文档介绍：A JOURNEY FROM THIS WORLD TO THE NEXT
A JOURNEY FROM
THIS WORLD TO THE
NEXT
1
A JOURNEY FROM THIS WORLD TO THE NEXT
INTRODUCTION
Whether the ensuing pages were really the dream or vision of some
very pious and holy person; or whether they were really written in the
other world, and sent back to this, which is the opinion of many (though I
think too much inclining to superstition); or lastly, whether, as infinitely
the greatest part imagine, they were really the production of some choice
inhabitant of New Bethlehem, is not necessary nor easy to determine. It
will be abundantly sufficient if I give the reader an account by what means
they came into my possession. Mr. Robert Powney, stationer, who dwells
opposite to Catherine-street in the Strand, a very honest man and of great
gravity of countenance; who, among other excellent stationery
commodities, is particularly eminent for his pens, which I am abundantly
bound to acknowledge, as I owe to their peculiar goodness that my
manuscripts have by any means been legible: this gentleman, I say,
furnished me some time since with a bundle of those pens, wrapped up
with great care and caution, in a very large sheet of paper full of characters,
written as it seemed in a very bad hand. Now, I have a surprising
curiosity to read everything which is almost illegible; partly perhaps from
the sweet remembrance of the dear Scrawls, Skrawls, or Skrales (for the
word is variously spelled), which I have in my youth received from that
lovely part of the creation for which I have the tenderest regard; and partly
from that temper of mind which makes men set an immense value on old
manuscripts so effaced, bustoes so maimed, and pictures so black that no
one can tell what to make of them. I therefore perused this sheet with
wonderful application, and in about a day's time discovered that I could
not understand it. I immediately repaired to Mr. Powney, and inquired
very eagerly whether he had not more of