BILLY Hiron was born at Savo, in Lilliput. His father was a Gentleman of great Integrity and Honour,and on that Account much honoured by all Degrees of People. It is said of him, that he never told a Lie in his Life, never injured any Body, nor desired any Thing 36 that was not his own. He was a complete Master of his Passions, possessed a great Share of Contentment, and was for that very Reason exceedingly happy. That a contented Mind is a continual Feast, was one of his Maxims; and without which, he said, it was impossible to live with any Degree of Satisfaction. To illustrate and inforce this Maxim, he would often mention Alexander, who, although he had conquered all the World, and made even Kings his Slaves was not satisfied; but cried like a naughty School-boy, because he had no more Worlds to conquer. When the great ones in the State were quarelling about wealth, he would laugh at them. Riches and Titles, says he, are like Bubbles on a running Stream, liable to be blown away by the first Breeze, or jostled into Nothing by the next Wave. Why all this Anxiety, this longing after Riches? You can eat no more, drink no more, sleep no more than you do now. Believe me Friends, a woollen Coat is as warm as a silken one, and there is as much comfort in a cup as in a Crown. Exercise was his chief Physick, and, though a Gentleman, he earned his bread before he ate it, that he might eat it with greater pleasure.

His Mother was one of those Sort of Ladies who took Delight in Household Affairs, and the Management of her Children. She saw no one she could have liked so well as her Husband, or that she thought 37 half so wise. Her principal Study was to please him, and, if possible, to render him and his Family more happy. And by this Means, old Mr Hiron and his Lady lived a long and peaceful Life, though all the Rest of the State were continually in Arms.

Master Billy's Father gave him what Learning Lilliput at that Time of Ignorance afforded, which was very little; however, he had good natural Parts, and the small Assistance he had from his Tutor, served to set the Machinery of his Genius at Work. When he was but twelve Years old, he formed a Scheme for the Cultivation of Learning, but it was rejected by King Abiho; this King died, however, soon after, and left his Son Miram to reign over the People of Lilliput. Abiho was a morose, ill-natured, illiterate Prince. He was universally hated; for his Pride and Ambition led him into continual Wars with the neighbouring Nations, and domestic Quarrels with his own Subjects. So that his whole reign was a continual Series of Perplexities and Sorrow.

Miram was a very little Boy when he ascended the Throne, but he had, by reading the best Books he could procure, by conversing with Master Hiron, and by keeping Company with those only who were admired for their Wisdom and Virtue, acquired the Understanding, Penetration, and 38 Prudence of a Man. Then he was of a sweet Disposition, affable, mild, and generous; capable of the strictest Friendship, and so great a Pattern and Encourager of the Truth, that the telling of a Lie was in his Reign deemed a capital Crime, and punished with Death. Miram saw the Rock on which Abiho split, and avoided it. After the decent Interment of his Father, whom he loved extremely, he sent for his principal Subjects to Court, and in a polite and princely Harangue, told them, that it should be his Study to make his Reign agreeable to them. That he bore to them the Affection of a Father, and he hoped, in Return, that they would consider themselves as his Children, and endeavour to live with each other, as Brothers ought to do, in Peace and Love; otherwise his Designs, which were intended to promote their Glory and Happiness, would be frustrated. The Assembly applauded the young Prince, thanked him for his gracious Speech, and then dispersed themselves with Hearts full of Joy, and Minds big with Expectation.

King Miram having thus dissolved all Animosities at Home, bent his Thoughts towards accomodating Matters abroad, with the Nations with who his Father was at War. But, before he sent Ambassadors for that Purpose, he issued Orders for a mighty Preparation of warlike Stores; lest the neighbouring Princes should 39 think his Propositions were the Effect rather of Timidity, or Fear, than any pious Disposition for Peace and good Neighbourhood.

All the Ministers, that met at the appointed Congress, were alarmed at the Intelligence they received of these mighty Preparations; but King Miram assured them, by his amassadors, that though he was in all Respects provided to avenge his Father's Quarrel, yet he should always prefer Peace to War, provided he found the same friendly Disposition in his Neighbours. In fine, by the Prudence of the Prince, and the Vigilance of his Ministers, but especially Master Hiron a solid and lasting Peace was concluded; which left King Miram at full Liberty to reform some Vices in the State, and to encourage Virtue, Learning, and Commerce.

Now Liberty sprung up and displayed itself like the Tree of Life in Paradise; the Dews of Heaven came upon it, and the Earth offered all her Nourishment; its Trunk was reared in Strength and Beauty, its Branches spread over the Land, its Root was deep in Virtue, on its leaves were the Sciences written, the People were happy who dwelled under its Shade, and the Fruit of Glory dropped upon them. King Miram took no step without the advice of Master Hiron; and as he studied the Interest and Peace both of the Prince 40 and People, the whole Community was exceedingly happy.^A

Master Hiron soon observed that the Language of the Lilliputians was irregular, and difficult to be understood; and indeed their Manner of Writing was very peculiar, being neither from the right Hand to the left, nr from the left Hand to the right, nor from the Top to the Bottom, but aslant from one Corner of the Paper to the other, as the Ladies of England generally write. Their Spelling too was all confused, being without Rule or Order, and the only sure Maxim they had laid down was, that all Words which could be sounded different Ways were to be written according to the hardest, harshest, longest, and most unusual Sound; so that a Life-time was little enough to learn their Spelling in. Wherefore, Mr Gulliver, though he took great Pains, could make no Proficiency in their Language. Their Speech was no Guide to their Spelling, not their Spelling to their Speech, though you learned theit Alphabet ever so perfectly. Master Hiron, therefore established the Crusonian Alphabet and Manner of Spelling (as may be seen in that History printed in the Crusonian Manner) for it must be observed, that, though the vulgar Tongue, or common Language of Lilliput, was a Branch of the Etrolan; yet that used at Court, and among People of the best Taste, was the English; which 41 the Kings, out of the great Esteem they have had for this Language, ever since their Acquaintance with Mr Gulliver, have endeavoured to introduce and establish throughout their Dominions.

Pray consider how wonderful it is, that forty Letters should be found out, by which alone the Crusonians, the Lilliputians, the Mercolians, the English, the French, the Spaniards, the Italians, the Dutch, and in short, the People of all other Nations upon the Earth, can express all the Words that ever have been, or ever will be invented by any of them: and then tell me if you don't think Billy Hiron was a charming Boy for bringing from Crusonia so easy a Method of Learning, that even little Children became polite Ladies and Gentlemen! And from hence it is plain, that little Boys and Girls can do very surprising Things, and learn a great Deal in a very little Time, if they please; and as we all know, that Learning is the Road to preferment, to Riches, to Honour, and even Wisdom itself, I hope we shall have no Dunce among us; is there be, we shall serve him as the Bees do a Drone in the Hive, send him packing to some other Place.^B

We must no omit the important Revolution occasioned in the Customs, as well as Manners, of Lilliput, by this Introduction of Learning. As they could now learn as much in a Month, as formerly in a Year, 42 the very poorest soon acquired such Notions of Justice, and Equity, and of the Rights of mankind, as rendered unsupportable every Species of Oppression, however antiquated, or common. The Customs of Crusonia, became familiar along with the Language; and Landlords appeared despicable and burdensome, in Proportion as the Happiness of being without them was perceived; and the least Ill-treatment from them was now borne with the greatest Uneasiness and Impatience. The People had not, however, long to wait, for a flagrant Incitement to throw their Riders in the Dirt. For who should become petty Landlords, and great Men in a certain Town, by the Lewdness of their Mothers, their own Gaming, Tricking, and other infamous Practices, but a scambling atheistical Barber, that never thought of God, nor mentioned him, but when he swore;—an excommunicated Quaker, sirnamed the Ocean, from his continual Roaring;—These two Generals to the Black Prince, had to their Aid-de-Camp, a little oily, Petty-fogging Attorney, who issued their villainous Mandates, gratis to them, but not so to the poor Wretches they were sent; they had to pay the uttermost Penny, and Accomodation Fees into the Bargain. This made the ungodly Quaker boast he could have Law for nothing, and so void of Principle was he, that he would wish some ingenious Hand would frame a new Religion for him.

43Then, besides these three Worthies was a Wolf in Sheep's Cloathing, an hypocritical Coach-maker, that resorted with the Anabaptists, whose Election being sure, left him at full Liberty to treat his Fellow-creatures as he pleased—“O my Soul, come not thou into their Secret; unto their Assembly, mine Honlour, be not thou united!”

It would be endless describing all the crooked gambling Fidlers, scoffing Potters, and domineering Skippers of Stone-boats, who had, by Hook or by Crook, acquired a little Matter of Property to set them astride on the Publick.

There had such a crop of these Mushrooms spring up, from the universal Deluge of Vice, that had overflowed the Land, that the whole Earth was taken up with them, and nothing below, nor near them, could be free from their Malignity.—Several of these Miscreants, happened about the same Time, as by common Agreement, to fall foul of some well-meaning though spirited Fellows, and used them in a most perfidious and scandalous Manner, concerning some Gardens, Shops, &c. let to them. The Insults were quite intolerable, and they would not bear them; but like the Levite of Mount Ephraim, published the whole Affair to their Country; who arose as one Man, and besought King Miram, to abolish Landlords, and let them 44 have the Customs of Crusonia. All Endeavours of his Majesty, to appease them, short of granting their Desires were fruitless.—Master Hiron, remembered, that the Bishops of England, by complying with the Reformation, continued, while the Obstinacy of the Scottish Bishops got them expelled for ever; and therefore advised the King to acquiesce, and prefer the Certainty of being a King, over a free and happy People, to the Uncertainty of reigning with a few Harpies. The King consented; and the Landlords being met in full Parliament, no sooner perceived this Junction, than they passed a Vote for expelling both King and People, declaring the Country to be theirs; and that, whoever not having Land of their own, were found therein, after such a Day, should be looked upon as wild Beasts, and lawful Game, whom qualified Gentlemen might hunt for their Pleasure, or tame for their Work.

This was considered by the People as only a Discovery of what had always existed in their Hearts, and been the Spring of all their arrogant Behaviour; but, was certainly carrying the Jest too far, as they could not defend their pretended Rights, by the best of Reason; and that it was plain, from their Manners, that their Dominion was not founded in Grace. They were however only laughed at, and sent quietly to confinement till Things were settled.

45The former Captives now were all set free, all Debts were abolished, the Jubile Trumpet blown, and Liberty proclaimed throughout all the Land, to all the Inhabitants thereof. A most joyful sound to hear! and made a truly festal Day! more easily conceived by far than described.

This Day was appointed to be commemorated yearly in the most striking Manner. A new Play, called the Jubile was formed, to be acted annually on that Occasion in all the Parish Theatres. The Song which serves as a Prologue to the Play is performed thus: At the Drawing up of the Curtain a set of Musical Bells are heard ringing, small Artillery are fired, and the Heralds blowing the Trumpets and proclaiming the Jubile are seen passing over the Stage, and after Exit are still heard to blow. Then meet as by Accident, from different Corners of the Stage, four Men with joyful Countenances, habited as different Occupations require, the first breaking out, (the proper Music accompanying.)

Hark! How the Trumpet's Sound,¹ 2d. Proclaims the Land around 3d. The Jubile!

4th. Hark! How the Trumpet's Sound, 1st. Proclaims the Land around 2d. The Jubile!

46 3d. Tells all the Poor oppress'd, 4th. No more shall they be cess'd, 1st. Nor Landlords more molest, 2d. Their Property

3d. Tells all the Poor oppress'd, 4th. No more shall they be cess'd, 1st. Nor Landlords more molest, 2d. Their Property

And so they go on with the remaining Verses, as if the Words arose spontaneously from the Occasion, the third beginning the next Verse.

The Parish Rate is all, 4th. Paid now by Great or Small, 1st. For House or Land, No more by Nature's due, God gave the Earth to you, And not unto a Few, But all Mankind.

How hath th' oppressor ceas'd², And all the world releas'd From Misery! The Fir-trees all rejoice, And Cedars lift their Voice, Ceas'd now the Feller's Noise, Long rais'd by thee.

The Sceptre now is broke, Which with continual stroke The Nations smote! 47 Hell from beneath doth rise, To meet thy lofty Eyes, From the most pompous Size, How brought to nought!

Since then this Jubile Sets all at Liberty, Let us be glad. Behold each Man return To his Possession, No more like Doves to mourn By Landlords sad!

The Encrease of Happiness in every Situation of Life occasioned by the Change, is strongly painted throughout the Scenes, and the Golden Age is revived.—It ought to be observed, that the Jewish Jubile was such a triumphant Release, every fiftieth Year, from Landlords, and a Return to all their sacred Rights.

But to return, Matters went on in very good Humour, and nothing was touched but the landed Property, together with the appurtenances, as Housing, Mines, growing Timber, &c. which was turned over to the rightful Heir and Owner, the Parish, to be managed and enjoyed as in Crusonia. The discarded Landlords were suffered to retain all their Houshold Furniture, Equipages, Corn and Cattle, and all moveable Effects; and also to retain, as Tenants, as much and no more, of their own Mansion-houses, Grounds and 48 Gardens adjoining, as in their own Hands they could make a good Use of; for none are suffered to let off their Superfluities to others; they return into the Hands of the Parish, which alone has the Disposal thereof; and for these Portions granted them, they had only to pay a rate to the Parish like other People, according to the Valuation. Many of them were very thankful for these Indulgences shewn them, and by the Help of the Effects left them, they fell into various Kinds of Business according to their Inclinations, and did very well.

Master Hiron saw the Effects of his Labour, and was satisfied; and never regretted the Loss of his Estate for the Good of his Country, as naughty boys would. He knew in such a Country he could not want, and to work he was never afraid. King Miram, was also very happy, and supplied liberally out of the Parish Treasuries. He took much Delight in visiting the different Parts of his Kingdom, and was very careful to have a strict military Discipline kept up in every Parish, as in Crusonia; and for that purpose, used frequently, as Opportunity served, to take a Survey of them himself; and at proper Places would review half a Dozen or more Parishes together. On these Occasions, he viewed them with the affectionate Eye of a Parent, who delighted to see them happy

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selves from their Enemies; and not, as an ambitious Tyrant, whose Joy, at such a Sight, would would only have consisted in the Prospect of Shedding their Blood, in Sacrifice to his own vain Glory.

The People were every where glad to see King Miram, and honoured his Visits with filial Respect. In short, it was impossible for either King or People, to express half the Love they had for each other.

So the Land rejoiced greatly, and every one ate the Fruit of his Labour under his Vine, and under his Fig-tree, preparing themselves for a Transition to a yet better Country in the Heavens.