patterns of every excellence, the promotérs of TRUTH, the defenders of Liberty, the benefactors of mankind, the very lights of the world.

This radiant affembly joined in offering up their several gifts, which were not so remarkable for their splendour and riches, as they were ennobled and confecrated by the purity of the offerers. The minutest oblations were acceptable from a willing mind; and the undiffembled homage of fuch per fons as had nothing else to present, was received by the Divinity of the place with a countenance no less propitious, than fhe vouchfafed to her moft munificent worhippers.

I had almoft omitted to mention, that near the Throne ftood a nymph of an alluring and enraptured afpect, whofe name was Harmony. She bore between her hands a golden harp, and feemed only to wait for a fignal to ftrike it. Silence being proclaimed through the Affembly,

after they had paid their homage, the GODDESS beckoned to the graceful nymph; on which she kindled into higher transport, fwept the well-tuned ftrings, and played fuch airs as foothed the hearers into attentive wonder, and celeftial ravishment. The harp of Orpheus was not more. "charming."

When the mufic ceafed, the happy multitude crouded round the Prefence, and without ftrife or noise placed themfelves in that fituation, where they might. best be seen by the obferving Deity. Such as were but juft arrived, and had not yet been honoured with an audience, now. approached the Throne, led up by Mcdefty.. The GODDESS commanded her Recorder, who fat on a bench below her, to read: their respective ftories. His eyes were piercing as the eagle's, when he gazes on the noon-day fun, and his voice folemni as that of diftant thunders. His name was CONSCIENCE. Before him was spread

an immenfe volume, in which were registered the actions of men, as well the moft disguised and fecret as the most openand avowed nor did any ever contradict the teftimony of CONSCIENCE, without being felf-condemned.

The first person whom the bashful usher introduced was a comely Old woman of an appearance fingularly decent. Purity and fweetness were fo tempered in her, as to create at once refpect and confidence, while they beamed out in an eminent degree through all her looks and demeanour. When presented to the GODDESS, the paleness of age could not conceal a candid blush, which over-fpread her cheeks, as the Recorder read aloud the following encomium: That her earliest youth was distinguished by an affectionate piety to GOD, and to her parents, accompanied with a fobriety of mind, and sedateness of manners, uncommon at that period of life: That, being married very

t

young to an elderly gentleman of good fortune and great worth, but of a temper fomething warm, she had improved his circumftances by her prudent management, and calmed his paffions by a fuperior mildness and marvellous difcretion: That fhe had brought up a numerous family with the most tender care, and studied by her inftructions and example to infpire them with an early attachment to RELIGION and VIRTUE: That, by a winning converfation, and well-conducted indulgence, he had engaged them to love her as their friend, no less than to reverence her as their parent: That after her hufband's death, which happened when far the greater part of them were young, fhe had watched over their interefts with unwearied attention, given them one after another a liberal education, and fettled them in ufeful and honourable ftations: That fuch of them as were now at a distance from her, fhe continued regularly to counfel, and to confirm in the principles

of their education, by an epiftolary correfpondence, in which fhe wrote her beautiful feelings with a fimplicity and a dignity feldom equalled: In fine, that she was venerated by her fervants, beloved by her friends, bleffed by the poor to whom fhe was indeed a mother, and applauded, without one diffenting voice, by all that knew her unaffected goodness.

On hearing this ample atteftation, VIRTUE beheld her with particular regard, and faid, "Most honoured woman! thou haft ❝been happy in thy parents, in thy huf"band, in thy family; and happy fhalt ❝ thou long continue in the consciousness "of a life fpent like thine, and in the highest pleasure that can reach a pa"rent's foul, that of feeing her offspring "profperous and efteemed. Having reap

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ed this natural recompence in the "prefent world, thy labour of love shall "not be forgotten in the future, to which

thou shalt be gathered in a good old age,