Page 75 - UTOPIA

OF THE TRAVELLING

OF THE UTOPIANS

If any man has a mind to visit his friends that live in some
other town, or desires to travel and see the rest of the coun-
try, he obtains leave very easily from the Syphogrant and
Tranibors, when there is no particular occasion for him
at home. Such as travel carry with them a passport from
the Prince, which both certifies the licence that is granted
for travelling, and limits the time of their return. They are
furnished with a waggon and a slave, who drives the oxen
and looks after them; but, unless there are women in the
company, the waggon is sent back at the end of the jour-
ney as a needless encumbrance. While they are on the road
they carry no provisions with them, yet they want for noth-
ing, but are everywhere treated as if they were at home. If
they stay in any place longer than a night, every one fol-
lows his proper occupation, and is very well used by those
of his own trade; but if any man goes out of the city to which
he belongs without leave, and is found rambling without a
passport, he is severely treated, he is punished as a fugitive,
and sent home disgracefully; and, if he falls again into the
like fault, is condemned to slavery. If any man has a mind to
travel only over the precinct of his own city, he may freely
do it, with his father’s permission and his wife’s consent; but

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