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Page 36
"Sir, _said he_, I cannot consider you as other, than the bravest and
wisest of all Mortals, who could find the Way to reach our World,
and had the Courage to undertake the Journey; for it's certain, none
cloath'd in Flesh ever (before you) made so bold an Attempt, or at
least succeeded in it: Tho' I have read the Chimera's of _Dominick
Gonzales_. While you stay amongst us, you may depend upon our
treating you with all the Respect answerable to so great Merit, and
in every thing endeavour, as far as the Power we have will permit,
that the Design of your Journey may not be frustrated, which I am
apt to believe, is no other than to extend your Knowledge."
I return'd him many Thanks for his Humanity, but told him I durst not
attribute to my self the Character he gave me; that I was a Lover of
Truth, and would not, on any Account, disguise the real Motive which
sent me on an Undertaking I look'd upon impossible to go thro' with,
and which I very unwillingly embark'd in: But since, contrary to my
Expectations, Providence has guided me to this Terrestrial Paradice,
I should esteem my self extreamly happy, if I might be permitted to ask
such Questions as my Curiosity might prompt me to.
He answer'd, that nothing I desir'd to know should be kept from me. We
soon reach'd the House, which was regular, neat, and convenient. We all
sat down in an inner Hall, and he who spoke _English_, desired I would
give an Account, both of the Motives, the Manner, and Accidents of my
Journey, which I did as succinctly as possible, interpreting the
Credentials, when I gave them.
He was astonish'd at the Account I gave him of the _Cacklogallinians_,
and said, if my Account was not back'd with ocular Demonstration, he
should take their Story for the Ravings of a distemper'd Brain.
"I find, _said he_, you begin to be drowzy; I would therefore have
you and your rational Fowls (as you call them) repose your selves,
while I in the _Vernacular_ Language, repeat to my Companions the
Wonders I have heard from you."
We were indeed very sleepy, and I was heartily glad of the Proposal, as
were also the _Cacklogallinians_, when I mention'd it to them. They, as
well as my self, were provided each of them with a Bed, in very handsome
and commodious Rooms. These Beds were so very soft, that I seem'd to lye
on a Couch of Air. When we awak'd, the _Selenites_ came into my Chamber,
and told me it was time to take some Nourishment; that they had provided
Corn for my Companions, and desir'd I would sit down to Supper with
them, it being their usual time.
"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.
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