Page 100 - UTOPIA

mires His workmanship, is much more acceptable to Him
than one of the herd, who, like a beast incapable of reason,
looks on this glorious scene with the eyes of a dull and un-
concerned spectator.
‘The minds of the Utopians, when fenced with a love for
learning, are very ingenious in discovering all such arts as
are necessary to carry it to perfection. Two things they owe
to us, the manufacture of paper and the art of printing; yet
they are not so entirely indebted to us for these discover-
ies but that a great part of the invention was their own. We
showed them some books printed by Aldus, we explained to
them the way of making paper and the mystery of printing;
but, as we had never practised these arts, we described them
in a crude and superficial manner. They seized the hints we
gave them; and though at first they could not arrive at per-
fection, yet by making many essays they at last found out
and corrected all their errors and conquered every diffi-
culty. Before this they only wrote on parchment, on reeds,
or on the barks of trees; but now they have established the
manufactures of paper and set up printing presses, so that,
if they had but a good number of Greek authors, they would
be quickly supplied with many copies of them: at present,
though they have no more than those I have mentioned,
yet, by several impressions, they have multiplied them into
many thousands. If any man was to go among them that had
some extraordinary talent, or that by much travelling had
observed the customs of many nations (which made us to
be so well received), he would receive a hearty welcome, for
they are very desirous to know the state of the whole world.

100 Utopia