ated, houses so ill contrived and so ruinous, or a people whose
countenances and habit expressed so much misery and want.

This lord Munodi was a person of the first rank, and had been some years
governor of Lagado; but, by a cabal of ministers, was discharged for
insufficiency. However, the king treated him with tenderness, as a
well-meaning man, but of a low contemptible understanding.

When I gave that free censure of the country and its inhabitants, he made
no further answer than by telling me, "that I had not been long enough
among them to form a judgment; and that the different nations of the
world had different customs;" with other common topics to the same
purpose. But, when we returned to his palace, he asked me "how I liked
the building, what absurdities I observed, and what quarrel I had with
the dress or looks of his domestics?" This he might safely do; because
every thing about him was magnificent, regular, and polite. I answered,
"that his excellency's prudence, quality, and fortune, had exempted him
from those defects, which folly and beggary had produced in others." He
said, "if I would go with him to his country-house, about twenty miles
distant, where his estate lay, there would be more leisure for this kind
of conversation." I told his excellency "that I was entirely at his
disposal;" and accordingly we set out next morning.

During our journey he made me observe the several methods used by farmers
in managing their lands, which to me were wholly unaccountable; for,
except in some very few places, I could not discover one ear of corn or
blade of grass. But, in three hours travelling, the scene was wholly
altered; we came into a most beautiful country; farmers' houses, at small
distances, neatly built; the fields enclosed, containing vineyards,
corn-grounds, and meadows. Neither do I remember to have seen a more
delightful prospect. His excellency observed my countenance to clear up;
he told me, with a sigh, "that there his estate began, and would continue
the same, till we should come to his house: that his countrymen ridiculed
and despised him, for managing his affairs no better, and for setting so
ill an example to the kingdom; which, however, was followed by very few,
such as were old, and wilful, and weak like himself."

We came at length to the house, which was indeed a noble structure, built
according to the best rules of ancient architecture. The fountains,
gardens, walks, avenues,