ppointed place,
after having, very officiously assisted him in making up his pack, and
laying it upon his shoulders. My heart melted within me to see my
fellow-creatures groaning under their respective burthens, and to
consider that prodigious bulk of human calamities which lay before me.

5. There were, however, several persons who gave me great diversion upon
this occasion. I observed one bringing in a fardel very carefully
concealed under an old embroidered cloak, which, upon his throwing it
into the heap, I discovered to be poverty. Another, after a great deal
of puffing, threw down his luggage, which, upon examining, I found to be
his wife.

6. There were multitudes of lovers saddled with very whimsical burthens,
composed of darts and flames; but what was very odd, though they sighed
as if their hearts would break under these bundles of calamities, they
could not persuade themselves to cast them into the heap, when they came
up to it; but, after a few faint efforts, shook their heads and marched
away, as heavy laden as they came.

7. I saw multitudes of old women throw down their wrinkles, and several
young ones who stripped themselves of a tawny skin. There were very
great heaps of red noses, large lips, and rusty teeth. The truth of it
is, I was surprised to see the greatest part of the mountain made up of
bodily deformities. Observing one advancing towards the heap with a
larger cargo than ordinary upon his back, I found, upon his near
approach, that it was only a natural hump, which he disposed of with
great joy of heart, among this collection of human miseries.

8. There were likewise distempers of all sorts, though I could not but
observe, that there were many more imaginary than real. One little
packet I could not but take notice of, which was a complication of the
diseases incident to human nature, and was in the hands of a great many
fine people: this was called the spleen. But what most of all surprised
me, was a remark I made, that there was not a single vice or folly
thrown into the whole heap; at which I was very much astonished, having
concluded within myself, that every one would take this opportunity of
getting rid of his passions, prejudices and frailties.

9. I took notice in particular of a very profligate fellow, who, I did
not question, came laden with his crimes, but, upon searching into his
bundle, I found, that instead of throwing his guilt from him, he had
only laid down his memory. He