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
_Cambara_ and _Spelek_ are the two next Provinces. The Natives are all
Limes. But in this they differ, that the former seldom live beyond
the Age of four Years, whereas the others seldom fall short of four
hundred. Here you might see Fathers, Grandfathers, Great Grandfathers,
and so on; they would tell you old Stories and Adventures of their own
that happen’d Ages ago, and by their lively Representations make you
think you was almost present at them. As much as I pity’d the first, I
envy’d the last. But after I had more inly examin’d the State of both,
I found my Error. In _Cambara_ every one, within a few Months after
their Nativity, arriv’d to their full Maturity of Body and Mind. One
Year was enough to form and perfect them; in the rest they prepar’d
for Death. Not _Plato_’s self could have imagin’d a more charming
Republick; here all the Virtues flourish’d to Perfection. Being hourly
convinc’d of the Shortness of Life, they are always ready for Death,
and regard this Life only as a Passage to a better. We may imagine
every one of them a Philosopher, who with a happy Indifference to his
present State, aims only at securing that solid and durable Pleasure,
which is the Reward of Virtue and Piety. In a Word, this seem’d to be
the Abode of Angels, the Kingdom of Saints, and the truest School of
Wisdom and Virtue. Hence one may judge how unjust their Murmurs are,
who complain of the Brevity of Life, making it the Foundation of a
Quarrel at their Maker. Our Life is short, because we lose the greatest
Part in Sloth and Pleasure; it would be long enough if our Time were
better employ’d. But in the other Region, where Life is lengthen’d
to four hundred Years, I discover’d all the Vices under Heaven. The
present State of Things they look upon as eternal and immortal.
_Hinc fugere pudor, verumque, fidesque & honestum:
In quorum subiere locum dolus insidiæque._
There was also another Inconvenience resulting from long Life. Those
who had unhappily lost their Estate or Fortunes, those who were maim’d
in their Limbs, or were fallen into incurable Diseases, made the most
piercing Complaints, and knowing no End to their Miseries, often laid
violent Hands on themselves. The Shortness of Life, therefore, is to
the Wretched the best of Remedies. Both these Countries afforded me
Matter of much Admiration, and upon my Departure fill’d me with very
philosophical Reflexions.
I pursued my Journey thro’ certain desert and rocky Places, which lead
to _Spalank_, or the Country of Innocence. This Place is so call’d
from the Innocence and peaceful Humour of the Natives. These are all
Beeches, and esteem’d the happiest of the whole Creation. They are
subject to no Passions and Affections, and consequently free from all
Vices.
_Sponte sua, sine lege, fidem rectumque colebant;
Pœna metusque aberant, &c._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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