1 men appear to him very little1 and those lords over others1 whom he beheld before as colossuses1 seem to him so little above the rest1 that he hardly perceives the difference4 ,he sees the extent of human knowledge1 and finds it so near to ignorance1 that he does not conceive how learning can breed vanity1 or ignorance cause shame4 ,he sees without disguise the phantom of immortality1 the idol of the great and the jest of the wise4 ,he sees the celebrated names penetrate a little more or less into futurity2 and then stop like the rest and sink into eternal oblivion4 ,he sees what is low in the most sublime2 the dark part of what casts the most lustre1 the weak side in what appears the strongest3 ,and his imagination presents to him nothing dazzling1 but wherein his reason discovers all the defects4 ,he sees the earth1 as a point in the boundless space2 the series of ages1 as an instant in eternal duration2 and the chain of human actions1 as the traces of a cloud of flies in the aerial plains4 ,in fine1 he respects virtue2 and1 as to the rest1 whatever he perceives all around him1 even to the most minute things1 seems to him all alike4 ,he esteems nothing1 he despises nothing1 he prefers nothing1 and accommodates himself to every thing4 ,such a man cannot be conceived to be susceptible of all those little sallies of joy which affect others1 but then he is screened from those little mortifications which trouble them so much1 and in my opinion1 he is a gainer4 ,,chap4 ,,xvii4 ,,the ,,subterraneous ,,road4 ,i have one thing more 7said the ,prefect7 to show thee2 prepare thy eyes and thy ears2 and be frightened at nothing4 ,the rivulet1 by the side of which we walked to the ,fantastical ,tree1 receives several streams as it flows along2 and1 as if it left with regret so beautiful a residence1 after forming a thousand serpentine windings in the meadow1 it glides gently towards its mouth4 ,in that place1 a hole1 formed by an opening of the earth1 receives and transmits it through subterraneous channels4 ,we came to the place where it was broadest4 ,the bottom was of smooth gravel1 and the water not above an inch deep4 ,the ,prefect went in and ,i followed him4 ,i had gone but a few paces1 when the bottom gave way3 ,i sunk1 but it was only to my waste2 and ,i remained in that posture1 without being able to get to one side or the other4 ,fear nothing1 says the ,prefect1 calmly enjoy the last spectacle ,i have reserved for thee4 ,i then gave myself up to the efforts of the waters1 which carried me away1 and ,i soon entered into the subterraneous cavities1 where they were lost4 ,at a little distance1 the rivulet flowed into another1 and soon after1 both ran into a river4 ,i was carried from stream to stream2 ,i crossed gulphs1 lakes1 and seas4 ,as long as a faint light permitted1 ,i contemplated the internal frame of the earth4 ,it is a labyrinth of immense caverns1 deep grottos1 irregular crevices1 which have a communication with one another4 ,the waters that flow in these subterranean places1 spread themselves sometimes into vast basons1 and seem to stagnate2 sometimes they run with a rapid stream through narrow straits2 and dash against the rocks with such impetuosity1 as to produce the phosporus and flashes of lightening2 very often they fall from the top of the vaults with a dreadful noise4 ,the dazzled eye sees1 as it imagines1 the foundations of the earth shake2 one would think1 that the whole was turned upside down1 and falling into chaos4 ,when the glimmering light1 which ,i had enjoyed some time1 came to fail1 ,i found myself buried in profound darkness1 which increased the horror1 ,i had conceived at what ,i had seen4 ,a hideous noise1 mixed with the murmuring of the streams1 with the whistling of the gulfs1 with the roaring of the torrents1 threw me into great perturbation of mind2 and my troubled fancy formed to itself a thousand frightful images4 ,i went on a good while in this darkness2 and ,i know not how far ,i had gone when a faint light struck my eyes4 ,it was not like that which precedes sun-rising1 or follows sun-set2 but that melancholy light1 which a town on fire spreads at a distance in the shade of the night4 ,i was some time before ,i saw whence it came3 ,at last1 ,i found myself close to the most terrible of all the sights4 ,a vast opening exposed to my eyes in an immense cavern1 an abyss of fire4 ,the devouring flame rapidly consumed the combustible matter with which the arched roofs of the abyss were impregnated4 ,a thick smoke mixed with fiery sparks1 diffused itself to a great distance4 ,from time to time1 the calcined stones fell down by pieces1 and the liquified metals formed flaming streams4 ,sometimes whole rocks1 rent from the tops of the vaults1 gave passage to water1 which poured down in boiling streams4 ,the moment the water touched the calcined matters and melted minerals1 it caused most shocking detonations3 ,the concavities of the globe resounded1 their foundations were shaken3 ,and ,i conceived that such was the cause of those terrible earth-quakes1 that have destroyed so many countries1 and swallowed up so many cities4 ,i was soon in darkness again2 for ,i still went on4 ,every moment ,i should have been destroyed1 if the ,prefect of ,giphantia had not watched over me4 ,i saw him no more3 ,but his promise was with me3 ,and the dangers1 ,i had escaped1 heartened me against those ,i had still to undergo4 ,by degrees ,i took courage1 and became so easy as to make some reflections4 ,alas6 said ,i1 through a frightful desart ,i came into the most beautiful mansions in the world1 and ,i am now going thence through gulfs1 abysses1 and vulcanos4 ,good and evil closely follow one another4 ,it is thus1 the light of the day and darkness of the night1 the frosts of the winter and the flowers of the spring1 the gentle zephyrs and the raging storms1 succeed one another4 ,however1 by this strange concatenation1 is formed the enchanting prospect of nature4 ,let us not doubt it3 ,the natural world1 notwithstanding its disorders1 is the master-piece of infinite wisdom2 the moral world1 in spite of its stains1 is worthy the admiration of the philosopher3 ,and ,babylon1 with all its faults1 is the chief city of the world4 ,at last1 after many days of subterraneous navigation1 ,i once more saw the light2 ,i came out of these terrible vaults1 and the last current landed me upon a maritime coast4 ,the serenity of the air was not ruffled with the wind2 the calm sea shone with the rays of the rising-sun2 and1 like a tender wife who stretches out her arms1 and sweetly smiles on a beloved husband1 the earth seemed to resume new life at the return of that glorious orb1 from whence springs all its fertility4 ,by degrees1 my troubled senses were calmed3 ,i looked round me1 and found myself in my own country1 six hundred furlongs north-west from ,babylon1 to which city ,i address and dedicate this narrative of my hazardous travels4 ,,finis4 ----- ,footnote #a3 ,the ,jansenists 7so called from ,jansenius bishop of ,ypres7 explained the ,doctrine of ,grace after the ,calvinistical or rather ,methodistical manner1 whilst the ,molinists 7so named from ,molina a ,spanish ,jesuit7 explained it after the ,arminian or rather ,semi-pelagian way4 ,the ,gallican clergy were divided between these two ,opinions4 ,the reader may remember1 there are three opinions concerning ,grace4 ,says the ,calvinist and ,methodist1 ,grace does ,,all4 ,says the ,arminian and ,semi-pelagian1 ,grace does ,,half4 ,says the ,pelagian1 ,grace does ,,nothing4 ,footnote #b3 ,the city of ,ombi stood on the eastern side of the ,nile1 and ,tentyra or ,tentyris on the western2 both in ,thebais part of ,upper ,egypt4 ,the ,tentyrites were professed enemies of the ,crocodiles1 whilst the rest of the ,egyptians held them in great veneration1 especially the ,ombites1 who for their sake waged war with the ,tentyrites4 ,footnote #c3 ,our author in this and the following chapter gives a very lively summary of the four great monarchies of the world4 ,i4 ,the ,assyrian or ,babylonian founded by ,nimrod 7or ,belus ,i47 soon after the dispersion at ,babel1 and which ended with the taking of ,babylon 7,a4 ,c4 #ech7 by ,cyrus who founded ,,ii4 ,the ,persian empire which ended with the defeat of ,darius ,codomannus 7,a4 ,c4 #ccd7 by ,alexander the ,great who founded ,,iii4 ,the ,grecian or ,macedonian empire which in about five years was divided among his successors1 and at length 7after the battle of ,actium and death of ,cleopatra7 became subject to ,,iv4 ,the ,roman empire under ,augustus ,csar1 of which there are still some remains4 ,footnote #d3 ,arbaces governour of ,media1 and ,belesis of ,babylon4 ,footnote #e3 ,after the death of ,sardanapalus 7who is said to burn himself1 his wives and concubines1 his eunuchs and riches1 in one of the courts of his palace7 the empire was divided into the ,median over which ,arbaces reigned at ,nineveh1 and the ,assyrian over which ,belesis reigned at ,babylon4 ,these were united under ,cyrus about #baj years after4 ,belesis 7the ,baladan of ,scripture7 is called also ,nabonassar4 ,from the first year of his reign begins the famous ,astronomical ra of ,nabonassar1 containing #ijh years from ,february #bf before ,christ #gdg1 to the #bc;d year of ,antoninus ,pius in the year of our ,lord #afa4 ,footnote #f3 ,nebuchadnezzer 7,a4 ,c4 #ehi7 utterly destroyed ,jerusalem1 put out king ,zedekiah's eyes1 killed his sons and erected the golden image in the plains of ,dura4 ,footnote #g3 ,by a solemn treaty ,ptolemy had ,egypt1 c4 ,cassander had ,macedonia and ,greece4 ,lysimachus had ,thrace1 ,bithynia1 c4 ,seleucus had ,syria1 c4 ,of these1 the kingdom of ,egypt 7under #ad monarchs including ,cleopatra7 and of ,syria 7under #bg kings7 subsisted till subdued by the ,romans4 ,the rest soon fell to pieces4 ,footnote #h3 ,his ,library is said to consist of above #bjj1jjj volumes4 ,among the rest was the ,septuagint or ,greek translation of the ,old ,testament ,a4 ,c4 #bfg4 done by ,ptolemy's order4 ,this library was at last destroyed by fire4 ,footnote #i3 ,this man who from a huntsman raised himself to the throne of ,lusitania 7now ,portugal7 defeated the ,romans in several battles2 so that ,cepion the consul was forced at last to have him murdered by treachery4 ,he was 7says ,livy7 much lamented and honorably buried4 ,footnote #aj3 ,rome was taken by ,alaric king of the ,goths in #daj4 ,by ,genseric the ,vandal in #dee4 ,by ,odoacer king of the ,heruli in #dfe1 and by ,totila the ,goth in #edf1 by whom it was miserably plundered4 ,footnote #aa3 ,attila king of the ,huns1 7called the scourge of ,god7 after his other devastations entered ,gaul with #ejj1jjj ,men and was defeated in the plains of ,chalons in #dea1 with the loss of #bjj1jjj ,huns4 ,after which he wasted ,italy and destroyed ,aquileia and other places4 ,then returning home1 he died on his wedding night4 ,the ,huns were the most terrible of all the northern swarms4 ,by the very terror of their countenances they are said to over-run the ,scythians1 ,alans and ,goths4 ,they were so ignorant as not to know letters4 ,footnote #ab3 ,mahomet was born at ,mecca in ,arabia1 ,may #e1 #egj4 ,he is thought by some to be persuaded that he was really inspired to propagate the belief of one ,god1 and to overthrow the idolatrous religion of his country4 ,if he retained some absurd notions1 it was 7say they7 to induce his countrymen to embrace his religion4 ,the ,mahometan ra begins ,july #af1 #fbb1 when he fled from ,mecca to ,medina4 ,he died ,jan4 #ag1 #fca1 after having reduced ,arabia to his obedience4 ,his religion has since spread itself over ,asia1 ,africa1 and great part of ,europe4 ,footnote #ac3 ,soliman1 father of the ,othman race1 came out of ,scythia with #ej1jjj men in the year #abad1 and pushed his conquests to the ,euphrates4 ,in attempting to pass that river he was drowned in #abai4 ,othman his grandson was declared sultan in #acjj4 ,mahomet ,,ii4 the seventh emperor of the ,turks1 put an end to the ,eastern empire by taking ,constantinople in #adec4 ,the ,turks embraced the religion of ,mahomet4 ,footnote #ad3 ,camayeu1 is a stone1 whereon are found various figures formed by nature4 ,it is the name the orientals give the onyx1 on which and on agate1 these natural figures are often found4 ,when the figures are perfected by art1 it is still called a camayeu1 as is also a painting in one colour1 representing basso relievos4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,transcriber',s ,,notes #a4 ,changed all long to short s4 #b4 ,added #bjj to all page numbers in ,part #b to avoid conflicts with ,part #a numbering4 #c4 ,silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling4 #d4 ,retained anachronistic1 non-standard1 and uncertain spellings as printed4 #e4 ,footnotes have been re-indexed using numbers and collected together at the end of the last chapter4 #f4 ,enclosed italics font in underscores4 #g4 ,superscripts are denoted by a caret before a single superscript character or a series of superscripted characters enclosed in curly braces1 e4g4 ,mr4 or ,mister4