ly diftributed among the whole Species, those who now think themselves the most unhappy, would prefer the Share they are already poffefs'd of, before that which would fall to them by such a Divifion. Horace has carried this Thought a great deal further in the Motto of my Paper, which implies that the Hardships or Misfortunes we lye under, are more eafy to us than thofe of any other Perfon would be, in cafe we could change Conditions with him.

As I was ruminating on these two Remarks, and feated in my Elbow-Chair, I infenfibly fell asleep; when, on a fudden, methought there was a Proclamation made by Jupiter, that every Mortal fhould bring in his Griefs and Calamities, and throw them together in a Heap. There was a large Plain appointed for this Purpofe. I took my Stand in the Center of it, and faw with a great deal of Pleafure the whole human Species marching one after another, and throwing down their feveral Loads, which immediately grew up into a prodigious Mountain, that feemed to rife above the Clouds.

THERE was a certain Lady of a thin airy Shape, who was very active in

this Solemnity. She carried a magnifying Glafs in one of her Hands, and was cloathed in a loofe flowing Robe, embroidered with several Figures of Fiends and Spectres, that discover'd themselves in a thousand chimerical Shapes, as her Garment hovered in the Wind. There was fomething wild and distracted in her Looks. Her Name was FANCY. She led up every Mortal to the appointed Place, after having very officiously affifted him in making up his Pack, and laying it upon his Shoulders. My Heart melted within me to fee my FellowCreatures groaning under their respective Burthens, and to confider that prodigious Bulk of human Calamities which lay before me.

THERE were however feveral Per

fons who gave me great Diverfion upon this Occafion. I obferved one bringing in a Fardel very carefully concealed under an old embroidered Cloak, which, upon his throwing it into the Heap, Í discovered to be Poverty. Another, after a great deal of Puffing, threw down his Luggage, which, upon examining, I found to be his Wife.

THERE were Multitudes of Lovers fadled with very whimsical Burthens,

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thens, compofed of Darts and Flames; but, what was very odd, tho' they fighed as if their Hearts would break under thefe Bundles of Calamities, they could not perfwade themselves to caft them into the Heap, when they came up to it; but after a few faint Efforts, shook their Heads and marched away, as heavy loaden as they came. I faw Multitudes of old Women throw down their Wrinkles, and feveral young ones who stripped themselves of a tawny Skin. There were very great Heaps of red Nofes, large Lips, and rufty Teeth. The Truth of it is, I was furpriz'd to see the greatest Part of the Mountain made up of bodily Deformities. Obferving one advancing towards the Heap with a larger Cargo than ordinary upon his Back, I found upon his near Approach, that it was only a natural Hump, which he difpofed of, with great Joy of Heart, among this Collection of human Miferies. There were likewife Distempers of all forts, tho' I could not but observe, that there were many more imaginary than real. One little Packet I could not but take notice of, which was a Complication of all the Diseases incident to humane Nature, and was in the VOL. XV. hand

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hand of a great many fine People: This was called the Spleen. But what most of all furprized me, was a Remark I made, that there was not a fingle Vice or Folly thrown into the whole Heap: At which I was very much aftonished, having concluded within my felf, that every one would take this Opportunity of getting rid of his Paffions, Prejudices and Frailties.

I took Notice in particular of a very profligate Fellow, who I did not queition came loaden with his Crimes, but upon searching into his Bundle, I found that instead of throwing his Guilt from him, he had only laid down his Memory. He was followed by another worthlefs Rogue, who flung away his Modefty instead of his Ignorance.

WHEN the whole Race of Mankind had thus caft their Burdens, the Phantome which had been fo bufie on this Occafion, seeing me an idle Spectator of what paffed, approached towards me. I grew uneafie at her Presence, when of a fudden fhe held her magnifying Glafs full before my Eyes. I no fooner faw my Face in it, but was startled at the Shortness of it, which now appeared to me in its utmoft Aggrava

W

tion. The immoderate Breadth of the Features made me very much out of Humour with my own Countenance, upon which I threw it from me like a Mask. It happened very luckily, that one who ftood by me had juft before thrown down his Vifage, which, it feems, was too long for him. It was indeed extended to a moft fhameful length; I believe the very Chin was, modeftly speaking, as long as my whole Face. We had both of us an Opportunity of mending our felves, and all the Contributions being now brought in, every Man was at Liberty to exchange his Misfortune for those of another Perfon. But as there arofe many new Incidents in the Sequel of my Vifion, I fhall referve them for the Subject of my next Paper.