the men forming the phalanx with their spears； then the archers
for whose services a great price is paid； and who are accus…
tomed to fight in lines crossing one another as the threads of
cloth； some rushing forward in their turn and others receding。
They have a band of lancers strengthening the line of battle；
but they make trial of the swords only at the end。
After the battle they celebrate the military triumphs after the
manner of the Romans； and even in a more magnificent way。
Prayers by the way of thank…offerings are made to God； and
then the general presents himself in the temple； and the deeds；
good and bad； are related by the poet or historian； who accord…
ing to custom was with the expedition。 And the greatest chief；
Hoh； crowns the general with laurel and distributes little gifts
and honors to all the valorous soldiers； who are for some days
free from public duties。 But this exemption from work is by
no means pleasing to them； since they know not what it is to be
at leisure； and so they help their companions。 On the other
hand； they who have been conquered through their own fault；
or have lost the victory； are blamed； and they who were the first
to take to flight are in no way worthy to escape death； unless
when the whole army asks their lives； and each one takes upon
himself a part of their punishment。 But this indulgence is
rarely granted； except when there are good reasons favoring it。
But he who did not bear help to an ally or friend is beaten with
rods。 That one who did not obey orders is given to the beasts；
in an enclosure； to be devoured； and a staff is put in his hand；
and if he should conquer the lions and the bears that are there；
which is almost impossible； he is received into favor again。
The conquered States or those willingly delivered up to them；
forthwith have all things in common； and receive a garrison
and magistrates from the City of the Sun； and by degrees they
are accustomed to the ways of the city； the mistress of all； to
which they even send their sons to be taught without contribut…
ing anything for expense。
It would be too great trouble to tell you about the spies and
their master； and about the guards and laws and ceremonies；
both within and without the State； which you can of yourself
imagine。 Since from childhood they are chosen according to
their inclination and the star under which they were born；
therefore each one working according to his natural propensity
does his duty well and pleasantly； because naturally。 The same
things I may say concerning strategy and the other functions。
There are guards in the city by day and by night； and they
are placed at the four gates； and outside the walls of the seventh
ring； above the breastworks and towers and inside mounds。
These places are guarded in the day by women； in the night by
men。 And lest the guard should become weary of watching；
and in case of a surprise； they change them every three hours；
as is the custom with our soldiers。 At sunset； when the drum
and symphonia sound； the armed guards are distributed。 Cav…
alry and infantry make use of hunting as the symbol of war
and practise games and hold festivities in the plains。 Then
the music strikes up； and freely they pardon the offences and
faults of the enemy； and after the victories they are kind to
them； if it has been decreed that they should destroy the walls
of the enemy's city and take their lives。 All these things are
done on the same day as the victory； and afterward they never
cease to load the conquered with favors； for they say that there
ought to be no fighting； except when the conquerors give up the
conquered； not when they kill them。 If there is a dispute
among them concerning injury or any other matter （for they
themselves scarcely ever contend except in matters of honor）；
the chief and his magistrates chastise the accused one secretly；
if he has done harm in deeds after he has been first angry。 If
they wait until the time of the battle for the verbal decision；
they must give vent to their anger against the enemy； and he
who in battle shows the most daring deeds is considered to have
defended the better and truer cause in the struggle； and the
other yields； and they are punished justly。 Nevertheless； they
are not allowed to come to single combat； since right is main…
tained by the tribunal； and because the unjust cause is often
apparent when the more just succumbs； and he who professes
to be the better man shows this in public fight。
G。M。 This is worth while； so that factions should not be
cherished for the harm of the fatherland； and so that civil wars
might not occur； for by means of these a tyrant often arises； as
the examples of Rome and Athens show。 Now； I pray you；
tell me of their works and matter connected therewith。
Capt。 I believe that you have already heard about their
military affairs and about their agricultural and pastoral life；
and in what way these are common to them； and how they
honor with the first grade of nobility whoever is considered to
have knowledge of these。 They who are skilful in more arts
than these they consider still nobler； and they set that one apart
for teaching the art in which he is most skilful。 The occupa…
tions which require the most labor； such as working in metals
and building； are the most praiseworthy among them。 No
one declines to go to these occupations； for the reason that from
the beginning their propensities are well known； and among
them； on account of the distribution of labor； no one does work
harmful to him； but only that which is necessary for him。 The
occupations entailing less labor belong to the women。 All of
them are expected to know how to swim； and for this reason
ponds are dug outside the walls of the city and within them
near to the fountains。
Commerce is of little use to them； but they know the value of
money； and they count for the use of their ambassadors and ex…
plorers； so that with it they may have the means of living。
They receive merchants into their States from the different
countries of the world； and these buy the superfluous goods of
the city。 The people of the City of the Sun refuse to take
money； but in importing they accept in exchange those things
of which they are in need； and sometimes they buy with money；
and the young people in the City of the Sun are much amused
when they see that for a small price they receive so many things
in exchange。 The old men； however； do not laugh。 They are
unwilling that the State should be corrupted by the vicious cus…
toms of slaves and foreigners。 Therefore they do business at
the gates； and sell those whom they have taken in war or keep
them for digging ditches and other hard work without the city；
and for this reason they always send four bands of soldiers to
take care of the fields； and with them there are the laborers。
They go out of the four gates from which roads with walls on
both sides of them lead to the sea； so that goods might easily
be carried over them and foreigners might not meet with diffi…
culty on their way。
To strangers they are kind and polite； they keep them for
three days at the public expense； after they have first washed
their feet； they show them their city and its customs； and they
honor them with a seat at the Council and public table； and
there are men whose duty it is to take care of and guard the
guests。 But if strangers should wish to become citizens of
their State； they try them first for a month on a farm； and for
another month in the city； then they decide concerning them；
and admit them with certain ceremonies and oaths。
Agriculture is much followed among them； there is not a
span of earth without cultivation； and they observe the winds
and propitious stars。 With the exception of a few left in the
city all go out armed； and with flags and drums and trumpets
sounding； to the fields； for the purposes of ploughing； sowing；
digging； hoeing； reaping； gathering fruit and grapes； and they
set in order everything； and do their work in a very few hours
and with much care。 They use wagons fitted with sails which
are borne along by the wind even when it is contrary； by the
marvellous contrivance of wheels within wheels。
And when there is no wind a beast draws along a huge cart；
which is a grand sight。
The guardians of the land move about in the meantime；
armed and always in their proper turn。 They do not use dung
and filth for manuring the fields； thinking that the fruit con…
tracts something of their rottenness； and when eaten gives a
short and poor subsistence； as women who are beautiful with
rouge and from want of exercise bring forth feeble offspring。
Wherefore they do not as it were paint the earth； but dig it up
well and use secret remedies； so that fruit is borne quickly and
multiplies； and is not destroyed。 They have a book for this
work； which they call the Georgics。 As much of the land as is
necessary is cultivated； and the rest is used for the pasturage of
cattle。
The excellent occupation of breeding and rearing horses；
oxen； sheep； dogs； and all kinds of domestic and tame animals
is in the highest esteem amo