The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg [Va.]), 1771-02-28 00:00:00

VIRGINIA
GAZETTE
With the freest ADVICES,
FOREIGN and DOMESTICK.
IN CIVITATE LIBERA LINGUAM MENTEMQUE
LIBERAS ESSE DEBERE. Suet. in Tib. S. 28.
Printed by ALEX. PURDIE, and JOHN DIXON, at the POST OFFICE.
A JOURNEY from this WORLD to the NEXT. By the late HENRY FIELDING, Esquire.
CHAPTER I.
The Author dies, meets with Mercury, and is by him conducted to the Stage which sets out for the other World.
ON the first Day of December, 1741, I departed this Life, at my Lodgings in Cheapside. My Body had been some Time dead before I was at Liberty to quit it, left it should, by any Accident, return to Life. This is an Injunction imposed on all Souls by the eternal Law of Fate, to prevent the Inconveniences that would follow. As soon as the defined Period was expired (being no longer than till the Body becomes perfectly cold and stiff) I began to move, but found myself under a Difficulty of making my Escape, for the Mouth, or Door, was shut, so that it was impossible for me to go out at it; and the Windows, vulgarly called the Eyes, were so closely pulled down, by the Fingers of a Nurse, that I could by no Means open them. At last I perceived a Beam of Light glimmering at the Top of the House (for such I may call the Body I had been enclosed in) whither ascending, I gently let myself down through a Kind of Chimney, and issued out of the Nostrils.
No Prisoner, discharged from a long Confinement, ever tasted the Sweets of Liberty with more exquisite Relish than I enjoyed this Delivery from a Dungeon, wherein I had been detained upwards of forty Years; and with much the same Kind of Regard I cast my Eyes backwards upon it.
My Friends and Relations had all quitted the Room, being all (as I plainly overheard) very loudly quarrelling below Stairs about my Will. There was only an old Woman left above, to guard the Body, as I apprehend. She was in a fast Sleep, occasioned, as from her Savour it seemed, by a comfortable Dose of Gin. I had no Pleasure in this Company, and therefore, as the Window was wide open, I sallied forth into the open Air; but, to my great Astonishment, found myself unable to fly, which I had always, during my Habitation in the Body, conceived of Spirits. However, I came so lightly on the Ground that I did not hurt myself; and though I had not the Gift of flying (owing, probably, to my neither having Feathers nor Wings) I was capable of hopping such a prodigious Way at once that it served my Turn almost as well.
I had not hopped far before I perceived a tall young Gentleman in a Silk Waistcoat, with a Wing on his left Heel, a Garland on his Head, and a Caduceus in his right Hand. I thought I had seen this Person before, but had not Time to recollect where, when he called out to me, and asked me how long I had been departed. I answered, I was just come forth. You must not stay here, replied he, unless you had been murdered, for in which Case, indeed, you might have been suffered to walk some Time; but if you died a natural Death, you must set out for the other World immediately. I desired to know the Way. O, cried the Gentleman, I will show you to the Inn whence the Stage proceeds; for I am the Porter. Perhaps you never heard of me; my Name is Mercury. Sure, Sir, said I, I have seen you in the Playhouse; upon which he smiled, and without satisfying me as to that Point, walked directly forward, bidding me hop after him. I obeyed him, and soon found myself in Warwick Lane, where Mercury, making a full Stop, pointed at a particular House, where he bade me inquire for the Stage; and, wishing me a good Journey, took his Leave, saying he must seek after other Customers.
I arrived just as the Coach was setting out, and found I had no Occasion for Inquiry; for every Person seemed to know my Business, the Moment I appeared at the Door. The Coachman told me his Horses were to, but that he had no Place left. However, though there were already six, the Passengers offered to make Room for me. I thanked them, and ascended without much Ceremony. We immediately began our Journey, being seven in Number; for, as the Women wore no Hoops, three of them were but equal to two Men.
Perhaps, Reader, thou mayest be pleased with an Account of this whole Equipage; as, peradventure, thou wilt not, while alive, see any such. The Coach was made by an eminent Toyman, who is well known to deal in immaterial Substance, that being the Matter of which it was compounded. The Work was so extremely fine that it was entirely invisible to the human Eye. The Horses which drew this extraordinary Vehicle were all spiritual, as well as the Passengers. They had, indeed, all died in the Service of a certain Postmaster; and as for the Coachman, who was a very thin Piece of immaterial Substance, he had the Honour, while alive, of driving the Great Peter, or Peter the Great, in whose Service his Soul, as well as Body, was almost starved to Death.
Such was the Vehicle in which I set out; and now those who are not willing to travel on with me may, if they please, stop here. Those who are must proceed to the subsequent Chapters, in which this Journey is continued.
CHAPTER II.
In which the Author first refutes some idle Opinions concerning Spirits, and then the Passengers relate their several Deaths.
IT is the common Opinion that Spirits, like Owls, can see in the dark, nay and can then be most easily perceived by others; for which Reason many Persons of good Understanding, to prevent being terrified with such Objects, usually keep a Candle burning by them, that the Light may prevent their seeing. Mr. Locke, in direct Opposition to this, hath not doubted to assert that you may see a Spirit in open Daylight full as well as in the darkest Night.
It was very dark when we set out from the Inn, nor could we see any more than if every Soul of us had been alive. We had travelled a good Way before any one offered to open his Mouth. Indeed most of the Company were fallen asleep. But as I could not close my own Eyes, and perceived the Spirit that sat opposite to me to be likewise awake, I began to make Overtures of Conversation, by complaining how dark it was. "And extremely cold too (answered my Fellow Traveller) though, I thank God, as I have no Body, I feel no Inconvenience from it. But you will believe, Sir, that this frosty Air must seem very sharp to one just issued forth out of an Oven; for such was the inflamed Habitation I am lately departed from. How did you come to your End, Sir?" said I. "I was murdered, Sir, answered the Gentleman. I am surprised then, replied I, that you did not divert yourself by walking up and down, and playing some merry Tricks with the Murderer. Oh, Sir, returned he, I had not that Privilege; I was lawfully put to Death. In short, a Physician let me on Fire, by giving me Medicines to throw out my Distemper. I died of a hot Regiment, as they call it, in the Smallpox."
One of the Spirits at that Word started up, and cried out, "The Smallpox! bie's me! I hope I am not in Company with that Distemper, which I have all my Life with such Caution avoided, and have so happily escaped hitherto." This Fright set all the Passengers who were awake into a loud Laughter; and the Gentleman recollecting himself, with some Confusion, and not without blushing, asked Pardon, crying, "I protest I dreamed that I was alive. Perhaps, Sir, said I, you died of that Distemper, which therefore made so strong an Impression on you. No, Sir, answered he, I never had it in my Life; but the continual dread of Apprehension it kept me so long under cannot, I see, be so immediately eradicated. You must know, Sir, I avoided coming to London for thirty Years together, for Fear of the Smallpox, until the most urgent Business brought me thither about five Days ago. I was so dreadfully afraid of this Disease that I returned, the second Night of my Arrival, to sup with a Friend whose Wife had recovered of it several Months before; and the same Evening got a Surfeit by eating too many Mussels, which brought me into this good Company."
"I will lay a Wager, cried the Spirit that sat next him, there is not One in the Coach able to guess my Distemper." I desired the Favour of him to acquaint us with it, if it was so uncommon. "Why, Sir, said he, I died of Honour. Of Honour, Sir! repeated I, with some Surprise. Yes, Sir, answered the Spirit, of Honour; for I was killed in a Duel."
"For my Part, said a fair Spirit, I was inoculated last Summer, and had the good Fortune to escape with a very few Marks in my Face. I esteemed myself now perfectly happy, as I imagined I had no Restraint to a full Enjoyment of the Diversions of the Town; but, within a few Days after my coming up, I caught Cold by over-dancing myself at a Ball, and last Night died of a violent Fever."
After a short Silence, which now ensued, the fair Spirit that spoke last, it being now Daylight, addressed herself to a Female who sat next her, and asked her to what Chance they owed the Happinefs of her Company. She answered, she apprehended to a Consumption; but the Physicians were not agreed concerning her Distemper, for the left two of them in a very hot Dispute about it when she came out of her Body. And pray, Madam, said the same Spirit to the sixth Passenger, how came you to leave the other World? But that female Spirit, screwing up her Mouth, answered, she wondered at the Curiosity of some People; that perhaps Persons had already heard some Reports of her Death, which were far from being true; that, whatever was the Occasion of it, she was glad at being delivered from a World in which she had no Pleasure, and where there was Nothing but Nonsense and Impertinence, particularly among her own Sex, whose loose Conduct she had long been entirely ashamed of.
The beauteous Spirit, perceiving her Question gave Offence, pursued it no farther. She had, indeed, all the Sweetness and good Humour that are so extremely amiable (when found) in that Sex, which Tenderness most exquisitely becomes. Her Countenance displayed all the Cheerfulness, the good Nature, and the Modesty, which diffuse such Brightness round the Beauty of Seraphina, awing every Beholder with Respect, and at the same Time ravishing him with Admiration. Had it not been, indeed, for our Conversation on the Smallpox, I should have imagined we had been honoured with her identical Presence. This Opinion might have been heightened by the good Sense she uttered whenever she spoke, by the Delicacy of her Sentiments, and the Complacence of her Behaviour, together with a certain Dignity which attended every Look, Word, and Gesture. Qualities which could not fail making an Impression on a Heart so capable of receiving it as mine. Nor was the long in raising in me a very violent Degree of Seraphick Love; I do not intend by this that Sort of Love which Men are very properly said to make to Women in the lower World, and which seldom lasts any longer than while it is making: I mean by Seraphick Love an extreme Delicacy and Tenderness of Friendship, of which, my worthy Reader, if thou hast no Conception (as it is probable thou mayest not) my Endeavour to instruct thee would be as fruitless as it would be to explain the most difficult Problems of Sir Isaac Newton, to One ignorant of vulgar Arithmetick.
To return, therefore, to Matters comprehensible by all Understandings, the Discourse now turned on the Vanity, Folly, and Misery of the lower World, from which every Passenger in the Coach expressed the highest Satisfaction in being delivered, though it was very remarkable that notwithstanding the Joy we declared at our Death there was not One of us who did not mention the Accident which occasioned it as a Thing we would have avoided if we could: Nay the very grave Lady herself, who was the forwardest in testifying her Delight, confessed, inadvertently, that she left a Physician by her Bedside; and the Gentleman who died of Honour very liberally cursed both his Folly and his Fencing. While we were entertaining ourselves with these Matters, on a sudden a most offensive Smell began to invade our Nostrils. This very much resembled the Savour which Travellers, in Summer, perceive at their Approach to that beautiful Village of the Hague, arising from those delicious Canals which, as they consist of standing Water, do at that Time emit Odours greatly agreeable to a Dutch Taste, but not so pleasant to any other. Those Persons, with the Assistance of a fair Wind, begin to affect Persons of quick olfactory Nerves at a League's Distance, and increase gradually as you approach. In the same Manner did the Smell I have just mentioned more and more invade us, until one of the Spirits, looking out of the Coach Window, declared we were just arrived at a very large City, and indeed he had scarce said so before we found ourselves in the Suburbs; and at the same Time, the Coachman being asked by another, informed us that the Name of this Place was the City of Diseases. The Road to it was extremely smooth, and, excepting the above mentioned Savour, delightfully pleasant. The Streets of the Suburbs were lined with Bagnios, Taverns, and Cooks Shops. In the first we saw several beautiful Women, but in tawdry Dresses, looking out of the Windows; and in the latter were visibly exposed all Kinds of the richest Dainties. But, on our entering the City, we found, contrary to all we had seen in the other World, that the Suburbs were infinitely pleasanter than the City itself. It was, indeed, a very dull, dark, and melancholy Place. Few People appeared in the Streets, and these, for the most Part, were old Women, and here and there a formal grave Gentleman, who seemed to be thinking, with large Tie-Wigs on, and Amber-headed Canes in their Hands. We were all in Hopes that our Vehicle would not stop here; but, to our Sorrow, the Coach soon drove into an Inn, and we were obliged to alight.
CHAPTER III.
The Adventures we met with in the City of Diseases.
WE had not been long arrived in our Inn, where it seems we were to spend the Remainder of the Day, before our Host acquainted us that it was customary for all Spirits, in their Passage through that City, to pay their Respects to that Lady Disease, to whose Assistance they had owed their Deliverance from the lower World. We answered, we should not fail in any Complaisance which was usual to others; upon which our Host replied, he would immediately send Porters to conduct us. He had not long quitted the Room before we were attended by one of those grave Persons whom I have before described, in large Tie-Wigs, with Amber-headed Canes. These Gentlemen are the Ticket Porters in this City, and their Canes are the Insignia , or Tickets, denoting their Office. We informed them of the several Ladies to whom we were obliged, and were preparing to follow them, when, on a sudden, they all started at one another, and left us in a Hurry, with a Frown on every Countenance. We were surprised at this Behaviour, and presently summoned the Host, who was no sooner acquainted with it than he burst into a hearty Laugh, and told us the Reason was because we did not see the Gentlemen the Moment they came in, according to the Custom of the Place. We answered, with some Confusion, we had brought Nothing with us from the other World; which we had been, all our Lives, informed was not lawful to do. "No, no, Master, replied the Host, I am apprised of that, and indeed it was my Fault. I should have first sent you to my Lord Scrape, who would have supplied you with what you want. My Lord Scrape supply us!" said I, with Astonishment. Sure, you must know we cannot give him Security; and I am convinced he never lent a Shilling without it in his Life. No, Sir, answered the Host, and for that Reason he is obliged to do it here, where he is sentenced to keep a Bank, and to distribute Money gratis to all Passengers. This Bank originally consisted of just that Sum, which he had miserably hoarded up in the other World, and he is to perceive it decrease weekly one Shilling a Day, until it is totally exhausted; after which he is to return to the other World, and perform the Part of a Miser for twenty Years; then, being purified in the Body of a Hoe, he is to enter the human Species again, and take a second Trial. "Sir, said I, you tell me Wonders; but if his Bank be to decrease only a Shilling a Day, how can he furnish all Passengers? The rest, answered the Host, is supplied again, but in a Manner which I cannot easily explain to you. I apprehend, said I, this Distribution of his Money is imputed on him as a
"Punishment; but I do not see how it can answer that End, when he knows it is to be restored to him again. Would it not serve the Purpose as well if he parted only with a single Shilling, which it seems is all he is really to lose? Sir, cries the Host, when you observe the Agonies with which he parts with every Guinea you will be of another Opinion. No Prisoner, condemned to Death, ever begged so heartily for Transportation, as he, when he received his Sentence, did to go to Hell, provided he might carry his Money with him. But you will know more of these Things when you arrive at the upper World; and now, if you please, I will attend you to my Lord's, who is obliged to supply you with whatever you desire."
We found his Lordship sitting at the upper End of a Table, on which was an immense Sum of Money, disposed in several Heaps, every One of which would have purchased the Honour of some Patriots, and the Chastity of some Prudes. The Moment he saw us he turned pale, and sighed, as well apprehending our Business. Mine Host accosted him with a familiar Air, which at first surprised me, who so well remembered the Respect I had formerly been paid to this Lord by Men infinitely superior in Quality to the Person who now saluted him in the following Manner: "Here, you Lord, and he dam'd to your little sneaking Soul, tell out your Money, and supply your Betters with what they Want. Be quick, Sirrah, or I'll fetch the Beadle to you. Don't fancy yourself in the lower World again, with your Privilege at your A——" He then shook a Cane at his Lordship, who immediately began to tell out his Money with the same miserable Air and Face which the Miser on our Stage wears while he delivers his Bank Bills. This affected some of us so much that we had certainly returned with no more than what would have been sufficient to see the Porters, had not our Host, perceiving our Compassion, begged us not to spare a Fellow who, in the midst of immense Wealth, had always refused the least Contribution to Charity. Our Hearts were hardened with the Reflection, and we all filled our Pockets with his Money. I remarked a pectical Spirit in particular, who swore he would have a hearty Gripe at him; "for, says he, the Rascal not only refused to subscribe to my Works but sent back my Letter unanswered, though I am a better Gentleman than himself."
We now returned from this miserable Object, greatly admiring the Propriety as well as Justice of his Punishment, which consisted, as our Host informed us, merely in the delivering forth his Money; and he observed we could not wonder at the Pain this gave him, since it was as reasonable that the bare parting with Money should make him miserable, as that the bare having Money, without using it, should have made him happy.
Other Tie-Wig Porters (for those we had summoned before refused to visit us again) now attended us; and we having fed them the Instant they entered the Room, according to the Instructions of our Host, they bowed, and smiled, and offered to introduce us to whatever Disease we pleased.
We set out several Ways, as we were all to pay our Respect to different Ladies. I directed my Porter to show me to the Fever on the Spirits, being the Disease which had delivered me from the Flesh. My Guide and I traversed many Streets, and knocked at several Doors, but to no Purpose. At one, we were told, lived the Consumption; at another, the Maladie Alamoche, a French Lady; at the third, the Dropsy; at the fourth, the Rheumatism; at the fifth, Intemperance; at the sixth, Misfortune. I was tired, and had exhausted my Patience, and almost my Purse; for I gave my Porter a new Fee at every Blunder he made; when my Guide, with a solemn Countenance, told me he could do no more, and marched off without any further Ceremony.
He was no sooner gone than I met another Gentleman with a Ticket, i. e. an Amber-headed Cane in his Hand. I first fed him, and then acquainted him with the Name of the Disease. He cast himself, for two or three Minutes, into a thoughtful Posture, then pulled a Piece of Paper out of his Pocket, on which he writ Something in one of the Oriental Languages, I believe, for I could not read a Syllable. He bid me carry it to such a particular Shop; and telling me it would do my Business, he took his Leave.
Secure as I now thought myself of my Direction, I went to the Shop, which very much resembled an Apothecary's. The Person who officiated, having read the Paper, took down about twenty different Jars, and pouring Something out of every one of them, made a Mixture, which he delivered to me in a Bottle, having first tied a Paper round the Neck of it, on which were written three or four Words, the last containing eleven Syllables. I mentioned the Name of the Disease I wanted to find out, but received no other Answer than that he had done as he was ordered, and the Drugs were excellent.
I began now to be enraged, and quitting the Shop with some Anger in my Countenance, I intended to find out my Inn; but meeting, in the Way, a Porter whose Countenance had in it Something more pleasing than ordinary, I resolved to try once more, and clapped a Fee into his Hand. As soon as I mentioned the Disease to him he laughed heartily, and told me I had been imposed on; for, in Reality, no such Disease was to be found in that City. He then inquired into the Particulars of my Case, and was no sooner acquainted with them than he informed me that the Maladie Alamoche was the Lady to whom I was obliged. I thanked him, and immediately went to pay my Respects to her.
The House, or rather Palace, of this Lady, was one of the most beautiful and magnificent in the City. The Avenue to it was planted with Sycamore Trees, with Beds of Flowers on each Side; it was extremely Pleasant, but short. I was conducted through a magnificent Hall, adorned with several Statues and Bustos, most of them named, whence I concluded them all to be true Antiquities; but was informed they were the Figures of several modern Heroes, who had died Martyrs to her Ladyship's Cause. I next mounted through a large painted Staircase, where several Persons were depicted in Caricatura; and, upon Inquiry, was told they were the Portraits of those who had distinguished themselves against the Lady in the lower World. I suppose I should have known the Faces of many Physicians and Surgeons, had they not been so violently distorted by the Painter. Indeed he had exerted so much Malice in his work that I believe he had himself received some particular Favours from the Lady of this Mansion. It is difficult to conceive a Group of stranger Figures. I then entered a long Room, hung round with the Pictures of Women of such exact Shapes and Features that I should have thought myself in a Gallery of Beauties had not a certain sallow Paleness in their Complexions given me a more distasteful Idea. Through this I proceeded to a second Apartment, adorned, if I may so call it, with the Figures of old Ladies. Upon my seeming to admire at this Furniture, the Servant told me, with a Smile, that these had been very good Friends of his Lady, and had done her eminent Service in the lower World. I immediately recollected the Faces of one or two of my Acquaintance, who had formerly kept Bagnios; but was very much surprised to see the Resemblance of a Lady of great Distinction in such Company. The Servant, upon my mentioning this, made no other Answer than that his Lady had Pictures of all Degrees.
I was now introduced into the Presence of the Lady herself. She was a thin, or rather meagre Person, very wan in the Countenance, had no Nose, and many Pimples in her Face. She offered to receive my Entrance, but could not stand. After many Compliments, much Congratulation on her Side, and the most fervent Expressions of Gratitude on mine, she asked me many Questions concerning the Situation of her Affairs in the lower World; most of which I answered, to her entire Satisfaction. At last, with a Kind of forced Smile, she said, I suppose the Pull and Drop go on swimmingly. I told her they were reported to have done great Cures. She replied, she could apprehend no Danger from any Person who was not of regular Practice; for however simple Mankind are, said she, or however afraid they are of Death, they prefer doing a regular Manner to being cured by a Nostrum. She then explained great Pleasure at the Account I gave her of the Beau Monde. She said she had, heretofore, removed the Hundreds of Drury to the Hundreds of Charing Cross, and

to find they had spread into St. James's; that she had been to several of her dear and worthy Friends, who had been the occasion of her excellent Works, endeavouring to extirpate all No- tion of Virtue; and particularly to the deserving Author of an Estimate, to whom, said she, if I had but Reason to think well of her, and therefore written from mercenary Views, I had been sufficiently my Obligations. She spoke likewise greatly in favour of the Method so generally used by Parents of marrying their children, and without the least Affection between the Parties; but by saying, that if these Fashions continued to spread they would be the only Disease who would ever have a Visit from any Person of considerable Rank.
As we were discoursing her three Daughters entered the Room. They were all called by hard Names; the eldest was named Lepra, the second Leprositas, and the third Scabiosa. They were all ill-genteel, but ugly, and could not help observing the little Respect they paid their Parent; which the old Lady remarking in my Countenance, as soon as they quitted the Room, which quickly happened, she acquainted me with her Unhappiness in her Offspring, every one of which had the Confidence to deny themselves to be her Children, though she said she had been a very indulgent Mother, and had plentifully provided for them all.
As Family Complaints generally as much tire the Hearer as they relieve him who makes them, when I found her launching farther into this Subject I resolved to put an End to my Visit; and taking my Leave, with many Thanks for the Favour she had done me, I returned to the Inn, where I found my Fellow Travellers just mounting into their Vehicle. I took Hands with my Host, and accompanied them into the Coach, which immediately after proceeded on its Journey.
CHAPTER IV.
Discourse on the Road, and a Description of the Palace of Death.
WE were all silent for some Minutes, until, being well shaken into our several Seats, I opened my Mouth first, and related what had happened to me after our Separation in the City we had just left. The rest of the Company, except the grave female Spirit, whom our Reader may remember to have refused giving an Account of the Dithemper which occasioned her Dissolution, did the same. It might be tedious to relate them at large; we shall therefore only mention a very remarkable Inver- tacy which the Surfet declared to all other Diseases, especially to the Fever, who, she said, by the Roguery of the Porters, received Acknowledg- ments from numberless Passengers, which were due to herself. "Indeed," says she, those Cane-headed Fellows (for so she called them, alluding to the Cane-headed Porters) are constantly making such Mistakes. There is no Gratitude in those Fellows; for I am sure they have greater Ob- ligations to me than to any other Disease, except the Vapours."
These Relations were no sooner over than one of the Company informed us we were approaching to the most noble Building he had ever beheld, and which, we learned from our Coachman, was the Palace of Death. Its Outside, indeed, appeared extremely magnificent. Its Structure was of the Gothic Order; vast beyond Imagination, the whole Pile consist- ing of black Marble. Rows of immense Yew trees formed an Amphitheatre round it, of such Height and Thickness that no Ray of the Sun ever per- forates this Grove; where black eternal Darkness would reign was it not excluded by innumerable Lamps which are placed in Pyramids round the Grove: So that the distant Reflection they cast on the Palace, which is plentifully gilt with Gold on the Outside, is inconceivably solemn. To this I may add the hollow Murmur of Winds constantly heard from the Grove, and the very remote Sound of roaring Waters. Indeed, every Circumstance seems to conspire to fill the Mind with Horror and Consternation as we approach to this Palace; which we had scarce Time to ad- mire before our Vehicle stopped at the Gate, and we were desired to alight, in Order to pay our Respects to His Most Mortal Majesty; this being the Title which, it seems, he assumes. The outward Court was full of Sol- diers, and, indeed, the whole very much resembled the State of an earthly Monarch, only more magnificent. We passed through several Courts into a vast Hall, which led to a spacious Staircase, at the Bottom of which stood two Pages, with very grave Countenances, whom I recollected after- wards to have formerly been very eminent Undertakers, and were, in Reality, the only dismal Faces I saw here; for this Palace, so awful and tremendous without, is all gay and sprightly within, so that we soon lost all those dismal and gloomy Ideas we had contracted in approaching it. Indeed, the full Silence maintained among the Guards and Attendants re- sembled rather the stately Pomp of eastern Courts; but there was, on every Face, such Symptoms of Content and Happiness that diffused an Air of Cheerfulness all round. We ascended the Staircase, and passed through many noble Apartments, whose Walls were adorned with various Battle Pieces in Tapestry, and which we spent some Time in observing. These brought to my Mind those beautiful Ones I had, in my Lifetime, seen at Blenheim; nor could I prevent my Curiosity from inquiring where the Duke of Marlborough's Victories were placed (for I think they were almost the only Battles, of any Eminence, I had read of which I did not meet with) when the Skeleton of a Beef Eater, shaking his Head, told me a certain Gentleman, one Lewis XIV. who had great Interest with His Mortal Majesty, had prevented any such from being hung up there. Be- sides, says he, his Majesty has no great Respect for that Duke; for he never sent him a Subject he could keep from him, nor did he ever get a single Subject by his Means but he lost a Thousand others for him. We found the Presence Chamber, at our Entrance, very full, and a Buz ran through it, as in all Assemblies, before the principal Figure enters; for his Majesty was not yet come out. At the Bottom of the Room were two Persons in close Contreence, one with a square black Cap on his Head, and the other embroidered with Flames of Fire. These, I was informed, were a Judge long since dead, and an Inquisitor General. I overheard them disputing, with great Eagerness, whether the one had hanged, or the other burnt, the most. While I was listening to this Dispute, which seemed to be in no Likelihood of a speedy Decision, the Emperor entered the Room, and placed himself between two Figures, one of which was remarkable for the Roughness, and the other for the Beauty, of his Ap- pearance. These were, it seems, Charles XII. of Sweden, and Alexan- der of Macedon. I was at too great a Distance to hear any of the Con- versation, so could only satisfy my Curiosity by contemplating the several Personages present, of whose Names I informed myself by a Page who looked as pale and meagre as any Court Page in the other World, but was somewhat more modest. He showed me here two or three Turkish Emperors, to whom His Most Mortal Majesty seemed to express much Civility. Here were likewise several of the Roman Emperors, among whom none seemed so much caressed as Caligula; on Account, as the Page told me, of his pious Will, that he could send all the Romans hither at one Blow. The Reader may be perhaps surprised that I saw no Phy- sicians here, as indeed I was myself, till informed that they were all de- parted to the City of Diseases, where they were busy in an Experiment to purge away the Immortality of the Soul.
It would be tedious to recollect the many Individuals I saw here; but I cannot omit a fat Figure, well dressed in the French Fashion, who was received with extraordinary Complaisance by the Emperor, and whom I imagined to be Lewis XIV. himself, but the Page acquainted me he was a celebrated French Cook.
We were, at Length, introduced to the Royal Presence, and had the Honour to kiss Hands. His Majesty asked us a few Questions, not very material to relate here, and soon after retired.
When we returned into the Yard we found our Caravan ready to set out, at which we all declared ourselves well pleased; for we were suffi- ciently tired with the Formality of a Court, notwithstanding its outward Splendour and Magnificence.
CHAPTER V.
The Travellers proceed on their Journey, and meet several Spirits, who are coming into the Flesh.
WE now came to the Banks of the great River Cocytus, where we quitted our Vehicle, and passed the Water in a Boat, after which we were obliged to travel on Foot the rest of our Journey; and now we met, for the first Time, several Passengers travelling to the World we had left, who informed us they were Souls going into the Flesh.
The two first we met were walking Arm in Arm, in very close and friendly Conference. They informed us that one of them was intended for a Duke, and the other for a Hackney Coachman. As we had not yet arrived at the Place where we were to deposit our Passions, we were all surprised at the Familiarity which subsisted between Persons of such different Degrees, nor could the grave Lady help expressing her Astonish- ment at it. The future Coachman then replied, with a Laugh, that they had exchanged Lots; for that the Duke had with his Dukedom drawn a Shrew of a Wife, and the Coachman only a single State.
As we proceeded on our Journey we met a solemn Spirit, walking alone, with great Gravity in his Countenance. Our Curiosity invited us, notwith- standing his Reserve, to ask what Lot he had drawn. He answered, with a Smile, he was to have the Reputation of a wise Man with a Hundred Thousand Pounds in his Pocket, and that he was practising the Solemnity which he was to act in the other World.
A little farther we met a Company of very merry Spirits, whom we imagined, by their Mirth, to have drawn some mighty Lot; but, on In- quiry, they informed us they were to be Beggars.
The farther we advanced the greater Numbers we met; and now we discovered two large Roads leading different Ways, and of very dif- ferent Appearance; the one all craggy with Rocks, full, as it seemed of
boggy Grounds, and every Way beset with Pains, so that it was impossible to pass through it without the utmost Danger and Difficulty; the other the most delightful in a single, leading through the most va- dant Meadows, painted and perfumed with all Kinds of beautiful Flow- ers; in short, the most wanton Imagination could imagine Nothing more lovely. Notwithstanding which, we were surprised to see great Numbers crowding into the former, and only one or two solitary Spirits choosing the latter. On Inquiry, we were acquainted that the bad Road was the Way to Greatness, and the other to Goodness. When we expressed our Surprise at the Preference given to the former, we were acquainted it was chosen for the Sake of the Musick of Drums and Trumpets, and the perpetual Acclama- tions of the Mob, with which those who travelled this Way were con- stantly saluted. We were told likewise that there were several noble Palaces to be seen, and lodged in, on this Road, by those who had passed through the Difficulties of it (which, indeed, many were not able to surmount) and great Quantities of all Sorts of Treasure to be found in it; whereas the other had little inviting more than the Beauty of the Way, scarce a handsome Building, save one greatly resembling a certain House by the Bath, to be seen during that whole Journey; and lastly, that it was thought very scandalous and mean spirited to travel through this, and as highly honour- able and noble to pass by the other.
We now heard a violent Noise, when, casting our Eyes forwards, we perceived a vast Number of Spirits advancing in Pursuit of One whom they mocked and insulted with all Kinds of Scorn. I cannot give my Reader a more adequate Idea of this Scene than by comparing it to an English Mob conducting a Pickpocket to the Water, or by supposing that an innumerable Audience at a Playhouse had unhappily possessed themselves of the miserable damned Poet. Some laughed, some hissed, some squawled, some groaned, some bawled, some spit at him, some threw Dirt at him. It was impos- sible not to ask who, or what, the wretched Spirit was whom they treated in this barbarous Manner; when, to our great Surprise, we were informed it was a King. We were likewise told that this Manner of Behaviour was usual among the Spirits to those who drew the Lots of Emperors, Kings, and other great Men, not from Envy or Anger, but mere Denial and Contempt of earthly Grandeur; that Nothing was more common than for those who had drawn these great Prizes, as to us they seemed, to ex- change them with Tailors and Cobblers; and that Alexander the Great and Diogenes had formerly done so, he that was afterwards Diogenes having originally fallen on the Lot of Alexander.
And now, on a sudden, the Mockery ceased; and the King Spirit, having obtained a Hearing, began to speak as follows, for we were now near enough to hear him distinctly.
GENTLEMEN, "I am justly surprised at your treating me in this manner; since what- ever Lot I have drawn I did not choose. If, therefore, it be worthy of Derision, you should compassionate me; for it might have fallen to ei- ther of your Shares. I know in how low a Light the Station to which Fate hath assigned me is considered here, and that, when Ambition doth not support it, it becomes generally so intolerable that there is scarce any other Condition for which it is not gladly exchanged; for what Portion, in the World to which we are going, is so miserable as that of Care? Should I, therefore, consider myself as become, by this Lot, essentially your Superior, and of a higher Order of Being than the rest of my Fellow Creatures; should I foolishly imagine myself, without Wisdom, superior to the wife; without Knowledge, to the learned; without Courage, to the Brave; and, without Goodness and Virtue, to the good and virtuous; surely so preposterous, so absurd a Pride, would justly render me the Object of Ridicule. But, far be it from me to entertain it. And yet, Gentlemen, I prize the Lot I have drawn, nor would I exchange it with any of yours; seeing it is, in my Eye, so much greater than the rest. Ambition, which I own myself possessed of, teaches me this. Ambition, which makes me covet Praise, assures me that I shall enjoy a much larger Proportion of it than can possibly fall within your Power either to deserve or obtain. I am then superior to you all when I am able to do more Good, and when I execute that Power. What the Father is to the Son, the Guardian to the Orphan, or to the Patron to the Client, that am I to you. You are my Children, to whom I will be a Father, a Guardian, and a Patron. Not one Evening in my long Reign (for so it is to be) will I repose myself to Rest without the glorious, the Heart-warming Consideration, that Thou- sands that Night owe their sweetest Rest to me. What a delicious Fortune is it to him whose strongest Appetite is doing Good to have every Day the Opportunity, and the Power, of satisfying it! If such a Man hath Ambition, how happy is it for him to be seated so on high that every Act blazes abroad, and attracts to him Praises tainted with neither Sarcasm nor Adulation, but such as the nicest and most delicate Mind may relish! Thus, therefore, while you derive your Good from me, I am your Su- perior. If to my strict Distribution of Justice you owe the Safety of your Property from domestic Enemies; if, by my Vigilance and Va- lour, you are protected from foreign Foes; if, by my Encouragement of genuine Industry, every Science, every Art, which can embellish or sweeten Life is produced, and flourishes, among you; will any of you be so insensible, or ungrateful, as to deny Praise and Respect to him by whose Care and Conduct you enjoy these Blessings? I wonder not at the Censure which so frequently falls on those in my Station, but I won- der that those in my Station so frequently deserve it. What strange Per- verseness of Nature, what wanton Delight in Mischief, must taint his Composition who prefers Dangers, Difficulty, and Disgrace, by doing Evil, to Safety, Ease, and Honour, by doing Good? Who refuses Hap- piness in the other World, and Heaven in this, for Misery there, and Hell here? But, be assured, my Intentions are different. I shall always endeavour the Ease, the Happiness, and the Glory of my People, being confident that by so doing I take the most certain Method of procuring them all to myself." He then struck directly into the Road of Good- ness, and received such a Shout of Applause as I never remembered to have heard equalled.
He was gone a little Way when a Spirit limped after him, swearing he would fetch him back. This Spirit, I was presently informed, was one who had drawn the Lot of his Prime Minister.
CHAPTER VI. An Account of the Wheel of Fortune, with a Method of preparing a Spirit for this World.
We now proceeded on our Journey, without staying to see whether he fulfilled his Word or no; and, without encountering any Thing worth mentioning, came to the Place where the Spirits, on their Passage to the other World, were obliged to decide, by Lot, the Station in which every One was to act there. Here was a monstrous Wheel, infinitely larger than those in which I had formerly seen Lottery Tickets deposited. This was called the WHEEL OF FORTUNE. The Goddess herself was present. She was one of the most deformed Females I ever beheld; nor could I help observing the Frowns she expressed when any beautiful Spirit of her own Sex passed by her, nor the Affability which shined in her Countenance on the Ap- proach of any handsome male Spirit. Hence I accounted for the Truth of an Observation I had often made on Earth, that Nothing is more for- tunate than handsome Men, nor more unfortunate than handsome Women. The Reader may, perhaps, be pleased with an Account of the whole Method of equipping a Spirit for his Entrance into the Flesh.
First then, he receives from a very large Person, whose Look much re- sembled that of an Apothecary (his Warehouse likewise bearing an Affi- nity to an Apothecary's Shop) a small Vial, inscribed THE PATHETICK POTION, to be taken just before you are born. This Potion is a Mixture of all the Passions, but in no exact Proportion, so that sometimes one predominates and sometimes another; nay often, in the Hurry of making up, one particular Ingredient is, as we were informed, left out. The Spirit receiveth, at the same Time, another Medicine, called THE NOUSPHORICK DECOCTION, of which he is to drink ad libitum . This Decoction is an Extract from the Faculties of the Mind, sometimes ex- tremely strong and spirituous, and sometimes altogether as weak; for very little Care is taken in the Preparation. This Decoction is so extremely bitter and unpleasant, that, notwithstanding its Wholesomeness, several Spirits will not be persuaded to swallow a Drop of it, but throw it away, or give it to any other that will receive it; by which Means, some who were not disgusted by the Nauseousness drank double and treble Portions. I observed a beautiful young Female, who, tasting it immediately, from Curiosity, screwed up her Face, and cast it from her with great Disdain, whence advancing presently to the Wheel she drew a Coronet, which she clapped up so eagerly that I could not distinguish the Degree; and indeed I observed several of the same Sex, after a very small Sip, throw the Bot- tles away.
As soon as the Spirit is dismissed by the Operator, or Apothecary, he is at Liberty to approach the Wheel, where he hath a Right to extract a single Lot; but those whom Fortune favours she permits, sometimes, secretly to draw three or four. I observed a comely Kind of Figure who drew forth a Handful, which, when he opened, were a Bishop, a General, a Privy Counsellor, a Player, and a Poet Laureat; and, returning the three first, he walked off, smiling, with the two last.
Every single Lot contained two or more articles, which were generally disposed so as to render the Lots as equal as possible to each other. On the one was written, Early Riches, Health, Disquietude . On another, Cobblers, Sickness, good Humour . On a third, Poet, Contempt, Self Satisfaction . On a fourth, General, Honour, Discontent . On a fifth, Cottage, happy Love . On a sixth, Coad and Six, impatient jealous Husband . On a seventh, Prime Minister, Disgrace . On an eighth, Patriot, Gory . On
an ninth, Philosopher, Poverty, Rags . On a tenth, Merchant, Riches, Care . And, indeed, the Whole seemed to contain such a Mixture of Good and Evil that it would have puzzled me which to choose. I must not omit here that in every Lot was directed whether the Drawer should marry or remain in Celibacy, the marked Lots being all marked with a large Pair of Horns.
We were obliged, before we quitted the Place, to take, each of us, an Emetick from the Apothecary, which immediately purged us of all our earthly Passions, and presently the Cloud forsook our Eyes, as it doth those of Æneas in Virgil when removed by Venus, and we discerned Things in a much clearer Light than before. We began to compassionate those Spirits that were making their Entry into the Flesh, whom we had until then secretly envied, and to long eagerly for those delightful Plains which now opened themselves to our Eyes, and to which we now hastened with the utmost Eagerness. On our Way we met with several Spirits with very dejected Countenances, but our Expedition would not suffer us to ask any Questions.
At Length we arrived at the Gate of Elysium. Here was a prodigious Crowd of Spirits waiting for Admittance, some of whom were admitted, and some were rejected; for all were strictly examined by the Porter, whom I soon discovered to be the celebrated Judge Minos.
CHAPTER VII.
The Proceedings of Judge Minos at the Gate of Elysium.
I now got near enough the Gate to hear the several Claims of those who endeavoured to pass. The first, among other Pretensions, set forth that he had been very liberal to an Hospital; but Minos answered, Oftentation, and repulsed him. The second exhibited that he had constantly frequented his Church, and been a rigid Observer of Fast Days. He likewise repre- sented the great Animosity he had shown to Vice in others, which never escaped his severest Censure; and, as to his own Behaviour, he had never been once guilty of whoring, drinking, Gluttony, or any other Excess. He said he had disinherited his Son, for getting a Bastard. Have you so, said Minos, then pray return into the other World and beget another, for such an unnatural Rascal shall never pass this Gate. A Dozen others, who had advanced with very confident Countenances, seeing him rejected, turned about of their own Accord, declaring, if he could not pass, they had no Expectation, and accordingly they followed him back to Earth; which was the Fate of all who were repulsed, they being obliged to take a farther Purification, unless those who were guilty of some very heinous Crimes, who were hustled in at a little back Gate, whence they tumbled immediately into the bottomless Pit.
The next Spirit that came up declared he had done neither Good nor Evil in the World, for that since his Arrival at Man's Estate he had spent his whole Time in Search of Curiosities, and particularly in the Study of Butterflies, of which he had collected an immense Number. Minos made him no Answer; but, with great Scorn, pushed him back.
There now advanced a very beautiful Spirit indeed. She began to cite Minos the very Moment she saw him. She said she hoped there was some Merit in refusing a great Number of Lovers, and dying a Maid, though she had had the Choice of a Hundred. Minos told her she had not returned enough yet, and turned her back.
She was succeeded by a Spirit who told the Judge he believed his Works would speak for him. What Works? answered Minos. My dramatic Works, replied the other, which have done so much Good, in recom- mending Virtue, and punishing Vice. Very well, said the Judge, if you please to stand by, the first Person who passes the Gate, by your Means, shall carry you in with him; but, if you will take my Advice, I think, for Expedition Sake, you had better return and live another Life upon Earth. The Bard grumbled at this, and replied, that, besides his poetical Works, he had done some other good Things; for that he had once lent the whole Profits of a Benefit Night to a Friend, and by that Means had saved him and his Family from Destruction. Upon this the Gate flew open, and Minos desired him to walk in, telling him, if he had mentioned this at first, he might have spared the Remembrance of his Plays. The Poet answered, he believed, if Minos had read his Works, he would set a higher Value on them. He was then beginning to repeat, but Minos pushed him forward; and, turning his Back to him, applied himself to the next Passenger, a very genteel Spirit, who made a very low Bow to Minos, and then threw himself into an erect Attitude, and imitated the Motion of taking Snuff with his right Hand. Minos asked him what he had to say for himself. He answered, he could dance a Minuet with any Spirit in Elysium; that he could likewise perform all his other Exercises very well, and hoped he had, in his Life, deserved the Character of a perfect fine Gentleman. Minos replied, it would be great Pity to rob the World of so fine a Gentleman, and therefore desired him to take the other Trip. The Beau bowed, thanked the Judge, and said he desired no better. Several Spirits expressed much Astonishment at this his Satisfaction; but we were afterwards in- formed he had not taken the Emetick above mentioned.
A miserable old Spirit now crawled forwards, whose Face I thought I had formerly seen near Westminster Abbey. He entertained Minos with a long Harangue of what he had done when in the HOUSE; and then pro- ceeded to inform him how much he was worthy, without attempting to produce a single Instance of any one good Action. Minos stopped the Career of his Discourse, and acquainted him he must take a Trip back again. When, to S—— House! said the Spirit, in an Ecstasy. But the Judge, without making him any Answer, turned to another, who, with a very solemn Air, and great Dignity, acquainted him he was a Duke. To the right about, Mr. Duke, cried Minos, you are infinitely too great a Man for Elysium; and then giving him a Kick on the B——ch, he ad- dressed himself to a Spirit who, with Fear and Trembling, begged he might not go to the bottomless Pit. He said he hoped Minos would consider that though he had gone astray he had suffered for it; that it was Necessity which drove him to the Robbery of eightpence, which he committed, and for which he was hanged; that he had done some good Actions in his Life; that he had supported an aged Parent with his Labour; that he had been a very tender Husband, and a kind Father; and that he had ruined himself by being Bail for his Friend. At which Words the Gate opened, and Minos bid him enter, giving him a Slap on the Back as he passed by him.
A great Number of Spirits now came forward, who all declared they had the same Claim, and that the Captain should speak for them. He acquainted the Judge that they had been all slain in the Service of their Country. Minos was going to admit them, but had the Curiosity to ask who had been the Invader; in Order, as he said, to prepare the back Gate for him. The Captain answered, they had been the Invaders themselves; that they had entered the Enemies Country, and burnt and plundered several Cities. And for what Reason? said Minos. By the Command of him who paid us, said the Captain; that is the Reason of a Soldier. We are to execute whatever we are commanded, or we should be a Disgrace to the Army, and very little deserve our Pay. You are brave Fellows, indeed, said Minos; but, be pleased to face about, and obey my Command for once, in returning back to the other World: For what should such Fellows as you do where there are no Cities to be burnt, nor People to be destroyed? But let me advise you to have a stricter Regard to Truth for the future, and not call the depopulating other Countries the Service of your own. The Captain answered, in a Rage, d—— me, do you give me the Lie? And was going to take Minos by the Nose, had not his Guards prevented him, and immediately turned him and all his Followers back the same Road they came.
Four Spirits informed the Judge that they had been starved to Death, through Poverty; being the rather, Mother, and two Children. That they had been honest, and as industrious as possible, until Sickness had Prevented the Man from Labour. All that is very true, cried a grave Spirit who stood by; I know the Fact, for these poor People were under my Cure. You was, I suppose, the Parson of the Parish, cries Minos; I hope you had a good living, Sir. That was but a small One, replied the Spirit; but I had another, a little better. Very well, said Minos; let the poor People pass. At which the Parson was stepping forwards, with a flatly Gait, before them; but Minos caught hold of him and pulled him back, saying, net so fast, Doctor; you must take one Step more into the other World first, for no Man enters that Gate without Charity.
A very stately Figure now presented himself; and informing Minos he was a Patriot, began a very florid Harangue on publick Virtue and the Liberties of his Country. Upon which Minos showed him the utmost Respect, and ordered the Gate to be opened. The Patriot was not con- tented with this Applause; he said, he had behaved as well in Place as in the Opposition, and that though he was now obliged to embrace the Court Measures yet he had behaved very honestly to his Friends, and brought as many in as was possible. Hold a Moment, says Minos, on second Con- sideration, Mr. Patriot, I think a Man of your great Virtue and Abilities will be so much missed by your Country, that, if I might advise you, you should take a Journey back again. I am sure you will not decline it, for I am certain you will, with great Readiness, sacrifice your own Happinefs to the publick Good. The Patriot smiled, and told Minos he believed he was in a Jett; and was offering to enter the Gate. But the Judge laid hold of him, and insisted on his Return; which the Patriot full declining, he at last ordered his Guards to seize him and conduct him back.
A Spirit now advanced, and the Gate was immediately thrown open to him, before he had spoken a Word. I heard some whisper, that is our laft Lord Mayor.
It now came to our Company's Turn. The fair Spirit, which I men- tioned with so much Applause in the Beginning of my Journey, passed through very easily; but the grave Lady was rejected on her first Ap- pearance, Minos declaring there was not a single Prude in Elysium.

The Judge then addressed himself to me, who little expected to pass this fiery trial. I confessed I had indulged myself very freely with Wine and Women in my Youth, but had never done an Injury to any Man living, nor availed an Opportunity of doing Good; that I pretended to very little Virtue, more than general Philosophy and private Friendship. I was proceeding, when Minos bid me enter the Gate, and not indulge myself with trumpeting forth my Virtues. I accordingly passed forward, with my lovely Companion; and embracing her with vast Eagerness, but spiritual Innocence, the returned my Embrace in the same Manner and we both congratulated ourselves in our Arrival in this happy Region, whose Beauty no Painting of the Imagination can describe.
We perfused our Way through a delicious Grove of Orange Trees, where I saw intimate Number of Spirits, every One of whom I knew, and was known by them; for Spirits here know one another by Intuition. I presently met a little Daughter whom I had lost several Years before. Good God! what words can describe the Raptures, the melting passionate Tenderness, with which we kissed each other, continuing in our Embrace, with the most ecstatic Joy, a Space which, if Time had been measured here on Earth, could not be less than Half a Year.
The following Account, from Doctor Robertson's History of Charles V. of a Conspiracy to overturn the Government of Genoa, as well as the great Revolutions which that Event, extremely mysterious in its first Appearances, seemed to portend, will, we hope, be Matter of agreeable Entertainment to many of our Readers.
THE FORM of Government which had been established in Genoa, at the Time when Andrew Doria restored Liberty to his Country, though calculated to obliterate the Memory of former Dissentions, and received at first with eager Approbation, did not, after a Trial of near twenty Years, give universal Satisfaction to these turbulent and factious Republicans. As the entire Administration of Affairs was now lodged in a certain Number of noble Families, many, envying them that Preeminence, wished for the Restoration of a popular Government, to which they had been accustomed; and, though all revered the disinterested Virtue of Doria, and admired his Talents, not a few were jealous of that Ascendant which he had acquired in all the Councils of the Commonwealth. His Age, however, his Moderation, and Love of Liberty, afforded ample Security to his Countrymen that he would not abuse his Power, nor stain the Close of his Days by attempting to overturn that Fabric, which had been the Labour and Pride of his Life to erect. But that Authority and Influence, which in his Hands were innocent, they easily saw would prove destructive, if usurped by any Citizen of greater Ambition, or less Virtue. A Citizen of this dangerous Character had actually formed such Pretensions, and with some Prospect of Success. Giannettino Doria, whom his grand Uncle Andrew destined to be the Heir of his private Fortune, aimed likewise at being his Successor in Power. His Temper, haughty, insolent, and overbearing, to such a Degree as would scarce have been tolerated in one born to reign, was altogether insupportable in the Citizen of a free State; and the more gacious among the Genoese already feared and hated him, as the Enemy of those Liberties for which they were indebted to his Uncle. While Andrew himself, blinded by that violent and undiscerning Affection which Persons in advanced Age often indulge with the younger Members of their Family, set no Bounds to the Indulgence with which he treated him; seeming less solicitous to secure and perpetuate the Freedom of the Commonwealth than to aggrandize that undeserving Kinsman.
But whatever Suspicion of Doria's Designs, or whatever Dissatisfaction with the System of Administration in the Commonwealth, these Circumstances might have occasioned, they would have ended, it is probable, in Nothing more than Murmurings and Complaints, if John Lewis Fiesco, Count of Lavagna, observing this growing Disgust, had not been encouraged by it to attempt one of the boldest Actions recorded in History. That young Nobleman, the richest and most illustrious Subject in the Republic, possessed, in an eminent Degree, all the Qualities which win upon the human Heart, which command Respect, or secure Attachment. He was graceful and majestic in his Person, magnificent in Profusion, of a Generosity that prevented the Wishes of his Friends, and exceeded the Expectations of Strangers; of an insinuating Address, gentle Manners, and a flowing Affability. But under the Appearance of these Virtues, which seemed to form him for enjoying and adorning civil Life, he concealed all the Dispositions which mark Men out for taking the Lead in the most dangerous and dark Conspiracies; an insatiable and restless Ambition, a Courage unacquainted with Fear, and a Mind that disdained Subordination. Such a Temper could ill brook that Station of Inferiority wherein he was placed in the Republic; and, as he envied the Power which the elder Doria had acquired, he was filled with Indignation at the Thoughts of its descending, like an hereditary Possession, to Giannettino. These various Passions, preying with Violence on his turbulent and aspiring Mind, determined him to attempt overturning that Domination to which he could not submit.
At first he thought of an Alliance with the King of France, and even proposed it to the French Ambassador at Rome; and, after expelling Doria, together with the Imperial Faction, by his Assistance, he resolved to put the Republic once more under the Protection of that Monarch, hoping, in Return for that Service, to be entrusted with the principal Share in the Administration of Government. But, having communicated his Scheme to a few chosen Confidants, from whom he kept Nothing secret, Verrina, the Chief of them, a Man of desperate Fortune, capable alike of advising and executing the most audacious Deeds, remonstrated with Earnestness against the Folly of exposing himself to the most imminent Danger, while he allowed another to reap all the Fruits of his Success; and exhorted him warmly to aim himself at that Preeminence in his Country to which he was destined by his illustrious Birth, was called by the Voice of his Fellow Citizens, and would be raised by the Zeal of his Friends. This Discourse opened such vast Prospects to Fiesco, and so suitable to his Genius, that, abandoning his own Plan, he eagerly adopted that of Verrina. The other Persons present, though sensible of the hazardous Nature of the Undertaking, did not choose to condemn what their Patron had so warmly approved. It was instantly resolved, in this dark Cabal, to assassinate the two Dorias, as well as the principal Persons of their Party, to overturn the established System of Government, and to place Fiesco on the ducal Throne of Genoa. Time, however, and Preparations, were requisite to ripen such a Design for Execution; and, while employed in carrying on these, Fiesco made it his chief Care to guard against every Thing that might betray his Secret, or create Suspicion. The Disguise he assumed was of all others the most impenetrable. He seemed to be abandoned entirely to Pleasure and Dissipation. A perpetual Gaiety, diversified by the Pursuit of all the Amusements becoming his Age and Rank, engrossed, in Appearance, the Whole of his Time and Thoughts. But, amidst this Hurry of Dissipation, he prosecuted his Plan with the most cool Attention, neither retarding the Design by a timid Hesitation, nor precipitating the Execution by an Excess of Impatience. He continued his Correspondence with the French Ambassador at Rome, though without communicating to him his real Intentions, that by this Means he might secure the Protection of the French Arms, if hereafter he should find it necessary to call them to his Aid. He entered into a close Confederacy with Farnese, Duke of Parma, who, being disgusted with the Emperor for refusing to grant him the investiture of that Dutchy, was eager to promote any Measure that tended to diminish his Influence in Italy, or to ruin a Family so implicitly devoted to him as that of Doria. Being sensible that, in a maritime State, the Acquisition of naval Power was what he ought chiefly to aim at, he purchased four Galleys from the Pope, who probably was not acquainted with the Design which he had formed, and did not disapprove of it. Under Colour of fitting out one of these Galleys to sail on a Cruise against the Turks, he not only assembled a good Number of his own Vassals, but engaged in his service many bold Adventurers, whom the Truce between the Emperor and Soliman had deprived of their usual Occupation and Subsistence.
While Fiesco was taking these important Steps, he preferred to admiringly his usual Appearance of being devoted entirely to Pleasure and Amusement, and paid Court with such artful Address to the two Dorias, as imposed not only on the generous and un suspicious Mind of Andrew, but deceived Giannettino, who, conscious of his own criminal Intentions, was more apt to distrust the Designs of others. So many Instruments being now prepared, Nothing remained but to strike the Blow. Various Consultations were held by Fiesco with his Confidants, in Order to settle the Manner of doing it with the greatest Certainty and Effect. At first they proposed to murder the Dorias, and their chief Adherents, during the Celebration of high Mass in the principal Church; but, as Andrew was often absent from these religious Solemnities, on Account of his great Age, that Design was laid aside. It was then concerted that Fiesco should invite the Uncle and Nephew, with all their Friends whom he had marked out as Victims, to his House, where it would be easy to cut them off at once, without Danger or Resistance; but, as Giannettino was obliged to leave the Town on the Day which they had chosen, it became necessary likewise to alter this Plan. They at last determined to attend, by open Force what they had attempted to effect by Stratagem, and fixed on the Night between the 2d and 3d of January for the Execution of their Enterprise. The Time was chosen with great Propriety; for, as the Doce of the former Year was to quit his Office, according to Custom, on the first of
the Month, and his Successor could not be elected sooner than the fourth, the Republic remained, during that Interval, in a Sort of Anarchy, and Fiesco might with less Violence take Possession of the vacant Authority.
The Morning of that Day Fiesco employed in visiting his Friends, passing some Hours among them with a Spirit as gay and unembarrassed as at other Times. Towards Evening he paid Court to the Dorias with his usual Marks of Respect, and, surveying their Countenance and Behaviour with the Attention natural in his Situation, was happy to observe the perfect Security in which they remained, without the least Foreboding or Dread of that Storm which had been so long a gathering, and was now ready to burst over their Heads. From their Palace he hastened to his own, which stood by itself in the Middle of a large Court, surrounded by a high Wall. The Gates had been set open in the Morning, and all Persons, without Distinction, were allowed to enter; but strong Guards, posted within the Court, suffered no One to return. Verrina, mean While, and a few Persons trusted with the Secret of the Conspiracy, after conducting Fiesco's Vassals, as well as the Crews of his Galleys, into the Palace, in small Bodies, with as little Noise as possible, dispersed themselves through the City, and, in the Name of their Patron, invited to an Entertainment the principal Citizens whom they knew to be disgusted with the Administration of the Dorias, and to have both Inclination and Courage to attempt a Change in the Government. Of the vast Number of Persons who now filled the Palace a few only knew for what Purpose they were assembled; the rest, astonished at finding, instead of the Preparations for a Feast, a Court crowded with armed Men, and Apartments filled with the Instruments of War, gazed on each other with a Mixture of Impatience, Curiosity, and Terror.
While their Minds were in this State of Suspense and Agitation, Fiesco appeared. With a Look of Alacrity and Confidence, he addressed himself to the Persons of chief Distinction, telling them that they were not now called to partake of the Pleasure of an Entertainment, but to join in a Deed of Valour which would lead them to Liberty and immortal Renown. He set before their Eyes the exorbitant as well as intolerable Authority of the elder Doria, which the Ambition of Giannettino, and the Partiality of the Emperor to a Family more devoted to him than to their Country, was about to enlarge and to render perpetual. This unrighteous Domination, continued he, you have now in your Power to subvert, and to establish the Freedom of your Country on a firm Basis. The Tyrants must be cut off. I have taken the most effectual Measures for this Purpose. My Associates are numerous. I can depend on Allies and Protectors, if necessary. Happily, the Tyrants are as secure as I have been provident. Their insolent Contempt of their Countrymen has banished the Suspicion and Timidity which usually render the guilty quick-sighted to discern, as well as sagacious to guard against the Vengeance which they deserve. They will now feel the Blow before they suspect any hostile Hand to be nigh. Let us then fall forth, that we may deliver our Country by one generous Effort, almost unaccompanied with Danger, and certain of Success. These Words, uttered with that irresistible Fervour which animates the Mind when roused by great Objects, made the desired Impression on the Audience. Fiesco's Vassals, ready to execute whatever their Master should command, received his Discourse with a Murmur of Applause. To many, whose Fortunes were desperate, the License and Confusion of an Insurrection afforded an agreeable Prospect. Those of higher Rank, and more virtuous Sentiments, durst not discover the Surprise or Horror with which they were struck at the Proposal of an Enterprise so unexpected and atrocious; as each imagined the other to be in the Secret of the Conspiracy, and saw himself surrounded by Persons who waited only a Signal from their Leader to perpetrate the greatest Crime. With one Voice then all applauded, or feigned to applaud, the Undertaking.
Having thus fixed and encouraged his Associates, before he gave them his last Orders he hastened for a Moment to the Apartment of his Wife, a Lady of the noble House of Cibo, whom he loved with tender Affection, and whose Beauty and Virtue rendered her worthy of his Love. The Noise of the armed Men who crowded the Court and Palace having long before this reached her Ears, she concluded some hazardous Enterprise to be in Hand, and she trembled for her Husband. He found her in all the Anguish of Uncertainty and Fear; and, as it was now impossible to keep his Design concealed, he informed her of what he had undertaken. The Prospect of a Scene so full of Horror, as well as Danger, completed her Agony; and, foreboding immediately in her Mind the fatal Issue of it, she endeavoured, by her Tears, her Entreaties, and her Despair, to divert him from his Purpose. Fiesco, after trying in vain to sooth and to inspire her with Hope, broke from a Situation into which an Excess of Tenderness had unwarily seduced him, though it could not shake his Resolution. "Farewell, he cried, as he quitted the Apartment, you shall either never see me more, or you shall behold to-morrow every Thing in Genoa subject to your Power."
As soon as he rejoined his Companions he allotted each his proper Station; some were appointed to assault and seize the different Gates of the City, some to make themselves Masters of the principal Streets or Places of Strength. Fiesco reserved for himself the Attack of the Harbour where Doria's Galleys were laid up, as the Post of chief Importance, and of greatest Danger. It was now Midnight, and the Citizens slept in the Security of Peace, when this Band of Conspirators, numerous, desperate, and well armed, rushed out to execute their Plan. They surprised, without Resistance, some of the Gates. They got Possession of others, after a sharp Conflict with the Soldiers on Guard. Verrina, with the Galley which had been fitted out against the Turks, blocked up the Mouth of the Dorsena, or little Harbour where Doria's Fleet lay. All Possibility of Escape being by this Precaution cut off, when Fiesco attempted to enter the Galleys from the Shore to which they were made fast, as they were unrigged and disarmed, having no Crew on Board but the Slaves chained to the Oar, they were in no Condition to make Resistance. Every Quarter of the City was now filled with Noise and Tumult, all the Streets resounding with the Cry of "Fiesco and Liberty." At that Name, so popular and beloved, many of the lower Rank took Arms, and joined the Conspirators. The Nobles and Partisans of the Aristocracy, astonished or affrighted, shut the Gates of their Houses, and thought of Nothing but securing them from Pillage. At last, the Noise, excited by this Scene of Violence and Confusion, reached the Palace of Doria. Giannettino started immediately from his Bed; and, imagining that it was occasioned by some Mutiny among the Sailors, rushed out with a few Attendants, and hurried towards the Harbour. The Gate of St. Thomas, through which he had to pass, was already in the Possession of the Conspirators, who, the Moment he entered, fell upon him with the utmost Fury, and murdered him on the Spot. The same must have been the Fate of the elder Doria, if Jerome de Fiesco had not executed his Brother's Plan, and had proceeded immediately to attack him in his Palace; but, he from the forlorn Consideration of preventing its being plundered amidst the Confusion, having forbid his Followers to advance, Andrew got Intelligence of his Nephew's Death, as well as of his own Danger, and, mounting on Horseback, saved himself by Flight. Mean While a few Senators had the Courage to assemble in the Palace of the Republic. At first some of the most daring among them attempted to rally the scattered Soldiers, and to attack a Body of the Conspirators; but, being repulsed with Loss, all agreed that Nothing now remained but to treat with the Party, which seemed to be irresistible. Deputies were accordingly sent to learn of Fiesco what were the Concessions with which he would be satisfied, or rather to submit to whatever Terms he should please to prescribe.
But by this Time Fiesco, with whom they were empowered to negotiate, was no more. Just as he was going to leave the Harbour, where every Thing had succeeded to his Wish, that he might join his victorious Companions, he heard some extraordinary Uproar on Board the Admiral Galley. Alarmed at the Noise, and fearing that the Slaves might break their Chains, and overpower his Associates, he ran thither; but, the Plank which reached from the Shore to the Vessel happening to overturn, he fell into the Sea, whilst he hurried forward too precipitately. Being loaded with heavy Armour, he sunk to the Bottom, and perished in the very Moment when he must have taken full Possession of every Thing that his ambitious Heart could desire. Verrina was the first who discovered this fatal Accident, and, foreseeing, at once, all its Consequences, concealed it with the utmost Industry from every One but a few Leaders of the Conspiracy. Nor was it difficult, amidst the Darkness and Confusion of the Night, to have kept it secret, until a Treaty with the Senators should have put the City in the Power of the Conspirators. All their Hopes of this were disappointed by the Imprudence of Jerome Fiesco, who, when the Deputies of the Senate inquired for his Brother, the Count of Lavagna, that they might make their Proposals to him, replied, with a childish Vanity, "I am now the only Person to whom that Title belongs, and with me you must treat." These Words discovered both to his Friends and Enemies what had happened, and made the Impression which might have been expected upon both. The Deputies, encouraged by this Event, the only One which could occasion such a sudden Revolution as might turn to their Advantage, assumed instantly, with admirable Presence of Mind, a new Tone suitable to the Change in their Circumstances, and made high Demands. While they endeavoured to gain Time by protracting the Negotiation, the rest of the Senators were busy in assembling their Partisans, and forming a Body capable of defending the Palace of the Republic. On the other Hand, the Conspirators, astonished at the Death of a Man whom they adored and trusted, and trusted, and placing no Confidence in Jerome, a giddy Youth, felt their Courage die away, and their Arms fall from their Hands. That profound and amazing Secrecy with which the Conspiracy had been concerted, and which had contributed hitherto so much to its Success, proved
now the chief Cause of its Misfortune. The Lend part of those who acted under him knew not in what Capacity they acted, or to the Object at which they aimed. They were whole Authority or Abilities entitled him to or to finish his Plan; after having lost the Spirit and Activity deserted the whole Body. Many of the Conspirators, hoping that amidst the Darkness of the Night they passed unobserved, and might remain unknown. Others, by a timely Retreat; and, before Break of Day, all Precipitation from a City which, but a few Hours before, acknowledged them as Masters.
Next Morning every Thing was quiet in Genoa; not an E was seen; few Marks of the Violence of the former Night; the Conspirators having conducted their Enterprise with more Bloodshed, and gained all their Advantages by Surprise, rather than Force of Arms. Towards Evening, Andrew Doria returned to it being met by all the Inhabitants, who received him with Acclamations of Joy. Though the Disgrace as well as Danger of the preceding Night were fresh in his Mind, and the mangled Body of his Kinsman still be his Eyes, such was his Moderation and Magnanimity that the Decree issued by the Senate against the Conspirators did not exceed that just Measure of Severity which was requisite for the Support of Government, and was dictated neither by the Violence of Resentment nor the Rancour of Revenge.
WILLIAMSBURG, February 28. By the Warwick, McVey, from Barbados, arrived in James River; we have Advice that a Schooner belonging to one of our Islands was brought to by a Spanish Fleet of fourteen Sail, steering to the Westward, who asked him several Questions; but he could not learn their Destination. A Vessel from St. Eustatia is likewise just arrived, by which we have certain Information that a Spanish Fleet had arrived at Porto Rico, having on Board eight Thousand Troops, and a Thousand Galley Slaves destined to work on the Fortifications, which they were very busy, at all their Islands, in putting in the best Posture of Defence, expecting daily to hear of War being declared; and that the Spaniards had a great many Privateers fitted out, which were often seen to come out of their Ports and try their Speed.
We have been a long, long While, without any Arrivals from Britain; and no Mail coming by the Northern Post last Week, owing to the late severe Weather, we doubt not will make a due apology to our Readers for our being, at present, under a Necessity (to supply the Place of News) of presenting them with a Journey from this World to the Next; in which, however, we flatter ourselves, they may find Matter entertaining, as well as instructive. When any News arrives, we shall not deal it out scantily; but they shall have it all, by Wholesale.
Advertisements.
WILLIAMSBURG, February 26, 1771.
WILLIAM R. DRINKARD begs Leave to inform the Publick that he intends to open TAVERN in the House lately occupied by Mr. William Holt, nearly opposite the Post Office, by the ensuing April Court. Those Gentlemen who please to favour him with their Custom may depend on good Accommodation.
WILLIAMSBURG, February 28, 1771.
THE Subscriber has taken the House lately occupied by Mr. Southall, where he hopes to be prepared, by the ensuing General Court, for the Accommodation of Gentlemen. He returns Thanks to those Gentlemen who have formerly frequented his House, and hopes to merit a Continuance of their Custom.
ROBERT ANDERSON.
N. B. A single Man, well recommended, who understands the Business of a Bar, will have Employment by applying to me.
WILLIAMSBURG, February 28, 1771.
I WILL give the best Price, and ready Money, for any Kind of OLD LEAD. JOSEPH KIDD.
SOUTHAMPTON, February 13, 1771.
THE Subscriber hereby gives Notice that he has lately removed to Southampton County, where he proposes to continue the Hospital, and the Practice of SURGERY and PHYSICK, in the same Manner it was conducted by his Father, the late Colonel Jesse Browne, and hopes to give the Satisfaction, to all Gentlemen who will favour him with their Commands, as was generally given by his Predecessor. SAMUEL BROWNE.
SOUTHAMPTON, February 13, 1771.
NOTICE is hereby given to all Persons indebted , on open Account, to the Estate of Colonel Jesse Browne, late of Southampton County, deceased, that every Person so indebted who shall fail to settle his Account by the 15th Day of April next, either by discharging the same, or giving Bond, with approved Security, if required, that such Accounts, after that Date, will immediately be put into the Hands of an Attorney. And all those indebted by Bond to the said Estate are requested to discharge the same by the said Date, it being necessary to settle the Estate as speedily as possible; and in Order thereto it is requested of those who have any Demands against the Estate to make them known, that they may be discharged. SAMUEL BROWNE, JOHN ATKINSON, } Executors. THOMAS JACK, }
AS I have declined my Practice as a Physician , &c. in the County of King William, and intend settling in the Town of Blandford, I think it necessary to give this publick Notice to those who have any Demands against me to make them known; and those indebted to me are desired to make immediate Payment to Mr. William Lewis, of the aforesaid County, whom I have appointed my Attorney. ALEXANDER GLASS STRACHAN.
SUFFOLK, February 12, 1771.
AN ANCHOR, about a Thousand Weight, was lately taken up by the Subscriber, a few Miles the lower S.E. of Smith's Point, Chesapeake Bay; which the Owner may have, on proving his Property. JONAS MIRUR.
To be SOLD, or FREIGHTED,
A SCHOONER that will carry two Thousand Bushels of Grain. One Half the Purchase Money to be paid down, and the other Half in twelve Months. Apply to me, in Sussex. JOHN THOMPSON.
TWENTY five choice SLAVES, Virginia born, will be sold to the highest Bidders, on Monday the 18th of March, at Dixieville Courthouse, being Court Day, for ready Money, or Merchants Notes payable at the April General Court. These Slaves have been formerly advertised to be sold at Mecklenburg Courthouse; but the Removal of them from the County of Gloucester, the Place from whence they came, was attended with unforeseen Difficulties, which are now removed, they being as far as Brunswick on their Way. FRANCIS WILLIS.
To be SOLD at the Plantation where Mr. Nathaniel Edwards, Junior, deceased, lived, on Thursday the 14th of March, if fair, otherwise next fair Day,
ALL the personal Estate of the said Edwards, consisting of many fine blooded Horses, Mares, and Colts, a very fine Stock of Cattle, Sheep, and Hogs, a well fixed Waggon, with Gears complete for six Horses, about twenty five Barrels of Indian Corn, one Hundred and fifty Bushels of Wheat, and all the Household Furniture and Plantation Utensils. Six Months Credit will be allowed, on Bond, with approved Security, being given. Also twelve or fifteen likely Virginia born SLAVES, for ready Money. WILLIAM EDWARDS, Executor.
N. B. All Persons who have any Demands against the said Estate are desired to make them known. At the same Time and Place will be sold fifteen likely SLAVES, for ready Money, or Merchants Notes payable in six Months.

The Sorrows of a poor old Man!
His trembling Limbs have born him to your Door,
His Days are dwindled to the shortest Span,
By Decree of the Court of Vice Admiralty, to be SOLD for ready Money, in the Borough of Norfolk, on Friday the 8th of March,
THE Spanish SNOW La Signora De Los Remedios, with her Tackle, Apparel, and Furniture; also four Hundred and eighty Barrels of Flour, four Hundred Weight of Cheese, six Hundred Bushels of Corn, forty Barrels of Pork and Beef, &c. &c.
JOHN TYLER, Marshal.
THE Subscribers, who live within eight Miles of Bedford Courthouse, have about five Thousand Acres of LAND for Sale, on reasonable Terms, whereon are several valuable Improvements.
MICAJAH MOORMAN.
MICAJAH TERRALL.
For SALE, TWENTY Thousand Acres of LAND, in the Counties of Frederick and Hampshire, which was advertised some Years ago in this Colony, and the neighbouring Provinces, and its Situation and Qualities then described; therefore think it needless to repeat them now.
BRYAN BRUIN.
GEORGE III. by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. to the Sheriff of Southampton County, greeting: We command you that you summon Captain Williams, and Heir at Law of Captain Williams, deceased, to appear before our Justices of our said County Court, in Chancery, at the Courthouse of the said County, on the second Thursday in February next, to answer a Bill in Chancery exhibited against him and Stephen Williamson, by Thomas Williamson, and John Hyndman, Merchants; and this he shall in no wise omit, under the Penalty of one Hundred Pounds; and have then there this Writ.
RICHARD KELLO.
SMITHFIELD, February 21, 1771.
COMMITTED to Isle of Wight Jail, on the 29th of January last, a Negro Man who says he belongs to Thomas Nelson, and lived close by York Town. He is a likely black Fellow, a little pockpitted, and an outlandish Negro. The Owner may have him, on paying Charges, of
JOHN TAYLOR, Jailer.
RUN away from the Subscriber, some Time in the Month of January, a Negro Fellow named OCTER. He is about five Feet seven or eight Inches high, very thin, has very small Legs, and walks a little lame. He was sent to my Plantation by Frederick Leigh. Whoever will bring the said Runaway to me, in King William County, or will secure him so that I may get him again, shall have a Reward of FORTY SHILLINGS.
WILLIAM CLAIBORNE.
TAKEN up, in King William, a dark bay MARE about four Feet four or five Inches high, with a hanging Mane and Switch Tail, and branded on the near Buttock IP. Posted, and appraised to FIVE POUNDS.
THOMAS BLACKWELL.
CHARLES CITY Prison, February 20, 1771.
THIS is to give Notice that I will certainly take the Advantage of the Act of Assembly, and swear out of Prison, on the next Charles City Court Day, being the 6th of March
WILLIAM COLE.
IMPORTED in the Chatham Frigate, and to be SOLD at the Subscriber's Shop in Blandford,
A VARIETY of DRUGS and MEDICINES; also Crucibles, Bhupots, some very large, Gallipots, Vials, Sugar Candy, Figs, Balm of Honey, Squire's Elixir, Turlington's Balsam, Jesuit's Drops, Anderson's Pills, Bateman's Drops, British Oil, Hungary Water, James's Powders, Lockyer's Pills, Court Plaister, Sago, Salop, Vermacelli, Verdigris, Flesh Brushes, Wash Balls, Syringes, Lint, Tow, Goldleaf, Nippie Glasses, &c. &c.
WILLIAM STARK.
Four Negro Fellows.
Ready Money will be given. Inquire of Captain William Fleet, in King and Queen County.
SURRY, February 14, 1771.
THE Commanding Officers of the Southern
Distress are requested to appoint the GENERAL MUSTERS upon the following Days, when they will be waited upon by Their most obedient Servant.
Table with 3 columns: Location, Day, Date. Locations include SURRY, PRINCE GEORGE, CHESTERFIELD, CUMBERLAND, PRINCE EDWARD, AMELIA, BRUNSWICK, DINWIDDIE, SUSSEX, SOUTHAMPTON, ISLE OF WIGHT, NANSEMOND, NORFOLK County, PRINCESS ANNE. Dates range from Friday 15 to Friday 25.
To be SOLD to the highest Bidders, on the third Thursday in March, at King William Courthouse, being Court Day,
ELEVEN Hundred and twenty five Acres of exceeding fine well timbered LAND lying on Pamunkey, below Ruffin's Ferry, on the main Road from the Courthouse to West Point, being the Land whereon Colonel Bernard Moore formerly lived. In the last Advertisement of this Land it was, by Mistake, said to be subject to Mrs. Moore's Dower; but Mrs. Moore has already been satisfied for her Dower, by the late Speaker's Administrators, so that the Subscribers can now undertake to convey the Land discharged from all Encumbrances.
CARTER BRAXTON, GEORGE WEBB, THOMAS WALKER, THOMAS JEFFERSON, JACK POWER, } Trustees.
To be SOLD to the highest Bidders, on the second Wednesday in March, being the Day before Caroline Court, at Colonel Bernard Moore's Plantation in Caroline;
THE Stocks of CATTLE, HOGS, CORN, and FODDER. Twelve Months Credit will be allowed, the Purchasers giving Bond, with Security, to Colonel Moore's Trustees. Mr. Samuel Ridd will attend the Sale, in Behalf of the Trustees.
Also, on the second Thursday in March, being Caroline Court Day, at Caroline Courthouse, will be sold, to the highest Bidder, three Hundred and seventy Acres of well timbered LAND, with a good Dwellinghouse, and all convenient Outbuildings, a good Garden, and an Orchard. Those inclined to purchase the Land may be shown the same by Mr. Samuel Ridd, who lives in the Neighbourhood of it. Twelve Months Credit will be allowed, the Purchasers giving Bond and Security to
CARTER BRAXTON, GEORGE WEBB, THOMAS WALKER, THOMAS JEFFERSON, JACK POWER, } Trustees.
To be SOLD at SMITHFIELD, on Monday the 4th of March, if fair, otherwise next fair Day,
ALL the personal Estate of Charles Driver, deceased, consisting of two Sloops, one of them on the Stocks, which, when finished, will carry two Thousand Bushels of Corn; the other is well found, and will carry two Thousand five Hundred Bushels of Corn. Also a large Quantity of Pease, Corn, Salt, Rum, Sugar, and Molasses; Stocks of Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, and Horses; Household and Kitchen Furniture, and a Variety of other Articles too tedious to mention. Bond, with good Security, will be required for all Sums above twenty Shillings; and Credit will be allowed until the 10th of October next.
ANNE DRIVER, JOHN DRIVER, } Administrators.
N. B. All those who are indebted to the above Estate are required to make speedy Payments, and those who have any Demands against it to make them known on the Day of Sale.
WILLIAMSBURG, February 21, 1771.
RUN away from Williamsburg, on the 15th of December last, a Negro Man named PETER, about thirty Years old, five Feet four or five Inches high, of a yellowish Complexion, is an artful smooth talkative Fellow, can read and write, and may probably have a forged Pass. He has been seen at the Plantation of the late Commissary Robinson, in King and Queen County, where he has several Relations. Whoever apprehends the said Slave, and will deliver him either to Mr. David Lewis in New Kent County, or to me in Williamsburg, shall have a Reward of FIVE POUNDS. Masters of Vessels, and others, are hereby forewarned from carrying the said Slave out of the Country. He is outlawed.
JOHN LEWIS.
TAKEN up, in King William, a roan HORSE about four Feet seven Inches high, appears to be about thirteen or fourteen Years old, has a Switch Tail, Half his Mane cut off, in a Kind of a Roach, and the other Half a long Bob, some Saddle Spots, appears to pace naturally, and branded on the near Buttock JT. Posted, and appraised to five Pounds.
HENRY CLARK.
TAKEN up, in Amelia, a large black MARE with some white in her Forehead, her off hind Foot white, and Part of the Inside of her off fore Foot white. She is branded on the near Shoulder and Buttock S, and paces fast. Posted, and appraised to ten Pounds.
PETER JONES, Senior.
GENERAL POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, January 22, 1771. HIS Majesty's Postmaster General having (for the better facilitating of Correspondence between Great Britain and America) been pleased to add a fifth Packet Boat to the Station between Falmouth and New York, Notice is hereby given that the Mail, for the future, will be closed, at the Post Office in New York, at twelve of the Clock at Night, on the first Tuesday in every Month, and despatched by a Packet, the next Day, for Falmouth. By Command of the Deputy Postmaster General. ALEXANDER GOLDEN, Secretary.
YORK Town, February 11, 1771.
THOSE indebted to the Store kept by Smith and Jameson are desired to take Notice that the Partnership expires the first Day of April next, and that no Indulgence can be given after that Time. LAWRENCE SMITH.
AS I intend to decline Trade entirely, I will sell my Stores, &c. at West Point, or rent them for a Term of Years. They are as well situated for the West India Trade as any Place in the Colony, and there are all other convenient Outbuildings upon the Lots. The Terms may be known by applying to the Subscriber, in King William. N. B. The Storehouse, Granary, and Stable, are entirely new. JOHN G. FRAZER.
ANY Gentlemen that want to go Passenger to London may have a good Opportunity of going in the Ship Middleton, at West Point, a very fine large commodious Vessel, and will be ready to sail in March. Any Gentleman, or Lady, this may suit, is desired to agree for their Passage by the last of this Month. HENRY CLARK, Commander.
ESSEX, February 10, 1771.
ALL Persons who have any Demands
against the Estate of Robert Sp. Colman, deceased, are desired to make them known to me immediately, that I may know what of his Debts remain unpaid. ANDREW CRAWFORD, Executor.
To be SOLD,
THE Plantation well known by the Name of Pond Marsh, in New Kent County, four Miles below the Brickhouse Ferry, beautifully situated upon York River, commanding a large and extensive Prospect of the River and adjacent Country. The Land is good for Corn, Wheat, and Tobacco, is well timbered, and has a fine firm Marsh enclosed with a good Fence, containing three Hundred Acres, which will maintain two Hundred Head of Cattle, without feeding, in Winter. There are good Buildings on the Premises, a very good Garden, Apple and Peach Orchards, a good Tide Mill on a Creek near the House; every Thing in good Order for Cropping, and a great Plenty of Fish, Oysters, and Wild-fowl. Whoever inclines to purchase the above will be shown the same, and may know the Terms by applying to the Subscriber, on the Premises. JOHN TOWNES.
GEORGE III. by the Grace of God of
Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. to the Sheriff of Albemarle County, greeting: We command you that you summon Anne Manley to appear before our Justices of our General Court, in Chancery, at the Capitol, in Williamsburg, on the first Day of the next Court, to answer a Bill in Chancery exhibited against her by Samuel Gay; and this she shall in no wise omit, under the Penalty of one Hundred Pounds; and have then there this Writ. Witness William Nelson, Esquire, President of our Council, at Williamsburg, the fifth Day of November, in the eleventh Year of our Reign.
BEN: WALLER.
NORFOLK, January 31, 1771.
STOLEN from the Ship Morris, William
Long Master, lying at Portsmouth, on the Night of the 29th Instant, a Philadelphia built YAWL, and three Oars. She has a red Streak, and a blue Streak, on each Side, with yellow Mouldings, and has lost her lower Rudder Iron. Whoever will bring the said Yawl to the Subscriber shall have TWENTY SHILLINGS Reward, and on Conviction of the Thief a farther Reward of THIRTY SHILLINGS. 1M INGLIS & LONG.
TAKEN up, in Goodland, a small bay MARE about four Feet three Inches high, with a hanging Mane and switch Tail, and branded on the near Buttock S. Posted, and appraised to three Pounds. WILLIAM PRICE.
Pursuant to the last Will and Testament of Mr. Anthony Hay, deceased, will be SOLD, on TUESDAY the 7th of MAY, before the Raleigh Door, in Williamsburg,
NINETEEN NEGROES belonging to his Estate, among them a very good Cabinet Maker, a good Coachman and Carter, some fine Waiting Boys, good Cooks, Washers, &c. Six Months Credit will be allowed, the Purchasers giving Bond and Security to WILLIAM TREBELL, ROBERT NICOLSON, } Executors.
N. B. All Persons who have Demands against Mr. Hay's Estate are requested to make them speedily known, that Provision may be made for discharging them; and those indebted thereto are desired to make immediate Payment. It is hoped none of the Creditors will put the Estate to any unnecessary Charge, by Suits, when we assure them the best Means will be used to pay the Debts with all Speed, and when it is considered that Mr. Hay has left a large Family, whose tender Years entitle them to some Indulgence.
RICHMOND, February 6, 1771.
I INTEND to leave this Place by the first of
April next, and to settle in Williamsburg; where I shall open a Shop on the main Street, near the Capitol, to clean and repair CLOCKS and WATCHES, and to make and sell all Sorts of GOLD and SILVER WORK, at the most reasonable Rates. Those who please to employ me may depend on their Work being done well, and expeditiously. 6 JAMES GALT.
RUN away from the Subscriber, on Saturday
the 26th of January, an indentured Servant Man named WILLIAM READ. He is a well set Fellow, about five Feet ten Inches high, and speaks the West Country Dialect pretty broad; had on, and took with him, a dark coloured Duffel short Frock Coat, a Pair of blue Plains Breeches with a spotted Cotton Waistband, a Pair of Yarn Stockings, Check Shirt, and Virginia made Shoes. He is a Farmer, and understands Something of making and laying Bricks. Whoever delivers the said Servant to me at West Point, in King William County, or secures him so that I may get him again, shall have FORTY SHILLINGS Reward. JOHN WEST.
Wanted on CHARTER, to load Tar and Turpentine in NORTH CAROLINA.
A VESSEL of about fifteen Hundred Barrels Burthen. For Terms apply to James Marsden in Norfolk, or the Subscribers at Richmond; who have for Sale a Quantity of good SEINE TWINE. TF STORRS & ELLIS.
To be SOLD at the Plantation where Mr. Robert Alcock lives, in the County of Culpeper, on the last Day of February,
TWELVE Thousand Acres of Land, lying in the Fork of Rappahannan and Robinson's River, in the said County. Credit will be given until the 25th of October following, the Purchasers giving Bond and Security to the Executors of the Honourable Philip Grymes, Esquire, and a Discount allowed, at the Rate of five per Cent. per Annum, for prompt Payment. The Land will be sold in Parcels, and Mr. Alcock has Directions to show it to any Person who is desirous of seeing it before the Day of Sale. CHARLES GRYMES, BENJAMIN GRYMES, Junior.
To be LET on CHARTER, for any Port in Britain, or to any Port to the Eastward,
THE new Ship MORANT BAY, James Craig Master, which will be ready to take in her Load by the first of February next. Any Person inclined to charter may know the Terms by applying to said Master, or of the Subscribers. She has excellent Accommodations for Passengers. LOGAN, GILMOUR, & Co. NORFOLK, December 25, 1770.
RUN away from the Subscriber, at the Falls
of James River, the Middle of last Month, a Negro Man named DAVY, belonging to the Hon. William Byrd, Esquire, about thirty Years old, five Feet eight Inches high, and very stout made; he is of a yellow Complexion, has a down Look, and a Defect in some of his fore Teeth. He is supposed to be lurking about Hanover Town, Petersburg, or some towards Carolina. Whoever will apprehend the said Fellow, and bring him to me, shall have FORTY SHILLINGS Reward; and if taken out of the Colony, FIVE POUNDS. TF DAVID PATTESON.