cide concerning wisdom requires,
methinks, a certain degree of sapience in the judge.

"In the southern countries, certain cakes are carried about, which the
priests set up for Gods; the most curious part of this matter is, the
bakers themselves, while the dough yet cleaves to their fingers, will
swear that these cakes have created heaven and earth.

"The English prefer their liberty to all else, and are not slaves,
except to their wives. Today they reject that religion, which yesterday
they professed. I ascribe this fickleness to the situation of their
country; they are islanders and seamen, and probably become affected by
the variable element that surrounds them. They inquire very often after
each other's health, so that one would suppose them to be all doctors;
but the question: how do you do? is merely a form of speech; a sound
without the slightest signification.

"Towards the north, is a republic, consisting of seven provinces. These
are called 'united,' notwithstanding there is not to be found the least
trace of union among them. The mob boast of their power, and insist upon
their _right_ to dispose of state affairs; but no where is the
commonalty more excluded from such matters; the whole government being
in the hands of some few families.

"The inhabitants of this _republic_ heap up great riches with anxious
and unwearied vigilance, which, however, they do not enjoy: their purses
are always full, their stomachs always empty. One would almost believe
they lived on smoke, which they continually suck through tubes or pipes,
made of clay. It must, nevertheless, be confessed, that these people
surpass all others in cleanliness; for they wash everything but their
hands.

"Every land has its own laws and customs, which are usually opposed to
each other. For example; by law, the wife is subject to the husband; by
custom, the husband is ruled by the wife.

"In Europe, the superfluous members of society only are respected; these
devour not only the fruits of the land but the land itself. The
cultivators of the soil, who feed these gorges are degraded for their
industry and despised for their usefulness.

"The prevalence of vice and crime in Europe may perhaps be fairly
inferred from the great number of gallows and scaffolds to be seen
everywhere. Each town has its own executioner. I must, for justice sake,
clear England from this stigma; I believe there are no public murderers
in that country: the inhabitants han