IXXXii. PROLEGOMENA. ^ 



thus coolly performed will soon evaporate Tvhen 

 we get into the bustle of the world again : we 

 must make all the circumstances of that event 

 present, by the help of the imagination. The 

 best time is at night, on going to bed. Imagine 

 then that you are laid on your death bed, never 

 to rise again in this life. Your family are seen 

 all around you weeping, one on her knees praying 

 for your departing soul, another wringing the 

 hands in despair, children standing around with 

 their knowing faces, and eyes full of the waters of 

 lamentation, conscious of what is going to happen ; 

 you are shedding an abundance of tears with them, 

 and at the same time endeavouring to attend to 

 the falteriug accents of some good old woman 

 who had nursed you half a century ago, and who 

 is labouring out a lesson in Bona Mors, in- 

 terrupted by sobs. Your steward obtrudes and 

 asks you if you have any orders ; you faintly 

 reply that the world is fast receding, and that 

 such a one will soon give him directions how to 

 act : he shakes his head and retires. Your nearest 

 akin brings in a legal adviser ; you articulate, all 

 is settled, and I hope to the satisfaction of all ; 

 my will is in such a case ! he retreats, taking by 

 the arm your physician, who, affecting sorrow, 

 takes you and your family by the hand, and 

 retires on tiptoe, bowing very significantly. The 

 family then take their final leave, and retire one 



