 by convincing them from my own Remembrance,
Experience and Observation, fortified by numerous Examples, of the Usefulness of
Virtue in publick and private Life. But, my choise and constant Companions
should be a Sett of my own immortal Brotherhood, among whom I would elect a
Dozen from the most ancient down to my own Contemporaries. Where any of these
wanted Fortunes, I would provide them with convenient Lodges round my own
Estate, and have some of them always at my Table, only mingling a few of the
most valuable among you Mortals, whom Length of Time would harden me to lose
with little or no Reluctance, and treat your Posterity after the same Manner;
just as a Man diverts himself with the annual Succession of Pinks and Tulips in
his Garden, without regretting the Loss of those which withered the preceding
Year.
    These Struldbruggs and I would mutually communicate our Observations and
Memorials through the Course of Time; remark the several Gradations by which
Corruption steals into the World, and oppose it in every Step, by giving
perpetual Warning and Instruction to Mankind; which, added to the strong
Influence of our own Example, would probably prevent that continual Degeneracy
of human Nature, so justly complained of in all Ages.
    Add to all this, the Pleasure of seeing the various Revolutions of States
and Empires; the Changes in the lower and upper World; antient Cities in Ruins,
and obscure Villages become the Seats of Kings. Famous Rivers lessening into
shallow Brooks; the Ocean leaving one Coast dry, and overwhelming another: The
Discovery of many Countries yet unknown. Barbarity overrunning the politest
Nations, and the most barbarous becoming civilized. I should then see the
Discovery of the Longitude, the perpetual Motion, the universal Medicine, and
many other great Inventions brought to the utmost Perfection.
    What wonderful Discoveries should we make in Astronomy, by outliving and
confirming our own Predictions; by observing the Progress and Returns of Comets,
with the Changes of Motion in the Sun, Moon and Stars.
    I enlarged upon many other Topicks, which the natural Desire of endless Life
and sublunary Happiness could easily furnish me with. When I had ended, and the
Sum of my Discourse had been interpreted as before, to the rest of the Company,
there was a good Deal of Talk among them in the Language of the Country, not
without some Laughter at my Expence. At last the same Gentleman who had been my
Interpreter, said, he was desired by the rest to set me right in a few Mistakes,
which I had fallen into through the common Imbecility of human Nature, and upon
that Allowance was less answerable for them
