A FOOTNOTE TO " RASSELAS "
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—There are lately come to these regions some men of Abyssinia, the country of Prince Rasselas whose travels were philosophically described by my illustrious friend Dr. Samuel Johnson.
They relate that their land is being invaded and spoiled by hordes of winged assailants at whose hands they them- selves have been untimely dispatched hither.
I am convinced that, if my friend were aware of these circumstances, he would have some forcible observations to address to you on this remarkable justification of the warning conveyed by him through the mouth of Rasselas but,. as a deep gulf is now fixed between my abode and his, I cannot ascertain whether these facts have yet come to his knowledge, and I therefore hope that it may not be reckoned in me a presumptuous task if I call the attention of thOse who are still living to my friend's prophetic remarks in the sixth chapter of his immortal work.
When Prince Rasselas of Abyssinia, tiring of his honourable confinement in the happy valley, sought a means of escape to the outer world, a certain artist undertook to 'provide him with wings for that purpose. " But," said the artist, "I will Work only on this condition, that the art shall not be divulged, and that you shall not require me to make wings for any but ourselves."
" Why," said Rasselas, " should you envy others so great an advantage ? All skill, ought to be exerted fir universal good ; every man has owed much to others, and ought to repay the kindness that he has received,"
" If men were all virtuous," returned the artist, " I should with great alacrity teach them all to fly. But what would be the security of the good, if the bad could at pleasure invade them from the sky ? Against an army sailing through the clouds, neither walls, nor mountains, nor seas, could afford any security. A flight of northern savages might hover in the wind, and light at once with irresistible violence upon the capital of a fruitful region .that was rolling under them. Even this valley, the retreat of princes, the abode of happiness, might be violated by the sudden descent of some of the naked nations that swarm on the coast of the southern sea."
I do not know hoW naked may be the invaders who now muster on the coast of the southern sea and hover over Abyssinia, but in all other respects my friend's warning has, it seems, been terribly disregarded and horribly fulfilled.— I am, Sir, your most obliged and obedient servant, Regiones Inferae. JAMES BOSWELL.
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