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very well bestow'd, so we were in the same place where we 

 are now : I do not mean in the Park ; but we will suppose 

 ourselves in the air, other people contioually passing by, 

 who take up our place, and at the end of twuatj-four hours 

 we return to it again." 



" Copernicus himself," said I, " could not have compre- 

 hendt'd it better. First, then, we see some of our neighbours 

 iiassiiig by us, up to the ears in politics, yet settling their 

 nation no better than we do the world in the moon ; then 

 follows a great sea, perhaps a Heet of ships, perhaps a 

 rnackrelboat, no matter whether; then come some of the 

 Iroquois going to eat a prisoner for their breakfast, who 

 veems as little concerued as his devourers ; after, appear the 

 nomen of the land of Jesse, who 'spend all their time in 

 ■ Iressing their husband's dinners and suppers, and painting 

 tdeir lips and eyebrows blue, only to please the greatest 

 lirutes in the world ; then the fair Circassiaus, who give all 

 tlieir love to the first comer, except a little they reserve for 

 their husbands ; then the Tartars going to steal concubines 

 tir the Turks and Persians ; and at last our own dear 

 oountrymen, it may be in some points as ridiculous as the 

 best of 'em." 



"It is very pleasant," said the Marchioness "but to 

 imagine what you tell me ; tho' if I were above, and saw 

 all this, I would have the liberty to hasten or retard the 

 motion cf the earth, according as the objects pleas'd me 

 more or less ; and I assure you I should quickly send 

 packing the politicians and man-eaters, but should have a 

 .irreat curiosity for the fair Circassians, for methinks they 

 iiave a custom very particular. But I have a dilKculiy to 



dear, ! nd you must be serious. As the eaith moves, the 

 air changes every moment, .-o we breathe the air of another 

 country. " 



" >'ot at all," replied T, " for the air which encompasses, 

 the earth does not extend above a certain height, perhaps 

 twenty leagues ; it follows us, and turns with us. Have 

 you not seen the work of a silkworm, the shells in which 

 those little animals imprison themselves, and weave with, 

 so much art 1 they are made of a silk very close, but ar& 

 covered with a down very slack and soft ; so the eaith, 

 which is solid, is covered from the surface twenty leagues, 

 upwards with a kind of down, which is the air, and like the 

 shell of the silkworm turns at the same time. Beyond the. 

 air is the celestial matter, incomparably more pure and 

 subtle, and much more agitat>d than the air." 



"Your comparison," said she, "is somewhat mean, and 

 yet what wonders are wrought, what wars, what changes 

 in this little shell." 



" ' Tis true," I replied, " but nature takes no notice o£ 

 such little particular motions, but diives us along with the 

 general motion as if she were at bowls." 



" Methinks," s-aid she, " 'tis very ridiculous to be upon, 

 a thing that turns, and yet not be well assured that it does, 

 turn ; and to tell you the truth, I begin to distrust the- 

 reasons jou give why we should not be sensible of the 

 motion of the earth ; for is it possible there should not- 

 some little mark be left by which we might perceive it • " 



" All motions," said I, " the more common and natural 

 they are, are tliH less perceptible : and this holds true e\ec 

 in moralitv. The motion of self-love is so natural to us,, 



