The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-WorldNewcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Science
The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Science fiction; Utopias -- Fiction; Voyages, Imaginary -- Early works to 1800
The Empress was very well satisfied with this proposal, and having thus
imployed these two sorts of men, in the mean while builded two Chappels
one above another; the one she lined throughout with Diamonds, both
Roof, Walls and Pillars; but the other she resolved to line with the
Star-stone; the Fire- stone she placed upon the Diamond-lining, by
reason Fire has no power on Diamonds; and when she would have that
Chappel where the Fire-stone was, appear all in flame, she had by the
means of Artificial pipes, water conveighed into it, which by turning
the Cock, did, as out of a Fountain, spring over all the room, and as
long as the Fire-stone was wet, the Chappel seemed to be all in a
flaming-fire.
The other Chappel, which was lined with the Star- stone, did onely cast
a splendorous and comfortable light; both the Chappels stood upon
Pillars, just in the middle of a round Cloyster, which was dark as
night; neither was there any other light within them, but what came from
the Fire- and Star-stone; and being every where open, allowed to all
that were within the compass of the Cloyster, a free prospect into them;
besides, they were so artificially contrived, that they did both move in
a Circle about their own Centres, without intermission, contrary ways.
In the Chappel which was lined with the Fire-stone, the Empress preached
Sermons of Terror to the wicked, and told them of the punishments for
their sins, to wit, That after this life they should be tormented in an
everlasting Fire. But in the other Chappel lined with the Star- stone,
she preached Sermons of Comfort to those that repented of their sins,
and were troubled at their own wickedness: Neither did the heat of the
flame in the least hinder her; for the Fire-stone did not cast so great
a heat but the Empress was able to endure it, by reason the water which
was poured on the Stone, by its own self-motion turned into a
flaming-fire, occasioned by the natural motions of the Stone, which made
the flame weaker then if it had been fed by some other kind of fuel; the
other Chappel where the Star-Stone was, although it did cast a great
light, yet was it without all heat, and the Empress appear'd like an
Angel in it; and as that Chappel was an embleme of Hell, so this was an
embleme of Heaven. And thus the Empress, by Art, and her own Ingenuity,
did not onely convert the Blazing-World to her own Religion, but kept
them in a constant belief, without inforcement or blood-shed; for she
knew well, that belief was a thing not to be forced or pressed upon the
people, but to be instilled into their minds by gentle perswasions; and
after this manner she encouraged them also in all other duties and
employments: for Fear, though it makes people obey, yet does it not last
so long, nor is it so sure a means to keep them to their duties, as Love.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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