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To return therefore to matters comprehensible by all

understandings:  the discourse now turned on the vanity; folly;

and misery of the lower world; from which every passenger in the

coach expressed the highest satisfaction in being delivered;

though it was very remarkable that; notwithstanding the joy we

declared at our death; there was not one of us who did not

mention the accident which occasioned it as a thing we would have

avoided if we could。  Nay; the very grave lady herself; who was

the forwardest in testifying her delight; confessed inadvertently

that she left a physician by her bedside; and the gentleman who

died of honor very liberally cursed both his folly and his

fencing。  While we were entertaining ourselves with these

matters; on a sudden a most offensive smell began to invade our

nostrils。  This very much resembled the savor which travelers in

summer perceive at their approach to that beautiful village of

the Hague; arising from those delicious canals which; as they

consist of standing water; do at that time emit odors greatly

agreeable to a Dutch taste; but not so pleasant to any other。 

Those perfumes; with the assistance of a fair wind; begin to

affect persons of quick olfactory nerves at a league's distance;

and increase gradually as you approach。  In the same manner did

the smell I have just mentioned; more and more invade us; till

one of the spirits; looking out of the coach…window; declared we

were just arrived at a very large city; and indeed he had scarce

said so before we found ourselves in the suburbs; and; at the

same time; the coachman; being asked by another; informed us that

the name of this place was the City of Diseases。  The road to it

was extremely smooth; and; excepting the above…mentioned savor;

delightfully pleasant。  The streets of the suburbs were lined

with bagnios; taverns; and cooks' shops:  in the first we saw

several beautiful women; but in tawdry dresses; looking out at

the windows; and in the latter were visibly exposed all kinds of

the richest dainties; but on our entering the city we found;

contrary to all we had seen in the other world; that the suburbs

were infinitely pleasanter than the city itself。  It was indeed a

very dull; dark; and melancholy place。  Few people appeared in

the streets; and these; for the most part; were old women; and

here and there a formal grave gentleman; who seemed

to be thinking; with large tie…wigs on; and amber…headed canes in

their hands。  We were all in hopes that our vehicle would not

stop here; but; to our sorrow; the coach soon drove into an inn;

and we were obliged to alight。





CHAPTER III 



The adventures we met with in the City of Diseases。  



We had not been long arrived in our inn; where it seems we were

to spend the remainder of the day; before our host acquainted us

that it was customary for all spirits; in their passage through

that city; to pay their respects to that lady Disease; to whose

assistance they had owed their deliverance from the lower world。 

We answered we should not fail in any complacence which was usual

to others; upon which our host replied he would immediately send

porters to conduct us。  He had not long quitted the room before

we were attended by some of those grave persons whom I have

before described in large tie…wigs with amber…headed canes。 

These gentlemen are the ticket…porters in the city; and their

canes are the insignia; or tickets; denoting their office。  We

informed them of the several ladies to whom we were obliged; and

were preparing to follow them; when on a sudden they all stared

at one another; and left us in a hurry; with a frown on every

countenance。  We were surprised at this behavior; and presently

summoned the host; who was no sooner acquainted with it than he

burst into an hearty laugh; and told us the reason was; because

we did not fee the gentlemen the moment they came in; according

to the custom of the place。  We answered; with some confusion; we

had brought nothing with us from the other world; which we had

been all our lives informed was not lawful to do。  〃No; no;

master;〃 replied the host; 〃I am apprised of that; and indeed it

was my fault。  I should have first sent you to my lord Scrape;'7'

who would have supplied you with what you want。〃  〃My lord Scrape

supply us!〃 said I; with astonishment:  〃sure you must know we

cannot give him security; and I am convinced he never lent a

shilling without it in his life。〃  〃No; sir;〃 answered the host;

〃and for that reason he is obliged to do it here; where he is

sentenced to keep a bank; and to distribute money gratis to all

passengers。  This bank originally consisted of just that sum;

which he had miserably hoarded up in the other world; and he is

to perceive it decrease visibly one shilling a…day; till it is

totally exhausted; after which he is to return to the other

world; and perform the part of a miser for seventy years; then;

being purified in the body of a hog; he is to enter the human

species again; and take a second trial。〃  〃Sir;〃 said I; 〃you

tell me wonders:  but if his bank be to decrease only a shilling

a day; how can he furnish all passengers?〃  〃The rest;〃 answered

the host; 〃is supplied again; but in a manner which I cannot

easily explain to you。〃  〃I apprehend;〃 said I; 〃this

distribution of his money is inflicted on him as a punishment;

but I do not see how it can answer that end; when he knows it is

to be restored to him again。  Would it not serve the purpose as

well if he parted only with the single shilling; which it seems

is all he is really to lose?〃  〃Sir;〃 cries the host; 〃when you

observe the agonies with which he parts with every guinea; you

will be of another opinion。  No prisoner condemned to death ever

begged so heartily for transportation as he; when he received his

sentence; did to go to hell; provided he might carry his money

with him。  But you will know more of these things when you arrive

at the upper world; and now; if you please; I will attend you to

my lord's; who is obliged to supply you with whatever you

desire。〃



'7' That we may mention it once for all; in the panegyrical part

of this work some particular person is always meant:  but; in the

satirical; nobody。





We found his lordship sitting at the upper end of a table; on

which was an immense sum of money; disposed in several heaps;

every one of which would have purchased the honor of some

patriots and the chastity of some prudes。  The moment he saw us

he turned pale; and sighed; as well apprehending our business。 

Mine host accosted him with a familiar air; which at first

surprised me; who so well remembered the respect I had formerly

seen paid this lord by men infinitely superior in quality to the

person who now saluted him in the following manner:  〃Here; you

lord; and be damd to your little sneaking soul; tell out your

money; and supply your betters with what they want。  Be quick;

sirrah; or I'll fetch the beadle to you。  Don't fancy yourself in

the lower world again; with your privilege at your a。〃  He then

shook a cane at his lordship; who immediately began to tell out

his money; with the same miserable air and face which the miser

on our stage wears while he delivers his bank…bills。  This

affected some of us so much that we had certainly returned with

no more than what would have been sufficient to fee the porters;

had not our host; perceiving our compassion; begged us not to

spare a fellow who; in the midst of immense wealth; had always

refused the least contribution to charity。  Our hearts were

hardened with this reflection; and we all filled our pockets with

his money。  I remarked a poetical spirit; in particular; who

swore he would have a hearty gripe at him:  〃For;〃 says he; 〃the

rascal not only refused to subscribe to my works; but sent back

my letter unanswered; though I am a better gentleman than

himself。〃  We now returned from this miserable object; greatly

admiring the propriety as well as justice of his punishment;

which consisted; as our host informed us; merely in the

delivering forth his money; and; he observed; we could not wonder

at the pain this gave him; since it was as reasonable that the

bare parting with money should make him miserable as that the

bare having money without using it should have made him happy。 

Other tie…wig porters (for those we had summoned before refused

to visit us again) now attended us; and we having fee'd them the

instant they entered the room; according to the instructions of

our host; they bowed and smiled; and offered to introduce us to

whatever disease we pleased。



We set out several ways; as we were all to pay our respects to

different ladies。  I directed my porter to show me to the Fever

on the Spirits; being the disease which had delivered me from the

flesh。  My guide and I traversed many streets; and knocked at

several doors; but to no purpose。  At one; we were told; lived

the Consumption; at another; the Maladie Alamode; a French lady;

at the third; the Dropsy; at the fourth; the Rheumatism; at the

fifth; Intemperance; at the sixth; Misfortune。  I was tired; and

had exhausted my patience; and almost my purse; for I gave my

porter a new fee at every blunder he made:  when my guide; with a

solemn countenance; told me he could do no more; and marched off

without any farther ceremony。



He was no sooner gone than I met another gentleman with a ticket;

i。 e。; an amber…headed cane in his hand。  I first fee'd him; and

then acquainted him with the name of the disease。  He cast

himself for two or three minutes into a thoughtful posture; then

pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket; on which he wrote

something in one of the Oriental languages; I believe; for I

could not read a syllable:  he bade me carry it to such a

particular shop; and; telling me it would do my business; he took

his leave。



Secure; as I now 

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