mm •^ ■■r \ THE TRAVELS O F HILDEBRAND BOWMAN, E S CLU I R E, Into Carnovirria, Taupiniera, Olfacta- RiA, and AuDiTANTE, in New-Zealand 5 in the Ifland of Bonhommica, and in the power- ful Kingdom of Luxo-volupto, on the Great Southern Continent. WRITTEN by HIMSELF5 Who went on fhore in the Adventure's large Cutter, at Queen Charlotte's Sound New-Zealand, the fatal 17th of December 1773; and efcaped being cut off, and devoured, with the rell of the Boat's crew, by happen- ing to be a-Ihooting In the woods ; where he was after- wards unfortunately left behind by the Adventure. An ApBy and Savage (cavil allyou can)^ Differ not more, than Man compared vuith Man, ANONywous* LONDON: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadsil, in the Strand. 1778, T O JOSEPH BANKS, Efq. AND DANIEL CHARLES SOLANDER, M. D. LL. D. Gentlemen, 1 ADDRESS thefe Travels to you, as the beft judges of the veracity of fome part of them ; and as my friend Omai was indebted to your friendftiip and protection (before you could pof- fibly difcover his intrinfic merit), to the grateful remembrance of favours received in his native country ; I flat- ter myfelf, you will not refufe your Patronage to one, who was adopted into a Nation, with whom you held A 2 a friendly W DEDICATION. a "friendly intercourfe in the Southern Hemijphere^ becaufe he was born in England. The inhabit?nts of great part of Neiv-Zealandy are certainly much lefs civilifed than thofe of Otaheite and the other Paphian Ifles ; but had you been fortunate enough to have fallen in with the Audit ant'ine coaft, and could have converfed with the natives, I make no doubt but the fair Shepher-- dejfes of that country, would have rivalled your favourite charmers^ with this advantage, they fcorn all pil- fcringy but that of hearts. Should Government think proper to fend any Jljips to cultivate frtendjhip and commerce with the Nations I have difcovered, and I am honoured with the command of one of them, no- thing DEDICATION. v thing could add fo much to my fa- tisfadlion on that event, as the com- pany of two Gentlemen^ who have fet fo laudable an example to all the European Literati, of braving the greateft dangers in the purfuit of ufeful knowledge. J I have the honour to be, with pro- found refpeft, Gentlemen, Your moft devoted, humble Servant, St. Alban''s-Street, March, 20th, 1778, HILDEBRAND BOWMAN. lA A CARD. jyj[R. Bowman prefents his refpeft- ful compliments to the Public^ and hopes they will not expedl from one of his education and profeflion, purity of ftyle, or corre(9:nefs of com- pofition. To thefe pleafing and ele- gant parts of ivritingy thefe high finiftiings, he makes no pretenfion; but in this Narrative^ contents him- felf with a fimple relation of fadls; valuable only for an inviolable ad- herence to truthy without difguife and without ornament. He flatters himfelf, fome allow- ances will be made for the Plates^ when it is obferved, that they were draivn and etched by himfelf. His talents yiii A C A R D. talents in Befign (though ufeful to him in his Travels)^ he is confcious are below mediocrity ; and that thefe fpecimens now publifhed, require an apology for their appearance in this country at prefent, when it abounds with excellent Artifts, What he begs leave to fay in excufe is, that one of moderate abilities in the art, might poflibly reprefent a fcene, in which he had been interefted, either as ^fpec- tator or adlor, with more truths than another of fuperior merit could be able to do, only from meer defcrip- tion. THE CONTENT S< C H A p. I. ^T'HE Author'* s hirth^ and education. His entering into the Navy. Ad^ mitted on hoard the Adventure as a Mid- Jhipman. Voyage to the South- Se as m Vifits NeW'Zealandy Outaheite^ and other IJlands, The Adventure feparated from the Refohtion, Returns toNew-Zealand, ijuhere the large Cutter and her Crew are cut off by the Cannibals* The Author efcapes^ and after wandering long in fear ch of the Ship ^ fees her under fail ^ and out of his reach. Gets a-crofs a Strait in a Canoe ^ into the Country of theTaupini-- erans. Page i CHAP. X CONTENTS. CHAP. IL The miferabk condition of the Author in Taupiniera. An account of that extra^ ordinary People. Page 40 CHAP. III. Arrives in Olfaclaria. Is adopted by that Nation. Marries. Irruption of the Car^ wuirrlans, Conchfion of that War^ The Author eleiled a Chief of the Third. Second^ and Fitji Orders. His ammnni^ tion exhaiified^ and he in fear of being de^ graded^ from his want of pra£lice ivith their 'weapons^ as ijuell as of a nofe. Gets the command of a large Canoe going to Auditante^ to exchange their IS kins. Arrives at Scrip ante. 78 CHAP. CONTENTS. xj CHAP. IV. Seripante a Factory of Bonhommican Mer^ chants. The Author and his Collegiies live at their houfes. Very fair Traders. Vifit the Tents of the Natives. He learns in a fioort time the Bonhommican and Au^ ditantine languages. Makes afpeech to the OlfaBarian Chiefs at taking leave of them. By invitation lives fometime at a Horde of the Audit antines. Falls in love. Lucky difcovery vohich cures him of it. The Fleet from Ludorow arrives. The Fair held in confequence of it. The Author embarks in it^ on its return. Arrives at Ludoroiv. Page 1 17 CHAP. V. ^he Author invited to reftde ivith a near relation of his friend at Seripante. By the means of him^ and others to ivhom he had xii CONTENTS. had letters^ he is prefented to the Lord Admiral^ to the Lord Treafurer^ and at laji to the ^leen. She fettles a penfion on him. He confers ivith Officers^ Aflrono-- viersy Surveyors^ Fhyftcians^ and M^- chanicSi on the means of introducing the Engliflo improvements into the Bonhom- mican Navy. He is appointed a Pofl Captain^ and is to command a Jhip of forty guns (going to the fouthern con- tinents), under a Commodore, Has the fitting her out in the Englifh manner* She is 7nuch admired. The ^een dines on board of her. They fail for IjUxo-^ volupto. Arrive fofely at Mirovolante. Page 165 CHAP. VI. A Defcription of the I/land of Bonhonu mica and its Inhabitants, Their Moral Soifg. CONTENTS. xiii Senfe. Manners. CuJlGms. Laivs. Go' njernment* Religion^ <^'C. <^'c* Page 210 ' |J H A P. VII. The Commanders of the Ships of War invited to lie at the Merchants houfes of the Bonhom^nican Faflory at Miro^ volante. Of the pretended Juperiority of the Luxo-'voluptans in the fenfe of Tajie* Commonnefs of Wheel Carriages in Miro- 'volante. A ivonderful Stigma on failures in Chajlity of both fexes. Sees Garrim^ ondy a famous ASlor^ in one of Avon" fwans Plays, "The Commanders introduced at Court 4 The Author fought after by the Nobility as coming from a far country. Balls, Routs. Concerts. A Mafque- rade. Moraveres taken ill. Practice of Phyfic. State of Luxo-volupto, and neighbouring Kingdoms. The Bvnhom-^ mican t x> C O N r E N I' s. micaji failors mohhed on a rejoicing night for the eleclion of a Patriot. Page 253 CHAP. VIII. Law. A Criminal Trial. Some account of the Country. Miro^njolante. Army^ Fleet. Manufaciures. Court. Drefs. Language. Learning. Hofpitals. Sum^ mer Amufements. Sunwier Theatre* Ron- delleva. Fairy Hall. Horfe Race, 320 CHAP. IX. Every thing prepared for failing. Take leave at Court ; and of our Friends* Sail vuith a fair vuind. Speak vuith fome Armoferian Privateers. A Storm. Meet vuith a Dutch Frigate. The Cap^ tain of her gives the Author a pajfage to Batavia. Tender parting with Mo^ raveres. CONTENTS. XV raveres. His friendly behaviour to the Author ; and humanity to the Dutch Creiv, The Scurvy abates on board the Harlem Frigate^ from the ufe of Malt and other things Moraveres fpared them. Arrives at Batavia. Sent for by the Governor and Council^ to interrogate him concerning the I/land of Bonhommica. Ships fitted out for that difcovery. The Author falls ficky but recovers. Sails to the Cape in a Dutch Indiaman, Gets apajfage home in an Englijh one. Ar- rives in Old England. Page 372 THE E R R A T il. Pagi 173- line 8. read opulence. 239. line 17. read Anjouvlni. 266. line 19. read would, do. 27?. line 19. dele are. 328. line 18. for or read of. 346. line 2. read in a medium, , / A THE TRAVELS O F Hildebrand Bowman, Efq. CHAP. I. The Author* s birth^ and education. His en- tering into the Navy. Admitted on hoard the Adventure as a MidJJjipman, Voyage to the fouth Seas. Vijits Neiv Zealand^ Otaheite^ and other IJlands, The Ad- njenture feparated from the Refolution. Returns, to Nevu Zealand^ where the large Cutter and her Creiv are cut off by the Cannibals. The Author efcapes^ and after wandering long in fearch of the fhipy fees her under faiU and out of his reach. Gets acrofs a Strait in a Canoe, into the Country of the Taupinierans. I Was born in Holdernefs, a diftridl of Yorkftiire, near the Borough of Heyden -, of which my Father was B a free- 2 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. a freeman. He was a man of great probity and induftry in bufinefs, and had acquired a competent fortune by farming, A confiderable farm of Squire Conftable's, and a fmaller of his own inheritance, were occupied by him. His family was large; confifling offourfons,and three daughters: of all of us he was equally fond, and fpar- ed no money on our education, accord- ing to his notions of things. I w^as the third of his fons in order of birth, and we were all taught to read Englifh by our Mother, who was a very pious worthy woman. My Father alfo fome- times heard us fay our leffons, and in- ftilled early into our minds, the love of honefty and truth. Thefe repeated inftiu6lions of his, made a deep im- preffion on mine ; to fo great a de- gree, that I have always fcrupuloufly adhered to truth, even in the moft in- different matters. When BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 3 When I was eight years old, my Father fent my brother James (who was a year older) and me, to Pock- lington grammar-fchool, which was then in confiderable reputation in that country. I foon became a kind of fa- vourite, both of the Mailer and the Uflier's, from my good behaviour; not that I wanted fprightlinefs, or was not fometimes caught in unlucky tricks, like others of my age, but they were generally overlooked, as they never found me deviating from truth. But what greatly contributed alfo to it was, that I had a great facility in learning languages, and confequently was, what is called, a good fcholar. This talent has been of great advan- tage to me in my travels. I was taken from fchool at fifteen years old, having gone through that part of my education with fome ap- B 2 plaufe J 4 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. plan Ce ; and my Father defired me to con- fider maturely, what way of life would be moft agreeable to my inclinations ; as he was refolved to indulge his children in every thing which would not tend to their own detriment. Having been born within a few miles of Hull, a confiderable fea-port ; and by that means having frequent oppor- tunities of feeing fhips of all kinds ; as well as of hearing of the different countries to which they traded; I con- ceived an early partiality for that way of life, which was ftrengthened and confirmed by reading books of Voya- ges and Travels^ whenever I could meet with them. When I made this known to my Father, he did not oppofe it ; but as boys often conceive very falfe and inadequate notions of things, he refolved to fend me a fhort voyage by way of trial, before my deflination was BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 5 was abfolutely fixed. A fhip was going from Hull to the whale filliery ; and, at my defire, that voyage was fixed on. And as there remained five or fix months to be difpofed of before fhe would fail, I was fent to that town to learn Mathematicks, Navigation, the French language. Dancing, and Draw- ing. Having a good ear and being fond of mufic, I alfo made fome proficiency on the German Flute. My voyage to Greenland was very far from putting me out of conceit with a fea-life, and my Father had fome thoughts of binding me apprentice to a Mafter of a fliipof his acquaintance at Hull. But fome of his friends re- prefented to him, that having fuch a friend in the Navy as the worthy member for Heyden, Sir Charles Saun- ders, it would be a pity to flint the boy's genius, who probably might B 3 make 6 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. make a figure in the King's fervice, and become an Admiral himfelf in time. This pleafed my little ambition too much, not to prefs my Father to confent ; who, unwilling to baulk me in what was no way blameabte, wrote to Sir Charles concerning it ; defiring, if he approved of the fcheme, to favour him with his intereft in pla- cing me properly. He received an an- fwer in ten days, defiring I might be immediately fent to London, as he approved of my going into his Majef- ty's fervice. When I waited on him, he afked me a great many queftions, with a defign I fuppofe to try my geni- us ; and feemed pleafed with my an- fwers. It being at that time a profound peace in the weftern parts of Europe, few fliips of war were in commiflion, and it required good intereft to pro- cure a birth. But he very foon in- formed BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 7 formed me, that Captain Narbury, of the frigate Mermaid, had promifed him to admit me on his quarter-deck, and defired me to wait on him with his compliments, and acquaint him that I was the young man he had men- tioned. The Captain received me ve- ry gracioufly, and faid, the Mermaid would fail in a month to Newfound- land, and therefore the fooner I went on board her at Portfmouth, the better. I made all difpatch poilible with ray little equipment for the voyage, and after having waited on Sir Charles to return him thanks, fet out for Portf- mouth. I continued two years on board this fhip ; every fummer we went to New- foundland, under the command of a Commodore, and returned by the end of November ; but as nothing particu- lar happened worth mentioning, I B 4 fhall Z BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. fliall pafs over thefe two voyages, taking notice only that I was very ci- villy treated by the Captain and the inferior officers. When I returned the fecond time, I had letters from home, acquainting me with the melancholy news of the death of my dear Mother, whom I ve-. ry lincerely lamented, as fhe juftly deferved. Though I was very happy on board the Mermaid, there was no variety in our voyages, and Sir Charles, when he knew my wifli to change into another fliip, very foon indulged me. I was rated midfliip- man on board the Fox, Captain For- tefcue, going up the Mediterranean. Here I had an opportunity of feeing Marfeilles, Barcelona, Genoa, Leg-? horn, and Naples. I continued oa board her, till we came home in Au- tumn J 77 1. When we lay in Portf- mouth harbour, I heard a vaft deal of BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 9 pf Captain Cooke's voyage round the world in the Endeavour bark, accom- panied by Meffrs. Banks and Solander. The wonderful relations which were made concerning it, and the report of two fhips fitting out to proceed in the Spring under the fame commander on further difcoveries, occafioned in me an eager defire to make one of the adventurers. I got leave in the winter for a month to fee my friends; and when at home, could not be eafy in my mind till I mentioned it to my Father, and afked his leave to apply to Sir Charles to get me a birth in one of them. I found him very averfe to fo long and unufual a voyage, but finding me fo much bent on it, he at laft reluc5lantly complied. Had my dear Mother been alive, I believe flie never would have been prevailed on to give her confent. Sir 50 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. Sir Charles Saunders, when applied to, entered warmly into the affair, applauding my fpirit ; for none knew better than he, the dangers and fa- tigues of fuch a voyage. Through his intereft I was again rated Midftiip- man on board the Adventure, Captain Furneaux, and was made infinitely happy ; little foreseeing the many diftreiTes and hardfliips which were in llore for me. Of this voyage I Ihall give but a ve- ry fliort abftraft, and that only during the time I was on board tlie Adven- ture; leaving the reader to receive further information, from the well wrote and candid relation of it, given to the Public by Captain Cooke. The Refolution and Adventure fail- ed from Plymouth Sound on the 13th of July 1772, and anchored in Fun- chiale road in the ifland of Madeira the BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. n the 29th. Here we took on board a fufficient quantity of wine ; and left it Auguft ift. Not having water enough to carry us to the Cape of Good Hope, Captain Cooke thought proper to put into Port Praya in the ifland of St. Jago on the loth ; where we flayed till the 14th ; and, on the 30th of Oftober, came to an anchor in Table Bay, Here we took in bread, fpirits, and other necelTaries ; and failed from the Cape of Good Hope the 22d of No- vember, in fearch of a fouthern con- tinent. We now flood to high fouth- ern latitudes, where nothing was to be feen but iflands of ice, and fea birds ; the former, however, or rather the loofe ice, fupplied us with excellent frefli water, after the external part had drained off. In this manner, and as far fouth as the i^ce would give us leave, It BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. leave, did we furround one half of the fouchern hemifphere withoAit fee- ing any continent. We feparated from the Refolution in a gale of wind, on February 9th, 1773, and got into Queen Charlotte's Sound in New Zea- land April the loth, where the Refo- lution joined us May i8th. Both fliips had been 117 days without feeing land, and had failed 3660 leagues. Win- ter now beginning, we failed from New Zealand June 7th, and arri- ved at Otaheite Auguft i6th; where we were in great danger of running tipon a reef of rocks, and the Adven- venture loft three anchors irrecovera- bly, the Refolution being more fortu- nate. At this, and the neighbouring i- flands, we continued till September 17th, getting all the frefh provifions we poffibly could, wooding and wa- tering. BOWMAN'S TRAVELS, 13 tering. During this time Captain Furneaux took on board a native of Ulietea called Omai. From Ulietea we fleered to the Friendly Iflands, and arrived at that of Amfterdam Odtober 3d. On the 7th, failed toward New Zealand, and on the 30th, were again feparated from the Refolution in a gale of wind. We were not able to fetch Queen Charlotte's Sound, but were obliged to anchor, November the 9th, in Tolaga Bay; and on the 30th, got at laft into Charlotte Sound in New Zealand. There Captain Furneaux found, by a letter Captain Cooke had left for him, in a corked bottle hid under ground, with direc- tions to dig for it, that the Refolu- tion had been there, and failed on the 24th. We immediately fet about get- ting the fliip ready for fea ; and by the 17th of December flie was fo. That 14 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. That day Captain Furneaux fent Mr. Rowe and Mr. Woodhoufc, Midfliip- men, with eight of his befl hands, on fliore, in The large cutter, to gather •wild greens, fueh as cellery and fcur- vy-grafs, to carry to fea with us. I being a keen fportfman, begged leave to go with them, to try if I could meet with any game ; which being grant- ed, I took a fufee with me, and fuf- ficient ammunition, both ball and fmall fhot; with fome baubles to trade with the natives, if I met with any. I know not by what miftake Captain Furneaux, in his letter to Captain Cooke, which he left for him at the Cape, makes no mention of my being in the cutter. It proved, however, a happy one ; for tho' my family have been in the greateft anxiety about my fate, they had no apprehenfions of my being devour- ed by creatures of my own fpecies. The BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 15 the cutter firfl went to Eaft Bay ; but what was wanted not being in plenty there, we proceeded to Grafs Cove, where there was abundance. While the men were employed in gathering them, I walked into the woods, to try if I could meet with any game ; not having the leaft fuf- picionof an attack from the natives. My fport happened to cany me far- ther from our men than I intended ; and I was greatly alarmed with the report of fome mufket fliot from that quarter. I immediately ran full fpeed to their affiftance ; but before I got half-way, the firing ceafed ; and a horrid fcream was fet up, w^hich could only come from the favages ; and feemed not of diftrefs, but vic- tory. This flopped my career, and made felf-prefervation appear a ne- cefTary i5 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS ceffary duty. I therefore proceeded with caution towards the place ; re- folving, if poffible, to keep myfelf tinfeen, by the covert of the woods, ■while I explored the fcene of adlion. But, good God! what a horrid fpeftacle appeared ! all our men lying dead on the place, and furrounded by fome hundreds of favages, of both fexes and of all ages. 1 was at firft tempt- ed to fire among them ; but confider- ing that by fo doing I fliould put them on fearching for me, and it would be impoflible to efcape, I reflrained my refentment ; but continued fome- time longer in my lurking-place, to obferve their adtions. But how fliall I relate the horrid feaft which was prepared for that multitude ? the fire was kindled, and the mangled limbs of my poor countrymen and fhip- mates, were put on it to broil for 5 their IN carnovirria; 17 their unnatural repaft ; nay even fome parts I faw devoured. I could Hand it no longer, horror feized me ! my whole frame was in the moft dreadful tremour ! and fcarcely able to fupport me in withdrawing into the woods : I ftaggered about without knowing what I did, or meant to do ; excepting only the getting at a dif- tance from thofe vile cannibals. By degrees as I efFedled that, my ftrength and fpirits gradually recover- ed themfelves j but flill in great agi- tation of mind, I prefTed forward with all my fpeed, iiftening to the leafl noife made by the wind among the trees ; and often looking back to fee if I was notpurfued. When I had got four or five miles from the fatal place, I began to con- fider how my getting back to the Ad- C venture i8 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS venture was to be efFedled. Having come from her by water, I had given little attention to the courfe of the country; and the hurry of fpirits I had been in, together with the thick- nefs of the woods, made me utterly at a lofs which way to direft my fleps. After reflefting for fome time on what courfe I was to take, while I refted myfelf a little; the neceflity of making an attempt to find her out, determined me to take the line of direction (for road or path there was none) which feemed moft pro- bable to lead me to Charlotte Sound. This I did with lefs hurry and more compofure than before; but with a very heavy heart; confidering the danger I run from the favages, the uncertainty of finding the ihip, and the want of necefi^ary fubfiftence in that dreary defart. Having purfued this IN CA'RNOViRRIA. 19 this refolution for fome hours, and greatly fatigued, night came on; which called my attention, how it was to be pafled in greateft fafety from favage beafts (if any there were), or ftill more fa:vage men. My deliberation was of fhort continuance ; a tree prefented itfelf to my view with thick fpreading branches, which pro- mifed at leaft to preferve me from the former. I climbed up into it, and feated myfelf as commodioufly as the nature of the place would admit ; but fuch a dreary melancholy night, fure no mortal ever paflTed- The fliocking fcene was always prefent to my ima- gination ; nor could I help reflecfting on myfelf for the foolifli ardour I had conceived for making this voyage ; which was in fome meafure contrary to my Father's inclinations. Thefe and fimilar refleftions hindered me C 2 from 20 BOWMAN*s TRAVELS from clofing my eyes the whole night; and when day appeared, it brought me but fmall comfort. The necellity of my fituation, however, roufed me to new exertions for finding out the Ad- venture ; and, by putting my confi- dence in an all-feeing Providence, my refolution was wonderfully fupport- ed. My hunger this day became very craving ; and tho' there were birds fly- ing about in great numbers, I was afraid the report of my gun, or the lighting of a fire might difcover me. I therefore contented myfelf with nuts, berries, wild celery, and fern roots, which I found in the woods; venturing rather to run the rifk of their being unwholefome, than to incur tlie other more immi- nent danger. I had yefterday charg- ed my piece with ball, and kept con- ftantly IN CARNOVIRRIA. %i ftantly on my guard, but was refolv- ed not to fire but on the utmoft necef- fity of felf-defence ; and happily during this whole day, tho' I faw fome favages roaming about (probably in fearch of game), yet I was not obferv- ed by them. Notwithftanding the unevennefs of the ground, the thick underwood I had often to force my way through, and flender diet ; by my computation I muft that day have travelled fevcn- teen or eighteen miles ; and perhaps was not nearer the (hip, than when I ftt out. Thus greatly fatigued, and very difconfolate, I again took up my lodgings for the night on a tree ; but paflTed it more agreeably than the pre- ceding one. For kind fleep came to my relief, and for a time lulled my cares ; but even that w^s not without alloy, for the fame idea which, a- C 3 wake, 12 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS wake, affec5led me fo much, was pre- fented to me in my dreams. Much refreflied, I proceeded the third day on the fame (as I feared) fruitlefs pur- fuit as before, keeping the line of di- reftion I had hitherto followed, no reafon appearing to me for altering it. My fuccefs that morning in pro- curing nourifhment being very bad, about noon my hunger became in- tolerable ; and to fuch a degree vio- lent, than it even got the better of my fear of the favages. I was be- fides tempted with the fight of birds flying round me, without being a- larmed at the human form -, and was on the brink of a pure running ftream to allay my thirft. I could refifl: no longer, but drawing the ball, charg- ed with fmall fliot, and let drive amongft them; three fell dead on the JN CARNOVIRRIA. 23 the ground, which were a kind of wood pigeons. My piece was imme- diately charged again with ball ; and then I kindled a fire with fome dry leaves and bits of flicks ; my birds were foon pulled, gutted and broiled. It was happy for me that I had load- ed again, for fcarcely had I voraci- oufly devoured two of them, when I perceived two of the natives coming fiercely upon me with fpears in their hands (being led to feek me out by the report of the gun, or the fight of the fire). I own that horror feiz- ed me at the fight of them, and fcarcely doubting of fliaring the fate of my fhip-mates, I got prefently on my legs, and cocked my piece 5 my courage recovered itfelf fomewhat, and I flood ready to receive them. When they got within twenty yards of me I fired, and brought one of C 4 them 14 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS them to the ground ; had the other rufhed in upon me before I could charge, I was undone; but he im- mediately fled, which eafed me of my fears. I alfo quitted the place in no fmall trepidation from the narrow efcape I had made. When I had got to fome diftance from the place, and had in a great meafure recovered my- felf ; the neceffity into which I had been brought of killing a human creature, gave me a good deal of con- cern. But when I confidered that by all laws, human and divine, felf- defence is allowed of; my mind was perfedly at eafe on that fcore. This train of thought led me to confider, the v/ide diflFerence there is, in the manners and ways of thinking of dif- ferent human beings. In nothing more remarkable than what I had l:)eheld thefe favages guilty of, the devouring IN CARNOVIRRIA. 25 devouring their own fpecies j which all civilized nations hold in the ut- moft deteftation ; and even believe it an innate principle in our natures. I then concluded with myfelf, as that was not one, there was no fuch thing ; but education and habit was all in all j and had I been born in that part of New Zealand, I moft certainly fhould have been a can- nibal. This ferved, in fome meafure, to foften my refentment againft thefe poor favages, tho' I was firm- ly refolved to Jceep out of their hands. Having neither feen nor heard any fierce animals, but only fuch ti- mid ones as a fpecies of deer, hares and foxes ; I ventured to lie this night on a dry fpot of ground, well co- vered with withered grafs, which I pulled and made a bed of, under a tree j 26 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS a tree ; which was quite luxury to what I had been ufed to. To give a minute and uninterefting journal of my peregrinations, and fubfiftence in the woods, in fearch of the Adventure, would be full of repetitions, and tirefome to the reader: I Ihall only therefore fay in general, that after feveral times changing my courfe, at laft, on the :23d of December, I found myfelf on the fide of Charlotte Sound, where ihe lay ; which I knew by certain marks -, but to my great mortifica^ tion, found her there no longer. I got up on the higheft ground near the fea, to look out for her ; and faw her under fail about a league off; Ihe having only failed that morn- ing, as the wind was fair and a ff^fh breeze ; fo that if I had come but IN carnovirria; c; but an hour fooner, I fliould have got on board. My fear of the fa- vages did not now prevent my fi- ring, and hanging out my hand- kerchief, fattened to the end of a long Hick, by way of fignal to the people on board the Adventure ; but they had not obferved it, as they kept on their way, and were foon at a great diftance. The hope of being able to join the Adventure, had hitherto fup* ported my fpirits; but when I faw her irretrievably gone, my heart funk into the moft abjedl defpon- dency. I fat motionlefs as a ftatue, eyeing her as fhe went from me, and death feemed, then, the moft defirable event that could befall me. While in this fituation of mind and body, I was alarmed with the hol- lowing of the natives at fome dif- tance 29 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS tance from me. I flarted up in a manner mechanically, to view where- abouts they were, and how I fliould make my efcape from them ; for though death would have been de- iirable, the being eat by men fliock- ed my nature, and I could not bear the thoughts of it. Fortunately they were not very near, and I had fuf- ficient time to make my efcape from them, on the contrary direftion to that from whence their voices came. Some philofophical reader will per- haps cry out here ; What was it to you, what became of your body af- ter your death, v^hether it was eat by worms or favages ? I grant it 5 but V^hen a ftrong impreffion is made on the imagination, a man cannot think philofophically. And I quef- tion whether ever a philofopher of them all, in my fituation, would not have tN CARNOVIRRIA. 19 have endeavoured to preferve his earthly part from the jaws of the cannibals. But to return to my travels. This alarm roufed me from my languid defpondency ; and I refolved, with the affiftance of a good providence, to ftruggle againfl: all diificulties with fortitude ; leaving the event to the all-difpofing will of the creator and preferver of all mankind. As I had now no farther bufinefs in that part of the country, and knew from charts, that New Zealand (as it is called by the Europeans) is a great extent of country, divided into iflands, lying contiguous to each other, and feparated by narrow feas ; I therefore refolved to explore fome other part of it, where perhaps men of more humanity might be found, than so BOWMAN^s TRAVELS than thofe I fo much feared and dc- tefted. I therefore turned my face weftward, and marched on with a good deal of fpirit, but with great caution. The hufbanding my amu- liition became now a matter of great concern, as I had not a great deal, and no poffibiUty of a fupply, but by what would make it unnecelTary. I refplved therefore never to fire, but upon an abfolute neceflity, either in felf-defence, or when fubfiftence could not otherwife be procured; and when I did, not to wafte my fliot on fmall birds, but always fire at large ones, deer or hares, thai w^ould fubfifl: me feveral days. As I had got near the fea, it ap- peared moft eligible to keep hold of the coaft ; but ftill a little way with- in the Ikirts of the woods. Five or fix IN CARNOVIRRIA. 3! fix days pafled, without any thing happening which was material; at the end of that time, the coaft tmn- ed a little to the left hand, as if it was going to form a Bay ; and in three days more, I could fee land on the other fide, but at a great dif- tance. As I proceeded on, the land Hill appeared nearer; until at lad it feemed not to be above four or five leagues over, at the place I then was, but widened again farther on. I concluded that to be therefore the narroweft part of that channel- As mortals know the prefent dan- ger and difagreeablenefs of their fituations, but what will happen by a change is wifely kept from them, they are always ready to grafp at any opportunity of freeing them- felves, from the burdens with whofe 7 weight 32 BOV/MAN's TRAVELS weight they are opprelTed. This was my cafe, I looked on the oppo- fite ftiore with defiring eyes, and hop- ed that if I could be conveyed thither,^ more hofpitable people might be, met with, whofe friendly intercourfe would make my life pafs more agree- ably y for the folitary ftate I was in was become almoft infupportable. The great inclination I had, to find fome means of paffing that ftrait, kept me near it ; and fet me on con- triving how it might be efFedled ; but as I had no better inftruments than a knife and hanger to cut down trees, or fafhion them afterwards in- to a raft or canoe, the thing appear- ed impoffible, or would at leaft be the labour of months. And how that could be carried on for fo long a time, without being difcovered, w^as not eafy to conceive. I met i^ C A R N O V I R R 1 A. 33 I met here with a delicacy, of which I had been always very fond 5 it was very fine oyfters ; there hap- pened to be a bed of them near the fliore, to which I had frequent re- courfe. One day, as I was going to vifit my hoard, as I thought it, a ca- noe with one of the natives in it, ftruck my eye-fight, and greatly furprifed me. My caution had be-^r come fo habitual, that 1 drew back, mechanically, out of his fight, and then confidered ferioufly, on what was to be done. Providence feejned to have provided this canoe for my efcape, as there was almoft a certain- ty of fhooting the owner, by ray tak- ing aim coolly from a reft. The mo- rality however of this adlion did not feem quite blamelefs, notwithftand- ing my unfortunate fituation j mur- D der 34 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS der and robbery appeared to me great crimes ; and probably too, of a man who had no concern in the deftruc- tion of my countrymen. I rejeded the idea, without being much tempt- ed to do otherwife ; refolving only to watch his motions, and obferve to what place he carried it. He loaded it with oyfters, and afterwards paddled it two or three miles along the coaft, where feveral women met him ; he then unloaded the canoe, and they carried the oyfters away in bafkets, very handfomely made. When that was done, he paddled it back again, ahd hid it in a fmall creek, not far from the oyfter bank ; which was very thick of under-wood, and de- parted. Though I fcrupled fliooting the favage, and robbing him of his canoe ; the borrowing of it to crofs 5 ^ the IN CARNOVIRRI A. 35 the ftrair, did nor, in my ciicumftan- ces, appear fo inexcufable; as it was pof- fible he might recover it again, fome time or other. The danger, however, of going four or five leagues, in fo poor a veflel, deferved to be mature- ly weighed ; efpecially as the waves might be very much agitated, in fo broad a channel, if it fliould happen to blow any wind. This was foon over-ruled, the danger of being drowned, and made a feaft for fiflies, had little horror in it, when op- pofed to the rifk I every day was ex^ pofed to. As the continuance of my voyage might be long, confi- dering I had no fail ; it was necef- fary to provide fea-ftores: for which half a deer was drelTed ; and, toge- ther with fern roots and plenty of oyfters, made up my ftock. My D 2 greatcll 36 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS greatefl: difficulty was about frefli water, having no veflel to hold any. This difficulty feemed infur- iTiountable ; but as I was refolved on the attempt, fome fhift muft be made : no other occurred, after long think- ing on the fubjeeT:, but to ftll my hat as full as it could hold ^ taking care to drink plentifully before Tfet out, that a longer time might elapfe before my precious element was be- gun upon. Thus vidualled, I fet out one fine morning on my voyage, when the wind was moderate, and with an ebb tide. Paddling, was what I had not been accuftomed to, and there- fore was awkward at \ but a wil- ling mind goes a great way in learn- ing to paddle, as well as in every )thing elfe. While the ebb conti- nued, IN CARNOVIRRIA. 37 nued, the water was fmooth, and I made my way through it pretty faft ; but about noon when it began to flow, there was a conliderable agi- tation, and topling, owing to the narrownefs of the channel ; which made my labour much more diffi- cult and fatiguing. I ftrained every nerve however to get on, though ap- parently much flower than before- Luckily for me, it proved a fine night ; part of which was paffed in refting myfelf, and taking fome re- freftiment. In the morning I found myfelf half-way over ; but the much defired country, had a very unpro- mifing appearance ; exhibiting bleak mountains covered over with heath, excepting near the fliore, and fcarce- ly a tree to be feen. I now obferved, that fince the mid phannel was paffed, the flood carried D 3 me 38 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS me towards the fliore, and the ebb on the contrary from it. To fave my labour then, I relied myfelf during the former, and paddled ftoutly du- ring the latter, to prevent my Idling the ground I had got. In the after- noon, it became fqually with rain ; the lall was very agreeable, though it wet me to the Ikin, as it recruited my Hock of water ; but the fqualls of wind put me often in great danger of overfetting. Though IV had got within half a league of the fhore, when night came on, furely never was one pafled more difagreeably. It was extremely dark, and the wind increafed to a llorm; fo that I ex- pelled every moment to be overfet, or dalhed againft the rocks. To- wards morning it abated, and when day appeared, I found myfelf within half IN CARNOVIRRIA, 39 half a mile of a fandy beach : my whole force was exerted to reach it, and wirh fuccefs ; for which I fell on mv knees, and returned thanks to the all-powerful maker and go- vernour of the world. D 4 CHAP, 4| BOWMAN'S TRAVELS C H A P. II. The mifcrahh conditio?! of the Author in Taupiniera. An account of that extra^ ordinary Peoph. THE firft thing I did, after get- ting on Ihore, was to take a view of the country, I had fo an- xioufly longed to be an inhabitant of. But great was my difappoint- ment 1 bleak and barren mountains only prefented themfelves to my fight. No houfes for inhabitants of any kind, and only fome Hunted trees, here and there in the hollows, which afforded no fhelter from either fun or rain. I roamed about with a heavy heart, as there feemed no poffibility of fub- fifting, and was almoft tempted to return I IN TAIJPINIERA, 41^ return in the canoe to the oppofite (hore : but that idea kept not its ground long ; my deteftation of it foon recurred to my imagination. But, belides, as all my provifions were expended, how could fuch a paf- fage be undertaken without more, and where were they to be found f Jn this difconfolate flate of mind, I wandered about, w^ithout any object: in view ; when happily a clear ftream pf excellent water prefented itfelf. This gave me fome confolaticn, and I drank freely of it. It then occur- red to me, that though the land feemed to produce nothing for the fupport of human life, yet tlie fea might : recolleding the excellent oyllers on the oppofite fliore. I ex- amined then the beach carefully for flif^ll-fifh of any fort, but for fome time '42 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS time with little fuccefs ; at laft cockles, mufcles, and fome other kinds with which I was unacquainted, were found in great plenty ; and with them my hunger was allayed. While 1 was bufy in fulfilling the moft ne- cefTary of all duties, the preferva- tion of the individual, I happened accidentally to caft my eyes on the fand, and was much furprifed to obferve great numbers of prints of human feet. This gave me incon- ceivable joy ; but where thefe people dwelt, as no houfes were to be feen, puzzled me greatly. It was plain to me, that many hours had not pafled fince they had been there, becaufe the flood tide coming in, would have effaced the impreffions. I then com- pared the fize of their feet with my own, by making prints in the fand clofc IN TAUPINIERA, 43 clofe by theirs, and found mine at lead two inches longer. This made me conclude, that only children had been there ; but where fhould they come from ? The affair feemed inex- plicable, and I refolved to keep there- about 'till it was cleared up: but where elfe could I go, Vith any cer*. tainty of fubfifting ? My thoughts were next employed, about the means of paffing the nighr, in fome fort of comfort and fafety': to which end I pitched upon a fpot, above high-water mark, betwixt two rocks ; leaving jull room for my bed, which I intended making of the heath which grew upon the mountains. Climbing up then the neareft, I pull- ed a fufficient quantity for my inten- tion ', but, upon examining the fhrub with attention, it feemed of a different fpecies 44 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS fpecies from what we have in Eng- land, though for my purpofe prefer- able, being fafter, and of a more agreeable fmell. When night came on, I lay down upon it ; hoping (not- withftanding many anxious thoughts about my fituation) that fleep would for a time, releafe me from my cares; more efpecially, as the two preceding nights had fcarcely af- forded me any reft. About an hour after, when it was, as I judged,, low water, a noife fomething betwixt the human voice, and grunt of a hog ^ifturbed me. I immediafely ftarted up, when there appeared (though tiie night was dark) about a dozen of human creatures of a low fize, catching fliell-fifh on the beach. Their fmall fize made me imagine .xh^j were children, as I had before done. IN TAUPINIERA. .! 45 done, from the impreffion of their feet on the fand ; I therefore went boldly vip to them, and in the Ota- heite language alked them where they lived. In place of any anfwer to my queftion, they ran away full fpeed : I followed them, and called with a tone of authority^ to flop ; but it only inereafed their hafte to get from me. Both my cu- riofity and intereft were fo much concerned, to know who they were, that I refolved to try if the report of my fufee, would intimidate them enough to Hop their flight. I fired it up in the air, upon which they all fell down, and lay without motion, thinking no doubt they were killed. Going up to them, I faid kindly, and without any figns of an- ger, that they were in no danger * from 46 BOWMAN'^ TRAVELS from me, as I wanted their affiil- ance both in food and lodging. The poor creatures then recovered them- felves a little ; and upon their knees, holding up both their hands, feemed to implore my mercy. I fpoke again to them in the fame mild manner, that they need fear nothing, but there was no appearance of their under- ftanding me. Seeing that I had only figns left, by which they might be made to underftand me, I tried to make them comprehend, by different geftures, that they fliould return to their former occupations, and with much difficulty fucceeded; whilfl I carefully obferved them, as well as the darknefs of the night would per- mit. My firft difcovery was, that they were not children, but full grown perfons of a thick, fquat make i in TAUPINIERA. 47 make, and only about four foot and a half high. Some young ones there alfo were ; and all were bufy in ga- thering flielUfifli, and carrying them without high-water mark ; where they laid them in feparate heaps, as if belonging to different families. My next obfervation wasj that they feemed to go about their bufincfs, with as much eafe and regularity, as if it was broad day-light. But I was ftill more furprifed, when many of them threw themfelves into the water 5 and fwimming for a little while, dived, bringing always up with them one or two fifli. Thefe things I could not comprehend, but concluded it was owing to habit, which produces furprifing effecls. What next came into my thoughts, was, why thefe people had not come alfo 4S BOWMAN'S TRAVELS alfoat the former ebb tide in the day* time ; but that was foon accounted for, by the fear they might be in of the cannibals from the oppofite fliore ; and feemed a convincing reafon to me, that I ought to be upon my guards againft their attacks even there. When the ebb was fpent, and the flood coming in, the natives having finiflied for the prefent, all came to me, and made an offer of what they had got in rude bafkets, which I de- clined. One of the men then made me underftand by figns, that he in- treated me to go home with him, This invitation was accepted, as I was curious to fee their habitations. We fet out for his abode about two hours before day, attended by ano- ther grown perfon (probably a fe- male) and a child, and walked but a quar- IN TAU PI NT ERA. 49 ter of a mile, before we entered a cave of a pretty large fize, dug in the fide of thie mountain. It had a , narrow entrance of eight or ten feen long, and then grew much wider in a roundifli form ; this I learned from my feeling, for it was much darker in it than in the open air. The roof was fo low, that I was obliged to ftand almoft double ; and ray fenfe of fmelling was more offended than it could have been in any pig-ftye in England. All this my curiofity made me bear for fome time, in hopes fome kind of light would be produced : but as I heard by the motion of their jaws, they had begun to eat their fifli raw, and felt fome preffed againft my hands, hearing at the fame time an articulate grunt of invitation, (as I fuppofed), I could ftand it no longer, E but 50 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS but groped my way out again ; and happy I thought myfelf when rc- freflied by the open air. One of them followed me, and faid fomething, which I fuppofed was prefling me to return, but was civilly excufed by me. I took as good notice of the fituation of the cave, as the darknefs would permit, and made the beft of my way to the heath bed, where I fleeped comfortably till noon. When fleep left me, my cares re- turned ; and my thoughts were for fome time employed on the difap- pointment of my hopes, in meeting with a fociable people on this coaft. For what fociety could I have with fuch ftupid, and nafty animals ? whofe language, feemed to differ little, from the fimple and uniform founds, with which nature has endued many brutes ; IN TAUPINIERA. 51 brutes ; and whofe habitations were not to be endured by a human crea- ture, bred in decency and cleanli- nefs. The only thing with refpeft to them which was favourable, was, that they did not feem fierce or dan- gerous, and had conceived a great refpedt for me ; which I might im- prove to my advantage. When I arofe, and walked on the beach, it was quite as folitary as the day be- fore, though it was then ebb tide, not the leail appearance of a human creature. This was accounted for by me, in the fame manner as the night before ; from the fear of irruptions of the cannibals from the oppo- fite coaft ; and I concluded it necef- fary to be in more fecurity from them, than where my bed at prefent was placed. After mature delibera- E 2 tion. 52 BOwlvIAN's TRAVELS U. J ( i tidti, I could fall on no better contri- yance, than imitating the natives ; either in finding an uninhabited cave, which I might get cleaned out, or letting them to work to dig me a new one, if I obferved by day-light, that thofe in ufe were not damp or un- wholefome. Having come to this refolution, after fatisfying my hun- ger with fome fliell-fifli, and my third at the limpid ftream, I fet out in quefl of my hoft*s habitation, and after no very long fearch luckily found it. I entered without ceremony, and having got to the bottom of the cave, which was nearly as dark as the night before ; 1 found the three inhabitants fall afleep, lying on the bare ground, fnorting and fnoring, in the midft of putrid fiOi, and their own nafti- 4 nefs, IN TAUPINIEJt^^^ 53 nefs, which different naufeous fmells had almoft overcome me. My hafle to be gone, made me fhake and roufe one of the full grown perfons, with very little ceremony, and I at laft fiicceeded in waking him, for it hap- pened to be a male. I made him get up, and taking his hand, in a man- ner forced him out of the cave. When he was in the light, what firft drew my attention, was his face; which, though of the human form, had forae refemblance to a hog; like carica- ture drawings I had feen. He had a thick bufhy beard, and (dirt excep- ted) was as naked as when he came into the world. No tattoings, nor ear or nofe ornaments, thefe people be- ing too fluggifh, to have any vanity of that fort. After having fatisfied my curiofity, with regard to his form, E 3 I made 54 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS I made figns to him, that I wanted a cave to ileep in ; but he took not the leaft notice of them, either by word or gefture ; nor had frequent repe- titions of thofe and others, any more efFe6l upon him. Sufpefting then that he was ftill afleep, I fpoke loud, but not in a threatening tone : this afFedled him, and convinced me he w^as awake. After this I tried all the means I could think of, to make him go along with me, but without fuc- cefs. This appearing the efFeds of fulkinefs, I took him by the hand and forced him on ; but though he followed me, it was like a blind man who depends entirely on his ^uide. Being much furprifed at this pheno- menon, I examined his eyes ; and to my great furprife, found they refem- bled thofe of a mole, more than of a hu- "">. •r/mn) . which was eafily removed to my new habitation ; and as no other fev;el could be got to drefs the fifli, (which I had no doubt the natives would fupply me with) but the fame heath : I pulled a fufficient quantity of it, and laid it in my cave ; refolving that night, to treat the natives with a feaft IN TAUPINIERA. S7 2L feaft of their own catching, while I at the fame time made an experi- ment on their organs of fight. At the ufual time I went to the beach, where a much greater nun>- bcr of the natives v^ere aflembled, than the night before ; there were near forty perfons, of all ^ges, and of both fexes ; probably from the report w^hich had been fpread of my wonderful appearance. As foon as they faw me approach- ing, they all came and made their fubmifEons on their knees, and with uplifted hands ; which I moft graci- oufly received, and then made figns to them to go on with their fifhing. Every thing pafTed in the fame man- ner as the night before, and they catch- ed a great many fifli, of different kinds and fizes, but all unknown to me; SS BOWMAN*s TRAVELS me ; which however I found after- wards were all wholefome and well tafted. I was now thoroughly con- vinced, that the fight of thefe people was fo good in the dark, that they faw the fifli lying afleep at the bot- tom of the water, and confequently had little difficulty in feizing them, when they dived. When all was over, they came to me as before, and made an offer of what they had caught ; I took a little from each family, and made figns for them all to follow me ; which was immediately complied with. The fcene was at the front of my cave. My firft operation was gutting the fifli with my knife ; which feemed new to them, as it occafioned much grunt- ing in the circle around me. I then lighted a fire, and made a confidera- ble IN TAUPINIERA. 59 ble blaze, to fee what efFedl it would have on their fight ; and, as I expedled^ they feemed all ftruck blind imme- diately ; running from it in great confufion, and tumbling one over another. As foon as the blaze w^as over, they came around me again, when putting the fifli on the embers 'till they were fufficiently done, I be- gan to eat them, and offered fome to every one ; but few accepted, and fewer, after tailing, feemed to ap- prove my cookery ; fo powerful is cuftom, however contrary to reafon and nature it may be. As foon as the repafl: was over, I difmiffed my guefts with great kindnefs ; who no doubt wondered very much at what they had feen, and could not take me for any thing lefs than a divinity. I was now fettled in the neighbour- hood of thefe wretched creatures ; and 6o BOV/MAN's TRAVELS and though there feemed nothing to ,be feared from their malevolence or treachery ; yet, excepting the fifli they gave me to fuflain a miferable life, as to any fociety, I had better have had as many dogs or horfes for my companions ; much more cleanly, and very near as fenlible, animals. Thofe would have been near me whenever J.chofe; but I was obliged to imiiate thefe, in my hours of reft as well as in my habitation ; for in the day- time ail was folitary and difmal, nor was there a poffibility of any inter- courfe with them in their vile habi- tations. Being refolved however to make the moft of m.y fituation, I cultivated a kind of intimrxy with the natives at the beach, and before my cave ; the better to examine into their bo- dily peculiarities, and mental facul- ties. IN TAUPINIERA, 61 ties. For thlV ptrpofe I endeavoured to learn the language, which feemed to be no very difficult matter, being a very fimple one ; and how could it be otherwife with people who necef- farily mufl have fo fev/ ideas. The poor creatures were willing to oblige me, as far as their capacities would permit ; and when they once under- ftood,^ that by pointing to any par- ticular part of the body or thing, I meant they fhould name it in their language, they immediately com- plied. By this common and fimple method we made fome progrefs, for I alfo named it to them in Englifli. In the courfc of my fchooling with different matters, I learnt that they had no word for fire ; they always fliaking their heads whenever I poiiited to it ; which was a convincing proof to me, that they were entirely igno- rant ^^2 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS rant of it before. Their blindnefs in the day, and clear-fightednefs in the dark, became from repeated ob- fervations a fad not to be doubted by me ; however contrary it may be to the common courfe of nature all over the world, both in men and moft kinds of animals. I fliall not pretend to account for this phenomenon, un- lefs the refemblance of their eyes to thofe of moles, may be thought fuf- ficient for that purpofe. But it may be afked, Did nature form thefe peo- ple's eyes, on purpofe for their pecu- liar way of living in the fide of that mountain ? To that I fhall not pre- tend to give an anfwer, but leave it to naturalifts to difcufs. I have been told by a learned Phyfician fince my return, to whom I had given an ac- count of thefe extraordinary mortals, that IN TAUPINIERA. 63 that there is a diforder in the eyes (but a very rare one) called nydla lo- pia, which exacflly refembles the fight of this fpecies of people. But it is not to be imagined, that a whole people (tho' far from numerous) can be equally difeafed in that man- ner. It was a confiderable time be- fore I could find out, whether thefe people had any name they diftin- guiflied themfelves by ; and at lafl: I learned that they called themfelves Taupinierans ; but to write it in the manner ic is pronounced by them, would far exceed my power, and I fhall therefore leave it to the imagi^ nation of the reader. Having ftill fome anxiety about a vifit from the cannibals of the oppo- fite coail, I one night carried feveral of my friends to the place where the canoe 64 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS canoe lay, letting them know that I had come in it from the oppofite coaft. This feemed another novelty to them, and they had no name for it ; which gave me no fmall fatisfac- tion, as I might now fleep in quiet, without fearing fuch difagreeable guefls. It had lain a little on my con- fcience, that I had not been able to return that canoe ; but as there was no poffibility of doing it, I was oblig- ed to leave the reftoration of it to fortune. The only Taupinieran whom I fuf- fered to enter my habitation, was a boy of five or fix years old from the next cave to me. All animals when young, are prettier, and more play- ful, than thofe come to maturity; this child diverted me, and had taken a particular fancy to my com- pany. lU TAUPINIERA. 65 pany. He fometimes Hole to my cave in the duik of the evening, (which was their morning) before it was quite dark, when we ufed to play together. One evening when we were at romps, I difcovered to my great furprile, that he had a fhort tail, hke that of a young pig ; being fcarcely able to beheve my own feeUng, I examined it over and over, and found it an undoubted truth. Though I had no doubt of finding the whole race formed in the fame m.anner, it would have been inexcufable in me, to have neglefted afcertaining the facT: inconteftably ; ef- pecially when it might be done with fo little trouble: the refult was, that both fexes were furniilied with thefe fmall appendao;cs. I am apprehcnfive that my veracity may be here liable to F fufpicion ; 66 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS fufpicion ; which has fet me on read- ing books of travels, and examin- ing the opinions of authors on that fubject, fince my return home. Great was my joy, to find that feveral travellers had feen men with fuch rear appendixes ; which a learned judge in the northern part of this ifland has made a colleftion of, and, after a thorough examination, gives entire credit to. It is alfo very fatisfaftory to me, that this my account of the Tau- pinierans, will give a lingular pleafurc to this learned gentleman ; who has been fneered at by fome fmatterers in knowledge, on this very account. The females were no ways diftin- guiflied from the males in their drefs ; the love of fhow fuppofed to be in- nate in that fex, took not place here ; perhaps ' m TAUPINIERA. e^ perhaps from a want of the pollibi- lity of gratifying it. Eut I muft do thefe ladies the jiifiice tcg^declare, that on feeing fome glafs Keads, which all favages are fond of, they took no pleafvire in them, and declined their acceptance. By the advances which feveral of theai made me, they how- ever feemed to have no objeftion to a tender connection; bnt I gave none of them any encouragement, as it was always my opinion, that wrong- ing another in his bed was a very great crime. It may be perhaps faid, that my virtue was put under no great temptation. I grant it ; but confidering my youth, health, and long abfence from Otaheite, many in my circumftances might not have withftood it. Marriage amongft thefe people is contracfbed with little ceremony, there F 2 being 6S BOWMAN'S TRAVELS being neither prieft nor magiftrate ; and is as eafily diflblved, both being dependent or: the will of the parties. Paternal government in each fa- mily, is the only one known; all being alike in authority ; and if any difpute happens about their fifh, it is referred to their male neighbours, whofe verdift is always decifive. I could not learn that they had any religion, except a kind of veneration for the moon ; which they pay when firfl feen after the change, by falling down on their faces for fome mo- ments. It did not appear to me to be on account of the light fhe gave, as that they would willingly be excufed from ; but becaufe it was the fineft fight, which came within their fphere of vifion ; for they have not the leail idea of the fun. The IN TAUPINIERA. 69 The number of that fingular fpecies of men at this place, was under fifty ; but whether there were any at other beaches on the coaft I could not learn. They are fo furrounded with moun- tains, that thefe people have no com- munication with them, if there are. I had now lived about fix weeks with thefe wretched mortals, and had learned a great many words of their language. It may be eafily imagined, that I did not pafs my time fo agree- ably among them, as not to frequent- ly turn in my thoughts how to get out of their country. But great difficul- ties attended every refolution I could take. The idea of returning to the land from whence I came, could never get the lead entrance ; there was then no other alternativcj but to crofs the mountains, or coaft along F 3 in ^o BOWMAN'S TRAVELS in the canoe, till fome fiat country appeared, which might promife in- habitants, and a fupply of provi- fions. The fimple inhabitantG could give me no information with refpeft to either. If I crciTed the mountains, being entirely ignorant of their ex- tent, what danger m^ight I run for want of provifions and water? and if on the other hand, my determi- nation waa for the coafting voyage, equal danger of the above wants prefented themfelves ; efpecially as I had obferved in coming over the ftrair, that the coaft on each hand continued mountainous as far as I could fee. The chance of meeting with barbarous inhabitants, I thought was equal either v/ay, and muft be rifked. At laft I came to a refolution of croffing the mountains ; and could IN TAUPINIERA. 71 could think of no other provifions to carry with me, but fifh dried in the fun, which I immediately fet about preparing. My walks for fome days before I fet out, were up difFcrent parts of the mountains, to recon- noitre the properefl courfe to be taken. When my friends were in- formed of my refolution, they fliew- ed as much concern for lofing me, as their fluggifh difpofitions were capable of; and when I took leave of them, almoft the whole Ihed tears, and wifhed me fuccefs. I fet out then on this arduous un- dertaking on the 28th of February, 1774, ^^^ recommending myfelf to the protecSlion of a kind providence, began flowly to afcend the moun- tain ; knowing that the way to hold out long in any undertaking, was to F 4 purfue 7? BOWMAN'S TRAVELS purfue it with fteadinefs and mode- ration ; the weather was fine, and my Ipirits good. For three hours I laboured up the firft mountain, and after taking breath a Uttle, and view- ing the fliil higher ones before me, began to defcend, and continued fo doing for two hours more. At the bottom of this vale appeared a ftream of running water, which tempted me to flop there to recruit my ftrength with reft, and fuch refrefliment as my fifh and the ftream afforded. Here I loaded my piece with fmall flior, believing there was nothing to fear from enemies of any kind; and that I might poflibly meet with growfe or fome other game, which would be a great regale. I nov/ purfued my journey, and laboured up a higher mountain than the IN TAUPINIERA. Ti the former, but without feeing either bird or bead ; at the top there was a fenfible akeration in the air, which was become much colder, tho' the wind had not changed. I could here fee before me mountains piled on mountains, and the hoary heads of the higheil, covered with eternal fnow, which almolt ilaggered my refolution. But taking courage, I defcended to another vale of fmall depth, for au hour brought me to its bottom ; here I again found water, and being very much fatigued, refolved to take up my quarters there for the night. Heath for my bed, was found in plenty, the fame w^as my covering, and kept me tolerably warm in thofe bleak regions ; fatigue lulled me to balmy reft, where 1 ilepc as foundly, as 74 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS as in the beft chamber in England on a bed of down. Next morning much rcfreflied, I renewed my la- bours, which feemed to have no end ; and the cold began to be very intenfe. This day I had the luck to fhoot ia brace of growfe, which made my din- ner ; and delicious morfels they wei*^. I fortunately found a lakt uf frefh water on the very fumrnir of a moun- tain, or I fliould have been endrely deilitute; for the higher the moan- tains, the vai.s becrine more and more Ihallcw. The lecond night was pafTed more difagrceabiy than the former, owii^g ro the cold ; nor could I make myfelr comfortable, with al^ the heath I Ipread on me and around my bed. I now approached the fnowy re- gion, and was not without appre- henlions IN TAUPINIERA. ^^ henfions from the danger of pafling it y but confidering with myfelf that this danger overcome, the worll would certainly be paft, and I fhould begin to defcend on the other fide ; my refolution was ftrengthened, and I advanced boldly to the undertak- ing. The fnow was hard enough to bear my weight, and for fome time I made a confiderable progrefs towards the fummit; the walking brifkly keeping me warm : but to my great grief, a fliowcr of fnow came on, at firft gently and in fmall drops ; but afterwards in large flakes and attended with wind. While the fnow ftiower continued moderate, I puflied on, and believed myfelf at the very top of the mountain; but w^hen it became heavy, the air was fo filled with it, and the atmofphere fo cloudy, that •7^ BOWMAN'S TRAVELS that I durft not venture to ftir a ftep farther, for fear of lofing my way, or tumbling down fome f)recipice. Keeping then nearly in the fame fpot, I walked backwards and forwards to keep myfelf warm, but with very melancholy reflexions ; for fliould it continue tilt night, my fate was inevitable. In about an hour and a half however, it gave over fnowing to my great joy; the flcy cleared up, and I was entertained with the fight (tho' at a confiderable diftance), of a country well wooded and watered, which promifed bette*r days. I got clear of the fnowy part of the moun- tain on the oppofite fide before night, and took up my quarters in the beft manner I could. Game was more plen- tiful on this fide, than the other ; for befides the fpecies of growfe I had killed IN TAUPINIERA. 77 killed before ; there were fome black cocks, and a few hares. The cold decreafed as I got nearer the flat coun- try, and in two days I reached it, to my great fatisfaction. CHAR 78 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS C II A P. III. Arrives in Olfaclaria, Is adopted hy that nation. Marries, Irruption of the Car-' novirnans, Conclufion of that ivar. The Author elected a chief of the 3^, idy and^ I/?, orders^ His a?nmunition exhaiifl- cdy and he in fear of being degraded^ from his ivant of pr a Bice ivith their weapons^ as IV ell as of a nofe ; gets the command of a large canoe ^ g^'^'^^^S ^^ Audit ante to exchange their fk.ins. Arrives at Se- ripante. BEFORE my defcent into the flat country, I had loaded my fufee with ball, but with a rcfolution of not ufing it but on the utmoft ne- ceffity ; intending to run all rifles for the mending of my condition ; as my way of life for fome time paft was I become IN OLFACTARIA. 7^ become intolerably iikfome. The defign I formed, was to apply to the firft human creature, I met with, in an open fearlefe manner as if in a civilifed country, to tell them my fitu- ation, and defire their friendfliip. I hoped the Otaheite language which I had acquired in a tolerable degree, both by converfing with the natives of that and the other iflands when there, and with Omai, on board the Adventure, would enable me to put it in execution ; as many of the na- tives of New Zealand underftood it, from the affinity it had with their own. - I entered then boldly into the woods, and looked out for their ha- bitations. It was not long before a village (as it may be called) appear- ed ; confifting of ten or twelve huts. Going go BOWMAN'S TRAVELS Going into one of the largeft of them, I found four of the natives lying on the ground, who feemed furprifed at feeing me. I fpoke to them in the Otaheite language with feeming unconcern, that I had belonged to a large canoe, which came from the fartheft part of the world, and by a misfortune which happened to a fmaller one on that coaft, had been left behind. The oldeft of the men anfwered me in their own lan- guage (which I underftood) that I was welcome, and might depend on the friendfliip of the Olfaftarian na- tion. He then invited me to lie down by them, and faid, we have feen men like you in a large canoe on this coaft many moons ago ; they were our good friends, and traded honeftly with us. His defcription anfwered fo exactly IN OLFACTARIA* Si exacftly with the Endeavour that I af- fured him they were my country- men > and he that commanded the large canoe then, had been lately on the coaft with two much larger ones ; in one of which I had been. I now recollefted that I had fome beads, nails, and other trade in my pockets, and taking them out, made an offer of fome to each of the Olfadlarians, (as they called themfelves) begin- ning with the eldeft who had con- verfed with me. They all received my prefents v^ith feeming pleafure, but efpecially the nails. I was now aiked if I was hungry, and chofe to eat ; and having anfwered in the affirmative, a young man was defired to call one of the women, to bring me fome venifon and fet it before me, which fhe did, in a more decent G manner 82 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS manner than I ^xpedled. My appe- tite was good, which no doubt help- ed me to relifli the food ; for I never remember to have eat any thing with fo much pleafure. After that, the fame elderly man (whofe name I afterwards learned was Uncomia^ and one of their chiefs) faid, that I had mentioned a misfortune, which Jiad happened to a fmall canoe, de- firing to know what it was. Upon this I gave him a circumftantial ac- count of the whole affair, and of what had happened to me fince, de- fcribing as well as I could Charlotte Sound, where the Adventure lay. When I had done fpeaking, he faid, the nation who had ufed us fo cruelly, was the Carnovirrians, who were their mortal enemies, and if I ftayed long with them, I might have an IN GLFACTARIA. 83 an opportunity of being revenged. I anfwered him, that the religion profefled in my country, forbid the revenging of injuries ; but feeing he did not approve fuch tenets, I add- ed with fpirit, But did not forbid us af- fifting our friends in a juft war; andthat therefore he might depend on me, to the laft drop of my blood. This had the eflFeft I defired ; and he faid. Young man your behaviour pleafes me ; you are at a vaft diftance fronj. your own country, and perhaps may never have an opportunity of return- ing to it ; I have fome influence with the Olfaftarians, and if you have no objeftion, will propofe your adoption among us ; when I fhall always look upon you with the fame affeftion, as I do on Ulopeia there prefent, who I defire you will embrace and love. G 2 After 84 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS After having embraGed his fon, I told him his. offer was fo friendly, that provided I might think as I pleafed in religious matters, and be excufed from ornamenting my face in their manner, I warmly embraced it, and fliould always look on him as a father. In thefe indifferent points, he faid, he durfl venture to fay the na- tion would difpenfe with me. This was not a refolution of mine taken up on the fudden, without having been thought of before, in cafe fuch a propofal Ihould be made to me. In my circumftances what could I do better ? It gave me fome weight with the people I was to live with ; and my refufal might have had difagree- able confequences. I lay at his houfe, and next day he introduced me to all the warriors of the village, who received IN OLFACTARIA. 85 received me gracioufly, and promifed to promote my adoption. In a week after, an alTembly of the nation was held, when I was unanimoufly ad- mitted an Olfa6tarian, by the name of Bowmania, with the abovemen- tioned refervations. I was now drefT- ed hke my new countrymen, which, to fay the truth, was very convenient for me ; my flioes being in very bad condition, my (ingle Ihirt almofl rotten on my back; and the reft of my clothes, with lying fo long rough, almoft quite wore out. Some of my readers will no doubt wonder, that no notice is yet taken of my fufee, by thefe favages, or at leaft not mentioned by me ; but he will be pleafed to recoiled;, that they were not quite ftrangers to fire-arms- They had now however an oppor- G 3 tunity 86 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS tunity of examining one, more nar- rowly than ever they had before ; and I gave them all the intelligence concerning every part of it, that I could. As favages who live upon hunting and fishing, fubfift in a man- ner from hand to mouth ; it was foon neceflary for them to recruit their flock of provifions ; and as I propofed accompanying them, they defired that my fufee might be my only weapon, as they wanted to fee what advantage it had over theirs. This 1 readily complied with for this once, tut told them, as my ammunition was not in abundance, it was necef- fary to be fparing of it, that a fuf- ficient referve might be made for the more ellential fervices of war. This was acquiefced in, and in future huntings, I was to ufe the bow an4 fpear IN OLFACTARIA. 87 fpear in their manner ; after having learned the ufe of them by repeated exercife. Ulopeia and I were become intimate friends ; at firft, gratitude to my benefaftor, made me fliew him a greater attachment than any other war- rior ; but, upon knowing him better, I found him worthy of my warmell afFe6tion ; having a generofity and humanity uncommon to favages. For two days before we were to fet out on our hunting, he fnufFed up the powder of an herb, which occafioned a discharge from his nofe, and de- fired me to do the fame : I complied, but not without afking him for what purpofe it was ufed. He replied, to quicken my fmeUing faculty, that the fcent of the animals we w^ere to deftroy, might be more ftrongly im- preiTed on our nofes. This furprifed G ^ me 83 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS me greatly; what, thought I! have thefe people the faculty of hounds or pointers ? If they have, it is very convenient, as I fee none of thefe animals in this country, and believe it would not be an eafy matter for them to procure a breed. When we fet out, we kept toge- ther for fome time, and it much furprifed and diverted me, to fee them fnufRng up the fcent from the ground ; but foon after, every one went off in full cry, after the track they had fixed on, like a pack of beagles ; and we faw no more of them till nighr, when we met at the general rendezvous. Ulopeia did not hunt that day, but kept with me, to obferve the effefts of my gun ; and to conduct me to the rendezvous, fortunately I was very fuccefsful, exerting IN OLFACTARIAf^^ 89 exerting myfelf, that my new friends and countrymen might not refufe me their efteem ; I did not mifs a fhor. Six deer and four foxes were killed by me alone ; befides many birds which were fhot while they were flying ; which Ulopeia chiefly ad- ^lired, as being uncommon with their weapons. We were obliged to leave the greateft part of our dead game, at certain flations appointed for that purpofe ; and repaired to the rendezvous, where all the hunt- ers colledled themfelves. The whole converfation turned on the difi^erent fuccefs of each particular, and mine was allowed to be far fuperior to any other. A deer and fome of the birds which I had flior, were dreflfed for our fuppers, when, after eating heart- ily, we all went to fleep round a great fire, till day-light next morn- ing. 90 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS ing. The ammunition which I had allotted for this experiment being all fpent, the reft of the time we were out, I attended and obferved my friend Ulopeia. It was really won- derful to fee how he purfued the fcent, with an undeviating certainty and perfevering ardour till he de- ftroyed the animal with his weapons. I often tried if my nofe coiild difcover any thing particular to me, but was always difappointed. I therefore con- cluded, that theirs muft either be ftrengthened by conftant ufe, or form- ed differently from the reft of mankind. We continued out on this hunting occupation (for it is to them of the greateft confequence) for ten days ; and having got a fufficient ftock of provifions, returned home ; giving ourfelves no trouble about our game ; that was left to the women, who came IN OLFACTARIA. ^t came daily to the places appointed in the woods for leaving it ; and with great labour carried it home to the villages. Indeed, that part of the fpecies is very hardly treated by thefe people ; they are looked upon as in- finitely inferior in their nature to the men ; and though of afizc andftrength lefs fit for laborious ofiSces, all the drudgeries of life fall to their fhare ; in fhort, they are ufed like perfect flaves. This may be feen in their appearance ; they have a languid tamenefs in their looks, which fliows they expert no court paid to them by the other fex, but that their lot is implicitly to ferve and obey, A life of perfedl idlenefs fucceeded our hunting ; lying afleep on the ground, or converfing with one ano- ther, and fometimes dancing, filled up 92 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS up our time; but the women were jiever fufFered to join in our recrea- tions. One day Uncomia propofed to me that I ihould take a wife ; your conftitution muft certainly require one, faid he, fo young as you arej and fhe will be of great ufe in ferv- ing and waiting on you. My reply was, that marriage was a very feri- ous affair ; and that an engagement for life fhould not be entered into, without a mutual afFeftion, and a prudence of characfter in the female. Whilft I was going on, he burft out a laughing ; and faid, What is all this you are talking of ? you are making marriage a very ferious thing indeed ; but we love freedom too well to be fo fhackled. With us it is the loofeft knot poflible; a man takes the woman who bell pleafes him, to live IN OLF ACT ARIA. 93 live with him while fhe continues fo to do ; and when that no longer is the cafe, he turns her- off and takes another. They are true to one ano- ther while together ; and when they part, the woman is not liked the worfe for having been another's. The children are the father's care, or rather that of the nation ; for if their father fliould die, they are not the lefs taken care of. You fee, con- tinued he, there is nothing formid- able in it ; and as we think it every man's duty to raife children for the ftate, I vi^ould advife you to it. Ex- amine the women that are not engaged, and whichever of them pleafes you beft, you may have ; with us they have no liberty of refufing. After weighing this affair with fome attention, it appeared to me, that. 94 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS that, as I had voluntarily entered into this fociety, I ought to fulfil the duties of it ; efpecially as there was nothing burthenfome in them. I then examined the women who were un- engaged, with more attention than I had hitherto done, and fixed on one called Tauropa, as being the leaft difagreeable in my eyes. This being known, a hut was prepared for us; and my friends prefented me with the few neceflfaries I wanted for houfe-keeping ; fo that without fur- ther ceremony I took her home. My choice was fo fortunate, that I never had occafion to repent, or change ; for though not handfome to my Eu- ropean tafte, fhe was very good tem- pered and obedient ; two qualifica- tions much more material in that ftate. She had alfo another excellent quality, in common with all the wo- men IN OLFACTARIA. 95 men of that country ; which was cleanhnefs, both in her own perfon, and every thing about the houfe. In this, they certainly far excel our Englilh women, and perhaps all Eu- ropeans (if the Dutch be not except- ed, amongft whom I never was). What I conceived to be the reafon of it, was the very acute fenfe of fmell- ing, with which the men were endued. Though I daily applied clofe to my exercifes, of fhooting with a bow and arrow at a mark, brandifhing my fpear, and handling the Patapatoo with dexterity, a great deal of fpare time lay upon my hands. This was ufually fpent in converfation with my friends, or the other warriors ; the to- picks of which, generally turned on the cuftoms and manners of my country ; or 96 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS or inquiries concerning particulars re- lating to theirs, of which I was not yet well informed. Sometimes re- ligion was fpoke of, and I learned, that their adoration was paid to the fun and moon ; but without any images of them in their houfes (as they had thefe luminaries themfelves fo often in view), or facrifices offered at their altars. I took fome pains to perfuade them to turn their worfliip, from the creature to the creator ; and endeavoured to explain to them, the myfteries of the Chriftian Religion, but could not poflibly make them underiland me. Their anfwers and objecflions v^ere fometimes fo flirewd, that it might be looked on, as impiety in me to relate them ; and therefore I fhall only fay, that they often puzzled me 6 (who IN OLFACTARIA. 57 (tvlio am indeed no deep divine) to anfwer them. I had taken notice, that the Olfac- tarians had fome coarfe woollen cloths for their winter drefs (though" I have feen none of this fort in Lon- don attiongfl: the curiolities brought from thence), and it came into my thoughts one day, to a£k where they got the wool ; as I faw no fheep in the country. The anfwer made me was, that part of the fea-coaft was in their teritories ; and the inhabi- tants next it were fifhermen as well as huntfmen. That there were ma- ny large canoes belonging to the nation, which held between twenty and thirty men upon occafion : two or three of thefe were fent twice a year loaded with deer, foxes, and other fkins, to a country about a wreck's H fail 98 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS fail from thence, where they ex- changed them for wool j and the fkins of a large animal which thefe people had, of which they made foles for their fhoes. I cannot help owning, that though my fituation was far from difagreeable at that time, yet this account caufed a longing in me, to fee a people, who I thought muft be more civilifed than thofe with whom I at prefent lived. While we were thus palling our time in floth and idlenefs, (for a favage's life is always in extremes), a great alarm was fpread over all the nation, that fix large canoes full of Carnovirrians, had made a defcent in the country, under the command of their famous chief Tearabolo, and were carrying deftruction wherever they came. Every one now ran to arms, IX OLFACTARIA. 99 arms, the war dance was feen in every village, and my benefaftor Ucomia cried out, Now the time is come, when you may have your re- venge of thofe men-eaters who de- voured your countrymen. I replied, That I was now a member of another nation which was attacked, and whom it was my duty to defend, at the hazard of my life. He then faid to me, What would your coun- trymen do in our prefent fituation? I anfwered, It was impoffible to fay that, as different men judged dif- ferently ; and one man better than another, according as he had fenfe and judgment. But what is your opinion faid he, of the condudt we fliould hold in driving them out of our country ? Not to drive them out at all, rejoined I. What do you mean ; H2 lee ICO BOWMAN'S TRAVELS let me underftand you ? — Give mc leave firft to alk you a queftion or two? — As many as you pleafe. My firft then is, faid I, If your nation can follow the fcent of men, and diftinguifli your friends from your foes, as well as they do that of deer and other game?— ^ — His anfwer being in the affirmative :— -My fecond then is, If your enemies are endued with the fame powers ? He replied, They were not. As that is the cafe, faid I, to pre- vent continual attacks of a fimilar kind, from fo inhuman a people; thofe now in our country fhould be utterly deftroyed. And the way to efFedl that, in my opinion, is to cut off their retreat. In the firft place then, march a ftrong party to thefea- fide, where their canoes are lying, and IN OLFACTARIA. loi and burn them ; and after leaving a fufficient body to prevent others from landing ; hunt thern down like any other game, till they are utterly deflroyed. In doing this, you will have inJfinite advantages, from your fuperiority of numbers, and the excellency of your nofes. He relifli- ed my advice, and faid, he would propofe it in the council of their chiefs. But Bowmania, faid he, do not fear that I fliould take the ho- nour of it to myfelf ; depend upon it they fhall know its author, and your zeal for the fervice of our coun- try. My advice was taken, and gain- ed me confiderable reputation, for I was. immediately elected, by unani- mous confent, a chief of the third order ; and went fecond in command to put the firft part of it in execution, H 3 the T02 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS the burning the canoes. Tlulapeia commanded this detachment, and as he was my very good friend, we had no difagreement in the execu- tion of our orders. What made our fuccefs the more eafy and certain was, they had left them but flenderly guarded, not expecting fo bold a ftroke. We furprifed the guard, took them prifoners, and with all expedition fet the veflels in a blaze. What gave us great fatisfadlion on the execution of this fmall exploit was, that two others full of men were within two leagues of the coaft, coming to join their friends ; but feeing the canoes in a flame, firft flopped to confult what they fhould do, and foon after changed their courfe and returned. Tlulapeia with a fuflicient force remained on th^ fea^ IN OLFACTARIA. 103 fea-coaft, to watch the enemy's mo- tions by water, according to his or- ders ; and I with the remainder marched back to the head-quarters to give an account of our fuccefs ; and to receive farther commands. My account of our fuccefs gave great fatisfacSlion to the generality of the nation ; though there were not wanting fome, who were of opi* nion, that their retreat fhould not in this manner have been cut off; as it would make them more defperate and furious, and confequently the war more bloody, I was now raifed» by univerfal confent, to be a chief of the fecond order, and had the command of forty men. The whole fighting men of the nation being now in arms, they were divided into large parties, under dif- H 4 ferent 104 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS f erent leader? ; and each had a fe- parat^ diftricSl allotted hhii, in which he was to adt oiFenfively againfl the enemy. But they were permitted, in cafes of neceflity, to go into a neighs bouring one, either to avoid the ene- my, if too powerful for them:, or to affift their friends. As I had a great ambition to be oppofcd to that for- midable chief Tearabola, I requefted that no particular diftridl fliould be allotted me ; but that I might be at liberty to purfue him wherever I pleafcd. This was eafily granted me, as he was become. very formidable to the nation in general. We march- ed then into the woods in large di-. vifions, and were not to fubdivide, till our nofes informed us that the enemy had firft done fo. To defcribq fvery fKirmifli which happened ii^ IN oi^factaria: 105 the woods, fmall parties againft fmall parties, and man to man, in the courfe of a war of above three weeks continuance (if it were pof- fible), would be tedious. Suffice it to fay, that in them the greater part of the enemy were killed or taken prifoners ; not without the lofs of many brave men on our fide. At laft Tearabola, with only twenty- five of his men, w^ere hemmed in on every fide ; when a dreadful battle began. He and his brave followers, like fo many tigers furrounded by a mul- titude of huntfmen, turned upon their enemies with all the fiercenefs of thefe animals. To efcape they faw was impoffible, and to yield, unbe- coming their courage ; the only thing they had then left, was to fell their Jives as dear as they could. Teara- bola io6 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS bola did not that day bely the cha- rafter he had fo long acquired, of invincible courage. My dear friend Ulopeia fell by his fpear; and his father, my great benefa(5lor, was obliged to retire from the combat, by a wound in his leg. My refent- ment was heightened by thefe acci- dents J I prefented my piece loaded with my laft charge of powder and ball, and took fuch good aim, or was fo fortunate as to pierce Tearabolo's heart ; whofe furious foul left his body with a convulfive fpring. His followers feeing him fall, were daunted; and being worn out with their long defence, made but feeble efforts, and were foon all cut in pieces. Thus having the honour of fome Ihare in the termination of this war, I was raifed to the dignity of Chief of IN OLFACTARIA. 107 of the firft order. But my fatisfac- tion on this occafion was greatly lef- fened, by my dear friend's death, and his father's wound. The thorough revenge of my dear countrymen, however (notwithftanding what re- ligion might inculcate), was certain- ly not altogether indifferent to me on this occafion. Though from fome words which fell from Uncomia, I believed the Olfaftarians were not cannibals ; yet I never could prevail on myfelf to afk the queftion ; think- ing it better to continue in uncer- tainty, than learn an unpleafing truth: but now I had many oppor- tunities of being convinced they were not ; as graves were dug, and their enemies buried in them. But though they fpared their dead ene- mies, they had no merc^ on thofe who loS BOWMAN'S TRAVELS who fell into their hands alive. To enumerate the various tortures they were put to, before they v^ere flain ; and the fortitude feemingly more than human, with which they were fnpported ; would only fliock the reader's humanity, and fhall there- fore be paffed over. We returned to our habitations, where there was great rejoicings for the termination of the war ; but the families who had loft their warriors kept retired, brooding over their for- rows, that they might not interrupt the general joy. My benefaftor, who was one of thofe (and alfo confined with his wound), received me with tears in his eyes ; faying, I had loft a true friend, but as ^he died in his country's /ervice, was more to be envied than lamented. I learned from IN OLF ACT ARIA. 109 from him that his wound was very- painful, the whole member being greatly fwelled, and that he had very little hopes of recovery. I ex- amined the part, and though un- fkilled in furgery, more than I had accidentally {ecu. praftifed by our own furgepns on board, I was refolved to attempt his relief, I gathered fome herbs, and made a fomentation and poultice, which foon eafed his pain; the fwelling alfo decreafed by degrees, and the wound advanced daily towards a cure. My fatisfac- tion on this account was more real than that for the dignities which fortune had heaped on me ; for I eafily perceived they were not unat- tended with envy. We had not been long at home, before it became ne- ceflary to go on a hunting-party, as ou^ no BOWMAN'S TRAVELS our old men, women and children^ had been on very fliort allowance in our abfence. It was mentioned before, that my laft charge of ammu- nition was expended ; I muft now therefore betake myfelf to their wea- pons ; at which (though I had not ne- gledled exercifing with them con. ftantly before the war) I certainly was very inferior to the natives. Add to that, my want of a nofe 5 and it may eafily be imagined, I fliould make a very bad figure. But I flat- tered myfelf, that the great fervices I had fo lately done my country, and the being unpraftifed in their arms, would fufficienly apologize for me. How little did I know man- kind I A few brilliant adions arc foon forgot, if people's memories ^re not frequently refreiiied with fome IN olfactaria; m fome of the fame kind, or even of greater luftre : but a reverfe, however little merited, is with great difficulty- got over, and generally damns our fame irrecoverably. The war had fo deftroyed and dif- turbed the game, that it was ex- tremely fcarce ; and confequently our hunting very unfucccfsful ; mine was remarkably fo: famine appeared unavoidable ; which fo chagrined mens minds, that my laurels (for want of fome fre'fli exploit), withered d^ily. They even openly blamed my bold advice in the beginning of the war, as the chief caufe of the misfortunes which threatened them, and I faw myfelf in the utmoft dan- ger of being degraded. This country, and way of life, which hitherto had been agreeable enough 112 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS enough to me, changed at once it^ ^ appearance : I became thoughtful. and melancholy ; wifhing for-, a > good opportunity of quitting it for/, ever. The country from which they brought the wool, then recurred to my memory : I began ferioufly ta think of the means of putting in execution a fcheme I formed of vifit- ing it by the firft Ihips, which would ' not.be long before they failed. Un-" comia feeing me fo much changed fince our return home, kindly en- quired the reafon of it ^ when I frankly told him, that I had reafon' to complain of the' warriors, for blaming me for an event that could" not poffibly have been forefeen. They . alfo flight me, continued I, becaufe ij have not been able to acquire in gi , few days, the ufe of their arms to as great IN OLFACTARIA. iij great perfedlion as they have, by the pra(5lice of their whole lives. Befidcs, (I ftill continued) nature has givea them fuch an advantage overmein their fcenting faculty, that there is Inopollibilityofmy ever equalling them as a hunter; and I fliould therefore be glad to ferve the nation in any other capacity. That I underftood fome great canoes would foon fail for Auditante, to exchange their fkins for wool and other commodities of that country. And I believed, as my education had been for a fea- life (which indeed had brought me into that part of the world), that I was better qualified than moft others, for carrying on that traffic with the Auditantines ; and ihould offer my fervices to the nation, if he approved of it. He replied, that he had no I pbjeftioa 114 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS objection to it, but the lofing my company for fo long a time 5 and if I was refolved on the voyage, he would ufe all his influence with the National Council in my favour, when it was laid before them. Accord- ingly very little oppofition was made, and I was appointed to the command of one of the canoes. Two other chiefs of the fame rank ''(who fortunately were my friends), were alfo fixed on for the other two ; and in a fliort time, we fee out for our ftation, to fuperintend the load- ing of the fkins, which were carried by the women from all the villages to Tahuta where the canoes lay. The vefTels were obliged to be vic- tualled principally with fifli, on ac- count of the fcarcity of land ani- mals 'j and we flowed our water in jars, jars, which the women had ingenuity enough to make. Each canoe had twelve men on board, befides three officers; which confifted of a chief of the firft> fecond, and third orders. Before I left our village Manuhu, I fent my wife Tewropa home to her friends till my return (which however I did not intend), and left with her a prefent to the nation, to keepme in their remembrance^ I hope if it proves a boy, that he will make a good warrior ; but am very much afraid he will have no nofe, which may be a great lofs to him. With my friend Uncomia, whom I prin* cipally regretted to leave; my fufee was intruded by way of a relic, as it could be of no father ufe to me^ for want of ammunition* And a fev/ nails, and other European bau- "'" I 3 bles. Ii6 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS bles, which flill remained in my pofleffion, were diftributed amongft my other friends. On July 26th, 1774, we fet fail with a fair wind ; and I found thefe peo- ple very expert at working their canoes. The weather kept moderate, fo that we had little diiSiculty of keeping company; and we feldom loft fight of land for any length of time. At laft, on the tenth day from the time we failed, the coaft of Auditante appeared to our view ; and on the eleventh we came to aa anchor in the river of Seripante. C H A ?• Iff AXTDITANTE. 117 C H A P. IV- Sgripante^ a FaSlory of Bonhommican Mcr^ chants. The Juthor and his Colleagues live at their houfes. Very fair traders^ Vifit the tents of the natives. He learns in a fhort time^ the Bonhommican and Auditante languages. Makes a fpeech ... to the Olfailarian Chiefs at taking leave of them. By invitation^ lives fometime at a Horde of the Auditan^ tines. Falls in love. Lucky difcovery ivhich cures him of it. 'The feet from Ludorovj arrives. The fair held in confequence of it. The Author embarks in ity on its return^ Arrives at Ludorow. AS foon as the canoes were moored, Teutopeia, Nicophera, and myjfelf (the three chiefs of the 1 3 firft iij BOWMAN'S TRAVELS firft order), went \ip to the town in our fmall canoes. It lay about ^ league higher up the river, and the country on each fide exhibited a very agreeable profpe6t, of green Jiills covered with flocks of flieep, ^nd herds of black cattle : I even thought there appeared horfes, and animals like camels or dromaderys. When we .approached the town, I was delighted to fee that the houfes were built of flone, and were feveral ftories high, and began to think my- felf again in Europe. We were met ^t our landing by the merchants, with whom the nation had been accuftomed to (leal 5 who received •us with great civility and refpeft, entertaining us by turns at their lioufes,^and gave us alfo invitations to lye at them, as we could not 9tl>crwiff b? fo well accommodated. The IN AUDITANTE. 119 The merchant with whom I lived was called Ouragow ; he feemed about forty, and a man of a grave, though fweet and affable deport- ment. He underftood the Olfafta-* rian language well enough to do bulinefs in it, and carry on a conr verfation. Curiofity foon drew me to view the town ; it was but of a fmall fize, confiding only of about two hundred houfes ; fifty of which were large, and had ftill larger warehoufes adjoining to them. But what moft furprifed me, was, to find the houfes of thefe merchants, furnifhed with every thing neceflfary for the conveniency, and even the elegancy of Ufe ; it was, it is true, in a fimple plain tafte, and very different from what I had ever Teen ];)efore ; bpt anfwered the end as 1 4 well 120 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS well when one became accuftomed tQi tncih. They had alfo woollen, linen,, and other cloths ; and even fill^ ftujQTs I very good wines y^ere pro-: duced at table, as well as excellent bread ; and their windows were glazed. Thefe difcoveries gave me infinite pleafure ; I flattered myfelf that my troubles were at an end j and if I fliould never have the hap- pinefs of vifiting Old England, my life would at lead be pafled in a more agreeable manner, than my moft fanguine hopes had ever con- ceived. Having refted and amufed ourfelye§ fpr a day pr two, we thought of bi^finefs ; and that which firfl offered, wa$, to get put goods lodged in a warehoufe, to be ready for bartering. This was in^mediately fet about, and. the J;f AUDIT ANTE, Ui ijie fmall canoes were Kept conltantly^ (Employed iii it till all was landed^ After that, the chiefs of the fecon4 order came up to town alfo, with fome of the men, leaving only the (Chief of the third order, with three ipen, on board of each canoe j and thefe were relieved every fix or fevea days, that all might have a little pleafure ; the fecond chiefs relieving the third, ' " ' ' J^hen we had been there five or fix days, Ouragow and I happening to be alone together, he bethought bimfelf of alking me (what he faid he had intended ever fince we came); from what country I claimed my birth ; for he could plainly fee from my complexion, my features, and ipanners, that I was not an Olfadta- fian ; befides, faid he, you have been too 7 122 BOWMAN'S TRAVFLS too wife to disfigure your face with horrid tattooings, and to load your nofe and ears with fuch frightful ornaments. Having no reafon to conceal any thing, I gave him a faithful account of all my adventures, and even of my defign of never re* turning to Olfadaria : faying, Now I had got into a civilifed country, things might take a turn in my favour ; and I hoped to find fome means of earning an honeft living. When I had finiflied my narration, he fat fometime filent ; and then cried out. What wonders have you told me ! How furprifing is it to me, wh6 am of a trading nation, to learq, that there are people on the other fide the globe, who have carried navigaj:ion to fuch a height, as to fend fhips all ovfer the face of the earth, inAUPITANTE. 123 earth, where feas "will bear them, ^nd ice not obftruft their paflage j to difcover new countries and new people ! But, faid he, is it meerly curiofity that prompts your king to thefe expenfive refearches I or has he trade or conqueft in view ? I re- plied, That trade or conqueft at fuch an immenfe diftance from hi9 own dominions could jiever anfwer the expence of either ; and did he reckon it for nothing to a great, opulent, and philofophic nation, to have the honour of afcertaining ;o the reft of the northern world, whether ^he fouthern hemifphere was equally balanced by a large conti- nent, as the learnedeft Geographers had conjedtured. That near three hundred years ago, a great geo- grapher and navigator, meerly from 9 coa- 124 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS conjedlures, had difcovered a con-» tinent almoft as large as the reft of the known world, lying only at a thoufand leagues diftance from the reft of Europe. Upon a fecond con- fideration, rejoined he, it appears praife-worthy, though at firft view it had, I own, a romantic air : But what fuccefs had you met with before you was feparated from the fhip ? We had failed (returned I) half round the fouthern hemifphere in very high latitudes, without meeting with any land, but had been obftrufted by numerous and large iflands of ice, which made us conclude, that if there was a continent, it muft be fo near the pole, as to be uninhabi- table. I am furprifed, faid he, that you miffed it; but if your fhips, after a farther fearch, are not fo fortunate to IN AUDITANTE. lij to fuccced, it may be referved for you to make that difcovery, if ever you have the happinefs to get home to your own country ; for you are now in a fair way of getting intel- ligence of, and in all. probability of feeing it. You both furprife and rejoice me, faid I, to hear there is a fouthern continent which there is a poffibility of my feeing ; and like- wife that I am got into a country which has an extenfive trade, as it is in that way my talents can bed diftinguifh themfelves. But what is the reafon, continued I, that I faw no fhips in the river ? You have mif- tmderftood me, anfweredhe; I am of a trading nation, *tis true, but not of this where I now live. The inha- bitants of Serepante are all natives of the iftand of Bonhommica, fettled on Its BOWMAN'S TRAVELS on this coaft as a fadlory, for the con-» veniency of commerce with the natives. And who are the natives^ rejoined I ? This large country, faid he, being peculiarly fuited for pafture only, is occupied by wandering tribeSj who live in tents, and change from one place to another, as it beft fuits their flocks and herds ; no one hav- ing the property of the foil, but the firfl: comer enjoys it during his abode. And the country being very extenfive in proportion to the number of its inhabitants, there feldom arifes any caufe of difpute on that head. They are a handfome, robuft people, con-^ tinned he ; and fonie of them have immenfe flocks and herds, with children and fervants fo numerous, that their encampments look like fmall towns. But they are fo idle, * • that, IN AUDITANTE* i?; that, though they have time enough on their hands, they will not be at the trouble of manufafturing their own wool for their clothing, or doing any earthly thixxg but what; neceffity obliges them to. So that^ all their wool, and other produce of their cattle, is exchanged with us, for our manufadlures ; which are brought annually in a fmall fleet ta this port ; where a fair is kept for a month, and reforted to from ail parts of the country. Thofe who have not fupplied themfelves fufli- ciently at the fair, have recourfe to us from time to time; there being always great quantities of goods in our warehoufes* Our converfatioa now turning on the caufes of induf- try and idlenefs in nations, he ob- ferved, that the gift with which bounteous laS fiOWMAN's TRAVELS bounteous Nature had favoured thd Olfaftarians, in the improved faculty of fmelling (which he had learned only from my narrative), feemed id be of great ufe to them in providing for their fubfiftence. Bur, on thd contrary, continued he, a gift of a fimilar kind which the Auditantines enjoy in their fenfe of hearing, had a very different effed. For they had fuch erquifite enjoyment in Mufical performances, and the heariilg of love elegies, and other pieces of well wrote poetry read, that their w'hole time was fpent in fuch fooleries* Thefe improved faculties have how- ever their alloy ; for a^ the Olfacfta- rians are eafily offended with the leaft unpleafing fmell, fo the Audi- tantines fuffer excruciating anguilh from any very loud or harfh found : It Hi AUDITANTE- i^g It is happy for them (continued he) that it never thunders in this country; and the moft difagreeable thing their^ way of life fubjecls them to, is th^^ bray of an afs ; but they take care - to keep them always at a fufficient diftance from their tents. The fmallefl matter however hurts their nice ears, fuch as an inftrument not thcroughljr in tune, or playing out of time -, and the fame of a voice with refpecl i(x,^ the latter. This long converfation ^- was concluded, by an offer from* him of getting me a paffage to Bon- hommica if I chofe it, when the fleet returned from this country after ,- the Fair; and likewife to recommend me warmly to all his friends in that country. This kind offer I grate- fully accepted, and begged he would put me in a w^y of learning the K language 130 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS language in the mean time, that I might not be wholly at a lofs in that refpe6t. This he immediately com- plied with, and put me under the tuition of one of the book-keepers in his corapting-houfe ; faying at the fame time, that he could alfo inftrudt me in the Auditantine, which would qualify me to vifit that people, who were very hofpitable, if my curiofity led me to it, and for which I fliould have fufficient time. This propofal was much to my mind, and I im- mediately applied myfelf with great induitry to acquire thofe languages. In the mean time, nothing was neglected on my part to allifl: my colleagues in tranfadting the bufinefs of the Olfactarians ; and in every particular I had the fatisfaftion to find our merchants afted like honeft men and IN AtJDiTANTE. tit and fair traders. Far were they from defigning to take any advantage of my ignorance, or that of the favages, in the value of the goods to be ex- changed. This was what at leaft then appeared to me, and I had rea- fon afterwards to be convinced of the truth of it. As our goods were neither bulky, nor confifted of many articles, which were to be exchanged betwixt the merchants and us, mat- ters were not long in adjufting j and our wool, leather, &c. were begun to be put on board the canoes. In all thefe tranfadlions, I took par- ticular care that Seropa, the 'fecond in command on board mine, fliould be prefent, and thoroughly inftrucfted in them ; as he was probably to have the command of her home, it was his proper bufinefs to fuperintcnd the relading. K2 The jSt BOWMAN'S TRAVELS The reader will naturally imaginCi that I did not long negledt viewing a country, which gave me fo much pleafure in the approaching. In com- pany with fome of the merchants or brother favages, I frequently walked, or rode out, many miles into different parts of it. Every thing appeared gay and fmiling to me, who had been fo long unaccuftomed to fuch profpecfls. The height of the hills varied in different parts ; in fome they rofe nearly to mountains, and in others defcended almoft to a flat country : but all were covered with ^ pleafing verdure. I faw no woods, but there w^ere every where many clumps of trees, fcattered about in an irregular manner ; and abundance of fmall rivulets of the pureft water, Svhich was not only an ornament to IN AUDITANTE, 133 to the country, but of the greateft ufe to man and beaft. The fheep which fed on thofe delighful hills* were of the fame fpecies with thefe I had feen at the Cape of Good Hope, with large l;ieavy tails, and were innumerable. The horfes were beau- tiful, and refembled in their Ihape, the Arabians and Barbs which I had often feen in Yorkfhire. Black cattle were of two kinds, fome refembling ours in Europe, and others of the buffalo fpecies. I had never feen camels or dromedaries before, ex- cept in painting. Their affes were large, and the Mules flill more fo. We often went to their encampments, and when the merchants were with us, vifited the natives. Every place refounded with the pleafing melody of mufical inftruments and harmo- K 3 nious 134 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS nious voices *. Some of thefe encamp- ments, as was faid before, covered a great deal of ground ; and con- tained fome hundreds of people, befides horfes, camels, &c. which were fed with cut grafs. Behind the tents flood covered waggons, in which they tranfported their women, and the furniture of their tents, whea they changed their ftations. A peace- ful camp, breathing nothing but harmony, was to me a fight perfectly nev/ and engaging. The Auditantines are generally tall, not very fair, but of a graceful ap- pearance and very polite : Their drefs is fomething betwi:jvt the Afiatic and * HelookM, and faw a fpacious plain, whereon Were tents of various hue ; by fome were herds Of cattle grazing; others whence the found Of inftruments, that made melodious chime. Was heard, of harp Milton's Paradifc Loft, Book xi. line 556. Euro-5 IN AUDITANTE. 135 European; very eafy and becoming; made of woollen, cotton, or filk ftuffs ; according to the age, fex and rank of the wearers. On the whole, I did not feem to be amongft wandering fliepherds, but in the court of one of the Patriarchs we read of in Scripture, where they were king, prieft, and prophet.. I conceived fo great a defire to be better acquainted with thefe people, that I was unhappy till I had learned their language. This I had often declared to Ouragow and the other merchants, at the fame time acquainting them of my paffion for mufic, and being an indifFerent performer on the German Flute. One day when we were at Venerantes Horde (as I may call it), Our.gow prefented me to him in a particular manner j letting him know my great admiration of their way of life, as K 4 well 136 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS well as being a paffionate lover of mufic, and a tolerable performer on the German Flute ; not forgetting to acquaint him of my coming from a far country on the other fide of the world. The venerable old man re- ceived me with great affability and politenefs ; and 'gave me an invita- tion to come and ftay fome time with him. This I firmly refolved to accept of, as foon as the canoes were gone, and I had made myfelf proficient enough in their language to be underflood. When we had been above eight weeks at Seripante, and the canoes ready to fail, I fpoke to my col- leagues Teutopeig, and Nicophora iq. this manner; *' My friends, I do not intend re- turning with you to 01f^(5t4ria ; anc} boneftly IK AUDITANTE. 137 honeftly own, that I folicired this voyage with that defign. When your nation did me the honour of adopt* ing me, I never meant to abridge myfelf of the hberty which nature gave me, of changing my fituation, whenever it was agreeable or con- venient for me. While I have been in your fociety, my utmoft endea- vours have been ufcd to fei ve it ; and fometimes with fuch fuccefs, that the nation raifed me, ftep by ftep, to its chief honours and dif- tin(?tions. This I own was more than I deferved, a ftranger as I was ; but thefe honours with which they were pleafed unanimoufly to dignify me in fo rapid a manner, created much envy, and laid the foundation for the rancorous hatred which many tjeai: me j without having caufe that ^ I know 128 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS I know for it, but their own bad hearts. Thofe enemies of mine, it is plain, will never reft, till they have got me degraded from my prefent high ftation in the ftate, and which they may eafily effect ; fince I can no longer ferve them with fuch eclat as formerly, from having expended all my ammunition in their fervice* I therefore propofe to free myfelf from their machinations, by refign- ing into your hands thefe fo much envied honours, which I defire you will faithfully deliver (as near as you can in my own words), to the national council ; returning them my moft unfeigned thanks for all their favours." When I had finifhed, my colleagues exprefled great con- cern for my intention of leaving them ; but owned, that every thing I had IN AUDITANTE: 139 I had faid was true ; and wiflied me happy wherever fortune fliould carry me. I then afked them, If they thought any other of the chiefs of the fecond order, fitter to fucceed rae in the command of the canoe than Seropa, whofe right it feemed to be ; and they anfwering in the negative, Seropa was fent for, and acquainted with it. After this, I de- manded of them, in prefence of fome of the merchants and all of the chiefs, If they had any fault to find with my tranfadtions or behaviour, fince we left Olfadlaria ; which they declaring they had not : I embraced them, and took a laft farewel ; de- firing their kind remembrance, and that of all my friends, but particu- larly that they would make my grate- ful refpeds and good wifhes known Xo my bencfaftor Uncomia, When I40 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS When the canoes were gone, my friend Ouragow made me a prefent of a compleat drefs in the Bonhommican mode ; faying, as I was no longer a favage, it was proper to leave off the appearance of one. The good- nefs of this worthy man truly charmed me, and I felt all the gra- titude fuch benefits demanded. It is not to be imagined, but that two people living in the fame houfe toge- ther for fome months (as Ouragow and I did), muft have had many converfations, which for brevity's fake fliall be omitted ; and I fliall only mention in general, fome in- formations I got from him, and opinions of his upon fubjefts relating to my own country. With refpe6l to the great fouthern continent, he aflured me there cer- tainly IN AUDITANTE. 141 tainly was one ; and that the Bon- hommicans carried on a confiderable trade to one of its kingdoms ; but that he never had been there, nor could he tell me in what longitude and latitude it lay. He alfo informed me, that the Au- ditantines were idolaters, and facri- ficed to idols. He did not explain himfelf fuffici* ently on the Bonhommican religion^ as he faid I would learn it better from the priefts when I w^ent to that Ifland ; but only afTured me, that the principal tenet of it was the unity of the deity. His opinion of the chriftian reli- gion was a very favourable one, though I could not make him com- prehend many parts of it ; he wifhed xo fee our facred books, that he might examine 142 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS examine it; for, he faid, a religion ■which recommended fo pure a mo-' rahty, mull have a divine origin. Two things (with refpedt to our naval difcoveries) feemed to give him the greateft fatisfaftion to be informed of, as they might be im- mediately ufeful to his own country- men ; thefe were, the method of preventing the fcurvy in long voy- ages, and the arc of diftilling fea^ water to make it frefh. Thefe, he faid, were difcoveries that did honour to human nature ; the truth of which he could not doubt, from the length of the voyages performed by the difcoverers. I had now made a confiderable progrefs in the two languages, which for fome time had taken up my atten- tion, particularly in theAuditantine,as 6 I had IN AUDITANTE. 143 I had moft immediate occafion for it ; but as the natives had fuch nice ears, I was very diffident in fpeaking it before them. That I might improve myfelf, and at the fame time obferve what effedl my pronunciation had upon their nice organs, I ufed to walk in the fields, and fpeak to all the menial fhepherds, and others of low rank. At firft they were very fen- fibly hurt ; but being extremely good- natured people, they endeavoured to conceal it : by degrees, as I improved, they feemed lefs fo ; and, in a Ihort time, little, if any thing at all. Before I fet out on my vifit, Oura- gow cautioned me againft falling in love ; Take care of your heart, faid he, in the company of fo many charmers j and conftantly recoUedl, when you find yourfelf in danger, that 144 BOWMANVtRAVELS that thefe women are idolaters ; not. forgetting the great fouthern con- tinent, ^hori ^bj£o My new drefs had altered me fo much, that Venerante did not at firil: know me ; but, as foon as he learned who I was, received me with great kindnefs and hofpitality^ The whole horde indeed did the fame ; which then confided of above one hundred perfons, of both fexes and of all ages { exclufive of fervants and Haves ). Beiides, there were near as many in fmall camps on the fkirts of the ground, which their flocks and herds at prefent occupied. Thefe were moftly defcended from his own perfon ; for polygamy is allowed of by them, and they marry in degrees. of kindred, v^hich are forbidden amongft chriflians. I was told by one IN AUDITANTE, 145 one of his fons, that he had fixty thoufand fheep, five thoufand black cattle, three thoufand horfes, two thoufand camels, one thoufand flie afles, and fifty he ones, and one thoufand mules; fo that he was by far richer than Job, who was the richeft man in all the eaft in thofe days. We pafled our time in a continual round of what is called pleafures ; fo that if idlenefs and conftant dif- fipation conftitute happinefs, thefe are the happieft of any people in the world. The large encampment which 1 only faw, was of an oval form ; in the center of which, was a fuite of very large tents at fome diftance from one another, lined with cotton cloth ; and around them were fmall ones for fleeping in, dreffing, and other L offices. ^146 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS <^iflices. When we were not at meals ; parties were formed in thefe large ' tents according to people's fancies. ^^Some read love elegies to an audience rbund them, or fung tender fongs ; "'others had concerts of mulic which ''were truly ravifhing. Tender and amorous converfation fuited the lovers beft. And dancing to the lively airs , pf the pipe and tabor, was moll ; agreeable to the gay and lively. Their language is the fofteft that can be imagined, and in the women's ^ '^mouths, truly enchanting ; efpecially when fet to mufic, which it is pecu- liarly calculated for. That mufic is fimple and pathetic ; they like better v/hat affecTts the heart, than pleafes the fancy. The inftruments which they have, are of the fimpleft kind ; befides the pipe and tabor already •" AUD^T^i^^Jg^ 147 already mentioned, harps, lutes, and flutes, compofe the whole of their flock. Though the whole people have the moft critical ears, every- one has not a voice -, that gift how- ever is much more common here, than elfewhere : for there is fcarcely a young woman or boy but has, and many of them are fuperlatively fine. Their tables are plentifully fup- plied with the produce of their flocks and herds, in all the fimplicity of cookery. Milk furnifhes them with feveral agreeable difhes, befides butter and cheefe ; and I muft obferve, that, like the Tartars, they prefer horfe flefh to beef: I tafted it, and fairly own, could^ fcarcely diftinguifh the difference. The only things for fubfiftance which they are obliged to get from the Bonhommicans, are L 2 corn 14S BOWMi^l^'s tHAVELS corn and wine ; the firft they grind iri quearris (as they do ftill in many parts of Ireland), and then make it into bread ; the laft is only ufed on extraordinary occafions, as a fer- mented liquor made of mare's milk, and a kind of mead, are their ordi- nary drinks. They have images of two different gods of very rude fculpture, to which they offer facrifices. Thefe idols have fome refemblance to the Apollo and Pan of the antients, at leaft the one had a lyre and the other a pipe, on which they were in the attitude of playing. The government is in- rirely parental or patriarchal within each particular Horde, without hav- ing the leaft connexion with any other. They IN AUDITANTE, 149 f;^They have had writing long amongft them, and their characSlers feemed to me fomewhat to refemble^ the Hebrew or Arabic. If the learned fhould fancy from thence, that this people are a colony from that part of the world, I fhall leave it to them to form conjecfture?, how they could pofEbly be tranfported to fuch a diftance. I was for fome days a hearer, and great admirer at all mufical enter- tainments ; but when we became a little better acquainted, I found they had not forgot what Ouragow had faid of me, and had conceived great expecTiations of entertainment, from mufic of fo diflant a country. At firft I defended myfelf from their requefts, by the want of an inftru- ment ; but that would not fer\^e, I L 3 muft 1^6^ BOWMAN'S TRAVELS I muft make fhift with theirs in fotfie?^ fhape or another. Finding there wasi no avoiding it; I got one of their flutes of a conftru6lion neareft to a german one of any they had ; and botched it up, by opening fome holes and flopping up others, till at laft I made a tolerable inftrument of it. As the Italian mufic is moft ad- mired in Europe, I began with fome favourite airs, which were in great vogue when I left England. The whole company were much furprifed at hearing them ; and owned they did not expert any thing comparable to what I had played ; but, faid they, though thefe feem the ftyle of great matters, the firaple and pathetic is 'more to our taftes ; perhaps from pot knowing better. It fortunately happened that I had it ,iKnAUDITANTE.;^Ofl ^5|. it in my power, befides Italian, to, give them fome fpecimens of th^ mufic of other nations in our north^ ern world. The French was too gay r the Englifli (except when grafted, on the Italian) wanted melody ; but- moft of the plaintive Scotch fongs» and fome of the Irifh, were much to their taftes, and affecSted them wonderfully. As I was no great proficient on my inftrument, it was fometimes vifible enough, that their chromatic ears were much ojfFended by my difcords, and playing out of tune ; but their politenefs, joined to their curiofity, made them hide it as much as pofTible. This talent of mine, contemptible as it was, made me a kind of favou- rite amongft them ; they efleemed many of my fongs fo much, as to L 4 write igi BOWMAN'S TRAVELS write them out in their manner ii which, though very different from ours, was very ingeniou?. ^^ ,^j^^|| ^ £ I had now fpent ten days v/ith thefe people, and their way of life was fuch a contraft to what it had lately been my fortune to lead, that it could not but be agreeable to a man of my age, who was a lover of mulic. However my friend Oura- gow's antidotes had not yet been neceffary ; my heart remained un- touched. The time now approach-?- ed when I was to give up my liberty, and burn with the moft ardent paf- fion. A grand-daughter of Venerantp returned with her parents from an out camp, and at firft fight fhot me through and through. She appeared to be about fifteen, and (at leafl in my IN AUDITANTE/^O^ 153 my eyes) the moft perfeft woman heaven ever made. Her form riling a little above the middle fize, was made in perfect proportion ; and a grace and dignity attended every motion of her moft elegant limbs. But her face ; how fliall I defcribe her face? to the moft regular and beautiful features, were joined fuch modefty and fweetnefs, that it wai/ irrefiftible. Add to all thefe, the moft enchanting voice, far furpaffing any thing I had ever heard ; and judge of my condition. For fome days I admired at a diftance, without prcr fuming to have the leaft hope of pleafing fuch an angelic creature. But Venerante having been pleafed with my European fongs, defired one day to hear my adventures ; and ^s he doated on Imoina (fo the charming 154 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS charming maid was called), could not bear fhe fliould be long from him ; fhe was therefore obliged to become one of my conftant hearers. The fatisfaftion of having her near me, and to hear my difafters, was great ; and fometimes I thought fhe pitied them like Defdemona in the play. I fpun out my narrative to continue that fatisfa<5tion, and by degrees fhe became lefs referved ; but though I was never happy when from her, a certain awe feized me whenever I attempted to difclofe my pafiion. ^^My antidotes, befides, were not for* got ; and I thus argued with myfelf Would you then to fatisfy a prefent paflion, however violent, give up all thoughts of feeing your native coun- try? and the great honour of dif- covering ? W AUDIT ANTE.^^Off 155 covering to all Europe a fouthern continent, which would make your name immortal ? To live with idola^i^ ters a life of idlenefs and diffipation^^ having no care but for the prefent moment : Where polygamy is 2IA lowed, and the women (at their full liberty), indulging themfelves freely in amorous converfation, probably are not very fcriipulous in violating their marriage vows. On the other hand, to give up all thoughts of Imoina, and let her be poflefled by another, was what I could not think of. This ftruggle continued for fome time ; I grew thoughtful, and abfenj, t6 fuch a degree that every one took notice of it. Some faid, I was in love ; others, that their company was grown tirefome to me ; but Imoina wa$ very referved pn that head. At anmvo^ 3 other 156 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS other times I confidered, that if my fcruples fliould give way to love, and \ Imoina wzs favourable to my wifhes ; what probability was there, that Tra- pante her father, or Venerante her grandfather, would ever confent to my having her ; a llranger, of a different religion, and poor. Thus did love and reafon combat in my breaft ; and to my fliame I fay it, reafon made but a bad defence. The firfl fign of vidlory which appeared on the fide of love, was a copy of verfes of my compofing ; I got a friend to fet them to mufic ; and though they were probably very indifferent, every body applauded them ; being willing I fuppofe to encourage a beginner. And though it was now plain where my at- tachment was, no one feemed dif- pleafed IN auditante:^*'v% ,^7 pleafed with it, even Imoina was not more Ihy than ufual. This en- couraged me to fpeak : I foon met with a favourable opportunity, and my addrefles were well received, con- fidering the modefty of the fex. The ice being now broke, I had as many opportunities of pleading my paffion as could be defired ; and fooh had the pleafure of being told, that I was not difagreeable )j05.her. She now in- dulged me in all the innocent liberties I prefumed to take ; which made the time pafs away in a kind of intoxication, which nothing but enjoyment, or the difcovery I afterr^ wards made, could have put an end to. While my thoughts were employed on completing my happinefs, by en- deavouring to obtain the confent of thofe . ,15S B O W M A N*s T R A y E L S. thofe on whom fhe depended, but -delayed from day to day, from a > -'fcbnfcioufnefs that I was adting wrong, and the fear of a refufal ; fomething appeared to me to be going on be- ■-^wiit her, and her brother-in-law Amarante, which feemed very fuf- picious. My jealoufy was roufed, and I watched all their motions nar- rowly •, feveral days pajQTed on, before my doubts were cleared up : at laft, one evening they flipped out, one after another, from one of the great stents, in the midft of a very in- ^^terefting piece of mufic : I imme- ^ diately followed, and traced them into a bed- tent. This was fufficient for me, Cupid imtnediately took his flight from my bofom ; and when I faw her return to the tent, fhe feemed defpoiled of more than half her IN AUDITANTE. 159 her charms, and not more beautiful than any other woman. I pafled, how- ever, a very difagreeable night, and refolved to quit her fight for ever. Next morning I took leave of Venerante and his Horde, who all prefled me to flay fometime longer ; but I excufed myfelf on account of bufinefs at Seripante, and immedi- ately fet out for that place. When I had given my friend Oura- gow a candid relation of my amour, he congratulated me very affec- tionately on my efcape ; and faid. Young man, let this piece of expe- rience, which was fo near being fatal, teach you for the future, that the befl way to avert the dangers of that powerful paffion, is to keep out of temptation ; or if unexpedledly fur- prifed into it, to fly immediately. The i6o BOWMAN'S TRAVELS The fleet from Bonhommica being now foon expected, I applied very clofe to perfefting myfelf in that language s fpeaking in no other, and reading feveral books concerning their hiftory, government, manners, &c. &c. which was of great advan- tage to me when I arrived in that country. But notwithftanding my time was pretty well filled up, the image of the beautiful Imoina would often intrude into my fancy j then would I regret that fuch external per- fedlion was not accompanied with as beautiful a mind. My thoughts would then be led to confider, the influence of education and example upon the female manners 3 and my partiality for her induced me to think, that if fhe had been born an Englifli woman, and of courfe bred 2 up iip^a chriftian, that fhe would have a(5led in a very diiferent manner. But again refledling on fome bad characters I had known, and many that common report had held up to infamy amongft my fair country- women ; I knew not what to think; but refolved to bani(h her if poffible from my thoughrs. This was much affiiied in a little time by the arrival of the fleet, and the Fair held in confequence of it. My curiolity firft led me to examine the conftru6lion of their fliips ; which though far inferior to ours both in beauty of form, and neatnefs of workmanfhip, yet very much fur- prifed me 5 as they promifed to anfwer the purpofes of navigation very well; and I conceived that the M art i62 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS art of fliip-building might be now in that flate at Bonhommica, which it was in, in England, two centuries ago. The burthens of thofe now in Seripante river, feemed to be from three hundred to one hundred and fifty tons. They had no fhips of war with them as a convoy, the nation being at peace with all the world. The number of them were twenty, and their loading may eafily be judged of, from what has already been faid. Nothing worth relating happened at the fair; it was held near the town, and the Auditantines came to it on horfe-back, attended by covered waggons, in which was con- veyed their cheefe, fait butter and hides, 8cc. The wool was brought on camels. Some horfes and mules were IN AUDITANTE. 163 were alfo fold by them at the Fair. No women attended them, fo that there were no amufements going on, as is cuftomary in England on thefe occafions ; which I was very glad of. When the Fair was over, prepara- tions were made by the fleet for their return ; and my good friend procured me a paflage in the fliip commanded by Tourabow, an honeft plain failor, with whom I was very v/cU ac- quainted. He a^lfo gave me very warm recommendatory letters to fe~ veral of his friends. When every thing was ready for failing, he took leave of me, as if I had been his only fon, expreffing his ardent wiflies for my welfare ; and defiring I would favour him from time to time with accounts of what happened to me. I parted with that worthy man, with M ^ tears i64 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS tears in my eyes, being much moved with the many teftimonies he had given me of his afFedtion. We failed from Seripante with a fair wind, and during the voyage, I was very well amufed with obfer- ving their different manoeuvres. They had difcovered the ufe of the magnet in navigation, and had clumfy mari- ners compaffes ; but were abfolute flrangers to the variation of the needle. Their Quadrant was alfo very defeftive, as was their log-line, for keeping an account of the fliip's way; and they had no other means of gueffing at the longitude. How- ever, on the whole, they were care- ful, robuft, and active feamen.' Our voyage was agreeable, having fine weather, but rather too little wind. The eighteenth day, we m.ade the IN AUDITANTE. 165 the land of Bonhommica ; the rgth, entered the river Tourorow ; and the 2 1 ft, came to an anchor at Ludorow, the capital of the kingdom, being the 15th of January 1775. M 3 CHAP. i6S BOWMAN'S TRAVELS CHAP. V. 77?^ Author invited to refide ivith a near relation of his friend at Seripante. By the means of him, and others to ivhom he had Utters, he is prefented to the Lord Admiral^ to the Lord Treafurer^ and at lajl to the ^leen. She fettles a penfion on him. He confers ^ivith Officers y Ajironomersy Surveyors^ Phy- ftciansy and Mechanicks, on the means of introducing the Englflo improvements into the Bonhommican Navy, He is appointed a Pojl Captain^ and is to com^ mand a ftoip of forty guns (going to the font hern contiiient)^ under a Commodore, Has the fitting her out in the Englifh manner. She is much admired. The ^een dines on board of her, They fail for Luxo-volupto, Arrive fafely at Miro-volante, ON our arrival in this kingdom, my eyes were delighted with the fight of corn-fields, (as well as pafture IN BONHOMMICA. 167 pafture grounds) hedge-row inclo- fures, farm houfes, and country- feats ; with the profpedl of a large and populous city at a diftance : In fliort, every thing demonftrated that I was again got into a civilifed country. When we landed, Toura- bow conduced me to the houfe of Lurgofage, a near relation of my friend ; who after he had read the letter I had prefented to him, clafped me in his arms, and received me in fo afFeftionate a manner, that it plainly appeared to be no common letter of recommendation which I had delivered. He infifted on my taking up my abode with him, and always behaved to me with the warmeft friendfhip. When I had got a little fettled with him, my other letters were delivered ; and every one M 4 received l63 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS received me equally v/ell ; they were all confiderable merchants, and they feemed fucli worthy and friendly people, that I thought myfelf got among a fuperior rank of beings, My time was fpent among them in the moll agreeable manner, walking over the different parts of the town, always in the company of fome one or more of their families ; in dining and fupping alternately with them, and in agreeable and improving con- verfation. In the laft, while I in- formed them of particulars concern- ing my country, and travels ; I was myfelf made acquainted with many things about theirs, which I was yet ignorant of. They were at this time governed by a Queen, named Tudo- rina, who was poflefled of abilities^ ileadinefs, and magnanimity, that far furpafled IN BONHOMMICA. 169 furpafled moll of the Kings her prc- deceffors. By her prudent choice of Minifters, and the wife tenor of her adminiftration, flie had extricated her- felf out of many difficulties, kept her kingdom in peace, encouraged trade and manufadlures, and was laying the foundation of a maritime power. All thefe things had their due merit, with a virtuous and fen- fible people ; flie was not only ref- pefted and obeyed, but in a manner adored by them. This was a happy conjuncture for a ftranger, who wanted to be employed in the naval fervicp. My excellent friend at Se- ripante, had recommended in all his letters, that they would think of the properefl method of turning to my advantage, the difcovery of many fmprovements in Navigation, and preferving I70 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS preferving the health of fea-men, made by my countrymen, which I had it in my power to difclofe j and this had very much occupied their thoughts ever fince my arrival. One day when they were met at dinner at Lurgofage's upon this fubjedl j when the aiFair was brought on the carpet, and different means were propofed ; Minofrage faid he was very well acquainted with the fecre- tary to Howarow the Lurgow A mo- row, (Lord Admiral) and if they approved, he would mention it to him ; who probably would either introduce me to the Lurgow Amorow himfelf, or advife what ihould be done. This was agreed to, and two days after 1 had an invitation to dine at Minofrage's to meet the fecretary. It may naturally be fuppofed he wanted IN BONHOMMICA. 171 wanted to judge himfelf whether I merited the chara(5ter had been given of me. He feemed a fenfible man, and was very minute in his inqui- ries, efpecially of things in the naval department. I was very open, and cxpUcit, and fuppofe his report of me was favourable; as in a day or two after, he came to Lurgofage's, and offered to introduce me to the Lurgow Amorow the next morning. That great officer was attended by fome of the principal commanders, who all received me with great good- nefs. The conference was long, as the fubject was very extenfive ; every particular refpefting fliip-building, victualing, failing, fighting, arms, anchorage, &c. &c. was inquired into ; and I gave them as fatisfaftory anf- wers as my memory ferved me with ; telling 172 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS telling them alfo, what defe6lsl had obferved in the fliip which brought me from Seripante, and in the man- ner of navigating her. Some days pafled, without our hearing any thing of. the rcfult of this confe- rence ; but at laft a meflage came from the great Burlohow, the Trea- furer and firft Minifter, defiring to fee me two days after. This we thought looked well, and I made my appearance at the time appointed. He had a winning affable addrefs, that made you foon forget you was in the prefence of the great man ; but fo penetrating an eye, that he looked into your very foul. He began with naval affairs, but did not confine himfelf to that fubje6t; drawing me in to give an account of our wars for a century paft^ the expence IN BON MOM MIC A, 173 expcnce of them, how the money was raifed, our public funds, na- tional debt, &c. When I had given the bqft account that one fo little verfed in theie matters was capable of; he faid, that the trade of my country mud be very extenfive, and its opulenie very great, to bear fuch an immenjte load of debt; but it was a dangerous pradlice, and he hoped the Bonhommicans would never be led, from any neceility of ftate, to begin any thing fimilar^to it ; as from the experience of my country, it ap- peared very difficult for a nation to extricate itfelf out of fuch a lituation. Ke then in a very gracious manner difmiffed me, promifing to mention me favourably to her MajePty. I now thought there was an end to my cate- chifings, but wasmiftaken; for fome time 174 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS time after, a mefTage came to me from the Treafurer, defiring me to be at court on an appointed day, as the Queen wanted to fee me. I got a proper drefs made in all hafte, and attended by fome of my friends pre- fented myfelf. A Lurgow in waiting introduced me into her Majefty's clofet, where flie appeared with fuch a dignity of afpedt and deportment, that I was flruck with an awe which I found it difficult to recover from. She obferved it, and putting on a milder look, faid, Stranger, I have been informed, you come from a highly civilifed country, on the other fide of the world, and that you have met with extraordinary adventures. I was curious to fee you, and hear them, therefore ordered you to ap- pear before me ; but fear nothing, I am IN BONHOMMICA, 175 I am prepofTefTed in your favour, from what my minifters have already told me, and believe you will be of ufe to me in my navy ; therefore relate to me your adventures, as if you was only in company with your equals. This condefcenfion in her Majefty removed the awe that had feifed me> and I obeyed her with more refolu- tion than I thought myfelf capable of. When I had fmiflied, llie afked me a great many queftions about Great Britain, and particularly about their Majefties, comma^iding me to give my real opinion of them with- out referve, faying, there was no danger of its ever coming to their ears. When I had complied, and given the character of them, which in my opinion, and that of all candid men, was really their due, recount- 5 ing 176 BOV7MAN'3 TRAVELS ing alfo their numerous progeny, ihe held up her hands in great rap- tures ; crying out, O happy people ! blefTed with fuch a King and fuch a fucceffion ! but all at once fhe turned to me and faid, are they happy ? I anfwered, They might be fo if they pleafed, but fadlions ran high, pre- tended patriots abufed the peoples credulity, and I underftand you, faid fhe ; your King is too good for them ; they ought to have one that would make^ them fear him. If I was your Queen, I would foon curb their licentioufnefs ; men cannot bear too much liberty. After that, flie enquired about the manners and drefles of our women, and I gave as faithful an account as was in my power, from my fmall ac- quaintance with polite company. She then IN BONHOMMICA. 177 then faid, I perceive your nation is following exadlly the fleps of all rich and powerful kingdoms ; luxury has got in among you, and will foon deftroy you ; but there is no ftability in this world, exclaimed flie, with a figh ! She then concluded my audience, by faying, flie fettled a penfion of two hundred tudorines yearly on me ; and that Ihe would likewife employ me in her fervice. But as flie had been informed, that my country- men had been in fearch of the fouth- ern continent, and that I wiflied to make a voyage to it ; fhe would give directions to the Lurgow Amorow, not to appoint me to any fliip, till the feafon approached for the fleets failing to Luxo-volupto. In the mean time, continued flie, I will appoint N ^ proper 178 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS proper perfons to confer with you, oti the different reformatioils which may- be made in my navy, by the inflruc- tions it is in your power to give them. She then difmifled me, in great admiration of her good fenfe, and deep penetration 5 as well as much fatisfied with her bounty, which prevented me from continuing a burthen to my friends. In weight of gold it was only equal to one hun- dred pounds Englifli money 5 but in Ludorow would go as far as three times that fam in Britain. The Drawing which I had learned, and very much praftifed for my amufement, became now of confider- able ufe to me. The Lurgow Amo^ row being defirous to know, what w^ere our ideas of beauty in the form of a Ihip, as well as what we 8 reckoned iM BONHOMMICA. 179 reckoned beft calculated for fwift failing ; with many other particulars, which no idea could be given of by defcription; made me therefore en- deavour to fupply that defec5l by drawings. I fet to work then, and drew a fliip of fixty guns (which, in my opinion, was larger than any they were foon likely to have), from memoryj in the beft way I poflibly could. She was reprcfented in different appearances and fituations 5 and therefore took up a good deal of time. The firft was her hull, as complete, and lying in ordinary. The fecond, a fedlion of her. The third, when rigged. The fourth, under fail. Figures with references to each part, were not omitted. And the fifth, were draw- ings of different parts and orna- N z ments, i8o BOWMAN'S TRAVELS ments, which could not be fo well underflood from their fmallnefs in the fliip. Thefe were finifhed as high as I poffibly could, and pre- ftnted to the Lurgow Amorow ; who was extremely well fatisfied with them ; ordering them to be framed and glazed (after feveral copies had been taken, for the ufe of the fur- veyors of the Dock-Yards), and hung up in the Amoroutow Office as great curiofuies. At a conference with the furveyors, I afterwards explained any difficulties they propofed to me, and gave them what farther lights my memory could fuggeft. My next meeting was with fomc fea commanders, and aftronomers, Concerning the improvements made in England of the mariner's compafs and quadrant -, as alfo what progrefs had IN BONHOMMICA. i8i had been made in the difcovery of the longitude ; the inftrument-ma- kers being ordered to attend. Draw- ings were here alfo made ufe of ; and after I had explained to them the advantages of ours, they rea- dily acknowledged their fuperiori- ty. I need fcarcely fay, that my quadrant was from the lateft im- provements on Mr. Hadley's. I alfo acquainted them, that the needle did not always point to the north ; and that to whatever caufe it was owing, the variation was conftantly chang- ing (in every place of the ocean), fometimes in one direftion, and fometimes in another. To find out that variation by the mean refult of feveral Azimuth compaffes, was what I next endeavoured to teach them ; and had the fatisfaftion to think they N 3 tho- i82 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS thoroughly underftood me. I gave them aKo fome little infight into the theory of magnetifm, with an ac- count of the invention of artificial magnets, now only ufed, which ap- peared very furprifing to them. My laft attempt was to inform them of the progrefs which had been madc^ in the difcovery of the longitude at fea. I acquainted them with a pre- mium, which had been offered by the Britifh legiflature, above half a century ago, of forty thoufand tudo- rines to any perfon who fhould make a time-piece that would bear the motion of a Ihip, and the different degrees of heat and cold, in a voy- age to a hot climate above a thoufand leagues diftant, and back again, without varying above fo much time from a good regulator, which was to be IN BONHOMMICA. 183 he kept on fliore exadlly true to time. That a mechanic of a wonderful natural genius, had fpent in a man- ner his whole life upon it ; and had brought it to fuch perfeftion, that (after having explained the whole mechanifm to proper perfons) he had received the premium. I told them, that one of thefe time-keepers w^as on board our fliip, and was of great ufe to us. The other method of obferving feveral diftances of the fun and moon, with the way of working them, was alfo mentioned ; together with the nautical almanac publiflied by the King's aftronomers, which faved a great deal of labour to the fea officers. The aftronomers gave great attention to what I deli- vered, afked many queftions for in- formation, and wiflied to uaderiland N 4 me ; i84 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS me ; but I thought it plam, that they were not yet fufficiently advanced in aftronomy, to comprehend the prin- ciples on which it depended. It is not to be fuppofed I could give their watch-makers any inlight into the mechanifm of the time-piece : but before we broke up, feveral com- paffes and quadrants were ordered to be made on my plan, and under my dire(5lion. The third conference was held with the court phyficians ; in which I gave them an account of our vidlualling for the voyage, and efpecially that part of it, which experience had proved to be fo efficacious in pre- venting the faked meat, which ac- quired fome degree of putrefaftion, from infefting the mafs of blood ; and caufing that dreadful difteraper, fo IN BONHOMMICA. 185 fo fatal to feamen in long voyages, the fea fcurvy. Our method alfo of keeping the men clean and the fliip well aired, (was not forgot) by ventilators, wind- fails, and what was particularly ufed by the two iliips in the laft voyage, by fire. In the next place, I acquainted them with the method of diftilling fea-water, to make it frefli and ufeful for man, without having occafion to nfe more fire than was fufficicnt to drefs the victuals of the fhip's com- pany. I laftly gave them an account of another kind of diftillation by cold, which our experience had furniflied uSi with, in the laft voyage, that alfo frefhened fea-water, and made it wholefome. The i86 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS The Doftors were grave, fenfible, candid men ; they faid, the diftilling fea-water fliould be forthwith tried- And that my account of the fuccefs of the prefervatives from the fcurvy, had alfo fo much the appearance of truth, that they would certainly re- commend the making trials of them, in the firft long voyages which oc- curred ; as all the materials were fafe, and could have no bad confequences. My laft conference was with Mili- tary men, of both fea and land fer- vice, with refpeft to the improvement of their arms. That nation had known the ufe of gun-powder for a century pall, and had ufed cannon with fuc- cefs ; but their fmall arms were ftill clumfy, with ill-contrived locks ; and for that reafon few of them in their armies j pikes, and bows and arrows, iliU IN BONHOMMICA. 187 flill continuing to be ufed. I could have wiflied now to have had my fufee with me for a pattern ; but that not being to be had, I was obhged to make the beft fhift I could with drawings, and by the directions I gave the gun-fmiths. The bayonet j^xcd to the muzzle of the piece, was alfo recommended as a much better wea- pon than the pike, and was acknow- ledged to be fo. A muiket and bay- onet was made under my directions, and though clumfy, as the firft attempt muft of courfe be, both from my fault and the gun-fmiths, was yet greatly admired by the officers ; and by her Majefty's order many hands were fet to work, to furnifli the ma- gazines with fome thoufands of them. Orders were alfo given to write to ^he merchants of Seripante, to endea- vour BOWMAN'S TRAVELS vour to recover my fufee from Uncomia at any price, as a more perfect model. Thefe were the principal improve- ments, which I endeavoured to explain to them ; but there were feveral others, which for brevity's fake are here omitted ; fuch as the log-line, chain, pumps, the method of bending tim- ber by fleam, &c. &c. It was truly admirable to fee, with what candour every one of thefe worthy men behaved with regard to me ; no little jealoufy or felf-interefl: influenced them ; but, with an open honefty, they acknowledged, after due examination, the fuperiority of our methods to their own. And feemed happy that Bonhommica had made fuch acquifitions by the accident of my coming among them ; which might otherwife have taken centuries to IN BONHOMMICA. 189 to have found out, in the common courfe of things. I afterwards found, that their reports to the minifters, had exadlly anfwered what they had given me reafon to expeft. Her Majefty fent for me to court, and after gracioufly telling me how much her minifters were fatisfied with the reports made by the diffe- rent perfons who had conferred with me, ordered me two hundred tudo- rines as a prefent to fit me out for my voyage to Luxo-volupto, which flie faid would not now be long of taking place. I now became almoft as great a favourite with the Lurgow Amorow and many of the other Lurgows, as I have been told my friend Omai was here. I had ipo bowman's travels I had the honour to be invited frei- quently to dine and fup at their houfes ; where the entertainment was always plentiful, but the cookery fimple and plain : no high feafoned ragouts, no made' diflies appeared there. The wines were good, but drank in great moderation *. There was always a proper mixture of the fexes at table, but great deco- rum kept up. The men, fenfible and frank ; the women, modeft and re* ferved. No little fcandal, or malici- ous reflections pafled the women^s lips, with refpedl to other women ; but they, as well as the men, were very ready to fpeak of a commend- able adion done by any one. I fhall * The rule ©f rot too much ; by temperance taught. In what thou eat'ft, and drink'ft ; feeking from thence Due nouriftiment, no gluttonous delight. Milton's Paradife Lofl, Book xi. line 531. mention IN BONHOMMICA. 191 mention fome of that nature, which I heard talked of at different times ; without any very extraordinary praife, but as things common enough. A Phyfician who had attended a lady for a confiderable time, ill of a diftemper ; by tjie turn it took, plainly perceived he had miftaken the cafe ; nature having relieved the patient in a way that could never have happened, if it had been as he fuppofed. Neither the lady, nor her friends, had any doubt but the falutary turn in her favour, was occafioned by the medicines he had prefcribed* The phyfician however returned the fees he had received ; owning ho- neftly, that he had been miftaken, and could not poflibly retain money, he was confcious of having no right to. Another 192 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS Another ftill more extraordinary was, of an Attorney, who, by a mif- take, made by him in a writing, had loft a client his law-fuit. The client was not fenfible on what the caufe turned, nor in the leaft blamed him ; he honeftly however paid him all'that he had occaficned the lofs of. I fhall mention but one more. A man had been left a confiderable eftate by a relation, on the prefumption that he was his neareft of kin. The teftator dying, he was put in poffef- fion. Sometime after which he learned by accident, that there was one yet nearer to the deceafed than himfelf ; and being convinced it was the donor's intention to leave it to the heir at law, he fent for him, honeftly made a deed in his favour, and immediately re- figned it. 'Z My IN BONHOMMICA. 193 My being carefled by the Courtiers and Lurgows (or Nobility), did not however make me negledl my good friends the Merchants j or for- get the worthy Ouragow, who recom- mended me to them. On the con- trary, I paid them more attention than before, being fenfible that my prefent happy fituation was in a great meafure their work. When I got my penfion, my intention was to remove from Lurgofagc's houfe to a lodg- ing; that I might no longer be a burthen to him : biit he would not hear of it, fo I ftill lived with him. The fimplicity of manners that pre- vailed in Ludorow, was the caufe that there were no places of diffipa- tion in that capital. No taverns, eoflFee-houfes, ball-rooms, concert- rooms, &c. &c. ; but there was a O theatre. 194 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS , ^ theatre. That indeed was but of a fhort {landing ; the fize fmall, the decorations poor, and prices low. I frequently went to it, and took notice, that the modefty and referve of the fex, had prevented women from appearing on the fcene ; this to me, who had been accuftomed to fee women acftrefles in the theatres of England, had an unnatural appear- ance ; but I foon became reconciled to it. Where men wear the orna- ment on their chins which nature has provided them with, a clofe fliaved, fmooth faced young man, who accuftoms himfelf to imitate the behaviou;* of a woman, may be eafily conceived to be one : and in my opi- nion, virtue and decency would have been much promoted in England, if that cuftom had ftill continued there. 3 For iu BONHOMMICA. 195 t^dr it muft be apparent to every body, that fcarcely one woman adlrefs has appeared with any pretence to beauty, tvho has had the leaft regard to her charadler ; nor been the lefs efleemed by the pnbHc for that reafon. This has certainly had a bad efFedl on fe- male manners, and made them look on crimes of that nature with lefs horror. But to return to the theatre of Ludorow. The adlors in general were far from contemptible, but they had few good dramatic poets. He who far fur- paffed the reft, was an a6lor, and in that capacity^ of very little merit 2 that was a reafon why his produc- tions were lefs efteemed than they really deferved. I had been one even- ing to fee a new play of his, in com. pany with Lurgofage and others of O 2 my 196 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS my friends. It went off extremely well, and I was charmed with it . however there were not wanting cricics, who found fault with many parts ; and which could not eafily be defended. One of thefe fupped with us at my friends, where the piece came naturally to be talked of; he loudly blamed the irregularity of the play ; faid there was no plot, no contrivance, no moral ; but juft a ftory taken from a novel, and put into dialogue ; fhifting from place to place, and taking up years in the adling. All thefe obj eft ions are very juft, anfwered another ; and certainly plays may be contrived more art- fully ; and to reprefent actions to our view with more probability. But that may be done merely by care and induftry, without the leaft fpark of genius : IN BONHOMMICA, 197 genius : Avonfwan's excellency, is his knowledge of the human heart, and the paffions. Added to thofe, the moll poetical diftion, and fined flights of fancy ; and I dare venture to prophecy, that when the man is no longer in view, and his profeflion become more honourable, that pof- teriiy will do him juftice. I own my fentiments were exadlly the fame, and genius fo feldom making its ap- pearance, many things ought to be forgiven it when it does. I was now informed by the Lurgow Amorow, that he had appointed me Carrogow (Poll Captain) to her Ma- jefly's fliip Ardefow, of forty guns ; under the Quadarow Moraveres : de- firing me to call for my commifllon, and take the oaths required. He faid, O 3 fhe IS8 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS flie was to fail to Luxo-volupto as part of the convoy ; that being neceflary, (though the nation was in full peace), to prevent her Majefty's fubje6ls, from being infulted by the Armoferian privateers. I told him in anfwer, that my in- tentions were to ferve fo bountiful a Queen, and worthy a Nation, with all zeal and fidelity. But before I engaged myfelf, there were two con- ditions, which I earneftly wifhed might be granted me. He deiired to know what they were; I replied, liberty of confcience in religion, and permifEon to depart, whenever an opportunity offered, to carry me to my own country. After a little con- fideration, he faid, I ought to prefenc ^ memorial to the Queen upon thefe fubje(5ts^ IN BONHOMMICA. 199 fubjedls, as he could not grant them, without an exprefs order from her. I followed the Lurgow Amorow's ad- vice, and prefented one to this effed:. Setting forth her Majefly's great good- nefs, in taking me into her fervice ; which I embraced with the greateft joy, and fhould ferve her with all zeal and fidelity. But hoped her Majefty would have the goodnefs, to allow me liberty of confcience in religious matters. And having alfo a great Jove for my native country, and no chance of being conveyed thither, but by accidentally meeting at fca with an European Ihip ; that her Majefty would have the goodnefs to give orders, that if fuch an oppor- tunity offered, I fliould have the li- berty of departing, without incurring her difpleafure by fo doing. Q4 She 200 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS She read my memorial direftly, without referring it to her Miniflers ; and in anfwer to it faid, as to reli- gion, every one in her kingdom en- joyed liberty of confcience; whicl^ flie thought an abfolute eflential to a free people. Befides, faid fhe, we all believe in the unity of the god- head as well as you chriftians. With refpedt to the other part of it, I like you the better, continued fhe, for having an attachment to your native country, where your family and con- neftions are : if you had not ; how could I expeft you would have any for me, or my people^ I will not only give the orders defired, faid (he ; but if no opportunity fliould offer, I give you my royal word, that after having ferved me faithfully for fj^ver^ years^ IN BONHGMMICA. 20f years, I will fend a fhip with you to the Cape of Good Hope, where I un- derftand by your narrative, you may have frequent opportunities of return- ing to your own country ; and no doubt you can eafily condudl the vcfTel to that place. This filled me with fuch joy and gratitude, that I fell on my knees to thank her : fhe fmiled, and gracioufly held out her hand for me to kifs. I went now and took the oaths ; after which, my com- miflion was given me, in which I was ftiled Equihow or efquire. My next bufinefs was, to pay my refpecfls to Moraveres, under whom I was to ferve. He was the Quadarow or Com- modore of this fleet, and was to carry a mark of diftindlion. He received me as well as I poflibly could have defired ; exprelling the great fatis- fadlion 202 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS fadion he fhould have in converfing with me, on the manners and cuftoms of my country; and efpecially in feeing the great improvements, which had been made by them in naval affairs, put by me into pradlice. I re- phed, that it was my great happinefs to be appointed to ferve under fo great an officer, and worthy a man. That it would always give me infinite fz^ tisfacflion to communicate any thing to him, that could in the leaft con- tribute to the . good of the fervice. For that purpofe I begged his per- miffion to have the direftion of fitting out the fhip, and that the principal officers in each department, might Jiave orders to furnifh me with mafts> fails, rigging, anchors, cables, &c. gcc. according to the dimenfions, and quality, I fliould demand. He anf- wered. IN BONHOMMICA. 203 wered. That it would give him great pleafure to fee the Ardefow fitted out exactly in our manner; but having no power to order it of himfelf, all he could do, was to join me in mak- ing application to the Lurgow Amo^ row for an order to that purpofe ; and he had no doubt of our obtain- ing it. He judged right ; when it was mentioned to that Minifler, he f;aid it was the very thing he had been ^linking of ; and all the ncceflary orders fliould immediately be given to that ends as well as for vicHiualling her in the manner I had mentioned for a long voyage. It may naturally be fuppofed that I did not fail to exert myfelf on this occafion ; and fortunately I fucceedecj not only to my own fatisfa(5i:ion, but that of the ablcft failors in that coun- tryo 204 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS try. The ftiip was conftantly filled with them ; and I had numberlefs explanations to make ; which (tho' often quite tired and vexed), I endea- voured to do with patience and tem- per. The fame of the Ardefows equip- ment extended itfelf ; rnany of the Lurgows vifited her; and at laft, a melTage came tq the Quadarow from the Lurgow Amorow, that her Ma- jefty would dine on board of her two days after. Great preparations were made for this entertainment, and fiG fumptuous a one provided, as the time and place would admit. Her Majefty came down the river in one of the royal barges, attended by feve- ral others full of courtiers of both fexes ; and on coming on board, was falutedvby the Ardefow, and all the fliips in the river. She then examined the IN BON HOM MIC A. 20^ the iliip very narrowly, and had all the improvements explained to her; which Ihe almoft as readily compre^ hended, as many of the fea officers ; exprefling great fatisfadlion with the alterations which had been made. With the Quadarow's permiffion, I refolved to furprife her Majefty and the court, v^ith giving them a fliort fail on the river. The anchors were a-peak, and while they were at din- ner, the fails were fet with as little noife as poffible, without being ia the leaft perceived by the company. The firll information they had of it, was the noife made by the rudder. Upon which, every body ran upon deck, and at laft her Majefty appeared there ; who faid, laughing to me, that flie feared I was a dangerous traitor, fince I had the boldnefs in 6 open 2t>6 feoWMAN^s TRAVELS open day to carry off the Queen and Court ; and Ihe would have me pii- niflied for it. I anfwered her Majeftyj; that imagining fhe intended feeing every improvement which had been made, it was necefTary to put the Ihip under fail for that purpofc. We went only about a league down the river, and then returned to our for- mer ftation. Soon after which the Queen and Court departed, feem- ingly very well fatisfied with their entertainment. Every thing being now ready for failing, I went to court to take leave. Her Majefty faid to me, I wifh you a good voyage ; take care of your morals among the Luxo-voluptans, and when you return, I will intruft you with a fliip intirely under your own command. I took a moft aiFec^ tionate ' IN BON HO M MIC A. 107 tionate leave of my friends the Mer- chants, and left a letter for Ouragow to go with the fleet to Seripante. We failed from the river Tourarow September 3d, i77i', with a fair wind. The convoy confifted of thirty-fix Merchant fliips, and there were two frigates of war, one of 28 guns, and another of 22, under the Quadarow's command. He left me the intire di* redlion of the fhip, and was pleafed to fee, with what alertnefs I foon brought the crew to go through all their manceuvrea. Our courfe was well quarter north. As nothing particular happened in the voyage, I fliall not trouble the reader with it. November ift, we made the land of Luxo-volupto early in ioS B(3WMAN"s TRAVELS in the morning : I heard them cry out land! land! and ran upon deck to view it, but could fee nothing but a blue cloud. I afterwards went up to the mail head, and ftill could fee nothing like the appearance of land. When I came down on the deck, and infilled they were millaken ; Mora- veres fmiled, and faid, there was a pecuharity in the appearance of that land, which he never faw in any other ; and it was by that means they always knew it. It puts on the appearance of a blue cloud, continued he, as if it wanted to conceal itfelf. Perhaps, purfued he, it is that which deceived Captains Cook and Fur- neaux your countrymen, and made them mifs it. We came to an anchor with the whole fleet, in the harbour of Miro- volante, iM BONHOMMICA- 20) volante, November 4th ; having been juft two months and one day in our voyage. CHAP. 210 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS CHAP. vr. A Defcription of the IJland of Bonhonimica^ and its Inhabitants. Their moral Senfe. Manners, Ctijioms^ Lawsj Government^ Religion^ &c. &c. I SHALL now give as good an ac- count of that Kingdom, as my fhort flay and bell information will enable me. Bonhommica is an Ifland, lying betwixt 3^^ 46' and 40° 35' degrees of fouth latitude. And 165° 33' and 170^ 46' eaft longitude. It is of an irregular Ihape, having many indentings of arms of the fea, and TTtmirhiLr j f j^ i yer.q. which form gene- rally good harbours. It lies in a temperate climate, the fouthern hemif- phere IN BONHOMMICA. 211 phere being much colder in propor- tion to its latitude than the northern. A great part of it is naturally a good foil, fome diftridls however are moun- tainous and barren enough ; but even thefe are fit for pafiure. Inclofures are only to be feen near Ludorow, and the other great ciries ; the reft of the country is open. It produces very good corn, of moft of the kinds which we have in Europe ; different forts of wineSj olive oil, and many kinds of roots, greenSj and fruits, which are cultivated in their gardens. Their animals are horfesj black cattle, Ihecp, goats,^ afles, fwine,and plenty of tame fowl, Befides their wild ainimals, which are deer, foxes, hares, wolves and bears, &c. They have many confiderable cities, amongft which, P 2 Liidorov/ U2 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS Ludorow is the capital of the king- dom. It feems to be near one third as large as London, and ftands on the banks of a beautiful navigable river ; but it is far from being either hand- fome or magnificent. The ftreets are narrow, the houfes of wood or brick, in a plain, but convenient enough ftile of building. No mag- nificent churches, palaces, or fquares adorn it i two of the churches indeed are large, and the royal palace, as well as feverals belonging to the Lur- gows, cover a great deal of ground, and have extenfive gardens ; but are all built in a ftile of archite(5lure, fomewhat refembling what in Europe is called the gothic. The greateft beauty of that city in my opinion is, that you do not fee a beggar ; either occafioned by the virtue and induftry of IN BONHOMMICA." 213 of the lower clafs of people, or by the private charities of the rich 5 for there is no poor-tax. The-* inhabitants of Bonhommica are a well made, handfome people ; very near as fair as the Englifh 5 moft commonly with blue eyes, but fome- times they are black or grey. Their hair, frequently of a reddifh colour, but more commonly black, chefnut, or flaxen. The hiftories of this coun- try, make them of a very ancient eftabliftiment in this Ifland, and even have fome fabulous accounts of their being a colony from fome far-diftant country ; but on thefe, no dependence is to be made. The drefs of the nobles, and better fort of gentry, is grave and decent ; (refembling that of the Spaniards in P 3 Philip 214 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS Philip II.'s time); the women cover- ing up their arms and bofoms. It is made chiefly of woollen cloths or fluiFs, manufactured by themfelves. The nobility fometimes wear filks, or velvets, which they get from Luxo- volupto ; but no gold or filver are worn on the clothes of either fex, ex- cepting on ftate days, when her Ma^ jefty is fometimes, for the greater mag-r nificence, drefTed in fluffs adorned with thefe metals. Before I enter upon their manners, it will be previoufly neceflTary to men- tion a peculiarity in thefe people, which greatly influences them. It is, that they have fix fenfes. The fixth fenfe, but which they reckon the firft, is the fenfe of confcience, or the moral fenfe ; and they would much rather IN BONHOMMICA. 215 rather be without any of the others, even the fight or hearing, than (Jefti- tute of it. There are certainly fome glimmerings of this fenfe, in other nations, but they are fo flight, that they have been almoft intirely over- looked. But in this people it is fo apparent, that no doubt can be made of it. It is true they take a great deal of pains to cultivate it in their chil- dren, from their earlieft infancy; arguing, that as we may ftrengthen our limbs or other fenfes by uling them; fo we may this fenfe, by con- flantly habituating uhem to the prac- tice of it. To thar end, the firft eight or ten years of their education, (except in learning to read their own lan- guage, writing,/ arithmetic, and geo-^ graphy), is employed by their parents and matters in improving and fortify- P 4 ing 2i6 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS ing them in the ufe of that exGcl- Jpnt fenfe. Their method of doing mis^ is chiefly by examples from their own hiftory, and Ihort ftories written of virtuous adlions, done by their countrymen or copntry-wompn. I need not fay, that the fex makes no diflference in this part of education ; though after a certain age, it is car- ried on feparately. The examina- tions which they go through, are not on a part of fpeech in a dead language ; but to give their opinions in doubtful aftions, whether they are blameable or praife- worthy ; putting queflions to them,» how they would acSl in fuch and fuch fituations, and recflifying their judgments if necef- fary. The good example fliewed by all around them, has like wife no (mail influence. Rewards and punifhr ments ^ - 3n ' 1^ O N H M M I C A. 217 fnerits are alfo ufed with great pro-* 5>ri^ty ; being certain badges of approt- bation or fliame, worn for a certain time according to the merit or de-^ merit of the wearer. Preventive methods are no lefs carefully attended to. They can meet with no improper books, as none fuch are publifhed; and every word or aftion which fliews a tendency to th^ depravation of the heart, is carefully watched and checked at its firft appearance. To all thefe, the precepts of their reli- gion are fuperadded, which Ihall be taken notice of in its proper place. During all this time, innocent amufe- ments and diverlions, are rather en- couraged than otherwife ; being looked on by them, as falutary both |o the body and mind. The .^i8 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS The females are educated intircly under the maternal eye, who, from their retired way of life, have fuffi- dent time, and take a pleafure in cultivating their young minds, and training them up, in all the virtues proper for their fex and ftation. Boarding fchools for girls are riot known in that country ; where one or two vicious characters are fuf- ficient to corrupt the whole. When the boys are fourteen or fifteen, they are fent to the Cadorow, or the univerfity ; where they are carefully inftrufted in the learning which is in vogue in this country ; having ftill a watchful eye to the ftrengthening and improving the moral fenfe : that learning chiefly confifts in explaining the phyfics, rncta- IN BONHOMMICA. 219 mctaphyiics, logic, and other wri-^ tings of an old author, called Arifto- row, whom they look on as infallible ; and he who underllands him beft, is deemed the moft learned. They have not yet begun to think for themfelves, and to invefligate truth by reafoning and experiments. From this, it will be concluded, that the ftate of learning is low among them ; it certainly is fo, in comparrifon with England. Some Poets they have ; but none deferving the name of an Hiftorian. Of Mathe- matics, Geometry, Natural and jEx- perimental Philofophy, Aftronomy, Anatomy, Chymiftry, Phyfics, and Natural Hiftory, they know but very little. The theory of Gravitation, by which the great Newton has explained 3 . '-^n 3t2o BOWMAN'S TRAVELS all the motions of the Planets and even of the Comets, they are intirely ignorant of; as well as of the later difcovery of Eleftricity, which has brought fo many wonders to light' The Moral fenfe is what they are chiefly to be valued for j and furely in the fcale of human happinefs, it vaftly outweighs all our boafted acquifitions *, Their language is rough, but co^ pious ', refembling, in its found and the character they ufe, the Ger- man more than any other European tongue, a Writing they have been pofleffed ^of, for many centuries ; but printing * One moral, or a mere well natured deed. Can aU deferc in fciences exceed. Vuke of Buckingham to Mr, Pope, Pope's Works. Vol.1. is •' Tin BONHOMMICA. 121 is only a late difcovery : which pro- bably will difFufe knowledge among them, as it has done in Europe; but whether to their advantage or the contrary, is hard to determine. The Bonhommicans are a brave, generous, and virtuous people; but their courage is only fhewn in ferv- ing their country, and their virtue does not make them morofe or felf- fufRcient. They are ftrongly attached to liberty, and great oeconomifts, both to preferve themfelves independant, and be able to affift the neceflitous • The Lurgows are much refpefted, which they take care to preferve by their manner of living ; but fuperior virtues or abilities are much more fo. A virtuous man is not defpifed becaufe he is poor, nor a rich man refpefted 212 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS tefpeAed merely becaufe he is fucllj without any other recommendation. The men are generally chearful in converfation, but feldom lively, volatile, or giddy. In mixed com- panies, a modeft referve is the cha-* rafter of their women -, but in their own houfes, among their relations, that is laid afide, and they are lively and agreeable. The occupations of each man*s different profeiSon employs his time > he fpends none of it idly in drunk- ennefs and debauchery, but returns home to his wife, whom he is fure to find attending to her domeftic cares. Not but they entertain one another fometimes, and go to fee a play 5 but that happens but feldom, and does not deferve mentioning. The IN BONHOMMIGA. iij The Lurgows who have not places at court, refide conftantly upon their eftates in the country ; where they keep open houfe for all their neigh* hours, ferving them with their friend- fhip and advice in the country, and their intereft if neceflary at court. Their wives generally employ them- felves, in the midft of a number of young women of fmall fortunes, on fome great piece of needle- work for furniture ; which, with mufic and ▼ifiting, fills up their time very agreeably. Games like chefs and draughts, I have feen played at , but they know nothing of cards or dice, nor any ^ind of gaming for money. The only conveyance known (till lately) in that country for all ranks of 224 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS of people, is riding on horfeback. Some few coaches have been within thefe few years introduced from Luxo- volupto ; of which her Majefly, and fome of the firft nobility, are the only poffeffors. In their dealings and intercourfe betwixt man and man, they are per- fedlly upright ; and fo far from tak- ing an advantage of another, that if they find they have made a mif- take to their own benefit, they are never eafy in their minds till it is reftified. Some inftances of this are given in the former chapter. They are alfo punftual obfervers of their promifes, and conftant in their friendftiips. Polygamy is not allowed of among them, but divorces are on three ac- counts, (though feldom ufed but for I the ' 1^^ BONHOMMiCA. 225 the laft), unfaithfulnefs, difagree- ment of tempers, and barrennefs. Upon proofs of any one of thefe it is eafily obtained, but care is taken that the children do not fuiFer. The women have the fame right a^ the men; but ths children always fall to the latter's care. To prevent marriages being made from motives of intereft and not from afFeftion, the laws do not allow women to be capable of inheritance ; but when their parents die, they are left an annuity fufEcient to fupport them in the rank they had hitherto lived in ; which upon their marriage devolves to the head of the family. If they are divorced, the hufband is obliged to allow them the annuity again, or a greater, if he is of a higher rank than her father was. CL The 226 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS The men frequently marry in a rank beneath them, as it does not degrade their family ; but the women feldom or never do. Duty and refpec^ to parents, are juftly carried to a great degree of ve- neration while they live ; and when they die, they do not make ufe of an undertaker to put them in the ground, and perhaps fend them out of their houfes, as foon as their fouls have departed. But all thofe (whom affli(5lion has not rendered incapable) attend them to the grave, with true heart- felt forrow, but no afFedled noify exclamations of it. The place where their bodies are laid, is fre- quently vifited by them, to call back to their remembrance, the many benefits, and wife inftrudions, they had received from the authors (under God) iN bonhommica; 227 God) of their being, and to fortify them in virtue. Their government is a limited monarchy, like ours in Britain ; con- filling of a King (or Queen), Lur- gows, or houfe of Lords, and dele- gates from the people called houfe of Burgows. The prerogative of the crown is great, and the claims of the people very extenfive ; yet they live in a perfedt good underftanding. The Queen has entirely gained the con- fidence of her fubjedts, from her prudent ceconomy and wife meafures of government ; never afking money of her people, but when their fafety and happinefs makes it abfolutely neceflary. The members of both houfes have opportunities of fhewing their parts Qjt and '22S BOWMAN'S TRAVELS and oratorial abilities as in ours ; but the moral fenfe has one bad efFeft on thefe occafions; it confines them to their real fentiments upon the fubjeft they are fpeaking on, and confequently fliortens very much their fpeeches, and cramps their genius. Another very great obftruftion to the formation of great orators in this country, is, there being no oppofition to the court ; by which the members might (if they were capable of ufing fuch means) force themfelves into places, by their talents of harangue ing ; either for, or againft the mea- fures in queftion. This leaves to her Majefty the full exertion of her great judgment, in filling places with the perfons moft capable of well executing them. The IN BONHOMMICA. 229 The delegates for the houfe of Eiir- gows are chofe with great quietnefs and decency; no candidates appear to canvas the electors ; no houfes are open to treat them with victuals and liquor, and make them negle6l their bufinefs for w^eks together. The principal confideration of the cledlors is to find our, who are the moft virtuous men among them ; and of thofe which can beft be fpared from their avocations. When they have fixed oi> the perfon, a deputa- tion is fent to him, begging he will lake the trouble of reprefenting the county or borough in the Witterow : the expence of which will be bore by them. If he undertakes it, they go in a body and return him thanks . if otherwifc, they fix on fomebody clfe, until fuch time as one accepts. 0^3 Salaries %^o BOWMAN'S TRAVELS Salaries are annexed to all places under government, in proportion to their dignity and truft ; but all very low in comparifon with ours in Eng- land J the public money being care- fully hufbanded. But that does not prevent their being accepted of by the worthieft men, as they believe it an honour as well as a duty to ferve their country. And it is a very common thing for the Lurgows and rich Bur* gows, to decline the acceptance of their falaries; faying, there was no merit in ferving for hire, and that it was a fliame for thofe who could* live in fplendour without it, to prey upon their country. Sine-cure places are not known in Bonhommica ; nor are perquifites of any kind allowed to be taken, in any pf the public offices: but buflnefs is carried IN bonhommica; 231 carried on (to my own knowledge in moft of them) with great civility, accuracy, and difpatch. The taxes are very low, confiding of about two-pence in the pound on the rent of land ; and duties on ar- ticles of Merchandife imported, and on fome exports. Thefe duties are coUefted at a very fmall expence, as the Merchants are very punc5lual in paying their duties at the proper offices without being called on : and fcarcely one inftance is known of an attempt to defraud the government by fmuggling ; it being looked upon as a kind of facrilege againft their country. Bonhommica, befides its coafting trade, which breeds a great number of good failors, has a pretty confider- 0^4 able 232 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS able foreign one. They have fadlqries at Miro-yolante, Seripante, and fome other places ; and the firft named city has one at Ludorow, from a member of which, I had fome inftrudions in the Luxo-voluptan language. Their exports are fine and coarfe cloths of their own manufafture, corn of dif- ferent kinds, wine, oil, houfehold furniture, &c. &c. Imports are filks, velvets, linen cloths, cotton ditto j wines of higher flavour, fpices, porcelane, curious pieces of work- manlhip in gold or filver, pidlures^ flatutes, &c. from Luxo-volupto^ wool &c. as mentioned before, from Audi- tante, and other commodities too tedious to mention, from thefe and other places. On the whole, I learned from good hands, that the balance wast tN BONHOMMICA,- »3j was confider'ably iu favour of Boa^ Jiommica. Aftanding army is not kept up in this country, in time of peace ; as in their opinion it would be dangerous to liberty, withdrawing a number of hands from the national induftry ; and from the idlenefs in which fol- diers generally pafs their time, when not employed in warlike operations, might be dangerous to their virtue. In place of that, they have an ex- cellent Militia of 40,000 men, who are carefully difciplined for three weeks, twice a year ; and have arms and cloathing lodged for them in the jiall of each county town, to be ready on any emergency. I am perfuaded very great depen- dence may be placed on this Militia. Officers 234 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS Officers and Men whofe breafts arc animated with the love of their country, at the fame time that their bodies are healthy and vigorous, from habits of fobriety and induftry would be very formidable to any invaders. But except it were to aflift a people whofe liberties were opprefled, I quef- tion whether they could be brought to leave their country, and a6t offen- fively upon fuch quarrels as our Eu-^ ropean wars are commonly grounded. Their arms are bows and pikes, with fome few clumfy mufkets, as has been already mentioned. Having had the ufe of great guns for a confiderable time, a regiment of artillery is conftantly kept up, and a fmall corps of engineers. Her IN EONHOMMICA. 1^5 Her Majefty's great penetration having difcovered to her, that the beft defence of an Ifland was a powerful navy, ha$ laboured for fome years to create (as I may term it) a mari- time force, and not without fuccefs. She has already got between thirty and forty fliips of war of all lizes ; the largeft of which indeed, does not equal one of our fhips of fifty guns ; but that is a great deal for the time ; and as her fubjecSts make excellent failors, I have no doubt but in a cen- tury or two (if the fame wife mca- fqres are purfued) that kingdom will become a great maritime power. Happy am I in the refleftion, that it has been my good fortune, to con- tribute in fome fmall degree to the attaining of fuch wife purpofes. So great $^6 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS great a Princefs, and fuch virtuous fubjefts, deferve the affiftance of God and Man. The Queen, though unguarded, (but by a few halberdiers, more for fliow than ufe), is fafe in the afFeftions of her people. Her court, without being adorned with jewels, or the precious metals, derives a great luftre from the charadlers of all who belong to it. She afFedls pomp and fhow, from her knowledge of their efFeds on the minds of men, but takes care they do not coll more than they are worth, being perfedl miftrefs of the uncom- mon talent, of uniting (economy with dignity. The principal oJfiicers of her houfe-i hold, and ladies of her bed-chamber, are generally above receiving their falaries j IN bonhommica: 237 falaries ; but neverthelefs are punctual in their attendance, and have the honour of eating at her Majefty's table. One is kept for the maids of honour, who in other refpefts think themfelves fufficiently honoured by their appointment ; her Majefty being very careful in her choice of thefe young women, and confequently they are fure of marrying well. Her Majefty has no fixed days, and hours, for receiving thofe of her fubjeds, who are intitled by their rank to appear at court. She lives at her palace like the mother of a great family ; feeing them at all hours : at her rifing, and going to bed, as well as at other times. And once a week when the court is in Ludorow, fhe dines in public, when all ranks and degrees ±^S feOWMAN^s TRAVELS degrees are admitted into the galleridS which overlook the faloon. Thefe things certainly help to make her popular, though it may be thought a great conftraint, and very difagree- able to live always in public. She knows however very well when to be alone, or with a particular fb- ciety ; and has fuch an authoritative manner, that the leaft hint or nod is obferved and obeyed. Sometimes balls are given at court, when they dance according to their falhion, ■which is graceful enough. Mafks are alfo exhibited, and fometimes tragedies and comedies in the ^j;ieatre of the palace. But her Majelly fees them more frequently at the public one, mixing with all ranks of her people in their amufements, where t ilie IN BONHOMMICA* aj9 flie is received with great acclama- tions. They have an entertainment which is only given at court on extraordi- nary occafions ; fuch as the vifit of fome great foreign prince, whom they intend doing honour to. It is of a military nature, fomewhat re- fembling the tilts and tournaments we read of in former times. The Bonhommicans are very expert at it, and generally ufe the Auditantine horfes on thefe occafions, as they are handfomer and more docile than their own. One of them was held when I was at Ludorow, in honour of prince Anjottvini, who came from another large Ifland to propofe marriage to her Majefty. She paid him great honours, and as it fuited her politics, even gave him fome encouragement, but uo jSoWMan's travels but concluded nothing. The Prince penetrating her defigns, took leave^ and returned to his own country. it may be perceived from what ha-s been faid, that money is not a prin- cipal obje<5t with this virtuous nation ; but they are greatly ambitious of being diftinguiflied by their fove- reign, and proud of being employed by her. To be raifed to the rank of Lurgow, or from a lower to a higher rank in that line, is not indifferent to them ; and the wearing a certain garter for life is much coveted. There are but few who have the latter pri- vilege, and their number is always kept full. But the Lurgowfliip is entirely in her Majefty's power, to create as many as flie pleafes : this however flie is very fparing of, the better to keep up its value. 6 Never iN BONHOMMICA. 1^41 Never was there a civilifed nation on earth, which had fo little occafion for laws as this I am now writing of, hecaufe they are a law unto them- felves ; but none can do abfolutely without them. The laws of Bonhom- mica are wife, plain, and few ; their whole code being comprifed ia a fmall oftavo volume. They do not think thofe laws can be good, which are always requiring alteration or amendment. Sometimes, however, the Witterow find it neceflary, from the viciflitude of human affairs, to make new ones ; but that feldom happens. An excellent preliminary one is, that no fait {hall be above a month before any court until it is determined. The judges are made independent of the crown as in England ; but in compa- rifon with ours, their places are per- R fea: 242 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS fe6l fine-cures. When any cafe of property, of too great intricacy to be unravelled by the moral fenfe^ falls out; the parties refer it to three qi the wifeft of their neighbours, whom they empower to take the opinions of counfel at their joint ex- pence, and oblige themfelves to abide by the determination of thefe umpires. But fliould it happen, that from the tendernefs of their confciences, they are prevented from coming to a de- cifion, it is then amicably fubmitted to a judge and jury. Though they have a right to appeal to the houfe of Lurgows, it is very feldomVarried fo fan It will readily be perceived, that the Law here is not near fo lucrative a profellion as in England j nor is there 5 IN BONHOMMICA. 243 there a tenth part of the number of its profeffors. The cDunfellors live in hopes cf being judges, and the attorneys by writing deeds, contraifls, &c. &c. In their criminal law, death is only inflicted on thofe who are guilty of the moft atrocious offences ; and then it is executed with great folem- nity, attended with all the circum- llances which can move the fpedla- tors with horror, without cruelty to the fufFerer. For fmaller crimes, hard labour for a certain term is the ufual' punifhment ; but if they feem incor- rigible (to prevent their corrupting others), they are baniflied to Luxo- volupto, where they pafs very well. There had not been a capital pu- nifliment in the whole kingdom, R 2 during 244 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS during the reign of her prefent Ma- jefty, which had lafted betwixt fixteen and feventeen years ; and while I was in Ludorow there was none of any kind, excepting one poor woman, who was led about the ftreets with a paper on her bread for being given to lying. The religion of this country, or to fpeak more properly, the Seraphite religion (for it is not profeiTed here only, but in Luxo-volupto and other countries), feems to me, of all the falfe ones which have got footing in the world, to be the beft ; for I can give no faith to its pretended divine original. The tradition they have concerning its founder, is as follows : That eight enturies ago, Serapha (a native of the illand of Bonemolo, 500 leagues IN BONHOMMICA. 245 500 leagues from Bonhommica) lying one night awake in his bed, faw a beautiful apparition in a human form, whofe whole perfon was illumined, and fpoke to him thus, — Serapha you are a good man, and I have chofe you to reform your countrymen, and the reft of the world, from idolatry, and the other crimes they are in con^ ftant pracflice of. Go then and inform them what you have feen, and that it is my command they no longer worfhip idols made by their own hands, but that great power v/hich made and fuftains all things. That the worfhip they pay, fliould be a fpiritual one, adoring his power and goodnefs, praying for his con- ftant protection, and thanking him for benefits received. Let them know that their fouls are immortal, and R i according 2^6 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS according to their lives here, will their flate in a future life be happy or miferable. When you have made fome progrefs in your miffion, I will again fee you, and give more parti- cular directions concerning their be- haviour to one another. Serapha remained in the greateft awe and furprife for fome time after it difap- peared ; he ccnlidered with himfelf, whether it was not a dream, and being convinced that he had been awake the whole time, believed it was fomething fupernatural, and ought to be obeyed. Next day, he acquainted his friends with the meflage he had orders to deliver; fome made a jefl of it, but others were flruck with the fubli- fcihj of the dodrine. It gained ground by IN BONHOMMICA. 247 by degrees, fo that the whole inha- bitants of Bonemolo in a fliort time deftroyed their idols, and left off many of their crimes. Two years and three months after its firft appearance, Serapha had ano- ther vifit from the apparition, in the night alfo when lying in bed. It faid to him, he had done well, that his countrymen had broke their idols to pieces, and feemed to be in a dif- pofition to make a thorough refor- mation in their lives ; to aflifl: them in which, he had brought him, ac- cording to his promife, a diredlory or guide, by which they ought to condu(5l themfelves, if they valued their own happinefs either in this world or the next. He then gave Serapha a book, and defired him to R4 be 2^8 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS be aftive in fpreading the benefits it contained, for that he fhould fee him no more, upon which he vaniftied from his fight. ^^^Serapha immediately arofe, and Jlruck a light, to examine the book ; which was wrapped in a mantle of fine llufF, the like of which had never been feen in that ifland. The ■^vriting was in the Bonemolo lan- guage, but fo exquifitely performed, that no body could come any thing near imitating its beauty, when many copies were at firft taken. That ori- ginal writing is lodged in the chief temple of Bonemolo, and is held in the higheft reverence. Many tranfla- tions have been made of it into dif- ferent languages ; and it is called the Serephatic (or holy book). I read a great IN BONHOMMICA. £49 ^ great part of it, and acknowledge it to be a very good fyflem of mo- rality ; inferior only to our gofpel in the perfedtion of its dodtrines. This Religion fpread over many coun- tries, when Serapha, grown old ancj in high veneration, fuddenly difap- pe^red, and was never heard of more^ The followers of his religion con- cluded he was taken from among them alive, into the divine abode, where good men were to be re- warded ; but pay no worfhip to him, nor to the apparition^ for which they have no other name, as it never ex- plained itfelf to Serapha on that head. The difappearing of Serapha, is tiie iEra from which they begin to pompute their time. I never fi30 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS I never heard of any famous dif- ciples or followers that he had, or of any feds formed amongft them. Their temples are fome of them large, but unadorned ; no ftatues or picftures being allowed of in them. The worfhip is fimple, confifling of prayers in general terms, and fometiraes in feafons of diftrefs for particular benefits ; and thankfgiv- ings for conftant fupport and pro- teftion. One day in the week is appointed for that purpofe, but they have no holydays. Their clergy is held in great efteem, and their pious and exemplary lives truly intitle them to it. They have however neither wealth nor power, but are fupported in a decent medi- ocrity IN bonhommica; 251 ocrity by the ftate, and are difmiflible from their funftions at plcafure by the crown; bur of that there is no inftance remembered. As there is no hierarchy, and con- fequently no dignitaries, &c. the priefts are few, being only one to each parifli, and fometimes two, when it happens to be very extenfive. Vifi- tation of the lick is a duty moft con- fcientioully performed by them ; but I never heard of, or faw any preach- ing. Probably they think it unne- ceffary, as what they are to believe concerning the unity, wifdom, pow- er, juftice, &c. Sec. of the deity is fo very plain ; the moral fenfe fupply- ing alfo fo well what is required of them to their neighbour. I fliall ponclude this chapter with obferving, / that t§z BOWMAN'S TRAVELS that their temples on days of worfliip are amazingly crouded ; and the whole congregation feem situated with a fervor of-^evotion and adora- tion, truly worthy of this virtuous •people. CHAP. IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 2$f CHAP. vir. The Commanders, of the Ships of War in- vited to ly at th^ Merchants houfes ef the Bonhommicfan -^Faclory at Aliro- 'uolante. Of the pretended fuperiority of the Lux o-'volup tans in the Senfe of Tafte. Commonnefs of Wheel Carriages in Miro'volante. A ^wonderful jligma on failures in chafity in both fexcs. Sees Garramond a famous A£lor in one of Avonfwan^ s Plays, The Commanders introduced at Court, The Author fought after by the Nobility^ as coming fr 0771 a far country. Balls ^ Routs, Concerts. A Mafquerade. Maraveres taken ill. PraBice of Phyftc. State of Luxo^ ^olupto^ and neighbouring Kingdoms. The Bonhommican failors mobbed on a rejoicing nighty for the eleiiion of a Patriot. 1 NOW return to the harbour of Miro-volante, where the fleet was fcft t54- BOWMAN*s TRAVELS left at an anchor. It lies in 38° 15' fouth latitude, and in 132° 24' weft longitude. I was very much and agreeably ftruck, with the appearance o£ this city from tlie water. The amazing extent of it, the fuperb domes, lofty fpires, grand columns, magnificent palaces, &c. &c. all buik in a light, airy, but pleafihg architecSture, of a perfectly new tafte, made it feem worthy to be the capital of the world. Several Merchants of the faftory foon came on board, to congratulate us on our fafe arrival ; and with fuch honeft earneftnefs prefTed the Quada- row and the other Commanders, to take beds at their houfes, that there was no refufing them. Moraveres was efigaged to Moragow, the Com- manders of the frigates to two others, and IN LUXO.VOLUPTO. 255 and myfelf to Nicophange. We went afhore with them to that quarter of the town where the Merchants lived for the conveniency of their com- merce, called the city. We dined that day with Morogow, where I was very much furprifed to fee a table fet out with all the elegance and magnificence that could be well conceived, far furpafling any thing I had feen among the firft nobility at Ludorow. After dinner, when we were drinking a fober glafs of deli- cious wine, Moragow faid to me (for Moraveres and the others had beea there before), I obferved your fur- prife at dinner, to fee us Merchants live in fo different a flyle from what is cuflomary in Bonhommica, but I afTure you it is not from choice but necefEty. For as we are obliged to have ^5^ BOWMAN'S TRAVELS have great connexions with the Mird- volante Merchants, and to have them at our tables both by invitation and accidentally, we are obliged to com- ply with their manners. Befides, faid he, if we did not, we could get no Luxo-voluptan fervants to live with us, and we could not well do without fome of them. I afked him, if he could account for that very great dif- ference in the way of living, that was obfervable in thefe two nations. He anfwered, that the Luxo-voluptans pretended their fenfe of tafte, or palate, was naturally formed more fenfible of agreeable impreflions than ether nations. That even their phi- lofophers were of that opinion, but for his part he believed it a vitiated tafte, become from long habit a kind of fecond nature. From their exten- five IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 257 five dominions in the fouthern hemi- fphere, continued he, and immenfe commerce, they had it in their power to indulge that vitiated tafte, by ran- facking half the globe for choice viands, the fineft flavoured wines, and the moft poignant fauces to gratify their appetite. But what will very much furprife you flill continued he, is, that the meaneft fervant-maid in Miro-volante, mud breakfaft on the infufion of an herb, that is brought ten thoufand leagues from this coun- try, with the produce of a cane to fweeten it, which alfo comes from a great diftance. I believe, faid I in reply. That muft be what we call in Britain Tea, and is brought from China. Their name for it, faid he, is Cha, and probably is brought from the fame country, to which they fend S many 2j8 BOWMAN^s TRAVELS many fliips yearly, to a port called Nanking. This flic wed me the rea- fon, why the Englifii fliips had never met any of theirs. The difcourfe ftill continuing on their luxurious way of Hfe, one of the company mentioned the great diftance from which they brought an amphibious fhell-animal alive (fome- times of immenfe Cze), which was one of their greateft regales. They drefs it up in a rich wine, with many w^arm fpices, faid he, devouring it in fuch quan- tities, that they have loofe drefles made on purpofe for thefe feafts, their ufual gai^nents confining them too mvich. I plainly faw they meant turtle ; but out o£ regard to my own dear country, took no notice of the fame beaflly cuftom prevailing in it. It IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 259 It occurred to me however to aflc, if that way of life did not prejudice their healths. Very much, faid Nico- phange ; it brings on the gour, and many other painful and lingering diforders, which make their lives miferable *; but that neither deters others, nor (fuch is their propeniity to thefe poifons) even the fufTerers themfelves from again indulging in them, as foon as the weakly and almoft deflroyed tone of their ftomachs will permit. A rare coun- try for phyficians, cried I ! That it is, faid Moragow, and we abound with them. Befides the regular bred ones there are alfo irregulars in great numbers with their noftrums ; and twenty quack me(i^cines fold in book- * While they pervert pure Nature's healthful rules To loaihfome ficknefs. Milton* s Paradife Lofi, Book xi. line 525 S 2 '% fellers 26o BOWMAN'S TRAVELS fellers fliops as infallible remedies for every difeafe the human body is fubjecfl to. Thefe we may rea- fonably conclude do much more harm than good ; but a few real or fiditious cures well puffed in the news-papers, make the fortune of the proprietor of a medicine ; as bold aflertions have great weight with this credulous people, and none who have fuffered by the ufe of it, are virtuous enough, or at leaft will give themfelves the trouble to warn man- kind againfl; its pernicious effecfts. It would be • tedious to ^ive the reader the whole converfation which paffed, concerning this extraordinary people ; but it feemed to be the una- nimous opinion of the Bonhom- micans, that whether their exquifite fenfe of tafle was natural or acquired, 5 there iM LUXO-VOLUPTO. 261 there was fcarcely a veftige of the moral fenfe left among the generality of them, though there were indeed many and great exceptions. We were to dine next day at Nico- phange's, who, after he had done his material bulinefs, kindly offered to walk with me to view the city. The ftreets were extremely crouded with people, and one would have thought all the coaches in the univerfe were aflembled in this capital. Seeing Ni- cophange frequently faluted from them, I took the liberty of afking him what great men they were (hoping he would excufe the curiofity of a ftranger). He very civilly defired me to afk any queftions I thought proper, as things occurred, while we continued our walk. The firft S 3 that 4' 262 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS that afterwards faluted him, he told me was a Merchant; No doubt ex- tremely rich, faidl. That is very doubts ful, replied Iv^ ; it is very common here, to make the mpft fliow when there is the leaft fubftance. The ne^^t, who made him a low bow from his carriage, he told me, was the Phyfi- cian whom he employed: No doubt, fai4 I, he makes a great deal by his pracftice, as he keeps his coach. He is, an- fwered he, a veiy learned, and honeft man ; but know, that in this vail city, the phyficians who have but three or four patients in different parts of the town, cannot poffibly attend them on foot ; befides, going into houfes where perhaps they never were be- fore, with their fhoes all covered over with dirt, would be very indel'icate. The third, he faid, was his Taylor : Is there IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 263 there a neceflity for his riding in a carriage alio, faid I ? He laughed, and anfwered no 3 but that he had the am- bition to be employed by the Nomras (grandees), though it probably would be his ruin, as their extravagance often put it out of their power (if they had the inclination) to pay their debts, and it was very difficult to com- pel them to it. In (Iiort, there were Apothecaries, Players, Dancing and Singing mafters, Tooth-drawers, and Corn-cutters ; and many other ftiil lower trades in other parts of the world, all figuring away in their car- riages ; fo that all ranks and degrees of life feemed to be confounded. While at the fame time there were fuch numbers of beggars peftering every body who walked, that I could S 4 not 264 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS not tell what to make of fuch a medley. Perhaps, if I had known the capital of my own country a little better, my furprife would not have been fo great. At dinner I was introduced to the acquaintance of a Luxo-voluptan by Nicophange ; he was called Bonaris, and from a fimilarity of charadler was fond of Bonhommican company. I happened to fit next him at table, and found him very polite and com- municative. When we broke up from dinner, he faid to me, As you are the greateft ftranger to the man- ners and cufloms of this country, I fliall be very happy in giving you any information in my power, and fhall be ready to attend you to places of curiofity or amufement; while at the fame time I hope you IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 26s you will not refufe me the favour of informing me fometimes of par- ticulars concerning yours. I am, con- tinued he, an idle man ; my fortune is independent, and I have no family cares, being unmarried ; my time is pafTed in rational amufements, or literary purfuits, fometimes in town, and fometimes in the country, juft as I am in the humour. You fee then that my attendance on you, will not break in on any of my more im-r portant affairs, and is therefore no kind of compliment, but doing myfelf a pleafure. I anfwered him in the fame frank manner, and we agreed to go diredlly to the public walks. It being a fine evening, there was a great deal of what is called good company. The won>en in general feemed 266 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS feemed handfome, but one particu- larity of theirs drew very much my attention ; they appeared to have wings on their heads. Good God ! faid I, to Bonaris ; have the v^omen wings in this country? Thofe on the wo- mens heads, are of little importance, repHed he with a fmile, but many of both fexes have others of the greateftconfequcncc, and from a caufe which you cannot poffibly form any idea of; to add to your wonder, let me inform you, that we were not always thus ftigmatized by them, but have had the honour of meriting this diftinftion, by an unbounded indulgence in voluptuoufnefs. I beg- ged him to explain himfelf, which he faid he would, ,but firft defired me to take notice of the fhape of many perfons^ both men and women. After IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. ^e^ After having confidered them with fome attention, I told him the only- thing particular I obferved, was an uncommon fullnefs about many of their flioulders. That is fufficient, faid he, and I fliall now proceed to fatisfy your curiciity (after having premifed, that v/h^t I have to fay is fo very- extraordinary, if you fliould ever have an opportunity of relating it to your countrymen, they would pro- bably fuppofe this prodigy to be only Immodefty allegorized ; but you will foon be convinced of its being flriclly true). Befides the acutenefs of our fenfe of Tafte, faid he, which you muft have heard of, we have alfo that of Touch or Feeling in as exquifite a degree as tiuman nature is capable of fup- porting \ a68 BOWMAN^s TRAVELS porting, without turning pleafure into pain ; efpecially in the commerce betwixt the fexes -f . This however produced no bad efFedls, whilft our manners continued plain and modeft. But about a century ago, when they became very loofe, from the bad ex- ample of one of our Kings, a very furprifing phenomenon made its ap- pearance, the caufe of which has never been accounted for in a natural way, by our greateft Philofophers, and mull therefore be deemed fuper- natural. It is moft probably meant to expofe the vice, by fetting a mark upon the guilty ; for though they affift them in committing it, that they were given for that purpofe, I think •f But if the fenfe of touch, whereby mankind Is propagated, feem fuch dear delight Beyond all oiher. Milieu's Paradife hoji^ Book viii. line 579. cannot IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 269 cannot be fuppofed. This phenome- non is a pair of wings fprouting from every woman's fhoulders, immedi- ately after a failure in chaftityrand from every man's, who has feduced a young maiden, or married woman* As thefe are repeated, or X according to the ftrength of their defires, the wings increafe in fize, till they be- come in full proportion to the body ; and if the vice is left oiF from a fin- cere repentance, they gradually de- creafe till they entirely vanifh. You fee both men and women endeavour to hide them under their clothes, but it is in vain, unlefs they are very fmall indeed. But they ufe them with great fpiric to carry them t® an J Methinks I feel new ftrength within me rife. Wings growing. Milton's Parahi/i Lofl, Boole x. line 243. [Speech of Sin, afr«r Eve w£s feduced.] afligna- 270 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS aflignation. Thofe women who have loft all ftiame, and wear them pub- licly, are called Alse-putas ; Women of faftiion, often more inexcufable than the others, only Galanteras ; and the other fex, by far the moft blameable of all, Corrumperos. As to thofe on the women's heads, it is only a fign of diffipation, or vio- lent paffion for public places 5 but it is generally obferved, that thofe whofe wings on that place are unufu- ally high, foon have them appear on their Ihoulders, which the men call being fledged. One thing more I muft mention, which is, that many Nomrinas (women of quality) though very well provided, are fo lazy, as not even to ufe them to meet their lovers; but have little Cars provided, to which they harnefs Pigeons, Cuc- kows, IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 271 kows, Pheafants, or other birds, which they fecretly keep for that purpofe. In this they are followed by the Alce-putas in grcateft vogue, by way of giving themfelves airs. For generally they are not content with becoming imitators, but give the ton to moft parts of female drefs ; the fex wifely confidering, that as it is the fole ftudy of thefe Nymphs to allure the men, they mufl be the bell judges of what will pleafe them. I have even heard of fome men who were guilty of that piece of effemi- nacy. As they ufe their wings in fome meaiure at the fame time, very flight efforts are neceffary from the birds. This phenomenon furprifed me more than even the Taupinierans had done, and while he yet fpoke, it occurred to me, that a ftigma on the 17* bowman's travels the guilty perfon was more juft than our notions in Europe, of fixing an ideal pair of horns on the forehead of the poor hufband. When Bonaris had ended, I ob- ferved to him, that in my country, Cupid, or the paflion of love, was always allegorically reprefented with wings, that the ardency of an amo- rous flame was metaphorically called winged in poetry, and a learned Bifhop had attempted to invent arti- ficial wings for mankind ; but I never expedled to meet with a People, where the votaries of love fhould be equipped with adventitious ones. I had fcarce- ly faid thefe words, when we faw two very fine women coming towards us, with, their wings difplayed ; O the angels, exclaimed I! for they brought pidlures lit LUXO-VOLUPTO. 273 pictures of thefc divine beings into my mind. If they are Angels, re- plied he laughing, they are fallen ones, and I would advife you to have nothing to fay to them, or you may probably repent it. So thought I to myfelf, then they have got that curfed bane to love, even into this country ; but how fliould it be brought ? that fubje6t however took up little of my attention, as my thoughts were fo full of the other. Do not thefe wings, faid I, occafion a great many divor- ces, as they are a fure proof of incon- tinency ? Many jealoufies, replied he; but as by our laws they are no proof, and divorces can only be obtained in this country for adultery, it rather enables them to avoid being detefted, by making their aflignations fo much the eafier. On obferving the heads T of 274 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS of the women, and finding them almoft all alike ; I remarked to my friend, that the females of Miro- volante muft in general have a great paffion for diffipation, as they all had wings on their heads. There, faid he, you are deceived ; the cafe is this. The winged ones being the ton, have made their feathers appear fo elegant by their manner of fhaping, llaining, and dreifing them, that they are become fo much the fafhion ; that all other women of any genteel ftation are obliged to imitate them, and wear falfe ones. It now grew dark, and we re- tired from the walks. In our way to the Merchants quarter, we went through a ftreet where there were great numbers of Alse-putas taking little fhort flights, and hopping about with ^^iild Jdot^rnHin defirt ^ Jcal/^ Jet '/fo. iN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 275 with defign to engage their prey. While I was in ferious difcourfe with my friend on the negledl or con- nivance of the magiflrates, in fuffer- ing fuch nuifances, whereby the temptations of a brothel were brought into the public ftreets ; expofing un- wary youth when going about their neceflary affairs, to be feduced into vice and difeafe ; efpecially as Bo- naris faid, that houfes of entertain- ment were every where open for the reception of thefe nymphs and their paramours for their money (my idea of angels having now intirely va- nifhed). When fuddenly, before I was aware, a tall, mafculine, Alse- puta clafps me in her arms, mounts into the air, and flies with me about fifty paces ; then fet me down, and run away laughing like to kill herfelf ; Tz as lyS BOWMAN'S TRAVELS as did all that faw it. I own my fur- prife and fright was very confider- able, however when I recovered my- felf, the ridiculoufnefs of the thing moved my rifible faculties alfo. When my friend joined me, he de- fired I would feel my pockets, to fee^ if I had loft nothing, which upon examination was luckily found to be the cafe. We fupped at Morogow's, where they laughed very heartily at my adventure. Before we feparated, a party was made to go next evening to one of the theatres, to fee a famous aftor called Garrimond in one of Avonfwan's plays, which were con- llantly brought here and tranflated. Eonaris undertook to fecure us places (which required confiderable intereft 4 when IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 277 when that ad:or appeared) ; and we appointed to meet at a houfe of en- tertainment near the theatre. We were engaged to dine the next day with the Queen's AmbalTador at that court, who was alfo obliged to conform to the Luxo-voluptan manner of living. He feemed to be a man of fuperior worth and abilities, and was much efteemed. At table he was very affable and agreeable, and hearing of my adventure, was a good deal diverted. This turned the con- verfation upon fo very extraordinary a particularity with refped to chaf- tity ; and many ftories were told of jealous hufbands, and the means afforded by thefe wings of efcaping detecStion. It afterwards fell on their T 3 manners 2;3 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS manners in general. Their excellive gaming, by which in a few years eftates of twenty thoufand gorgerines (equal to fo many of our guineas) yearly, were often reduced to little or nothing. The vaft fums of money thrown away in ele(5ling delegates to the lower houfe of Cortefinas or Parliament, with the great corrup- tion both of the Eledors and Elected. The great profufion of the public money, in place of the exa6t oeco- nomy which a ftate fo much in debt required ; like a fpendthrift heir, who, the more defperate his circumftances become, grows only the more extra- vagant. Their exceffive liberty dege- nerated into licentioufnefs. Their par- ties and faftions aase carried to fuch ^xceffive heights, and many other things IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 279 things too tedious to repeat ; which in the opinion of the company, were flrong fymptoms, that if fome con- vulfion did not happen to reftore to the Luxo-voluptans their former vir- tue, that they muft foon deftroy themfelves in anarchy and confufion, or give up their liberties (at leaft a part of them) to the crown, as the only remedy remaining to prevent their total deftrucftion. Three or four days after was ap- pointed by the Ambaflador, to intro- duce us at court ; and he fpoke very highly of Gorgeris the Monarch of this vaft Empire, as he did alfo of her Majefty, his royal confort. From the Ambaflador's, we went to the appointed place for meeting; which had a public room, for the drinking of beverages, like our coffee, T 4 orgeat, 28o BOWMANVTRAVELS orgeat. See. &c. ; and it being too early to go to the Theatre, we amufed ourfelves v/ith looking over the printed papers of news, which were in pro- digious numbers ; I counted thirty pubiiflied that day, and fuppofe thofe were not the whole. Moraveres ad- drefling himfelf to Bonaris, laid, he wondered what they could find worth reading to infert every day in thefe numerous flieets ; and what efFecft they had upon their politics. The other replied, that they eafily found means to fill them with one thing or another $ politics, fcandal,domefl:ic and foreign occurrences are inexhauftible topics ; and if they are at a lofs, it is eafy making a lie 5 the contradicft- ing of which next day will make smother paragraph. As to the effe(5t they IN LUXO-VOLUPTO, 2«i they have upon our politics, continued he, it is hard to fay whether the liberty of the prefs does more good or harm. For on the one hand, if it deters Mi- nifters from taking meafures which may infringe the liberties of the peo- ple ; on the other, as the plained proportions may be wrefted by an artful writer, to give a very unfair view of it, the people are very often mifled by them. We now took our places in the Theatre ; and until the play began, I was very well entertained with ex- amining the houfe. It was of an im- menfe fize (at leaft in comparifon with that at Ludorow), and having been lately fitted up by a celebrated Architeft, was both elegant and mag- nificent. I was alfo not a little di- verted with the pretty flutterings of the 282 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS the Alas-putas, who occupied prin- cipally fome of the upper lodges, and frequently took wing from one fide of the houfe to the other, when they faw a fpark they wanted to draw into their fnares. When the curtain was drawn up, and Garrimond entered on the ftage, there was a clapping of hands which continued for a minute or two ; at laft all was attention through the play, except when fome fentiment or fine piece of acflion forced their applaufe. I had feen that very piece performed at Ludorow, under the direcSbion of the author ; and muft do Garrimond the juftice to own, that he feemed to underftand his part perfeftly ; and though under the difadvantage of a tranflation, gave a greater force to the charadcr IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 283 character he played, than the aftor who performed it at Ludorow. But at the Bonhommican theatre every part was equally well adted, which was far from being the cafe here ; fo that (except one or two women) Garri- mond appeared like a giant amongft dwarfs. If this ador has great merit, he has been alfo very fortunate to appear in a country where amufe- ments are fo much the fafliion, and fo highly valued. By what I was informed, he has made ten times more money by adling Avonfwan's plays, than ever the author did by writing them ; and to fuch a degree of frenzy has their admiration of him arofe, that had he a rival of equal merit, I make no doubt but the fcene of the famous pantomimes of iH B6*W^l^i^N's TRAVELS of degenerated Rome would be re- newed, and the nobility would take party, wear their liveries, and follow their triumphal cars. We made up proper clothes to make our appearance in at court, and were introduced one after another to their Majefties, who received us very gra- cioufly, and we had the honour of kiffing their hands. When it came to my turn to be prefented to the King, his Excellency the AmbafTa- dor faid, I was a native of a country on the other fide the globe, who by a fatal accident had been left by the fiiip I came in ; which had been fent out with another by our King to make difcoveries in the fouthern hemifphere, and in a particular man- ner whether or not there was a great continent IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 225 continent on that fide of the globe. That I had made my way to Bon- hommica through many dangers and adventures, where his Queen had been pleafed to take me into her fervice. His Luxo-voluptan Majefty heard him with great attention, and after- wards talked to me above ^ quarter of an hour ; afking very pertinent queftions concerning my country and its fovereign. His Majelly faid, he highly honoured the King of Great Britain for his liberality of fentiment^ in fitting out Ihips for the difcovery of unknown countries. That if ever I got home, I might aflure his Ma- jefty, if any fhips belonging to his fubjedls Ihould vifit the Luxo-volup- tan ports, they might depend on the ufage 286 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS ufage which the nations moft fa- voured, and in greateft friendfhip with his fubjedts, received. It was foon buzzed about in the apartments, that I was of a nation on the other fide of the v/orld, when im- mediately a great curiofity was raifed concerning me. I heard them fay to one another, what is he Hke? Is he a rational creature ? Let us go fee him. When they found I was no monfter, and could fpeak their lan- guage tolerably, I had foon a great circle round me of Nomras and Nom- rinas, Comras and Comrinas (Gentle- men and Ladies), and even fome Nomrihas and Nomrihinas (Dukes and DutcheflTes), who afked me a thoufand impertinent queftions. , I anfwered them as well as I could, and IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 287 and was glad when it was over; but this produced me many invitations to dinners and fuppers, from the principal nobility ; fome of which I accepted, that an opportunity of learn- ing fomething of their manners and cuftoms might not be loft. The firft Luxo-voluptan I dined with, was a Nomra in a great poft in adminiftration. I need not fay every thing was in the greateft gran- deur and elegance. Some of the Nomrinas and Comrinas at table, feemed by their flioulders to be of the order of Gallanteras ; but they were not the lefs cenforious for that reafon, perhaps on the contrary the more fo, to hide their own blemifbes. Several anecdotes from the fcanda- lous chronicle were mentioned by them. ±U BOWMAN'S TRAVELS them, and one in particular which had happened two evenings before. A certain Nomrihina, whofe Nomriha was fo excefiively j( ^lous, that he had dipped her wings, and confined her to his houfe. This made her meeting with her noble Corrumpero extremely difficult, But what, faid the Gallantera, cannot all-powerful love atchieve ? her wings growing very faft, fhe fometimes converfed with him on the top of her own houfe, but more generally he was let in at a garret window by her maid, the confidante. But that evening the Nomriha her hufband got intelligence of their being together in the maid's chamber^ and was fo near furprifing them, that the Corrumpero was obliged to fly out at the window in his ihirt, and has got fuch a cold that he keeps his bed; JM LUXO-VOLUPTO. 289 bed, which has thrown the poor Nomrihina into immoderate afRidlion. Commend me, faid another Gallantera, to the Faramondian manners, where though every hufband has caufe, none are jealous ; it is not the fafhion. And a moft excellent fafhion it is, rejoined a third ; why fhould people, when they are tired of one another, pique themfelves on a ridiculous conftancy ? No, continued fhe, give and take liberties on both fides, fay I ; it is the pleafure of life, and faves a great deal of uneafinefs and ill humour, about a very trifling aflfair. I took the hberty of obferving to that lady, that it mull be a difficult thing in that country for people to know their fathers. Is it not fo every where ? replied fhe fmartly ; but of U what ^go BOWMAN'S TRAVELS what confequence is that ? they know their mothers, and that is fufficient. Pray Madam, rejoined I, do the Bur- ghers in that country alfo follow the fafliion ? The Burghers, exclaimed fhe ! No, if it defcended to them it would be enough to make people of quality almoft leave it off. The con- verfation afterwards changed to poli- tics, and they talked much of the monftrous ingratitude of the Armo- ferians, a large colony of theirs at a thoufand leagues diftance, who had revolted. A Nomra faid, that after having nurfed them up to maturity at fo great an expence, and entered into a war folely on their account, by which the nation had incurred an additional debt of above fixty millions ; how unreafonable it was to expedt, that the mother country fliould IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 1191 fliould continue to bear all the bur- den, when they were become fo able to take a fhare of it. Befides, con- tinued he, it would abfolutely have been the ruin of the kingdom, by depopulating it ; for who, but people of large property, would continue to live in this country, where every thing is taxed fo high, when by going to Armoferia, they could enjoy a finer climate, and live at a quarter the expence, without reckoning the great advantages of making a fortune in a country not the twentieth part peopled ? The great emigrations which took place lince the end of laft war, plainly evince this. Another Nomra rejoined, that if a certain tax w^iich was laid on, had not been repealed by a former U 2 admi- 292 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS adminiftration, (the members of which were now violent in oppofi- tion), it wouldj have executed itfelf, and we Ihould have had no rebeUion. But the Armoferians by that weaknefs were fpirited up to oppofe every tax that fhould be laid on them ; thinking that non-importation would make fuch a clamour among the Merchants, as to frighten the Miniftry. A Comra of the lower houfe of Cortefmas was of opinion that the error lay deeper, even in the very original Charters of the Colonies, which by giving them a conftitution fimilar to that of the mother country, made them ima- gine they did not depend on the Cor- tefinas, but only on the King. The pofterity of a fet of determined ru- publicans, faid he, Ihould have been held IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 293 held in with a tighter rein ; efpecially when they were yearly reinforced with fuch a virtuous fet of recruits from every jail in the kingdom : fome of whofe defcendants, for any thing we know, may be now leading-men in the congrefs. Opinions on this affair were perfedly unanimous in this company. The next I dined with was alfo a Nomra, but who had been turned out of a great office* Here the fenti- ments were diametrically oppofite to the former company, concerning the Armoferians ; and they all agreed that they were the mofl opprefled and ill-ufed people under the fun. What ! the Cortefinas to tax a people contrary to their inclinations, who a.re, not reprefented ! was ever any U 3 thing 294 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS thing heard of fo unconftitutional ? What fignifies your having nurfed, and defended them, at the expence of fiity millions of gorgerines, till they are grown powerful enough to go to war with you ; if you will now take their money from them without their confent ? Surely the mothet: country gets enough by her exclufive trade with them, faid they (which is now the only one flie can depend on), without thinking of taxing her own children. An evening or two after, I was at the houfe of one of our worthy Mer- chants, with a fet of Eonhommicans and Bonaris. In the courfe of the converfation, I happened to mention the very different fentiments I had heard concerning the Armoferian rebellion j IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 295 rebellion ; when the whole company joined with me in defiring Bonaris to explain that matter to us. It needs no other, replied he, than that the one is out of place, and the other is in. What, exclaimed a Bonhom- mican ! does that alter the nature of the thing? Entirely, faid the other; for if they were to change fituations (which may poflibly foon be the cafe), they would immediately change their opinions and manner of fpeaking» both in public and private. Good God ! cried another ; can men have the impudence to acS: in fuch a bare- faced manner ? Very eafily, returned Bonaris, we fee it every day ; they find out fubterfuges and equivoca- tions ; and at the worft, if one has been in an error, is he always to perfift in it ? But, faid a third, are not U 4 they 296 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS they defpifed by every body ? Only by the party they have quitted,^ • the other receives them with open arms. If a man indeed pretends to fland neuter, continued Bonaris, upon motives of confcience, he is fhunned and defpifed by both. What is very extraordinary, there are many honeft men among them (of both parties), in the common intercourfes of hfe ; but they get fo heated by their dif- putes, that one would think they actually forgot the difference betwixt right and wrong., In this affair of the Armoferians, continued he, I own the oppofition carried things a little too far i for by their fpeeches in the Cortefinas, printed pamphlets, and writings in the news-papers (there being fome great names amongft them), the rebels were fpirited up, by IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 297 by thinking they had their approba- tion, and expecting a diverfion made at home in their favour. By this means they have probably been led by degrees to carry things farther than they at firft intended, and at lall to the greateft extremities, which will ruin millions of thefe people, and coft this country much blood and immenfe treafure. Too far, cried they with one voice ! why were not they punifhed ? They generally took care to keep clear of the laws againft high treafon, which are very favourable in this country ; and where fome words might be conftrued as fuch, the government thought proper to overlook them, for fear of raifing difturbances. Thought I to myfelf, ^little of Queen Tudorina's govern- 3 ment 298 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS ment would do this Nation no harm, no more than Old England. I dined another day with a Nomra who did not feem much involved in politics, and happening to ftay after every other perfon was gone, he offered to carry me with him to his club. I alked him, what kind of naeeting it was ? O ! fays he, you fhall go and fee a little of our man- ners, though we are a feledl body, and none can be admitted without being ballotted for ; yet fuch a ftranger as you are, there can be no objedlion to ! You muft know, fays he, that clubs are kept among the men of all degrees in this Metropolis, it is the general cuftom ; but there are about a fcore called fo by way of eminence, IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 299 eminence, which are only compofed of the Nomras and Comras of diffinc- tion. And how do you employ your- felves there, rejoined I ? We eat and drink in the mod elegant manner at a fmall expence, returned he, it not coiling us above two gorgerines a head for dinner or fupper ; then we fport our money pretty freely at different games. We are very nu- merous, continued he, and we are confequently fure of always jfinding company whenever we have an in- clination to go. But, rejoined I, do not fome of you get devilifli tumbles fometimes ? O yes, anfwered he, we are all in debt, but the Nation owes two hundred millions, fo it is the fafliion you fee. Give me leave to alk you only one queftion more, faid I : How do your wives difpofe of themfelves -jbo BOWMAN'S TRAVELS themfelves while you are at your clubs? O, the beft way they can, replied he, we do not trouble ourfelves about that. There has indeed been an at- tempt made to eftablifli one where both fexes are admitted, but it does not take, it is unnatural. We found between forty and fifty people in a large handfome room, well illuminated, amufing themfelves at different games of cards and dice. They were all men of fortune and faftiion, of the upper or lower houfe of Cortefinas, and many of them in high offices ; but all had the fame paflion for fporting their money ; that is to fay, were not contented with what they had, and wifhing to in^ creafe it at the expence of another. Thofe who were not much engaged^ fat IN LUXO-VOLUPTO, 30t fat down to a very elegant fupper at midnight. After that, things went on with more fpirit, the company gradually increafing. I ftiall not pre- tend to defcribe this fcene, great fums were won and loft, and the floor was entirely covered with cards ; but in the height of it, a fmall accident difcompofed them a little for a Ihort time. Whilft two Nomras were playing at a game, fomething rcfembling Picquet, one of them was fuddenly attacked with an apopledlic fit ; he was immediately removed into another room by the waiters, and proper medical afliftance fent for. But be- fore he went, the Nomra who had played with him defired the company to take notice (in cafe of his antago- niift's 302 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS nift*s recovery), that he had the game in his hand. Towards morning they gradually dropped off, and returned home, jaded with want of reft; the lofers in all the horrors of defpair and vexation, and the winners en- joying not half the fatisfadlion which might be imagined. The place of a principal waiter at one of thefe clubs, is more lucrative than a good poft under government; for befides the profufe gratuities they receive for their attendance, they are bankers to the winners, and ufurious lenders to the lofers, becoming fo opulent, that they are fometimes eledled into the lower houfe of Cortefinas ; where they are carefled by, and fit on the fame bench with thofe, behind whofe chairs they formerly flood. When I confidered the manner of life thefe I Luxo- jN LUXO.VOLUPTO. 303 Luxo-voluptans conftantly led, I was not furprifed that the women's wings grew, and flouriflied exceedingly. The women not being lefs curious than the men to learn the manners, cuftoms, and virtues of the Englifh, I was alfo much carefled by them, and carried to fome affemblies where none but feleft company were ad- mitted. There I could fee that play was equally their paflion as that of the other fex, though it did not run near fo high ; a gorgerine a fifh, at a game refembling our quadrille and high flakes at another, like our loo, fufficiently agitated at times their beautiful features. All back feathers were carefully concealed at thefe meetings, as well as at routes, which the women frequently gave at their own J04 FOWMAN's TRAVELS own houfes. In thefe laft, it feemed to be their great ambition, to make them as difagreeable to themfelves and the company as they poffibly could, by crouding their apartments as full as they could hold. But though back feathers were concealed, fome of the head wings were enormous, I afked a Comrina whom I had the honour to be known to (at one of the latter places) ; how ftie propofed fpending her evening. She replied, that after dining at the Nomra fuch a one's, they had gone to the play, from the play here ; from hence to two more routes, from thence to rondelleva, from rondelleva to fairy-hall where they fup, and from thence home. At what time may the laft happen J refumed I,— it was IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 305 was impoffible to fay exadlly ; perhaps between five and fix, returned flie. Having already mentioned my being fond of mufic, and even a performer, it will be expelled that the concerts and operas were not wholly neglected by me. The bed voices and per- formers on inftruments there, as well as in London, are foreigners. The mufic is very much in the Italian tafte, and they have many great compofers ; but whether they or the . Italians ought to be preferred, I fliall not take upon me to determine. The entertainment however which furprifed and diverted us moft, was a mafked ball given at the Theopan, a large rotunda lately built in a beau- tiful ftile of architefture. We were told there would not be another X - while 3But trade and manufaftures having \brought immence wealth into the .;iCOuntry, luxury followed faft on their \fteps 5 whofe flrides have been much lengthened by the conqueft of a rich Sand manufadturing country at eight thoufand leagues diftance, by a com- pany of Merchants. The fervants ^of that company (ftill continued he), 'Tiaive been guilty of fuch rapacity on "the natives, as fliocks humanity to think of 5 and come home with im- irienfe fortunes, which, as they got "^ them foeafily, they fpend wantonlyl ^.c Our ^ %N LUXO-VOLUPTO, 315 Our immenfe colonies are grown alfo extremely rich and powerful. A war which was entered into entirely on their account, terminated, as was generally thought, glorioufly ; by hav^ .ing a large country which lay behind them ceded to us. But now they were freed from their only enemy, they foon fliewed their refra^ftory fpirit, and at length broke out into an open rebellion ; are now carrying on war againft their mother-country ; and how that will terminate, there is yet no making any judgment. Wealth is become the only object which all men aim at fo fupport that luxury, and all crimes of courfe are ^perpetrated to attain it. That fpirit of liberty which ftill remains, faid Bonaris, has degenerated into licen- tioufnefs j efpecially in that quarter Qf f%6 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS of Miro-^volante called the City ; where valuing themfelves on their riches, they make a point of oppofing the court^ on all occafions; and become the dupes of every adventurer, who ^mts on the malk of Patriotifm to xteceive them. It is, continued he, happy for us, that Faramondia is very near in as much debt> and as luxurious as our- felves, without having fo good credit to borrow ; otherwife we fhould not be long at peace with them.. The above was the fubftance of what I learned froiu him in feveral conver* , fations, and in the laft, he gave a general charadler of that people in ^ few words, but which, he faid, muft be underftood with great allowances. i^iiio That IN LUXO.VOLUPTO. 3iy >*^Th^t the N^mtas and Comras tun out their fortunes withcmt preferving their dignity. That the Nomrinas and Comrinas had almoft given up all pretenfions to chaftity. That Re- ligion and Morality had loft their influence on all ranks of people. And that a univerfal profligacy pervaded the whole. , . f", \S Moraveres was now perfectly reco- vered from his illnefs ; when a great mob paraded through the city, order- ing every body to put out lights in their windows, in honour of the eledlion of Wilkiferis, a great favou- rite of theirs, to an office of the greateft trull and profit in the city, I am extremely glad of it, cried out Bonaris. Who is he, faid Moraveres ? A very clever profligate, replied the other. 3s€t BCrWMAN^i TRAVELS Other, who has known how to dupe tii€fe wifeacres for fomc years p^ft, and they have now put it in his power to do it efFe(5lually. While we were talking, an inferior Bonhommican officer came haftily into the room, and acquainted the Quadarow, that the mob had fallen upon, and were abufing many of their feamen, who happened to be on fhore* We all went out immediately, and I heard fome of the mob faying one to ano- ther, ** Damn thefe foreigners, what bufinefs have they here*'J they pre- tend to be virtuous ; damn their virtue, will it bring them any thing ? will it make the pot boil ? The Quadarow was obliged to ap- ply to the chief magiftrate, who got together a number of conftables, ' : : ;^ and jNUUXo-voLUP'i^a} 319 and refcued them. They were all ordered on board immediately, and few for the future were fuffered to come into the city* ^^ 'a;- ■ : '■ 'sn ^13-^ .... .it Hrs CHAP,' ^o BOWMAN*ft TRAVELS ^^' CHAP. VIII. Lanv* A Criminal Trial. S&fne ac' ^^ count of the Country. Miro-volante. to Army. Fleet. ManufaBures. Court. viDreJs. Language. Clergy. Learning. hrJUofpitals. Summer Amufements. Sum- iiVter Theatre. Rondelleva. Fairy Hall. Horfe Race. THE Commanders, Bonaris, and myfelf, walked one day to the immenfe Hall, where the courts of juftice are held. The courts were then fitting, and the crouds in all of them very great* We converfed with feveral people concerning the judges, who all agreed in praifing their im* partiality and juftice; and many of them for their great abilities; efpe- cially VliJ LUXO-VOLUPTd 321 cially one of the chiefs, who was faid to be a prodigy of knowledge and eloquence. ^Bonaris met an able counfellor of his acquaintance, whom he engaged to dine with us after the courts were up, at a houfe of enterrainment hard by. He came according to his promife, and proved a frank agreeable companion. After dinner, when we were drinking a moderate glafs, Mocophage (com- mander of one of the frigates), firft making an apology for the liberty he was going to take, alked the counfellor in what compafs the Luxo- voluptan lav/s might be contained. In about a hundred volumes ill folio, replied he ; Good God ! cried the other, how is it poffible ever to learn them all? They never are, returned the counfellor 5 he who knows a third Y part 322 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS part of them is very deep. Give me leave to trouble you with another queflion, faid the commander. How long are your law fuits permitted to laft? Sometimes feven years, and at others twenty or thirty, anfwered the lawyer. And what is the reafpn of fuch delays ? The glorious ob- fcurity of the law, replied he laughing. In my opinion you had better be without laws altogether : Yes, faid he ; the nation had, but not the law- yers. This dialogue diverted us. When Mocophage, in a ferious but polite manner, faid, there mull be great faults fomewhere ; and in his opinion, if the lav/yers honeftly told their clients that they had not right on their fide, they certainly would not be mad enough to perfift in their fuit, at a great expence, and often to their IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 323 their utter ruin. In anfwer to which, the counfellor faid, it was not always an eafy matter to determine in what light things would appear to a judge, and flill more fo to a jury ; befides they were feldom confulted on the merits, and very often did not read their briefs till they came into court. And what is the reafon of that ? Want of time, returned he. • Your attornies mufl then be very faulty. That is the general opi- nion, but we cannot help that. Why are not they punillied, faid the Bon- hommican ? Becaufe they take care not to expofe themfelves to it. But to be ferious, continued the coun- fellor, our laws are certainly become a great nuifance, and want reforma- tion ; but it is fo arduous an under- taking, that it is not probable any Y 2 / King 324 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS King orMiniftry will venture on it,un- lefs obliged by fome fatal necellity. The Bonhommican laws were mentioned to fliew the poflibility of it ; to which the counfellor anfwered, — That they were a virtuous people, who could do better without laws in any form whatfoever, than the Luxo-voltiptans could with laws made on purpofe for them by the deity, and fent to them from the divine abodes. He added, that if their government fliould have the misfortune to become defpotic, a reformation might be eafier brought about ; but that the remedy would be worfe jthan the difeafe. The converfation then turned on debtors, and it was generally allowed, that though in juftice debts ought to be IN LUXO-VOLUt^rd 325 be paid, if there was wherewithal! ; yet where there was not, imprifon- ment was depriving the creditors of any chance in future, and when they had not a proper maintenance, they had better be put to death at once. The counfellor acknowledged that the allowance in their prifons was but a meer trifle, and not always paid. What number of debtors, faid Mora- veres, may be in the prifons of Miro- volante ? He replied, Perhaps ten or twelve thoufand, but that he could not fay how many with any exadtnefs* Good God ! exclaimed the other, how fhocking to humanity that is ! if the creditors were obliged to m^aintain them in a decent manner, they would not be fo ready to confine their per- fons. In Ludorow, where that is done, there is not perhaps above one for Y 3 each 226 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS each of your thoufands, but the dif-^ ferent fizes of the cities and manners of the people muft alfo be taken into the account. The lawyer concluded the fubjeft with faying, that there was one advantage in making arrefts for debt eafily obtainable ; that it facilita- ted credit. From debtors, it was a natu- ral enough tranfition to criminals, and many queftions were afked of our communicative lawyer, concerning criminal laws and puaifhments; which after he had anfwered in the moft explicit manner, he told us there was to be a very curious trial in two days, at the Criminal Court of a woman called Rudera, for forgery. That the affair had made a great noife for fome months, two of her accom- plices being at that time under fen- tence of death. He was intreated to IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 327 to give us a hiftory of the affair, which he did in the following man- ner. *' This Rudera has a hufband alive, whom flie has ruined by her extra- ! vagance, has left for fome years, and lived with feveral other men* The laft of whom, and a friend of his, flie was concerned with, in forging bonds for confiderable fums of money. That friend was detedled in endeavouring to raife money on one of them, and, to excufe himfelf, faid, he got it from her; fhe being fent for, acknowledged herfelf guilty ; but they were not then taken up. Afterwards when they were, fhe had art enough to get herfelf admitted as evidence for the king. But the principal profecutor, upon examining Y 4 into 328 BOWiMAN's TRAVEL,S into the affair, finding that flie was the chief contriver and perpetrator of the forgeries, and that he ha(J proof enough againft the others with- out her evidence, profecuted her lalfo. Her plea was, that having been admitted king's evidence, Ihe. was not; liable to be tried. It was argued by counfel before the principal court, and given againft her; becaufe on her examination when admitted evi- dence for the King, flie had not made a full difcovery. <« When (lie came to her trial fome months ago, fhe made ufe of the fame plea, and one of her judges had a fcruple in his mind upon the legality o/ it. That occafioned the trial's being put off, and the point of law's being referred to the twelve judges, who have again given it againft IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 329 jagainft her ; and though noboay/ doubts of her guilt, yet, as Ihe had been admitted an evidence, a kind of compafEon has arofe in the minds ^ of men, as is common in this country^^ on the lead appearance of hardihip or oppreffion. And though in fome countries, torture is made ufe of to make criminals confefs their crimes, the laws are fo favourable in this, that an extrajudicial confeflion does not operate againft them. As we declared our refolution of feeing this famous trial, he told us how we were to manage to get admit- tance, and advifed us to be there early. We then parted, after having thanked him for his agreeable com- pany, and very judicious communi- cations. We 330 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS We did not fail being in court in proper time, and got places where we could both fee and hear perfedlly well. Rudera entered the auguft tri- bunal with great modefty, yet with a fort of dignity. She was drefled in an elegant fimplicity, very proper for her fituation. Her figure was gen- teel, but her face not remarkably handfome. The trial was long and folemn ; during the whole of which, flie behaved with fo much proprietyj compofure, and feeming innocence, that all eyes were upon her, all wiflies for her acquittal. I own ho- nellly my being carried away with the torrent, but thought I perceived by the looks of my friends, that they were not equally prejudiced in her favour. She did not truft entirely to her counfel in crofs-examining the witnefles, IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. ^^t witnefTes, but was every now and then handing little billets to them with her inftruftions. When it came to her defence, flie made a fliort, but very proper fpeech, with much grace and modefly. The judges gave an impartial charge to the jury, explain- ing to them the laws in thefe cafes ^ and according as the proofs appeared to them, directing what their verdidl fliould be. The jury were inclofed, and every one waited with anxiety and impatience for the event. But when Ihe was pronounced Not guilty, there were the loudeft, and moft in- decent fhouts of applaufe, that per- haps ever were heard in a court of juftice. We got out as foon as the croud would permit us, and in our way home, Zit BOWMAN'S TRAVELS Ike Y5-'It ^ horde, I imagined my friends were little fatisfied with what they had been witnefTes to. I was not mif- taken ; for when the Merchants afked their opinions of what had paffed, they declared they had never feen fa litter a depravation, and even tri- umph over the moral fenfe as in the prifoner; nor fuch a total want of it, joined to a falfe pity and mifplaced generofity, as in the fpedators. Not, faid they, that we had any wiflies for her condemnation, let the laws take their courfe ; but for fo crouded a court to feem unanimoufly foli- citous for the acquittal of a perfon, of w^hofe guilt they had not the lead doubt; feemed to them fo great an encouragement to commit crimes, that they were not furprifed to find them fo common in Miro-volante. This IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 335 This trial was at what they call Juasforreris or gaol-delivery, which is held in this capital every fix weeks. We were told when it was over, that at this feffions one hundred prifoners were tried ; thirty of whom were condemned to fuffer death, fifty to row in the gallies, and the reft were either whipped, branded, or acquitted. Such executions are not uncommon in this capital, they ftring up men with as little ceremony as a fifh-wom^an does pilchards ; neither the fufferers nor fpe6lators feeming to give them- felves much concern about it. The crimes which were moll gene- ral, were highway robberies, houfe- breakings, forgeries, thefts and frauds. Few murders or rapes v/ere found in their felEons paper. Having 334 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS Having made feveral excurfions to different parts of this country, feen the greateft part of the metropolis, and obtained information concerning their miUtary and naval eftablifh- ments, manufaeT:ures, 6'^. 6'^. I Ihall now give a Ihort account of them. The foil in general is good, highly cultivated, and the country almoft every where inclofed ; there are fome large diftridls however, that are moun- tainous and barren, efpecially the remote parts to the fouthward. The inhabitants of that country are poor when compared with the others ; but thekeen air of their mountains fliarpens their wits, and many of them migrate northward to better their fortunes in a warmer foil, in which they fome- I times IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 335 times fucceed ; for the northern inha- bitants are a good-natured people, and receive with open arms thofe who readily fall in w^ith their manners. But fometimes they find thefe friends a little too far fouth for them. Navigable canals are numerous, and extremely beneficial to trade; the excellent roads alfo, which have been made within half a century at an immenfe expence (by a heavy tax laid on carriages and horfes which; pafs over them), concur to the fame good end ; as well as to the eafe and conveniency of travellers. They acT:u- ally very much approximate places to one another, and a journey which could not formerly be made under a fortnight, with great trouble and fatigue (the perfons making their wills J 3s6 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS wills before they fet out), is now pet- formed with eafe and pleafure in two or three days. The only inconveni- ence to be feared from this luxurious way of travelling (for the Inns are equally good with the roads) is, that as all ranks of people are now con- veyed on carriages of one fort or other, infide or outfide ; their bodies will be fo enervated, that in time they may become incapable of fupporting the hardftiips and fatigues of war- For I have heard that the fox-hunters, who ufed to be the hardieft riders in the kingdom, go now to the field in poft chaifes (if their fport lies at any diftance from home), mount their horfes there, and return in the fame vehicle, or a hired one, if the chafe carries them to a great diftance from it. f Miro- IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 3i7 - Miro^volante confifts of two Cities, and for its fize might very well make ten very confiderable ones. It is twenty-four miles in circuit, and con- tains above a million of inhabitants. There are above twenty large fquares, but fuch of them as have ftatues, are far from being embellifhed by them. Three ftone bridges, two of which are modern, and noble pieces of archite(5lure ; the third antient (though lately vamped up at nearly as much expence as would have rebuilt it), a ftrudlure of an ignorant age, the piers being built on piles which rife up above low water mark. The Arches are fmall, irregular, and barbarous ; and the ftream ftill more ftreightened by ftarlings filled with large ftones placed round the bottoms of the peers, to prevent their being Z under- 33S BOWMAN^s TRAVELS undermined ; fo that many lives ai^ loft yearly, in pafiing under it from the great fall. It is, in brief, ofFenlive to the eye, hurtful to Navigation, and deftrucflive of the human race. The Temples are numerous and magnifi- cent, one of which, for greatnefs and beauty, might vie with any in the world. This city is of late well paved at the expence of two millions of gorgerines, and is lighted by 100,000 globular lamps. But what furprifes one moft with refpecfl to this Capital is, that they are ftill extending it on all fides 5 go where you will on the out-fkirts, there is nothing to be feen but new buildings ; without any ones being iable to conceive where any additional inhabitants are to come from. Bui the builders (from experience) depend ©n^the reillefa ficklenefs of the Luxo-. voiuptans f a IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 339 voluptans; well knowing that any new fafhioned manner of fitting them up ^ fuch as a little Painting, or fome plafter figures on the ceiling or walls of the rooms (though the houfes in general are not fo convenient), will certainly draw the inhabitants to them. So that it is probable, in a few years, more than one-third of the houfes will be left uninhabited. The Palace, which flruck me moll from the harbour at our firft arrival, on account of its grandeur and mag- nificence, was originally begun for a royal one, and after being much enlarged, was converted into an Hot fpital for fuperannuated feamen. There is another very fine one, but much inferior to the abovemen- tioned, in pofifefllon of the. invalids of the land ferviee. I have afked Z 2 fevevai 340 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS feveral of the old men at both Palaces, if they were not very happy to pafs the remainder of their days in fuch fuperb ftrudtures. Their anfwer con- ftantly was, that they would wil- lingly give up all the grandeur of their habitations, for half a penuris a day additional allowance, to buy them a weed refembling our to- bacco. Several other Hofpitals for variety of purpofes, are likewife unnecefTarily ornamented. The Charity of the Luxo-voluptans is very oflentatious. But one of the oldeft and meaneft public buildings in this great Metro- polis is the Royal Palace, which is indeed utterly unworthy of its great in- habitant, and of the Empire. But the Cortefinas will not let themfclves con- ceive, • IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 341 ceive, that their Monarch can be ca- pable of the fame weaknefs with his fubjecfts, of Hking a new houfe better than an old one. This kingdom has now a very nu- merous body of troops in Armoferia, but in time of pece it is cuftomary for them to keep up a (landing army of 2O5OOO infantry and 8,000 cavalry ; belides 6, coo guards, who are always quartered in the capital. Their troops make a good appearance, and are faid always to fight well ; though they are generally the mod de- bauched, profligate fellows in the kingdom. They have at prefent a very for- midable fleet in commiflion, confifl:- ing of about thirty fhips of the line Z3 of 342 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS of battle, and above one hundred frigates. They are by far the moft potent maritime power in that pare of the globe ; but, on infpefting their fliips, I did not find them much fuperior to the Bonhommicans, either in Ihip-building, the art of naviga- tion, or in the conftruftion of their fire-arms. It is on very great emer- gencies indeed, that they are ever obliged to make ufe of the odious meafure of preffing feamen, to man their fleets. The operation of two very fimple laws, with a moderate bounty, generally anfwer that end. The firft law is, that if any owners of Merchant fliips give more wages to their feamen, than what is half anecuris per month, under the King*s pay (which is fomething higher than the IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 341 the Britifli), the fhip and cargo are forfeited, half to go to the informer. By this law, the freight of goods is alfo kept moderate in time of war, by preventing the rife of feamen's wages in the Merchant fervice. The fecond is, that every feaman has a right to demand his difcharge at the end of two years ; but if he happens to be abroad, and it would be a de- triment to the fervice to part with him, he is intitled for the firft fix months, to half an ecuris per month additional ; for the fecond fix months an ecuris per month, for the third three half ecuris, and fo on. Their iailors are reckoned brave, but un- thinking like our Engiifh Tars. Though the Luxo-voluptans have got very little the ftart of the Bon- hommicans in naval arts, they cer- Z 4 tainly 344 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS tainly far excel them in many of their manufaftures and mechanical ones. Their filks, velvets, and gold and filver fluffs are beautiful, and fump- tuous ; and their houfehold furniture in a grand tafte and well executed. This gives the court of Mirovolante, a much gawdier appearance than that of Ludorow, but without half its dignity. It is impoffible to give a defcrip, tion of the drefs worn by people of fafliion and their imitators, as it changes its appearance almoft as often, though not with the fame re- gularity, as the moon does hers : it being the chief ftudy of the Taylors, Mantua-makers, and Millener$, &c. in greateft reputation (as well as of the Beaux, Belles, and Alse-putas), to invent IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 345 invent new modes of it, befides what they copy from the Faramondians. This is faid to be greatly advanta- geous to trade, and for the fame fpe- cious reafon, the time for wearing mourning for dcceafed relations is indecently fiiortened; but they (and others of inferior rank) never fail to put it on for the death of any foreign Prince, whofe name perhaps they never before heard of, if it is to be wore only for a week. I never heard that any of the richeft Nomrihas (though fome have jo,coo gorgerines of yearly rent) were above receiving the falaries of their offices ; they have no notion of ferving eirher King or Country gratis, or perhaps are afraid of affronting them by a refufal. As 34^ BOWMAN'S TRAVELS As, to the language of this nation, it is a medium betwixt the foftnefs of the Auditantine, and roughnefs of the Eonhommican. It is fmooth enough to be fet to mufic, and yet both nervous and copious. It has been already faid, that the Seraphite religion is profeffed here, as well as in Bonhommica ; the only difference being, that a Hierarchy is eftablilhed in this kingdom, and confequently the priefts enjoy a con- fiderable fliare of power and wealth* Their Temples alfo are more mag- nificent, and more ornamented ; but without any thing tending to idol- atry. Our worthy commanders conftantly went to one Temple or other, on the days appointed for public worfliipi and IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 347 and they ufed often with great con- cern, to lament the general negle6t of religion in this country; very few attending on thefe occafions, and thofe who did, with great levity and un- concern. But what was ftill more melan- choly, the priefts themfelves did not fhew much fervour or piety, whea cxercifing their facred functions ; but haftened them over as a tafk which muft be gone through. This became the fubjedl of con- verfation one evening, when Mora- veres addreffing himfelf to Bonaris, faid, he imagined their priefts thought more of obtaining good livings and dignities, than of ferving the Deity as they ought. He was forry to fay, Bonaris replied, that it was too true, but 348 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS but they were bur men; and it was natural to wifli, and endeavour to be in eafy circumftances ; nor did he fee how it could be prevented. By putting a check, returned the other, to the luft of riches and power, a the -firft fetting out, as is done in Bonhommica. They would be then obliged to turn their ambition to the gaining of refpecSt from their virtue and good life; fince they could not have it from their wealth and dignity. But, rejoined Bonaris, would not that check the praife- worthy emu- lation of diftinguifhing themfelves ? and (as men enter into the priefthood for a livelihood, as they do into other profeffions) prevent thofe of fpirit and genius from engaging in it. — ^-— I do not think that men of fpirit and genius make the beft priefts, faid Moraveres, IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 349 Moraveres, but am rather of the con- trary opinion. As to the checking of emulation, I grant that preferment is a fpur to the exertion of talents, which otherwife might never have been known. But on the other hand, when a man has once got at his eafe, he grows lazy, and his time is more agreeably employed in enjoying the goods of fortune, than in hard ftudy. In our country, continued he, the priefls are allowed a decent compe- tency from the ftate ; putting them much above contempt, but by no means in aflSluence. Therefore, though by writing they can do themfelves no fervice in the way of preferment, yet the Prefs may afford them fome affiftance to help their income; and increafe.at the fame time their repu- 'tation. Moraveres being here filent, * a paufe 350 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS a paufe enfuecl for fome little time ; when Bonaris refuming the difcourfe, faid to Moraveres, But perhaps you approve of our Devotionalifts, who, though profefling themfelves of the eftablifhed religion, pretend to an extraordinary piety ; who negleft their duty to themfelves, their fa- milies, and to fociety, to run about after religious exercifes 5 and are either puffed up with an impious afTurance, of being in favour with the Deity, or deprefled with terrors of having offended him. Moraveres replied. That curiofity had led hinr to attend their meetings, and though he fmcerely pitied them, he was far from approving the ftrange opinions they held, concerning the attributes of the Deity, of grace being all-fuf- ficient without good works j and that every IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 35i every one who did not think as they do, was in a flate of reprobation, with other dodlrines which were fubvcr- five of moraUty and true rehgion. That he believed their Teachers were either artful hypocrites, or filly en- thufiafts; the former deferving pu- nifhment, and the latter confinement in a mad-houfe. Bonaris declared, he intirely agreed with him in his opinion of them ; but, faid he, let us return to our own Priefts, who I fliould be happy to defend, or at leaft ojfFer fomething in extenuation of their condud: ; and I am apt tQ believe, that it is not fo much the church government, that makes the priefts of one nation, more exemplary than that of another, as the manner^ of the people amongft whom they live I and the education they receive in 352 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS in common with others, in their in- fancy. For, continued he, how can a Bonhommican make a bad prieft, who does every thing confcientioiifly ? Bnt, purfued he, we muft mend our manners in general, to procure the particular reformation we have been talking of; and I am afraid there is little probability of that happening, without fome humiliating reverfe of fortune. Education might do much, if children at the fame time could be preferved from the bad examples of all about them. But we go on in the old way, of teaching them nothing but two dead languages all the early part of their lives, taking little care of cultivating the moral fenfe, and yet are furprifed that our people are not as virtuous as yours. The iV LUXO-VOLUPTO. 353 The Bonhommicansall agreed, that if their favourite fenfe was not early rooted, and thoroughly fortified, ail the care in the world afterwards, would have little efFe6t ; for all man- kind had the feeds of it in theii: bofoms, though it was only in theirs, and in thofe of a few individuals of other nations, that its fruit grew up to maturity. Your univerfities, faid they, may be better than ours with refpedl to the fciences, and what is called learning in general, but they will be able to do little in morality. As to our Colleges, anfwered Bo- naris, they have produced very great men, and there are ftill fome of con- fiderable learning amongft them, but at prefent none very remarkable. A a The 354 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS The profeflbrfhips are too well en- dewed to expedt any confiderable ex- ertions from that quarter, and indeed fcarcely one of them gives a ledlure; The education of youth is then in- truded to Tutors, who carry them through all the different branches of learning. Judge you, continued he, whether one man can be capable of doing it as it ought to be. In other refpecfts the difcipline is fo loofe, that a young fellow may there indulge himfelf in debauchery with great fecurity, if he is not guilty of any very open breach of decorum. And yet, faid Mocophage, learning in ge- neral, the fciences and arts, are at prefent in high reputation amongft you ? They are fo, rejoined Bonaris, and very juftly ; but not owing fo fo much to the Univerfities, as to fome other IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 355 Other Societies, and the application of private men. The Royal Scienti- fical Club has promoted moft of them in a very high degree, and ftill keeps up to the fpirit and vigour of its in- ftitution. Other private ones, on limilar, or different plans, both in the capital and other principal cities of the Empire, have alfo done their part. And the royal fchool of arts lately inftituted, promifes fair to raife Painting, Sculpture, andArchitecSlure, to a very high degree of perfecftion. You fee, my friends, continued he, 1 endeavour to be as impartial as poflible ; the defeds in our manners are too glaring, not to be eafily feen by one who fearches after truth. Upon this I obferved to him, That the many Hofpitals which had been A a 2 eredled SS^ BOWMAN*s TRAVELS erected in Miro-volante within half a century paft, feemed to demonftrate, that a laudable charity ftill exifted in the breads of his countrymen in ge- neral ; and t|iat (according to my religion) charity covered a multitude of fins. He replied. That there had indeed been a number of new ereded Hofpitals ; but the motives on which the erectors proceeded, made the merit of fuch aftions. That fome- times it was difficult to penetrate into rhe recefles of the human heart, and at others eafy enough. One or two, which had been built and endowed by particular perfons, feemed plainly with an intention to raife a name ; as mean and defpicable a piece of vanity as any the human mind is fubje^l to, and where they have valuable relations, far from praife- 9 worthy. IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. isi worthy. As to thofe, continued he, •which have been built and fupported by fubfcription, I know for a cer- tainty, that the projeflors of many of them had felfifli views ; and it is not improbable, but the contri- butors adted more, from an eafmefs of temper, oftentation, the conve- nience of fending their fervants to them, or fome other motive, than from true benevolence of heart. The converfation now turned to variety of fubjedls ; when, after fome- time, Moraveres addreffing himfelf to Bonaris, faid, The Cortefinas is now broke up, and all your Nomras and Comras gone into the country ; be fo obliging to let me know how both fexes pafs their time in it ? Do they refide at their country- feats, and keep A a 3 hofpitality. 358 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS hofpitality, as ours do at that feafon ? Bonaris fmiled and anfwered, Very, very few I affure you : they have got fuch a habit of diffipation and idle- nefs, that they would grow low- fpirited, if left in the country with only their friends about them. But there are, continued he, about twenty fpaws in different parts of the kingr dom, and as many fea-bathing places upon the coaft, which are all full of company, not one in twenty of whom go for their healths ; every one of thefe places has a ball-room or two, where they play cards from mornirlg till night, and dance as often as they chufe. Befides thofe, there are horfe races once every fummer (and oftener in fome) in almoft every town in the kingdom ; at which there are cock-fightings for the men, and balls IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 359 balls for the women. You fee, pur- fued he, that by running from fpaw to bathing-place, from bathing place to horfe-race, and from horfe-race to fome fpaw or bathing-place again, they may contrive to fill up their time tolerably well : and fuch is their love of change, that they even grow weary of the famenefs of this world, and often fend themfelves out of it with a halter or a dofe of poifon. Thefe horfe-races, continued he, are the conftant caufes of exceflive gaming ; and are particularly de- ftrudive to thofe who themfelves keep running horfes, from their im- menfe expence. Notwithftanding the bad eflfedts of them in this country, according to our friend's account, I own (as a A a 4. '^ York- 3(So BOWMAN'S TRAVELS Yorkfhireman), that I had a very great partiality fof that amufement, and had for fome time refolved to fee the firfl: that happened at a reafon-. able diftance from town, before we failed ; the time for which was faft approaching. The winter Theatres were fhut up foon after our arrival, and a fum- mer one opened^ which was alfo Royal. Ariflopharis was the patentee of it ; a very extraordinary chara6ler ! he had wrote a great number of comedies, full of wit and humour; but as they were all on temporary fubjefks, they probably will not long furvive him, unlefs he or fomebody elfe writes a very full commentary on his works. In the mean time they anfwered his purpofe of bring- ing him full houfqs. None IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 35t None but his owii pieces are alftiofl ever performed at his houfc. He is alfo an excellent companion, and much fought after by the Nomras and men of wit; giving in his turn, elegant and expenfive entertainments. He has fpcnt two or three fortunes, befides the immenfe fums he has raifed on the public; being in that refpeft a perfedt contraft to Garri- mond. We fometimes made parties to go to tt*at Theatre, and when. we could^ carried fome of the Bonhommicaa ladies of the fadtory with us ; but it was not often we could prevail with them, as they ftill retained their own country manners ; having (to comply with the fafliion only) got Xoiall artificial head-wings. Arifto- pharis 362 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS pharis always played the principal charadters in his own pieces, and frequently mimicked the perfon and manner of the culprit intended to be expofed to public ridicule, in fo excellent a manner, that the whole audience were kept ia a continual roar. In fhort, this theatre might be called by way of excellence, the laughing theatre ; there was no for- bearing. I do not believe a perfon brought direftly from the fabled cave of Trophonius could have re- fift^d. We had not yet been at Rondelleva or Fairy-hall, but now made parties for both I not in the fame evening as many people do ; we hufbanded our IN LUXO-VOLUPTO; 363 our amufements better than that came to. With much perfuafion fome of our ladies accompanied us to the former, but nothing could draw them to the latter. Rondeileva is a vafl rotund (in fize far exceeding the Theo-pan), about a mile from town. It really ftruck us very much at our firll entrance. The company is as great a mixture as can well be ima- gined ; from the Prince and Princefs of the blood royal, to any body who can appear in a decent drefs, and pay half an ecuris for entrance. It may properly be called an immenfe CofFee-houfe for both fexes. Every thing is however decent at this place, even the Alse-putas conceal their wings as much as they poflibly can. There is always a band of mufic, and fome fingers ; but no body feemed to 5^4 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS to mind them. The place was ex- ceedingly crouded that night, and however agreeable it may be at other times, it certainly was much the reverfe on this occafion. The entertainment at this place, is to walk round the room, and round the room, like a horfe in a mill. You fee but half the company, for you muft ftill follow your leaders ; (this is occafioned by a large fupport to the roof in the center of the room, in which there is a fire in cold wea- ther) ; fhould any number pretend to go the oppofite way, there would be a full flop. The only method of feeing the whole, is to take pofTeflion of a box (if you can, for on thefe crouded nights there are great de- mands for them) 5 fit down in it, and fee IN LUXO-VOLUPiU, 365 fee all the company pafs you at your eafe. You have Tea and Coffee for your half ecuris if you chufe it. On crouded nights it is very diffi- cult to get to your carriages ; fo much fo, that company are often kept till three or four in the morning folely on that account. To prevent which, and our curiofity being fa- tisfied, we made our retreat a little after eleven, and happily got fafe home. We were all men in the Fairy-hall party, and certainly ic is well named ; for every thing looks like Fairy-land or enchantment. A large garden well laid out, interfperfed with elegant buildings ; in the midft of which, is one for a band of mulic and good voices. Statues, Paintings, Cafcades flrike 366 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS ftrike your eyes, whatever fide yoti turn to. The whole illuminated with fome thoufands of globular lamps, which make it almoft as light as day. What added much to the oddity of the fcene (though it was a great nuifance), was the Alse-putas flying about in great numbers, and perching upon the trees in a ridiculous man- ner ; calling to the men as they walked paft, and inviting them up to them. You pay but a fcheris en- trance, but the proprietor has great profit on his meat and wine, as it is cuftomary to fup here. We were refolved to fee the whole of the place, and went into a box. The prices of every thing are fixed ; fo much for a chicken, fo much for a flice of beef, &c. &c. 8cc. The provifions, though dear, were good of IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 31^7 of their kind ; but the high priced wines were execrable. You fit ia open boxes, expofed to the ribaldry of the Alse-putas and drunken appren- tices ; who, after ten o'clock, became very noify and quarrelfome. They foon became too much fo, for us to have any fatisfadlion in a longer ftay ; we therefore paid our bill and went home, wifliing we had done it fooner. ' I have already mentioned my pre- dile(5lion for a horfe-race, luckily thofe of Epicem (a fmall town, fif- teen miles from the capital) were advertifed ; and as none of the com- manders had ever feen one^ they were the more eafily perfuaded to go one of the days. Fortunately the weather was favourable, and brought a vaft deal 368 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS deal of company on the downs. They were of all forts ; a great number of handfome carriages filled with Com- ras and Comrinas 5 fome Nomras and Nomrinas ; crouds of horfemen of all ranks ; and not a few Als-putas in high life, in their carrs and fix. The running horfes feemed not inferior to ours in England ; they were indeed beautiful creatures, and it warmed my heart to look at them. They ftarted, and every body (ef- pecially thofe who betted) were in an agitation of fpirits ; galloping about, and offering betts, at every feeming alteration in their progrefs. The carrs and fix attended them in the air, which had a beautiful eflfeft. At lafl the pufli was made, the IN LUXO-VOLUPTO. 369 the horfes ftrained every nerve, and the Riders fpared neither whip nor fpur to urge them on. Of the four that run, two kept fo near a-breaft, it could not be dillingufhed which was foremoft ; then the noife was loud, and betts altered every moment, in favour now of one, now of another ; at laft they reached the winning poll, and by the exertion of the rider one of them gave a fpring forward, and won by half a neck. Nothing but Ihouting and hollowing was then to be heard ; fome glorying in their judgment, others curfing their ill- luck, and accufmg the lojfing Rider of being bribed. I fliail not tire my reader with a defcription of the other heats j fuffice it to fay, that the fport was as fine Bb as 370 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS as ever I faw in England. We had alfo a Chafe which very much di- verted the company, and was quite unexpefted. One of the Carr-born GoddefTes, had very wifely trained fix Falcons for her equipage, and came with them to the ground that day, for the firft time of trying them in public. Another was drawn by fix beautiful Pigeons, which the Falcons unluckily got a view of; away they flew after them, being very little under command of their Chario- teer. The Pigeons exerted them- felves with all their ftrength to efcape their enemy, nor did their Goddefs reftrain them. The efforts on both fides were great, and the chafe long, fometimes in one direction, and fome- times in another ; at laft, from the great agitation, both the GoddefTes were lu LUXO-VOLUPTO. 371 were thrown from their Carrs, the reins and harnefs were broke, and the poor Pigeons devoured. To put my reader out of pain for the God- defies, I have the pleafure to alTure him they got no hurt, as their large fpreading wings fupported them in the air and broke the fall. We re- turned to town very well fatisfied with our diverfion, and had the luck to efcape being robbed. B b 2 C H A ?, 372 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. CHAP. IX. Every thing prepared for falling. Tak$ leave at Court ; and of our Friends. Sail vuith a fair ivind. Speak vuith fome Armoferian Privateers. A Storm. Meet vuith a Dutch Frigate. The Cap* tain of her gives the Author a pcijfage to Battavia. Tender parting with Mo-^ raver^s. His friendly behaviour to the Author \ and humanity to the Dutch Creiv. The Scurvy abates on board the Harlem Frigate^ from the ufe of Malt and other things Moraveres fpared them. Arrives at Battavia, Sent for by the Governor and Council^ to interrogate him concerning the I/land of Bonhommica. Ships f tied out for that difcovery. The Author falls fck^ but recovers. Sails to the Cape in a Dutch Indiaman. Gets a pajjdge home in an Englifh one. Ar- rives in Old England. EVERY thing was now ready for failing, and we only waited for t a fair BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 37^ a fair wind. We took leave at Court, of the AmbajQTador, and of the Nom- ras who had fliewed us civilities; but with much more real concern of the worthy Merchants of the factory, and of the virtuous Bonaris. Our grief at parting would have been greater, if we had not hoped to meet again the next year, or at leaft to hear from one another. The wind came fair the day after we lay on board, and we failed the ift of February 1776, having been near three months in this famous capital. Our voyage was profperous and agreeable during the whole month of February, and moft part of that of March; no occurrence happened worth mentioning, except that we met, and fpoke with feveral Armoferian B b 3 Privateers ; 374 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS, Privateers j who paid due honours to the Bonhommican flag, feeing us fo well prepared for them ; or what is itiore probable, having no defign to make themfelves any new ene- mies. The goodnefs of heart which Mo- raveres fhewed on every occafion, made me almoft adore him; and I perceived that my endeavours to imi- tate their manners, had not been en- tirely without fuccefs, as I gained ground daily in his afFeftions. The orderly behaviour of the inferior oflicers and common failors, was alfo truly admirable ; and I often ufed to make the comparifon in my own mind, betwixt them and our Englifh grews, where nothing is done with- out BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 375 out bawling, curfing, and fwearing in a moll fliameful manner. On March 27th, when by our rec- koning we were within a hundred leagues of Bonhommica, and were happy in the thoughts of foon feeing our friends ; at 2 p. m. the wind, which had moftly been at weft, changed to S. W. and frefliened con- fiderably. This obhged us to take in our top-gallant-fails, and even to reef the top-fails. At half after four we took them in alfo, and at fix reefed our courfes. Thus we run all that night, but the gale ftill increafed upon us. In the morning we counted our whole convoy ftill in company, and put in another reef in our courfes. On the evening of the 28th, the Qua- darow made the fignal for lying to B b 4 under I 376 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. under a reefed mizen, for fear of Ihooting ahead of our port. It blew a perfedl florin all night, and the fliip pitched fo dreadfully, that we had fome apprehenfions of her foun- dering. On the 29th at day-break^ not one of the fleet was to be feen, and the ftorm inftead of abating grew every hour more violent; fo that to prevent her foundering, we were obliged to put her before the wind under a treble reefed forefail. She did not now labour in the fea as before, but went with a prodigious velocity 3 at Icafl nine or ten knots an hour as well as we could judgei heaving the log-line in fo mountain^ ous a fea being impradlicable ; how- ever, on the 30th, we found it necelTary to takip in alfo the forefail, and let her drive under bare poles. Mora- veres BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 377 veres was as compofed in this tem- peft as at other times, giving me his opinion and orders with the coolncfs of a virtuous man, who was prepared for all events. Nor did he even at fuch a time overlook the firmnefs with which the mafts and rigging bore the buffeting of the winds, to the honour of Britiflx improvements* This ftorm continued with un- abated violence to April 9th, when it began to lofe fomewhat of its fury ; but went off gradually as it came on. The loth it abated confiderably, but a prodigious high fea ftill run. We now got out fome fails, and altered our courfe for Bonhommica. On the nth fair weather, and the fea much fallen : had at noon an ob- fervation, 37S BOWMAN'S TRAVELS fervatlon, and found ourfclves in lo^ 52' fouth latitude, and by feveral dif- tances of the fun and moon in 152*^ 34' eaft longitude. At 2 p. m. faw a fail which we concluded muft be one of the convoy, fhe was to leeward, fo we bore down to her ; but how great was my furprife and joy when we neared her, to difcover fhe was Eu- ropean built and feemed to be Dutch. I acquainted Moraveres with it, who faid, it would give him great pleafure to fee an European fliip, but was afraid it would be the means of de- priving them of me ; however, faid he, we muft put away all felfiflmefs from our hearts, when the happinefs of our friends is concerned. A boat was immediately hoifted out, and the Dutchman feeing we intended BOWMAN'3 TRAVELS. 379 intended coming on board of him, ordered the fhip to lie to for us, and the Ardefow was commanded to do the fame. We went on board, and found her a frigate of 22 guns called the Harlem, and commanded by- John Van Trump. I had much ado to make myfelf underftood by the Captain, as he was matter of neither Englifli nor French, nor I of Dutch. The failors being all on deck out of curiofity to fee fuch outlandifh peo- ple, I afked in Englifh, if none of them were Englifhmen ; they all fhook their heads. I then fpoke to the fame purpofe in French, when one came forward, and fa id in that language that he was a Walloon. The Captain was a well looking man, and polite, for his country, lie alked us very civilly into his cabbin, SSq BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. cabbin, where the Walloon attended us. When there, he begged the fa- vour to know how I came into thefe feas, and more particularly in a ftiip, and with people, whom he had never feen, or heard any thing fpoke of. That all Europe believed, that there was no civilifed nation in that part of the globe ; but by the conftrudlion of the fliip, its large fize, and the ap- pearance of the people, it feemed to be otherwife. I gave him a faithful account of my travels, and particu- larly of the Ifland of Bonhommica, and its inhabitants, giving them the due praife their virtues deferved ; letting him know alfo, that I had entered into their fervice, as there feemed little probability of my ever getting back to my own dear coun- try. BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 381 try. I however had done it with this exprefs refervation, that I was at liberty to quit it upon any occafion of meeting with a European fliip, that would carry me thither. But though I told him nothing but truth, no mention was made of the fouthern continent ; that great difcovery I re- ferved for my dear countrymen. I now in- return requefted an account of his bufinefs in thefe feas, but found him very referved on that fubjeft. He only faid, that he had been fent out by the governor general and council of Batavia, on a voyage of difcovery ; that he had been at New- Zealand, where one of his boat's crews had been cut off, and devoured by the favages ; and that having been already out fifteen months, with a very fiekly fliip's company, he was . returning gSt BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. returning thither with all poffible expedition, before the fcurvy had quite difabled them. He concluded with offering me in a very handfome manner, a pafTage to Batavia, which I accepted with great thankfulnefs^ He aiked us to ftay dinner with him, which the Quadarow confented to, on condition he dined with him next day, on board the Ardefow. This he readily confented to, having no doubt a curiofity to fee the fhip, and the manners of the people who navi- gated her. Before dinner Captain Van Trump fhowed Moraveres every part of the Harlem, who was not fo much pleafed as might have been expefted ; but Dutch fEips are in ge- neral of a clumfy and heavy con- flru6lion in comparifon with the Englifh. The BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 3^3 The Dutch Captain gave us the beft dinner that was in his power; every thing was neat and plain, which greatly pleafed our Quadarow. What we wanted in frefh meat, he made up in good liquors ; arrack punch and Conftantia wine, were both quite new to Moraveres, and much admired by him. After dinner, we returned to the Ardefow (which I ihall no longer call our fhip, as I was fo foon to leave her), and I began to put my affairs in fome order, to be removed on board the Harlem. I muft honeftly own, that though I had now a profpecft of feeing Old England again, which I had for a long time al- moft defpaired of ; yet the parting with Moraveres, and the thoughts of never feeing my royal miflrefs or any of my friends in Ludorow more, llruggled hard 384 BOWMAN^s TRAVELS. hard in my thoughts, with the love of my native country ; and it was not an eafy conqueft which the latter at laft gained. Moraveres obferved my con- cern, and was pleafed with it ; he faid it fhewed a good heart, not to quit peo- ple who valued me, without regret, though it was to return to my own country. But, continued he, you muft endeavour to fhake it off, as you are only doing your duty, and I fhall comfort myfelf in your abfence with the hopes of your being happy, and that you will not entirely forget me and my country. He then made fome inquiries con- cerning the Dutch nation ; and when I had given him an account of their fmall territory in Europe, and their extenfive commerce, together with their great power in India ; their charader. BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 3S5 chara6ter, manners, 8cc. Sec. He faid, they were a Angular inflance of the pov/erful effefts of commerce, but there were fome things in their cha- racter which he could not approve of; they feem, faid he, a felfifli people, and make every thing give way to that fordid principle. I afterwards (at his own delire) informed him in what manner I was Co get home ; and he (underftanding, that after reach- ing Batavia, a long voyage was to be made to Europe) went to his defk, and brought out a purfe filled with 200 Tudarines, and faid to me. Bow- man, you are going amongft a felfifh people, where you will be an in- tire Itranger ; if you cannot amongft men of that charadler pay for what you want, you will be very ill ferved. Receive then this money w^hich I have C c "no 386 BOVv^MAN's TRAVELS. no occafion for, it may be of ufe to you. I was delighted, and yet hurt with the generofity of my friend, and would have excufed myfelf from ac- cepting it, by letting him know, that I was not without money enough (I hoped) to ferve my occafions ; but finding he would take my refufal very ill, I was obliged to acquiefce. I wrote a letter to the Lurgow Amo- row, begging he would acquaint her Majefty with my great acknowledg- ments and gratitude for all her favours, which I affured him would never be obliterated from my memory, while I had life ; and alfo afliiring him of my great refpedl and regard for his own perfon and virtues, as . well as for the whole Bonhommican nation. I wrote alfo to my hofl Lur- gofage, inclofing one in it to my dear friend Ouragow at Seripante. Next BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 38)^ Next day, Captain Van Trump came on board according to promife, and brought his interpreter with him. Before dinner I fhewed him the fliip, which was cleared for that pur- pofe, and he was not a little furprifed with it 5 but as I honeftly told him how flie had been fitted out under my direftions, by order of her Bon- hommican Majefly, his admiration was fbmewhat lelTened. He got the beft dinner that the ftiip could afford, and wine both of the growth of Bon- hommica and Luxo-volupto ; which were very different from any he ever drank, and confequently increafed his wonder. Converfing about Bon- hommica, the Captain faid to me, that it feemed impoflible to him, that an Ifland of fo large a fize, and lying in the longitude and latitude I had mentioned, fliould hitherto have ef- C c i? caped 388 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. caped difcovery ; but, on confidering the vaft extent of the Pacific Ocean, it by chance might happen ; and what he faw before him, and all around, was a plain proof that it had. In viewing the fliip, he had ob- ferved that all the men looked in perfedl health, without the leaft ap- pearance of the fcurvy, and at dinner mentioned it to me as fomething very uncommon. I anfwered him, that we had only been feventy days out of port, which was not fo long, but v/ith common management that diflemper might be prevented; for I alTured him the two Britifla fhips which have lately been in thefe feas, had been 117 days without feeing land J and yet to my knowledge with- out any appearance of it. He begged to know, in what manner they were vidualledy BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 389 vic5lualled, or if any other means were ufed to prevent that deftrudlive ma- lady. Upon this, I gave him a full account of our provifion and manage- ment (but with which I fliall not trouble the reader), and afterwards told him that the Ardefow had by way of experiment been conducted exa6lly in the fame manner; which probably had contributed to the healthfulnefs of the men. After fitting filent for a minute or two, he replied, that I had told him of a very happy difcovery, and wifhed he had an opportunity of trying it upon his fickly crew. To which I rejoined, that Moraveres was fo humane and worthy a man, that I was certain if there was fuch a quantity left, as to allow any to be fpared, that he would readily do it. The worthy Quadarow, upon being told of the Cc 3 fickly 390 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. fickly condition of the Dutch fhip» and what was requefted of him, im- mediately fent for a return of thefe {lores to be made him; and finding he fafely might fpare a part to people in fuch diftrefs, ordered a certain quantity of each to be properly calked up and put into the Harlem's boat. Van Trump expreffed his acknow- ledgments for his humanity, and it being now time to depart, I took a Jafl farewel of my dear friend, which was on neither fide with dry eyes ; and alfo of the quarter-deck officers ; even the common men were not forgot 5 and I have the fatisfadlion of remembering, that they all fhowed a. concern at parting vvith nie. The fliips fleering diflferent courfes, were foon out of fight of each other j but BOWMAN'S travels: 391 but my heart ftill glowed with the remembrance of the Ardefow and her excellent commander. Captain Van Trump treated me very well during our voyage to Ba- tavia, and the favour I had obtained for his fick men required no lefs at his hands. By the help of our interpreter, I gave the furgeon in- ftrudlions how the llores were to be managed to the beft advantage, and being an idle man, even overlooked the giving of them regularly myfelf. It was with infinite pleafure that I obferved their falutary efFefts ; thofe who were only beginning to be ill, recovered in a very fhort time ; and thofe who had been long down, grew by degrees better and better. The Dutch language does not differ greatly from the Englilh; I took C c 4 fome 392 BOV7MAN*s TRAVELS. fome pains in acquiring it while on board this fliip, and not altogether without fuccefs ; before we got to Batavia, I could talk it tolerably well. We arrived at this famous Emporium June 25th, 1776, without any thing worth relating having happened in the voyage. Before I had been a week at Ba- tavia, a very civil meflfage was fent me from the Governor-general and Council, defiring to fee me, which I accordingly obeyed. Wiien I was in- troduced, it foon appeared what their bulinefs wuth me was, by the Go^ vernor's immediately interrogating me, concerning the fliip from v/hich the Harlem had taken me» I gave him a faithful account as far as it went, of the bland of Bonhommica and every thing I knew concerning itj with which they feemed fatisfied, as BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 391 as it agreed exacftly with Van Trump's account of the Ardefow, and her Ihip's company. Before I left Ba- tavia, two fliips were fitting out to go on that difcovery ; whereof one was to be commanded by Van Trump. This gave me fome uneafi- nefs, as I wiftied no body might get the ilart of my own dear countrymen, in an intercourfe with fo virtuous a people ; and I hope they will do me the juftice to confider, that, cir- cumftanced as I was, it was utterly impoffible for me to conceal that valuable difcovery from the Dutch. I had hitherto enjoyed an uninter- rupted good ftate of health during all ray dangers and fatigues ; but the ftinking putrid air of this abominable place, was too powerful for me. I fell down in a putrid fever, and was many 394 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. many days ftruggling for life. The moft noted phyficians were called to my afliftance by Van Trump, who, to do him juftice, afted a friendly part by me > and at the end of three weeks (whether from the medicines. I had taken, or from youth and a good conftitution, I fhall not determine), my difeafe took a favourable turn. I began to recover, but it was very flowly ; which no doubt was in a great meafure occafioned by my con- tinuing in the fame bad air. My defire of being removed into the country was complied with ; and I found great benefit by that change. Sicknefs, it is generally faid, is charge- able ; this I found to my coft ; for had it not been for my good friend's purfe of Tudorines, I could not have defrayed the expences of mine. I got Dutch money for them from a gold- BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 395 a goldfmith ; and many of the Mer- chants and Council bought them from him as great curiofities. Van Trump undertook to procure me a paflage, in the firft fliip bound to the Cape of Good-Hope ; and to acquaint me when flie was ready to fail. This did not happen till the middle of Odober, when I came to town, and went on board immediately, ^fter thanking the Captain for all his favours. The fhip was a Dutch Eaft Indiaman, called the Oiler-Thought, commanded by Ifaac Van Neck, a very fenfible good fort of man. As foon as we got out to fea, I found myfelf quite a different man, and daily recovered my flrength and fpi- rits. We had rather a tedious paflage p the Cape, though no very bad weather 5 having failed from Batavia the 2^6 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. the end of Oftober, and not arriving there till the beginning of March 1777. I was now got to a known country, and went to lodge at the fame houfe I had been well treated at, four years and a half before. Englifh com- pany's fliips were frequently coming from India, and calling here for re^- frelhments in their way to Europe. I took my paflage home in the Tritonj the Hon. Captain Elphinflon com^ mander, a moft agreeable and worthy man, who made every one on board his ftiip happy. We called at St. He- lena, as is ufual for the company's fliips, but made no long ftay, ^ad a profpexous voyage home, and came to an anchor in the Downs, on the 24th of July; when I foon had the happinefs of breathing my native air, of finding my dear father in healthy BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 397 health, and all my family and rela- tions very happily eftabliflied. The only lofs I had to regret, was that of Sir Charles Saunders ; him I moft fincerely lamented, both as a worthy man, and the only patroh I had in the Britifh navy. I have ari ambition to ferve my King and Coun- try, and defire no other reward for my great difcoveries, than to be ad- mitted to the fame rank which I left in the Bonhommican fervice. But as in this country every thing goes by intereft, I almoft defpair of fuccefs ; and heartily wifh my good friend Omai was Hill here, who, I make no doubt, would have exerted to the ut- moft, all his intereft with the Great in my favour. It requires no nice inveftigation to difcover, that the Britifh manners at 7 pre fen t 398 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. prefent refemble much more thoft of the Luxo-voluptans, than the Bon- hommicans. I am forry to find it fo, but for my own part I Ihall en- deavour to form my friendfhips with thofe only, who have the greateli fimilitude to the latter nation ; whofe virtuous lives fhall be the models for my imitation. As the opportunity of returning to my native country was fo unexpected, and happened at fea ; there was no poffibility of bringing any fpecimens of the manufadlures, arms, or curi- ofities of the countries I vifited, with me. However, if any gentleman will give himfelf the trouble of calling at my lodgings in St. Alban's-Street, I can fhew him the coins of Bonhom- mica and Luxo-volupto i and fome of the manufa(5tures of both countries ia BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. 399 in my Bonhommican uniform, and the cloaths I made up at Miro-volante to appear in at court. I have not increafed the fize and price pf this fmall volume, by a vo- cabulary of words, v\^hich I could eafily have furniftied from the lan- guages I acquired. But if the Public Ihews any curiofity concerning thefe languages, they Ihall be indulged with fomething more complete than has hitherto appeared, of thofe fpoke in the fouthern hemifphere ; which I ftiall publilh by fubfcription. Thus have I, without any expence to my country, difcovered the hitherto fuppofed, but much doubted of. Great Southern Continent. A fifth divifion of this Terraqueous Globe, of no in- confiderable magnitude ; being (by 6 the 400 BOWMAN'S TRAVELS. the beft information I could obtain) at lead as large as Europe. And I hope from the known generolity of my countrymen, that I Ihall not be fo ungratefully ufed by them, as the great Columbus was by the Spani- ards; but that they will do me the honour of giving my name to it 5 which I think without difputc I have a much better right to, than Ameri- cus Vefputius had to that of Ame- rica. I fhall not pretend to dictate to thg Public, by which of my names it Ihould be called, either of them is at their fervice ; but if they will allow me to give my opinion, I think BOW- MANIA would be fofter, and more in unifon with the names of the other divifions fo long in life, than HIL- DEBRANDIA. E I N I S.