Symzonia; Voyage of Discovery, by Adam Seaborn (pseud. John Cleves Symmes?), [1820], at sacred-texts.com
Symzonia; Voyage of Discovery, by Adam Seaborn (pseud. John Cleves Symmes?), [1820], at sacred-texts.com
CHAPTER I.
The Author's reasons for undertaking a voyage of discovery.—He builds a vessel for his purpose upon a new plan.—His departure from the United States.
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CHAPTER II.
The Author arrives at the Falkland Islands—Describes West Point Island, and States harbour—Visits the city of the Gentoo Penguins on the Grand Jason—Gives some account of the polity and habits of those civilized amphibia—Sails for South Georgia.
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CHAPTER III.
The Author passes South Georgia, and proceeds in search of Sandwich land—States to his officers and men his reasons for believing in the existence of great bodies of land within the antarctic circle, and for the opinion that the polar region is subject to great heat in summer.—Crew mutiny at the instigation of Mr. Slim, third mate.—Happy discovery
of a southern continent, which, at the unanimous and earnest solicitation of his officers and men, he names Seaborn's Land.
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CHAPTER IV.
The Author in great peril, from the vast rise and fall of the tide in the polar sea—Brief account of his observations at Seaborn's Land—He takes formal possession of the country, in the manner usual in such eases, in the name and on behalf of the United States—Leaves a sealing party on one of the islands near the coast, and proceeds to the south, to extend his discoveries.
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CHAPTER V.
The Author discovers the south extremity of Seaborn's Land, which he names Cape Worldsend.—The compass becomes useless.—He states the manner in which he obviated the difficulty occasioned thereby.—He enters the internal world: describes the phenomena which occur.—Discovers Token Island.—Occurrences at that Island.
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CHAPTER VI.
The Author departs from Token Island, in search of an internal continent.—Wind, weather, and other phenomena of the internal seas.—Great alarm of the crew.—Discovery of an inhabited country
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CHAPTER VII.
Description of the first view of the coast.—The Author names the discovered country Symzonia.—Enters the
harbour.—His first interview with the Symzonian.—Sketch of their appearance.—He commences the study of the Symzonian language.—Wonderful powers of mind displayed by the natives.—Account of an aerial vessel.
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CHAPTER VIII.
The Author leaves the ship to visit the seat of government.—Description of the country.—Account of the polity of the Symzonians, as stated by his conductor.—Comparison of the industry, its objects and ends n the two worlds, and of the necessities and habits of the internals and externals.—Expulsion of the unworthy from Symzonia, to a place of exile near the north pole.—External world supposed to have been peopled by the outcasts.
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CHAPTER IX.
The Author arrives at the seat of government.—Description of the Auditory.—Symzonian manner of assembling for devotion and public business.—Etiquette of the Symzonian Court.—He is admitted to an audience by the Best Man.—Account of the interview, and of his unfortunate efforts to exalt the character of the externals, by describing some of their splendid follies.
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CHAPTER X.
Containing some account of the strange rationality of the Symzonians.—Their simplicity of dress.—Manner of making cloth.—Circulating medium.—Taxes.
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CHAPTER XI.
Containing some account of the Symzonian engine of defence.—Story of a very ancient war with an internal nation called Belzubians, which caused the invention of this engine.—Opposition of the Good men to its being used.—Fultria the inventor's speech in defence of it.—Deliberations of the Council.—Termination of the war.—Sentiments of the people on the subject.
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CHAPTER XII.
Wonderful faculties of the Symzonians.—Translation of my books into their language.—Proposition of a Wise man to make slaves of the Author and his people.—The Author's remonstrance.—The Wise man disgraced.
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CHAPTER XIII.
Recreations of the Symzonians.—Wonderful provision of nature for supplying the internal world with light.—Character and employments of the women of Symzonia.
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CHAPTER XIV.
The Author examines the records of the Assembly.—Grounds of proposal for admittance to the order of Worthies.—Shell fish of Symzonia.—Great quantities of Pearls, and the use to which they are applied.
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CHAPTER XV.
The Author is ordered to depart from Symzonia.—The Best Man's reasons for sending him away.—
[paragraph continues] His ineffectual efforts to obtain a place of rendezvous for purposes of trade.
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CHAPTER XVI.
The Author returns to the Explorer—Holds a council of officers—Determines to return to Seaborn's Land—Takes leave of Surui—Sails from Symzonia—Touches at Token Island—Arrives at Boneto's station.
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CHAPTER XVII.
The Author loads the Explorer with seal skins, and sails from Seaborn's Land—Discovers Albicore's Islands.—Transactions at those islands.—He determines to conceal his discoveries from the world.—His reasons for this determination, and measures to effect it.—Sails for Canton.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
The Author arrives at Canton.—Transactions in China.—Sails for the United States.—Loss of manuscripts.—Difficulties with Mr. Slim.
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CHAPTER XIX.
Hurricane off the Isle of France.—Its consequences.—Death of Mr. Slim.
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CHAPTER XX.
The Author arrives in the United States—Consigns his cargo to Mr. Slippery—Is reduced to poverty by the failure of Mr. Slippery.—His great distress.—Inducement to publish this brief account of his discoveries.—Conclusion.
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