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ready to convey them to the place they desired to segú¬
They picked out some chosen companions, who might as-
sist them in describing, and painting the objects they
should meet. At length they arrived at the moon, and
found there a palace well fitted up for their reception.
3. The next day, being much fatigued with their jour-
ney, they kept quiet at home till noon, and being still faint--
they refreshed themselves with a most delicious entertain-
ment, which they relished so well that it overcame their
curiosity. This day they only saw through the windows
that delightful spot, adorned with the most beautiful flow-
ers, to which the beams of the sun gave an uncommon...
lustre, and heard the singing of melodious birds till even-
ing came on. The following day they rose very early in
order to begin their observations. But some very beau-
tiful young ladies of the country coming to make them a
visit, advised them first to recruit their strength before-
they exposed themselves to the laborious task they were
about to undertake.

4. The delicate meats, and the rich wines, prevailed over the resolution of the strangers. A fine concert of mu-sic is introduced, the young ones begin to dance, and all is turned to jollity, so that this whole day was spent in mirth and festivity, till some of the neighbouring inhabitants, growing envious at their enjoyments, rushed in with drawn swords. The elder part of the company tried to appease the younger, promising that on the morrow they would bring the rioters to justice. This they performed, and on the third day, the cause was heard, and what with accusations, pleadings, exceptions, and the judgement itself, the whole day was taken up, on which the term set by Jupiter expired.

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5. Or their return to Greece, all the country flocked in upon them to hear the wonders of the moon described; but all they could tell (for that was all they knew) that the ground was covered with green, intermixed with flowers, and that the birds sung amongst the branches of the trees; but of what kinds and flowers they saw, or what kinds of birds they heard, they were totally ignorant. Upon which they were treated every where with contempt.

6 If we apply this fable to men of the present age, we shall perceive a very just similitude. By these three days.

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the fable denctes the three ages of man. First, Youth, in which we are too feeble in every respect to look into the works of the Creator. All that season is given up to idleness, luxury and pastime. Second, Manhood, in which men are employed in settling, marrying, educating chil dren, providing fortunes for them, and bringing up a family. Third, Old Age, in which, after having made their fortunes, they are overwhelmed with lawsuits, and proceedings relating to their estates. Thus it frequently happens that men never consider to what end they were destined, and why they were brought into the world.

CHAPTER LXXVIII.

THE LIBERTY OF THE PRESS.

1. THE Press is one of the most useful discoveries for the general diffusion of knowledge in the world, that has ever been made. Periodical publications may be very useful to society, by enlightening the minds of the citi zens, instructing them in the affairs of common life, the state of their country and the common good. This coun-try has long enjoyed the benefits resulting from such publications. Such, in general, has been the usefulness of the freedom of the press, that we have had great occasion to exult in the privilege.

2. Well regulated Newspapers, and Magazines, are of inestimable value. in them we may find instruction for ~ the artizan, the mechanic,and the husbandman, the divine and the statesman. Here the scholar and sentimentalist may find both improvement and entertainment. Here, too, every individual may trace men and manners; may read the characters of those in office, discover by what methods they came there, and what are the ruling motives that govern their actions.

3. In this way the citizen may acquire some knowledge of the nature and circumstances of the government under which they live, and learn the motives which effect the measures. A general political knowledge of this kind is not only amusing, but it may be very beneficial in a community; as it has a tendency, on the one hand, to check the encroachments of those in power, on the rights of individuals; so, on the other hand, to still the murmurs of individuals against the measures of their rulers;

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for men will often complain of the effect, if the cause is unknown.

4. Those things will be called oppressive and grievous, which are imposed on us through necessity, for our own benefit, if we are unacquainted with the occasion of the impositions. Yet when we see the fitness, or the necessity of them, we submit with patience. But as the liberty of the press is to be supported for the purpose of preserv ing the freedom of the people,it should be remembered that licentiousness is equally prejudicial and dangerous to both.

5. The liberty of the press ought never to be so unrestrained, as to be used for the promotion of licentiousness among the people. Have not many of the publications in some of our modern newspapers been too unrestrained for the benefit of the citizens? Can it be beneficial to the community to have our gazettes crowded, as they sometimes have been, on the subject of elections of public men? Is it well that characters should be handled with the cruel freedom too often exercised by anonymous writers?

6. Ought a man's private character to be called in question, treated with asperity, wounded by sarcasms, and blackened by infamous aspersions in public papers, unless the writer affixes his name? Do not publications of this kind destroy the happiness of society, by creating and fomenting divisions, discords and animosities? Or can it be for the benefit of the community that public assemblies, legislatures and magistrates, should be vilified in this way? Or even that the measures of government should be reprobated in disrespectful, opprobrious language? Can any good result from it?

7. Ought not writings of this complexion to be precluded from the press, at least till the writer is willing to expose his name? Is it well that a community should be alarmed, their fears awakened, their peace interrupted, by false and groundless assertions respecting public men, or public measures, and not be informed who it was that thes insulted them? Had the signatures been affixed, full often, and many a time, the fearful apprehensions of honest men would not have been awakened Thanks be to our countrymen, that prompt and ample justice has been given to injured characters, in several late decisions of an enlightened jury. May these righteous verdicts deter all from such unjust and cruel conduct.

CHAPTER LXXIX.

DIVERTING INSTANCE OF INDIAN RETALIATION. 1. AT a time when the American Indians did not know the Europeans, a traveller penetrated into their country, made them acquainted with fire arms, and sold them muskets and gun-powder; then went a hunting and got great plenty of game, and of course many furs. Another traveller went thither some time after with ammunition; but the Indians being still provided, they did not care to barter with the Frenchman, who invented a very odd trick, in order to sell his powder, without much troubling his head with the consequences that might result from his imposture to his countrymen. He thought he had done a great action in deceiving these poor people.

2. As the Indians are curious, they were desirous of knowing how powder, which they called grain, was made in France. The traveller made them believe that it was sown, and that they had crops of it as of indigo or millet in America. The Indians were pleased with the discovery, and sowed all the gun-powder which they had left, which obliged them to buy that of the Frenchman, who got a considerable quantity of beaver skins for it, and afterwards went down the river to the Illinois, where M. de Tonti commanded.

3. The Indians went from time to time to see if the powder had come up; they had placed a guard there to hinder the wild beasts from spoiling the field; but they soon found out the Frenchman's trick. It must be observed that the Indians can be deceived but once, and they always remember it. Accordingly they were resolved to be revenged upon the first Frenchman that should come to them.

4. Soon after, the hopes of profit excited the traveller to send his partner among these same Indians with goods proper for their commerce; they soon found that this man was associated with the Frenchman who had imposed upon them; however, they dissembled the trick which his predecessor had played. They gave him the public hut, which was in the middle of the village, in which he might deposite his bales, and when they were all laid out to view,

the Indians came in confusedly, and all those who had been foolish enough to sow gun powder, took away some goods; so the poor Frenchman was rid of all his bales at once, but without any equivalent from the Indians.

5. He complained much of these proceedings, and laid his grievances before the great chief, who answered him very gravely, that he should have justice done him, but for that purpose he must wait for the gun powder harvest, his subjects having sown that commodity by the advice of his countryman; that he might believe upon the word of a sovereign, that after the harvest was over, he would order a general hunt; and that all the skins of wild beasts that would be taken should be given him in return for the important secret which the other Frenchman had taught them.

CHAPTER LXXX.

Hotspur's Soliloquy on the contents of a Letter.

1. "BUT for my own part, my lord, I could be well contented to be there, in respect of the love I bear your house." He could be contented to be there! Why is he not then? In respect of the love he bears your house; he shows in this, he loves his own barn better than he loves your house. Let me see some more, "The purpose you undertake is dangerous." Why that's certain; 'tis dangerous to take a cold, to sleep, to drink; but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower safety. "The purpose you undertake is dangerous; the friends you have named uncertain; the time itself unsorted; and the whole plot too light for the counterpoise of so great an opposition." Say you so, say you so? I say unto you again, you are a shallow cowardly hind, and you lie. What a lack-brain is this! our plot is good plot as ever was laid; our friends true and constant ; a good plot, good friends, and full of expectation; an excellent plot; very good friends. What a frosty spirited rogue is this! Why my lord of York commends the plot, and the general course of the action. By this hand, if I were now by this rascal, I could brain him with his lady's fan. Is there not my father, my uncle, and myself; lord Edmund Mortimer, my lord of York, and Owen Glendower? Is there not, besides, the Douglas? Have I not

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