 one
or other of which reasons they all refused to print it. That it had been
likewise shewn to the R-l Society, but they shook their heads, saying, there was
nothing in it wonderful enough for them. That, hearing the gentleman was gone to
the West-Indies, and believing it to be good for nothing else, he had used it as
waste paper. He said I was welcome to what remained, and he was heartily sorry
for what was missing, as I seemed to set some value on it.
    I desired him much to name a price: but he would receive no consideration
farther than the payment of a small bill I owed him, which at that time he said
he looked on as so much money given him.
    I presently communicated this manuscript to my friend parson Abraham Adams,
who, after a long and careful perusal, returned it me with his opinion that
there was more in it than at first appeared; that the author seemed not entirely
unacquainted with the writings of Plato; but he wished he had quoted him
sometimes in his margin, that I might be sure (said he) he had read him in the
original: for nothing, continued the parson, is commoner than for men now-a-days
to pretend to have read Greek authors, who have met with them only in
translations, and cannot conjugate a verb in mi.
    To deliver my own sentiments on the occasion, I think the author discovers a
philosophical turn of thinking, with some little knowledge of the world, and no
very inadequate value of it. There are some indeed who, from the vivacity of
their temper and the happiness of their station, are willing to consider its
blessings as more substantial, and the whole to be a scene of more consequence
than it is here represented: but, without controverting their opinions at
present, the number of wise and good men who have thought with our author are
sufficient to keep him in countenance: nor can this be attended with any ill
inference, since he everywhere teaches this moral: That the greatest and truest
happiness which this world affords, is to be found only in the possession of
goodness and virtue; a doctrine which, as it is undoubtedly true, so hath it so
noble and practical a tendency, that it can never be too often or too strongly
inculcated on the minds of men.
 

                                     Book I

                                  Chapter One

The author dies, meets with Mercury, and is by him conducted to the stage which
                         sets out for the other world.

On the first day of December 17411 I departed this life at my lodgings
