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see that enthusiastic confidence or unsatisfying doubts terminate all our enquiries.

In early times, before myriads of nations covered the earth, the whole human race lived together in one valley. The simple inhabitants surrounded on every side by lofty mountains, knew no other world but the little spot to which they were confined. They fancied the heavens bent down to meet the mountain tops, and formed an impenetrable wall to surround them. None had ever yet ventured to climb the steepy cliff, in order to explore those regions that lay beyond it; they knew the nature of the skies only from a tradition, which mentioned their being made of adamant; traditions make up the reasonings of the simple, and serve to silence every inquiry.

In this sequestered vale, blessed with all the spontaneous productions of Nature, the honeyed blossom, the refreshing breeze, the gliding brook, and golden fruitage, the simple inhabitants seemed happy in themselves, in each other; they desired no greater pleasures, for they knew of none greater; ambition, pride, and envy were vices unknown among them; and from this peculiar simplicity of its possessors, the country was called the Valley of Ignorance.

At length, however, an unhappy youth more aspiring than the rest, undertook to climb the mountain's side, and examine the summits which were hitherto deemed inaccessible. The inhabitants from below gazed with wonder, at his intrepidity, some applauded his courage, others censured his folly; still however he proceeded towards the place where the earth and heavens seemed to unite, and at length arrived at the wished-tor height with extreme labour and assiduity.

His first surprise was to find the skies, not as he expected within his reach, but still as far off as before; his amazement increased when he saw a wide

extended

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As le tanniel @ Je via wonder, a genius, Via 1 deg i Ennite 1 det, approaching, ofderes Tide mi ascite. The distant CLONES VHCD79 80 Elle? Imr, as the angelic engs met de Land of Start, that charmng errent andmet names to refine every sensua, banquet: tie na. Facts are blessed with every mod ernen. End store blessed in a perfect consciousness of their own felicity; ignomace a hat county is wicky unknown, all there is sazsfaction without Lay, Sr every pleasure first podergnes the examinan `n of reason. As for me I am called the gears of Lemonstration, and am stationed bere in order to condo of every adventurer to that land of happiness throci tose intervening regions you see over-hang with fegs and darkness, and horrid with forests, cataracts, caverns, and varions other shapes of danger. But filow me, and in time I may lead you to that distant desirable land of tranquility.

The intrepid traveller immediately put himself under the direction of the genius, and beth journeying on together with a slow but agreeable pace, deceived the tediousness of the way by conversation. The beginning of the journey seemed to promise true satisfaction, but as they proceeded forward, the skies became more gloomy and the way more intricate; they often inadvertently approached the brow of some frightful precipice, or the brink of a torrent, and were obliged to measure back their former way; the gloom increasing as they proceeded, their pace became more slow; they paused at every step, frequently stumbled, and their distrust and timidity increased. The genius of Demonstration now

therefore

therefore advised his pupil to grope upon hands and feet, as a method though more slow, yet less liable

to error.

In this manner they attempted to pursue their journey for some time, when they were overtaken by another genius, who with a precipitate pace seemed travelling the same way. He was instantly known by the other to be the genius of Probability. He wore two wide extended wings at his back, which incessantly waved, without increasing the rapidity of his motion; his countenance betrayed a confidence that the ignorant might mistake for sincerity, and he had but one eye, which was fixed in the middle of his forehead.

Servant of Hormizda, cried he, approaching the mortal pilgrim, if thou art travelling to the Land of Certainty, how is it possible to arrive there under the guidance of a genius, who proceeds forward so slowly, and is so little acquainted with the way; follow me, we shall soon perform the journey to where every pleasure waits our arrival.

The peremptory tone in which this genius spoke, and the speed with which he moved forward, induced the traveller to change his conductor, and leaving his modest companion behind, he proceeded forward with his more confident director, seeming not a little pleased at the increased velocity of his motion.

But soon he found reasons to repent. Whenever a torrent crossed their way, his guide taught him to despise the obstacle by plunging him in; whenever a precipice presented, he was directed to fling himself forward. Thus each moment miraculously escaping his repeated escapes only served to increase his temerity. He led him therefore forward, amidst infinite difficulties, till they arrived at the borders of an ocean which appeared unnavigable from the black mists that lay upon its surface. Its unquiet

waves

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võeted to wood the three vil dether conALTIES VIL MAdd nang kara: The Lead of ConfiCem, & repot where the mountants lved with the uno trabmail to and tase dous is much sapudaction and in the Lave of Certainty. Not waitngia reply, be stal pes three tisch the ground. 410 in the Dawn of Em -, a Zoomy fiend of the wements of Arms. The yawning earth gave up the reluctant svare, who sewined unable wo bear the light of the day. His dature was enormour, isa cosur black and hideous, his aspect betrased a thousand varying passions, and he spread forth pincons that were Etted for the most rapid fight. The traveller at first was shocked at the spectre: but finding him obedient to superior power, he assumed his former tranquility.

I have called you to duty, cries the genius to the damon, to bear on your back a son of mortality over the Ocean of Doubts, into the Land of Confidence: I expect you'll perform your commission with punctuality. And as for you, continued the genius, addressing the traveller, when once I have bound this fillet round your eyes, let no voice of persuasion. nor threats the most terrifying, persuade you to unbind it in order to look round; keep the fillet Aust, look not at the ocean below, and you may cvrtamly expect to arrive at a region of pleasure.

Thus saying, and the traveller's eyes being covered, the da mon muttering curses, raised him on his back, and instantly up-born by his strong pimons, directed his flight among the clouds. Nei

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ther the loudest thunder, nor the most angry tempest, could persuade the traveller to unbind his eyes. The dæmon directed his flight downwards, and skimmed the surface of the ocean; a thousand voices, some with loud invectives, others in the sarcastic tones of contempt, vainly endeavoured to persuade him to look round; but he still continued to keep his eyes covered, and would in all probability have arrived at the happy land, had not flattery effected what other means could not perform. For now he heard himself welcomed on every side to the promised land, and an universal shout of joy was sent forth at his safe arrival; the wearied traveller, desirous of seeing the long-wished- for country, at length pulled the fillet from his eyes, and ventured to look round him. But he had unloosed the band too soon; he was not yet above half way over. The dæmon, who was still hovering in the air, and had produced those sounds only in order to deceive, was now freed from his commission; wherefore throwing the astonished traveller from his back, the unhappy youth fell headlong into the subjacent Ocean of doubts, from whence he never after was seen to rise.

LETTER XXXVII.

From Lien Chi Altangi, to Fum Hoam, first President of the Ceremonial Academy at Pekin in China. WHEN Parmenio, the Grecian, had done something which excited an universal shout from the surrounding multitude, he was instantly struck with the doubt, that what had their approbation must

certainly

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