r this it
wore a Grecian mantle, which ought to have concealed the characters, but
was much too short and too narrow for that purpose. Its legs, thighs,
and body, were cased in long loose drawers, which did not, however,
entirely conceal its nakedness. A huge doctorial hat covered its bald
head, which was marked with the scratches worn by its long nails in
provoking deep reflection. Its shoes were made after the European
fashion, and sprinkled with the finest dust of the schools and
universities. After it had gazed a considerable time on the moving
words, without being able to understand them, its attendant, Pride, gave
the wink to Delusion, who was walking near. He seized a wooden trumpet,
and sounded a dance. No sooner did the mummy hear the noise than it took
Pride by the hand, and danced about with antic gambols; but its thin
withered legs could not bear this long, and it soon sunk breathless into
its former posture.

Then came forward Morality, a fine female form, hooded in a veil, which,
chameleon-like, sported all colours. She held Virtue and Vice by the
hands, and danced a trio with them. For music, a naked savage played
upon an oaten pipe, a European philosopher scraped the fiddle, while an
Asiatic beat the drum; and although these contradictory tones would have
distracted an harmonious ear, yet the dancers did not once lose the
step,--so well had they learnt their parts. When the maiden gave Vice
her hand, she coquetted and languished significantly before him; but when
she gave it to Virtue, she moved along with the modest gait of a matron.
After the dance, she reposed upon a thin, transparent, and
beautifully-painted cloud, which her admirers had woven out of various
shreds and remnants.

Next appeared nude Poetry: she danced with Sensuality a characteristic
dance, to which Imagination played the flute d'amour.

History then advanced upon the stage. Before her went Fame, with a long
brazen trumpet. She herself was hung round with stories of murders,
poisonings, perjuries, conspiracies, and other horrors. Behind her
panted, beneath a prodigious load of chronicles, diplomas, and documents,
a strong nervous man, clothed in the German fashion. She danced with
Slavery, to the rustling of the stories with which she was hung.
Falsehood at length took the trumpet from the mouth of Fame, and tuned it
to the dance; and Flattery led the figures.

Then appeared Medicine and Quackery, and were received wi