sengers dropping through the bridge, into the great tide that flowed underneath it; and upon farther examination, perceived there were innumerable trapdoors that lay concealed in the bridge, which the passengers no sooner trod 5 upon, but they fell through them into the tide and immediately disappeared. These hidden pitfalls were set very thick at the entrance of the bridge, so that the throngs of people no sooner broke through the cloud, but many of them fell into them. They grew thinner towards the 10 middle, but multiplied and lay closer together towards the end of the arches that were entire. There were

indeed some persons, but their number was very small, that continued a kind of hobbling march on the broken arches, but fell through one after another, being quite 15 tired and spent with so long a walk.

I passed some time in the contemplation of this wonderful structure, and the great variety of objects which it presented. My heart was filled with a deep melancholy to see several dropping unexpectedly in the midst of mirth 20 and jollity, and catching at everything that stood by them to save themselves. Some were looking up towards the heavens in a thoughtful posture, and in the midst of a speculation stumbled, and fell out of sight. Multitudes were very busy in the pursuit of bubbles that glittered in 25 their eyes and danced before them; but often when they thought themselves within the reach of them their footing failed, and down they sunk. In this confusion of objects, I observed some with scimeters in their hands, who ran to and fro upon the bridge, thrusting several persons on 30 trapdoors which did not seem to have been laid for them,

and which they might have escaped had they not been forced upon them.

The Genius seeing me indulge myself in this melancholy prospect, told me I had dwelt long enough upon it: "Take thine eyes off the bridge," said he, "and tell me if thou 5 yet seest anything thou dost not comprehend."

Upon looking up, "What mean," said I, "those great flights of birds that are perpetually hovering about the bridge, and settling upon it from time to time? I see vultures, harpies, ravens, cormorants, and among many 10 other feathered creatures several little winged boys, that perch in great numbers upon the middle arches."

"These," said the Genius, "are Envy, Avarice, Superstition, Despair, Love, with the like cares and passions that infest human life."

I here fetched a deep sigh. "Alas," said I, "man was made in vain! How is he given away to misery and mortality! tortured in life, and swallowed up in death!

15

The Genius being moved with compassion towards me, bid me quit so uncomfortable a prospect. "Look no 20 more," said he, "on man in the first stage of his existence, in his setting out for eternity; but cast thine eye on that thick mist into which the tide bears the several generations of mortals that fall into it."

I directed my sight as I was ordered, and saw the val- 25 ley opening at the farther end, and spreading forth into an immense ocean, that had a huge rock running through the midst of it, and dividing it into two equal parts. The clouds still rested on one half of it, insomuch that I could discover nothing in it; but the other appeared to me a 30

vast ocean planted with innumerable islands, that were covered with fruits and flowers, and interwoven with a thousand little shining seas that ran among them. I could see persons dressed in glorious habits with garlands upon 5 their heads, passing among the trees, lying down by the side of fountains, or resting on beds of flowers; and could hear a confused harmony of singing birds, falling waters, human voices, and musical instruments. Gladness grew in me upon the discovery of so delightful a scene. I 10 wished for the wings of an eagle, that I might fly away to those happy seats; but the Genius told me there was no passage to them, except through the gates of death that I saw opening every moment upon the bridge. "The islands," said he, "that lie so fresh and green before thee, 15 and with which the whole face of the ocean appears spotted as far as thou canst see, are more in number than the sands on the seashore; there are myriads of islands behind those which thou here discoverest, reaching further than thine eye, or even thine imagination can extend 20 itself. These are the mansions of good men after death, who, according to the degree and kinds of virtue in which they excelled, are distributed among these several islands, which abound with pleasures of different kinds and degrees, suitable to the relishes and perfections of those 25 who are settled in them; every island is a paradise accommodated to its respective inhabitants. Does life appear miserable, that gives thee opportunities of earning such a reward? Is death to be feared, that will convey thee to so happy an existence? Think not man was made in vain, 30 who has such an eternity reserved for him."

I gazed with inexpressible pleasure on these happy islands. At length I said, "Show me now, I beseech thee, the secrets that lie hid under those dark clouds which cover the ocean on the other side of the rock of adamant.” The Genius making me no answer, I turned about to 5 address myself to him a second time, but I found that he had left me; I then turned again to the vision which I had been so long contemplating; but instead of the rolling tide, the arched bridge, and the happy islands, I saw nothing but the long hollow valley of Bagdat, with oxen, 10 sheep, and camels grazing upon the sides of it.

— Joseph Addison in "The Spectator" (1711).

MICHELANGELO'S MOSES.

Michelangelo Buonarotti, the most celebrated of the. great sculptors of modern times, was born in Florence, Italy, in 1475. Among the many noble and beautiful

works which still exist to attest his wonderful skill, none 15 is more famous than his statue of Moses on the tomb of Pope Julius II. in the church of San Pietro in Vincoli at Rome. As originally planned, the monument to Pope Julius was to be on a magnificent scale. It was to consist of a great quadrilateral structure, two courses high, 20 projecting from the church wall and decorated with statues. On the upper course was to be placed the figure of the pope, with prophetic and allegoric characters at either side and at the angles-sixteen figures in all. The lower course was to be enriched with twenty-four figures 25