and what neither good nor bad in life? Now he or Opinions,' 'Desires' and 'Pleasures.' As that does not understand these is destroyed by soon as the crowd enters, these women seize her, not indeed all at once, as he perished who upon and embrace every individual, and then was devoured by the Sphinx, but like the man in lead them off." the hands of the torturer, he wastes away gradually during the whole of life: but on the other hand, whoever does understand these things is saved and 'Folly' perishes, while he becomes happy and blessed all his lifetime. Therefore I beg you to listen and take heed." Old Man. Stranger. "Where do they take them?" Old Man. "Some to safety, and others to ruin, through the agency of 'Deceit.'" Stranger. "Alas! what a pernicious draught that was which you mentioned !" Old Man. And yet these all profess to be 4. Stranger. "Truly, you have excited our guides to the highest good,-to happiness and curiosity very much, if such be the case." prosperity. But they who through ignorance and error have tasted of the cup of Deceit,' can never find what the true path in life is, but wander about at random; just as you see how those who have entered before these, are roaming about wherever chance may take them." 'Such, indeed, is the case." Stranger. "You need not on this account defer the explanation, as we shall attend with all diligence, seeing that the consequences are so great." The old man thereupon picked up a rod, and pointing it towards the picture, said; "Do you see this circle?" Stranger. "Yes.” Old Man. "You must first know that this place is called Life.' That large crowd standing near the gateway are they who are about to enter upon life. The old man, whom you see standing above, with a map in one hand, and pointing apparently at something with the other, is called the Tutelary Deity' or 'Genius,' (Domon.) He is giving directions to those that are entering as to what they must do when they commence life, and pointing out to them the path in which they must walk if they would be safe in life." 7. Stranger. "I see them. Who is that woman standing upon a round stone; she seems to be both blind and crazy?" Old Man. "Her name is Fortune.' She is not only blind and crazy, but deaf also." Stranger. "What does she do?" Old Man. "Go about in all directions, take from some all that they possess and give it to others; she then straightway deprives the latter of the gifts which she had just presented to them, and distributes them to others without any jodgment or stability of purpose. Her natural disposition is therefore admirably pourtrayed in the manner of her representation." Stranger. "What manner?" Old Man. 5. Stranger. "What is the way in which he stone." bids them walk, or how are they to act?" Stranger. "As standing upon a round "What does that represent?" Old Man. "Do you see close to the gate, a seat placed at the spot where the crowd is enter-stability in her gifts. For great and terrible disasters befal those who put any confidence in her." ing; upon it is scated a woman of studied elegance of demeanor, and fascinating appearance, with a cup in her hand?" Stranger. "I see her. Who is she?" 8. Stranger. "What does that great throng of people that surround her want? and what are Old Man. "Her name is Deceit,' for she their names?" misleads all men." Stranger. How? What does she do?" Old Man. "She drugs with her influence all who enter life." Stranger. "What does she make them drink?" Old Man. "Error' and 'Ignorance.'' Stranger. "What then?" Old Man. they enter life." Stranger. Old Man. "All: some, however, take larger, and some smaller draughts. Again, do you see within the gate a number of women; they are associates, but differ in their forms and appear "As soon as they imbibe these, ance?" “Do all drink this Error?"" Stranger. "I observe them." Old Man. "They are called 'The Thoughtless;' and each of them is begging for the things which she is scattering about." 66 Stranger. Why then this difference in their appearance, some seem to be filled with joy, while others, all despondent, stand wringing their hands?" Old Man. "Those who appear rejoicing and laughing are they who have received some faver from Fortune:' by them she is called 'Good Fortune.' Those who are represented as weeping and wringing their hands are they from whom she has taken the gifts previously bestowed: these, on the contrary, call her Bad Fortune.'" Stranger. "What are these gifts that cause so much joy in those who receive them, and so These are called Sentiments' much grief in those who do not?" Old Man. "Such as many men consider to | off to the abode of Wretchedness,' there he linbe blessings." gers out the remainder of his life in all kinds of Stranger. misery, unless Repentance' should kindly put herself in his way." 'Pray, what are they?" Old Man. "Wealth evidently, and fame, rank, children, power and sovereignty, and such like." Stranger. “And are these not blessings?" Old Man. "We will investigate that by and bye. Let us now go on with the explanation of the picture." Stranger. 66 Very well, be it so." Old Man. "These are called 'Intemperance,' 'Profligacy,' 'Covetousness' and 'Flattery.' Stranger. "Why are they standing there?" Old Man. "Watching for those who get any thing from Fortune." "What then do they do?" 66 11. Stranger. "What would be the result if 'Repentance' should meet him?" 12. Stranger. "Alas! what a great risk has to be run the second time! But this False Science,' what of her?" Old Man. "Do you see that second circle?" Old Man. แ Stranger. "Yes." Old Man. "The thoughtless and unreflecting mass of men call her Science. But she is False Science. Now, even those who are preserved, when they would go on to True Science,' call here first." Stranger. Old Man. They rush up to and embrace them, ply them with flattery and importune them "And on the outside of it, near its to stay with them, saying that they will lead a entrance, a woman is standing, who appears to pleasant and easy life, free from toil and hard-be very neat and elegant?" ship. But if any one is prevailed upon by them to enter upon a life of voluptuousness, he finds it to be pleasant and agreeable for a time, until the excitement wears off, and no longer. When sober reason revives, he then finds that he was not using and enjoying pleasure, but that she was devouring and wantonly ruining him. And just as soon as he has squandered all that he got from 'Fortune,' he is forced to become a slave to these women, to bear every insult with patience, to submit to vice and degradation, and for their sakes to perpetrate any villainy, as theft, sacrilege, perjury, treachery, robbery, &c. And when all is done, they then hand their victims over to ishment."" Pun 10. Stranger. "What kind of person is she?", Old Man. "Do you see a little behind the other women a small door-way and a narrow dark spot, where some miserable, filthy, ragged looking women appear to be congregated?" Stranger. "Yes, distinctly." Old Man. "Of these, the one with the whip in her hand is called Punishment;' the one with her head sunk on her lap, is Grief;" and the one tearing her hair is 'Anguish.' Stranger. "And who is that ill-looking, lean, naked man standing near them, and at his side a miserable meagre woman that resembles | him?". 66 Stranger. Why, is there no other road by which they could reach the True?" Old Man. "There is." 13. Stranger. "Who are those men that are walking about within the circle?" Old Man. "The lovers of False Science,' who, being deceived, fancy they are associating with the True." Stranger. "What are they called?" Old Man. "Poets, Rhetoricians, Dialecticians, Arithmeticians, Geometricians, Astrologers, Voluptuaries, Peripatetics, Critics, and such like." 14. Stranger. "Who are these women that seem to be running about, they resemble those in the first circle, among whom you said were ‘Intemperance' and her associates?" Old Man. Stranger. also ?" mitted?" Old Man. "His name is Lamentation,' and "Yes, for the draught which 'Dethe woman, who is his sister, is called Despair.' ceit' administered still remains in them, so also The man is handed over to these, and lives with do 'Ignorance' and her associate Folly.' Inthem in a state of torment. He is next hurried deed, neither the 'Opinion' nor her train of evils "Do you see, just before that grove, a place which looks very beautiful, meadow-like, and radiant with a flow of light?" Stranger. "Distinctly." can be got rid of, until men, renouncing False 17. Old Man. Science,' get into the true path, and drink that potent medicine which will purge away the noxious train. When they have cleared away and expelled their previous ills,-Opinions, Igno- Old Man. "And do you observe in the midrance, and all the rest, then they will be safe. dle of the meadow another circle and another But if they remain with False Science,' not a gateway?" single evil will be got rid of, for all their learnStranger. ing." place?" Old Man. 15. Stranger. "What is this path which leads to True Science.'" "Yes. What is the name of this "The home of the 'Blessed.' There dwell Happiness' and all the Virtues.'” Stranger. "Proceed. What a lovely spot it is!" 18. Old Man. "Do you see near the portal a very handsome lady, of a grave and dignified life, dressed in a plain but elegant robe? She is appearance, she is already past the meridian of not standing on a round stone, but on a square one, firmly fixed in the ground. At her side are two other ladies, who appear to be her daugh Stranger. "I see them. What are their to endure any great evil in life.” names?" Old Man. cle?" 19. Stranger. "Oh, what lovely gifts! But "One is called Firmness' and the why does she stand on the outside of the cirother Perseverance.' They are sisters." Stranger. "Why do they stretch forth their hands so earnestly?" Old Man. "To encourage those who have arrived at the place to keep up their spirit and not be dismayed, telling them that they have only to persevere a little while longer, and they will soon come to a pleasant path." 64 Stranger. And after they have come to the rock, how do they ascend, for I see no way that leads up to it?” Old Man. "That she may kindly receive those that come, and administer to them her purifying medicine. Afterwards, as soon as they are thoroughly cleansed, she introduces them to the virtues within." 66 Stranger. How so. I do not exactly comprehend you." Old Man. "You will easily do so; for instance, if a man happened to be seriously indisposed, and calling in a physician, he would reOld Man. "The women come down and draw move the cause of the disease by cathartics, so them up, and tell them to rest awhile. After a that he might restore him to convalescence and little they impart to them Vigour' and 'Confi- health; but if he refuse to conform to the course dence,' and promise to bring them to True Science.' They then show them the road, how beautiful and level and easy it is, and free from every thing that would injure them, as you perceive." Stranger. "Yes; it is perfectly evident." prescribed, then the physician very justly giving him up, he is carried off by the disease." Stranger. "I understand that.” Old Man. "In like manner, when any one comes to 'Science,' she receives him very kindly, and administers her medicine, for the purpose of purging away and carrying off all the noxious a mastery over himself, that these are now his qualities which adhered to him at his arrival." slaves, as he once was theirs." 23. Stranger. "What are these monsters you talk of? I am anxious to know." Old Man. "First, there are 'Ignorance' and 'Error;' do you not consider them to be monsters?" Old Man. “Within, to 'Knowledge' and the and every other vice. He is now their master, other Virtues.'" and not they his, as formerly." Stranger. "O glorious struggle and most glorious victory! But still you have to tell me, what is the influence of that wealth wherewith you said he was crowned ?" Old Man. "Do you not see within the entrance a company of women, who seem to be handsome and elegant in appearance; they are also dressed with plainness and simplicity, and Old Man. "A very happy one, my young are totally free from that affectation and vanity friend. He that is crowned with that influence, which characterized the other women we saw?" becomes blessed and happy. His hopes of feStranger. "I see them. What are their licity are all in himself and not in others." names?" 24. Stranger. "What a splendid victory is this of which you speak! After his coronation, what does he do, or where does he walk?" Old Man. "The first is called 'Knowledge,' and the others—who are her sisters-are named Fortitude,' 'Justice.' Integrity,' Temperance,' 'Decency,' 'Liberty,' 'Self-control,' and 'Meek ness.""" Old Man. "The virtues taking him under their guidance, bring him to the place from which he first came. They show him how those who Stranger. "Oh, most lovely society! How I remain there drag out a vicious and miserable exhope and desire to join you!' istence-how, shipwrecked in life's ocean, they Old Man. "If you understand and habitually roam about or are led off thoroughly overpowpractise what you hear, you may." ered as if by enemies, some by 'Intemperance,' Stranger. "We will assuredly do all in our some by 'Pride,' some by Avarice,' others by power." Old Man. "Then you will be kept safe." Old Man. "To their mother." "Happiness." Stranger. "Tell us about her." Old Man. "Do you see the path which leads to that high hill—the acropolis of all the cirles?" Stranger. "I see it." Old Man. Again, do you observe a certain lignified and graceful lady at the main entrance, seated on an elevated throne, richly but not gaudily dressed; with her head encircled by a chapet of fresh, rare and beautiful flowers? Stranger. "Very distinctly." Old Man. "That is Happiness."" 'vain-glory,' and others by other vices-how powerless they are to shake off the fetters with which these have bound them, so that they might be saved and come to this place; but on the contrary how their whole life is trouble and vexation. They explain to him how these sufferings have originated in their inability to find the path to True Science,' because they had forgotten the directions given by the 'Guardian Genius?" 25. Stranger. "Your reply appears to be very good. But I am unable to see why the 'virtues' should direct his attention to the place which he had before left." Old Man. "Because he never had a thorough knowledge or accurate perception of what is done there. He had been in a state of doubt and darkness, supposing good to be evil, and evil good, the result of the Ignorance and Error which he had imbibed. He therefore had been leading as 22. Stranger. "When the individual has come wretched a life as the other inhabitants of the o her, what does she do?" Old Man. "She, with the assistance of all he virtues, crowns him as if he had been victoous in some hard-fought contests." Stranger. "What foes has he subdued ?" Old Man. "The fiercest, even those terrible monsters which ere while sought to destroy and Orture and enslave him; yea, he has gained such place; but now having acquired the knowledge of what is fit and proper, he is enabled to live happily himself and to perceive, the evil course which they pursue.” 26. Stranger. "After he has seen all this, what still does he do, or where does he go?" Old Man. "Wherever he pleases; for he is as safe everywhere, as one would be in the is in all things one of unchanging felicity, for every body is as glad to receive him, as the sick are a physician." Corycian grotto; and wherever he goes, his life to Science those that have been admitted to the virtues, they are returning to escort others, and to tell them how happy those whom they just now introduced have already become." Stranger. "Are the 'Sentiments' themselves never admitted to the virtues ?" Stranger. "Is he entirely free also from all apprehension of injury from those females whom you called monsters?" Old Man. Entirely. He will never more be harassed by Pain,' or 'Sorrow,' or 'Intemperance,' or 'Avarice,' or 'Poverty,' or any other evil; for he is now completely master over and superior to all that formerly troubled and vexed him. Like men who are bitten by vipers, and because they possess an antidote, sustain no injury from these reptiles, which inflict even deadly wounds upon others; so because he carries an antidote against them, none of the above evils can trouble him." Old Man. “No. Mere opinion is never permitted to arrive at perfect Knowledge. It is her business to hand these people over to Science; and when Science has received them, then the Sentiments return to bring up others; thus they resemble ships, which after their cargo has been discharged, sail back, and are laden with some other commodities.” 30. Stranger. "Your explanation appears to be a beautiful one. There is still one thing, however, which you have not made clear, viz: what the directions are which the Guardian Genius gives to those who enter life." Old Man. He tells them to be brave and hope 27. Stranger. "Very well explained. Now tell me, who are those that appear to be coming down from the eminence; some of them having ful. Be you the same, for I will explain all to crowns on their heads give every indication of you without any concealment." great gladness; and others, without any, looking sorrowful and sad, with their limbs and heads Stranger. You are very kind." wounded and bruised, are beset by some wo-woman, standing upon the round stone, who I men ?" told you before was named 'Fortune?"" Stranger. "Yes." 31. Old Man. "He tells them to place no Stranger. "Who are these women that follow them?' Old Man. "The crowned ones are those who have been saved by 'Science,' and are rejoiced at having met her. The others without any confidence in her, not to believe that any one can crowns, are either those who having been reject-receive from her a permanent gift, or one that ed by 'Science,' are returning, wretched and mis- he is to consider as permanent, or to look upon erable; or those who having lost all courage, and as his own; for there is nothing to hinder ber though they had gone as far as Perseverance,' from taking it away, and giving it to others, as yet turned back, and are now wandering about she is often in the habit of doing. For this rea they know not where." son he bids them to be perfectly unmoved as it regards her gifts, neither to rejoice when she gives, nor repine when she takes away; neither Old Man. Sorrow' and 'Anguish,' 'Des- to slight or to over-value her: because she never pair,' 'Ignorance' and 'Infamy."" 666 acts from judgment or reflection, but by random and by chance as I told you before. On this ac count the 'Genius' tells them not to be astonishOld Man. "Yes, indeed, and that right close-ed at any thing she may happen to do, and net ly too. But when these men get the length of to resemble those dishonest bankers, who wher 'Voluptuousness' and 'Intemperance,' they at- they receive money on deposit from the people. tach no blame to themselves, but forthwith com- are filled with joy, and look upon it as their own. mence upbraiding 'Science' and her disciples, They become indignant when the money is resaying how wretched, miserable and unhappy demanded, and think themselves very badly treatthey are, because they forsake their course of ed, never reflecting that they received the deposi life, and lead one of hardships, totally destitute on condition of paying it back when demandes of the good things they enjoy." by the person who had made it. The 'Genius Stranger. "What do they call good things?" tells them to regard Fortune's gifts in the same Old Man. "Debauchery' and Intemper- light, and remember it is her very nature to take ance,'-to group them under two leading terms; back what she once gave, then immediately to for they consider the indulgence and gratification of the appetite and passions to be the chief good-summa bona." 28. Stranger. "You tell me that every evil follows them?" 29. Stranger. "What do you call those two gay and laughing ladies, who are coming thence?" Old Man. 666 bestow larger and richer gifts, and finally to swee Sentiments.' Having brought Stranger. |