第1章
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  INTRODUCTION

  BOOKI

  CHAPTERI。

  Theauthordies,meetswithMercury,andisbyhimconductedtothestagewhichsetsoutfortheotherworldCHAPTERII。

  Inwhichtheauthorfirstrefutessomeidleopinionsconcerningspirits,andthenthepassengersrelatetheirseveraldeaths。

  CHAPTERIII。

  TheadventureswemetwithintheCityofDiseasesCHAPTERIV。

  Discoursesontheroad,andadescriptionofthepalaceofDeathCHAPTERV。

  Thetravelersproceedontheirjourney,andmeetseveralspiritswhoarecomingintothefleshCHAPTERVI。

  Anaccountofthewheeloffortune,withamethodofpreparingaspiritforthisworldCHAPTERVII。

  TheproceedingsofjudgeMinosatthegateofElysiumCHAPTERVIII。

  TheadventureswhichtheauthormetonhisfirstentranceintoElysiumCHAPTERIX。

  MoreadventuresinElysiumCHAPTERX。

  TheauthorissurprisedatmeetingJuliantheapostateinElysium;

  butissatisfiedbyhimbywhatmeansheprocuredhisentrancethere。

  JulianrelateshisadventuresinthecharacterofaslaveCHAPTERXI。

  InwhichJulianrelateshisadventuresinthecharacterofanavariciousJewCHAPTERXII。

  WhathappenedtoJulianinthecharactersofageneral,anheir,acarpenter,andabeauCHAPTERXIII。

  JulianpassesintoafopCHAPTERXIV。

  AdventuresinthepersonofamonkCHAPTERXV。

  JulianpassesintothecharacterofafiddlerCHAPTERXVI。

  ThehistoryofthewisemanCHAPTERXVII。

  JulianentersintothepersonofakingCHAPTERXVIII。

  JulianpassesintoafoolCHAPTERXIX。

  JulianappearsinthecharacterofabeggarCHAPTERXX。

  JulianperformsthepartofastatesmanCHAPTERXXI。

  Julian’sadventuresinthepostofasoldierCHAPTERXXII。

  WhathappenedtoJulianinthepersonofatailorCHAPTERXXIII。

  ThelifeofaldermanJulianCHAPTERXXIV。

  JulianrecountswhathappenedtohimwhilehewasapoetCHAPTERXXV。

  Julianperformsthepartsofaknightandadancing—masterBOOKXIX

  CHAPTERVII。

  WhereinAnnaBoleynrelatesthehistoryofherlifeAJOURNEYFROMTHISWORLDTOTHENEXT

  INTRODUCTION

  Whethertheensuingpageswerereallythedreamorvisionofsomeverypiousandholyperson;orwhethertheywerereallywrittenintheotherworld,andsentbacktothis,whichistheopinionofmany(thoughIthinktoomuchincliningtosuperstition);orlastly,whether,asinfinitelythegreatestpartimagine,theywerereallytheproductionofsomechoiceinhabitantofNewBethlehem,isnotnecessarynoreasytodetermine。ItwillbeabundantlysufficientifIgivethereaderanaccountbywhatmeanstheycameintomypossession。Mr。RobertPowney,stationer,whodwellsoppositetoCatherine—streetintheStrand,averyhonestmanandofgreatgravityofcountenance;who,amongotherexcellentstationerycommodities,isparticularlyeminentforhispens,whichIamabundantlyboundtoacknowledge,asI

  owetotheirpeculiargoodnessthatmymanuscriptshavebyanymeansbeenlegible:thisgentleman,Isay,furnishedmesometimesincewithabundleofthosepens,wrappedupwithgreatcareandcaution,inaverylargesheetofpaperfullofcharacters,writtenasitseemedinaverybadhand。Now,Ihaveasurprisingcuriositytoreadeverythingwhichisalmostillegible;partlyperhapsfromthesweetremembranceofthedearScrawls,Skrawls,orSkrales(forthewordisvariouslyspelled),whichIhaveinmyyouthreceivedfromthatlovelypartofthecreationforwhichIhavethetenderestregard;andpartlyfromthattemperofmindwhichmakesmensetanimmensevalueonoldmanuscriptssoeffaced,bustoessomaimed,andpicturessoblackthatnoonecantellwhattomakeofthem。Ithereforeperusedthissheetwithwonderfulapplication,andinaboutaday’stimediscoveredthatIcouldnotunderstandit。IimmediatelyrepairedtoMr。Powney,andinquiredveryeagerlywhetherhehadnotmoreofthesamemanuscript?Heproducedaboutonehundredpages,acquaintingmethathehadsavednomore;butthatthebookwasoriginallyahugefolio,hadbeenleftinhisgarretbyagentlemanwholodgedthere,andwhohadlefthimnoothersatisfactionforninemonths’lodging。Heproceededtoinformmethatthemanuscripthadbeenhawkedabout(ashephrasedit)

  amongallthebooksellers,whorefusedtomeddle;someallegedthattheycouldnotread,othersthattheycouldnotunderstandit。Somewouldhazeittobeanatheisticalbook,andsomethatitwasalibelonthegovernment;foroneorotherofwhichreasonstheyallrefusedtoprintit。ThatithadbeenlikewiseshowntotheR——lSociety,buttheyshooktheirheads,saying,therewasnothinginitwonderfulenoughforthem。That,hearingthegentlemanwasgonetotheWest—Indies,andbelievingittobegoodfornothingelse,hehaduseditaswastepaper。HesaidI

  waswelcometowhatremained,andhewasheartilysorryforwhatwasmissing,asIseemedtosetsomevalueonit。

  Idesiredhimmuchtonameaprice:buthewouldreceivenoconsiderationfartherthanthepaymentofasmallbillIowedhim,whichatthattimehesaidhelookedonassomuchmoneygivenhim。

  IpresentlycommunicatedthismanuscripttomyfriendparsonAbrahamAdams,who,afteralongandcarefulperusal,returneditmewithhisopinionthattherewasmoreinitthanatfirstappeared;thattheauthorseemednotentirelyunacquaintedwiththewritingsofPlato;buthewishedhehadquotedhimsometimesinhismargin,thatImightbesure(saidhe)hehadreadhimintheoriginal:fornothing,continuedtheparson,iscommonerthanformennow—a—daystopretendtohavereadGreekauthors,whohavemetwiththemonlyintranslations,andcannotconjugateaverbinmi。

  Todelivermyownsentimentsontheoccasion,Ithinktheauthordiscoversaphilosophicalturnofthinking,withsomelittleknowledgeoftheworld,andnoveryinadequatevalueofit。

  Therearesomeindeedwho,fromthevivacityoftheirtemperandthehappinessoftheirstation,arewillingtoconsideritsblessingsasmoresubstantial,andthewholetobeasceneofmoreconsequencethanitishererepresented:but,withoutcontrovertingtheiropinionsatpresent,thenumberofwiseandgoodmenwhohavethoughtwithourauthoraresufficienttokeephimincountenance:norcanthisbeattendedwithanyillinference,sinceheeverywhereteachesthismoral:Thatthegreatestandtruesthappinesswhichthisworldaffords,istobefoundonlyinthepossessionofgoodnessandvirtue;adoctrinewhich,asitisundoubtedlytrue,sohathitsonobleandpracticalatendency,thatitcanneverbetoooftenortoostronglyinculcatedonthemindsofmen。

  BOOKI

  CHAPTERI

  Theauthordies,meetswithMercury,andisbyhimconductedtothestagewhichsetsoutfortheotherworld。

  OnthefirstdayofDecember1741[1]IdepartedthislifeatmylodgingsinCheapside。MybodyhadbeensometimedeadbeforeI

  wasatlibertytoquitit,lestitshouldbyanyaccidentreturntolife:thisisaninjunctionimposedonallsoulsbytheeternallawoffate,topreventtheinconvenienceswhichwouldfollow。Assoonasthedestinedperiodwasexpired(beingnolongerthantillthebodyisbecomeperfectlycoldandstiff)I

  begantomove;butfoundmyselfunderadifficultyofmakingmyescape,forthemouthordoorwasshut,sothatitwasimpossibleformetogooutatit;andthewindows,vulgarlycalledtheeyes,weresocloselypulleddownbythefingersofanurse,thatIcouldbynomeansopenthem。AtlastIperceivedabeamoflightglimmeringatthetopofthehouse(forsuchImaycallthebodyIhadbeeninclosedin),whitherascending,Igentlyletmyselfdownthroughakindofchimney,andissuedoutatthenostrils。

  [1]Somedoubtwhetherthisshouldnotberather1641,whichisadatemoreagreeabletotheaccountgivenofitintheintroduction:butthentherearesomepassageswhichseemtorelatetotransactionsinfinitelylater,evenwithinthisyearortwo。Tosaythetruththerearedifficultiesattendingeitherconjecture;sothereadermaytakewhichhepleases。

  NoprisonerdischargedfromalongconfinementevertastedthesweetsoflibertywithamoreexquisiterelishthanIenjoyedinthisdeliveryfromadungeonwhereinIhadbeendetainedupwardsoffortyyears,andwithmuchthesamekindofregardIcastmyeyes[2]backwardsuponit。

  [2]Eyesarenotperhapssoproperlyadaptedtoaspiritualsubstance;butwearehere,asinmanyotherplaces,obligedtousecorporealtermstomakeourselvesthebetterunderstood。

  Myfriendsandrelationshadallquittedtheroom,beingall(asIplainlyoverheard)veryloudlyquarrelingbelowstairsaboutmywill;therewasonlyanoldwomanleftabovetoguardthebody,asIapprehend。Shewasinafastsleep,occasioned,asfromhersavoritseemed,byacomfortabledoseofgin。Ihadnopleasureinthiscompany,and,therefore,asthewindowwaswideopen,I

  salliedforthintotheopenair:but,tomygreatastonishment,foundmyselfunabletofly,whichIhadalwaysduringmyhabitationinthebodyconceivedofspirits;however,IcamesolightlytothegroundthatIdidnothurtmyself;and,thoughI

  hadnotthegiftofflying(owingprobablytomyhavingneitherfeathersnorwings),Iwascapableofhoppingsuchaprodigiouswayatonce,thatitservedmyturnalmostaswell。IhadnothoppedfarbeforeIperceivedatallyounggentlemaninasilkwaistcoat,withawingonhisleftheel,agarlandonhishead,andacaduceusinhisrighthand。[3]IthoughtIhadseenthispersonbefore,buthadnottimetorecollectwhere,whenhecalledouttomeandaskedmehowlongIhadbeendeparted。I

  answeredIwasjustcomeforth。\"Youmustnotstayhere,\"

  repliedhe,\"unlessyouhadbeenmurdered:inwhichcase,indeed,youmighthavebeensufferedtowalksometime;butifyoudiedanaturaldeathyoumustsetoutfortheotherworldimmediately。\"Idesiredtoknowtheway。\"O,\"criedthegentleman,\"Iwillshowyoutotheinnwhencethestageproceeds;

  forIamtheporter。Perhapsyouneverheardofme——mynameisMercury。\"\"Sure,sir,\"saidI,\"Ihaveseenyouattheplay—

  house。\"Uponwhichhesmiled,and,withoutsatisfyingmeastothatpoint,walkeddirectlyforward,biddingmehopafterhim。I

  obeyedhim,andsoonfoundmyselfinWarwick—lane;whereMercury,makingafullstop,pointedataparticularhouse,wherehebademeenquireforthestage,and,wishingmeagoodjourney,tookhisleave,sayinghemustgoseekafterothercustomers。

  [3]Thisisthedressinwhichthegodappearstomortalsatthetheaters。Oneoftheofficesattributedtothisgodbytheancients,wastocollecttheghostsasashepherddothaflockofsheep,anddrivethemwithhiswandintotheotherworld。

  Iarrivedjustasthecoachwassettingout,andfoundIhadnoreasonforinquiry;foreverypersonseemedtoknowmybusinessthemomentIappearedatthedoor:thecoachmantoldmehishorseswereto,butthathehadnoplaceleft;however,thoughtherewerealreadysix,thepassengersofferedtomakeroomforme。Ithankedthem,andascendedwithoutmuchceremony。Weimmediatelybeganourjourney,beingseveninnumber;for,asthewomenworenohoops,threeofthemwerebutequaltotwomen。

  Perhaps,reader,thoumayestbepleasedwithanaccountofthiswholeequipage,asperadventurethouwiltnot,whilealive,seeanysuch。Thecoachwasmadebyaneminenttoyman,whoiswellknowntodealinimmaterialsubstance,thatbeingthematterofwhichitwascompounded。Theworkwassoextremelyfine,thatitwasentirelyinvisibletothehumaneye。Thehorseswhichdrewthisextraordinaryvehiclewereallspiritual,aswellasthepassengers。Theyhad,indeed,alldiedintheserviceofacertainpostmaster;andasforthecoachman,whowasaverythinpieceofimmaterialsubstance,hehadthehonorwhilealiveofdrivingtheGreatPeter,orPetertheGreat,inwhoseservicehissoul,aswellasbody,wasalmoststarvedtodeath。SuchwasthevehicleinwhichIsetout,andnow,thosewhoarenotwillingtotravelonwithmemay,iftheyplease,stophere;thosewhoare,mustproceedtothesubsequentchapters,inwhichthisjourneyiscontinued。

  CHAPTERII

  Inwhichtheauthorfirstrefutessomeidleopinionsconcerningspirits,andthenthepassengersrelatetheirseveraldeaths。

  Itisthecommonopinionthatspirits,likeowls,canseeinthedark;nay,andcanthenmosteasilybeperceivedbyothers。Forwhichreason,manypersonsofgoodunderstanding,topreventbeingterrifiedwithsuchobjects,usuallykeepacandleburningbythem,thatthelightmaypreventtheirseeing。Mr。Locke,indirectoppositiontothis,hathnotdoubtedtoassertthatyoumayseeaspiritinopendaylightfullaswellasinthedarkestnight。

  Itwasverydarkwhenwesetoutfromtheinn,norcouldweseeanymorethanifeverysoulofushadbeenalive。Wehadtraveledagoodwaybeforeanyoneofferedtoopenhismouth;

  indeed,mostofthecompanywerefastasleep,[4]but,asIcouldnotclosemyowneyes,andperceivedthespiritwhosatoppositetometobelikewiseawake,Ibegantomakeoverturesofconversation,bycomplainingHOWDARKITWAS。\"Andextremelycoldtoo,\"answeredmyfellowtraveler;\"though,IthankGod,asIhavenobody,Ifeelnoinconveniencefromit:butyouwillbelieve,sir,thatthisfrostyairmustseemverysharptoonejustissuedforthoutofanoven;forsuchwastheinflamedhabitationIamlatelydepartedfrom。\"\"Howdidyoucometoyourend,sir?\"saidI。\"Iwasmurdered,sir,\"answeredthegentleman。\"Iamsurprisedthen,\"repliedI,\"thatyoudidnotdivertyourselfbywalkingupanddownandplayingsomemerrytrickswiththemurderer。\"\"Oh,sir,\"returnedhe,\"Ihadnotthatprivilege,Iwaslawfullyputtodeath。Inshort,aphysiciansetmeonfire,bygivingmemedicinestothrowoutmydistemper。Idiedofahotregimen,astheycallit,inthesmall—pox。\"

  [4]ThosewhohavereadofthegodssleepinginHomerwillnotbesurprisedatthishappeningtospirits。

  Oneofthespiritsatthatwordstartedupandcriedout,\"Thesmall—pox!blessme!IhopeIamnotincompanywiththatdistemper,whichIhaveallmylifewithsuchcautionavoided,andhavesohappilyescapedhitherto!\"Thisfrightsetallthepassengerswhowereawakeintoaloudlaughter;andthegentleman,recollectinghimself,withsomeconfusion,andnotwithoutblushing,askedpardon,crying,\"IprotestIdreamedthatIwasalive。\"\"Perhaps,sir,\"saidI,\"youdiedofthatdistemper,whichthereforemadesostronganimpressiononyou。\"

  \"No,sir,\"answeredhe,\"Ineverhaditinmylife;butthecontinualanddreadfulapprehensionitkeptmesolongundercannot,Isee,besoimmediatelyeradicated。Youmustknow,sir,IavoidedcomingtoLondonforthirtyyearstogether,forfearofthesmall—pox,tillthemosturgentbusinessbroughtmethitheraboutfivedaysago。IwassodreadfullyafraidofthisdiseasethatIrefusedthesecondnightofmyarrivaltosupwithafriendwhosewifehadrecoveredofitseveralmonthsbefore,andthesameeveninggotasurfeitbyeatingtoomanymuscles,whichbroughtmeintothisgoodcompany。\"

  \"Iwilllayawager,\"criedthespiritwhosatnexthim,\"thereisnotoneinthecoachabletoguessmydistemper。\"Idesiredthefavorofhimtoacquaintuswithit,ifitwassouncommon。

  \"Why,sir,\"saidhe,\"Idiedofhonor。\"——\"Ofhonor,sir!\"

  repeatedI,withsomesurprise。\"Yes,sir,\"answeredthespirit,\"ofhonor,forIwaskilledinaduel。\"

  \"Formypart,\"saidafairspirit,\"Iwasinoculatedlastsummer,andhadthegoodfortunetoescapewithaveryfewmarksonmyface。Iesteemedmyselfnowperfectlyhappy,asIimaginedIhadnorestrainttoafullenjoymentofthediversionsofthetown;

  butwithinafewdaysaftermycomingupIcaughtcoldbyoverdancingmyselfataball,andlastnightdiedofaviolentfever。\"

  Afterashortsilencewhichnowensued,thefairspiritwhospokelast,itbeingnowdaylight,addressedherselftoafemalewhosatnexther,andaskedhertowhatchancetheyowedthehappinessofhercompany。Sheanswered,sheapprehendedtoaconsumption,butthephysicianswerenotagreedconcerningherdistemper,forshelefttwooftheminaveryhotdisputeaboutitwhenshecameoutofherbody。\"Andpray,madam,\"saidthesamespirittothesixthpassenger,\"Howcameyoutoleavetheotherworld?\"Butthatfemalespirit,screwinguphermouth,answered,shewonderedatthecuriosityofsomepeople;thatperhapspersonshadalreadyheardsomereportsofherdeath,whichwerefarfrombeingtrue;that,whateverwastheoccasionofit,shewasgladatbeingdeliveredfromaworldinwhichshehadnopleasure,andwheretherewasnothingbutnonsenseandimpertinence;particularlyamongherownsex,whoselooseconductshehadlongbeenentirelyashamedof。

  Thebeauteousspirit,perceivingherquestiongaveoffense,pursueditnofarther。Shehadindeedallthesweetnessandgood—humorwhicharesoextremelyamiable(whenfound)inthatsexwhichtendernessmostexquisitelybecomes。Hercountenancedisplayedallthecheerfulness,thegood—nature,andthemodesty,whichdiffusesuchbrightnessroundthebeautyofSeraphina,[5]

  awingeverybeholderwithrespect,and,atthesametime,ravishinghimwithadmiration。Haditnotbeenindeedforourconversationonthesmall—pox,Ishouldhaveimaginedwehadbeenhonoredwithheridenticalpresence。Thisopinionmighthavebeenheightenedbythegoodsensesheutteredwhenevershespoke,bythedelicacyofhersentiments,andthecomplacenceofherbehavior,togetherwithacertaindignitywhichattendedeverylook,word,andgesture;qualitieswhichcouldnotfailmakinganimpressiononaheart[6]socapableofreceivingitasmine,norwasshelonginraisinginmeaveryviolentdegreeofseraphiclove。Idonotintendbythis,thatsortoflovewhichmenareveryproperlysaidtomaketowomeninthelowerworld,andwhichseldomlastsanylongerthanwhileitismaking。Imeanbyseraphicloveanextremedelicacyandtendernessoffriendship,ofwhich,myworthyreader,ifthouhastnoconception,asitisprobablethoumayestnot,myendeavortoinstructtheewouldbeasfruitlessasitwouldbetoexplainthemostdifficultproblemsofSirIsaacNewtontooneignorantofvulgararithmetic。

  [5]Aparticularladyofqualityismeanthere;buteveryladyofquality,ornoquality,arewelcometoapplythecharactertothemselves。

  [6]Wehavebeforemadeanapologyforthislanguage,whichwehererepeatforthelasttime;thoughtheheartmay,wehope,bemetaphoricallyusedherewithmoreproprietythanwhenweapplythosepassionstothebodywhichbelongtothesoul。

  Toreturnthereforetomatterscomprehensiblebyallunderstandings:thediscoursenowturnedonthevanity,folly,andmiseryofthelowerworld,fromwhicheverypassengerinthecoachexpressedthehighestsatisfactioninbeingdelivered;

  thoughitwasveryremarkablethat,notwithstandingthejoywedeclaredatourdeath,therewasnotoneofuswhodidnotmentiontheaccidentwhichoccasioneditasathingwewouldhaveavoidedifwecould。Nay,theverygraveladyherself,whowastheforwardestintestifyingherdelight,confessedinadvertentlythatsheleftaphysicianbyherbedside;andthegentlemanwhodiedofhonorveryliberallycursedbothhisfollyandhisfencing。Whilewewereentertainingourselveswiththesematters,onasuddenamostoffensivesmellbegantoinvadeournostrils。ThisverymuchresembledthesavorwhichtravelersinsummerperceiveattheirapproachtothatbeautifulvillageoftheHague,arisingfromthosedeliciouscanalswhich,astheyconsistofstandingwater,doatthattimeemitodorsgreatlyagreeabletoaDutchtaste,butnotsopleasanttoanyother。

  Thoseperfumes,withtheassistanceofafairwind,begintoaffectpersonsofquickolfactorynervesataleague’sdistance,andincreasegraduallyasyouapproach。InthesamemannerdidthesmellIhavejustmentioned,moreandmoreinvadeus,tilloneofthespirits,lookingoutofthecoach—window,declaredwewerejustarrivedataverylargecity;andindeedhehadscarcesaidsobeforewefoundourselvesinthesuburbs,and,atthesametime,thecoachman,beingaskedbyanother,informedusthatthenameofthisplacewastheCityofDiseases。Theroadtoitwasextremelysmooth,and,exceptingtheabove—mentionedsavor,delightfullypleasant。Thestreetsofthesuburbswerelinedwithbagnios,taverns,andcooks’shops:inthefirstwesawseveralbeautifulwomen,butintawdrydresses,lookingoutatthewindows;andinthelatterwerevisiblyexposedallkindsoftherichestdainties;butonourenteringthecitywefound,contrarytoallwehadseenintheotherworld,thatthesuburbswereinfinitelypleasanterthanthecityitself。Itwasindeedaverydull,dark,andmelancholyplace。Fewpeopleappearedinthestreets,andthese,forthemostpart,wereoldwomen,andhereandthereaformalgravegentleman,whoseemedtobethinking,withlargetie—wigson,andamber—headedcanesintheirhands。Wewereallinhopesthatourvehiclewouldnotstophere;but,tooursorrow,thecoachsoondroveintoaninn,andwewereobligedtoalight。

  CHAPTERIII

  TheadventureswemetwithintheCityofDiseases。

  Wehadnotbeenlongarrivedinourinn,whereitseemsweweretospendtheremainderoftheday,beforeourhostacquaintedusthatitwascustomaryforallspirits,intheirpassagethroughthatcity,topaytheirrespectstothatladyDisease,towhoseassistancetheyhadowedtheirdeliverancefromthelowerworld。

  Weansweredweshouldnotfailinanycomplacencewhichwasusualtoothers;uponwhichourhostrepliedhewouldimmediatelysendporterstoconductus。HehadnotlongquittedtheroombeforewewereattendedbysomeofthosegravepersonswhomIhavebeforedescribedinlargetie—wigswithamber—headedcanes。

  Thesegentlemenaretheticket—portersinthecity,andtheircanesaretheinsignia,ortickets,denotingtheiroffice。Weinformedthemoftheseveralladiestowhomwewereobliged,andwerepreparingtofollowthem,whenonasuddentheyallstaredatoneanother,andleftusinahurry,withafrownoneverycountenance。Weweresurprisedatthisbehavior,andpresentlysummonedthehost,whowasnosooneracquaintedwithitthanheburstintoanheartylaugh,andtoldusthereasonwas,becausewedidnotfeethegentlementhemomenttheycamein,accordingtothecustomoftheplace。Weanswered,withsomeconfusion,wehadbroughtnothingwithusfromtheotherworld,whichwehadbeenallourlivesinformedwasnotlawfultodo。\"No,no,master,\"repliedthehost;\"Iamapprisedofthat,andindeeditwasmyfault。IshouldhavefirstsentyoutomylordScrape,[7]

  whowouldhavesuppliedyouwithwhatyouwant。\"\"MylordScrapesupplyus!\"saidI,withastonishment:\"sureyoumustknowwecannotgivehimsecurity;andIamconvincedheneverlentashillingwithoutitinhislife。\"\"No,sir,\"answeredthehost,\"andforthatreasonheisobligedtodoithere,whereheissentencedtokeepabank,andtodistributemoneygratistoallpassengers。Thisbankoriginallyconsistedofjustthatsum,whichhehadmiserablyhoardedupintheotherworld,andheistoperceiveitdecreasevisiblyoneshillinga—day,tillitistotallyexhausted;afterwhichheistoreturntotheotherworld,andperformthepartofamiserforseventyyears;then,beingpurifiedinthebodyofahog,heistoenterthehumanspeciesagain,andtakeasecondtrial。\"\"Sir,\"saidI,\"youtellmewonders:butifhisbankbetodecreaseonlyashillingaday,howcanhefurnishallpassengers?\"\"Therest,\"answeredthehost,\"issuppliedagain;butinamannerwhichIcannoteasilyexplaintoyou。\"\"Iapprehend,\"saidI,\"thisdistributionofhismoneyisinflictedonhimasapunishment;

  butIdonotseehowitcananswerthatend,whenheknowsitistoberestoredtohimagain。Woulditnotservethepurposeaswellifhepartedonlywiththesingleshilling,whichitseemsisallheisreallytolose?\"\"Sir,\"criesthehost,\"whenyouobservetheagonieswithwhichhepartswitheveryguinea,youwillbeofanotheropinion。Noprisonercondemnedtodeatheverbeggedsoheartilyfortransportationashe,whenhereceivedhissentence,didtogotohell,providedhemightcarryhismoneywithhim。Butyouwillknowmoreofthesethingswhenyouarriveattheupperworld;andnow,ifyouplease,Iwillattendyoutomylord’s,whoisobligedtosupplyyouwithwhateveryoudesire。\"

  [7]Thatwemaymentionitonceforall,inthepanegyricalpartofthisworksomeparticularpersonisalwaysmeant:but,inthesatirical,nobody。

  Wefoundhislordshipsittingattheupperendofatable,onwhichwasanimmensesumofmoney,disposedinseveralheaps,everyoneofwhichwouldhavepurchasedthehonorofsomepatriotsandthechastityofsomeprudes。Themomenthesawusheturnedpale,andsighed,aswellapprehendingourbusiness。

  Minehostaccostedhimwithafamiliarair,whichatfirstsurprisedme,whosowellrememberedtherespectIhadformerlyseenpaidthislordbymeninfinitelysuperiorinqualitytothepersonwhonowsalutedhiminthefollowingmanner:\"Here,youlord,andbedam——dtoyourlittlesneakingsoul,telloutyourmoney,andsupplyyourbetterswithwhattheywant。Bequick,sirrah,orI’llfetchthebeadletoyou。Don’tfancyyourselfinthelowerworldagain,withyourprivilegeatyoura——。\"Hethenshookacaneathislordship,whoimmediatelybegantotellouthismoney,withthesamemiserableairandfacewhichthemiseronourstagewearswhilehedelivershisbank—bills。Thisaffectedsomeofussomuchthatwehadcertainlyreturnedwithnomorethanwhatwouldhavebeensufficienttofeetheporters,hadnotourhost,perceivingourcompassion,beggedusnottospareafellowwho,inthemidstofimmensewealth,hadalwaysrefusedtheleastcontributiontocharity。Ourheartswerehardenedwiththisreflection,andweallfilledourpocketswithhismoney。Iremarkedapoeticalspirit,inparticular,whosworehewouldhaveaheartygripeathim:\"For,\"sayshe,\"therascalnotonlyrefusedtosubscribetomyworks,butsentbackmyletterunanswered,thoughIamabettergentlemanthanhimself。\"Wenowreturnedfromthismiserableobject,greatlyadmiringtheproprietyaswellasjusticeofhispunishment,whichconsisted,asourhostinformedus,merelyinthedeliveringforthhismoney;and,heobserved,wecouldnotwonderatthepainthisgavehim,sinceitwasasreasonablethatthebarepartingwithmoneyshouldmakehimmiserableasthatthebarehavingmoneywithoutusingitshouldhavemadehimhappy。

  Othertie—wigporters(forthosewehadsummonedbeforerefusedtovisitusagain)nowattendedus;andwehavingfee’dthemtheinstanttheyenteredtheroom,accordingtotheinstructionsofourhost,theybowedandsmiled,andofferedtointroduceustowhateverdiseasewepleased。

  Wesetoutseveralways,aswewerealltopayourrespectstodifferentladies。IdirectedmyportertoshowmetotheFeverontheSpirits,beingthediseasewhichhaddeliveredmefromtheflesh。MyguideandItraversedmanystreets,andknockedatseveraldoors,buttonopurpose。Atone,weweretold,livedtheConsumption;atanother,theMaladieAlamode,aFrenchlady;

  atthethird,theDropsy;atthefourth,theRheumatism;atthefifth,Intemperance;atthesixth,Misfortune。Iwastired,andhadexhaustedmypatience,andalmostmypurse;forIgavemyporteranewfeeateveryblunderhemade:whenmyguide,withasolemncountenance,toldmehecoulddonomore;andmarchedoffwithoutanyfartherceremony。

  HewasnosoonergonethanImetanothergentlemanwithaticket,i。e。,anamber—headedcaneinhishand。Ifirstfee’dhim,andthenacquaintedhimwiththenameofthedisease。Hecasthimselffortwoorthreeminutesintoathoughtfulposture,thenpulledapieceofpaperoutofhispocket,onwhichhewrotesomethinginoneoftheOrientallanguages,Ibelieve,forI

  couldnotreadasyllable:hebademecarryittosuchaparticularshop,and,tellingmeitwoulddomybusiness,hetookhisleave。

  Secure,asInowthoughtmyself,ofmydirection,Iwenttotheshop,whichverymuchresembledanapothecary’s。Thepersonwhoofficiated,havingreadthepaper,tookdownabouttwentydifferentjars,and,pouringsomethingoutofeveryoneofthem,madeamixture,whichhedeliveredtomeinabottle,havingfirsttiedapaperroundtheneckofit,onwhichwerewrittenthreeorfourwords,thelastcontainingelevensyllables。I

  mentionedthenameofthediseaseIwantedtofindout,butreceivednootheranswerthanthathehaddoneashewasordered,andthedrugswereexcellent。Ibegannowtobeenraged,and,quittingtheshopwithsomeangerinmycountenance,Iintendedtofindoutmyinn,but,meetinginthewayaporterwhosecountenancehadinitsomethingmorepleasingthanordinary,I

  resolvedtotryoncemore,andclappedafeeintohishand。AssoonasImentionedthediseasetohimhelaughedheartily,andtoldmeIhadbeenimposedon,forinrealitynosuchdiseasewastobefoundinthatcity。Hetheninquiredintotheparticularsofmycase,andwasnosooneracquaintedwiththemthanheinformedmethattheMaladieAlamodewastheladytowhomIwasobliged。Ithankedhim,andimmediatelywenttopaymyrespectstoher。Thehouse,orratherpalace,ofthisladywasoneofthemostbeautifulandmagnificentinthecity。Theavenuetoitwasplantedwithsycamoretrees,withbedsofflowersoneachside;

  itwasextremelypleasantbutshort。Iwasconductedthroughamagnificenthall,adornedwithseveralstatuesandbustoes,mostofthemmaimed,whenceIconcludedthemalltobetrueantiques;

  butwasinformedtheywerethefiguresofseveralmodernheroes,whohaddiedmartyrstoherladyship’scause。Inextmountedthroughalargepaintedstaircase,whereseveralpersonsweredepictedincaricatura;and,uponinquiry,wastoldtheyweretheportraitsofthosewhohaddistinguishedthemselvesagainsttheladyinthelowerworld。IsupposeIshouldhaveknownthefacesofmanyphysiciansandsurgeons,hadtheynotbeensoviolentlydistortedbythepainter。Indeed,hehadexertedsomuchmaliceinhiswork,thatIbelievehehadhimselfreceivedsomeparticularfavorsfromtheladyofthismansion:itisdifficulttoconceiveagroupofstrangerfigures。Ithenenteredalongroom,hungroundwiththepicturesofwomenofsuchexactshapesandfeaturesthatIshouldhavethoughtmyselfinagalleryofbeauties,hadnotacertainsallowpalenessintheircomplexionsgivenmeamoredistastefulidea。ThroughthisIproceededtoasecondapartment,adorned,ifImaysocallit,withthefiguresofoldladies。Uponmyseemingtoadmireatthisfurniture,theservanttoldmewithasmilethatthesehadbeenverygoodfriendsofhislady,andhaddonehereminentserviceinthelowerworld。Iimmediatelyrecollectedthefacesofoneortwoofmyacquaintance,whohadformerlykeptbagnios;butwasverymuchsurprisedtoseetheresemblanceofaladyofgreatdistinctioninsuchcompany。Theservant,uponmymentioningthis,madenootheranswerthanthathisladyhadpicturesofalldegrees。Iwasnowintroducedintothepresenceoftheladyherself。Shewasathin,orrathermeager,person,verywaninthecountenance,hadnonoseandmanypimplesinherface。Sheofferedtoriseatmyentrance,butcouldnotstand。Aftermanycompliments,muchcongratulationonherside,andthemostferventexpressionsofgratitudeonmine,sheaskedmemanyquestionsconcerningthesituationofheraffairsinthelowerworld;mostofwhichIansweredtoherentiresatisfaction。Atlast,withakindofforcedsmile,shesaid,\"Isupposethepillanddropgoonswimmingly?\"Itoldhertheywerereportedtohavedonegreatcures。Sherepliedshecouldapprehendnodangerfromanypersonwhowasnotofregularpractice;\"for,howeversimplemankindare,\"saidshe,\"orhoweverafraidtheyareofdeath,theypreferdyinginaregularmannertobeingcuredbyanostrum。\"ShethenexpressedgreatpleasureattheaccountI

  gaveherofthebeaumonde。ShesaidshehadherselfremovedthehundredsofDrurytothehundredsofCharing—cross,andwasverymuchdelightedtofindtheyhadspreadintoSt。James’s;thatsheimputedthischieflytoseveralofherdearandworthyfriends,whohadlatelypublishedtheirexcellentworks,endeavoringtoextirpateallnotionsofreligionandvirtue;andparticularlytothedeservingauthoroftheBachelor’sEstimate;

  \"towhom,\"saidshe,\"ifIhadnotreasontothinkhewasasurgeon,andhadthereforewrittenfrommercenaryviews,Icouldneversufficientlyownmyobligations。\"Shespokelikewisegreatlyinapprobationofthemethod,sogenerallyusedbyparents,ofmarryingchildrenveryyoung,andwithouttheleastaffectionbetweentheparties;andconcludedbysayingthat,ifthesefashionscontinuedtospread,shedoubtednotbutsheshouldshortlybetheonlydiseasewhowouldeverreceiveavisitfromanypersonofconsiderablerank。

  Whilewewerediscoursingherthreedaughtersenteredtheroom。

  Theywereallcalledbyhardnames;theeldestwasnamedLepra,thesecondChaeras,andthethirdScorbutia。[8]Theywereallgenteel,butugly。Icouldnothelpobservingthelittlerespecttheypaidtheirparent,whichtheoldladyremarkinginmycountenance,assoonastheyquittedtheroom,whichsoonhappened,acquaintedmewithherunhappinessinheroffspring,everyoneofwhichhadtheconfidencetodenythemselvestobeherchildren,thoughshesaidshehadbeenaveryindulgentmotherandhadplentifullyprovidedforthemall。Asfamilycomplaintsgenerallyasmuchtirethehearerastheyrelievehimwhomakesthem,whenIfoundherlaunchingfartherintothissubjectIresolvedtoputanendtomyvisit,and,takingmyleavewithmanythanksforthefavorshehaddoneme,Ireturnedtotheinn,whereIfoundmyfellow—travelersjustmountingintotheirvehicle。Ishookhandswithmyhostandaccompaniedthemintothecoach,whichimmediatelyafterproceededonitsjourney。

  [8]Theseladies,Ibelieve,bytheirnames,presidedovertheleprosy,king’s—evil,andscurvy。

  CHAPTERIV

  Discoursesontheroad,andadescriptionofthepalaceofDeath。

  Wewereallsilentforsomeminutes,till,beingwellshakenintoourseveralseats,Iopenedmymouthfirst,andrelatedwhathadhappenedtomeafterourseparationinthecitywehadjustleft。

  Therestofthecompany,exceptthegravefemalespiritwhomourreadermayremembertohaverefusedgivinganaccountofthedistemperwhichoccasionedherdissolution,didthesame。Itmightbetedioustorelatetheseatlarge;weshallthereforeonlymentionaveryremarkableinveteracywhichtheSurfeitdeclaredtoalltheotherdiseases,especiallytotheFever,who,shesaid,bytherogueryoftheporters,receivedacknowledgmentsfromnumberlesspassengerswhichwereduetoherself。\"Indeed,\"

  saysshe,\"thosecane—headedfellows\"(forsoshecalledthem,alluding,Isuppose,totheirticket)\"areconstantlymakingsuchmistakes;thereisnogratitudeinthosefellows;forIamsuretheyhavegreaterobligationstomethantoanyotherdisease,excepttheVapors。\"Theserelationswerenosooneroverthanoneofthecompanyinformeduswewereapproachingtothemostnoblebuildinghehadeverbeheld,andwhichwelearnedfromourcoachmanwasthepalaceofDeath。Itsoutside,indeed,appearedextremelymagnificent。ItsstructurewasoftheGothicorder;

  vastbeyondimagination,thewholepileconsistingofblackmarble。Rowsofimmenseyewsformanamphitheaterrounditofsuchheightandthicknessthatnorayofthesuneverperforatesthisgrove,whereblacketernaldarknesswouldreignwasitnotexcludedbyinnumerablelampswhichareplacedinpyramidsroundthegrove;sothatthedistantreflectiontheycastonthepalace,whichisplentifullygiltwithgoldontheoutside,isinconceivablysolemn。TothisImayaddthehollowmurmurofwindsconstantlyheardfromthegrove,andtheveryremotesoundofroaringwaters。Indeed,everycircumstanceseemstoconspiretofillthemindwithhorrorandconsternationasweapproachtothispalace,whichwehadscarcetimetoadmirebeforeourvehiclestoppedatthegate,andweweredesiredtoalightinordertopayourrespectstohismostmortalmajesty(thisbeingthetitlewhichitseemsheassumes)。Theoutwardcourtwasfullofsoldiers,and,indeed,thewholeverymuchresembledthestateofanearthlymonarch,onlymoremagnificent。Wepassedthroughseveralcourtsintoavasthall,whichledtoaspaciousstaircase,atthebottomofwhichstoodtwopages,withverygravecountenances,whomIrecollectedafterwardstohaveformerlybeenveryeminentundertakers,andwereinrealitytheonlydismalfacesIsawhere;forthispalace,soawfulandtremendouswithout,isallgayandsprightlywithin;sothatwesoonlostallthosedismalandgloomyideaswehadcontractedinapproachingit。Indeed,thestillsilencemaintainedamongtheguardsandattendantsresembledratherthestatelypompofeasterncourts;buttherewasoneveryfacesuchsymptomsofcontentandhappinessthatdiffusedanairofcheerfulnessallround。Weascendedthestaircaseandpassedthroughmanynobleapartmentswhosewallswereadornedwithvariousbattle—piecesintapistry,andwhichwespentsometimeinobserving。ThesebroughttomymindthosebeautifulonesIhadinmylifetimeseenatBlenheim,norcouldIpreventmycuriosityfrominquiringwheretheDukeofMarlborough’svictorieswereplaced(forI

  thinktheywerealmosttheonlybattlesofanyeminenceIhadreadofwhichIdidnotmeetwith);whentheskeletonofabeef—eater,shakinghishead,toldmeacertaingentleman,oneLewisXIV,whohadgreatinterestwithhismostmortalmajesty,hadpreventedanysuchfrombeinghungupthere。\"Besides,\"sayshe,\"hismajestyhathnogreatrespectforthatduke,forheneversenthimasubjecthecouldkeepfromhim,nordidheevergetasinglesubjectbyhismeansbuthelost1000othersforhim。\"Wefoundthepresence—chamberatourentranceveryfull,andabuzzranthroughit,asinallassemblies,beforetheprincipalfigureenters;forhismajestywasnotyetcomeout。

  Atthebottomoftheroomweretwopersonsincloseconference,onewithasquareblackcaponhishead,andtheotherwitharobeembroideredwithflamesoffire。These,Iwasinformed,wereajudgelongsincedead,andaninquisitor—general。I

  overheardthemdisputingwithgreateagernesswhethertheonehadhangedortheotherburnedthemost。WhileIwaslisteningtothisdispute,whichseemedtobeinnolikelihoodofaspeedydecision,theemperorenteredtheroomandplacedhimselfbetweentwofigures,oneofwhichwasremarkablefortheroughness,andtheotherforthebeautyofhisappearance。Thesewere,itseems,CharlesXIIofSwedenandAlexanderofMacedon。Iwasattoogreatadistancetohearanyoftheconversation,socouldonlysatisfymycuriositybycontemplatingtheseveralpersonagespresent,ofwhosenamesIinformedmyselfbyapage,wholookedaspaleandmeagerasanycourt—pageintheotherworld,butwassomewhatmoremodest。HeshowedmeheretwoorthreeTurkishemperors,towhomhismostmortalmajestyseemedtoexpressmuchcivility。HerewerelikewiseseveraloftheRomanemperors,amongwhomnoneseemedsomuchcaressedasCaligula,onaccount,asthepagetoldme,ofhispiouswishthathecouldsendalltheRomanshitheratoneblow。ThereadermaybeperhapssurprisedthatIsawnophysicianshere;asindeedIwasmyself,tillinformedthattheywerealldepartedtothecityofDiseases,wheretheywerebusyinanexperimenttopurgeawaytheimmortalityofthesoul。

  ItwouldbetedioustorecollectthemanyindividualsIsawhere,butIcannotomitafatfigure,welldressedintheFrenchfashion,whowasreceivedwithextraordinarycomplacencebytheemperor,andwhomIimaginedtobeLewisXIVhimself;butthepageacquaintedmehewasacelebratedFrenchcook。Wewereatlengthintroducedtotheroyalpresence,andhadthehonortokisshands。Hismajestyaskedusafewquestions,notverymaterialtorelate,andsoonafterretired。Whenwereturnedintotheyardwefoundourcaravanreadytosetout,atwhichwealldeclaredourselveswellpleased;forweweresufficientlytiredwiththeformalityofacourt,notwithstandingitsoutwardsplendorandmagnificence。

  CHAPTERV

  Thetravelersproceedontheirjourney,andmeetseveralspiritswhoarecomingintotheflesh。

  WenowcametothebanksofthegreatriverCocytus,wherewequittedourvehicle,andpassedthewaterinaboat,afterwhichwewereobligedtotravelonfoottherestofourjourney;andnowwemet,forthefirsttime,severalpassengerstravelingtotheworldwehadleft,whoinformedustheyweresoulsgoingintotheflesh。

  Thetwofirstwemetwerewalkingarm—in—arm,inverycloseandfriendlyconference;theyinformedusthatoneofthemwasintendedforaduke,andtheotherforahackney—coachman。Aswehadnotyetarrivedattheplacewhereweweretodepositourpassions,wewereallsurprisedatthefamiliaritywhichsubsistedbetweenpersonsofsuchdifferentdegrees;norcouldthegraveladyhelpexpressingherastonishmentatit。Thefuturecoachmanthenreplied,withalaugh,thattheyhadexchangedlots;forthatthedukehadwithhisdukedomdrawnashrewforawife,andthecoachmanonlyasinglestate。

  Asweproceededonourjourneywemetasolemnspiritwalkingalonewithgreatgravityinhiscountenance:ourcuriosityinvitedus,notwithstandinghisreserve,toaskwhatlothehaddrawn。

  Heanswered,withasmile,hewastohavethereputationofawisemanwithL100,000inhispocket,andwaspracticingthesolemnitywhichhewastoactintheotherworld。Alittlefartherwemetacompanyofverymerryspirits,whomweimaginedbytheirmirthtohavedrawnsomemightylot,but,oninquiry,theyinformedustheyweretobebeggars。

  Thefartherweadvanced,thegreaternumberswemet;andnowwediscoveredtwolargeroadsleadingdifferentways,andofverydifferentappearance;theoneallcraggywithrocks,fullasitseemedofboggygrounds,andeverywherebesetwithbriars,sothatitwasimpossibletopassthroughitwithouttheutmostdangeranddifficulty;theother,themostdelightfulimaginable,leadingthroughthemostverdantmeadows,paintedandperfumedwithallkindsofbeautifulflowers;inshort,themostwantonimaginationcouldimaginenothingmorelovely。Notwithstandingwhich,weweresurprisedtoseegreatnumberscrowdingintotheformer,andonlyoneortwosolitaryspiritschoosingthelatter。

  Oninquiry,wewereacquaintedthatthebadroadwasthewaytogreatness,andtheothertogoodness。Whenweexpressedoursurpriseatthepreferencegiventotheformerwewereacquaintedthatitwaschosenforthesakeofthemusicofdrumsandtrumpets,andtheperpetualacclamationsofthemob,withwhichthosewhotraveledthiswaywereconstantlysaluted。Weweretoldlikewisethattherewereseveralnoblepalacestobeseen,andlodgedin,onthisroad,bythosewhohadpassedthroughthedifficultiesofit(whichindeedmanywerenotabletosurmount),andgreatquantitiesofallsortsoftreasuretobefoundinit;

  whereastheotherhadlittleinvitingmorethanthebeautyoftheway,scarceahandsomebuilding,saveonegreatlyresemblingacertainhousebytheBath,tobeseenduringthatwholejourney;

  and,lastly,thatitwasthoughtveryscandalousandmean—spiritedtotravelthroughthis,andashighlyhonorableandnobletopassbytheother。Wenowheardaviolentnoise,when,castingoureyesforwards,weperceivedavastnumberofspiritsadvancinginpursuitofonewhomtheymockedandinsultedwithallkindsofscorn。IcannotgivemyreaderamoreadequateideaofthisscenethanbycomparingittoanEnglishmobconductingapickpockettothewater;orbysupposingthatanincensedaudienceataplayhousehadunhappilypossessedthemselvesofthemiserabledamnedpoet。Somelaughed,somehissed,somesqualled,somegroaned,somebawled,somespitathim,somethrewdirtathim。Itwasimpossiblenottoaskwhoorwhatthewretchedspiritwaswhomtheytreatedinthisbarbarousmanner;when,toourgreatsurprise,wewereinformedthatitwasaking:wewerelikewisetoldthatthismannerofbehaviorwasusualamongthespiritstothosewhodrewthelotsofemperors,kings,andothergreatmen,notfromenvyoranger,butmerederisionandcontemptofearthlygrandeur;thatnothingwasmorecommonthanforthosewhohaddrawnthesegreatprizes(astoustheyseemed)toexchangethemwithtailorsandcobblers;andthatAlexandertheGreatandDiogeneshadformerlydoneso;hethatwasafterwardsDiogeneshavingoriginallyfallenonthelotofAlexander。Andnow,onasudden,themockeryceased,andtheking—spirit,havingobtainedahearing,begantospeakasfollows;forwewerenownearenoughtohearhimdistinctly:——

  \"GENTLEMEN,——Iamjustlysurprisedatyourtreatingmeinthismanner,sincewhateverlotIhavedrawn,Ididnotchoose:if,therefore,itbeworthyofderision,youshouldcompassionateme,foritmighthavefallentoanyofyourshares。Iknowinhowlowalightthestationtowhichfatehathassignedmeisconsideredhere,andthat,whenambitiondothnotsupportit,itbecomesgenerallysointolerable,thatthereisscarceanyotherconditionforwhichitisnotgladlyexchanged:forwhatportion,intheworldtowhichwearegoing,issomiserableasthatofcare?ShouldIthereforeconsidermyselfasbecomebythislotessentiallyyoursuperior,andofahigherorderofbeingthantherestofmyfellow—creatures;shouldIfoolishlyimaginemyselfwithoutwisdomsuperiortothewise,withoutknowledgetothelearned,withoutcouragetothebrave,andwithoutgoodnessandvirtuetothegoodandvirtuous;surelysopreposterous,soabsurdapride,wouldjustlyrendermetheobjectofridicule。Butfarbeitfrommetoentertainit。Andyet,gentlemen,IprizethelotIhavedrawn,norwouldI

  exchangeitwithanyofyours,seeingitisinmyeyesomuchgreaterthantherest。Ambition,whichIownmyselfpossessedof,teachesmethis;ambition,whichmakesmecovetpraise,assuresmethatIshallenjoyamuchlargerproportionofitthancanfallwithinyourpowereithertodeserveorobtain。Iamthensuperiortoyouall,whenIamabletodomoregood,andwhenIexecutethatpower。Whatthefatheristotheson,theguardiantotheorphan,orthepatrontohisclient,thatamItoyou。Youaremychildren,towhomIwillbeafather,aguardian,andapatron。Notoneeveninginmylongreign(forsoitistobe)willIreposemyselftorestwithouttheglorious,theheart—warmingconsideration,thatthousandsthatnightowetheirsweetestresttome。Whatadeliciousfortuneisittohimwhosestrongestappetiteisdoinggood,tohaveeverydaytheopportunityandthepowerofsatisfyingit!Ifsuchamanhathambition,howhappyisitforhimtobeseatedsoonhigh,thateveryactblazesabroad,andattractstohimpraisestaintedwithneithersarcasmnoradulation,butsuchasthenicestandmostdelicatemindmayrelish!Thus,therefore,whileyouderiveyourgoodfromme,Iamyoursuperior。Iftomystrictdistributionofjusticeyouowethesafetyofyourpropertyfromdomesticenemies;ifbymyvigilanceandvaloryouareprotectedfromforeignfoes;ifbymyencouragementofgenuineindustry,everyscience,everyartwhichcanembellishorsweetenlife,isproducedandflourishesamongyou;willanyofyoubesoinsensibleorungratefulastodenypraiseandrespecttohimbywhosecareandconductyouenjoytheseblessings?Iwondernotatthecensurewhichsofrequentlyfallsonthoseinmystation;

  butIwonderthatthoseinmystationsofrequentlydeserveit。

  Whatstrangeperversenessofnature!Whatwantondelightinmischiefmusttainthiscomposition,whoprefersdangers,difficulty,anddisgrace,bydoingevil,tosafety,ease,andhonor,bydoinggood!whorefuseshappinessintheotherworld,andheaveninthis,formiserythereandhellhere!But,beassured,myintentionsaredifferent。Ishallalwaysendeavortheease,thehappiness,andthegloryofmypeople,beingconfidentthat,bysodoing,Itakethemostcertainmethodofprocuringthemalltomyself。\"——Hethenstruckdirectlyintotheroadofgoodness,andreceivedsuchashoutofapplauseasI

  neverremembertohaveheardequaled。Hewasgonealittlewaywhenaspiritlimpedafterhim,swearinghewouldfetchhimback。

  Thisspirit,Iwaspresentlyinformed,wasonewhohaddrawnthelotofhisprimeminister。

  CHAPTERVI

  Anaccountofthewheeloffortune,withamethodofpreparingaspiritforthisworld。

  Wenowproceededonourjourney,withoutstayingtoseewhetherhefulfilledhiswordorno;andwithoutencounteringanythingworthmentioning,cametotheplacewherethespiritsontheirpassagetotheotherworldwereobligedtodecidebylotthestationinwhicheveryonewastoactthere。Herewasamonstrouswheel,infinitelylargerthanthoseinwhichIhadformerlyseenlottery—ticketsdeposited。ThiswascalledtheWHEELOFFORTUNE。

  Thegoddessherselfwaspresent。ShewasoneofthemostdeformedfemalesIeverbeheld;norcouldIhelpobservingthefrownssheexpressedwhenanybeautifulspiritofherownsexpassedbyher,northeaffabilitywhichsmiledinhercountenanceontheapproachofanyhandsomemalespirits。HenceIaccountedforthetruthofanobservationIhadoftenmadeonearth,thatnothingismorefortunatethanhandsomemen,normoreunfortunatethanhandsomewomen。Thereadermaybeperhapspleasedwithanaccountofthewholemethodofequippingaspiritforhisentranceintotheflesh。

  First,then,hereceivesfromaverysageperson,whoselookmuchresembledthatofanapothecary(hiswarehouselikewisebearinganaffinitytoanapothecary’sshop),asmallphialinscribed,THEPATHETICPOTION,tobetakenjustbeforeyouareborn。Thispotionisamixtureofallthepassions,butinnoexactproportion,sothatsometimesonepredominates,andsometimesanother;nay,ofteninthehurryofmakingup,oneparticularingredientis,aswewereinformed,leftout。ThespiritreceivethatthesametimeanothermedicinecalledtheNOUSPHORIC

  DECOCTION,ofwhichheistodrinkadlibitum。Thisdecoctionisanextractfromthefacultiesofthemind,sometimesextremelystrongandspirituous,andsometimesaltogetherasweak;forverylittlecareistakeninthepreparation。Thisdecoctionissoextremelybitterandunpleasant,that,notwithstandingitswholesomeness,severalspiritswillnotbepersuadedtoswallowadropofit,butthrowitaway,orgiveittoanyotherwhowillreceiveit;bywhichmeanssomewhowerenotdisgustedbythenauseousnessdrankdoubleandtrebleportions。Iobservedabeautifulyoungfemale,who,tastingitimmediatelyfromcuriosity,screwedupherfaceandcastitfromherwithgreatdisdain,whenceadvancingpresentlytothewheel,shedrewacoronet,whichsheclappedupsoeagerlythatIcouldnotdistinguishthedegree;andindeedIobservedseveralofthesamesex,afteraverysmallsip,throwthebottlesaway。Assoonasthespiritisdismissedbytheoperator,orapothecary,heisatlibertytoapproachthewheel,wherehehatharighttoextractasinglelot:butthosewhomFortunefavorsshepermitssometimessecretlytodrawthreeorfour。Iobservedacomicalkindoffigurewhodrewforthahandful,which,whenheopened,wereabishop,ageneral,aprivy—counselor,aplayer,andapoet—

  laureate,and,returningthethreefirst,hewalkedoff,smiling,withthetwolast。Everysinglelotcontainedtwomorearticles,whichweregenerallydisposedsoastorenderthelotsasequalaspossibletoeachother;ononewaswritten,EARL,RICHES,HEALTH,DISQUIETUDE;onanother,COBLER,SICKNESS,GOOD—HUMOR;onathird,POET,CONTEMPT,SELF—SATISFACTION;onafourth,GENERAL,HONOR,DISCONTENT;onafifth,COTTAGE,HAPPYLOVE;onasixth,COACHANDSIX,IMPOTENTJEALOUSHUSBAND;onaseventh,PRIME

  MINISTER,DISGRACE;onaneighth,PATRIOT,GLORY;onaninth,PHILOSOPHER,POVERTY,EASE;onatenth,MERCHANT,RICHES,CARE。

  Andindeedthewholeseemedtocontainsuchamixtureofgoodandevil,thatitwouldhavepuzzledmewhichtochoose。Imustnotomitherethatineverylotwasdirectedwhetherthedrawershouldmarryorremainincelibacy,themarriedlotsbeingallmarkedwithalargepairofhorns。Wewereobliged,beforewequittedthisplace,totakeeachofusanemeticfromtheapothecary,whichimmediatelypurgedusofallourearthlypassions,andpresentlythecloudforsookoureyes,asitdoththoseofAeneasinVirgil,whenremovedbyVenus;andwediscernedthingsinamuchclearerlightthanbefore。Webegantocompassionatethosespiritswhoweremakingtheirentryintotheflesh,whomwehadtillthensecretlyenvied,andtolongeagerlyforthosedelightfulplainswhichnowopenedthemselvestooureyes,andtowhichwenowhastenedwiththeutmosteagerness。Onourwaywemetwithseveralspiritswithverydejectedcountenances;butourexpeditionwouldnotsufferustoaskanyquestions。AtlengthwearrivedatthegateofElysium。

  Herewasaprodigiouscrowdofspiritswaitingforadmittance,someofwhomwereadmitted,andsomewererejected;forallwerestrictlyexaminedbytheporter,whomIsoondiscoveredtobethecelebratedjudgeMinos。

  CHAPTERVII

  TheproceedingsofjudgeMinosatthegateofElysium。

  Inowgotnearenoughtothegatetoheartheseveralclaimsofthosewhoendeavoredtopass。Thefirstamongotherpretensions,setforththathehadbeenveryliberaltoanhospital;butMinosanswered,\"Ostentation,\"andrepulsedhim。Thesecondexhibitedthathehadconstantlyfrequentedhischurch,beenarigidobserveroffast—days:helikewiserepresentedthegreatanimosityhehadshowntoviceinothers,whichneverescapedhisseverestcensure;andastohisownbehavior,hehadneverbeenonceguiltyofwhoring,drinking,gluttony,oranyotherexcess。

  Hesaidhehaddisinheritedhissonforgettingabastard。\"Haveyouso?\"saidMinos;\"thenprayreturnintotheotherworldandbegetanother;forsuchanunnaturalrascalshallneverpassthisgate。\"Adozenothers,whohadadvancedwithveryconfidentcountenances,seeinghimrejected,turnedaboutoftheirownaccord,declaring,ifhecouldnotpass,theyhadnoexpectation,andaccordinglytheyfollowedhimbacktoearth;whichwasthefateofallwhowererepulsed,theybeingobligedtotakeafurtherpurification,unlessthosewhowereguiltyofsomeveryheinouscrimes,whowerehustledinatalittlebackgate,whencetheytumbledimmediatelyintothebottomlesspit。

  Thenextspiritthatcameupdeclaredhehaddoneneithergoodnorevilintheworld;forthatsincehisarrivalatman’sestatehehadspenthiswholetimeinsearchofcuriosities;andparticularlyinthestudyofbutterflies,ofwhichhehadcollectedanimmensenumber。Minosmadehimnoanswer,butwithgreatscornpushedhimback。Therenowadvancedaverybeautifulspiritindeed。ShebegantoogleMinosthemomentshesawhim。

  Shesaidshehopedtherewassomemeritinrefusingagreatnumberoflovers,anddyingamaid,thoughshehadhadthechoiceofahundred。Minostoldhershehadnotrefusedenowyet,andturnedherback。

  Shewassucceededbyaspiritwhotoldthejudgehebelievedhisworkswouldspeakforhim。\"Whatworks?\"answeredMinos。\"Mydramaticworks,\"repliedtheother,\"whichhavedonesomuchgoodinrecommendingvirtueandpunishingvice。\"\"Verywell,\"saidthejudge;\"ifyoupleasetostandby,thefirstpersonwhopassesthegatebyyourmeansshallcarryyouinwithhim;but,ifyouwilltakemyadvice,Ithink,forexpeditionsake,youhadbetterreturn,andliveanotherlifeuponearth。\"Thebardgrumbledatthis,andrepliedthat,besideshispoeticalworks,hehaddonesomeothergoodthings:forthathehadoncelentthewholeprofitsofabenefit—nighttoafriend,andbythatmeanshadsavedhimandhisfamilyfromdestruction。Uponthisthegateflewopen,andMinosdesiredhimtowalkin,tellinghim,ifhehadmentionedthisatfirst,hemighthavesparedtheremembranceofhisplays。Thepoetanswered,hebelieved,ifMinoshadreadhisworks,hewouldsetahighervalueonthem。

  Hewasthenbeginningtorepeat,butMinospushedhimforward,and,turninghisbacktohim,appliedhimselftothenextpassenger,averygenteelspirit,whomadeaverylowbowtoMinos,andthenthrewhimselfintoanerectattitude,andimitatedthemotionoftakingsnuffwithhisrighthand。Minosaskedhimwhathehadtosayforhimself。Heanswered,hewoulddanceaminuetwithanyspiritinElysium:thathecouldlikewiseperformallhisotherexercisesverywell,andhopedhehadinhislifedeservedthecharacterofaperfectfinegentleman。Minosreplieditwouldbegreatpitytorobtheworldofsofineagentleman,andthereforedesiredhimtotaketheothertrip。Thebeaubowed,thankedthejudge,andsaidhedesirednobetter。

  Severalspiritsexpressedmuchastonishmentatthishissatisfaction;butwewereafterwardsinformedhehadnottakentheemeticabovementioned。

  Amiserableoldspiritnowcrawledforwards,whosefaceIthoughtIhadformerlyseennearWestminsterAbbey。HeentertainedMinoswithalongharangueofwhathehaddonewhenintheHOUSE;andthenproceededtoinformhimhowmuchhewasworth,withoutattemptingtoproduceasingleinstanceofanyonegoodaction。

  Minosstoppedthecareerofhisdiscourse,andacquaintedhimhemusttakeatripbackagain。

  \"What!toS————house?\"saidthespiritinanecstasy;butthejudge,withoutmakinghimanyanswer,turnedtoanother,whowithaverysolemnairandgreatdignity,acquaintedhimhewasaduke。\"Totheright—about,Mr。Duke,\"criedMinos,\"youareinfinitelytoogreatamanforElysium;\"andthen,givinghimakickontheb——ch,headdressedhimselftoaspiritwho,withfearandtrembling,beggedhemightnotgotothebottomlesspit:

  hesaidhehopedMinoswouldconsiderthat,thoughhehadgoneastray,hehadsufferedforit——thatitwasnecessitywhichdrovehimtotherobberyofeighteenpence,whichhehadcommitted,andforwhichhewashanged——thathehaddonesomegoodactionsinhislife——thathehadsupportedanagedparentwithhislabor——

  thathehadbeenaverytenderhusbandandakindfather——andthathehadruinedhimselfbybeingbailforhisfriend。Atwhichwordsthegateopened,andMinosbadehimenter,givinghimaslaponthebackashepassedbyhim。Agreatnumberofspiritsnowcameforwards,whoalldeclaredtheyhadthesameclaim,andthatthecaptainshouldspeakforthem。Heacquaintedthejudgethattheyhadbeenallslainintheserviceoftheircountry。Minoswasgoingtoadmitthem,buthadthecuriositytoaskwhohadbeentheinvader,inorder,ashesaid,topreparethebackgateforhim。Thecaptainansweredtheyhadbeentheinvadersthemselves——thattheyhadenteredtheenemy’scountry,andburnedandplunderedseveralcities。\"Andforwhatreason?\"

  saidMinos。\"Bythecommandofhimwhopaidus,\"saidthecaptain;\"thatisthereasonofasoldier。Wearetoexecutewhateverwearecommanded,orweshouldbeadisgracetothearmy,andverylittledeserveourpay。\"\"Youarebravefellowsindeed,\"saidMinos;\"butbepleasedtofaceabout,andobeymycommandforonce,inreturningbacktotheotherworld:forwhatshouldsuchfellowsasyoudowheretherearenocitiestobeburned,norpeopletobedestroyed?Butletmeadviseyoutohaveastricterregardtotruthforthefuture,andnotcallthedepopulatingothercountriestheserviceofyourown。\"Thecaptainanswered,inarage,\"D——nme!doyougivemethelie?\"

  andwasgoingtotakeMinosbythenosehadnothisguardspreventedhim,andimmediatelyturnedhimandallhisfollowersbackthesameroadtheycame。

  Fourspiritsinformedthejudgethattheyhadbeenstarvedtodeaththroughpoverty——beingthefather,mother,andtwochildren;thattheyhadbeenhonestandasindustriousaspossible,tillsicknesshadpreventedthemanfromlabor。\"Allthatisverytrue,\"criedagravespiritwhostoodby。\"Iknowthefact;forthesepoorpeoplewereundermycure。\"\"Youwas,I

  suppose,theparsonoftheparish,\"criesMinos;\"Ihopeyouhadagoodliving,sir。\"\"Thatwasbutasmallone,\"repliedthespirit;\"butIhadanotheralittlebetter。\"——\"Verywell,\"saidMinos;\"letthepoorpeoplepass。\"Atwhichtheparsonwassteppingforwardswithastatelygaitbeforethem;butMinoscaughtholdofhimandpulledhimback,saying,\"Notsofast,doctor——youmusttakeonestepmoreintotheotherworldfirst;

  fornomanentersthatgatewithoutcharity。\"Averystatelyfigurenowpresentedhimself,and,informingMinoshewasapatriot,beganaveryfloridharangueonpublicvirtueandthelibertiesofhiscountry。UponwhichMinosshowedhimtheutmostrespect,andorderedthegatetobeopened。Thepatriotwasnotcontentedwiththisapplause;hesaidhehadbehavedaswellinplaceashehaddoneintheopposition;andthat,thoughhewasnowobligedtoembracethecourtmeasures,yethehadbehavedveryhonestlytohisfriends,andbroughtasmanyinaswaspossible。\"Holdamoment,\"saysMinos:\"onsecondconsideration,Mr。Patriot,Ithinkamanofyourgreatvirtueandabilitieswillbesomuchmissedbyyourcountry,that,ifI

  mightadviseyou,youshouldtakeajourneybackagain。Iamsureyouwillnotdeclineit;forIamcertainyouwill,withgreatreadiness,sacrificeyourownhappinesstothepublicgood。\"Thepatriotsmiled,andtoldMinoshebelievedhewasinjest;andwasofferingtoenterthegate,butthejudgelaidfastholdofhimandinsistedonhisreturn,whichthepatriotstilldeclining,heatlastorderedhisguardstoseizehimandconducthimback。

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