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
The next Province I arriv’d at, was that of _Nakir_; the Capital of
which is a fine, large City of the same Name. I cannot say much of
this Place, because I pass’d with the utmost Haste thro’ the Countries
adjoining to that I lately left, and long’d to be among People less
philosophically, and especially less anatomically given. For such a
Terror had seiz’d me, that I could not help asking every one I met,
whether he were a Philosopher; and even in my Dreams, the Carcases
and Instruments of Dissection still swam before me. The Natives of
_Nakir_ were very courteous; for every one I met offer’d me his Service
unask’d, with long Attestations of his Honour and Honesty. I thought
this very ridiculous, since I suspected none of them, nor call’d their
Integrity in Question. I express’d my Wonder at these Compliments, and
observ’d, that I could not conceive to what Purpose they were made; at
which they only renew’d their Protestations of Service with a thousand
Oaths. Leaving this Place, I overtook a Traveller bending beneath
the Weight of his Burden. Seeing me, he stopt, and enquir’d whence I
came. When I told him I had pass’d thro’ the Province of _Nakir_, he
congratulated me upon my Escape, assuring me, that the Inhabitants were
a People famous for their Skill in Tricking, and hardly a Traveller
pass’d, but was their Prey. I answer’d, If their Actions at all
corresponded with their Words, they must be People of the greatest
Honour, of which every one boasted extremely, and assur’d me of it with
a Multitude of Execrations. The Stranger smiling at these Words, _Take
Care_, says he, _of those who trumpet their own Virtues, and especially
of those who readily send themselves to the Devil to convince you_.
That Piece of Advice I bury’d deep in my Mind, and I have since
experienc’d that my Adviser had Reason.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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