e purpose of becoming
acquainted with the pasturage of the dumb animals. And they consider him
the more noble and renowned who has dedicated himself to the study of
the most arts and knows how to practise them wisely. Wherefore they
laugh at us in that we consider our workmen ignoble, and hold those to
be noble who have mastered no pursuit, but live in ease and are so many
slaves given over to their own pleasure and lasciviousness; and thus, as
it were, from a school of vices so many idle and wicked fellows go forth
for the ruin of the State.

The rest of the officials, however, are chosen by the four chiefs, Hoh,
Pon, Sin and Mor, and by the teachers of that art over which they are
fit to preside. And these teachers know well who is most suited for
rule. Certain men are proposed by the magistrates in council, they
themselves not seeking to become candidates, and he opposes who knows
anything against those brought forward for election, or, if not, speaks
in favor of them. But no one attains to the dignity of Hoh except him
who knows the histories of the nations, and their customs and sacrifices
and laws, and their form of government, whether a republic or a
monarchy. He must also know the names of the lawgivers and the inventors
in science, and the laws and the history of the earth and the heavenly
bodies. They think it also necessary that he should understand all
the mechanical arts, the physical sciences, astrology and mathematics.
Nearly every two days they teach our mechanical art. They are not
allowed to overwork themselves, but frequent practice and the paintings
render learning easy to them. Not too much care is given to the
cultivation of languages, as they have a goodly number of interpreters
who are grammarians in the State. But beyond everything else it is
necessary that Hoh should understand metaphysics and theology; that he
should know thoroughly the derivations, foundations, and demonstrations
of all the arts and sciences; the likeness and difference of things;
necessity, fate, and the harmonies of the universe; power, wisdom,
and the love of things and of God; the stages of life and its symbols;
everything relating to the heavens, the earth, and the sea; and the
ideas of God, as much as mortal man can know of him. He must also be
well read in the prophets and in astrology. And thus they know long
beforehand who will be Hoh. He is not chosen to so great a dignity
unless he has attained his thirty-fifth yea