Page 9
EVANDER's Account of the College of MIRANIA, &c.
"IT had been the peculiar Happiness of my Countrymen, ever since their first Settlement, to enjoy an uninterrupted Tranquillity; at Peace with their Neighbours, unrival'd in their Trade, and blest in one Administration of a Succession of mild and just Governors, who had the real Interest of the Province at Heart. These favorable Circumstances had, from time to time, besides constant Supplies from the Mother-Country, invited over vast Numbers of Foreigners, who, quitting their native Land, sought a calm Retreat in Mirania; where under the Protection of wise and equal Laws, and far beyond the Reach of Priestly Domination, and the rapacious Minions of scep∣tred Robbers, they might dare to think for themselves, dare to challenge and enjoy the Fruits of their own Industry.
THUS, about twelve Years ago, the Miranians saw themselves a mighty and florishing People, in Possession of an extensive Country, capable of producing all the Necessaries, and many of the Superfluities of Life. They reflected that the only Method of making these natural Advantages of lasting Use to themselves and Posterity,— the only infallible Source of Tranquillity, Happiness and Glory,—was to contrive and execute a proper Scheme for forming a Succession of sober, virtuous, industrious Citizens, and checking the Course of growing Luxury. They were sensible, that tho' a Combination of lucky Circumstances, almost wholly independent on them, had rais'd them so high, they shou'd be wanting to themselves if they depended longer on blind Chance for any Thing which was now in their Power to command. They were convinced that, without a previous good Education, the best Laws are little better than Verba minantia, and, con∣sider'd as such, will be dup'd and broke thro' with Im∣punity