e contrary, those as evil subjects, burthensome
as well for their misdeeds as for their frequent petitions?"

There are five festival days during the year. The first of these, which
takes place at the beginning of the oak month, is solemnized with great
devotion, in dark places, where not a ray of light is suffered to enter,
signifying that the being they worship is inconceivable. The festival is
called the "inconceivable-God's-day." The whole day, from sunrise to
sunset, the people remain immovable, engaged in earnest and heart-felt
prayer. In the four other festivals, thanks to God for his blessings
form the principal ceremonies.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VII.

THE POTUAN CONSTITUTION.

In the kingdom of Potu the crown is inherited, as with us, by the eldest
son of the king, whose power is absolute. The government, however, is
rather fatherly than tyrannical. Justice is not meted and bounded by law
alone, but is the result of principle, a principle of the widest
philosophic comprehension. Thus, monarchy and liberty are closely
united, which otherwise would be inimical to each other. The ruler seeks
to maintain, as far as possible, an equality among his subjects. Honors
are not limited to any class; but the poorer and more ignorant are
called upon to receive their opinions from and submit to the decisions
of the richer and more intelligent: the young are to respect the aged.

The annals of Potu show that some centuries ago, certain classes were
highly favored by the laws to the exclusion of the great body of the
people; frequent disturbances had been the result of this favoritism,
till a citizen of the town Keba, proposed an alteration in the laws, by
which all distinctions of class were abolished, and while the office of
king should still remain hereditary, all the other officers of
government should be subject to the will of the people, all of whom
should be allowed to vote, who could read and write, at least, their
names.

According to the custom of the subterraneans in such affairs, this
intelligent and patriotic citizen was led to the market-place, with a
rope about his neck: his proposition was considered, and after grave
deliberation was adopted, as conducive to the general interest.

The mover was then carried in triumph through the city, honored by the
grateful shouts of the people.

[Illustration]

He, who has the most numerous offspring, is regarded as the most
deserving citizen; he is ho