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which； as it is undoubtedly true； so hath it so noble and
practical a tendency； that it can never be too often or too
strongly inculcated on the minds of men。
BOOK I
CHAPTER I
The author dies； meets with Mercury； and is by him conducted to
the stage which sets out for the other world。
On the first day of December 1741＇1＇ I departed this life at my
lodgings in Cheapside。 My body had been some time dead before I
was at liberty to quit it； lest it should by any accident return
to life： this is an injunction imposed on all souls by the
eternal law of fate； to prevent the inconveniences which would
follow。 As soon as the destined period was expired （being no
longer than till the body is become perfectly cold and stiff） I
began to move； but found myself under a difficulty of making my
escape； for the mouth or door was shut； so that it was impossible
for me to go out at it； and the windows； vulgarly called the
eyes； were so closely pulled down by the fingers of a nurse； that
I could by no means open them。 At last I perceived a beam of
light glimmering at the top of the house （for such I may call the
body I had been inclosed in）； whither ascending； I gently let
myself down through a kind of chimney； and issued out at the
nostrils。
＇1＇ Some doubt whether this should not be rather 1641； which is
a date more agreeable to the account given of it in the
introduction： but then there are some passages which seem to
relate to transactions infinitely later； even within this year or
two。 To say the truth there are difficulties attending either
conjecture； so the reader may take which he pleases。
No prisoner discharged from a long confinement ever tasted the
sweets of liberty with a more exquisite relish than I enjoyed in
this delivery from a dungeon wherein I had been detained upwards
of forty years； and with much the same kind of regard I cast my
eyes＇2＇ backwards upon it。
＇2＇ Eyes are not perhaps so properly adapted to a spiritual
substance； but we are here； as in many other places； obliged to
use corporeal terms to make ourselves the better understood。
My friends and relations had all quitted the room； being all （as
I plainly overheard） very loudly quarreling below stairs about my
will； there was only an old woman left above to guard the body；
as I apprehend。 She was in a fast sleep； occasioned； as from her
savor it seemed； by a comfortable dose of gin。 I had no pleasure
in this company； and； therefore； as the window was wide open； I
sallied forth into the open air： but； to my great astonishment；
found myself unable to fly； which I had always during my
habitation in the body conceived of spirits； however； I came so
lightly to the ground that I did not hurt myself； and； though I
had not the gift of flying （owing probably to my having neither
feathers nor wings）； I was capable of hopping such a prodigious
way at once； that it served my turn almost as well。 I had not
hopped far before I perceived a tall young gentleman in a silk
waistcoat； with a wing on his left heel； a garland on his head；
and a caduceus in his right hand。＇3＇ I thought I had seen this
person before； but had not time to recollect where； when he
called out to me and asked me how long I had been departed。 I
answered I was just come forth。 〃You must not stay here；〃
replied he； 〃unless you had been murdered： in which case；
indeed； you might have been suffered to walk some time； but if
you died a natural death you must set out for the other world
immediately。〃 I desired to know the way。 〃O；〃 cried the
gentleman； 〃I will show you to the inn whence the stage proceeds；
for I am the porter。 Perhaps you never heard of memy name is
Mercury。〃 〃Sure； sir；〃 said I； 〃I have seen you at the play…
house。〃 Upon which he smiled； and； without satisfying me as to
that point； walked directly forward； bidding me hop after him。 I
obeyed him； and soon found myself in Warwick…lane； where Mercury；
making a full stop； pointed at a particular house； where he bade
me enquire for the stage； and； wishing me a good journey； took
his leave； saying he must go seek after other customers。
＇3＇ This is the dress in which the god appears to mortals at the
theaters。 One of the offices attributed to this god by the
ancients； was to collect the ghosts as a shepherd doth a flock of
sheep； and drive them with his wand into the other world。
I arrived just as the coach was setting out； and found I had no
reason for inquiry； for every person seemed to know my business
the moment I appeared at the door： the coachman told me his
horses were to； but that he had no place left； however； though
there were already six； the passengers offered to make room for
me。 I thanked them； and ascended without much ceremony。 We
immediately began our journey； being seven in number； for； as the
women wore no hoops； three of them were but equal to two men。
Perhaps； reader； thou mayest be pleased with an account of this
whole equipage； as peradventure thou wilt not； while alive； see
any such。 The coach was made by an eminent toyman； who is well
known to deal in immaterial substance； that being the matter of
which it was compounded。 The work was so extremely fine； that it
was entirely invisible to the human eye。 The horses which drew
this extraordinary vehicle were all spiritual； as well as the
passengers。 They had； indeed； all died in the service of a
certain postmaster； and as for the coachman； who was a very thin
piece of immaterial substance； he had the honor while alive of
driving the Great Peter； or Peter the Great； in whose service his
soul； as well as body； was almost starved to death。 Such was the
vehicle in which I set out； and now； those who are not willing to
travel on with me may； if they please； stop here； those who are；
must proceed to the subsequent chapters； in which this journey is
continued。
CHAPTER II
In which the author first refutes some idle opinions concerning
spirits； and then the passengers relate their several deaths。
It is the common opinion that spirits； like owls； can see in the
dark； nay； and can then most easily be perceived by others。 For
which reason； many persons of good understanding； to prevent
being terrified with such objects； usually keep a candle burning
by them； that the light may prevent their seeing。 Mr。 Locke； in
direct opposition to this； hath not doubted to assert that you
may see a spirit in open daylight full as well as in the darkest
night。
It was very dark when we set out from the inn； nor could we see
any more than if every soul of us had been alive。 We had
traveled a good way before any one offered to open his mouth；
indeed； most of the company were fast asleep；＇4＇ but； as I could
not close my own eyes； and perceived the spirit who sat opposite
to me to be likewise awake； I began to make overtures of
conversation； by complaining HOW DARK IT WAS。