nored above all others, without exception.
Such men are looked upon as heroes, and their memory is sainted by
posterity. They only receive the name, which on the earth is awarded to
the disturbers and enemies of the race--the name of--great!
It is very easy to conceive of the degree in which Alexander and Julius
Caesar would be prized by this people; both of whom not only had no
children themselves, but murdered millions of the offspring of others.
I remember to have read the following inscription on the tomb of a Keban
peasant:
"Here lies Jorktan the great, the hero of his time, father of thirty
children."
Among the court officers the Kadori, or grand-chamberlain, is the
superior. Next after him comes the Smizian, or treasurer. In my time,
the seven-branched widow, Kahagna, filled the latter place. She was a
virtuous and industrious woman; although her duties were many and
important, she nursed her child herself. I remarked once, that I thought
this to be troublesome and unfit for so great a lady. I was replied to
in this wise: "For what purpose has nature given breasts to woman? for
the ornament of the body alone,--or for the nourishment of their
children?"
The crown prince was a child of six years; his governor was the wisest
tree in the kingdom. I have seen an abstract of moral philosophy and
policy, written by him for the use of the prince, the title of which is
Mahalda Libal Helit, which in the subterranean language means, The
Country's Rudder. It contains many fundamental and useful precepts, of
which I recollect the following:
"1st. Neither praise nor blame should be too hastily credited; judgment
should be deferred until accurate knowledge of the matter is obtained.
"2d. When a tree is accused of any crime, and the accusation is
supported, then the life of the culprit must be examined, his good and
evil actions must be compared, and judgment be given according to the
preponderance of either.
"3d. The king must be accurately acquainted with the opinions of his
subjects, and must strive to keep union among them.
"4th. Punishment is not less necessary than reward. The former restrains
evil; the latter promotes good.
"5th. Sound reason teaches that especial regard should be had to the
fitness of candidates to public offices; but, though piety and honesty
go to form the greatest merit, yet, as the appearance of these virtues
is often imposed on us for the reality, no tree should be severely
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