Page:A trip to the moon (IA triptomoon00mcde).pdf/50

 Means they would become sole Masters of all its Benefits: But they were all disappointed; for in their way they constantly met with some Fountain, which they mistook for the true one, and were so blinded with their own Conceits, that they could not see that they had not come near the Fountain which they coveted, and that the Water which they had got, had none of those good Qualities which made the other so desirable. Had they been content to enjoy its Benefits in common, it was sufficient to satisfy them all, let them be never so greedy. Yet each obstinately maintain'd that he was in the right, and to gain the Fountain he had found the more Repute, cry'd down the true one. I will not take upon me to say that all the Philosophers which we had upon Earth were first in the Moon, tho' I have been often tempted to believe it, from the Conformity of the Opinion of several earthly Philosophers to those religious Sects in the Moon; for I observ'd that there were Platonicks and Cynicks there: The former affected magical Transports, and pretended that they kept a Courier constantly to bring them Intelligence from Heaven: The latter differ'd from them in this, that they admir'd an extraordinary Simplicity in their Garb, which, tho' different from that of other People, was as fashionable as theirs; since it is Custom alone that alters Fashions, and they had nearly stuck to one Fashion for many Years. They were the most unmannerly People in the Moon, and were so politick, that they had persuaded many that they were in earnest, and that to be virtuous was to be unmannerly, and that we cannot be brought to Heaven with an Equipage. It is surprizing to reflect upon what a Multitude is misled, when all are allow'd to approach the sacred Fountain, and Persons appointed to take Care that those who come to drink observe Rules prescrib'd to them.