approach me with his hoary locks. The ecstacy which had taken a complete possession of me, deprived me of all dread and apprehension on viewing him. He came up to me, and in a grave and deliberate tone, addressed me thus: "Fortunate man, whosoever thou mayest be, who hast had the happiness to tread on this ground, know that thou art in the country of Astrea. That divinity a fugitive from thy perverse world, where it is criminal to speak the truth and practise justice; where nothing more is coveted than a vile and deceitful adulation;—has chosen in this island a retreat, in which she lives without any other companion than myself. I am True Merit: I have retired to this solitude, because I could find neither access, protection, nor reward among thy race of beings."
Notwithstanding this address filled me with confusion, I was about to make a reply expressive of my thanks, and in the way of compliment, when I saw a new prodigy, still more awful than the former: enveloped in a cloud partly azure and partly of a golden hue, a figure resembling a human being stood before me. I fancied it to be the goddess; but in an instant the old man, as if he had divined my thought, said to me: "Thou art mistaken: this is not Astrea, but the celebrated Eugenia, who, having in the world the reputation of being the most lovely of women, is come hither, to the end that we may confirm her in that opinion. Approach, take heed, hear, profit, and be silent."
As soon as I had a near view of the nymph who had appeared to us, I exclaimed: "Eternal Heavens, what do I see!" I was unable to say more, my senses having been subdued by terror. I perceived a creature of my own species, but
