My curiosity would not refrain asking him one question, i. e.,
whether in reality he had any desire to obtain the crown? He
smiled, and said, "No more than an ecclesiastic hath to the
miter, when he cries Nolo episcopari." Indeed, he seemed to
express some contempt at the question, and presently turned away.

A venerable spirit appeared next, whom I found to be the great
historian Livy. Alexander the Great, who was just arrived from
the palace of death, passed by him with a frown. The historian,
observing it, said, "Ay, you may frown; but those troops which
conquered the base Asiatic slaves would have made no figure
against the Romans." We then privately lamented the loss of the
most valuable part of his history; after which he took occasion
to commend the judicious collection made by Mr. Hook, which, he
said, was infinitely preferable to all others; and at my
mentioning Echard's he gave a bounce, not unlike the going off of
a squib, and was departing from me, when I begged him to satisfy
my curiosity in one point--whether he was really superstitious or
no? For I had always believed he was till Mr. Leibnitz had
assured me to the contrary. He answered sullenly, "Doth Mr.
Leibnitz know my mind better than myself?" and then walked away.


CHAPTER X

The author is surprised at meeting Julian the apostate in
Elysium; but is satisfied by him by what means he procured his
entrance there. Julian relates his adventures in the character
of a slave.