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。