of the Cave, when the Mother, after having begg’d Pardon for the Girl’s Rudeness, told me, that she often treated her Father and the gravest of her Relations in the same manner; that she would sit giggling and laughing with her Companions from one End of a Tragedy to the other; nay, that she would sometimes burst out in the Middle of a Sermon, and set the whole Congregation a staring at her.  The Mother was going on, when the young Lady came out of the Cave to us with a composed Countenance, and a low Curtsie.  She was a Girl of such exuberant Mirth, that her Visit to Trophonius only reduced her to a more than ordinary Decency of Behaviour, and made a very pretty Prude of her.  After having performed innumerable Cures, I looked about me with great Satisfaction, and saw all my Patients walking by themselves in a very Pensive and musing Posture, so that the whole Place seem’d covered with Philosophers.  I was at length resolv’d to go into the Cave my self, and see what it was that had produced such wonderful Effects upon the Company; but as I was stooping at the Entrance, the Door being something low, I gave such a Nodd in my Chair, that I awaked.  After having recovered my self from my first Startle, I was very well pleas’d at the Accident which had befallen me, as not knowing but a little Stay in the Place might have spoiled my SPECTATORS.

* * * * *

No. 600.  Wednesday, September 29, 1714.  Addison.

  ‘—­Solemque suum, sua sidera norunt—­’

  Virg.

I have always taken a particular Pleasure in examining the Opinions which Men of different Religions, different Ages, and different Countries, have entertained concerning the Immortality of the Soul, and the State of Happiness which they promise themselves in another World.  For whatever Prejudices and Errors human Nature lies under; we find that either Reason, or Tradition from our first Parents, has discovered to all People something in these great Points which bears Analogy to Truth, and to the Doctrines opened to us by Divine Revelation.  I was lately discoursing on this Subject with a learned Person who has been very much conversant among the Inhabitants of the more Western Parts of Africk [1].  Upon his conversing with several in that Country, he tells me that their Notion of Heaven or of a future State of Happiness is this, That every thing we there wish for will immediately present it self to us.  We find, say they, our Souls are of such Nature that they require Variety, and are not capable of being always delighted with the same Objects.  The Supreme Being therefore, in Compliance with this Taste of Happiness which he has planted in the Soul of Man, will raise up from time to time, say they, every Gratification which it is in the Humour to be pleased with.  If we wish to be in Groves or Bowers, among running Streams or Falls of Water, we shall immediately find our selves in the midst