It is not unworthy Observation, that superstitious Enquiries into future Events prevail more or less, in proportion to the Improvement of liberal Arts and useful Knowledge in the several Parts of the World.  Accordingly we find, that magical Incantations remain in Lapland, in the more remote Parts of Scotland they have their second Sight, and several of our own Countrymen see abundance of Fairies.  In Asia this Credulity is strong; and the greatest Part of refined Learning there consists in the Knowledge of Amulets, Talismans, occult Numbers, and the like.

While I was at Grand Cairo, I fell into the Acquaintance of a good-natured Mussulman, who promised me many good Offices, which he designed to do me when he became the Prime Minister, which was a Fortune bestowed on his Imagination by a Doctor very deep in the curious Sciences.  At his repeated Sollicitations I went to learn my Destiny of this wonderful Sage.  For a small Sum I had his Promise, but was requir’d to wait in a dark Apartment till he had run thro’ the preparatory Ceremonies.  Having a strong Propensity, even then, to Dreaming, I took a Nap upon the Sofa where I was placed, and had the following Vision, the Particulars whereof I picked up the other Day among my Papers.

I found my self in an unbounded Plain, where methought the whole World, in several Habits and with different Tongues, was assembled.  The Multitude glided swiftly along, and I found in my self a strong Inclination to mingle in the Train.  My Eyes quickly singled out some of the most splendid Figures.  Several in rich Caftans and glittering Turbans bustled through the Throng, and trampled over the Bodies of those they threw down; till to my great Surprize I found that the great Pace they went only hastened them to a Scaffold or a Bowstring.  Many beautiful Damsels on the other Side moved forward with great Gaiety; some danced till they fell all along; and others painted their Faces till they lost their Noses.  A Tribe of Creatures with busie Looks falling into a Fit of Laughter at the Misfortunes of the unhappy Ladies, I turn’d my Eyes upon them.  They were each of them filling his Pockets with Gold and Jewels, and when there was no Room left for more, these Wretches looking round with Fear and Horror, pined away before my Face with Famine and Discontent.

This Prospect of human Misery struck me dumb for some Miles.  Then it was that, to disburthen my Mind, I took Pen and Ink, and did every Thing that hath since happen’d under my Office of SPECTATOR.  While I was employing my self for the Good of Mankind, I was surpriz’d to meet with very unsuitable Returns from my Fellow-Creatures.  Never was poor Author so beset with Pamphleteers, who sometimes marched directly against me, but oftner shot at me from strong Bulwarks, or rose up suddenly in Ambush.  They were of all Characters and Capacities, some with Ensigns of Dignity, and others in Liveries; but what most