es, and as a
practical commencement to this great work I ordered the royal Tanaquitic
library to be moved to Quama.

My curiosity to become acquainted with this library had been at first
excited by the imprisoned leader Tomopoloko, who told me that among its
manuscripts was one, whose author had been up to our globe, in which
history of his travels he had described several of its kingdoms,
particularly those of Europe. The Tanaquites had seized this manuscript
during one of their predatory excursions into a distant land; but as the
author had concealed his name, they knew not what countryman he was, nor
in what manner he had passed up through the earth. The quaint title of
this book was: "Tanian's[2] Travels Above-ground; being a description of
the kingdoms and countries there, especially those of Europe." From the
antiquity of this work together with its great popularity, it had become
so ragged, that what I was most anxious to learn, namely, the narration
of the author's journey to our earth and his return, was most
unfortunately lost. Here is the contents of this singular manuscript,
such as I found it:

"_Fragments of Tanian's Diary, kept on a Voyage
above-ground, Translated by his Excellency, M. Tomopoloko,
General-in-chief, in the Service of his Tanaquitic
majesty._"

* * * * *

"This land (Germany) was called the Roman empire; but it has been an
empty title, since the Roman monarchy was demolished several centuries
since. The language of this land is not easy to understand, on account
of its perverted style; for, what in other languages is placed before,
in this comes after, so that the meaning cannot be had before a whole
page is read through. The form of government is very inconsistent; some
think they have a regent and yet have none; it should be an empire, yet
it is divided into several duchies, each of which has its own
government, and often engages in a formal war with its neighbor. The
whole land is called 'holy,' although there is not to be found in it the
least trace of piety. The regent, or more correctly the unregent, who
bears the name of emperor, is denominated 'the continual augmenter of
his country,' although he not seldom diminishes it; 'invincible,'
notwithstanding he is often slain: sometimes by the French, sometimes by
the Turks. One has no less reason to wonder at the people's rights and
liberties; but although they have many rights, they