Sands on the Sea-shore;
there are Myriads of Islands behind those which thou here discoverest,
reaching further than thine Eye, or even thine Imagination can extend it
self. 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 who
are settled in them; every Island is a Paradise accommodated to its
respective Inhabitants. Are not these, O _Mirzah_, Habitations worth
contending for? 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,
who has such an Eternity reserved for him. I gazed with inexpressible
Pleasure on these happy Islands. At length, said I, shew 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 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, Sheep, and Camels grazing upon the
Sides of it.

AN ESSAY ON FANS

From the Spectator, No. 102

I do not know whether to call the following Letter a Satyr upon Coquets,
or a Representation of their several fantastical Accomplishments, or
what other Title to give it; but as it is I shall communicate it to the
Publick. It will sufficiently explain its own Intentions, so that I
shall give it my Reader at Length, without either Preface or Postscript.

_Mr. Spectator_:

Women are armed with Fans as Men with Swords, and sometimes
do more Execution with them. To the end therefore that Ladies
may be entire Mistresses of the Weapon which they bear, I
have erected an Academy for the training up of young Women in
the _Exercise of the Fan_, according to the most fashionable
Airs and Motions that are now practis'd at Court. The Ladies
who _carry_ Fans under me are drawn up twice a-day in my
great Hall, where they are instructed in the Use of their
Arms, and _exercised_ by the following Words of Command,