We answered, with some confusion, we had brought nothing with us from the other world, which we had been all our lives informed was not lawful to do.

"No, no, master," replied the host; "I am apprised of that, and indeed it was my fault.

I should have first sent you to my lord Scrape, [7] who would have supplied you with what you want." "My lord Scrape supply us!" said I, with astonishment: "sure you must know we cannot give him security; and I am convinced he never lent a shilling without it in his life." "No, sir," answered the host, "and for that reason he is obliged to do it here, where he is sentenced to keep a bank, and to distribute money gratis to all passengers.

This bank originally consisted of just that sum, which he had miserably hoarded up in the other world, and he is to perceive it decrease visibly one shilling a-day, till it is totally exhausted; after which he is to return to the other world, and perform the part of a miser for seventy years; then, being purified in the body of a hog, he is to enter the human species again, and take a second trial." "Sir," said I, "you tell me wonders: but if his bank be to decrease only a shilling a day, how can he furnish all passengers ?" "The rest," answered the host, "is supplied again; but in a manner which I cannot easily explain to you." "I apprehend," said I, "this distribution of his money is inflicted on him as a punishment; but I do not see how it can answer that end, when he knows it is to be restored to him again.

Would it not serve the purpose as well if he parted only with the single shilling, which it seems is all he is really to lose ?" "Sir," cries the host, "when you observe the agonies with which he parts with every guinea, you will be of another opinion.