uld adopt such measures as might be deemed most
advisable by the court in order to discover the truth or falsehood of
the calumnies which they heard. All being assembled in council, Pluto
addressed them as follows: "Dearly beloved demons! though by celestial
dispensation and the irreversible decree of fate this kingdom fell to
my share, and I might strictly dispense with any kind of celestial or
earthly responsibility, yet, as it is more prudent and respectful to
consult the laws and to hear the opinion of others, I have resolved to
be guided by your advice, particularly in a case that may chance to
cast some imputation upon our government. For the souls of all men
daily arriving in our kingdom still continue to lay the whole blame
upon their wives, and as this appears to us impossible, we must be
careful how we decide in such a business, lest we also should come in
for a share of their abuse, on account of our too great severity; and
yet judgment must be pronounced, lest we be taxed with negligence and
with indifference to the interests of justice. Now, as the latter is
the fault of a careless, and the former of an unjust judge, we,
wishing to avoid the trouble and the blame that might attach to both,
yet hardly seeing how to get clear of it, naturally enough apply to
you for assistance, in order that you may look to it, and contrive in
some way that, as we have hitherto reigned without the slightest
imputation upon our character, we may continue to do so for the
future."

The affair appearing to be of the utmost importance to all the princes
present, they first resolved that it was necessary to ascertain the
truth, though they differed as to the best means of accomplishing this
object. Some were of opinion that they ought to choose one or more
from among themselves, who should be commissioned to pay a visit to
the world, and in a human shape endeavour personally to ascertain how
far such reports were grounded in truth. To many others it appeared
that this might be done without so much trouble merely by compelling
some of the wretched souls to confess the truth by the application of
a variety of tortures. But the majority being in favour of a journey
to the world, they abided by the former proposal. No one, however,
being ambitious of undertaking such a task, it was resolved to leave
the affair to chance. The lot fell upon the arch-devil Belphagor, who,
previous to the Fall, had enjoyed the rank of archangel in a highe