Others made lanterns out of bladders, and iron pails out of clouds.

We saw twelve others under an arbour drinking out of fair and ample jars four sorts of wine, fresh and delicious to all, and we were told that they raised the time according to the manner of the place, and that in this manner Hercules formerly raised the time with Atlas.

Others made a virtue of necessity, which seemed to me a very good and useful work.

Others, in a large grass plot, exactly measured the leaps of fleas, and told us that this was exceedingly useful for the ruling of kingdoms, the conduct of armies, and the administration of commonwealths; and that Socrates, who first drew philosophy down from heaven, and from idle and trifling, made it profitable and of moment, used to spend half his time in measuring the leaps of fleas, as Aristophanes the quintessential affirms.

I saw two keeping watch on the top of a tower, and we were told that they guarded the moon from the wolves.

In a corner of the garden I met four others vigorously disputing, and ready to take each other by the hair. I asked what was the cause of their difference. And I heard that they had already passed four days, had been at it ding-dong, disputing on three high, more than physical propositions, promising themselves mountains of gold by

solving them: the first was concerning the shadow of an ass; the second, of the smoke of a lantern; and the third, of goat's hair, whether it were wool? We heard that they did not think it strange that two contradictions in mode, form, figure, and time should be true,—a thing for which the sophists of Paris would rather be unchristened than confess it.

While we were admiring the admirable operations of these men, clear Hesperus already shining, the queen appeared attended with her court. At her coming we were again amazed in our senses and dazzled in our sight. She immediately perceived our affright, and said

"What occasions the aberrations of human cogitations through the abysses of admiration, is not the sovereignty of the effects which they openly prove to be the consequential result of natural causes, by means of the industry of wise artisans ; it is the novelty of the experiment which makes impression on their faculties; not foreseeing the facility of the operation with a sedate judgment, associated with diligent study. Wherefore, be in your right minds, and put away all fear, if you are seized with any in the consideration of what you see done by my officers. See, hear, contemplate, at your free will all that my house contains; little by little emancipating yourselves from the yoke of ignorance. I am very well disposed towards your

case.

For which, and to give you instruction not

feigned, the contemplation of the studious desires of which you seem to me to have made in your hearts a singular monument and sufficient proof, I retain you presently in the condition and office of my abstractors. By Geber, my first tabachin, shall you be described at departure from this place."

We humbly thanked her queenship, without saying a word, accepting of the noble office she conferred on us.

[After the port of Matæotechny they made the island of Roads, where all the paths are moving, by which Rabelais means that men are carried along by the ideas and movements of their time. After this island they reach the Ile des Esclots, the island of Clogs, where is the Monastery of Mumbling Friars, who are governed by every rule that is most useless, most absurd, and most extravagant.]

Thence we went to the island of Sandals, whose inhabitants live on nothing but soup of salt cod. However, we were very kindly received, and entertained by Benius the Third, king of the island, who, after drinking, took us with him to show us a new monastery, erected and built by his invention for the Mumbling Friars: so he called the religious men whom he had there. For he said that, on terra firma, lived friars who styled themselves the Little Servants and Friends of Our Gracious Lady; item, the goodly and fair Friar-minors; the Minim Friars, herring eaters; also the Minim Crutched Friars. So that the name could be no more

diminished except by Semiquavers or by Mumbling. By their statutes patent obtained, they were all dressed like so many house-burners, except that, just as in Anjou roofers quilt their knees, so these holy friars have their paunches paved or tiled, and paunch-pavers are among them in much repute.

They wear shoes as round as basins, in imitation of those who inhabit the sandy sea. Their chins are close shaved, and their feet iron- shod; and to show they do not value fortune, they shave the hind part of their heads from the crown to the shoulder-blades; their hair before, from the bregmatic bones, grows at liberty.

Thus do they counter fortune, as folk caring no whit for worldly goods. Moreover, defying Fortune the various, they bear, not in their hands like her, but at the belt, instead of paternosters, every man a sharp razor, which they grind twice a-day, and set three times every night.

Each of them has a round ball on his feet, because Fortune is said to have one under hers.

The flaps of their cowls are tied in front, and not behind. In this fashion they have the face hidden, and they freely laugh as much at fortune as at the fortunate,-neither more nor less than our ladies laugh when they have their cachelaid or mask, which was formerly called charity, because it covers a multitude of sins.

The hind part of their heads is always uncovered, as are our faces, which makes them either go forward or backward, which they please., Now, if they go forward, you would then think they were playing at blindman's buff. It is a fair sight

to see.

Their way of living is thus: At the first appearance of dawn they boot and spur one another out of charity; thus booted and spurred, they sleep, or at least snore; and in their sleeping have spectacles on nose, or eye-glasses at the least.

We found this fashion strange; but they contented us in their reply, pointing out to us that, at the day of judgment, whenever it will be, men will be taking repose and slumber: therefore, to prove clearly that they do not refuse to appear, as the Fortunate will, they hold themselves booted, spurred, and ready to mount a horseback whenever the trumpet should sound.

At stroke of noon they wake, and pull off their boots: those who want to sneeze, sneeze ; but all, by law and statute rigorous, amply and copiously yawn, taking their breakfast off yawns. The spectacle seemed to me pleasant. Then, their boots and spurs put upon a rack, they descend to the cloisters. There they curiously wash their hands and mouths, then sit upon a long stool and pick their teeth until the provost makes a sign by whistling through his fingers: then they open their