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delighted with smells； any further than as they distinguish meats
by them； nor do they apprehend the concords or discords of sound；
yet in all pleasures whatsoever they take care that a lesser joy
does not hinder a greater； and that pleasure may never breed pain；
which they think always follows dishonest pleasures。 But they
think it madness for a man to wear out the beauty of his face； or
the force of his natural strength； to corrupt the sprightliness of
his body by sloth and laziness； or to waste it by fasting； that it
is madness to weaken the strength of his constitution； and reject
the other delights of life； unless by renouncing his own
satisfaction； he can either serve the public or promote the
happiness of others； for which he expects a greater recompense
from God。 So that they look on such a course of life as the mark
of a mind that is both cruel to itself； and ungrateful to the
Author of nature； as if we would not be beholden to Him for His
favors； and therefore reject all His blessings； as one who should
afflict himself for the empty shadow of virtue； or for no better
end than to render himself capable of bearing those misfortunes
which possibly will never happen。
This is their notion of virtue and of pleasure； they think that no
man's reason can carry him to a truer idea of them； unless some
discovery from heaven should inspire him with sublimer notions。 I
have not now the leisure to examine whether they think right or
wrong in this matter： nor do I judge it necessary； for I have only
undertaken to give you an account of their constitution； but not
to defend all their principles。 I am sure； that whatsoever may be
said of their notions； there is not in the whole world either a
better people or a happier government： their bodies are vigorous
and lively； and though they are but of a middle stature； and have
neither the fruitfullest soil nor the purest air in the world； yet
they fortify themselves so well by their temperate course of life；
against the unhealthiness of their air； and by their industry they
so cultivate their soil； that there is nowhere to be seen a
greater increase both of corn and cattle； nor are there anywhere
healthier men and freer from diseases： for one may there see
reduced to practice； not only all the arts that the husbandman
employs in manuring and improving an ill soil； but whole woods
plucked up by the roots； and in other places new ones planted；
where there were none before。
Their principal motive for this is the convenience of carriage；
that their timber may be either near their towns or growing on the
banks of the sea or of some rivers； so as to be floated to them；
for it is a harder work to carry wood at any distance over land；
than corn。 The people are industrious； apt to learn； as well as
cheerful and pleasant； and none can endure more labor； when it is
necessary； but except in that case they love their ease。 They are
unwearied pursuers of knowledge； for when we had given them some
hints of the learning and discipline of the Greeks； concerning
whom we only instructed them （for we know that there was nothing
among the Romans； except their historians and their poets； that
they would value much）； it was strange to see how eagerly they
were set on learning that language。 We began to read a little of
it to them； rather in compliance with their importunity； than out
of any hopes of their reaping from it any great advantage。 But
after a very short trial； we found they made such progress； that
we saw our labor was like to be more successful than we could have
expected。 They learned to write their characters and to pronounce
their language so exactly； had so quick an apprehension； they
remembered it so faithfully； and became so ready and correct in
the use of it； that it would have looked like a miracle if the
greater part of those whom we taught had not been men both of
extraordinary capacity and of a fit age for instruction。 They were
for the greatest part chosen from among their learned men； by
their chief Council； though some studied it of their own accord。
In three years' time they became masters of the whole language； so
that they read the best of the Greek authors very exactly。 I am
indeed apt to think that they learned that language the more
easily； from its having some relation to their own。 I believe that
they were a colony of the Greeks； for though their language comes
nearer the Persian； yet they retain many names； both for their
towns and magistrates； that are of Greek derivation。
I happened to carry a great many books with me； instead of
merchandise； when I sailed my fourth voyage； for I was so far from
thinking of soon coming back； that I rather thought never to have
returned at all； and I gave them all my books； among which were
many of Plato's and some of Aristotle's works。 I had also
Theophrastus 〃On Plants；〃 which； to my great regret； was
imperfect； for having laid it carelessly by； while we were at sea；
a monkey had seized upon it； and in many places torn out the
leaves。 They have no books of grammar but Lascares； for I did not
carry Theodorus with me； nor have they any dictionaries but
Hesichius and Dioscorides。 They esteem Plutarch highly； and were
much taken with Lucian's wit and with his pleasant way of writing。
As for the poets； they have Aristophanes； Homer； Euripides； and
Sophocles of Aldus's edition； and for historians Thucydides；
Herodotus； and Herodian。 One of my companions； Thricius Apinatus；
happened to carry with him some of Hippocrates's works； and
Galen's 〃Microtechne；〃 which they hold in great estimation； for
though there is no nation in the world that needs physic so little
as they do； yet there is not any that honors it so much： they
reckon the knowledge of it one of the pleasantest and most
profitable parts of philosophy； by which； as they search into the
secrets of nature； so they not only find this study highly
agreeable； but think that such inquiries are very acceptable to
the Author of nature； and imagine that as He； like the inventors
of curious engines among mankind； has exposed this great machine
of th