Page:A trip to the moon (IA triptomoon00mcde).pdf/25

 People affected Cleanliness in that Case, and made use of joining their Lips to those of their Friends upon meeting. He told me indeed, that the joining of the Lips of Friends was founded in Nature, and bore an Hieroglyphical Meaning. For since it is by what proceeds from the Mouth, that a Man is well or ill reputed of; and that we cannot judge of all Men by their Writings; that the greater part of Mankind know not how to write, it is evident that Nature, which operates by the most general and compendious Ways, hath taught us to join our Lips in Friendship, where two Persons should be resolv'd to agree in their Sentiments, and submit to the most powerful Reasons that shall be pronounc'd by either with respect to some Truth or Truths wherein they are both concern'd; as when two Brothers meet, they should both be resolv'd before-hand to agree in this, that the Welfare of their Parents was to be desir'd and promoted by them to the utmost of their Power; the joining of Lips intimating a Conformity of Opinions, which thro' the Lips were to be convey'd. But the Deference which Tckbrff paid to Courtiers, as being Men of Power and Learning, made him incapable of assigning a Reason for their smelling to the Back-parts upon meeting; and his Instructions had so far prevail'd upon me, that I dar'd not even to think, during my stay among them, so as that I might not be favourably understood by any indifferent Person, had I express'd my Meaning in Words. But since I came to my own Country, I began to think as freely as my Neighbours, and examine many Things in the Moon by English Rules, particularly the manner of Salutation among Courtiers just mentioned. I believe that they well knowing that thro' the Fundament the most stinking Excrement is convey; and that the Intention, as well as Habit of Body, may from its Smell, Shape, and Colour, be guess'd at, have, to avoid needless Expressions, such as How do you do, wisely made use of this Method to inform themselves