A journey to the world under-groundHolberg, Ludvig
Science
A journey to the world under-ground
Holberg, Ludvig
Utopias -- Early works to 1800; Voyages, Imaginary -- Early works to 1800
_Nicholas Klimius_ lived to the Year 1695. He was belov’d and esteem’d
for the Sobriety of his Life, and the Purity of his Manners. The Rector
however was now and then displeas’d at his excessive Gravity, which
he thought proceeded from Pride. But I, who knew the Man, and knew
his History, rather wonder’d at his exemplary Modesty and Patience,
who from the Government of so many Kingdoms, could humbly accomodate
himself to such an Employment. However, with other Men, to whom his
amazing Metamorphosis was unknown, he could not altogether escape the
Charge of Pride. It was his Custom, at certain Times of the Year, while
his Strength permitted him, to ascend the old Mountain, and take an
earnest View of the famous Cavern. His Friends observ’d, that he always
return’d from thence with his Eyes swoln, and his Face all bath’d
in Tears; that he would afterwards shut himself up whole Days in his
Study, and seem’d to shun the Conversation of Mankind. His Wife also
assured me, that he would often talk in his Sleep, about Land Armies
and Forces at Sea. This Absence of Mind went so far once, as to give
Orders for the Governor of _Bergen_ to come immediately before him.
His Spouse imagin’d these Disorders of his Brain proceeded from an
excessive Application to his Studies. His Library consisted chiefly of
political Books, and as such a Choice but ill agreed with the Office of
a Curate, he could not avoid some Censures upon that Head. He himself
wrote his own Adventures, and his Manuscript, which is the only one in
Being, is at present in my Custody. Tho’ I always intended it for the
Press, yet I have hitherto been hinder’d from publishing it by very
important Reasons.
_FINIS._
Transcriber’s Notes:
• Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
• Text enclosed by pluses is in small caps (+small caps+).
• Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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