in their Language by which thofe Ideas can be expreffed; the whole Compafs of their Thoughts and Mind, being shut up within the two forementioned Sciences.

Most of them, and especially those who deal in the Astronomical Part, have great Faith in judicial Aftrology, although they are afhamed to own it publickly. But, what I chiefly admired, and thought altogether unaccountable, was the ftrong Difpofition I observed in them towards News and Politicks; perpetually enquiring into publick Affairs, giving their Judgments in Matters of State; and paffionately difputing every Inch of a Party Opinion. I have indeed obferved the fame Difpofition among most of the Mathematicians I have known in Europe; although I could never difcover the least Analogy between the two Sciences; unless those People fuppofe, that because the fmalleft Circle hath as many Degrees as the largest, therefore the Regulation and Management of the World require no more Abilities than the handling and turning of a Globe. But, I rather take this Quality to fpring from a very common Infirmity of human Nature, inclining us to be more curious and conceited in Matters where we have leaft Concern, and for which we are least adapted either by Study or Nature.

THESE People are under continual Difquietudes, never enjoying a Minute's Peace of Mind; and their Disturbances proceed from Causes which very little affect the reft of Mortals. Their Apprehenfions arise from feveral Changes they dread in the Celestial Bodies. For Inftance; that the Earth by the continual Approaches of the Sun towards it, muft in Course of Time be abforbed or swallowed up. That, the Face of the Sun will by Degrees be

encrufted

encrufted with its own Effluvia, and give no more Light to the World. That, the Earth very narrowly escaped a Brush from the Tail of the laft Comet, which would have infallibly reduced it to Ashes; and that the next, which they have calculated for one and thirty Years hence, will probably destroy us. For, if in its Perihelion it should approach within a certain Degree of the Sun, (as by their Calculations they have Reason to dread) it will conceive a Degree of Heat ten thousand Times more intense than that of red hot glowing Iron; and in its Abfence from the Sun, carry a blazing Tail ten hundred thoufand and fourteen Miles long; through which, if the Earth fhould pafs at the Distance of one hundred thousand Miles from the Nucleus, or main Body of the Comet, it must in its Paffage be set on Fire, and reduced to Ashes. That, the Sun daily spending its Rays without any Nutriment to supply them, will at last be wholly confumed and annihilated; which must be attended with the Destruction of this Earth, and of all the Planets that receive their Light from it.

THEY are fo perpetually alarmed with the Apprehenfions of these, and the like impending Dangers, that they can neither fleep quietly in their Beds, nor have any Relish for the common Pleafures or Amusements of Life. When they meet an Acquaintance in the Morning, the first Question is about the Sun's Health; how he looked at his Setting and Rifing, and what Hopes they have to avoid the Stroak of the approaching Comet. This Conversation they are apt to run into with the fame Temper that Boys difcover, in delighting to hear terrible Stories of Sprites and Hobgoblins, which they greedily liften to, and dare not go to Bad for Fear.

THE Women of the Island have Abundance of Vivacity; they contemn their Husbands, and are exceedingly fond of Strangers, whereof there is always a confiderable Number from the Continent below, attending at Court, either upon Affairs of the feveral Towns and Corporations, or their own particular Occafions; but are much defpifed, because they want the fame Endowments. Among thefe the Ladies chufe their Gallants: But the Vexation is, that they act with too much Eafe and Security; for the Husband is always fo wrapped in Speculation, that the Mistress and Lover may proceed to the greatest Familiarities before his Face, if he be but provided with Paper and Implements, and without his Flapper at his Side.

THE Wives and Daughters lament their Confinement to the Island, although I think it the most delicious Spot of Ground in the World; and although they live here in the greatest Plenty and Magnificence, and are allowed to do whatever they please: They long to fee the World, and take the Diverfions of the Metropolis, which they are not allowed to do without a particular Licence from the King; and this is not easy to be obtained, because the People of Quality have found by frequent Experience, how hard it is to perfuade their Women to return from below. I was told, that a great Court Lady, who had feveral Children, is married to the Prime Minister, the richest Subject in the Kingdom, a very graceful Perfon, extremely fond of her, and lives in the fineft Palace of the Inland; went down to Lagado, on the Pretence of Health, there hid herself for several Months, until the King fent a Warrant to search for her; and the was found in an obfcure Eating-House all in Rags, having pawned her Clothes to maintain an old de

formed

formed Footman, who beat her every Day, and in whose Company she was taken much against her Will. And, although her Husband received her with all poffible Kindness; and without the least Reproach; fhe foon after contrived to steal down again with all her Jewels, to the fame Gallant, and hath not been heard of fince.

THIS may perhaps pafs with the Reader, rather for an European or English Story, than for one of a Country fo remote. But he may please to confider, that the Caprices of Womankind are not limited by any Climate or Nation; and that they are much more uniform than can be easily imagined.

IN about a Month's Time I had made a tolerable Proficiency in their Language, and was able to answer most of the King's Questions, when I had the Honour to attend him. His Majefty discovered not the least Curiofity to enquire into the Laws, Government, Hiftory, Religion, or Manners of the Countries where I had been; but confined his Questions to the State of Mathematicks, and received the Account I gave him, with great Contempt and Indifference, although often rouzed by his Flapper on each Side.

CHAP

CHA P. III.

A Phænomenon folved by modern Philofophy and Aftronomy. The LAPUTANS great Improvements in the latter. The King's Method of fuppreffing Infurrections.

DESIRED Leave of this Prince to fee the Curiofities of the Ifland; which he was gracioufly pleafed to grant, and ordered my Tutor to attend me. I chiefly wanted to know to what Cause in Art or in Nature, it owed its feveral Motions; whereof 1 will now give a philofophical Account to the Reader.

THE flying, or floating Ifland, is exactly circular; its Diameter feven thoufand eight hundred and thirty feven Yards, or about four Miles and an Half, and confequently contains ten thousand Acres. It is three hundred Yards thick. The Bottom, or under Surface, which appears to those who view it from below, is one even regular Plate of Adamant, fhooting up to the Height of about two hundred Yards. Above it lye the feveral Minerals in their ufual Order; and over all is a Coat of rich Mould ten or twelve Foot deep. The Declivity of the Upper Surface, from the Circumfe

rence