Nature forms their minds for different pursuits before they come into the world; from one shell comes forth a warrior, from another a philosopher, from a third a divine, from a fourth a lawyer, from a fifth a farmer, from a sixth a clown, &c. &c., and each of them immediately begins to perfect themselves, by practising what they before knew only in theory.

When they grow old they do not die, but turn into air, and dissolve like smoke!  As for their drink, they need none; the only evacuations they have are insensible, and by their breath.  They have but one finger upon each hand, with which they perform everything in as perfect a manner as we do who have four besides the thumb.  Their heads are placed under their right arm, and when are going to travel, or about any violent exercise, they generally leave them at home, for they can consult them at any distance; this is a very common practice; and when those of rank or quality among the Lunarians have an inclination to see what’s going forward among the common people, they stay at home, i.e., the body stays at home, and sends the head only, which is suffered to be present incog., and return at pleasure with an account of what has passed.

The stones of their grapes are exactly like hail; and I am perfectly satisfied that when a storm or high wind in the moon shakes their vines, and breaks the grapes from the stalks, the stones fall down and form our hail showers.  I would advise those who are of my opinion to save a quantity of these stones when it hails next, and make Lunarian wine.  It is a common beverage at St. Luke’s.  Some material circumstances I had nearly omitted.  They put their bellies to the same use as we do a sack, and throw whatever they have occasion for into it, for they can shut and open it again when they please, as they do their stomachs; they are not troubled with bowels, liver, heart, or any other intestines, neither are they encumbered with clothes, nor is there any part of their bodies unseemly or indecent to exhibit.

Their eyes they can take in and out of their places when they please, and can see as well with them in their hand as in their head! and if by any accident they lose or damage one, they can borrow or purchase another, and see as clearly with it as their own.  Dealers in eyes are on that account very numerous in most parts of the moon, and in this article alone all the inhabitants are whimsical:  sometimes green and sometimes yellow eyes are the fashion.  I know these things appear strange; but if the shadow of a doubt can remain on any person’s mind, I say, let him take a voyage there himself, and then he will know I am a traveller of veracity.

CHAPTER XIX

The Baron crosses the Thames without the assistance of a bridge, ship, boat, balloon, or even his own will:  rouses himself after a long nap, and destroys a monster who lived upon the destruction of others.