The Consolidator; or, Memoirs of Sundry Transactions from the World in the Moon — John Shaqi
The Consolidator; or, Memoirs of Sundry Transactions from the World in the MoonDefoe, Daniel
Science
The Consolidator; or, Memoirs of Sundry Transactions from the World in the Moon
Defoe, Daniel
Fantasy fiction; Interplanetary voyages -- Fiction; Moon -- Fiction; Political fiction; Satire
I found them at War with one of the greatest Monarchs of the Lunar
World, and at the same time miserably rent and torn, mangl'd and
disorder'd among themselves.
As soon as I observ'd the Political posture of their Affairs, (for
here a Man sees things mighty soon by the helps of such a Masterly
Eye-sight as I have mention'd) and remembring what is said for our
Instruction, That a Kingdom divided against its self cannot stand; I
ask'd the Old Gentleman if he had any Estate in that Country? He told
me, no great matter; but ask'd me why I put that Question to him?
Because, said I, if this People go on fighting and snarling at all
the World, and one among another in this manner, they will certainly
be Ruin'd and Undone, either subdu'd by some more powerful Neighbour;
whilst one Party will stand still and see the t'others Throat cut,
tho' their own Turn immediately follows, or else they will destroy
and devour one another. Therefore I told him I would have him Turn
his Estate into Money, and go some where else; or go back to the
other World with me.
No, no, reply'd the Old Man, I am in no such Fear at this Time, the
Scale of Affairs is very lately chang'd here, says he, in but a very
few Years.
I know nothing of that, said I, but I am sure there never was but
one spot of Ground in that World which I came from, that was divided
like them, and that's that very Country I liv'd in. Here are three
Kingdoms of you in one spot, said I, One has already been Conquer'd
and Subdu'd, the t'other suppres'd its Native lnhabitants, and
planted it with her own, and now carries it with so high a Hand over
them of her own Breed, that she limits their Trade, stops their
Ports, when the Inhabitants have made their Manufactures, these wont
give them leave to send them abroad, impose Laws upon them, refuse to
alter and amend those they would make for themselves, make them pay
Customs, Excises, and Taxes, and yet pay the Garrisons and Guards
that defend them, themselves; Press their Inhabitants to their
Fleets, and carry away their Old Veteran Troops that should defend
them, and leave them to raise more to be serv'd in the same manner,
will let none of their Mony be carry'd over thither, nor let them
Coin any of their own; and a great many such hardships they suffer
under the Hand of this Nation as meer Slaves and Conquer'd People,
tho' the greatest part of the Traders are the People of the very
Nation that treats 'em thus.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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