"Why, Sir, said I, to our English Interpreter, do you sup by Day-light? You mistake, said he, it is now Night; your World to the Inhabitants of this Hemisphere (which is always turn'd to it, this Planet moving in an Epicycle) reflects so strong the Sun's Light, that your Error is excusable. What then, said I, do those of the other Hemisphere for Light? They have it, said he, from the Planets."

I went with them into a Parlour, where, after a Hymn was sung, we sat down to a Table cover'd with Sallets and all sorts of Fruits.

"You must, said the Selenite, content your self with what we can offer you, which is nothing but the spontaneous Products of the Earth: We cannot invite you to other, since the eating any thing that has had Life, is look'd upon with Abhorrence, and never known in this World: But I am satisfied you will easily accommodate your self to our Diet, since the Taste of our Fruits is much more exquisite than yours, since they fully satisfy, and never cloy:"

Which I found true by Experience, and I was so far from hankering after Flesh, that even the Thoughts of it were shocking and nauseous to me.

We drank the most delicious Wine, which they press'd from the Grape into their Cups, and which was no way intoxicating. After Supper, the Selenite address'd himself to me in Words to this Effect.

"I have acquainted my Friends here present, who are come to pass some Days with me, both with the Contents of the Cacklogallinian Emperor's Letter, and the Reasons which mov'd this Prince to desire an Intercourse between the two Worlds, and we will all of us wait on you to our Prince's Court, tho' strictly speaking, we neither have, nor need a Governour; and we pay the distant Respect due to your Princes to the eldest among us, as he is the nearest to eternal Happiness. But that I may give you some Idea, both of this World, and its Inhabitants, you must learn, that Men in yours are endued with a Soul and an Understanding; the Soul is a material Substance, and cloathes the Understanding, as the Body does the Soul; at the Separation of these two, the Body is again resolved into Earth, and the Soul of the Virtuous is placed in this Planet, till the Understanding being freed from it by a Separation we may call Death, tho' not attended with Fear or Agony, it is resolved into our Earth, and its Principle of Life, the Understanding, returns to the Great Creator; for till we have here purg'd off what of Humanity remains attach'd to the Soul, we can never hope to appear before the pure Eyes of the Deity.

"We are here, said he, in a State of Ease and Happiness, tho' no way comparable to that we expect at our Dissolution, which we as earnestly long for, as you Mortals carefully avoid it. We forget nothing that pass'd while we were cloath'd in Flesh, and Inhabitants of your Globe, and have no other Uneasiness, than what the Reflection of our Ingratitude to the Eternal Goodness, while in Life, creates in us, which the Eternal lessens in proportion to our Repentance, which is here very sincere. This will cease your Wonder at hearing the Sublunary Languages.

"We have here no Passions to gratify, no Wants to supply, the Roots of Vice, which under no Denomination is known among us; consequently no Laws, nor Governours to execute them, are here necessary.

"Had the Cacklogallinian Prince known thus much, he would have been sensible how vain were his Expectations of getting from us the Gold he thirsts after: For were we to meet with the purest Veins of that Metal, by removing only one Turf, not a Selenite would think it worth his while.

"This is a Place of Peace and Tranquillity, and this World is exactly adapted to the Temper of its Inhabitants: Nature here is in an Eternal Calm; we enjoy an everlasting Spring; the Soil yields nothing noxious, and we can never want the Necessaries of Life, since every Herb affords a salubrious Repast to the Selenites.

"We pass our Days without Labour, without other Anxiety, than what I mention'd, and the longing Desire we have for our Dissolution, makes every coming Day encrease our Happiness.

"We have not here, as in your World, Distinction of Sexes; for know, all Souls are masculine (if I may be allow'd that Term, after what I've said) however distinguish'd in the Body; and tho' of late Years the Number of those which change your World for this (especially of the European Quarter) is very small; yet we do not apprehend our World will be left unpeopled."

"You say, replied I, that none but the virtuous Soul reaches these blissfull Seats; what then becomes of the Vicious? and how comes it, that the Soul, when loosed by Sleep, I suppose without Distinction, retires hither?"

"The Decrees, said he, of the Almighty are inscrutable, and you ask me Questions are not in my Power to resolve you."

"Have not, said I, the Cacklogallinians Souls, think you, since they're endued with Reason?" "If they have, said he, they never are sent hither."

I repeated this Discourse to the Cacklogallinians, which made Volatilio extreamly melancholly.

Happy Men! said he, to whose Species the divine Goodness has been so indulgent! Miserable Cacklogallinians! if destin'd, after bearing the Ills of Life, to Annihilation. Let us, Probusomo, never think of returning, but beg we may be allow'd to end our Days with these Favourites of Heaven.

I interpreted this to the Selenite, who shook his Head, and said it was, he believ'd, impossible. That he did not doubt but Providence would reward the Virtuous of his Species; that his Mercy and Justice were without Bound, which ought to keep him from desponding.

The next Day a great Number of Selenites came to see me, and entertain'd me with abundance of Candour. I seeing no Difference in Dress, nor any Deference paid to any, as distinguish'd by a superior Rank, I took Liberty to ask my English Selenite, if all the Inhabitants were upon a Level, and if they had no Servants nor Artificers?

"We have, said he, no Distinctions among us; who in your World begg'd Alms, with us, has the same Respect as he who govern'd a Province: Tho', to say Truth, we have but few of your sublunary Quality among us. We have no Occasion for Servants; we are all Artificers, and none where Help is necessary, but offers his with Alacrity. For Example, would I build a House, every one here, and as many more as were wanting, would take a Pleasure to assist me."

He told me, that the next Day they intended to present me to Abrahijo, the oldest Selenite.

Accordingly, we set out at Sun-rising, and entered a Bark about a League from the House, and having pass'd about four Leagues on a River which ran thro' a Valley beautiful beyond Description, we went ashore within an Hundred Yards Abrahijo's Place of Abode.

When we came in, the venerable old Man, whose compos'd and chearful Countenance spoke the Heaven of his Mind, rose from his Chair, and came to meet us; he was of a great Age, but free from the Infirmities which attend it in our World.

The English Selenite presented me to him with few Words, and he received me with Tenderness.

After he was inform'd of my Story, he spoke to me by our Interpreter, to this Effect.

"My Son, I hope you will reap a solid Advantage from the perilous Journey you have made, tho' your Expectation of finding Riches among us is frustrated. All that I have to give you, is my Advice to return to your World, place your Happiness in nothing transitory; nor imagine that any Riches, but those which are Eternal, which neither Thief can carry away, nor Rust corrupt, are worthy of your Pursuit. Keep continually in your Eye the Joys prepared for those who employ the Talents they are entrusted with, as they ought: Reflect upon the little Content your World can afford you: Consider how short is Life, and that you have but little Time to spare for Trifles, when the grand Business, the securing your eternal Rest, ought to employ your Mind. You are there in a State of Probation, and you must there chuse whether you will be happy or miserable; you will not be put to a second Trial; you sign at once your own Sentence, and it will stand irrevocable, either for or against you. Weigh well the Difference between a momentary and imperfect, and an eternal and solid Happiness, to which the Divine Goodness invites you; nay, by that Calmness, that Peace of Mind, which attends a virtuous Life, bribes you to make Choice of, if you desire to be among us, be your own Friend, and you will be sure to have those Desires gratify'd. But you must now return, since it was never known, that gross Flesh and Blood ever before breath'd this Air, and that your Stay may be fatal to you, and disturb the Tranquillity of the Selenites. This I prophesy, and my Compassion obliges me to warn you of it."

I made him a profound Reverence, thank'd him for his charitable Admonition, and told him I hoped nothing should win me from the Performance of a Duty which carry'd with it such ineffable Rewards. That if no greater were promised, than those indulged to the Selenites, I would refuse no Misery attending the most abject Life, to be enrolled in the Number of the Inhabitants of that happy Region.

"I wish, replied he, the false Glare of the World does not hinder the Execution of these just Resolutions: But that I may give you what Assistance is in our Power, in hopes of having you among us, we will shew the World unmask'd; that is, we will detain some time the Souls of Sleepers, that you may see what Man is, how false, how vain, in all he acts or wishes. Know, that the Soul loos'd by Sleep, has the Power to call about it all the Images which it would employ, can raise imaginary Structures, form Seas, Lands, Fowls, Beasts, or whatever the rational Faculty is intent upon. You shall now take some Refreshment, and after that we will both divert and instruct you."

The Table was spread by himself and the other Selenites, the Cacklogallinians and my self invited, and I observ'd it differ'd nothing, either in Quality or Quantity, from that of my English Host.

After a solemn Adoration of the ineffable Creator, each took his Place; having finish'd our Meal, at which a strict Silence was observed, Abrahijo took me by the Hand, and led me into a neighbouring Field, the Beauty of which far excell'd that of the most labour'd and artificial Garden among us.

"Here, said he, observe yon Shade; I shall not detain it, that you may see the Care and Uneasiness attending Riches."

The Shade represented an old withered starv'd Carcass, brooding over Chests of Money. Immediately appeared three ill-look'd Fellows; Want, Despair, and Murder, were lively-pictur'd in their Faces; they were taking out the Iron Bars of the old Man's Window, when all vanish'd of a sudden. I ask'd the Meaning of it; he told me, the Terror the Dream of Thieves put him into, had awaken'd him; and the Minute he slept again, I should see again his Shade. Hardly had Abrahijo done speaking, when I again saw the old Man, with a young well-dress'd Spark standing by him, who paid him great Respect. I heard him say very distinctly,

"Sir, do you think I am made of Money, or can you imagine the Treasure of a Nation will supply your Extravagance? The Value I have for you on Account of your Father, who was my good Friend, has made me tire all my Acquaintance, by borrowing of them to furnish your Pockets: However, I'll try, if I cannot borrow One Thousand more for you, tho' I wish your Estate will bear it, and that I don't out of my Love to you, rashly bring myself into Trouble. You know I am engaged for all; and if the Mortgage you have given should not be valid, I am an undone Man. I can't, I protest, raise this Money under Fifteen per Cent, and it's cheap, very cheap, considering how scarce a Commodity it is grown. It's a Pity so generous a young Gentleman should be straiten'd. I don't question a Pair of Gloves for the Trouble I have. I know you too well to insist on't: I am old and crazy, Coach-hire is very dear, I can't walk, God help me, and my Circumstances won't afford a Coach. A Couple of Guineas is a Trifle with you: I'll get you the Thousand Pound, if I can, at Fifteen per Cent. but if my Friend should insist on Twenty (for Money is very hard to be got with the best Security) must I refuse it? Yes; I can't suffer you to pay such an exorbitant Premium; it is too much, too much in Conscience; I can't advise you to it."

The young Gentleman answer'd, he was sensible of his Friendship, and left all to him.

"Well, well, said the Miser, come again two Hours hence, I'll see what's to be done."

He went away, t'other barr'd the Door after him, and falls to rummaging his Bags, and telling out the Sum to be lent to the young Gentleman: When, on a sudden, his Doors flew open, and a Couple of Rogues bound him in his Bed, and went off laden with Baggs. Soon after, a meagre Servant comes in, and unbinds him; he tears his Hair, raves, stamps, and has all the Gestures of a Madman; he sends the Servant out, takes a Halter, throws it over a Beam, and going to hang himself, vanishes.

Soon after, he appeared again with Officers, who hurry the young Gentleman to Goal. He follows him, gets his Estate made over to him, and then sets his Prisoner at Liberty: The Scene of the Goal vanishes, and he's in a noble Mansion-Seat with the young Gentleman in Rags, who gives him Possession, and receives a Trifle from him for that Consideration. He turns away all the Servants, and in a Palace he is alone roasting an Egg over a Handful of Fire for his Dinner. His Son comes in, as he is by himself, goes to murder him, and he vanishes again. He returns to our Sight, digging in his Garden, and hiding Money, for Soldiers appear in the neighbouring Village: He has scarce buried it, when they rifle his House; this makes us lose him again for a little Space. His Coachman comes to him, tells him his Son is kill'd; he answers,

"No matter, he was a great Expence, I shall save at least Forty Pounds a Year by his Death, it's a good Legacy, Tom."

He tells him a Lord offer'd him Five Hundred Pounds to carry off his young Lady, but that he refused it, and thought himself obliged to acquaint him with his Lordship's Design.

"You are a Fool, replies the old Man; take the Money, I'll consent, we'll snack it—Quit of another. My Lord shan't have a Groat with her. What a Charge are Children! This Lord is the best Friend I have, to take her off my Hands. To be sure bring the Money, carry her to my Lord, and bring the Money; go take Time by the Fore-lock, he may recant, then so much Money's lost. Go, run to my Lord, tell him you'll do it."

Here he thrust the Fellow out, and appear'd with a smiling Countenance. A Man comes in, and tells him the Exchequer is shut up, Stocks are fallen, a War declar'd, and a new Tax laid on Land; he beats his Breast, groans aloud, and vanishes.

"By this Wretch, said Abrahijo, you see the Care and Anxiety wait on the Miserable. The Love of Gold in him has extinguish'd Nature; nay, it predominates over Self-love; for he hastens his End, by not allowing his Body either Rest, or sufficient Nourishment, only that he may encrease the Number of his Coffers."

Another Shade appear'd with a great Crowd of People, huzzaing, a Venditor, a Venditor; he goes before them, steps into every Shop, enquires after the Health of each Family, kisses the Wives, and out of his thrusts Gold into their Mouths. Here he bows to a Tinker, there embraces a Cobler, shakes a Scavinger by the Hand, stands bare-headed, and compliments an Ale-Wife, invites a Score of Shoemakers, Taylors, Pedlars, Weavers, and Hostlers, to do him the Honour of their Company to Dinner.

The Scene changes; he's at Court, the Ministers repay him his servile Cringes by theirs; one comes up to him, and says, he hopes, when the Bill comes into the House, he will favour him with his Vote for its passing: He answers, he shall discharge the Trust reposed in him, like a Man of Honour, in forwarding what is for the Good of his Country, and opposing the contrary, tho' the Consequence were his own Ruin: That he begg'd his Lordship's Pardon, if he dissented from him in Opinion, and did not think what he required warrantable in a Man of Honour.

"You are not well inform'd, replied the Nobleman, but we'll talk of that another Day, when I hope I shall convince you, that you did not well understand me; my present Business is to wish you Joy, Courvite's Regiment is vacant, and tho' you have never serv'd, your personal Bravery and good Conduct in the Senate have spoke so much in your behalf, that you will to morrow have the Commission sent you."

"My Lord, replied the Patriot, this is an unexpected favour, and I am satisfied I owe it to your Lordship's Goodness. I hope an Opportunity to speak my Gratitude, will present it self; in the mean while count upon me, in whatever I can serve your Interest."

At these Words, with a visible Joy in his Looks, he vanish'd.

Three dirty Mechanicks appeared in a Shoemaker's Shop, who was a Dreamer. He was declaiming to his Companions over a Pot of Beer, after the following Manner.

"Look ye, Neighbours, there's an old Proverb says, It is not the Hood which makes the Monk; the being born a Gentleman does not make a Man of Sense; and the being bred a Tradesman, does not deprive us of it; for how many great Men have leap'd from the Shop-board, sprung up from the Stall, and have, by patching and heel-piecing Religion and the State, made their Names famous to After-Ages? I can name many, but I shall mention only John of Leyden. Now, I see no Reason, why Meanness of Birth should be an Obstacle to Merit, and I am resolved, as I find a great many Things which ought to be redress'd both in Church and State, if you my Friends will stand by me, to aim at the setting both upright: For you must own, they are basely trod awry. Trade is dead, Money is scarce, the Parsons are proud, rich and lazy; War is necessary for the Circulation of Money; and an honest Man may starve in these Times of Peace and Beggary.

"There are a great many Mysteries in Religion, which, as we don't know what to make of them, are altogether unnecessary, and ought to be laid aside, as well as a great many Ceremonies, which ought to be lopp'd off for being chargeable."

The rest gave their assenting Nod, and seem'd to wonder at, and applaud his Eloquency. In a Moment, I saw him preaching to a Mobb against the Luxury of the Age, and telling them it shew'd a Meanness of Spirit to want Necessaries, while the Gentry, by force of long Usurpations on their Rights, rioted in all manner of Excess. That Providence brought none into the World that he might starve; but that all on Earth had a Right to what was necessary to their Support, which they ought to sieze, since the Rich refus'd to share with them. From a Preacher I saw him a Captain of a Rabble, plundering the Houses of the Nobility, was terrible to all; and tho' he declared for levelling, would be serv'd with the Pomp and Delicacy of a Prince; marries his Daughters to Lords, hoards an immense Treasure, and wakes from his golden Dream.

Another Shade I saw suborning Witnesses, giving them Instructions what to swear, packing Juries, banishing, hanging and beheading all his Enemies, sending immense Sums to foreign Courts, to support his Power at Home, bribing Senates, and carrying all before him without Controul, when he vanish'd. My English Friend told me, that Soul belong'd to the Body of a Money-Scrivener, who almost crack'd his Brain with Politicks, and thought of nothing less than being a prime Minister. I knew him while I was in the World; his whole Discourse always ran on Liberty, Trade, Free Elections, &c. and constantly inveigh'd against all corrupt and self-interested Practices. I saw Persons descended from the ancient Nobility fawning on Valets who were arrived to great Preferment for Pimping; I beheld others contriving Schemes, to bring their Wives and Daughters into the Company of Persons in Power, and aiming to gain Preferment for themselves, at the Expence of the Vertue of their Families; nor was there a Vice, a Folly or a Baseness, practised in this World below, tho' ever so secret, which I did not see there represented, the Particulars of which being too long for this Place, I must beg Leave to refer them to the Second Volume of my Voyages.

In the mean time I was allow'd a Week to satisfy my Curiosity, and make my Observations on all the strange things which were there to be seen, which I may justly reckon the most agreeable Part of my whole Life; and also a further Time to refresh my self: Which being done, we prepared for our Journey, being provided with all things necessary for that Purpose.

As I found in my self that longing Desire (which is natural to all Men, who have been long absent from Home) of returning to see my own Country; and being besides unwilling to go back to Cacklogallinia, the Actions and Designs of the first Minister, to which I was privy, having made such Impressions upon me, that I was prejudic'd against their whole Nation; nor was that Prejudice remov'd, by being acquainted with their Laws, Customs and Manners, some of which appeared to me unreasonable, and others barbarous.

I say, upon the aforesaid Considerations, I apply'd my self to some of the Selenites, whose Courtesy I had already experienced, asking them, whether they could direct me to find out some Part of the Terrestrial World, known and frequented to by Europeans: They were so good to give me full and plain Instructions what Course to steer thro' the Air for that Purpose, which I was very well able to follow, having a Pocket Compass about me, which I brought from England, it having long been my Custom never to stir any where without one.

It being necessary to bring Volatilio into the Design, I went to him and told him, that as we were so unfortunate not to succeed in finding out the Country of Gold, it would be adviseable to return home some other Way, in hopes of better Success in going back; otherwise we might, in all Probability, meet with a disagreeable Welcome from the Emperor and the whole Court. Volatilio hearken'd to these Reasons, and besides having the true Spirit of a Projector in him, which is, not to be discouraged at Disappointments, he consented to my Proposal.

Accordingly we set out, and after some Days travelling, we meeting with little or nothing in our Journey differing from our former, we lighted safely upon the Blue Mountain in Jamaica. Here I was within my own Knowledge; for having formerly made several Voyages to Jamaica, was no Stranger to the Place.

Now therefore I thought it time to acquaint the Cacklogallinians with the innocent Fraud I had put upon them; they seem'd frighted and surprized, as not knowing how to get home to their own Country: For Volatilio apear'd to be quite out of his Element. However, I directed them which Way to steer, which was directly Southward; and having rested for some time, they took their Leave of me, and Volatilio, with his Palanquineers, began their Flight, as I had directed them, and I never saw them more.

As for my Part, I made the best of my Way to Kingston, where coming acquainted with one Captain Madden, Commander of the London Frigate, he was so kind, upon hearing my Story, to offer to give me my Passage gratis, with whom having embark'd at Port Royal, I reach'd my native Country, after a Passage of Nine Weeks.

FINIS.

* * * * *

Thranscriber's note: The following corrections were made:

p. xi retold by Firdausi in the Shaknameh, of Kavi Usan spelling as in original, but no comma

p. 28 Latitude of —— Degrees North original has blank space

p. 73-77 He put several into my Hands to end of chapter original has entire text in one paragraph

p. 75 is altogether vain original reads altoherget

p. 78 allured to... not an error

p. 84 and new Disputes original reads and and new...

the poor Clergy (for they are not all rich, original reads are not all rich) with extra parenthesis

p. 87 It is, true there is a Council comma in original

p. 119 Shares sold of the Treasure original reads Teasure

p. 135 Julip and Jonquil so in original: Tulip?

p. 138 end ...and view the Country. original has comma at end of paragraph

p. 144 Affiability and Gravity spelling as in original

p. 147 I went with them... original has paragraph in quotation marks

p. 151 I repeated... original has beginning of paragraph in quotation marks

p. 152 ...to assist me." He told me... original continues quotation marks to end of paragraph

p. 158 Goal (twice) spelling as in original (Gaol)

p. 161 Courvite's Regiment original has Reigment ]