An Allegory.

mechanics . As to pictures , " said he , "if I perceive a picture skyed or floored , but which , however , strikes and pleases me , I generally say in my opinion it possesses considerable talent . I may possibly be wrong , of course ; but then if I were entirely proficient in art I should pass by such a picture as being too inappropriately placed to be looked at . Regarding books , " added lie , " I cannot possibly criticise them without reading them through . "

I thought a young idea should not be too critical , and therefore I did not attempt to criticise anything the Right Hon . Criticus said . My next visit was to the Right Hon . Medicus , to whose presence I was at once admitted without ] being kept waiting in an antechamber , where I should no doubt have begun to think about my ailments , and have told my friends to-morrow what a large practice the Right Hon . Medicus must have . As I glanced round the room I noticed

various plans for sanitary preservation , such as testifying to the benefits arising from swimming baths , Turkish baths , sponge baths , ancl shower baths ; laundries for the rich as well as laundries for the poor ; well-constructed stoves , good cooking utensils , cookery books , ancl cleanly kitchens ; free use of lavatories , suggestions from engineers for effective drainage , and abundant supplies of purified water ; plans relating to gardens , parks , and grounds , for outdoor exercise , games , ancl healthy recreation ; ancl I actually noticed a book—I hope it was Worth's latest fashion—in which dress was real ,

appropriate , comfortable , and harmonious . The Right Hon . Medicus looked so bright , fresh , ancl healthy , that I could not help saying , — " You are looking remarkably well . " " I am glad you tMnk so , " said he , " for I confess I do exercise some management ancl take some trouble regarding my health . " " It is a great blessing , " said I , " to enjoy good health . "

" Yery great indeed , " replied he , " ancl I often used to think it strange so many people whom I attended would pnfc themselves to so little trouble i-egarding its preservation , but indulged in careless ancl negligent habits until illness laid them up . I do not of course refer to all eases , as many of them were unavoidable , ancl could only be cured or treated by medical knowledge ; but of the many cases I have attended hundreds of them were due to neglect of mere simple rules of sanitary management . " " What advice , " said I , " did you give people regarding their diet ? "

" I told them , " he replied , that " good sense was good sauce , ancl that their own feelings were their best guide , and that that which occasioned them the slightest uneasiness they ought not to take . " I said , " Are you really clever enough to cure a diseased mind as well as a diseased body ? " i " As to the mind , " said the Right Hon . Medicus , " it is of course too complex for

me to sum it up in a few words ; but I think the mind depends on the mental training ancl preservation of health , and that no one with the facilities afforded in Utopia , OUCQ hi possession of their five senses , should be allowed to believe that they are or held to bo ' irresponsible for their actions . " I roseto take my leave , having beforehand neatly wrapped up the fee . " In Utopia" said the Riht Hon Medicussmiling" I afford to attend i n-

, g , , can patient not ' lor the sake of his fee . " " Nevertheless , " said I , " the fruit of one ' s knowledge is worthy of payment . " The Eight Hon . Medicus pressed my hand gently , and bowing politely , we said adieu .

I then passed on to the room of the Right Hon Imaginatus . Light ancl fancy glanced about me , ancl many were the effects I saw resulting from imagination . I saw buildings graced , edified , and beautified by architectural poetical imagining ; I heard voices sweetened and timed by poetical inspirations ; I saw many beautiful objects , forms , and ornaments produced by imaginary conceptions ; and I discovered many happy effects prompted by imagination , ' ' '