Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-05-18


no sooner understood by the stranger,
than he gratefully accepted the offer of
his friendly host to place him in situa-
ton in which he might amass riches.
To this object he began to apply him
self with diligence; and was becoming
n some measure reconciled TO the man.
ners Ard customs of our planet, strange
.ly as they differed from those of his own,
when an incident occurred which gave
an entirely new direction to his ener-
gies.
1t was buta few weeks after his arriv-
al on our earth, when, walking in the
cool of the day with his friend in the
outskirts of the city, his attention was
arrested by the appearance CT "A spacious
enclosure near which they passed--he
inquired the use to which it was appro-
priated.
sit is" replied the nobleman, a
place Of public interments."
81 do not understand you," said the
stranger.
sits the place. repeated his friend,
'swhere we bury our dead"
"Excuse me, Sir" replied his COM
panion, with some embarrassment, 1" |
must trouble you to explain yourself yet
further"
The nobleman repeated the informa-
ton in still palmer terms.
81 am stu at loss to comprehend
you perfectly" said the stranger, turn
ing deadly pale. "This must relate TO
something of which was not only total
iy ignorant in my own world, but of
which have, as yet, had no intimation
in yours. pray you therefore, to sat-
isfy my curiosity; for if have any clue
to your meaning, this, surely, is a mat
ter of more mighty concernment than "a
ny TO which you have hitherto directed
me-"
"My good friend" replied the noble
man, "you must indeed be novice a
mongst US, if you have yet to learn that
we must all, sooner or later, submit to
take our place in these dismal abodes-
nor will deny that it is one Of the least
desirable of the circumstances which ap-
pertain to our condition for which rea-
son it is matter rarely referred TO in
polished society, and this accounts for
your being hitherto uniformed or the
subject. But truly, Sir, if the inhabi-
tants of the place whence you came are
not liable to any similar misfortune, l
advise you to betake yourself back again
with all speed-for be assured there
is no escape here; nor could guar
antee your safety for single hour"
"Alas," replied the adventurer, "a
must submit to the conditions of my en-
terprise Of which, till now, little un-
aerstood the import. But explain to me,
beseech you, something more Of the
nature andconsequences of this wondrous
metamorphosis, and tell me at what
period it most commonly happens to
man."
While he thus spoke, his voice faul-
tered, and his whole frame shook vio-
lently--his countenance was as pale as
death, and a cold dew stood in large
drops upon his forehead
By this time his companion, finding
the discourse becoming more serious
than was agreeable, declared he must re-
fer him to the priests for further infor-
nation; this subject being very much
out of his province.
"How!" exclaimed the stranger,
''t then | cannot have understood you -
do the priests only die ARE not you to
die also %
His friend, evading these questions,
hastily conducted his importunate COM
panion to one of their magnificent
temples, where he gladly consigned
him to the Instructions of the priest
hood.
The emotion which the stranger had be-
trayed when he receivedthe first idea of
death, was yet slight in comparison with
that which he experienced as soon as he
gathered from the discourses of the
priests some notion of Immortality, and
OF the alternative of happiness or mise
ry in future state. But this agony of
mind was exchanged for transport when
he iedineu, tndt, ny tne performance OF
certain conditions before death, the state
of happiness might be secured. His ca
gerness to learn the nature of these
terms excited the surprise and even the
contempt of his sacred teachers. They
advised him to remain satisfied for the
present with the instructions he had re-
ceived, and to defer the remainder of the
discussion till tomorrow.
How" exclaimed the novice, +" say
ye not that death may come at any hour :?
may it not then come this hour land
what if it should come before have
performed these conditions o! with
hold not the excellent knowledge from
me single moment 20