children; that they had been honest and as industrious as
possible, till sickness had prevented the man from labor. "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 stately gait before them; but Minos
caught hold of him and pulled him back, saying, "Not 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 public 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
contented with this applause; he said he had behaved as well in
place as he had done 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
consideration, 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 happiness to the public
good." The patriot smiled, and told Minos he believed he was in
jest; and was offering to enter the gate, but the judge laid fast
hold of him and insisted on his return, which the patriot still
declining, he at last ordered his guards to seize him and conduct