CHAPTER VII.
POLITICAL CONSTITUTION.
FROM what I have already said about the mode of life of the Colymbians, it will readily be understood that the trades and manufactures of the country differ widely from those of terrestrial countries. The scanty clothing of both males and females does not admit of the great traffic in garments we are accustomed to. A few changes of the short drawers or trousers all wear, constitute the whole wardrobe of a Colymbian. A very few manufactories of the cloth used for these garments, and a small number of tailors to make them, suffice for the whole community. There are shops for the sale of beads, jewellery and other ornaments worn by the ladies, and booksellers' stores and libraries in abundance, for they are a very literary people. Newspapers and periodicals abound, and architects, builders and decorators are in great demand. Most of the manufactures are carried on on the land, where a stringent rule of eight hours' labour is enforced, as it is impossible to keep workmen for a longer time out of the water.
Much is done by machinery, which is all driven by the tidal engines I have described, or, in some cases,
