follies of the times.

29. I was every day blaming the silly conduct of people about me, in
order to deter those I conversed with from falling into the like errors
and miscarriages. Very well, says _Rhadamanthus_, but did you keep the
same watchful eye over your own actions? Why truly, says she, I was so
taken up with publishing the faults of others, that I had no time to
consider my own.

30. Madam, says _Rhadamanthus_, be pleased to file off to the left, and
make room for the venerable matron that stands behind you. Old
gentlewoman, says he, I think you are fourscore? You have heard the
question, what have you been doing so long in the world? Ah! sir, says
she, I have been doing what I should not have done, but I had made a
firm resolution to have changed my life, if I had not been snatched off
by an untimely end.

31. Madam, says he, you will please to follow your leader, and spying
another of the same age, interrogated her in the same form. To which the
matron replied, I have been the wife of a husband who was as dear to me
in his old age as in his youth. I have been a mother, and very happy in
my children, whom I endeavoured to bring up in every thing that is good.

32. My eldest son is blest by the poor, and beloved by every one that
knows him. I lived within my own family, and left it much more wealthy
than I found it. _Rhadamanthus_, who knew the value of the old lady
smiled upon her in such a manner, that the keeper of _Elysium_, who knew
his office, reached out his hand to her. He no sooner touched her but
her wrinkles vanished, her eyes sparkled, her cheeks glowed with
blushes, and she appeared in full bloom and beauty.