elled to their former bulk; the piles of faggots and heaps of
paper changed into pyramids of guineas: and, for my own part, I was so
transported with joy that I awaked, though I must confess I would fain
have fallen asleep again to have closed my vision, if I could have done
it.

HOUSEHOLD SUPERSTITIONS.

_Somnia_, _terrores magicos_, _miracula_, _sagas_,
_Nocturnos lemures_, _portentaque Thessala rides_?

HOR., _Ep._ ii. 2, 208.

Visions and magic spells, can you despise,
And laugh at witches, ghosts, and prodigies?

Going yesterday to dine with an old acquaintance, I had the misfortune to
find his whole family very much dejected. Upon asking him the occasion
of it, he told me that his wife had dreamt a very strange dream the night
before, which they were afraid portended some misfortune to themselves or
to their children. At her coming into the room, I observed a settled
melancholy in her countenance, which I should have been troubled for, had
I not heard from whence it proceeded. We were no sooner sat down, but,
after having looked upon me a little while, "My dear," says she, turning
to her husband, "you may now see the stranger that was in the candle last
night." Soon after this, as they began to talk of family affairs, a
little boy at the lower end of the table told her that he was to go into
join-hand on Thursday. "Thursday!" says she. "No, child; if it please
God, you shall not begin upon Childermas-day; tell your writing-master
that Friday will be soon enough." I was reflecting with myself on the
oddness of her fancy, and wondering that anybody would establish it as a
rule, to lose a day in every week. In the midst of these my musings, she
desired me to reach her a little salt upon the point of my knife, which I
did in such a trepidation and hurry of obedience that I let it drop by
the way; at which she immediately startled, and said it fell towards her.
Upon this I looked very blank; and observing the concern of the whole
table, began to consider myself, with some confusion, as a person that
had brought a disaster upon the family. The lady, however, recovering
herself after a little space, said to her husband with a sigh, "My dear,
misfortunes never come single." My friend, I found, acted but an under
part at his table; and, being a man of more good-nature than
understanding, thinks himself obliged to fall in with all the passions
and humours of his yoke-fellow. "Do not yo