satisfaction and gladness of heart pay a visit to the doctor." I then began to make some ob. servations on his scheme; but he was so diverted with the jest of the uncoupling parson, and of the benefit he would be to mankind, that as I could not be heard calmly, I reserved the subject for my own private contemplation. It was hence that the sentiments of the introductory paragraph occurred to me; and as I was smiling at my old bachelor's unmarrying project, I began whimsically to entertain myself with a wild imagination of what a scene might be produced, and what the consequences of it would be, if my friend's scheme could in reality be put in practice. When the thoughts are intensely employed, and all the faculties of the soul confined to one point, fancy can present to our eyes such strong imaginary objects, as to have all the force of reality. By the aid of this ideal goddess, I was, methought, conveyed into some fields adjacent to a great metropolis, from which great numbers of men and women, joined together in couples, seemed to hasten. They all took one route towards a temple, which was erected in the middle of a spacious plain: though they all seemed to be fettered together like felons, and very uneasy at their restraint, yet there appeared a visible joy in most of their countenances;

and by the frequent eager looks they cast towards the temple, shewed that the object of their wishes was centred there. I could not contain my curiosity, but inquired of a grave single gentleman the meaning of such a proces sion. "I thought, sir (replied he), that you could not possibly be ignorant of so remarkable an occurrence, but was come, as well as myself and others, to make remarks, and see the issue of it: know then, as you have not been informed of it, that the gods, wearied with the complaints of unreasonable mortals, have granted their prayers, and have erected that dome, in which a high-priest attends six successive days, to unmarry whoever may come to him: this is the last day, and though the multitude is so very great, it does not exceed the numbers of the days preceding. As you are alone, if you will accept of me for a companion, I will perform the office of an interpreter, and explain soine passages to you, which may be entertaining as well as instructive." I readily accepted his proposal, and he conducted me into the temple, and situated me in such a convenient place, that I could see and hear all that passed at the altar where the high-priest attended. The temple was now near full, and the ceremonies began as soon as the first pair offered themselves to

have the gordian knot of matrimony unloosed. The whole form was short and expressive; the dissolution of the banns of marriage were published; and as no one forbad the divorce, by assigning any reason that they should continue still married, the priest asked if they both assented to separation; and on their answering in the affirmative, he turned the face of the man full north, and that of the woman full south; then crying" Part for ever," they both marched off, with their divorce fully ratified. “There (cries my companion), there is a notable example of the vicissitude of the human passions: that pair which you just now saw divorced, married two years ago against the advice of their parents, for love alone: he, like a true knight-errant, scaled her chamber-window, carried away his distressed lady, and they were married at an infamous place where such ceremonies are clandestinely performed: after this, they lived like two turtles, ever cooing, and fondling, and playing

Such a husband! such a wife!

'Twas Acme and Septimius' life."

"What then, sir (replied I), could occasion so mutual a satisfaction in their being so soon separated?"-" You shall soon see; but first let

me observe to you, that your very violent lovers before marriage seldom prove very happy in it: they, indeed, for some time give an unbounded loose to their passions; but as matrimonial love is founded on a more generous system than the mere gratification of our appetites, they find their desires pall: insensible of any other enjoyment than that of beauty, as that becomes familiar to them, they gradually sink into indifference, which soon ends in a thorough hatred. The foundation of such love at first is, in truth, nothing but vice; and the major part of this crowd of people, who come to be unmarried, are immediately married again to others; so that they hate marriage only as a confinement to one person, and seem to covet a licentious polygamy. You see that couple, so lately separated, already provided for the fond husband goes yonder, arm in arm, with his wife's chambermaid; while the fond wife marches off on the other side with a young officer in the army. The next pair which applied to have their banns dissolved, gave me much surprize: they were two ancient people, and as loaded with infirmities as they were stricken in years; but notwithstanding their being weak and decrepid, they hobbled up to the priest with an alacrity which shewed they put their best foot foremost. "What (cried I)

ean these wretches mean to seek a divorce here, which death must soon give them in their beds?"" Here (says my friend) you see, that to the depravity of human nature death only can put an end. This old man and woman are famous for being the greatest matrimony-mongers in the kingdom; he is her sixth husband, and she his sixth wife they make up a hundred and sixty, six years between them: the match was pro, posed by their neighbours, for the similitude of their ages and fortunes, and they were coupled together for a joke: they have therefore taken this opportunity to regain their freedom, and dispose of themselves more suitable to their juvenile inclinations." I was so shocked at this account, that I was just going to forbid the dis solution of the banns, but was prevented by a young woman, who jostled through the throng, and with an audible voice repeated, "I forbid the divorce, I forbid the divorce." This accident raised our attention, and I was anxious for the consequence of it. The young damsel had now reached the place of ceremony, and insisted that no dissolution might be allowed; for that the old man was her grandfather, and would not give her the portion he had promised her, thereby preventing her marriage to a young man he had betrothed her to; and the sole reason of