BOOKI
HENRYVIII,theunconqueredKingofEngland,aprinceadornedwithallthevirtuesthatbecomeagreatmonarch,havingsomedifferencesofnosmallconsequencewithCharles,themostserenePrinceofCastile,sentmeintoFlanders,ashisambassador,fortreatingandcomposingmattersbetweenthem。IwascolleagueandcompaniontothatincomparablemanCuthbertTonstal,whomtheKingwithsuchuniversalapplauselatelymadeMasteroftheRolls,butofwhomIwillsaynothing;notbecauseIfearthatthetestimonyofafriendwillbesuspected,butratherbecausehislearningandvirtuesaretoogreatformetodothemjustice,andsowellknownthattheyneednotmycommendationsunlessIwould,accordingtotheproverb,\"Showthesunwithalanthorn。\"ThosethatwereappointedbythePrincetotreatwithus,metusatBruges,accordingtoagreement;theywereallworthymen。TheMargraveofBrugeswastheirhead,andthechiefmanamongthem;buthethatwasesteemedthewisest,andthatspokefortherest,wasGeorgeTemse,theProvostofCasselsee;bothartandnaturehadconcurredtomakehimeloquent:hewasverylearnedinthelaw;andashehadagreatcapacity,sobyalongpracticeinaffairshewasverydexterousatunravellingthem。
Afterwehadseveraltimesmetwithoutcomingtoanagreement,theywenttoBrusselsforsomedaystoknowthePrince’spleasure。
Andsinceourbusinesswouldadmitit,IwenttoAntwerp。WhileI
wasthere,amongmanythatvisitedme,therewasonethatwasmoreacceptabletomethananyother,PeterGiles,bornatAntwerp,whoisamanofgreathonor,andofagoodrankinhistown,thoughlessthanhedeserves;forIdonotknowiftherebeanywheretobefoundamorelearnedandabetterbredyoungman:forasheisbothaveryworthyandaveryknowingperson,soheissociviltoallmen,soparticularlykindtohisfriends,andsofullofcandorandaffection,thatthereisnotperhapsaboveoneortwoanywheretobefoundthatareinallrespectssoperfectafriend。
Heisextraordinarilymodest,thereisnoartificeinhim;andyetnomanhasmoreofaprudentsimplicity:hisconversationwassopleasantandsoinnocentlycheerful,thathiscompanyinagreatmeasurelessenedanylongingstogobacktomycountry,andtomywifeandchildren,whichanabsenceoffourmonthshadquickenedverymuch。OnedayasIwasreturninghomefrommassatSt。
Mary’s,whichisthechiefchurch,andthemostfrequentedofanyinAntwerp,Isawhimbyaccidenttalkingwithastranger,whoseemedpasttheflowerofhisage;hisfacewastanned,hehadalongbeard,andhiscloakwashangingcarelesslyabouthim,sothatbyhislooksandhabitIconcludedhewasaseaman。
AssoonasPetersawme,hecameandsalutedme;andasIwasreturninghiscivility,hetookmeaside,andpointingtohimwithwhomhehadbeendiscoursing,hesaid:\"Doyouseethatman?Iwasjustthinkingtobringhimtoyou。\"
Ianswered,\"Heshouldhavebeenverywelcomeonyouraccount。\"
\"Andonhisowntoo,\"repliedhe,\"ifyouknewtheman,forthereisnonealivethatcangivesocopiousanaccountofunknownnationsandcountriesashecando;whichIknowyouverymuchdesire。\"
ThensaidI,\"Ididnotguessamiss,foratfirstsightItookhimforaseaman。\"
\"Butyouaremuchmistaken,\"saidhe,\"forhehasnotsailedasaseaman,butasatraveller,orratheraphilosopher。ThisRaphael,whofromhisfamilycarriesthenameofHythloday,isnotignorantoftheLatintongue,butiseminentlylearnedintheGreek,havingappliedhimselfmoreparticularlytothatthantotheformer,becausehehadgivenhimselfmuchtophilosophy,inwhichheknewthattheRomanshaveleftusnothingthatisvaluable,exceptwhatistobefoundinSenecaandCicero。HeisaPortuguesebybirth,andwassodesirousofseeingtheworldthathedividedhisestateamonghisbrothers,ranthesamehazardasAmericusVespucius,andboreashareinthreeofhisfourvoyages,thatarenowpublished;
onlyhedidnotreturnwithhiminhislast,butobtainedleaveofhimalmostbyforce,thathemightbeoneofthosetwenty-fourwhowereleftatthefarthestplaceatwhichtheytouched,intheirlastvoyagetoNewCastile。Theleavinghimthusdidnotalittlegratifyonethatwasmorefondoftravellingthanofreturninghometobeburiedinhisowncountry;forheusedoftentosaythatthewaytoheavenwasthesamefromallplaces;andhethathadnogravehadtheheavenstilloverhim。Yetthisdispositionofmindhadcosthimdear,ifGodhadnotbeenverygracioustohim;forafterhe,withfiveCastilians,hadtravelledovermanycountries,atlast,bystrangegood-fortune,hegottoCeylon,andfromthencetoCalicut,whereheveryhappilyfoundsomePortugueseships,and,beyondallmen’sexpectations,returnedtohisnativecountry。\"
WhenPeterhadsaidthistome,Ithankedhimforhiskindness,inintendingtogivemetheacquaintanceofamanwhoseconversationheknewwouldbesoacceptable;anduponthatRaphaelandI
embracedeachother。Afterthosecivilitieswerepassedwhichareusualwithstrangersupontheirfirstmeeting,weallwenttomyhouse,andenteringintothegarden,satdownonagreenbank,andentertainedoneanotherindiscourse。HetoldusthatwhenVespuciushadsailedaway,heandhiscompanionsthatstayedbehindinNewCastile,bydegreesinsinuatedthemselvesintotheaffectionsofthepeopleofthecountry,meetingoftenwiththem,andtreatingthemgently:andatlasttheynotonlylivedamongthemwithoutdanger,butconversedfamiliarlywiththem;andgotsofarintotheheartofaprince,whosenameandcountryIhaveforgot,thathebothfurnishedthemplentifullywithallthingsnecessary,andalsowiththeconveniencesoftravelling;bothboatswhentheywentbywater,andwagonswhentheytravelledoverland:hesentwiththemaveryfaithfulguide,whowastointroduceandrecommendthemtosuchotherprincesastheyhadamindtosee:andaftermanydays’journey,theycametotownsandcities,andtocommonwealths,thatwerebothhappilygovernedandwell-peopled。Undertheequator,andasfaronbothsidesofitasthesunmoves,therelayvastdesertsthatwereparchedwiththeperpetualheatofthesun;thesoilwaswithered,allthingslookeddismally,andallplaceswereeitherquiteuninhabited,oraboundedwithwildbeastsandserpents,andsomefewmenthatwereneitherlesswildnorlesscruelthanthebeaststhemselves。
Butastheywentfarther,anewsceneopened,allthingsgrewmilder,theairlessburning,thesoilmoreverdant,andeventhebeastswerelesswild:andatlasttherewerenations,towns,andcities,thathadnotonlymutualcommerceamongthemselves,andwiththeirneighbors,buttradedbothbyseaandland,toveryremotecountries。Theretheyfoundtheconveniencesofseeingmanycountriesonallhands,fornoshipwentanyvoyageintowhichheandhiscompanionswerenotverywelcome。Thefirstvesselsthattheysawwereflat-bottomed,theirsailsweremadeofreedsandwickerwovenclosetogether,onlysomewereofleather;butafterwardtheyfoundshipsmadewithroundkeelsandcanvassails,andinallrespectslikeourships;andtheseamenunderstoodbothastronomyandnavigation。Hegotwonderfullyintotheirfavor,byshowingthemtheuseoftheneedle,ofwhichtillthentheywereutterlyignorant。Theysailedbeforewithgreatcaution,andonlyinsummer-time,butnowtheycountallseasonsalike,trustingwhollytotheloadstone,inwhichtheyareperhapsmoresecurethansafe;sothatthereisreasontofearthatthisdiscovery,whichwasthoughtwouldprovesomuchtotheiradvantage,maybytheirimprudencebecomeanoccasionofmuchmischieftothem。Butitweretoolongtodwellonallthathetoldushehadobservedineveryplace,itwouldbetoogreatadigressionfromourpresentpurpose:whateverisnecessarytobetold,concerningthosewiseandprudentinstitutionswhichheobservedamongcivilizednations,mayperhapsberelatedbyusonamoreproperoccasion。Weaskedhimmanyquestionsconcerningallthesethings,towhichheansweredverywillingly;onlywemadenoinquiriesaftermonsters,thanwhichnothingismorecommon;foreverywhereonemayhearofravenousdogsandwolves,andcruelman-eaters;
butitisnotsoeasytofindStatesthatarewellandwiselygoverned。
Ashetoldusofmanythingsthatwereamissinthosenew-
discoveredcountries,sohereckonedupnotafewthingsfromwhichpatternsmightbetakenforcorrectingtheerrorsofthesenationsamongwhomwelive;ofwhichanaccountmaybegiven,asI
havealreadypromised,atsomeothertime;foratpresentIintendonlytorelatethoseparticularsthathetoldusofthemannersandlawsoftheUtopians:butIwillbeginwiththeoccasionthatledustospeakofthatcommonwealth。AfterRaphaelhaddiscoursedwithgreatjudgmentonthemanyerrorsthatwerebothamongusandthesenations;hadtreatedofthewiseinstitutionsbothhereandthere,andhadspokenasdistinctlyofthecustomsandgovernmentofeverynationthroughwhichhehadpassed,asifhehadspenthiswholelifeinit,Peter,beingstruckwithadmiration,said:
\"Iwonder,Raphael,howitcomesthatyouenterintonoking’sservice,forIamsuretherearenonetowhomyouwouldnotbeveryacceptable:foryourlearningandknowledgebothofmenandthings,aresuchthatyouwouldnotonlyentertainthemverypleasantly,butbeofgreatusetothem,bytheexamplesyoucouldsetbeforethemandtheadvicesyoucouldgivethem;andbythismeansyouwouldbothserveyourowninterestandbeofgreatusetoallyourfriends。\"
\"Asformyfriends,\"answeredhe,\"Ineednotbemuchconcerned,havingalreadydoneforthemallthatwasincumbentonme;forwhenIwasnotonlyingoodhealth,butfreshandyoung,I
distributedthatamongmykindredandfriendswhichotherpeopledonotpartwithtilltheyareoldandsick,whentheythenunwillinglygivethatwhichtheycanenjoynolongerthemselves。I
thinkmyfriendsoughttorestcontentedwiththis,andnottoexpectthatfortheirsakeIshouldenslavemyselftoanykingwhatsoever。\"
\"Softandfair,\"saidPeter,\"Idonotmeanthatyoushouldbeaslavetoanyking,butonlythatyoushouldassistthem,andbeusefultothem。\"
\"Thechangeoftheword,\"saidhe,\"doesnotalterthematter。\"
\"Buttermitasyouwill,\"repliedPeter,\"Idonotseeanyotherwayinwhichyoucanbesouseful,bothinprivatetoyourfriends,andtothepublic,andbywhichyoucanmakeyourownconditionhappier。\"
\"Happier!\"answeredRaphael;\"isthattobecompassedinawaysoabhorrenttomygenius?NowIliveasIwill,towhichIbelievefewcourtierscanpretend。Andtherearesomanythatcourtthefavorofgreatmen,thattherewillbenogreatlossiftheyarenottroubledeitherwithmeorwithothersofmytemper。\"
Uponthis,saidI:\"Iperceive,Raphael,thatyouneitherdesirewealthnorgreatness;andindeedIvalueandadmiresuchamanmuchmorethanIdoanyofthegreatmenintheworld。YetIthinkyouwoulddowhatwouldwellbecomesogenerousandphilosophicalasoulasyoursis,ifyouwouldapplyyourtimeandthoughtstopublicaffairs,eventhoughyoumayhappentofinditalittleuneasytoyourself:andthisyoucanneverdowithsomuchadvantage,asbybeingtakenintothecounselofsomegreatprince,andputtinghimonnobleandworthyactions,whichIknowyouwoulddoifyouwereinsuchapost;forthespringsbothofgoodandevilflowfromtheprince,overawholenation,asfromalastingfountain。Somuchlearningasyouhave,evenwithoutpracticeinaffairs,orsogreatapracticeasyouhavehad,withoutanyotherlearning,wouldrenderyouaveryfitcounsellortoanykingwhatsoever。\"
\"Youaredoublymistaken,\"saidhe,\"Mr。More,bothinyouropinionofme,andinthejudgmentyoumakeofthings:forasI
havenotthatcapacitythatyoufancyIhave,so,ifIhadit,thepublicwouldnotbeonejotthebetter,whenIhadsacrificedmyquiettoit。Formostprincesapplythemselvesmoretoaffairsofwarthantotheusefulartsofpeace;andintheseIneitherhaveanyknowledge,nordoImuchdesireit:theyaregenerallymoresetonacquiringnewkingdoms,rightorwrong,thanongoverningwellthosetheypossess。Andamongtheministersofprinces,therearenonethatarenotsowiseastoneednoassistance,oratleastthatdonotthinkthemselvessowisethattheyimaginetheyneednone;andiftheycourtany,itisonlythoseforwhomtheprincehasmuchpersonalfavor,whombytheirfawningsandflatteriestheyendeavortofixtotheirowninterests:andindeedNaturehassomadeusthatwealllovetobeflattered,andtopleaseourselveswithourownnotions。Theoldcrowloveshisyoung,andtheapehercubs。Nowifinsuchacourt,madeupofpersonswhoenvyallothers,andonlyadmirethemselves,apersonshouldbutproposeanythingthathehadeitherreadinhistoryorobservedinhistravels,therestwouldthinkthatthereputationoftheirwisdomwouldsink,andthattheirinterestwouldbemuchdepressed,iftheycouldnotrunitdown:andifallotherthingsfailed,thentheywouldflytothis,thatsuchorsuchthingspleasedourancestors,anditwerewellforusifwecouldbutmatchthem。Theywouldsetuptheirrestonsuchananswer,asasufficientconfutationofallthatcouldbesaid,asifitwereagreatmisfortune,thatanyshouldbefoundwiserthanhisancestors;butthoughtheywillinglyletgoallthegoodthingsthatwereamongthoseofformerages,yetifbetterthingsareproposedtheycoverthemselvesobstinatelywiththisexcuseofreverencetopasttimes。Ihavemetwiththeseproud,morose,andabsurdjudgmentsofthingsinmanyplaces,particularlyonceinEngland。\"
\"Wereyoueverthere?\"saidI。
\"Yes,Iwas,\"answeredhe,\"andstayedsomemonthstherenotlongaftertherebellioninthewestwassuppressedwithagreatslaughterofthepoorpeoplethatwereengagedinit。Iwasthenmuchobligedtothatreverendprelate,JohnMorton,ArchbishopofCanterbury,Cardinal,andChancellorofEngland:aman,\"saidhe,\"Peter(forMr。Moreknowswellwhathewas),thatwasnotlessvenerableforhiswisdomandvirtuesthanforthehighcharacterhebore。Hewasofamiddlestature,notbrokenwithage;hislooksbegotreverenceratherthanfear;hisconversationwaseasy,butseriousandgrave;hesometimestookpleasuretotrytheforceofthosethatcameassuitorstohimuponbusiness,byspeakingsharplythoughdecentlytothem,andbythathediscoveredtheirspiritandpresenceofmind,withwhichhewasmuchdelighted,whenitdidnotgrowuptoimpudence,asbearingagreatresemblancetohisowntemper;andhelookedonsuchpersonsasthefittestmenforaffairs。Hespokebothgracefullyandweightily;hewaseminentlyskilledinthelaw,hadavastunderstandingandaprodigiousmemory;andthoseexcellenttalentswithwhichnaturehadfurnishedhimwereimprovedbystudyandexperience。WhenIwasinEnglandtheKingdependedmuchonhiscounsels,andthegovernmentseemedtobechieflysupportedbyhim;forfromhisyouthhehadbeenallalongpractisedinaffairs;andhavingpassedthroughmanytraversesoffortune,hehadwithgreatcostacquiredavaststockofwisdom,whichisnotsoonlostwhenitispurchasedsodear。
\"OnedaywhenIwasdiningwithhimtherehappenedtobeattableoneoftheEnglishlawyers,whotookoccasiontorunoutinahighcommendationofthesevereexecutionofjusticeuponthieves,who,ashesaid,werethenhangedsofastthatthereweresometimestwentyononegibbet;anduponthathesaidhecouldnotwonderenoughhowitcametopass,thatsincesofewescaped,therewereyetsomanythievesleftwhowerestillrobbinginallplaces。
Uponthis,Iwhotooktheboldnesstospeakfreelybeforethecardinal,saidtherewasnoreasontowonderatthematter,sincethiswayofpunishingthieveswasneitherjustinitselfnorgoodforthepublic;forastheseveritywastoogreat,sotheremedywasnoteffectual;simpletheftnotbeingsogreatacrimethatitoughttocostamanhislife,nopunishmenthowseveresoeverbeingabletorestrainthosefromrobbingwhocanfindoutnootherwayoflivelihood。’Inthis,’saidI,’notonlyyouinEngland,butagreatpartoftheworldimitatesomeillmastersthatarereadiertochastisetheirscholarsthantoteachthem。
Therearedreadfulpunishmentsenactedagainstthieves,butitweremuchbettertomakesuchgoodprovisionsbywhicheverymanmightbeputinamethodhowtolive,andsobepreservedfromthefatalnecessityofstealingandofdyingforit。’
\"’Therehasbeencareenoughtakenforthat,’saidhe,’therearemanyhandicrafts,andthereishusbandry,bywhichtheymaymakeashifttoliveunlesstheyhaveagreatermindtofollowillcourses。’
\"’Thatwillnotserveyourturn,’saidI,’formanylosetheirlimbsincivilorforeignwars,aslatelyintheCornishrebellion,andsometimeagoinyourwarswithFrance,whobeingthusmutilatedintheserviceoftheirkingandcountry,cannomorefollowtheiroldtrades,andaretoooldtolearnnewones:
butsincewarsareonlyaccidentalthings,andhaveintervals,letusconsiderthosethingsthatfallouteveryday。Thereisagreatnumberofnoblemenamongyou,thatarethemselvesasidleasdrones,thatsubsistonothermen’slabor,onthelaboroftheirtenants,whom,toraisetheirrevenues,theyparetothequick。
Thisindeedistheonlyinstanceoftheirfrugality,forinallotherthingstheyareprodigal,eventothebeggaringofthemselves:butbesidesthis,theycarryaboutwiththemagreatnumberofidlefellows,whoneverlearnedanyartbywhichtheymaygaintheirliving;andthese,assoonaseithertheirlorddiesortheythemselvesfallsick,areturnedoutofdoors;foryourlordsarereadiertofeedidlepeoplethantotakecareofthesick;andoftentheheirisnotabletokeeptogethersogreatafamilyashispredecessordid。Nowwhenthestomachsofthosethatarethusturnedoutofdoorsgrowkeen,theyrobnolesskeenly;andwhatelsecantheydo?forwhen,bywanderingabout,theyhavewornoutboththeirhealthandtheirclothes,andaretattered,andlookghastly,menofqualitywillnotentertainthem,andpoormendarenotdoit,knowingthatonewhohasbeenbredupinidlenessandpleasure,andwhowasusedtowalkaboutwithhisswordandbuckler,despisingalltheneighborhoodwithaninsolentscornasfarbelowhim,isnotfitforthespadeandmattock:norwillheserveapoormanforsosmallahire,andinsolowadietashecanaffordtogivehim。’
\"Tothisheanswered:’Thissortofmenoughttobeparticularlycherished,forinthemconsiststheforceofthearmiesforwhichwehaveoccasion;sincetheirbirthinspiresthemwithanoblersenseofhonorthanistobefoundamongtradesmenorploughmen。’
\"’Youmayaswellsay,’repliedI,’thatyoumustcherishthievesontheaccountofwars,foryouwillneverwanttheoneaslongasyouhavetheother;andasrobbersprovesometimesgallantsoldiers,sosoldiersoftenprovebraverobbers;sonearanalliancethereisbetweenthosetwosortsoflife。Butthisbadcustom,socommonamongyou,ofkeepingmanyservants,isnotpeculiartothisnation。InFrancethereisyetamorepestiferoussortofpeople,forthewholecountryisfullofsoldiers,stillkeptupintimeofpeace,ifsuchastateofanationcanbecalledapeace:andthesearekeptinpayuponthesameaccountthatyoupleadforthoseidleretainersaboutnoblemen;thisbeingamaximofthosepretendedstatesmenthatitisnecessaryforthepublicsafetytohaveagoodbodyofveteransoldierseverinreadiness。Theythinkrawmenarenottobedependedon,andtheysometimesseekoccasionsformakingwar,thattheymaytrainuptheirsoldiersintheartofcuttingthroats;orasSallustobserved,forkeepingtheirhandsinuse,thattheymaynotgrowdullbytoolonganintermission。ButFrancehaslearnedtoitscosthowdangerousitistofeedsuchbeasts。
\"’ThefateoftheRomans,Carthaginians,andSyrians,andmanyothernationsandcities,whichwerebothoverturnedandquiteruinedbythosestandingarmies,shouldmakeotherswiser:andthefollyofthismaximoftheFrenchappearsplainlyevenfromthis,thattheirtrainedsoldiersoftenfindyourrawmenprovetoohardforthem;ofwhichIwillnotsaymuch,lestyoumaythinkI
flattertheEnglish。Everyday’sexperienceshowsthatthemechanicsinthetowns,ortheclownsinthecountry,arenotafraidoffightingwiththoseidlegentlemen,iftheyarenotdisabledbysomemisfortuneintheirbody,ordispiritedbyextremewant,sothatyouneednotfearthatthosewell-shapedandstrongmen(foritisonlysuchthatnoblemenlovetokeepaboutthem,tilltheyspoilthem)whonowgrowfeeblewithease,andaresoftenedwiththeireffeminatemanneroflife,wouldbelessfitforactioniftheywerewellbredandwellemployed。Anditseemsveryunreasonablethatfortheprospectofawar,whichyouneedneverhavebutwhenyouplease,youshouldmaintainsomanyidlemen,aswillalwaysdisturbyouintimeofpeace,whichisevertobemoreconsideredthanwar。ButIdonotthinkthatthisnecessityofstealingarisesonlyfromhence;thereisanothercauseofitmorepeculiartoEngland。’
\"’Whatisthat?’saidthecardinal。
\"’Theincreaseofpasture,’saidI,’bywhichyoursheep,whicharenaturallymild,andeasilykeptinorder,maybesaidnowtodevourmen,andunpeople,notonlyvillages,buttowns;forwhereveritisfoundthatthesheepofanysoilyieldasofterandricherwoolthanordinary,therethenobilityandgentry,andeventhoseholymentheabbots,notcontentedwiththeoldrentswhichtheirfarmsyielded,northinkingitenoughthatthey,livingattheirease,donogoodtothepublic,resolvetodoithurtinsteadofgood。Theystopthecourseofagriculture,destroyinghousesandtowns,reservingonlythechurches,andenclosegroundsthattheymaylodgetheirsheepinthem。Asifforestsandparkshadswalloweduptoolittleoftheland,thoseworthycountrymenturnthebestinhabitedplacesinsolitudes,forwhenaninsatiablewretch,whoisaplaguetohiscountry,resolvestoenclosemanythousandacresofground,theownersaswellastenantsareturnedoutoftheirpossessions,bytricks,orbymainforce,orbeingweariedoutwithill-usage,theyareforcedtosellthem。Bywhichmeansthosemiserablepeople,bothmenandwomen,marriedandunmarried,oldandyoung,withtheirpoorbutnumerousfamilies(sincecountrybusinessrequiresmanyhands),areallforcedtochangetheirseats,notknowingwhithertogo;
andtheymustsellalmostfornothingtheirhouseholdstuff,whichcouldnotbringthemmuchmoney,eventhoughtheymightstayforabuyer。Whenthatlittlemoneyisatanend,foritwillbesoonspent,whatisleftforthemtodo,buteithertostealandsotobehanged(Godknowshowjustly),ortogoaboutandbeg?Andiftheydothis,theyareputinprisonasidlevagabonds;whiletheywouldwillinglywork,butcanfindnonethatwillhirethem;forthereisnomoreoccasionforcountrylabor,towhichtheyhavebeenbred,whenthereisnoarablegroundleft。Oneshepherdcanlookafteraflockwhichwillstockanextentofgroundthatwouldrequiremanyhandsifitweretobeploughedandreaped。Thislikewiseinmanyplacesraisesthepriceofcorn。
\"’Thepriceofwoolisalsosorisenthatthepoorpeoplewhowerewonttomakeclotharenomoreabletobuyit;andthislikewisemakesmanyofthemidle。Forsincetheincreaseofpasture,Godhaspunishedtheavariceoftheownersbyarotamongthesheep,whichhasdestroyedvastnumbersofthem;tousitmighthaveseemedmorejusthaditfellontheownersthemselves。Butsupposethesheepshouldincreaseeversomuch,theirpriceisnotliketofall;sincethoughtheycannotbecalledamonopoly,becausetheyarenotengrossedbyoneperson,yettheyareinsofewhands,andthesearesorich,thatastheyarenotpressedtosellthemsoonerthantheyhaveamindtoit,sotheyneverdoittilltheyhaveraisedthepriceashighaspossible。Andonthesameaccountitis,thattheotherkindsofcattlearesodear,becausemanyvillagesbeingpulleddown,andallcountrylaborbeingmuchneglected,therearenonewhomakeittheirbusinesstobreedthem。Therichdonotbreedcattleastheydosheep,butbuythemlean,andatlowprices;andaftertheyhavefattenedthemontheirgroundssellthemagainathighrates。AndIdonotthinkthatalltheinconveniencesthiswillproduceareyetobserved,forastheysellthecattledear,soiftheyareconsumedfasterthanthebreedingcountriesfromwhichtheyarebroughtcanaffordthem,thenthestockmustdecrease,andthismustneedsendingreatscarcity;andbythesemeansthisyourisland,whichseemedastothisparticularthehappiestintheworld,willsuffermuchbythecursedavariceofafewpersons;besidesthis,therisingofcornmakesallpeoplelessentheirfamiliesasmuchastheycan;andwhatcanthosewhoaredismissedbythemdo,buteitherbegorrob?Andtothislast,amanofagreatmindismuchsoonerdrawnthantotheformer。
\"’Luxurylikewisebreaksinapaceuponyou,tosetforwardyourpovertyandmisery;thereisanexcessivevanityinapparel,andgreatcostindiet;andthatnotonlyinnoblemen’sfamilies,butevenamongtradesmen,amongthefarmersthemselves,andamongallranksofpersons。Youhavealsomanyinfamoushouses,and,besidesthosethatareknown,thetavernsandalehousesarenobetter;addtothese,dice,cards,tables,foot-ball,tennis,andquoits,inwhichmoneyrunsfastaway;andthosethatareinitiatedintothem,mustintheconclusionbetakethemselvestorobbingforasupply。Banishtheseplagues,andgiveordersthatthosewhohavedispeopledsomuchsoil,mayeitherrebuildthevillagestheyhavepulleddown,orletouttheirgroundstosuchaswilldoit:
restrainthoseengrossingsoftherich,thatareasbadalmostasmonopolies;leavefeweroccasionstoidleness;letagriculturebesetupagain,andthemanufactureofthewoolberegulated,thatsotheremaybeworkfoundforthosecompaniesofidlepeoplewhomwantforcestobethieves,orwho,nowbeingidlevagabondsoruselessservants,willcertainlygrowthievesatlast。Ifyoudonotfindaremedytotheseevils,itisavainthingtoboastofyourseverityinpunishingtheft,whichthoughitmayhavetheappearanceofjustice,yetinitselfisneitherjustnorconvenient。Forifyousufferyourpeopletobeill-educated,andtheirmannerstobecorruptedfromtheirinfancy,andthenpunishthemforthosecrimestowhichtheirfirsteducationdisposedthem,whatelseistobeconcludedfromthis,butthatyoufirstmakethievesandthenpunishthem?’
\"WhileIwastalkingthus,thecounsellorwhowaspresenthadpreparedananswer,andhadresolvedtoresumeallIhadsaid,accordingtotheformalityofadebate,inwhichthingsaregenerallyrepeatedmorefaithfullythantheyareanswered;asifthechieftrialtobemadewereofmen’smemories。
\"’Youhavetalkedprettilyforastranger,’saidhe,’havingheardofmanythingsamonguswhichyouhavenotbeenabletoconsiderwell;butIwillmakethewholematterplaintoyou,andwillfirstrepeatinorderallthatyouhavesaid,thenIwillshowhowmuchyourignoranceofouraffairshasmisledyou,andwillinthelastplaceanswerallyourarguments。AndthatImaybeginwhereI
promised,therewerefourthings——’
\"’Holdyourpeace,’saidthecardinal;’thiswilltakeuptoomuchtime;thereforewewillatpresenteaseyouofthetroubleofanswering,andreserveittoournextmeeting,whichshallbeto-
morrow,ifRaphael’saffairsandyourscanadmitofit。But,Raphael,’saidhetome,’Iwouldgladlyknowuponwhatreasonitisthatyouthinktheftoughtnottobepunishedbydeath?Wouldyougivewaytoit?Ordoyouproposeanyotherpunishmentthatwillbemoreusefultothepublic?Forsincedeathdoesnotrestraintheft,ifmenthoughttheirliveswouldbesafe,whatfearorforcecouldrestrainillmen?Onthecontrary,theywouldlookonthemitigationofthepunishmentasaninvitationtocommitmorecrimes。’
\"Ianswered:’Itseemstomeaveryunjustthingtotakeawayaman’slifeforalittlemoney;fornothingintheworldcanbeofequalvaluewithaman’slife:andifitissaidthatitisnotforthemoneythatonesuffers,butforhisbreakingthelaw,I
mustsayextremejusticeisanextremeinjury;forweoughtnottoapproveoftheseterriblelawsthatmakethesmallestoffencescapital,norofthatopinionoftheStoicsthatmakesallcrimesequal,asiftherewerenodifferencetobemadebetweenthekillingamanandthetakinghispurse,betweenwhich,ifweexaminethingsimpartially,thereisnolikenessnorproportion。
Godhascommandedusnottokill,andshallwekillsoeasilyforalittlemoney?Butifoneshallsay,thatbythatlawweareonlyforbidtokillany,exceptwhenthelawsofthelandallowofit;
uponthesamegrounds,lawsmaybemadeinsomecasestoallowofadulteryandperjury:forGodhavingtakenfromustherightofdisposing,eitherofourownorofotherpeople’slives,ifitispretendedthatthemutualconsentofmaninmakinglawscanauthorizemanslaughterincasesinwhichGodhasgivenusnoexample,thatitfreespeoplefromtheobligationofthedivinelaw,andsomakesmurderalawfulaction;whatisthis,buttogiveapreferencetohumanlawsbeforethedivine?
\"’Andifthisisonceadmitted,bythesamerulemenmayinallotherthingsputwhatrestrictionstheypleaseuponthelawsofGod。IfbytheMosaicallaw,thoughitwasroughandsevere,asbeingayokelaidonanobstinateandservilenation,menwereonlyfinedandnotputtodeathfortheft,wecannotimaginethatinthisnewlawofmercy,inwhichGodtreatsuswiththetendernessofafather,hehasgivenusagreaterlicensetocrueltythanhedidtotheJews。UponthesereasonsitisthatI
thinkputtingthievestodeathisnotlawful;anditisplainandobviousthatitisabsurd,andofill-consequencetothecommonwealth,thatathiefandamurderershouldbeequallypunished;forifarobberseesthathisdangeristhesame,ifheisconvictedoftheftasifhewereguiltyofmurder,thiswillnaturallyincitehimtokillthepersonwhomotherwisehewouldonlyhaverobbed,sinceifthepunishmentisthesame,thereismoresecurity,andlessdangerofdiscovery,whenhethatcanbestmakeitisputoutoftheway;sothatterrifyingthievestoomuch,provokesthemtocruelty。
\"Butastothequestion,Whatmoreconvenientwayofpunishmentcanbefound?Ithinkitismuchmoreeasiertofindoutthatthantoinventanythingthatisworse;whyshouldwedoubtbutthewaythatwassolonginuseamongtheoldRomans,whounderstoodsowelltheartsofgovernment,wasveryproperfortheirpunishment?
Theycondemnedsuchastheyfoundguiltyofgreatcrimes,toworktheirwholelivesinquarries,ortodiginmineswithchainsaboutthem。ButthemethodthatIlikedbest,wasthatwhichI
observedinmytravelsinPersia,amongthePolylerits,whoareaconsiderableandwell-governedpeople。TheypayayearlytributetotheKingofPersia;butinallotherrespectstheyareafreenation,andgovernedbytheirownlaws。Theyliefarfromthesea,andareenvironedwithhills;andbeingcontentedwiththeproductionsoftheirowncountry,whichisveryfruitful,theyhavelittlecommercewithanyothernation;andasthey,accordingtothegeniusoftheircountry,havenoinclinationtoenlargetheirborders;sotheirmountains,andthepensiontheypaytothePersians,securethemfromallinvasions。
\"’Thustheyhavenowarsamongthem;theyliveratherconvenientlythanwithsplendor,andmayberathercalledahappynation,thaneithereminentorfamous;forIdonotthinkthattheyareknownsomuchasbynametoanybuttheirnextneighbors。Thosethatarefoundguiltyoftheftamongthemareboundtomakerestitutiontotheowner,andnotasitisinotherplaces,totheprince,fortheyreckonthattheprincehasnomorerighttothestolengoodsthanthethief;butifthatwhichwasstolenisnomoreinbeing,thenthegoodsofthethievesareestimated,andrestitutionbeingmadeoutofthem,theremainderisgiventotheirwivesandchildren:andtheythemselvesarecondemnedtoserveinthepublicworks,butareneitherimprisoned,norchained,unlesstherehappenedtobesomeextraordinarycircumstancesintheircrimes。
Theygoaboutlooseandfree,workingforthepublic。Iftheyareidleorbackwardtowork,theyarewhipped;butiftheyworkhard,theyarewellusedandtreatedwithoutanymarkofreproach,onlythelistsofthemarecalledalwaysatnight,andthentheyareshutup。Theysuffernootheruneasiness,butthisofconstantlabor;forastheyworkforthepublic,sotheyarewellentertainedoutofthepublicstock,whichisdonedifferentlyindifferentplaces。Insomeplaces,whateverisbestowedonthem,israisedbyacharitablecontribution;andthoughthiswaymayseemuncertain,yetsomercifularetheinclinationsofthatpeople,thattheyareplentifullysuppliedbyit;butinotherplaces,publicrevenuesaresetasideforthem;orthereisaconstanttaxofapoll-moneyraisedfortheirmaintenance。Insomeplacestheyaresettonopublicwork,buteveryprivatemanthathasoccasiontohireworkmengoestothemarket-placesandhiresthemofthepublic,alittlelowerthanhewoulddoafreeman:iftheygolazilyabouttheirtask,hemayquickenthemwiththewhip。
\"’Bythismeansthereisalwayssomepieceofworkorothertobedonebythem;andbesidetheirlivelihood,theyearnsomewhatstilltothepublic。Theyallwearapeculiarhabit,ofonecertaincolor,andtheirhairiscroppedalittleabovetheirears,andapieceofoneoftheirearsiscutoff。Theirfriendsareallowedtogivethemeithermeat,drink,orclothessotheyareoftheirpropercolor,butitisdeath,bothtothegiverandtaker,iftheygivethemmoney;norisitlesspenalforanyfreemantotakemoneyfromthem,uponanyaccountwhatsoever:anditisalsodeathforanyoftheseslaves(sotheyarecalled)tohandlearms。Thoseofeverydivisionofthecountryaredistinguishedbyapeculiarmark;whichitiscapitalforthemtolayaside,togooutoftheirbounds,ortotalkwithaslaveofanotherjurisdiction;andtheveryattemptofanescapeisnolesspenalthananescapeitself;itisdeathforanyotherslavetobeaccessorytoit;andifafreemanengagesinitheiscondemnedtoslavery。Thosethatdiscoveritarerewarded——iffreemen,inmoney;andifslaves,withliberty,togetherwithapardonforbeingaccessorytoit;thatsotheymightfindtheiraccount,ratherinrepentingoftheirengaginginsuchadesign,thaninpersistinginit。
\"’Thesearetheirlawsandrulesinrelationtorobbery,anditisobviousthattheyareasadvantageousastheyaremildandgentle;
sinceviceisnotonlydestroyed,andmenpreserved,buttheytreatedinsuchamannerastomakethemseethenecessityofbeinghonest,andofemployingtherestoftheirlivesinrepairingtheinjuriestheyhaveformerlydonetosociety。Noristhereanyhazardoftheirfallingbacktotheiroldcustoms:andsolittledotravellersapprehendmischieffromthem,thattheygenerallymakeuseofthemforguides,fromonejurisdictiontoanother;forthereisnothingleftthembywhichtheycanrob,orbethebetterforit,since,astheyaredisarmed,sotheveryhavingofmoneyisasufficientconviction:andastheyarecertainlypunishedifdiscovered,sotheycannothopetoescape;
fortheirhabitbeinginallthepartsofitdifferentfromwhatiscommonlyworn,theycannotflyaway,unlesstheywouldgonaked,andeventhentheircroppedearwouldbetraythem。Theonlydangertobefearedfromthemistheirconspiringagainstthegovernment:butthoseofonedivisionandneighborhoodcandonothingtoanypurpose,unlessageneralconspiracywerelaidamongalltheslavesoftheseveraljurisdictions,whichcannotbedone,sincetheycannotmeetortalktogether;norwillanyventureonadesignwheretheconcealmentwouldbesodangerousandthediscoverysoprofitable。Nonearequitehopelessofrecoveringtheirfreedom,sincebytheirobedienceandpatience,andbygivinggoodgroundstobelievethattheywillchangetheirmanneroflifeforthefuture,theymayexpectatlasttoobtaintheirliberty:andsomeareeveryyearrestoredtoit,uponthegoodcharacterthatisgivenofthem。’
\"WhenIhadrelatedallthis,IaddedthatIdidnotseewhysuchamethodmightnotbefollowedwithmoreadvantagethancouldeverbeexpectedfromthatseverejusticewhichthecounsellormagnifiedsomuch。TothisheansweredthatitcouldnevertakeplaceinEnglandwithoutendangeringthewholenation。Ashesaidthisheshookhishead,madesomegrimaces,andheldhispeace,whileallthecompanyseemedofhisopinion,exceptthecardinal,whosaidthatitwasnoteasytoformajudgmentofitssuccess,sinceitwasamethodthatneveryethadbeentried。
\"’Butif,’saidhe,’whenthesentenceofdeathwaspasseduponathief,theprincewouldreprievehimforawhile,andmaketheexperimentuponhim,denyinghimtheprivilegeofasanctuary;andthenifithadagoodeffectuponhim,itmighttakeplace;andifitdidnotsucceed,theworstwouldbe,toexecutethesentenceonthecondemnedpersonsatlast。AndIdonotsee,’addedhe,’whyitwouldbeeitherunjust,inconvenient,oratalldangerous,toadmitofsuchadelay:inmyopinion,thevagabondsoughttobetreatedinthesamemanner;againstwhom,thoughwehavemademanylaws,yetwehavenotbeenabletogainourend。’Whenthecardinalhaddone,theyallcommendedthemotion,thoughtheyhaddespiseditwhenitcamefromme;butmoreparticularlycommendedwhatrelatedtothevagabonds,becauseitwashisownobservation。
\"Idonotknowwhetheritbeworthwhiletotellwhatfollowed,foritwasveryridiculous;butIshallventureatit,forasitisnotforeigntothismatter,sosomegoodusemaybemadeofit。
Therewasajesterstandingby,thatcounterfeitedthefoolsonaturallythatheseemedtobereallyone。Thejestswhichheofferedweresocoldanddullthatwelaughedmoreathimthanatthem;yetsometimeshesaid,asitwerebychance,thingsthatwerenotunpleasant;soastojustifytheoldproverb,’Thathewhothrowsthediceoften,willsometimeshavealuckyhit。’WhenoneofthecompanyhadsaidthatIhadtakencareofthethieves,andthecardinalhadtakencareofthevagabonds,sothatthereremainednothingbutthatsomepublicprovisionmightbemadeforthepoor,whomsicknessoroldagehaddisabledfromlabor,’Leavethattome,’saidthefool,’andIshalltakecareofthem;forthereisnosortofpeoplewhosesightIabhormore,havingbeensooftenvexedwiththem,andwiththeirsadcomplaints;butasdolefullysoeverastheyhavetoldtheirtale,theycouldneverprevailsofarastodrawonepennyfromme:foreitherIhadnomindtogivethemanything,orwhenIhadamindtodoitIhadnothingtogivethem:andtheynowknowmesowellthattheywillnotlosetheirlabor,butletmepasswithoutgivingmeanytrouble,becausetheyhopefornothing,nomoreinfaiththanifI
wereapriest:butIwouldhavealawmade,forsendingallthesebeggarstomonasteries,thementotheBenedictinestobemadelay-brothers,andthewomentobenuns。’
\"Thecardinalsmiled,andapprovedofitinjest;buttherestlikeditinearnest。Therewasadivinepresent,whothoughhewasagrave,moroseman,yethewassopleasedwiththisreflectionthatwasmadeonthepriestsandthemonks,thathebegantoplaywiththefool,andsaidtohim,’Thiswillnotdeliveryoufromallbeggars,exceptyoutakecareofusfriars。’
\"’Thatisdonealready,’answeredthefool,’forthecardinalhasprovidedforyou,bywhatheproposedforrestrainingvagabonds,andsettingthemtowork,forIknownovagabondslikeyou。’
\"Thiswaswellentertainedbythewholecompany,who,lookingatthecardinal,perceivedthathewasnotill-pleasedatit;onlythefriarhimselfwasvexed,asmaybeeasilyimagined,andfellintosuchapassionthathecouldnotforbearrailingatthefool,andcallinghimknave,slanderer,backbiter,andsonofperdition,andthencitedsomedreadfulthreateningsoutoftheScripturesagainsthim。Nowthejesterthoughthewasinhiselement,andlaidabouthimfreely。
\"’Goodfriar,’saidhe,’benotangry,foritiswritten,\"Inpatiencepossessyoursoul。\"’
\"Thefriaranswered(forIshallgiveyouhisownwords),’Iamnotangry,youhangman;atleastIdonotsininit,forthePsalmistsays,\"Beyeangry,andsinnot。\"’
\"Uponthisthecardinaladmonishedhimgently,andwishedhimtogovernhispassions。
\"’No,mylord,’saidhe,’Ispeaknotbutfromagoodzeal,whichIoughttohave;forholymenhavehadagoodzeal,asitissaid,\"Thezealofthyhousehatheatenmeup;\"andwesinginourchurch,thatthose,whomockedElishaashewentuptothehouseofGod,felttheeffectsofhiszeal;whichthatmocker,thatrogue,thatscoundrel,willperhapsfeel。’
\"’Youdothisperhapswithagoodintention,’saidthecardinal;
’butinmyopinionitwerewiserinyou,andperhapsbetterforyou,nottoengageinsoridiculousacontestwithafool。’
\"’No,mylord,’answeredhe,’thatwerenotwiselydone;forSolomon,thewisestofmen,said,\"Answerafoolaccordingtohisfolly;\"whichInowdo,andshowhimtheditchintowhichhewillfall,ifheisnotawareofit;forifthemanymockersofElisha,whowasbutonebaldman,felttheeffectofhiszeal,whatwillbecomeofonemockerofsomanyfriars,amongwhomtherearesomanybaldmen?Wehavelikewiseabull,bywhichallthatjeerusareexcommunicated。’
\"Whenthecardinalsawthattherewasnoendofthismatter,hemadeasigntothefooltowithdraw,turnedthediscourseanotherway,andsoonafterrosefromthetable,and,dismissingus,wenttohearcauses。
\"Thus,Mr。More,Ihaverunoutintoatediousstory,ofthelengthofwhichIhadbeenashamed,if,asyouearnestlybeggeditofme,Ihadnotobservedyoutohearkentoit,asifyouhadnomindtoloseanypartofit。Imighthavecontractedit,butI
resolvedtogiveittoyouatlarge,thatyoumightobservehowthosethatdespisedwhatIhadproposed,nosoonerperceivedthatthecardinaldidnotdislikeit,butpresentlyapprovedofit,fawnedsoonhim,andflatteredhimtosuchadegree,thattheyingoodearnestapplaudedthosethingsthatheonlylikedinjest。
Andfromhenceyoumaygather,howlittlecourtierswouldvalueeithermeormycounsels。\"
TothisIanswered:\"Youhavedonemeagreatkindnessinthisrelation;foraseverythinghasbeenrelatedbyyou,bothwiselyandpleasantly,soyouhavemademeimaginethatIwasinmyowncountry,andgrownyoungagain,byrecallingthatgoodcardinaltomythoughts,inwhosefamilyIwasbredfrommychildhood:andthoughyouareuponotheraccountsverydeartome,yetyouarethedearer,becauseyouhonorhismemorysomuch;butafterallthisIcannotchangemyopinion,forIstillthinkthatifyoucouldovercomethataversionwhichyouhavetothecourtsofprinces,youmight,bytheadvicewhichitisinyourpowertogive,doagreatdealofgoodtomankind;andthisisthechiefdesignthateverygoodmanoughttoproposetohimselfinliving;
foryourfriendPlatothinksthatnationswillbehappy,wheneitherphilosophersbecomekingsorkingsbecomephilosophers,itisnowonderifwearesofarfromthathappiness,whilephilosopherswillnotthinkittheirdutytoassistkingswiththeircouncils。
\"’Theyarenotsobase-minded,’saidhe,’butthattheywouldwillinglydoit:manyofthemhavealreadydoneitbytheirbooks,ifthosethatareinpowerwouldbuthearkentotheirgoodadvice。’ButPlatojudgedright,thatexceptkingsthemselvesbecamephilosophers,theywhofromtheirchildhoodarecorruptedwithfalsenotionswouldneverfallinentirelywiththecouncilsofphilosophers,andthishehimselffoundtobetrueinthepersonofDionysius。
\"DonotyouthinkthatifIwereaboutanyking,proposinggoodlawstohim,andendeavoringtorootoutallthecursedseedsofevilthatIfoundinhim,Ishouldeitherbeturnedoutofhiscourtoratleastbelaughedatformypains?Forinstance,whatcoulditsignifyifIwereabouttheKingofFrance,andwerecalledintohisCabinetCouncil,whereseveralwisemen,inhishearing,wereproposingmanyexpedients,asbywhatartsandpracticesMilanmaybekept,andNaples,thathadsooftslippedoutoftheirhands,recovered;howtheVenetians,andafterthemtherestofItaly,maybesubdued;andthenhowFlanders,Brabant,andallBurgundy,andsomeotherkingdomswhichhehasswallowedalreadyinhisdesigns,maybeaddedtohisempire。OneproposesaleaguewiththeVenetians,tobekeptaslongashefindshisaccountinit,andthatheoughttocommunicatecouncilswiththem,andgivethemsomeshareofthespoil,tillhissuccessmakeshimneedorfearthemless,andthenitwillbeeasilytakenoutoftheirhands。AnotherproposesthehiringtheGermans,andthesecuringtheSwitzersbypensions。AnotherproposesthegainingtheEmperorbymoney,whichisomnipotentwithhim。
AnotherproposesapeacewiththeKingofArragon,and,inordertocementit,theyieldinguptheKingofNavarre’spretensions。
AnotherthinksthePrinceofCastileistobewroughton,bythehopeofanalliance;andthatsomeofhiscourtiersaretobegainedtotheFrenchfactionbypensions。ThehardestpointofalliswhattodowithEngland:atreatyofpeaceistobesetonfoot,andiftheirallianceisnottobedependedon,yetitistobemadeasfirmaspossible;andtheyaretobecalledfriends,butsuspectedasenemies:thereforetheScotsaretobekeptinreadiness,tobeletlooseuponEnglandoneveryoccasion:andsomebanishednoblemanistobesupportedunderhand(forbytheleagueitcannotbedoneavowedly)whohasapretensiontothecrown,bywhichmeansthatsuspectedprincemaybekeptinawe。
\"Nowwhenthingsareinsogreatafermentation,andsomanygallantmenarejoiningcouncils,howtocarryonthewar,ifsomeanamanasIshouldstandup,andwishthemtochangealltheircouncils,toletItalyalone,andstayathome,sincetheKingdomofFrancewasindeedgreaterthancouldbewellgovernedbyoneman;thatthereforeheoughtnottothinkofaddingotherstoit:
andifafterthis,IshouldproposetothemtheresolutionsoftheAchorians,apeoplethatlieonthesoutheastofUtopia,wholongagoengagedinwar,inordertoaddtothedominionsoftheirprinceanotherkingdom,towhichhehadsomepretensionsbyanancientalliance。Thistheyconquered,butfoundthatthetroubleofkeepingitwasequaltothatbywhichitwasgained;thattheconqueredpeoplewerealwayseitherinrebellionorexposedtoforeigninvasions,whiletheywereobligedtobeincessantlyatwar,eitherfororagainstthem,andconsequentlycouldneverdisbandtheirarmy;thatinthemeantimetheywereoppressedwithtaxes,theirmoneywentoutofthekingdom,theirbloodwasspiltforthegloryoftheirKing,withoutprocuringtheleastadvantagetothepeople,whoreceivednotthesmallestbenefitfromitevenintimeofpeace;andthattheirmannersbeingcorruptedbyalongwar,robberyandmurderseverywhereabounded,andtheirlawsfellintocontempt;whiletheirKing,distractedwiththecareoftwokingdoms,wasthelessabletoapplyhismindtotheinterestsofeither。
\"Whentheysawthis,andthattherewouldbenoendtotheseevils,theybyjointcouncilsmadeanhumbleaddresstotheirKing,desiringhimtochoosewhichofthetwokingdomshehadthegreatestmindtokeep,sincehecouldnotholdboth;fortheyweretoogreatapeopletobegovernedbyadividedking,sincenomanwouldwillinglyhaveagroomthatshouldbeincommonbetweenhimandanother。Uponwhichthegoodprincewasforcedtoquithisnewkingdomtooneofhisfriends(whowasnotlongafterdethroned),andtobecontentedwithhisoldone。TothisIwouldaddthatafterallthosewarlikeattempts,thevastconfusions,andtheconsumptionbothoftreasureandofpeoplethatmustfollowthem;
perhapsuponsomemisfortune,theymightbeforcedtothrowupallatlast;thereforeitseemedmuchmoreeligiblethattheKingshouldimprovehisancientkingdomallhecould,andmakeitflourishasmuchaspossible;thatheshouldlovehispeople,andbebelovedofthem;thatheshouldliveamongthem,governthemgently,andletotherkingdomsalone,sincethatwhichhadfallentohissharewasbigenough,ifnottoobigforhim。Prayhowdoyouthinkwouldsuchaspeechasthisbeheard?\"
\"Iconfess,\"saidI,\"Ithinknotverywell。\"
\"Butwhat,\"saidhe,\"ifIshouldsortwithanotherkindofministers,whosechiefcontrivancesandconsultationswere,bywhatarttheprince’streasuresmightbeincreased。WhereoneproposesraisingthevalueofspeciewhentheKing’sdebtsarelarge,andloweringitwhenhisrevenuesweretocomein,thatsohemightbothpaymuchwithalittle,andinalittlereceiveagreatdeal:anotherproposesapretenceofawar,thatmoneymightberaisedinordertocarryiton,andthatapeacebeconcludedassoonasthatwasdone;andthiswithsuchappearancesofreligionasmightworkonthepeople,andmakethemimputeittothepietyoftheirprince,andtohistendernessforthelivesofhissubjects。Athirdofferssomeoldmustylaws,thathavebeenantiquatedbyalongdisuse;andwhich,astheyhadbeenforgottenbyallthesubjects,sotheyhadbeenalsobrokenbythem;andproposesthelevyingthepenaltiesoftheselaws,thatasitwouldbringinavasttreasure,sotheremightbeaverygoodpretenceforit,sinceitwouldlookliketheexecutingalaw,andthedoingofjustice。Afourthproposestheprohibitingofmanythingsunderseverepenalties,especiallysuchaswereagainsttheinterestofthepeople,andthenthedispensingwiththeseprohibitionsupongreatcompositions,tothosewhomightfindtheiradvantageinbreakingthem。Thiswouldservetwoends,bothofthemacceptabletomany;forasthosewhoseavariceledthemtotransgresswouldbeseverelyfined,sothesellinglicensesdearwouldlookasifaprinceweretenderofhispeople,andwouldnoteasily,oratlowrates,dispensewithanythingthatmightbeagainstthepublicgood。
\"Anotherproposesthatthejudgesmustbemadesure,thattheymaydeclarealwaysinfavoroftheprerogative,thattheymustbeoftensentfortocourt,thattheKingmayhearthemarguethosepointsinwhichheisconcerned;sincehowunjustsoeveranyofhispretensionsmaybe,yetstillsomeoneorotherofthem,eitheroutofcontradictiontoothersortheprideofsingularityortomaketheircourt,wouldfindoutsomepretenceorothertogivetheKingafaircolortocarrythepoint:forifthejudgesbutdifferinopinion,theclearestthingintheworldismadebythatmeansdisputable,andtruthbeingoncebroughtinquestion,theKingmaythentakeadvantagetoexpoundthelawforhisownprofit;whilethejudgesthatstandoutwillbebroughtover,eitheroutoffearormodesty;andtheybeingthusgained,allofthemmaybesenttothebenchtogivesentenceboldly,astheKingwouldhaveit;forfairpretenceswillneverbewantingwhensentenceistobegivenintheprince’sfavor。Itwilleitherbesaidthatequityliesonhisside,orsomewordsinthelawwillbefoundsoundingthatway,orsomeforcedsensewillbeputonthem;andwhenallotherthingsfail,theKing’sundoubtedprerogativewillbepretended,asthatwhichisabovealllaw;andtowhichareligiousjudgeoughttohaveaspecialregard。
\"ThusallconsenttothatmaximofCrassus,thataprincecannothavetreasureenough,sincehemustmaintainhisarmiesoutofit:
thataking,eventhoughhewould,candonothingunjustly;thatallpropertyisinhim,notexceptingtheverypersonsofhissubjects:andthatnomanhasanyotherproperty,butthatwhichtheKingoutofhisgoodnessthinksfittoleavehim。Andtheythinkitistheprince’sinterest,thattherebeaslittleofthisleftasmaybe,asifitwerehisadvantagethathispeopleshouldhaveneitherrichesnorliberty;sincethesethingsmakethemlesseasyandlesswillingtosubmittoacruelandunjustgovernment;
whereasnecessityandpovertybluntthem,makethempatient,beatthemdown,andbreakthatheightofspirit,thatmightotherwisedisposethemtorebel。Nowwhatifafterallthesepropositionsweremade,Ishouldriseupandassert,thatsuchcouncilswerebothunbecomingaking,andmischievoustohim:andthatnotonlyhishonorbuthissafetyconsistedmoreinhispeople’swealth,thaninhisown;ifIshouldshowthattheychooseakingfortheirownsake,andnotforhis;thatbyhiscareandendeavorstheymaybebotheasyandsafe;andthatthereforeaprinceoughttotakemorecareofhispeople’shappinessthanofhisown,asashepherdistotakemorecareofhisflockthanofhimself。
\"Itisalsocertainthattheyaremuchmistakenthatthinkthepovertyofanationisameansofthepublicsafety。Whoquarrelmorethanbeggars?Whodoesmoreearnestlylongforachange,thanhethatisuneasyinhispresentcircumstances?Andwhoruntocreateconfusionswithsodesperateaboldness,asthosewhohavenothingtolosehopetogainbythem?Ifakingshouldfallundersuchcontemptorenvy,thathecouldnotkeephissubjectsintheirduty,butbyoppressionandill-usage,andbyrenderingthempoorandmiserable,itwerecertainlybetterforhimtoquithiskingdom,thantoretainitbysuchmethods,asmakeshimwhilehekeepsthenameofauthority,losethemajestyduetoit。Norisitsobecomingthedignityofakingtoreignoverbeggars,asoverrichandhappysubjects。AndthereforeFabricius,amanofanobleandexaltedtemper,said,hewouldrathergovernrichmenthanberichhimself;sinceforonemantoaboundinwealthandpleasure,whenallabouthimaremourningandgroaning,istoagaolerandnotaking。Heisanunskilfulphysician,thatcannotcureonediseasewithoutcastinghispatientintoanother:sohethatcanfindnootherwayforcorrectingtheerrorsofhispeople,butbytakingfromthemtheconveniencesoflife,showsthatheknowsnotwhatitistogovernafreenation。Hehimselfoughtrathertoshakeoffhissloth,ortolaydownhispride;forthecontemptorhatredthathispeoplehaveforhim,takesitsrisefromthevicesinhimself。Lethimliveuponwhatbelongstohim,withoutwrongingothers,andaccommodatehisexpensetohisrevenue。Lethimpunishcrimes,andbyhiswiseconductlethimendeavortopreventthem,ratherthanbeseverewhenhehassufferedthemtobetoocommon:lethimnotrashlyrevivelawsthatareabrogatedbydisuse,especiallyiftheyhavebeenlongforgotten,andneverwanted;andlethimnevertakeanypenaltyforthebreachofthem,towhichajudgewouldnotgivewayinaprivateman,butwouldlookonhimasacraftyandunjustpersonforpretendingtoit。
\"TothesethingsIwouldaddthatlawamongtheMacarians,apeoplethatlivenotfarfromUtopia,bywhichtheirKing,onthedayonwhichhebeginstoreign,istiedbyanoathconfirmedbysolemnsacrifices,nevertohaveatonceabove1,000poundsofgoldinhistreasures,orsomuchsilverasisequaltothatinvalue。Thislaw,theytellus,wasmadebyanexcellentking,whohadmoreregardtotherichesofhiscountrythantohisownwealth,andthereforeprovidedagainsttheheapingupofsomuchtreasureasmightimpoverishthepeople。Hethoughtthatamoderatesummightbesufficientforanyaccident,ifeithertheKinghadoccasionforitagainstrebels,orthekingdomagainsttheinvasionofanenemy;butthatitwasnotenoughtoencourageaprincetoinvadeothermen’srights,acircumstancethatwasthechiefcauseofhismakingthatlaw。Healsothoughtthatitwasagoodprovisionforthatfreecirculationofmoney,sonecessaryforthecourseofcommerceandexchange:andwhenakingmustdistributeallthoseextraordinaryaccessionsthatincreasetreasurebeyondtheduepitch,itmakeshimlessdisposedtooppresshissubjects。Suchakingasthiswillbetheterrorofillmen,andwillbebelovedbyallthegood。
\"If,Isay,Ishouldtalkoftheseorsuchlikethings,tomenthathadtakentheirbiasanotherway,howdeafwouldtheybetoallIcouldsay?\"
\"Nodoubt,verydeaf,\"answeredI;\"andnowonder,foroneisnevertoofferatpropositionsoradvicethatwearecertainwillnotbeentertained。Discoursessomuchoutoftheroadcouldnotavailanything,norhaveanyeffectonmenwhosemindswereprepossessedwithdifferentsentiments。Thisphilosophicalwayofspeculationisnotunpleasantamongfriendsinafreeconversation,butthereisnoroomforitinthecourtsofprinceswheregreataffairsarecarriedonbyauthority。\"
\"ThatiswhatIwassaying,\"repliedhe,\"thatthereisnoroomforphilosophyinthecourtsofprinces。\"
\"Yes,thereis,\"saidI,\"butnotforthisspeculativephilosophythatmakeseverythingtobealikefittingatalltimes:butthereisanotherphilosophythatismorepliable,thatknowsitsproperscene,accommodatesitselftoit,andteachesamanwithproprietyanddecencytoactthatpartwhichhasfallentohisshare。IfwhenoneofPlautus’scomediesisuponthestageandacompanyofservantsareactingtheirparts,youshouldcomeoutinthegarbofaphilosopher,andrepeatoutof’Octavia,’adiscourseofSeneca’stoNero,woulditnotbebetterforyoutosaynothingthanbymixingthingsofsuchdifferentnaturestomakeanimpertinenttragi-comedy?Foryouspoilandcorrupttheplaythatisinhandwhenyoumixwithitthingsofanoppositenature,eventhoughtheyaremuchbetter。Thereforegothroughwiththeplaythatisacting,thebestyoucan,anddonotconfounditbecauseanotherthatispleasantercomesintoyourthoughts。Itisevensoinacommonwealthandinthecouncilsofprinces;ifillopinionscannotbequiterootedout,andyoucannotcuresomereceivedviceaccordingtoyourwishes,youmustnotthereforeabandonthecommonwealth;forthesamereasonsyoushouldnotforsaketheshipinastormbecauseyoucannotcommandthewinds。Youarenotobligedtoassaultpeoplewithdiscoursesthatareoutoftheirroad,whenyouseethattheirreceivednotionsmustpreventyourmakinganimpressionuponthem。Yououghtrathertocastaboutandtomanagethingswithallthedexterityinyourpower,sothatifyouarenotabletomakethemgowelltheymaybeaslittleillaspossible;forexceptallmenweregoodeverythingcannotberight,andthatisablessingthatIdonotatpresenthopetosee。\"
\"Accordingtoyourarguments,\"answeredhe,\"allthatIcouldbeabletodowouldbetopreservemyselffrombeingmadwhileI
endeavoredtocurethemadnessofothers;forifIspeaktruth,I
mustrepeatwhatIhavesaidtoyou;andasforlying,whetheraphilosophercandoitornot,Icannottell;IamsureIcannotdoit。Butthoughthesediscoursesmaybeuneasyandungratefultothem,Idonotseewhytheyshouldseemfoolishorextravagant:
indeedifIshouldeitherproposesuchthingsasPlatohascontrivedinhiscommonwealth,orastheUtopianspractiseintheirs,thoughtheymightseembetter,ascertainlytheyare,yettheyaresodifferentfromourestablishment,whichisfoundedonproperty,therebeingnosuchthingamongthem,thatIcouldnotexpectthatitwouldhaveanyeffectonthem;butsuchdiscoursesasmine,whichonlycallpastevilstomindandgivewarningofwhatmayfollow,havenothinginthemthatissoabsurdthattheymaynotbeusedatanytime,fortheycanonlybeunpleasanttothosewhoareresolvedtorunheadlongthecontraryway;andifwemustletaloneeverythingasabsurdorextravagantwhichbyreasonofthewickedlivesofmanymayseemuncouth,wemust,evenamongChristians,giveoverpressingthegreatestpartofthosethingsthatChristhathtaughtus,thoughHehascommandedusnottoconcealthem,buttoproclaimonthehouse-topsthatwhichhetaughtinsecret。
\"Thegreatestpartsofhispreceptsaremoreoppositetothelivesofthemenofthisagethananypartofmydiscoursehasbeen;butthepreachersseemedtohavelearnedthatcrafttowhichyouadviseme,fortheyobservingthattheworldwouldnotwillinglysuittheirlivestotherulesthatChristhasgiven,havefittedhisdoctrineasifithadbeenaleadenrule,totheirlives,thatsosomewayorothertheymightagreewithoneanother。ButIseenoothereffectofthiscomplianceexceptitbethatmenbecomemoresecureintheirwickednessbyit。AndthisisallthesuccessthatIcanhaveinacourt,forImustalwaysdifferfromtherest,andthenIshallsignifynothing;orifIagreewiththem,I
shallthenonlyhelpforwardtheirmadness。Idonotcomprehendwhatyoumeanbyyourcastingabout,orbythebendingandhandlingthingssodexterously,thatiftheygonotwelltheymaygoaslittleillasmaybe;forincourtstheywillnotbearwithaman’sholdinghispeaceorconnivingatwhatothersdo。Amanmustbarefacedlyapproveoftheworstcounsels,andconsenttotheblackestdesigns:sothathewouldpassforaspy,orpossiblyforatraitor,thatdidbutcoldlyapproveofsuchwickedpractices:
andthereforewhenamanisengagedinsuchasociety,hewillbesofarfrombeingabletomendmattersbyhiscastingabout,asyoucallit,thathewillfindnooccasionsofdoinganygood:theillcompanywillsoonercorrupthimthanbethebetterforhim:orifnotwithstandingalltheirillcompany,hestillremainssteadyandinnocent,yettheirfolliesandknaverywillbeimputedtohim;andbymixingcounselswiththem,hemustbearhisshareofalltheblamethatbelongswhollytoothers。
\"ItwasnoillsimilebywhichPlatosetforththeunreasonablenessofaphilosopher’smeddlingwithgovernment。Ifaman,sayshe,wastoseeagreatcompanyrunouteverydayintotherain,andtakedelightinbeingwet;ifheknewthatitwouldbetonopurposeforhimtogoandpersuadethemtoreturntotheirhouses,inordertoavoidthestorm,andthatallthatcouldbeexpectedbyhisgoingtospeaktothemwouldbethathehimselfshouldbeaswetasthey,itwouldbebestforhimtokeepwithindoors;andsincehehadnotinfluenceenoughtocorrectotherpeople’sfolly,totakecaretopreservehimself。
\"Thoughtospeakplainlymyrealsentiments,Imustfreelyownthataslongasthereisanyproperty,andwhilemoneyisthestandardofallotherthings,Icannotthinkthatanationcanbegovernedeitherjustlyorhappily:notjustly,becausethebestthingswillfalltotheshareoftheworstmen;norhappily,becauseallthingswillbedividedamongafew(andeventhesearenotinallrespectshappy),therestbeinglefttobeabsolutelymiserable。ThereforewhenIreflectonthewiseandgoodconstitutionoftheUtopians——amongwhomallthingsaresowellgoverned,andwithsofewlaws;wherevirtuehathitsduereward,andyetthereissuchanequality,thateverymanlivesinplenty——
whenIcomparewiththemsomanyothernationsthatarestillmakingnewlaws,andyetcanneverbringtheirconstitutiontoarightregulation,wherenotwithstandingeveryonehashisproperty;
yetallthelawsthattheycaninventhavenotthepowereithertoobtainorpreserveit,oreventoenablemencertainlytodistinguishwhatistheirownfromwhatisanother’s;ofwhichthemanylawsuitsthateverydaybreakout,andareeternallydepending,givetooplainademonstration;when,Isay,Ibalanceallthesethingsinmythoughts,IgrowmorefavorabletoPlato,anddonotwonderthatheresolvednottomakeanylawsforsuchaswouldnotsubmittoacommunityofallthings:forsowiseamancouldnotbutforeseethatthesettingalluponalevelwastheonlywaytomakeanationhappy,whichcannotbeobtainedsolongasthereisproperty:forwheneverymandrawstohimselfallthathecancompass,byonetitleoranother,itmustneedsfollow,thathowplentifulsoeveranationmaybe,yetafewdividingthewealthofitamongthemselves,therestmustfallintoindigence。
\"Sothattherewillbetwosortsofpeopleamongthem,whodeservethattheirfortunesshouldbeinterchanged;theformeruseless,butwickedandravenous;andthelatter,whobytheirconstantindustryservethepublicmorethanthemselves,sincereandmodestmen。FromwhenceIampersuaded,thattillpropertyistakenawaytherecanbenoequitableorjustdistributionofthings,norcantheworldbehappilygoverned:foraslongasthatismaintained,thegreatestandthefarbestpartofmankindwillbestilloppressedwithaloadofcaresandanxieties。Iconfesswithouttakingitquiteaway,thosepressuresthatlieonagreatpartofmankindmaybemadelighter;buttheycanneverbequiteremoved。
Foriflawsweremadetodetermineathowgreatanextentinsoil,andathowmuchmoneyeverymanmuststop,tolimittheprincethathemightnotgrowtoogreat,andtorestrainthepeoplethattheymightnotbecometooinsolent,andthatnonemightfactiouslyaspiretopublicemployments;whichoughtneithertobesold,normadeburdensomebyagreatexpense;sinceotherwisethosethatserveinthemwouldbetemptedtoreimbursethemselvesbycheatsandviolence,anditwouldbecomenecessarytofindoutrichmenforundergoingthoseemploymentswhichoughtrathertobetrustedtothewise——theselaws,Isay,mighthavesucheffects,asgooddietandcaremighthaveonasickman,whoserecoveryisdesperate:theymightallayandmitigatethedisease,butitcouldneverbequitehealed,northebodypoliticbebroughtagaintoagoodhabit,aslongaspropertyremains;anditwillfalloutasinacomplicationofdiseases,thatbyapplyingaremedytoonesore,youwillprovokeanother;andthatwhichremovestheoneillsymptomproducesothers,whilethestrengtheningonepartofthebodyweakenstherest。\"
\"Onthecontrary,\"answeredI,\"itseemstomethatmencannotliveconvenientlywhereallthingsarecommon:howcantherebeanyplenty,whereeverymanwillexcusehimselffromlabor?Forasthehopeofgaindothnotexcitehim,sotheconfidencethathehasinothermen’sindustrymaymakehimslothful:ifpeoplecometobepinchedwithwant,andyetcannotdisposeofanythingastheirown;whatcanfollowuponthisbutperpetualseditionandbloodshed,especiallywhenthereverenceandauthorityduetomagistratesfalltotheground?ForIcannotimaginehowthatcanbekeptupamongthosethatareinallthingsequaltooneanother。\"
\"Idonotwonder,\"saidhe,\"thatitappearssotoyou,sinceyouhavenonotion,oratleastnorightone,ofsuchaconstitution:
butifyouhadbeeninUtopiawithme,andhadseentheirlawsandrules,asIdid,forthespaceoffiveyears,inwhichIlivedamongthem;andduringwhichtimeIwassodelightedwiththem,thatindeedIshouldneverhaveleftthem,ifithadnotbeentomakethediscoveryofthatnewworldtotheEuropeans;youwouldthenconfessthatyouhadneverseenapeoplesowellconstitutedasthey。\"
\"Youwillnoteasilypersuademe,\"saidPeter,\"thatanynationinthatnewworldisbettergovernedthanthoseamongus。Forasourunderstandingsarenotworsethantheirs,soourgovernment,ifI
mistakenot,beingmoreancient,alongpracticehashelpedustofindoutmanyconveniencesoflife:andsomehappychanceshavediscoveredotherthingstous,whichnoman’sunderstandingcouldeverhaveinvented。\"
\"Asfortheantiquity,eitheroftheirgovernmentorofours,\"
saidhe,\"youcannotpassatruejudgmentofitunlessyouhadreadtheirhistories;foriftheyaretobebelieved,theyhadtownsamongthembeforethesepartsweresomuchasinhabited。Andasforthosediscoveries,thathavebeeneitherhitonbychance,ormadebyingeniousmen,thesemighthavehappenedthereaswellashere。Idonotdenybutwearemoreingeniousthantheyare,buttheyexceedusmuchinindustryandapplication。Theyknewlittleconcerningusbeforeourarrivalamongthem;theycallusallbyageneralnameofthenationsthatliebeyondtheequinoctialline;fortheirchroniclementionsashipwreckthatwasmadeontheircoast1,200yearsago;andthatsomeRomansandEgyptiansthatwereintheship,gettingsafeashore,spenttherestoftheirdaysamongthem;andsuchwastheiringenuity,thatfromthissingleopportunitytheydrewtheadvantageoflearningfromthoseunlooked-forguests,andacquiredalltheusefulartsthatwerethenamongtheRomans,andwhichwereknowntotheseshipwreckedmen:andbythehintsthattheygavethem,theythemselvesfoundoutevensomeofthoseartswhichtheycouldnotfullyexplain;sohappilydidtheyimprovethataccident,ofhavingsomeofourpeoplecastupontheirshore。
\"ButifsuchanaccidenthasatanytimebroughtanyfromthenceintoEurope,wehavebeensofarfromimprovingit,thatwedonotsomuchasrememberit;asinafter-timesperhapsitwillbeforgotbyourpeoplethatIwaseverthere。Forthoughtheyfromonesuchaccidentmadethemselvesmastersofallthegoodinventionsthatwereamongus;yetIbelieveitwouldbelongbeforeweshouldlearnorputinpracticeanyofthegoodinstitutionsthatareamongthem。Andthisisthetruecauseoftheirbeingbettergoverned,andlivinghappierthanwe,thoughwecomenotshortoftheminpointofunderstandingoroutwardadvantages。\"
UponthisIsaidtohim:\"Iearnestlybegyouwoulddescribethatislandveryparticularlytous。Benottooshort,butsetoutinorderallthingsrelatingtotheirsoil,theirrivers,theirtowns,theirpeople,theirmanners,constitution,laws,and,inaword,allthatyouimaginewedesiretoknow。Andyoumaywellimaginethatwedesiretoknoweverythingconcerningthem,ofwhichwearehithertoignorant。\"
\"Iwilldoitverywillingly,\"saidhe,\"forIhavedigestedthewholemattercarefully;butitwilltakeupsometime。\"
\"Letusgothen,\"saidI,\"firstanddine,andthenweshallhaveleisureenough。\"
Heconsented。Wewentinanddined,andafterdinnercamebackandsatdowninthesameplace。Iorderedmyservantstotakecarethatnonemightcomeandinterruptus。AndbothPeterandI
desiredRaphaeltobeasgoodashisword。Whenhesawthatwewereveryintentuponit,hepausedalittletorecollecthimself,andbeganinthismanner:
1901。NewYork:IdealCommonwealths。P。F。Collier&Son。TheColonialPress。BOOKII
THEislandofUtopiaisinthemiddle200milesbroad,andholds
almostatthesamebreadthoveragreatpartofit;butitgrows
narrowertowardbothends。Itsfigureisnotunlikeacrescent:
betweenitshorns,theseacomesinelevenmilesbroad,and
spreadsitselfintoagreatbay,whichisenvironedwithlandto
thecompassofabout500miles,andiswellsecuredfromwinds。In
thisbaythereisnogreatcurrent;thewholecoastis,asit
were,onecontinuedharbor,whichgivesallthatliveinthe
islandgreatconvenienceformutualcommerce;buttheentryinto
thebay,occasionedbyrocksontheonehand,andshallowsonthe
other,isverydangerous。Inthemiddleofitthereisonesingle
rockwhichappearsabovewater,andmaythereforebeeasily
avoided,andonthetopofitthereisatowerinwhichagarrison
iskept;theotherrockslieunderwater,andareverydangerous。
Thechannelisknownonlytothenatives,sothatifanystranger
shouldenterintothebay,withoutoneoftheirpilots,hewould
rungreatdangerofshipwreck;foreventheythemselvescouldnot
passitsafe,ifsomemarksthatareonthecoastdidnotdirect
theirway;andiftheseshouldbebutalittleshifted,anyfleet
thatmightcomeagainstthem,howgreatsoeveritwere,wouldbe
certainlylost。
Ontheothersideoftheislandtherearelikewisemanyharbors;
andthecoastissofortified,bothbynatureandart,thata
smallnumberofmencanhinderthedescentofagreatarmy。But
theyreport(andthereremaingoodmarksofittomakeit
credible)thatthiswasnoislandatfirst,butapartofthe
continent。Utopusthatconqueredit(whosenameitstillcarries,
forAbraxawasitsfirstname)broughttherudeanduncivilized
inhabitantsintosuchagoodgovernment,andtothatmeasureof
politeness,thattheynowfarexcelalltherestofmankind;
havingsoonsubduedthem,hedesignedtoseparatethemfromthe
continent,andtobringtheseaquiteroundthem。Toaccomplish
this,heorderedadeepchanneltobedugfifteenmileslong;and
thatthenativesmightnotthinkhetreatedthemlikeslaves,he
notonlyforcedtheinhabitants,butalsohisownsoldiers,to
laborincarryingiton。Ashesetavastnumberofmentowork,
hebeyondallmen’sexpectationsbroughtittoaspeedy
conclusion。Andhisneighborswhoatfirstlaughedatthefollyof
theundertaking,nosoonersawitbroughttoperfectionthanthey
werestruckwithadmirationandterror。
Therearefifty-fourcitiesintheisland,alllargeandwell
built:themanners,customs,andlawsofwhicharethesame,and
theyareallcontrivedasnearinthesamemannerasthegroundon
whichtheystandwillallow。Thenearestlieatleasttwenty-four
milesdistancefromoneanother,andthemostremotearenotso
fardistantbutthatamancangoonfootinonedayfromitto
thatwhichliesnextit。Everycitysendsthreeofitswisest
SenatorsonceayeartoAmaurot,toconsultabouttheircommon
concerns;forthatisthechieftownoftheisland,beingsituated
nearthecentreofit,sothatitisthemostconvenientplacefor
theirassemblies。Thejurisdictionofeverycityextendsatleast
twentymiles:andwherethetownsliewider,theyhavemuchmore
ground:notowndesirestoenlargeitsbounds,forthepeople
considerthemselvesratherastenantsthanlandlords。Theyhave
builtoverallthecountry,farmhousesforhusbandmen,whichare
wellcontrived,andarefurnishedwithallthingsnecessaryfor
countrylabor。Inhabitantsaresentbyturnsfromthecitiesto
dwellinthem;nocountryfamilyhasfewerthanfortymenand
womeninit,besidestwoslaves。Thereisamasterandamistress
setovereveryfamily;andoverthirtyfamiliesthereisa
magistrate。
Everyyeartwentyofthisfamilycomebacktothetown,afterthey
havestayedtwoyearsinthecountry;andintheirroomthereare
othertwentysentfromthetown,thattheymaylearncountrywork
fromthosethathavebeenalreadyoneyearinthecountry,asthey
mustteachthosethatcometothemthenextfromthetown。Bythis
meanssuchasdwellinthosecountryfarmsareneverignorantof
agriculture,andsocommitnoerrors,whichmightotherwisebe
fatal,andbringthemunderascarcityofcorn。Butthoughthere
iseveryyearsuchashiftingofthehusbandmen,topreventany
manbeingforcedagainsthiswilltofollowthathardcourseof
lifetoolong,yetmanyamongthemtakesuchpleasureinitthat
theydesireleavetocontinueinitmanyyears。Thesehusbandmen
tilltheground,breedcattle,hewwood,andconveyittothe
towns,eitherbylandorwater,asismostconvenient。Theybreed
aninfinitemultitudeofchickensinaverycuriousmanner;for
thehensdonotsitandhatchthem,butvastnumbersofeggsare
laidinagentleandequalheat,inordertobehatched,andthey
arenosooneroutoftheshell,andabletostirabout,butthey
seemtoconsiderthosethatfeedthemastheirmothers,andfollow
themasotherchickensdothehenthathatchedthem。
Theybreedveryfewhorses,butthosetheyhavearefullof
mettle,andarekeptonlyforexercisingtheiryouthintheartof
sittingandridingthem;fortheydonotputthemtoanywork,
eitherofploughingorcarriage,inwhichtheyemployoxen;for
thoughtheirhorsesarestronger,yettheyfindoxencanholdout
longer;andastheyarenotsubjecttosomanydiseases,sothey
arekeptuponalesscharge,andwithlesstrouble;andevenwhen
theyaresowornout,thattheyarenomorefitforlabor,they
aregoodmeatatlast。Theysownocorn,butthatwhichistobe
theirbread;fortheydrinkeitherwine,cider,orperry,and
oftenwater,sometimesboiledwithhoneyorlicorice,withwhich
theyabound;andthoughtheyknowexactlyhowmuchcornwillserve
everytown,andallthattractofcountrywhichbelongstoit,yet
theysowmuchmore,andbreedmorecattlethanarenecessaryfor
theirconsumption;andtheygivethatoverplusofwhichtheymake
nousetotheirneighbors。Whentheywantanythinginthecountry
whichitdoesnotproduce,theyfetchthatfromthetown,without
carryinganythinginexchangeforit。Andthemagistratesofthe
towntakecaretoseeitgiventhem;fortheymeetgenerallyin
thetownonceamonth,uponafestivalday。Whenthetimeof
harvestcomes,themagistratesinthecountrysendtothoseinthe
towns,andletthemknowhowmanyhandstheywillneedforreaping
theharvest;andthenumbertheycallforbeingsenttothem,they
commonlydespatchitallinoneday。
BOOKII:OFTHEIRTOWNS,PARTICULARLYOFAMAUROT
HEthatknowsoneoftheirtownsknowsthemall,theyaresolike
oneanother,exceptwherethesituationmakessomedifference。I
shallthereforedescribeoneofthem;andnoneissoproperas
Amaurot;forasnoneismoreeminent,alltherestyieldingin
precedencetothis,becauseitistheseatoftheirSupreme
Council,sotherewasnoneofthembetterknowntome,Ihaving
livedfiveyearsaltogetherinit。
Itliesuponthesideofahill,orratherarisingground:its
figureisalmostsquare,forfromtheonesideofit,whichshoots
upalmosttothetopofthehill,itrunsdowninadescentfor
twomilestotheriverAnider;butitisalittlebroaderthe
otherwaythatrunsalongbythebankofthatriver。TheAnider
risesabouteightymilesaboveAmaurot,inasmallspringat
first,butotherbrooksfallingintoit,ofwhichtwoaremore
considerablethantherest。AsitrunsbyAmaurot,itisgrown
halfamilebroad;butitstillgrowslargerandlarger,till
aftersixtymilescoursebelowit,itislostintheocean,
betweenthetownandthesea,andforsomemilesabovethetown,
itebbsandflowseverysixhours,withastrongcurrent。Thetide
comesupforaboutthirtymilessofullthatthereisnothingbut
saltwaterintheriver,thefreshwaterbeingdrivenbackwith
itsforce;andabovethat,forsomemiles,thewaterisbrackish;
butalittlehigher,asitrunsbythetown,itisquitefresh;
andwhenthetideebbs,itcontinuesfreshallalongtothesea。
Thereisabridgecastovertheriver,notoftimber,butoffair
stone,consistingofmanystatelyarches;itliesatthatpartof
thetownwhichisfarthestfromthesea,sothatshipswithoutany
hinderancelieallalongthesideofthetown。
Thereislikewiseanotherriverthatrunsbyit,which,thoughit
isnotgreat,yetitrunspleasantly,foritrisesoutofthesame
hillonwhichthetownstands,andsorunsdownthroughit,and
fallsintotheAnider。Theinhabitantshavefortifiedthe
fountain-headofthisriver,whichspringsalittlewithoutthe
town;sothatiftheyshouldhappentobebesieged,theenemy
mightnotbeabletostopordivertthecourseofthewater,nor
poisonit;fromthenceitiscarriedinearthenpipestothelower
streets;andforthoseplacesofthetowntowhichthewaterof
thatshallrivercannotbeconveyed,theyhavegreatcisternsfor
receivingtherain-water,whichsuppliesthewantoftheother。
Thetowniscompassedwithahighandthickwall,inwhichthere
aremanytowersandforts;thereisalsoabroadanddeepdry
ditch,setthickwiththorns,castroundthreesidesofthetown,
andtheriverisinsteadofaditchonthefourthside。The
streetsareveryconvenientforallcarriage,andarewell
shelteredfromthewinds。Theirbuildingsaregood,andareso
uniformthatawholesideofastreetlookslikeonehouse。The
streetsaretwentyfeetbroad;thereliegardensbehindalltheir
houses;thesearelargebutenclosedwithbuildingsthatonall
handsfacethestreets;sothateveryhousehasbothadoortothe
street,andabackdoortothegarden。Theirdoorshavealltwo
leaves,which,astheyareeasilyopened,sotheyshutoftheir
ownaccord;andtherebeingnopropertyamongthem,everymanmay
freelyenterintoanyhousewhatsoever。Ateverytenyears’end
theyshifttheirhousesbylots。
Theycultivatetheirgardenswithgreatcare,sothattheyhave
vines,fruits,herbs,andflowersinthem;andallissowell
ordered,andsofinelykept,thatIneversawgardensanywhere
thatwerebothsofruitfulandsobeautifulastheirs。Andthis
humoroforderingtheirgardenssowellisnotonlykeptupbythe
pleasuretheyfindinit,butalsobyanemulationbetweenthe
inhabitantsoftheseveralstreets,whoviewitheachother;and
thereisindeednothingbelongingtothewholetownthatisboth
moreusefulandmorepleasant。Sothathewhofoundedthetown
seemstohavetakencareofnothingmorethanoftheirgardens;
fortheysay,thewholeschemeofthetownwasdesignedatfirst
byUtopus,butheleftallthatbelongedtotheornamentand
improvementofittobeaddedbythosethatshouldcomeafterhim,
thatbeingtoomuchforonemantobringtoperfection。Their
records,thatcontainthehistoryoftheirtownandState,are
preservedwithanexactcare,andrunbackward1,760years。From
theseitappearsthattheirhouseswereatfirstlowandmean,
likecottages,madeofanysortoftimber,andwerebuiltwithmud
wallsandthatchedwithstraw。Butnowtheirhousesarethree
storieshigh:thefrontsofthemarefacedwithstone,plastering,
orbrick;andbetweenthefacingsoftheirwallstheythrowin
theirrubbish。Theirroofsareflat,andonthemtheylayasort
ofplaster,whichcostsverylittle,andyetissotemperedthat
itisnotapttotakefire,andyetresiststheweathermorethan
lead。Theyhavegreatquantitiesofglassamongthem,withwhich
theyglazetheirwindows。Theyusealsointheirwindowsathin
linencloth,thatissooiledorgummedthatitbothkeepsoutthe
windandgivesfreeadmissiontothelight。
BOOKII:OFTHEIRMAGISTRATES
THIRTYfamilieschooseeveryyearamagistrate,whowasanciently
calledthesyphogrant,butisnowcalledthephilarch;andover
everytensyphogrants,withthefamiliessubjecttothem,thereis
anothermagistrate,whowasancientlycalledthetranibor,butof
latethearchphilarch。Allthesyphogrants,whoareinnumber200,
choosethePrinceoutofalistoffour,whoarenamedbythe
peopleofthefourdivisionsofthecity;buttheytakeanoath
beforetheyproceedtoanelection,thattheywillchoosehimwhom
theythinkmostfitfortheoffice。Theygivetheirvoices
secretly,sothatitisnotknownforwhomeveryonegiveshis
suffrage。ThePrinceisforlife,unlessheisremovedupon
suspicionofsomedesigntoenslavethepeople。Thetraniborsare
new-choseneveryyear,butyettheyareforthemostpart
continued。Alltheirothermagistratesareonlyannual。The
traniborsmeeteverythirdday,andoftenerifnecessary,and
consultwiththeprince,eitherconcerningtheaffairsofthe
Stateingeneralorsuchprivatedifferencesasmayarise
sometimesamongthepeople;thoughthatfallsoutbutseldom。
Therearealwaystwosyphograntscalledintothecouncil-chamber,
andthesearechangedeveryday。Itisafundamentalruleoftheir
governmentthatnoconclusioncanbemadeinanythingthatrelates
tothepublictillithasbeenfirstdebatedthreeseveraldaysin
theirCouncil。Itisdeathforanytomeetandconsultconcerning
theState,unlessitbeeitherintheirordinaryCouncil,orin
theassemblyofthewholebodyofthepeople。
Thesethingshavebeensoprovidedamongthem,thattheprinceand
thetraniborsmaynotconspiretogethertochangethegovernment
andenslavethepeople;andthereforewhenanythingofgreat
importanceissetonfoot,itissenttothesyphogrants;who
aftertheyhavecommunicatedittothefamiliesthatbelongto
theirdivisions,andhaveconsidereditamongthemselves,make
reporttotheSenate;andupongreatoccasions,thematteris
referredtotheCouncilofthewholeisland。Oneruleobservedin
theirCouncil,is,nevertodebateathingonthesamedayin
whichitisfirstproposed;forthatisalwaysreferredtothe
nextmeeting,thatsomenmaynotrashly,andintheheatof
discourse,engagethemselvestoosoon,whichmightbiasthemso
much,thatinsteadofconsultingthegoodofthepublic,they
mightratherstudytosupporttheirfirstopinions,andbya
perverseandpreposteroussortofshame,hazardtheircountry
ratherthanendangertheirownreputation,orventurethebeing
suspectedtohavewantedforesightintheexpedientsthattheyat
firstproposed。Andthereforetopreventthis,theytakecarethat
theymayratherbedeliberatethansuddenintheirmotions。
BOOKII:OFTHEIRTRADES,ANDMANNEROFLIFE
AGRICULTUREisthatwhichissouniversallyunderstoodamongthem
thatnoperson,eithermanorwoman,isignorantofit;theyare
instructedinitfromtheirchildhood,partlybywhattheylearn
atschoolandpartlybypractice;theybeingledoutofteninto
thefields,aboutthetown,wheretheynotonlyseeothersat
work,butarelikewiseexercisedinitthemselves。Besides
agriculture,whichissocommontothemall,everymanhassome
peculiartradetowhichheapplieshimself,suchasthe
manufactureofwool,orflax,masonry,smith’swork,or
carpenter’swork;forthereisnosortoftradethatisnotin
greatesteemamongthem。Throughouttheislandtheywearthesame
sortofclotheswithoutanyotherdistinction,exceptwhatis
necessarytodistinguishthetwosexes,andthemarriedand
unmarried。Thefashionneveralters;andasitisneither
disagreeablenoruneasy,soitissuitedtotheclimate,and
calculatedbothfortheirsummersandwinters。Everyfamilymakes
theirownclothes;butallamongthem,womenaswellasmen,learn
oneorotherofthetradesformerlymentioned。Women,forthemost
part,dealinwoolandflax,whichsuitbestwiththeirweakness,
leavingtherudertradestothemen。Thesametradegenerally
passesdownfromfathertoson,inclinationsoftenfollowing
descent;butifanyman’sgeniusliesanotherway,heisby
adoptiontranslatedintoafamilythatdealsinthetradetowhich
heisinclined:andwhenthatistobedone,careistakennot
onlybyhisfather,butbythemagistrate,thathemaybeputtoa
discreetandgoodman。Andifafterapersonhaslearnedone
trade,hedesirestoacquireanother,thatisalsoallowed,andis
managedinthesamemannerastheformer。Whenhehaslearned
both,hefollowsthatwhichhelikesbest,unlessthepublichas
moreoccasionfortheother。
Thechief,andalmosttheonlybusinessofthesyphogrants,isto
takecarethatnomanmayliveidle,butthateveryonemayfollow
histradediligently:yettheydonotwearthemselvesoutwith
perpetualtoil,frommorningtonight,asiftheywerebeastsof
burden,which,asitisindeedaheavyslavery,soitis
everywherethecommoncourseoflifeamongallmechanicsexcept
theUtopians;buttheydividingthedayandnightintotwenty-four
hours,appointsixoftheseforwork;threeofwhicharebefore
dinner,andthreeafter。Theythensup,andateighto’clock,
countingfromnoon,gotobedandsleepeighthours。Therestof
theirtimebesidesthattakenupinwork,eatingandsleeping,is
lefttoeveryman’sdiscretion;yettheyarenottoabusethat
intervaltoluxuryandidleness,butmustemployitinsomeproper
exerciseaccordingtotheirvariousinclinations,whichisforthe
mostpartreading。Itisordinarytohavepubliclecturesevery
morningbeforedaybreak;atwhichnoneareobligedtoappearbut
thosewhoaremarkedoutforliterature;yetagreatmany,both
menandwomenofallranks,gotohearlecturesofonesortof
other,accordingtotheirinclinations。Butifothers,thatare
notmadeforcontemplation,chooserathertoemploythemselvesat
thattimeintheirtrades,asmanyofthemdo,theyarenot
hindered,butarerathercommended,asmenthattakecaretoserve
theircountry。Aftersupper,theyspendanhourinsomediversion,
insummerintheirgardens,andinwinterinthehallswherethey
eat;wheretheyentertaineachother,eitherwithmusicor
discourse。Theydonotsomuchasknowdice,oranysuchfoolish
andmischievousgames:theyhave,however,twosortsofgamesnot
unlikeourchess;theoneisbetweenseveralnumbers,inwhichone
number,asitwere,consumesanother:theotherresemblesabattle
betweenthevirtuesandthevices,inwhichtheenmityinthe
vicesamongthemselves,andtheiragreementagainstvirtue,isnot
unpleasantlyrepresented;togetherwiththespecialoppositions
betweentheparticularvirtuesandvices;asalsothemethodsby
whichviceeitheropenlyassaultsorsecretlyunderminesvirtue,
andvirtueontheotherhandresistsit。Butthetimeappointed
forlaboristobenarrowlyexamined,otherwiseyoumayimagine,
thatsincethereareonlysixhoursappointedforwork,theymay
fallunderascarcityofnecessaryprovisions。Butitissofar
frombeingtrue,thatthistimeisnotsufficientforsupplying
themwithplentyofallthings,eithernecessaryorconvenient,
thatitisrathertoomuch;andthisyouwilleasilyapprehend,if
youconsiderhowgreatapartofallothernationsisquiteidle。
First,womengenerallydolittle,whoarethehalfofmankind;and
ifsomefewwomenarediligent,theirhusbandsareidle:then
considerthegreatcompanyofidlepriests,andofthosethatare
calledreligiousmen;addtotheseallrichmen,chieflythose
thathaveestatesinland,whoarecallednoblemenandgentlemen,
togetherwiththeirfamilies,madeupofidlepersons,thatare
keptmoreforshowthanuse;addtothese,allthosestrongand
lustybeggars,thatgoaboutpretendingsomedisease,inexcuse
fortheirbegging;anduponthewholeaccountyouwillfindthat
thenumberofthosebywhoselaborsmankindissupplied,ismuch
lessthanyouperhapsimagined。Thenconsiderhowfewofthose
thatworkareemployedinlaborsthatareofrealservice;forwe
whomeasureallthingsbymoney,giverisetomanytradesthatare
bothvainandsuperfluous,andserveonlytosupportriotand
luxury。Forifthosewhoworkwereemployedonlyinsuchthingsas
theconveniencesofliferequire,therewouldbesuchanabundance
ofthemthatthepricesofthemwouldsosinkthattradesmencould
notbemaintainedbytheirgains;ifallthosewholaborabout
uselessthingsweresettomoreprofitableemployments,andifall
theythatlanguishouttheirlivesinslothandidleness,every
oneofwhomconsumesasmuchasanytwoofthementhatareat
work,wereforcedtolabor,youmayeasilyimaginethatasmall
proportionoftimewouldservefordoingallthatiseither
necessary,profitable,orpleasanttomankind,especiallywhile
pleasureiskeptwithinitsduebounds。
ThisappearsveryplainlyinUtopia,forthere,inagreatcity,
andinalltheterritorythatliesroundit,youcanscarcefind
500,eithermenorwomen,bytheirageandstrength,arecapable
oflabor,thatarenotengagedinit;eventhesyphogrants,though
excusedbythelaw,yetdonotexcusethemselves,butwork,that
bytheirexamplestheymayexcitetheindustryoftherestofthe
people。Thelikeexemptionisallowedtothosewho,being
recommendedtothepeoplebythepriests,arebythesecret
suffragesofthesyphograntsprivilegedfromlabor,thattheymay
applythemselveswhollytostudy;andifanyofthesefallshort
ofthosehopesthattheyseemedatfirsttogive,theyareobliged
toreturntowork。Andsometimesamechanic,thatsoemployshis
leisurehours,astomakeaconsiderableadvancementinlearning,
iseasedfrombeingatradesman,andrankedamongtheirlearned
men。Outofthesetheychoosetheirambassadors,theirpriests,
theirtranibors,andtheprincehimself,ancientlycalledtheir
Barzenes,butiscalledoflatetheirAdemus。
Andthusfromthegreatnumbersamongthemthatareneither
sufferedtobeidle,nortobeemployedinanyfruitlesslabor,
youmayeasilymaketheestimatehowmuchmaybedoneinthosefew
hoursinwhichtheyareobligedtolabor。Butbesidesallthathas
beenalreadysaid,itistobeconsideredthattheneedfularts
amongthemaremanagedwithlesslaborthananywhereelse。The
buildingortherepairingofhousesamongusemploymanyhands,
becauseoftenathriftlessheirsuffersahousethathisfather
builttofallintodecay,sothathissuccessormust,atagreat
cost,repairthatwhichhemighthavekeptupwithasmallcharge:
itfrequentlyhappensthatthesamehousewhichonepersonbuilt
atavastexpenseisneglectedbyanother,whothinkshehasa
moredelicatesenseofthebeautiesofarchitecture;andhe
sufferingittofalltoruin,buildsanotheratnolesscharge。
ButamongtheUtopiansallthingsaresoregulatedthatmenvery
seldombuilduponanewpieceofground;andarenotonlyvery
quickinrepairingtheirhouses,butshowtheirforesightin
preventingtheirdecay:sothattheirbuildingsarepreservedvery
long,withbutlittlelabor,andthusthebuilderstowhomthat
carebelongsareoftenwithoutemployment,exceptthehewingof
timberandthesquaringofstones,thatthematerialsmaybein
readinessforraisingabuildingverysuddenlywhenthereisany
occasionforit。