ance of many inferior angels, speedily raised a huge fabric, like a beautiful temple. Into this

The crowd

Swarm'd and were straiten'd; till the signal giv'n,
Behold a wonder! They but now who seem'd
In bigness to surpass earth's giant sons,

Now less than smallest dwarfs, in narrow room
Throng numberless,

They occupied the hall of this infernal court, but the chiefs retaining their own size, sat far within on golden seats.

Satan was on a throne of royal state which outshone the wealth of India.

He advised

that they should all turn their tortures into weapons against God, and armed with hellflames and fury, immediately force resistless way over the high towers of heaven. Belial next addressed the assembly, dissuading from war, lest their Almighty Conqueror should add to the dreadful punishment already inflicted. Mammon also spoke against war. Then Beelzebub, the second prince of hell, reminded the chiefs that, according to an ancient prophecy, another world, the happy seat of a new race, called Man, was to be created about this time. Thither, said he, let us bend all our thoughts, to learn what

creatures dwell there. He thought it might be possible either with hell-fire to waste the whole creation, or seize it for themselves. If the inhabitants could not be driven out, he advised they should be seduced to their party, that God might be their foe, and with repenting hand abolish his own works. This, said Beelzebub, would surpass common revenge, and interrupt his joy. The infernal states were highly pleased with the bold design, and voted full assent. Beelzebub then told them, the weight of all and their last hope depended on the individual they should send in search of this new world. Who could be found to tempt with wondering feet the dark, unbottomed infinite abyss, and find out his uncouth way? It was probable many holy angels were watching in various directions, and that the messenger from hell would require amazing art to evade or pass through such guards. All the princes sat mute, pondering the danger with deep thoughts; and each read his own dismay in the countenance of the others. Not one offered to undertake so dangerous an expedition, till Satan resolved that the glory of it should be his alone. When his determination was known, the chiefs arose and

bowed before him with awful reverence, extolling him as a God equal to the Most High in heaven.

I fear, my dears, I have kept you rather too long to-day.

Eliza.-O no, Mamma, I should have been very sorry for you to leave off in the midst of the consultation. Did no one offer to accompany Satan?

Mamma.-He concluded his last speech in the council by saying none should share the enterprize with him; and instantly broke up the assembly, lest some of the chiefs, sure to be refused, should, by offering to attend him, cheaply win the reputation which he must earn through great hazard.

Emily. How abominable it was for Belial to wish to make men sin, when they had done him no harm, merely to provoke God! It seems quite unnatural.

Mamma.-You must remember it is an evil spirit who is introduced as forming such a desire. The wicked sentiments attributed by Milton to these fallen angels go not be yond probability.

CHAPTER III.

Emily.-Mamma, does Milton imagine hell to be a very large place? Mamma.-It appears to be of vast extent, from the description given of Satan's flight from the palace to the gates.

William.-I cannot see the use of gates: The angels had wings, and of course could fly over them.

Mamma.-There was a horrid fiery roof to which the gates reached. They were ninefold:-Three folds were brass, three iron, and three adamant. They were encircled with fire. On each side sat a formidable figure;-one appeared to be a beautiful woman as far as the waist,

But ended foul in many a scaly fold
Voluminous, and vast,—a serpent arm'd
With mortal sting.

Hell-hounds were loudly barking around her. The shape of the other, which was like a shadow, could not be distinguished:

Black it stood as night,

Fierce as ten furies, terrible as hell,

C

And shook a dreadful dart; what seem'd his head
The likeness of a kingly crown had on.

With horrid strides he approached Satan, who fearlessly inquired whence and who he was that dared to oppose his way to the gates, threatening to teach him not to contend with spirits of heaven. The goblin answered in a most provoking manner, and grew tenfold more dreadful and deform, while ordering him back to punishment. Here, he said,

I reign king, and to enrage thee more, Thy king and lord.

William.-O Mamma, how this must have provoked Satan; I wonder he did not kill him in a moment.

Eliza. How could he kill a shade, or even hurt it? It was enough to terrify, as well as puzzle, even Satan.

Mamma.-He wondered, the poet tells us, but feared only God and his Son. They were about to fight when

The snaky sorceress that sat

Fast by hell-gate, and kept the fatal key,

Rose, and, with hideous outcry, rush'd between.

She addressed Satan as her father, and the horrible figure as her son, and remonstrated