minions, and we sallied forth together. As we
pursued our way, my conductor endeavoured to give me some information
respecting the world I was about to enter, in order to prepare me for
the wonders I should encounter there. "You must know," remarked he,
"that books have souls as well as men; and the moment any work is
published, whether successful or not, its soul appears in precisely
the same form in another world; either in this domain, which is
subject to me, or in a better region, over which I have no control. I
have power only to exhibit the place of punishment for bad books,
periodicals, pamphlets, and, in short, publications of every kind."

We now arrived at the mouth of a cavern, which I did not remember to
have ever noticed before, though I had repeatedly passed the spot in
my walks. It looked to me more like the entrance to a coalmine than
anything else, as the sides were entirely black. Upon examining them
more closely, I found that they were covered with a black fluid which
greatly resembled printer's ink, and which seemed to corrode and wear
away the rocks of the cavern wherever it touched them. "We have lately
received a large supply of political publications," said my companion;
"and hell is perfectly saturated with their maliciousness. We carry on
a profitable trade upon the earth, by retailing this ink to the
principal political editors. Unfortunately, it is not found to answer
very well for literary publications, though they have tried it with
considerable success in printing the London _Quarterly_ and several of
the other important reviews."

The cavern widened as we advanced, and we came presently into a vast
open plain, which was bounded on one side by a wall so high that it
seemed to reach the very heavens. As we approached the wall I observed
a vast gateway before us, closed up by folding doors. The gates opened
at our approach, and we entered. I found myself in a warm sandy
valley, bounded on one side by a steep range of mountains. A feeble
light shone upon it, much like that of a sick chamber, and the air
seemed confined and stifling like that of the abode of illness. My
ears were assailed by a confused whining noise, as if all the litters
of new-born puppies, kittens with their eyes unopened, and babes just
come to light, in the whole world, were brought into one spot, and
were whelping, mewing, and squalling at once. I turned in mute wonder
to my guide for explanation; and he informed me tha