me
to the land of Cabac, more curious and more incredible things were
disclosed to my gaze. Among the Cabacans there is a certain class
without heads. These are born without that appendage. They speak through
a hole in the middle of the breast. On account of this natural defect,
they are generally excluded from offices where brains are thought to be
useful. They are notwithstanding a serviceable class: the most of them
are to be seen at court; being gentlemen of the bed-chamber, stewards of
the household, keepers of the harem, &c.

Beadles, vestry-clerks and such brainless officers are chosen from this
class.

Occasionally one of them is taken up into the senate, either by the
particular favor of government, or through the influence of friends.
This is done, generally, without injury to the country; for it is well
known that the business of the country is carried on by a few senators,
and that the rest are only useful to fill the seats, and agree and
subscribe to the determinations of the leaders.

The inhabitants of the two provinces, Cambara and Spelek, are all lime
trees. But their resemblance ends in form. The Cambarans live only about
four years. The Spelekians, on the other hand, attain to the wonderful
age of four hundred years.

In the former place, the people have their full growth a few weeks after
birth, and finish their education before the first year. During the
three remaining years they prepare for death. The province appeared to
be a true Platonic republic, in which all the virtues reached to their
perfection. The inhabitants, on account of their short lives, are, as it
were, continually on the wing. They regard this life as a gate through
which they hastily pass. Their hearts are fixed on the future rather
than on the present. They may be called true philosophers, for they care
not for luxury and pleasure, but strive through fear of God, virtuous
actions, and clear consciences, to make themselves worthy of eternal
happiness. In a word, this land seemed to be the habitation of saints
and angels;--the only school of virtue.

I was here brought to think of the unreasonableness of those who grumble
at the shortness of life,--those quarrellers with providence! Life can
be called short when passed in luxury and idleness. The shortest life is
long when it is well employed.

In Spelek, on the contrary, all the vices common to erring creatures
seem to be congregated. The people have only the present in th