Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-04-22
THE PHILOSOPHERS WORLD.
BY JAMES K. PAULDING,

BY JAMES K. PAULDING.
One of the ancient philosophers have
forgotten his name-had so long accustomed
himself to ponder over the crimes and mis-
cries of this world, that he became altogether
disgusted with it, and, being on one occa-
sion more than commonly excited, exclaimed
-"Oh! Jupiter-Jupiter how is it possible
yeuIcould make SO many blunders ?" He
had scarcely uttered these words, when Ju-
piter appeared before him, seated on a cloud,
and brandishing thunderbolt. The phil
osopher was not little startled at this
sudden apparition of the god, and trembled
so that he could scarcely answer when
Jupiter thus addressed him:
'EWhat wantest thou of Jupiter, O mortal
that thou callest on him so vehemently and
what are the blunders | have committed p
Speak-be not afraid, for there are none so
high as to be above hearing the TRUTH
The philosopher hereupon took courage,
and began to point out the defects, which
were either innate in the original conforma-
ton of the world, and especially it's inhabi-
tants, or had been suffered to grow up for
want Of proper attention on his part. He
dwelt on the evils of unrestrained ambition,
the capacity Of unfeeling avarice, the blood
thirsty malignity Of revenge, the abuses of
power, the excesses of pride, and the crimes
of icencious love. Finally, he besought
Jupiter either to reform the world by ban
ishing all these passions from the human
heart, or make new one based on sound
principles of philosophy.
Jupiter having escaped a curtain lecture
from Juno, that morning, was in high good
humour, and took the philosophers dis
course in good part. He excused himself
in the best maner possible, and concluded
by asking the philosopher if he thought he
could make the world better than it was, or
construct new one on improved principles,
provided he had unlimited power and dis
cretion conferred on him for that purpose
The philosopher was rather shy at first, and
modesty disclaimed all pretensions to world
making, but at length, being hard pressed,
acknowledged that he thought, if the power
were given him, he could make some
material Improvements in the world as it is
existed in that time.
''Be it so, then," exclaimed Jupiter.
''There is a vast space Of the universe yet
unoccupied, sufficient for dozen more
worlds. Take thy choice where to place
thy world, and receive from me the power
to create such a one as thou pleasest. 1t
is but to exercise thy will, and all that thou
willest shall be accomplished. Remember,
however, that thou standest responsible to
me for the consequences. Dost thou accept
these terms?"
The philosopher bowed his head, and
having great confidence in his own wisdom,
said he was ready for the undertaking.
Jupiter then disappeared, exclaiming in a
voice that shook the spheres, 'tGo now, aud
create thy world!'
The philosopher, who did not SO much
take exception to the physical formation of
the earth, the divisions of the seasons, and
the operations of the elements, framed his
new world much after the model of the old
one, in these respects. His great object
was to create race Of rational beings,
without those malignant and mischievous
passions to which he traced all the crimes
and miseries that afflicted mankind. Ac-
cordingly, he formed specimen of men
without passions, but with intellects more
clear and refined than those of the old
world, and dividing his world among them,
awaited the result Of his experiment
The first thing he observed was, that
they were set of the LATEST dogs he ever
met with, and did nothing but lounge about
seemingly with no other purpose than TO
kill time; or stretch themselves out on
sofa, or under shady tree, doing away
the live-long day. Nothing but hunger or