own country. For he would often say, the way to heavenis the same from all places, and who hath no grave hath heaven still over him. Yet this disposition had cost him dear, had not God been very gracious to him. After he had travelled, with five Castilians, over many countries, at last, by strange good fortune, he got to Ceylon, and thence to Calicut, where he very fortunately found some Portuguese ships, and, beyond all expectation, returned to his country.'

.

I thanked Peter for his kindness, in intending to bring me acquainted with one whose conversation he knew would be so agreeable to me, and on this Raphael and I embraced. After the usual civilities, we all went to my house, and entering the garden, seated ourselves on a green bank and entertained each other in discourse.

He told us, when, Vesputius had sailed, he and his com panions who staid in New Castile, by degrees insinuated themselves into the affections of the natives, meeting them often, and treating them kindly. At last they not only lived among them without danger, but held familiar intercourse with them; and so far obtained the friendship of a prince (whose name and country I have forgotten) that he furnished them plentifully with all necessaries, and even with the conveniencies of travelling-boats and waggons. He gave them a very faithful guide, who was to introduce and recommend them to such other princes as they had a mind to see; and after travelling many days, they came to towns,

ities, and commonwealths, which were both happily governed and well peopled.

About the equator, as far on either side as the sun goeth, lay vast deserts, parched by his perpetual heat. The soil was withered; every thing looked dismal; all places were uninhabited or abounded in wild beasts and serpents, with a few men neither less wild nor less cruel than the beasts. But as they proceeded, a new scene presented itself. Nature wore a milder aspect, the air was less burning, the soil more verdant, and even the beasts less wild. At last they found nations, towns, and cities, which had not only mutual and neighbourly intercourse, but traded by sea and land to very remote countries.

The first vessels they saw were flat-bottomed, with sails of reeds and wicker woven closely together, and some of leather. Afterward they met with ships having round keels and canvas sails, like our own, and the seamen understood astronomy and navigation. He obtained their favour greatly by shewing them the needle, with which, till then, they were unacquainted. Formerly they sailed with extreme caution, and only in summer. Now they esteem all seasons alike, and trust wholly to the loadstone, in which plan there is perhaps more imaginary security than real safety; and this discovery, promising so much advantage, may, by their imprudence, become a source of great mischief to them.

own country. For he would often say, the way to heaven is the same from all places, and who hath no grave hath heaven still over him. Yet this disposition had cost him dear, had not God been very gracious to him. After he had travelled, with five Castilians, over many countries, at last, by strange good fortune, he got to Ceylon, and thence to Calicut, where he very fortunately found some Portuguese ships, and, beyond all expectation, returned to his country,'

I thanked Peter for his kindness, in intending to bring me acquainted with one whose conversation he knew would be so agreeable to me, and on this Raphael and I embraced. After the usual civilities, we all went to my house, and entering the garden, seated ourselves on a green bank and entertained each other in discourse.

He told us, when, Vesputius had sailed, he and his com panions who staid in New Castile, by degrees insinuated themselves into the affections of the natives, meeting them often, and treating them kindly. At last they not only lived among them without danger, but held familiar intercourse with them; and so far obtained the friendship of a prince (whose name and country I have forgotten) that he furnished them plentifully with all necessaries, and even with the conveniencies of travelling-boats and waggons. He gave them a very faithful guide, who was to introduce and recommend them to such other princes as they had a mind to see; and after travelling many days, they came to towns,

cities, and commonwealths, which were both happily governed and well peopled.

About the equator, as far on either side as the sun goeth, lay vast deserts, parched by his perpetual heat. The soil was withered; every thing looked dismal; all places were uninhabited or abounded in wild beasts and serpents, with a few men neither less wild nor less cruel than the beasts. But as they proceeded, a new scene presented itself. Nature wore a milder aspect, the air was less burning, the soil more verdant, and even the beasts less wild. At last they found nations, towns, and cities, which had not only mutual and neighbourly intercourse, but traded by sea and land to very remote countries.

The first vessels they saw were flat-bottomed, with sails of reeds and wicker woven closely together, and some of leather. Afterward they met with ships having round keels and canvas sails, like our own, and the seamen understood astronomy and navigation. He obtained their favour greatly by shewing them the needle, with which, till then, they were unacquainted. Formerly they sailed with extreme caution, and only in summer. Now they esteem all seasons alike, and trust wholly to the loadstone, in which plan there is perhaps more imaginary security than real safety; and this discovery, promising so much advantage, may, by their imprudence, become a source of great mischief to them.

But it were tedious to repeat all his observations; and what he repeated concerning the wise and prudent institutions of civilized nations, may perhaps be related on a more proper occasion. We asked him many questions on these subjects, to which he replied very willingly; but we made no inquiries about monsters, the common subject. For everywhere we may hear of ravenous dogs and wolves, and cruel cannibals; but it is not so easy to meet with states which are well and wisely governed.

Felling us of many defects in those new countries, he also recounted not a few circumstances which might serve as examples, and enable us to correct errors in our own countries. Of these, as before said, I may give an account at some future time. At present, it is my design only to relate what he told us of the laws and manners of the Utopians. But let me begin with the occasion which led us to speak of that commonwealth.

When Raphael had discoursed for some time, with great judgment, on the many defects in our own and these countries, had treated of the civil institutions here as well as there, and had spoken as distinctly of the government and customs of every country he had passed through, as if he had lived in it all his life, Peter exclaimed in admiration, • I wonder Raphael you do not enter into some king's service; you would be very acceptable I am sure to any. Your knowledge of men and things is such, that you could not only entertain, but be of great advantage to them,