, flatterers, and panders, that stood behind them.

On a sudden the whole assembly fell a-trembling, and upon inquiry, I
found, that the great room we were in was haunted with a spectre, that
many times a day appeared to them, and terrified them to distraction.

In the midst of their terror and amazement the apparition entered, which
I immediately knew to be Poverty. Whether it were by my acquaintance
with this phantom, which had rendered the sight of her more familiar to
me, or however it was, she did not make so indigent or frightful a
figure in my eye, as the god of this loathsome temple. The miserable
votaries of this place, were, I found, of another mind. Every one
fancied himself threatened by the apparition as she stalked about the
room, and began to lock their coffers, and tie their bags, with the
utmost fear and trembling.

I must confess, I look upon the passion which I saw in this unhappy
people to be of the same nature with those unaccountable antipathies
which some persons are born with, or rather as a kind of frenzy, not
unlike that which throws a man into terrors and agonies at the sight of
so useful and innocent a thing as water. The whole assembly was
surprised, when, instead of paying my devotions to the deity whom they
all adored, they saw me address myself to the phantom.

"O Poverty!" said I, "my first petition to thee is, that thou
wouldst never appear to me hereafter; but if thou wilt not grant me
this, that thou wouldst not bear a form more terrible than that in
which thou appearest to me at present. Let not thy threats and
menaces betray me to anything that is ungrateful or unjust. Let me
not shut my ears to the cries of the needy. Let me not forget the
person that has deserved well of me. Let me not, for any fear of
thee, desert my friend, my principles, or my honour. If Wealth is
to visit me, and to come with her usual attendants, Vanity and
Avarice, do thou, O Poverty! hasten to my rescue; but bring along
with thee the two sisters, in whose company thou art always
cheerful, Liberty and Innocence."

The conclusion of this vision must be deferred to another opportunity.

[Footnote 34: See No. 120.]

No. 124. [STEELE.

From _Saturday, Jan. 21_, to _Tuesday, Jan. 24, 1709-10_.

----Ex humili summa ad fastigia rerum
Extollit, quoties voluit Fortuna jocari.