|
Second BookPart I
Part I
The Second Book of the Communication of Raphael Hythloday, concerning
the best state of a commonwealth, containing the description
of Utopia, with a large declaration of the Godly government, and
of all the good laws and orders of the same Island.
The island of Utopia containeth in breadth in the middle part of it (for
there it is broadest) two hundred miles. Which breadth continueth through the
most part of the land, saving that by little and little it cometh in, and
waxeth narrower towards both the ends. Which fetching about a circuit or
compass of five hundred miles, do fashion the whole island like to the new
moon. Between these two corners the sea runneth in, dividing them asunder by
the distance of eleven miles or thereabouts, and there surmounteth into a
large and wide sea, which by reason that the land on every side compasseth it
about, and sheltereth it from the winds, is not rough, nor mounteth not with
great waves, but almost floweth quietly, not much unlike a great standing
pool: and maketh almost all the space within the belly of the land in manner
of a haven: and to the great commodity of the inhabitants receiveth in ships
towards every part of the land. The forefronts or frontiers of the two
corners, what with fords and shelves, and what with rocks be very jeopardous
and dangerous. In the middle distance between them both standeth up above the
water a great rock, which therefore is nothing perilous because it is in
sight. Upon the top of this rock is a fair and a strong tower builded, which
they hold with a garrison of men. Other rocks there be that lie hid under the
water, and therefore be dangerous. The channels be known only to themselves.
And therefore it seldom chanceth that any stranger unless he be guided by a
Utopian can come into this haven. Insomuch that they themselves could scarcely
enter without jeopardy, but that their way is directed and ruled by certain
landmarks standing on the shore. By turning, translating, and removing these
marks into other places they may destroy their enemies` navies, be they never
so many. The outside of the land is also full of havens, but the landing is so
surely defenced, what by nature, and what by workmanship of man`s hand, that a
few defenders may drive back many armies. Howbeit as they say, and as the
fashion of the place itself doth partly show, it was not ever compassed about
with the sea. But King Utopus, whose name, as conqueror the island beareth
(for before that time it was called Abraxa) which also brought the rude and
wild people to that excellent perfection in all good fashions, humanity, and
civil gentleness, wherein they now go beyond all the people of the world: even
at his first arriving and entering upon the land, forthwith obtaining the
victory, caused fifteen miles space of uplandish ground, where the sea had no
passage, to be cut and digged up.
And so brought the sea round about the land. He set to this work not only
the inhabitants of the island (because they should not think it done in
contumely and despite) but also all his own soldiers. Thus the work being
divided into so great a number of workmen, was with exceeding marvellous speed
despatched. Insomuch that the borderers, which at the first began to mock, and
to jest at this vain enterprise, then turned their laughter to marvel at the
success, and to fear. There be in the island fifty-four large and fair cities,
or shire towns, agreeing all together in one tongue, in like manners,
institutions and laws. They be all set and situate alike, and in all points
fashioned alike, as far forth as the place or plot suffereth.
Of these cities they that be nighest together be twenty-four miles
asunder. Again there is none of them distant from the next above one day`s
journey afoot. There come yearly to Amaurote out of every city three old men
wise and well experienced, there to entreat and debate, of the common matters
of the land. For this city (because it standeth just in the midst of the
island, and is therefore most meet for the ambassadors of all parts of the
realm) is taken for the chief and head city. The precincts and bounds of the
shires be so commodiously appointed out, and set forth for the cities, that
never a one of them all hath of any side less than twenty miles of ground, and
of some side also much more, as of that part where the cities be of farther
distance asunder. None of the cities desire to enlarge the bounds and limits
of their shires. For they count themselves rather the good husbands than the
owners of their lands. They have in the country in all parts of the shire
houses or farms builded, well appointed and furnished with all sorts of
instruments and tools belonging to husbandry. These houses be inhabited of
the citizens, which come thither to dwell by course. No household or farm in
the country hath fewer than forty persons, men and women, besides two
bondmen, which be all under the rule and order of the good man, and the good
wife of the house, being both very sage and discreet persons. And every
thirty farms or families have one head ruler, which is called a philarch,
being as it were a head bailiff. Out of every one of these families or farms
cometh every year into the city twenty persons which have continued two years
before in the country. In their place so many fresh be sent thither out of
the city, which of them that have been there a year already, and be therefore
expert and cunning in husbandry, shall be instructed and taught. And they the
next year shall teach other. This order is used for fear that either
scarceness of victuals, or some other like incommodity should chance, through
lack of knowledge, if they should be altogether new, and fresh, and unexpert
in husbandry. This manner and fashion of yearly changing and renewing the
occupiers of husbandry, though it be solemn and customably used, to the
intent that no man shall be constrained against his will to continue long in
that hard and sharp kind of life, yet many of them have such a pleasure and
delight in husbandry, that they obtain a longer space of years. These
husbandmen plough and till the ground, and breed up cattle, and make
ready wood, which they carry to the city either by land, or by water, as they
may most conveniently. They bring up a great multitude of poultry, and that
by a marvellous policy. For the hens do not sit upon the eggs: but by keeping
them in a certain equal heat they bring life into them, and hatch them. The
chickens, as soon as they be come out of the shell, follow men and women
instead of the hens. They bring up very few horses: nor none, but very fierce
ones: and for none other use or purpose, but only to exercise their youth in
riding and feats of arms. For oxen be put to all the labour of ploughing and
drawing. Which they grant to be not so good as horses at a sudden brunt, and
(as we say) at a dead lift, but yet they hold opinion that they will abide
and suffer much more labour and pain than horses will. And they think that
they be not in danger and subject unto so many diseases and that they be kept
and maintained with much less cost and charge: and finally that they be good
for meat, when they be past labour. They sow corn only for bread. For their
drink is either wine made of grapes, or else of apples, or pears, or else it
is clean water. And many times mead made of honey or liquorice sodden in
water, for thereof they have great store. And though they know certainly (for
they know it perfectly indeed) how much victuals the city with the whole
country or shire round about it doth spend: yet they sow much more corn, and
breed up much more cattle, than serveth for their own use, and the overplus
they part among their borderers. Whatsoever necessary things be lacking in
the country, all such stuff they fetch out of the city: where without any
exchange they easily obtain it of the magistrates of the city. For every month
many of them into the city on the holy day. When their harvest day draweth
near and is at hand, then the philarchs, which be the head officers and
bailiffs of husbandry, send word to the magistrates of the city what number of
harvest men is needful to be sent to them out of the city. The which company
of harvest men being there ready at the day appointed, almost in one fair day
despatcheth all the harvest work.
Of the Cities, and namely Of Amaurote
As for their cities, he that knoweth one of them, knoweth them all: they
be all so like one to another, as farforth as the nature of the place
permitteth. I will describe therefore to you one or other of them, for it
skilleth not greatly which: but which rather than Amaurote? Of them all this
is the worthiest and of most dignity. For the residue acknowledge it for the
head city, because there is the council house. Nor to me any of them all is
better beloved, as wherein I lived five whole years together. The city of
Amaurote standeth upon the side of a low hill in fashion almost four square.
For the breadth of it beginneth a little beneath the top of the hill, and
still continueth by the space of two miles, until it come to the river of
Anyder. The length of it, which lieth by the river`s side, is somewhat more.
The river of Anyder riseth twenty-four miles above Amaurote out of a little
spring. But being increased by other small floods and brooks that run into
it, and among other two somewhat big ones, before the city it is half a mile
broad, and farther broader. And sixty miles beyond the city it falleth into
the Ocean sea. By all that space that lieth between the sea and the city, and
a good sort of miles also above the city, the water ebbeth and floweth six
hours together with a swift tide. When the sea floweth in, for the length of
thirty miles it filleth all the Anyder with salt water, and driveth back the
fresh water of the river. And somewhat further it changeth the sweetness of
the fresh water with saltness. But a little beyond that the river waxeth
sweet, and runneth forby the city fresh and pleasant. And when the sea
ebbeth, and goeth back again, the fresh water followeth it almost even to the
very fall into the sea. There goeth a bridge over the river made not of piles
of timber, but of stonework with gorgeous and substantial arches at that part
of the city that is farthest from the sea: to the intent that ships may go
along forby all the side of the city without let. They have also another
river which indeed is not very great. But it runneth gently and pleasantly.
For it riseth even out of the same hill that the city standeth upon, and
runneth down a slope through the midst of the city into Anyder. And because
it riseth a little without the city, the Amaurotians have inclosed the head
spring of it with strong fences and bulwarks, and so have joined it to the
city. This is done to the intent that the water should not be stopped nor
turned away, or poisoned, if their enemies should chance to come upon them.
From thence the water is derived and brought down in canals of brick divers
ways into the lower parts of the city. Where that cannot be done, by reason
that the place will not suffer it, there they gather the rain water in great
cisterns, which doth them as good service. The city is compassed about with
a high and thick wall full of turrets and bulwarks. A dry ditch, but deep,
and broad, and overgrown with bushes, briers and thorns, goeth about three
sides or quarters of the city. To the fourth side the river itself serveth for
a ditch. The streets be appointed and set forth very commodious and handsome,
both for carriage, and also against the winds. The houses be of fair and
gorgeous building, and in the street side they stand joined together in a
long row through the whole street without any partition or separation. The
streets be twenty feet broad. On the back side of the houses through the
whole length of the street, lie large gardens which be closed in round about
with the back part of the streets. Every house hath two doors, one into the
street, and a postern door on the back side into the garden. These doors be
made with two leaves, never locked nor bolted, so easy to be opened, that they
will follow the least drawing of a finger, and shut again by themselves. Every
man that will, may go in, for there is nothing within the houses that is
private, or any man`s own. And every tenth year they change their houses by
lot. They set great store by their gardens. In them they have vineyards, all
manner of fruit, herbs, and flowers, so pleasant, so well furnished and so
finely kept, that I never saw thing more fruitful, nor better trimmed in any
place. Their study and diligence herein cometh not only of pleasure, but also
of a certain strife and contention that is between street and street,
concerning the trimming, husbanding, and furnishing of their gardens: every
man for his own part. And verily you shall not lightly find in all the city
anything, that is more commodious, either for the profit of the citizens, or
for pleasure. And therefore it may seem that the first founder of the city
minded nothing so much as he did these gardens. For they say that King Utopus
himself, even at the first beginning appointed and drew forth the platform of
the city into this fashion and figure that it hath now, but the gallant
garnishing, and the beautiful setting forth of it, whereunto he saw that one
man`s age would not suffice: that he left to his posterity. For their
chronicles, which they keep written with all diligent circumspection,
containing the history of 1760 years, even from the first conquest of the
island, record and witness that the houses in the beginning were very low, and
like homely cottages or poor shepherd houses, made at all adventures of every
rude piece of wood, that came first to hands, with mud walls and ridged roofs,
thatched over with straw. But now the houses be curiously builded after a
gorgeous and gallant sort, with three stories one over another. The outsides
of the walls be made either of hard flint, or of plaster, or else of brick,
and the inner sides be well strengthened with timber work.
The roofs be plain and flat, covered with a certain kind of plaster that is of
no cost, and yet so tempered that no fire can hurt or perish it, and
withstandeth the violence of the weather better than any lead. They keep the
wind out of their windows with glass, for it is there much used, and
somewhere also with fine linen cloth dipped in oil or amber, and that for two
commodities. For by this means more light cometh in, and the wind is better
kept out.
Of the Magistrates
Every thirty families or farms, choose them yearly an officer, which in
their old language is called the syphogrant, and by a newer name, the
philarch. Every ten syphogrants, with all their 300 families be under an
officer which was once called the tranibore, now the chief philarch. Moreover
as concerning the election of the prince, all the syphogrants, which be in
number 200, first be sworn to choose him whom they think most meet and
expedient. Then by a secret election, they name prince, one of those four whom
the people before named unto them. For out of the four quarters of the city
there be four chosen, out of every quarter one, to stand for the election:
which be put up to the council. The prince`s office continueth all his
lifetime, unless he be deposed or put down for suspicion of tyranny. They
choose the tranibores yearly, but lightly they change them not. All the other
offices be but for one year. The tranibores every third day, and sometimes, if
need be, oftener come into the council house with the prince. Their council is
concerning the commonwealth. If there be any controversies among the
commoners, which be very few, they despatch and end them by-and-by. They take
ever two syphogrants to them in counsel, and every day a new couple. And it is
provided that nothing touching the commonwealth shall be confirmed and
ratified unless it have been reasoned of and debated three days in the
council, before it be decreed. It is death to have any consultation for the
commonwealth out of the council, or the place of the common election. This
statute, they say, was made to the intent that the prince and tranibores might
not easily conspire together to oppress the people by tyranny, and to change
the state of the weal public. Therefore matters of great weight and importance
be brought to the election house of the syphogrants, which open the matter to
their families. And afterward, when they have consulted among themselves, they
show their device to the council. Sometimes the matter is brought before the
council of the whole island. Furthermore this custom also the council useth,
to dispute or reason of no matter the same day that it is first proposed or
put forth, but to defer it to the next sitting of the council. Because that no
man when he hath rashly there spoken that cometh first to his tongue`s end,
shall then afterward rather study for reasons wherewith to defend and confirm
his first foolish sentence, than for the commodity of the commonwealth: as one
rather willing the harm or hindrance of the weal public than any loss or
diminution of his own existimation. And as one that would not for shame (which
is a very foolish shame) be counted anything overseen in the matter at the
first. Who at the first ought to have spoken rather wisely, than hastily, or
rashly.
Of Sciences, Crafts, and Occupations
Husbandry is a science common to them all in general, both men and women,
wherein they be all expert and cunning. In this they be all instruct even from
their youth: partly in schools with traditions and precepts, and partly in the
country nigh the city, brought up as it were in playing, not only beholding
the use of it, but by occasion of exercising their bodies practising it also.
Besides husbandry, which (as I said) is common to them all, every one of them
learneth one or other several and particular science, as his own proper
craft. That is most commonly either clothworking in wool or flax, or masonry,
or the smith`s craft, or the carpenter`s science. For there is none other
occupation that any number to speak of doth use there. For their garments,
which throughout all the island be of one fashion (saving that there is a
difference between the man`s garment and the woman`s, between the married and
the unmarried) and this one continueth for evermore unchanged, seemly and
comely to the eye, no let to the moving and wielding of the body, also fit
both for winter and summer: as for these garments (I say) every family maketh
their own. But of the other foresaid crafts every man learneth one. And not
only the men, but also the women. But the women, as the weaker sort, be put to
the easier crafts: they work wool and flax. The other more laboursome sciences
be committed to the men. For the most part every man is brought up in his
father`s craft. For most commonly they be naturally thereto bent and inclined.
But if a man`s mind stand to any other, he is by adoption put into a family of
that occupation, which he doth most fantasy. Whom not only his father, but
also the magistrates do diligently look to, that he be put to a discreet and
an honest householder. Yea, and if any person, when he hath learned one craft,
be desirous to learn also another, he is likewise suffered and permitted.
When he hath learned both, he occupieth whether he will: unless the city
have more need of the one, than of the other. The chief and almost the only
office of the syphogrants is, to see and take heed that no man sit idle: by
that every one apply his own craft with earnest diligence. And yet for all
that, not to be wearied from early in the morning, to late in the evening,
with continual work, like labouring and toiling beasts.
For this is worse than the miserable and wretched condition of bondmen.
Which nevertheless is almost everywhere the life of workmen and artificers,
saving in Utopia. For they dividing the day and the night into twenty-four
just hours, appoint and assign only six of those hours to work; three before
noon, upon the which they go straight to dinner: and after dinner, when they
have rested two hours, then they work three and upon that they go to supper.
About eight of the clock in the evening (counting one of the clock at the
first hour after noon) they go to bed: eight hours they give to sleep. All the
void time, that is between the hours of work, sleep, and meat, that they be
suffered to bestow, every man as he liketh best himself. Not to the intent
that they should misspend this time in riot or slothfulness: but being then
licensed from the labour of their own occupations, to bestow the time well and
thriftly upon some other good science, as shall please them. For it is a
solemn custom there, to have lectures daily early in the morning, where to be
present they only be constrained that be namely chosen and appointed to
learning. Howbeit a great multitude of every sort of people, both men and
women, go to hear lectures, some one and some another, as every man`s nature
is inclined. Yet, this notwithstanding, if any man had rather bestow this time
pon his own occupation (as it chanceth in many, whose minds rise not in the
contemplation of any science liberal) he is not letted, nor prohibited, but is
also praised and commended, as profitable to the commonwealth. After supper
they bestow one hour in play: in summer in their gardens: in winter in their
common halls: where they dine and sup. There they exercise themselves in
music, or else in honest and wholesome communication. Diceplay, and such other
foolish and pernicious games they know not. But they use two games not much
unlike the chess. The one is the battle of numbers, wherein one number
stealeth away another. The other is wherein vices fight with virtues, as it
were in battle array, or a set field. In the which game is very properly
showed, both the strife and discord that vices have among themselves, and
again their unity and concord against virtues. And also what vices be
repugnant to what virtues: with what power and strength they assail them
openly: by what wiles and subtlety they assault them secretly: with what help
and aid the virtues resist and overcome the puissance of the vices: by what
craft they frustrate their purposes: and finally by what sleight or means the
one getteth the victory. But here lest you be deceived, one thing you must
look more narrowly upon. For seeing they bestow but six hours in work,
perchance you may think that the lack of some necessary things hereof may
ensue. But this is nothing so. For that small time is not only enough but also
too much for the store and abundance of all things that be requisite, either
for the necessity, or commodity of life. The which thing you also shall
perceive, if you weigh and consider with yourselves how great a part of the
people in other countries liveth idle. First almost all women, which be the
half of the whole number: or else if the women be anywhere occupied, there
most commonly in their stead the men be idle. Besides this how great, and how
idle a company is there of priests, and religious men, as they call them? put
thereto all rich men, especially all landed men, which commonly be called
gentlemen, and noblemen. Take into this number also their servants: I mean all
that flock of stout bragging rush bucklers. Join to them also sturdy and
valiant beggars, cloaking their idle life under the colour of some disease or
sickness. And truly you shall find them much fewer than you thought, by whose
labour all these things be gotten that men use and live by. Now consider with
yourself, of these few that do work, how few be occupied, in necessary works.
For where money beareth all the swing, there many vain and superfluous
occupations must needs be used, to serve only for riotous superfluity and
unhonest pleasure. For the same multitude that now is occupied in work, if
they were divided into so few occupations as the necessary use of nature
requireth; in so great plenty of things as then of necessity would ensue,
doubtless the prices would be too little for the artificers to maintain their
livings. But if all these, that be now busied about unprofitable occupations,
with all the whole flock of them that live idly and slothfully, which consume
and waste every one of them more of these things that come by other men`s
labour, than two of the workmen themselves do: if all these (I say) were set
to profitable occupations, you easily perceive how little time would be
enough, yea and too much to store us with all things that may be requisite
either for necessity, or for commodity, yea or for pleasure, so that the same
pleasure be true and natural. And this in Utopia the thing itself maketh
manifest and plain. For there in all the city, with the whole country, or
shire adjoining to it scarcely 500 persons of all the whole number of men and
women, that be neither too old, nor too weak to work, be licensed from
labour. Among them be the syphogrants which (though they be by the laws
exempt and privileged from labour) yet they exempt not themselves: to the
intent they may the rather by their example provoke other to work. The
same vacation from labour do they also enjoy, to whom the people persuaded by
the commendation of the priests, and secret election of the syphogrants, have
given a perpetual license from labour to learning. But if any one of them
prove not according to the expectation and hope of him conceived, he is
forthwith plucked back to the company of artificers. And contrariwise, often
it chanceth that a handicraftsman doth so earnestly bestow his vacant and
spare hours in learning, and through diligence so profit therein, that he is
taken from his handy occupation, and promoted to the company of the learned.
Out of this order of the learned be chosen ambassadors, priests, tranibores,
and finally the prince himself. Whom they in their old tongue call Barzanes,
and by a newer name, Adamus. The residue of the people being neither idle nor
occupied about unprofitable exercises, it may be easily judged in how few
hours how much good work by them may be done towards those things that I have
spoken of. This commodity they have also above other, that in the most part of
necessary occupations they need not so much work, as other nations do. For
first of all the building or repairing of houses asketh everywhere so many
men`s continual labour, because that the unth[r]ifty heir suffereth the houses
that his father builded in continuance of time to fall in decay. So that which
he might have upholden with little cost, his successor is constrained to build
it again anew, to his great charge. Yea many times also the house that stood
one man in much money, another is of so nice and so delicate a mind, that he
setteth nothing by it. And it being neglected, and therefore shortly falling
into ruin, he buildeth up another in another place with no less cost and
charge. But among the Utopians, where all things be set in a good order, and
the commonwealth in a good stay, it very seldom chanceth, that they choose a
new plot to build an house upon. And they do not only find speedy and quick
remedies for present faults: but also prevent them that be like to fall. And
by this means their houses continue and last very long with little labour and
small reparations: insomuch that this kind of workmen sometimes have almost
nothing to do. But that they be commanded to hew timber at home, and to square
and trim up stones, to the intent that if any work chance, it may the speedier
rise. Now, sir, in their apparel, mark (I pray you) how few workmen they need.
First of all, whilst they be at work, they be covered homely with leather or
skins, that will last seven years. When they go forth abroad they cast upon
them a cloak, which hideth the other homely apparel. These cloaks throughout
the whole island be all of one colour, and that is the natural colour of the
wool. They therefore do not only spend much less woollen cloth than is spent
in other countries, but also the same standeth them in much less cost. But
linen cloth is made with less labour, and is therefore had more in use. But in
linen cloth only whiteness, in woollen only cleanliness is regarded. As for
the smallness or fineness of the thread, that is nothing passed for. And this
is the cause wherefore in other places four or five cloth gowns of divers
colours, and as many silk coats be not enough for one man. Yea and if he be of
the delicate and nice sort ten be too few: whereas there one garment will
serve a man most commonly two years. For why should he desire more? Seeing if
he had them, he should not be the better wrapped or covered from cold, neither
in his apparel any whit the comelier. Wherefore, seeing they be all exercised
in profitable occupations, and that few artificers in the same crafts be
sufficient, this is the cause that plenty of all things being among them, they
do sometimes bring forth an innumerable company of people to amend the
highways, if any be broken. Many times also, when they have no such work to be
occupied about, an open proclamation is made, that they shall bestow fewer
hours in work. For the magistrates do not exercise their citizens against
their wills in unneedful labours. For why? in the institution of that weal
public, this end is only and chiefly pretended and minded, that what time may
possibly be spared from the necessary occupations and affairs of the
commonwealth, all that the citizens should withdraw from the bodily service to
the free liberty of the mind, and garnishing of the same. For herein they
suppose the felicity of this life to consist.
Of their living and mutual conversation together
But now will I declare how the citizens use themselves one towards
another: what familiar occupying and entertainment there is among the people,
and what fashion they use in distributing every thing. First the city
consisteth of families, the families most commonly be made of kindreds. For
the women, when they be married at a lawful age, they go into their husbands`
houses. But the male children with all the whole male offspring continue still
in their own family and be governed of the eldest and ancientest father,
unless he dote for age: for then the next to him in age is put in his room.
But to the intent the prescript number of the citizens should neither
decrease, nor above measure increase, it is ordained that no family which in
every city be six thousand in the whole, besides them of the country, shall at
once have fewer children of the age of fourteen years or thereabout than ten
or more than sixteen, for of children under this age no number can be
appointed. This measure or number is easily observed and kept, by putting them
that in fuller families be above the number into families of smaller increase.
But if chance be that in the whole city the store increase above the just
number, therewith they fill up the lack of other cities. But if so be that the
multitude throughout the whole island pass and exceed the due number, then
they choose out of every city certain citizens, and build up a town under
their own laws in the next land where the inhabitants have much waste and
unoccupied ground, receiving also of the inhabitants to them, if they will
join and dwell with them. They thus joining and dwelling together do easily
agree in one fashion of living, and that to the great wealth of both the
peoples. For they so bring the matter about by their laws, that the ground
which before was neither good nor profitable for the one nor for the other, is
now sufficient and fruitful enough for them both. But if the inhabitants of
that land will not dwell with them to be ordered by their laws, then they
drive them out of those bounds which they have limited, and appointed out for
themselves. And if they resist and rebel, then they make war against them. For
they count this the most just cause of war, when any people holdeth a piece of
ground void and vacant, to no good nor profitable use, keeping other from the
use and possession of it, which notwithstanding by the law of nature ought
thereof to be nourished and relieved. If any chance do so much diminish the
number of any of their cities, that it cannot be filled up again, without the
diminishing of the just number of the other cities (which they say chanced but
twice since the beginning of the land through a great pestilent plague) then
they make up the number with citizens fetched out of their own foreign towns,
for they had rather suffer their foreign towns to decay and perish, than any
city of their own island to be diminished. But now again to the conversation
of the citizens among themselves. The eldest (as I said) ruleth the family.
The wives be ministers to their husbands, the children to their parents, and
to be short the younger to their elders. Every city is divided into four equal
parts. In the midst of every quarter there is a market place of all manner of
things. Thither the works of every family be brought into certain houses. And
every kind of thing is laid up in several barns or storehouses. From hence the
father of every family, or every householder fetcheth whatsoever he and his
have need of, and carrieth it away with him without money, without exchange,
without any gage, or pledge. For why should any thing be denied unto him?
Seeing there is abundance of all things, and that it is not to be feared,
lest any man will ask more than he needeth. For why should it be thought that
man would ask more than enough, which is sure never to lack? Certainly in all
kinds of living creatures either fear of lack doth cause covetousness and
ravin, or in man only pride, which counteth it a glorious thing to pass and
excel other in the superfluous and vain ostentation of things. The which kind
of vice among the Utopians can have no place. Next to the market places that
I spake of, stand meat markets: whither be brought not only all sorts of
herbs, and the fruits of trees, with bread, but also fish, and all manner of
four-footed beasts, and wild fowl that be man`s meat. But first the
filthiness and ordure thereof is clean washed away in the running river
without the city in places appointed meet for the same purpose. From thence
the beasts [be] brought in killed, and clean washed by the hands of their
bondmen. For they permit not their free citizens to accustom themselves to
the killing of beasts, through the use whereof they think that clemency, the
gentlest affection of our nature, doth by little decay and perish. Neither
they suffer any thing that is filthy, loathsome, or uncleanly, to be brought
into the city, lest the air by the stench thereof infected and corrupt,
should cause pestilent diseases. Moreover every street hath certain great
large halls set in equal distance one from another, every one known by a
several name. In these halls dwell the syphogrants. And to every one of the
same halls be appointed thirty families, on either side fifteen. The stewards
of every hall at a certain hour come into the meat markets, where they
receive meat according to the number of their halls. But first and chiefly of
all, respect is had to the sick, that be cured in the hospitals. For in the
circuit of the city, a little without the walls, they have four hospitals, so
big, so wide, so ample, and so large, that they may seem four little towns,
which were devised of that bigness partly to the intent the sick, be they
never so many in number, should not lie too throng or strait, and therefore
uneasily and incommodiously: and partly that they which were taken and holden
with contagious diseases, such as be wont by infection to creep from one to
another, might be laid apart far from the company of the residue. These
hospitals be so well appointed, and with all things necessary to health so
furnished, and moreover so diligent attendance through the continual presence
of cunning physicians is given, that though no man be sent thither against
his will, yet notwithstanding there is no sick person in all the city, that
had not rather lie there than at home in his own house. When the steward of
the sick hath received such meats as the physicians have prescribed, then the
best is equally divided among the halls, according to the company of every
one, saving that there is had a respect to the prince, the bishop, the
tranibores, and to ambassadors and all strangers, if there be any, which be
very few and seldom. But they also when they be there, have certain houses
appointed and prepared for them. To these halls at the set hours of dinner
and supper cometh all the whole syphogranty or ward, warned by the noise of a
brazen trumpet: except such as be sick in the hospitals, or else in their own
houses. Howbeit no man is prohibited or forbid, after the halls be served, to
fetch home meat out of the market to his own house, for they know that no man
will do it without a cause reasonable. For though no man be prohibited to
dine at home, yet no man doth it willingly: because it is counted a point of
small honesty. And also it were a folly to take the pain to dress a bad
dinner at home, when they may be welcome to good and fine fare so nigh hand
at the hall. In this hall all vile service, all slavery, and drudgery, with
all laboursome toil and business, is done by bondmen. But the women of every
family by course have the office and charge of cookery for seething and
dressing the meat, and ordering all things thereto belonging. They sit at
three tables or more, according to the number of their company. The men sit
upon the bench next the wall, and the women against them on the other side of
the table, that if any sudden evil should chance to them, as many times
happeneth to women with child, they may rise without trouble or disturbance
of anybody, and go thence into the nursery. The nurses sit several alone
with their young sucklings in a certain parlour appointed and deputed to
the same purpose, never without fire and clean water, nor yet without cradles,
that when they will they may lay down the young infants, and at their
pleasure take them out of their swathing clothes, and hold them to the
fire, and refresh them with play. Every mother is nurse to her own child,
unless either death, or sickness be the let. When that chanceth, the wives
of the syphogrants quickly provide a nurse. And that is not hard to be done.
For they that can do it, do proffer themselves to no service so gladly as
to that. Because that there this kind of pity is much praised: and the
child that is nourished, ever after taketh his nurse for his own natural
mother. Also among the nurses sit all the children that be under the age of
five years. All the other children of both kinds, as well boys as girls, that
be under the age of marriage, do either serve at the tables, or else if they
be too young thereto, yet they stand by with marvellous silence. That which
is given to them from the table they eat, and other several dinner-time they
have none. The syphograntp and his wife sit in the midst of the high table,
for-asmuch as that is counted the honourablest place, and because from thence
all the whole company is in their sight. For that table standeth overthwart
the over end of the hall. To them be joined two of the ancientest and eldest.
For at every table they sit four at a mess. But if there be a church standing
in that syphogranty or ward, then the priest and his wife sitteth with the
syphogrant, as chief in the company. On both sides of them sit young men,
and next unto them again old men. And thus throughout all the house equal
of age be set together, and yet be mixed with unequal ages. This, they say,
was ordained, to the intent that the sage gravity and reverence of the
elders should keep the younger from wanton license of words and behaviour.
Forasmuch as nothing can be so secretly spoken or done at the table, but
either they that sit on the one side or on the other must needs perceive it.
The dishes be not set down in order from the first place, but all the old men
(whose places be marked with some special token to be known) be first served
of their meat, and then the residue equally. The old men divide their
dainties as they think best to the younger that sit on each side of them.
Thus the elders be not defrauded of their due honour, and nevertheless
equal commodity cometh to every one. They begin every dinner and supper
of reading something that pertaineth to good manners and virtue. But it is
short, because no man shall be grieved therewith. Hereof the elders take
occasion of honest communication, but neither sad nor unpleasant. Howbeit
they do not spend all the whole dinner-time themselves with long and
tedious talks: but they gladly hear also the young men: yea, and do
purposely provoke them to talk, to the intent that they may have a proof of
every man`s wit, and towardness, or disposition to virtue, which commonly
in the liberty of feasting doth show and utter itself. Their dinners be very
short: but their suppers be somewhat longer, because that after dinner
followeth labour, after supper sleep and natural rest, which they think to
be of more strength and efficacy to wholesome and healthful digestion. No
supper is passed without music. Nor their banquets lack no conceits nor
junkets. They burn sweet gums and spices for perfumes, and pleasant smells,
and sprinkle about sweet ointments and waters, yea, they leave nothing undone
that maketh for the cheering of the company. For they be much inclined to
this opinion: to think no kind of pleasure forbidden, whereof cometh no
harm. Thus therefore and after this sort they live together in the city,
but in the country they that dwell alone far from any neighbours, do dine
and sup at home in their own houses. For no family there lacketh any kind
of victuals, as from whom cometh all that the citizens eat and live by.
|
