Letter I.

Sibi convenientia finge

To J - - - - - - H - - - - - - Esq; at his House near Holborn, London.

Dear Sir,

In my former I gave you an Account of our Ship's being cast away on the Southern Coast, without the Loss of anyone Man, or much of its Cargo; I let you know the Hardships we underwent in an uninhabited Country, and how, endeavouring to make Discoveries in our Long Boat, we fell into the Hands of a very hospitable People. I gave you also an Account of the several Cities, the Manners and Customs, through which we pass'd, and which were not very different from our own; the People being actuated by the same Passions of Avarice, Envy and Malice, which are so common in Europe, divided by the same Factions and Parties, both in Politicks and Religion; and this, till we arriv'd at the Foot of vast unpassable Mountains, which Nature seems to have made as the Barrier betwixt these wretched People, and those happy Men who inhabit the other Side of it. You must observe, that all those on this Side the Mountain were originally Exiles banish'd from the other Side for Crimes which would not be suffer'd among them; such as Avarice, Ingratitude, unchristian Dealing, Lust, and the like; and they are still the Receptacle of all those who are punish'd for such Offences on the other Side of the Mountain, and have Governors in every City sent from them.