Tho’ they have a Standing Army, yet the Cacklogallinians are all inlisted, and obliged to serve (in case of an Invasion) without Pay.  They have no fortify’d Places, they being look’d upon as a Refuge for Malecontents, except only the imperial Palace.  The Reader may wonder how any Place can be fortified against those who can fly over the highest Walls; I must therefore inform him, that their strong Holds have all the open Places cover’d with Canvass stretch’d from Side to Side; upon which is strew’d an Herb so venemous, that, in six Hours after it has been expos’d to the Sun, it emits so pestiferous a Stench, that no Fowl can approach it by many Yards, but what will fall dead; and this Stench, by the Effluvia mounting, is no way offensive to those below.  This is the Reason their Sieges are rather Blockades, and no fortify’d Town was ever taken but by starving.  For tho’ I have said, the Cacklogallinians have no such, yet their Neighbours have this Canvass, and Plenty of the Herb in and about most of their Towns, and can, in Twenty four Hours, put them in a Posture of Defence.

Upon the Decease of any Party, his Estate goes to the eldest of his Children, whether Male or Female; for the others, the Cocks are put into the Army, or to Trades; the Hens are married to the next Relations, who are obliged to take them, or allow them a Pension for Life, according to their Quality.  Polygamy is forbid, tho’ universally practised among the better Sort.  There were publick Colleges erected for the Education and Provision of poor Chickens; but as there is a strong Party, which takes them to be of ill Consequence; they are discountenanc’d so much, that it is thought they must fall some time or other.

The Customs, Manners, Dress, and Diversions of the Cacklogallinians.

The Cacklogallinians value themselves on being a polite Nation; and indeed those amongst them who have travell’d, are very complaisant, full of their Professions of Friendship, and Offers of Service, tho’ it’s the first time they ever set Eyes on the Party to whom they make them; but if he takes this for any more than the Effects of good Breeding, and reminds a Courtier of his Promise, he is look’d upon as one who wants Education, and treated as a Peasant.

They are not at all sociable, tho’ they frequently visit each other, which is with much Ceremony amongst the better Sort; for he who makes the Visit, sends before him a Servant to give Notice, that he intends to do himself the Honour to kiss the Spur of the Master of the House.  If he is, or will be at home, Answer is made, that he returns Thanks for the Honour intended him, which he will expect with Impatience.  When the Visiter arrives, Notice is given to the Family by one of his Servants, who strikes a brass Pan (hung at the Doors of all Persons of Distinction) so long, and with such Violence, that were it in England, he’d be indicted for a common Disturber.  After this Peal, the Door is opened, and the Visiter received according to his Quality, either at the Street Door, Parlour Door, or in the Hall.  He’s led in, and seated on a Carpet, enquires after the Welfare of the Family, after which he takes Notice of the Weather, and then with great Ceremony takes his Leave, conducted as he was received.