red and seventy years of the active and unremitted agency of steam
sufficed for this end; since the accomplishment of which, the monikin
race has been in the undisturbed enjoyment of the whole territory,
together with its blessed fruits."

"Am I to understand," asked Captain Poke, with more interest than he had
before manifested in the philosopher's lecture, "that your folks, when
at hum', live to the south'ard of the belt of ice that we mariners
always fall in with somewhere about the parallel of 77 degrees south
latitude?"

"Precisely so--alas! that we should, this day, be so far from those
regions of peace, delight, intelligence, and salubrity! But the will of
Providence be done!--doubtless there is a wise motive for our captivity
and sufferings, which may yet lead to the further glory of the monikin
race!"

"Will you have the kindness to proceed with your explanations, Doctor?
If you deny the annual revolution of the earth, in what manner do
you account for the changes of the seasons, and other astronomical
phenomena, such as the eclipses which so frequently occur?"

"You remind me that the subject is not yet exhausted," the philosopher
hurriedly rejoined, hastily and covertly dashing a tear from his eye.
"Prosperity produced some of its usual effects among the founders of
our species. For a few centuries, they went on multiplying in numbers,
elongating and rendering still more consecutive their cauda, improving
in knowledge and the arts, until some spirits, more audacious than the
rest, became restive under the slow march of events, which led them
towards perfection at a rate ill-suited to their fiery impatience. At
this time, the mechanic arts were at the highest pitch of perfection
amongst us--we have since, in a great measure, abandoned them, as
unsuited to, and unnecessary for, an advanced state of civilization--we
wore clothes, constructed canals, and effected other works that were
greatly esteemed among the species from which we had emigrated. At
this time, also, the whole monikin family lived together as one people,
enjoyed the same laws, and pursued the same objects. But a political
sect arose in the region, under the direction of misguided and
hot-headed leaders, who brought down upon us the just judgment of
Providence, and a multitude of evils that it will require ages to
remedy. This sect soon had recourse to religious fanaticism and
philosophical sophisms, to attain its ends. It grew rapidly in powe