A journey to the world under-ground
_Venæ-section_, that is, to have a Vein open’d, by which it should
appear, whether his Crime proceeded from Malice, or from the vitiated
Blood, and whether by such an Operation he could be cur’d. So that
these Courts of Justice regarded the Amendment, rather than the
Punishment of the Offender. Yet the very Method of Amendment had a Sort
of Punishment in it, because it was a Mark of Ignominy to undergo this
Operation by judicial Sentence. If any one fell a second Time into the
same Crime, he was deem’d an unworthy Member of the State, and as such
was to be _banish’d to the Firmament_, where all were receiv’d without
Distinction. But of this sort of Exile we shall enlarge hereafter.
Then as to the Reason why upon the Opening of my Vein the Chirurgeon
was so astonish’d at the Sight of my Blood, it was this, namely, that
the Natives of this Globe had a white fluid Juice in their Veins. And
the whiter this was, so much the greater Mark it bore of Innocence and
Probity.
All these Things, when I had perfectly learn’d the subterranean
Tongue, I thoroughly understood, and thenceforward began to form a
milder Judgment of a People I had too hastily censur’d. And tho’ at
first I was of Opinion that these Trees were excessively stupid and
brutish, yet I soon found Reason to think that they were not altogether
destitute of Humanity, and that therefore I was in no Danger of my
Life. And what confirm’d me in this was, that twice a Day I saw my Food
duly brought me. This Food consisted of Fruits, Herbs, and Pulse, and
my Drink was a Liquor the most delicious and grateful I ever tasted.
The Magistrate, in whose Custody I was, soon sent Advice to the
Sovereign of the Empire, who resided at _Potu_, (not far from this
City) that a certain rational Animal, of a very unusual Make, had
fallen into his Hands. The Sovereign, excited by the Novelty of the
Thing, gave Orders that I should be instructed in their Language,
and then sent to Court. Hereupon I had a Language Master appointed
me, under whose Care in the Space of six Months I made so great a
Proficiency, that I was enabled to converse pretty readily with the
Natives. After having pass’d thro’ this first Exercise, a new Order
arriv’d from Court, concerning my farther Instruction, by which I was
commanded to be enter’d into the Seminary, that the natural Powers of
my Understanding might be enquir’d into by the _Karatti_, and in what
Kind of Learning I gave the most hopeful Promises of Success. All this
was done with great Exactness. While I was performing my Exercises
here, they were as careful of my Body as they were of my Mind, and
particularly, they us’d their utmost Art to bring me into their own
Shape, and accordingly they skilfully fitted artificial Branches to my
Body.
During this, the Magistrate, at whose House I lodg’d, every Evening as
I return’d from the Seminary, enter’d into various Conferences with
me. He heard me with the utmost Pleasure descanting on those Things
that had occur’d to me in this subterranean Tour. But he was above
Measure amaz’d at the Description I gave him of our Earth, and of that
immense Heaven that surrounded it, studded with infinite Stars. All
this he heard with the utmost Avidity. But it kindled his Blushes, when
I told him of the Trees of our Globe, which were lifeless, immoveable,
and fastened by the Roots to the Ground; nay, he beheld me with some
Resentment, when I attested that our Trees were cut down for Fuel to
heat our Furnaces and dress our Provisions. But considering the Thing
more gravely, his Indignation subsided, and extending his five Branches
to the Skies (for so many he had) he ador’d the Wisdom of the great
Creator, whose Ways are past finding out; and henceforward he heard me
with still greater Attention. His Wife, who had hitherto avoided me,
when she learnt the true Reason for which I was brought to Judgment,
and that I was deceiv’d in the Appearance of a Tree, which in our
Country ’twas a customary Thing to climb, now laid aside all Suspicion,
and was entirely reconciled. But yet, that I might not at the Beginning
of our Reconciliation open an old Wound, I declin’d all Conversation
with her, unless in the Presence, and at the express Command of her
Husband.
CHAP. III.
_A Description of the City of_ Keba.
In the mean while, and during the Course of this Discipline under the
_Karatti_, my Host walk’d me about the City to shew me whatever was
curious and observable. We walk’d up and down without any Molestation,
and what was more to be admir’d, without any crowding or jostling;
quite otherwise than it is with us, where People flock in Heaps to any
Thing that is new and uncommon, that they may feast their Curiosity.
For the Inhabitants of this Planet have very little Taste for Novelty,
and pursue only solid Things. The Name of this City is _Keba_, and it
is the second in Dignity of the whole _Potuan_ Empire. The Inhabitants
are so sedate and grave, you would swear they were all Senators. Age
is particularly honourable here; nor is there a profounder Deference
and Veneration any where paid it; for it carries Authority not only
in its Sentiments, but in its Looks and Nods. But I much wonder’d
that a Nation so sober, so modest as this, should be delighted with
Comedies and certain ludicrous Shews and Spectacles that were there
exhibited. This did not seem to suit with so much Gravity. Which my
Host perceiving, Through all these Dominions, says he, the Subjects
divide their Time between Things serious and Things of a gayer Turn,
_Saturnumq; gravem nostro Jove frangimus una._
For, among other laudable Institutions of this Empire, there is an
Indulgence of innocent Pleasures, by which it is believ’d the Soul is
strengthen’d, and prepar’d to sustain the more arduous Duties, and
by which those black Clouds of Melancholy are dispell’d, which are
thought to be the Sources of Riots, Seditions, and pernicious Counsels.
Therefore they chequer the severer Toils with Sports and Plays, so
happily tempering Seriousness with Pleasantry, that the first cannot
degenerate into Sourness, nor the latter into Impertinence. But it
was not without Indignation I observ’d that School-Disputations do
there make a Part of the Shews and Theatrical Performances. For at set
Times of the Year, Wagers being laid, and a Reward assign’d to the
Conquerors, the Disputants engage like a Couple of Gladiators, and much
upon the same Terms that fighting Cocks or any such battling Animals
do among us. Hence it was a Custom among the Great, to maintain a Set
of Disputants, as we do a Pack of Hounds, and to give them a logical
Education, that they may be fit for Engagement at the stated Times of
the Year. Thus a certain wealthy Citizen in three Years Time had made
prodigious Gains, even to the Sum of 4000 _Ricatu_, from one Disputant,
whom he maintained for that Purpose. This Disputant, with an amazing
Volubility of Tongue,
_Diruit, ædificat, mutat quadrata rotundis_,
By ensnaring Syllogisms and every Artifice of Logick, by Distinctions,
Reservations, and Exceptions, eluded every Opponent, and silenc’d
whom he would. I was often present at these Entertainments, and that
with no small Vexation. For it seem’d to me a horrid and shameful
Thing, that such noble Exercises, which give Lustre to our Schools,
should here be prostituted on the Stage. And when I call’d to Mind,
that I myself with the highest Applause had disputed in Publick, and
had obtained the Laurel, I could scarce withhold my Tears. And not
only the Dispute, but the Method of disputing incensed me. For they
hir’d certain Stimulators, in their Language _Cabalci_, who when they
observ’d the Ardor of the Disputants to flag, just prick’d their Sides
with Lancets to re-kindle it, and to rally their declining Spirits.
Other Things thro’ Shame I omit, which in so polish’d a Nation I could
not but condemn. Besides these Disputants, call’d in their Tongue, by
way of Contempt, _Masbaki_, that is strictly, Wranglers, there were
other Trials of Skill between Beasts, both of the wild and tame Kind,
and also between Birds of Prey, which were exhibited to the Spectators
at a certain Price. I begg’d to know of my Host, how it was possible
that so judicious a Nation could think of leaving to the Theatre
those noble Exercises, whereby a Faculty of Speaking is acquir’d,
Truth is discover’d, and the Understanding sharpen’d? He reply’d, that
formerly these Exercises were in high Reputation among their barbarous
Ancestors; but since they had been convinc’d by Experience, That Truth
was rather stifled by Disputes, that their Youth were render’d petulant
and forward thereby, that Disturbances arose from them, and that the
more generous Studies were so much the more fetter’d, they turn’d over
these Exercises from the University to the Playhouse; and the Event
has shew’d us, that by Reading, Silence, and Meditation, the Students
now make far greater Advances in Learning. With this Reply, tho’ very
specious, I was not however altogether satisfy’d.
In this City there was an Academy or School, where with the utmost
Decency and Solidity the Liberal Arts were taught. My Host introduc’d
me into the Auditory of this School on a particular Day, when a
_Madic_, or Doctor of Philosophy, was to be created. The whole Ceremony
was this: The Candidate made a learned and elegant Dissertation upon a
Problem in natural Philosophy, which being ended, the Governors of the
School inserted his Name in the Register of Doctors, who from thence
had Authority to teach publickly. My Host asking how I liked it? I
answer’d that it appear’d to me a mighty dry Business in Comparison
of our Promotions. Then I explain’d to him how Masters and Doctors
were created among us, namely, by exhibiting certain Specimens of
their Skill in Disputation. At this, contracting his Brows, he desir’d
to know the Nature of our Disputations, and in what they differ from
the subterranean. I reply’d, that they were usually upon curious and
learned Subjects, particularly such as relate to the Manners, Language,
or Dress of two ancient Nations who formerly flourish’d in _Europe_,
and that I for my Part had wrote three Dissertations upon the Slippers
of the Ancients. With that he set up such a Laugh, as made the whole
House ring. His Wife, alarm’d with the Noise, flies to know the Cause
of it: But I was so much out of Humour, that I disdained to answer
her; for I thought it a burning Shame, so grave and solid a Matter
should be treated with that Ridicule and Contempt. But understanding
from her Husband the Truth of the Case, she laugh’d as violently.
This Thing taking Air, gave a Handle to endless Sneers; nay, the Wife
of a certain Senator, of herself exceedingly prone to laugh, was so
delighted, that she had like to have burst herself. And she soon, after
dying accidentally of a Fever, it was thought her Death was occasion’d
by that immoderate Laugh, which had inflam’d her Lungs. They were
not indeed quite certain that such was the Case; however, so it was
whisper’d. She was otherwise a Matron of a fine Understanding, and
a most useful Lady, for she had seven Branches, which is something
rare in that Sex. All the better Sort of Trees were much concern’d at
her Death. She was bury’d at Midnight without the City Gates, and in
the same Garments she happen’d to have on when she dy’d. For there is
a Provision by Law, that no Body can be bury’d in the City, because
they believe the Air may be corrupted by the Effluvia of the Carcases.
It is also by Law provided, that the dead Bodies shall be interr’d
without any Funeral Pomp, or rich Dresses, inasmuch as all is shortly
to be the Food of Worms. And these appear’d to me to be very wise