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of curious engines among mankind； has exposed this great machine
of the universe to the view of the only creatures capable of
contemplating it； so an exact and curious observer； who admires
His workmanship； is much more acceptable to Him than one of the
herd； who； like a beast incapable of reason； looks on this
glorious scene with the eyes of a dull and unconcerned spectator。
The minds of the Utopians； when fenced with a love for learning；
are very ingenious in discovering all such arts as are necessary
to carry it to perfection。 Two things they owe to us； the
manufacture of paper and the art of printing： yet they are not so
entirely indebted to us for these discoveries but that a great
part of the invention was their own。 We showed them some books
printed by Aldus； we explained to them the way of making paper；
and the mystery of printing； but as we had never practised these
arts； we described them in a crude and superficial manner。 They
seized the hints we gave them； and though at first they could not
arrive at perfection； yet by making many essays they at last found
out and corrected all their errors； and conquered every
difficulty。 Before this they only wrote on parchment； on reeds； or
on the bark of trees； but now they have established the
manufacture of paper； and set up printing…presses； so that if they
had but a good number of Greek authors they would be quickly
supplied with many copies of them： at present； though they have no
more than those I have mentioned； yet by several impressions they
have multiplied them into many thousands 。
If any man was to go among them that had some extraordinary
talent； or that by much travelling had observed the customs of
many nations （which made us to be so well received）； he would
receive a hearty welcome； for they are very desirous to know the
state of the whole world。 Very few go among them on the account of
traffic； for what can a man carry to them but iron or gold or
silver； which merchants desire rather to export than import to a
strange country： and as for their exportation； they think it
better to manage that themselves than to leave it to foreigners；
for by this means； as they understand the state of the neighboring
countries better； so they keep up the art of navigation； which
cannot be maintained but by much practice。