The inhabitants subsist chiefly on a vegetable diet; live about as long as they do on the earth, notwithstanding the great difference of climate, and other circumstances; and, in short, do not, in their manners, habits, or character, differ more from the inhabitants of our planet, than some of these differ from one another.  Their government was anciently monarchical, but is now popular.  Their code of laws is said to be very intricate.  Their language, naturally soft and musical, has been yet further refined by the cultivation of letters.  They have a variety of sects in religion, politics, and philosophy.  The territory of Morosofia is about 150 miles square.  This brief sketch must content the reader for the present.  I refer those who are desirous of being more particularly informed, to the work which I propose to publish on lunar geography; and, in the mean time, some of the most striking peculiarities of this people, in opinions, manners, and customs, will be developed in this, which must be considered as my personal narrative.

As soon as we were espied by the inhabitants, we were surrounded by a troop of little boys, as well as all the idle and inquisitive near us.  The Brahmin had not gone far, before he was met by some persons of his acquaintance, who immediately recognised him, and seemed very much pleased to see him again in the moon.  They politely conducted us to the house of the governor, who received us very graciously.  He appeared to be about forty-five years of age, was dressed in a pearl-coloured suit, and had a mild, amiable deportment.  He began a course of interesting inquiry about the affairs of the earth; but a gentleman, whom we afterwards understood was one of the leaders of the popular party, coming in, he soon despatched us; having, however, first directed an officer to furnish us with all that was necessary for our accommodation, at the public expense—­which act of hospitality, we have reason to fear, occasioned him some trouble and perplexity at the succeeding election.  We very gladly withdrew, as both by reason of our long walk, and the excitement produced by so many new objects, we were greatly fatigued.  The officer conducted us to respectable private lodgings, in a lightsome situation, which overlooked the chief part of the city.

After a frugal, but not unpalatable repast, and a few hours’ sleep, the Brahmin took me round the city and a part of its environs, to make me acquainted with the public buildings, streets, shops, and the appearance of the inhabitants.  I soon found that our arrival was generally known and that we excited quite as much curiosity as we felt, though many of the persons we met had seen the Brahmin before.  I was surprised that we saw none of their women; but the Brahmin told me that they were every where gazing through their windows; and, on looking up, through these slanting apertures I could often see their eyes peeping over the upper edge of the window-sill.