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
From this Land of Atheists, I travell’d on over a steep Mountain to
the City of _Bracmat_, which was situated in the Plain at the Foot of
the Mountain. The Inhabitants are Junipers. The first Person I met,
came directly rushing at me, and threw me backwards. I did not well
understand this, and asking the Reason of it, the Juniper begg’d my
Pardon a thousand Times. Presently after, another with a Staff he had
in his Hand, gave me a Blow upon the Reins that almost took away my
Senses: But in the same Moment he made a long Harangue to me in Excuse
of his Imprudence. Suspecting, therefore, this People to be either
totally blind, or very weak-sighted, I took Care to avoid every one I
met. In fact, all this arose from the exquisite Sense of Sight which
some are here endued with. They can clearly discern remote Objects,
which are impenetrable to vulgar Eyes; but then they do not see what
is nearer and almost at hand. These are call’d _Makatti_; and they
devote themselves principally to the Studies of Metaphysicks and
Astronomy. They are of very little Service in the World, by reason of
their too delicate Vision. They make very pretty _minute Philosophers_;
but in solid Matters and Things of daily Use, they commit innumerable
Blunders. However, the Government makes some Use of them, and sends
them to the Mines for the Discovery of Metals. For tho’ they see scarce
any Thing upon the Surface of the Earth, their Sight exerts itself upon
any Thing beneath it. I concluded from hence, that there are some who
are blind from too great a Delicacy in the Organs of Vision, and that
they would see better if their Eyes were worse.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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