336 HENRY KIUKE WHITE'S REMAINS. 



was then standing in one of ray favourite retreats. It 

 was a little alcove, overshadowed with willows, and a 

 mossy seat at the back invited to rest. I laid myself 

 listlessly on the bank. The Trent murmured softly at 

 my feet, and the willows sighed as they waved over my 

 head. It was the holy moment of repose, and I soon 

 sunk into a deep sleep. The operations of fancy in a 

 slumber induced by a combination of circumstances so 

 powerful and uncommon, could not fail to be wild and 

 romantic in the extreme. Methought I found myself in 

 an extensive area, filled with an immense concourse of 

 people. At one end was a throne of adamant, on which 

 sat a female, in whose aspect I immediately recognised a 

 divinity. She Avas clad in a garb of azure ; on her fore- 

 head she bore a sun, whose splendour the eyes of many 

 were unable to bear, and whose rays illumined the 

 whole space, and penetrated into the deepest recesses of 

 darkness. The aspect of the goddess at a distance was 

 forbidding, but on a nearer approach it was mild and en- 

 gaging. Her eyes r.ere blue and piercing, and there was 

 a fascination in her smile which charmed as if by en- 

 chantment. The air of intelligence which beamed in her 

 look made the beholder shrink into himself with the con- 

 sciousness of inferiority ; yet the affability of her deport- 

 ment, and the simplicity and gentleness of her manners 

 soon reassured him, while the bewitching softness which 

 she could at times assume, won his permanentesteem. On 

 inquiry of a bystander f<ho it was that sat on the throne, 

 and what was the occas'on of so uncommon an assembly, 

 he informed me that it was the Goddess of Wisdom, 

 who had at last succeeded in regaining the dominion 

 of the earth, which Folly had so long usurped. That she 

 sat there in her judicial capacity, in order to try the me- 

 rits of many who were supposed to be the secret emissaries 

 of Folly. In this way I understood Envy and Malevo- 

 lence had been sentenced to perpetual banishment, though 

 several of their adherents yet remained among men, 

 whose minds were too gross to be irradiated with the light 

 of wisdom. One trial I understood was just ended, and 

 another supposed delinquent was about to be put to the bar. 



