Gloryandcuriosityarethescourgesofthesoul;thelastpromptsustothrustournosesintoeverything，theotherforbidsustoleaveanythingdoubtfulandundecided。
　　EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V6
　　byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
　　CONTENTSOFVOLUME6。
　　XXVII。Offriendship。
　　XXVIII。Nine—and—twentysonnetsofEstiennedelaBoetie。
　　XXIX。Ofmoderation。
　　XXX。Ofcannibals。
　　XXXI。Thatamanissoberlytojudgeofthedivineordinances。
　　XXXII。Thatwearetoavoidpleasures，evenattheexpenseoflife。
　　XXXIII。Thatfortuneisoftentimesobservedtoactbytheruleofreason。
　　XXXIV。Ofonedefectinourgovernment。
　　XXXV。Ofthecustomofwearingclothes。
　　XXXVI。OfCatotheYounger。
　　XXXVII。Thatwelaughandcryforthesamething。
　　XXXVIII。Ofsolitude。
　　CHAPTERXXVII
　　OFFRIENDSHIP
　　Havingconsideredtheproceedingsofapainterthatservesme，Ihadamindtoimitatehisway。Hechoosesthefairestplaceandmiddleofanywall，orpanel，whereintodrawapicture，whichhefinisheswithhisutmostcareandart，andthevacuityaboutithefillswithgrotesques，whichareoddfantasticfigureswithoutanygracebutwhattheyderivefromtheirvariety，andtheextravaganceoftheirshapes。Andintruth，whatarethesethingsIscribble，otherthangrotesquesandmonstrousbodies，madeofvariousparts，withoutanycertainfigure，oranyotherthanaccidentalorder，coherence，orproportion？
　　"Desinitinpiscemmulierformosasuperne。"
　　["Afairwomaninherupperformterminatesinafish。"
　　——Horace，DeArtePoetica，v。4。]
　　InthissecondpartIgohandinhandwithmypainter;butfallveryshortofhiminthefirstandthebetter，mypowerofhandlingnotbeingsuch，thatIdaretoofferatarichpiece，finelypolished，andsetoffaccordingtoart。IhavethereforethoughtfittoborrowoneofEstiennedelaBoetie，andsuchaoneasshallhonourandadornalltherestofmywork——namely，adiscoursethathecalled’VoluntaryServitude’;but，since，thosewhodidnotknowhimhaveproperlyenoughcalledit"LecontrUn。"Hewroteinhisyouth，——["Notbeingasyeteighteenyearsold。"——Editionof1588。]bywayofessay，inhonouroflibertyagainsttyrants;andithassincerunthroughthehandsofmenofgreatlearningandjudgment，notwithoutsingularandmeritedcommendation;foritisfinelywritten，andasfullasanythingcanpossiblybe。Andyetonemayconfidentlysayitisfarshortofwhathewasabletodo;andifinthatmorematureage，whereinIhadthehappinesstoknowhim，hehadtakenadesignlikethisofmine，tocommithisthoughtstowriting，weshouldhaveseenagreatmanyrarethings，andsuchaswouldhavegoneveryneartohaverivalledthebestwritingsofantiquity:forinnaturalpartsespecially，Iknownomancomparabletohim。Buthehasleftnothingbehindhim，savethistreatiseonly（andthattoobychance，forI
　　believeheneversawitafteritfirstwentoutofhishands），andsomeobservationsuponthatedictofJanuary——[1562，whichgrantedtotheHuguenotsthepublicexerciseoftheirreligion。]——madefamousbyourcivil—wars，whichalsoshallelsewhere，peradventure，findaplace。
　　ThesewereallIcouldrecoverofhisremains，Itowhomwithsoaffectionatearemembrance，uponhisdeath—bed，hebyhislastwillbequeathedhislibraryandpapers，thelittlebookofhisworksonlyexcepted，whichIcommittedtothepress。AndthisparticularobligationIhavetothistreatiseofhis，thatitwastheoccasionofmyfirstcomingacquaintedwithhim;foritwasshowedtomelongbeforeIhadthegoodfortunetoknowhim;andthefirstknowledgeofhisname，provingthefirstcauseandfoundationofafriendship，whichweafterwardsimprovedandmaintained，solongasGodwaspleasedtocontinueustogether，soperfect，inviolate，andentire，thatcertainlythelikeishardlytobefoundinstory，andamongstthemenofthisage，thereisnosignnortraceofanysuchthinginuse;somuchconcurrenceisrequiredtothebuildingofsuchaone，that’tismuch，iffortunebringitbutoncetopassinthreeages。
　　Thereisnothingtowhichnatureseemssomuchtohaveinclinedus，astosociety;andAristotle，saysthatthegoodlegislatorshadmorerespecttofriendshipthantojustice。Nowthemostsupremepointofitsperfectionisthis:for，generally，allthosethatpleasure，profit，publicorprivateinterestcreateandnourish，aresomuchthelessbeautifulandgenerous，andsomuchthelessfriendships，byhowmuchtheymixanothercause，anddesign，andfruitinfriendship，thanitself。
　　Neitherdothefourancientkinds，natural，social，hospitable，venereal，eitherseparatelyorjointly，makeupatrueandperfectfriendship。
　　Thatofchildrentoparentsisratherrespect:friendshipisnourishedbycommunication，whichcannotbyreasonofthegreatdisparity，bebetwixtthese，butwouldratherperhapsoffendthedutiesofnature;forneitherareallthesecretthoughtsoffathersfittobecommunicatedtochildren，lestitbegetanindecentfamiliaritybetwixtthem;norcantheadvicesandreproofs，whichisoneoftheprincipalofficesoffriendship，beproperlyperformedbythesontothefather。Therearesomecountrieswhere’twasthecustomforchildrentokilltheirfathers;
　　andothers，wherethefatherskilledtheirchildren，toavoidtheirbeinganimpedimentonetoanotherinlife;andnaturallytheexpectationsoftheonedependupontheruinoftheother。Therehavebeengreatphilosopherswhohavemadenothingofthistieofnature，asAristippusforone，whobeingpressedhomeabouttheaffectionheowedtohischildren，asbeingcomeoutofhim，presentlyfelltospit，saying，thatthisalsocameoutofhim，andthatwealsobreedwormsandlice;andthatother，thatPlutarchendeavouredtoreconciletohisbrother:
　　"Imakeneverthemoreaccountofhim，"saidhe，"forcomingoutofthesamehole。"Thisnameofbrotherdoesindeedcarrywithitafineanddelectablesound，andforthatreason，heandIcalledoneanotherbrothersbutthecomplicationofinterests，thedivisionofestates，andthatthewealthoftheoneshouldbethepropertyoftheother，strangelyrelaxandweakenthefraternaltie:brotherspursuingtheirfortuneandadvancementbythesamepath，’tishardlypossiblebuttheymustofnecessityoftenjostleandhinderoneanother。Besides，whyisitnecessarythatthecorrespondenceofmanners，parts，andinclinations，whichbegetsthetrueandperfectfriendships，shouldalwaysmeetintheserelations？Thefatherandthesonmaybeofquitecontraryhumours，andsoofbrothers:heismyson，heismybrother;butheispassionate，ill—natured，orafool。Andmoreover，byhowmuchthesearefriendshipsthatthelawandnaturalobligationimposeuponus，somuchlessisthereofourownchoiceandvoluntaryfreedom;whereasthatvoluntarylibertyofourshasnoproductionmorepromptlyand;properlyitsownthanaffectionandfriendship。NotthatIhavenotinmyownpersonexperimentedallthatcanpossiblybeexpectedofthatkind，havinghadthebestandmostindulgentfather，eventohisextremeoldage，thateverwas，andwhowashimselfdescendedfromafamilyformanygenerationsfamousandexemplaryforbrotherlyconcord:
　　"EtipseNotusinfratresanimipaterni。"
　　["AndImyself，knownforpaternallovetowardmybrothers。"
　　——Horace，Ode，ii。2，6。
　　Wearenotheretobringthelovewebeartowomen，thoughitbeanactofourownchoice，intocomparison，norrankitwiththeothers。Thefireofthis，Iconfess，"NequeenimestdeanescianostriQuxdulcemcurismiscetamaritiem，"
　　["Noristhegoddessunknowntomewhomixesasweetbitternesswithmylove。"———Catullus，lxviii。17。]
　　ismoreactive，moreeager，andmoresharp:butwithal，’tismoreprecipitant，fickle，moving，andinconstant;afeversubjecttointermissionsandparoxysms，thathasseizedbutononepartofus。
　　Whereasinfriendship，’tisageneralanduniversalfire，buttemperateandequal，aconstantestablishedheat，allgentleandsmooth，withoutpoignancyorroughness。Moreover，inlove，’tisnootherthanfranticdesireforthatwhichfliesfromus:
　　"ComeseguelalepreilcacciatoreAlfreddo，alcaldo，allamontagna，allito;
　　Nepiul’estimapoithepresavede;
　　Esoldietroachifuggeaffrettailpiede"
　　["Asthehunterpursuesthehare，incoldandheat，tothemountain，totheshore，norcaresforitfartherwhenheseesittaken，andonlydelightsinchasingthatwhichfleesfromhim。"——Aristo，x。7。]
　　sosoonasitentersuntothetermsoffriendship，thatistosay，intoaconcurrenceofdesires，itvanishesandisgone，fruitiondestroysit，ashavingonlyafleshlyend，andsuchaoneasissubjecttosatiety。
　　Friendship，onthecontrary，isenjoyedproportionablyasitisdesired;
　　andonlygrowsup，isnourishedandimprovedbyenjoyment，asbeingofitselfspiritual，andthesoulgrowingstillmorerefinedbypractice。
　　Underthisperfectfriendship，theotherfleetingaffectionshaveinmyyoungeryearsfoundsomeplaceinme，tosaynothingofhim，whohimselfsoconfessesbuttoomuchinhisverses;sothatIhadboththesepassions，butalwaysso，thatIcouldmyselfwellenoughdistinguishthem，andneverinanydegreeofcomparisonwithoneanother;thefirstmaintainingitsflightinsoloftyandsobraveaplace，aswithdisdaintolookdown，andseetheotherflyingatafarhumblerpitchbelow。
　　Asconcerningmarriage，besidesthatitisacovenant，theentranceintowhichonlyisfree，butthecontinuanceinitforcedandcompulsory，havinganotherdependencethanthatofourownfreewill，andabargaincommonlycontractedtootherends，therealmostalwayshappensathousandintricaciesinittounravel，enoughtobreakthethreadandtodivertthecurrentofalivelyaffection:whereasfriendshiphasnomannerofbusinessortrafficwithaughtbutitself。Moreover，tosaytruth，theordinarytalentofwomenisnotsuchasissufficienttomaintaintheconferenceandcommunicationrequiredtothesupportofthissacredtie;
　　nordotheyappeartobeenduedwithconstancyofmind，tosustainthepinchofsohardanddurableaknot。Anddoubtless，ifwithoutthis，therecouldbesuchafreeandvoluntaryfamiliaritycontracted，wherenotonlythesoulsmighthavethisentirefruition，butthebodiesalsomightshareinthealliance，andamanbeengagedthroughout，thefriendshipwouldcertainlybemorefullandperfect;butitiswithoutexamplethatthissexhaseveryetarrivedatsuchperfection;and，bythecommonconsentoftheancientschools，itiswhollyrejectedfromit。
　　ThatotherGrecianlicenceisjustlyabhorredbyourmanners，whichalso，fromhaving，accordingtotheirpractice，asonecessarydisparityofageanddifferenceofofficesbetwixtthelovers，answerednomoretotheperfectunionandharmonythatwehererequirethantheother:
　　"Quisestenimisteamoramicitiae？curnequedeformemadolescentemquisquamamat，nequeformosumsenem？"
　　["Forwhatisthatfriendlylove？whydoesnooneloveadeformedyouthoracomelyoldman？"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，iv。33。]
　　NeitherwillthatverypicturethattheAcademypresentsofit，asI
　　conceive，contradictme，whenIsay，thatthisfirstfuryinspiredbythesonofVenusintotheheartofthelover，uponsightoftheflowerandprimeofaspringingandblossomingyouth，towhichtheyallowalltheinsolentandpassionateeffortsthatanimmoderateardourcanproduce，wassimplyfoundeduponexternalbeauty，thefalseimageofcorporalgeneration;foritcouldnotgroundthisloveuponthesoul，thesightofwhichasyetlayconcealed，wasbutnowspringing，andnotofmaturitytoblossom;thatthisfury，ifitseizeduponalowspirit，themeansbywhichitpreferreditssuitwererichpresents，favourinadvancementtodignities，andsuchtrumpery，whichtheybynomeansapprove;ifonamoregeneroussoul，thepursuitwassuitablygenerous，byphilosophicalinstructions，preceptstoreverereligion，toobeythelaws，todieforthegoodofone’scountry;byexamplesofvalour，prudence，andjustice，theloverstudyingtorenderhimselfacceptablebythegraceandbeautyofthesoul，thatofhisbodybeinglongsincefadedanddecayed，hopingbythismentalsocietytoestablishamorefirmandlastingcontract。
　　Whenthiscourtshipcametoeffectindueseason（forthatwhichtheydonotrequireinthelover，namely，leisureanddiscretioninhispursuit，theystrictlyrequireinthepersonloved，forasmuchasheistojudgeofaninternalbeauty，ofdifficultknowledgeandabstrusediscovery），thentheresprunginthepersonlovedthedesireofaspiritualconception;
　　bythemediationofaspiritualbeauty。Thiswastheprincipal;thecorporeal，anaccidentalandsecondarymatter;quitethecontraryastothelover。Forthisreasontheypreferthepersonbeloved，maintainingthatthegodsinlikemannerpreferredhimtoo，andverymuchblamethepoetAEschylusforhaving，inthelovesofAchillesandPatroclus，giventhelover’sparttoAchilles，whowasinthefirstandbeardlessflowerofhisadolescence，andthehandsomestofalltheGreeks。Afterthisgeneralcommunity，thesovereign，andmostworthypartpresidingandgoverning，andperformingitsproperoffices，theysay，thatthencegreatutilitywasderived，bothbyprivateandpublicconcerns;thatitconstitutedtheforceandpowerofthecountrieswhereitprevailed，andthechiefestsecurityoflibertyandjustice。OfwhichthehealthylovesofHarmodiusandAristogitonareinstances。Andthereforeitisthattheycalleditsacredanddivine，andconceivethatnothingbuttheviolenceoftyrantsandthebasenessofthecommonpeopleareinimicaltoit。Finally，allthatcanbesaidinfavouroftheAcademyis，thatitwasalovewhichendedinfriendship，whichwellenoughagreeswiththeStoicaldefinitionoflove:
　　"Amoremconatumesseamicitiaefaciendaeexpulchritudinisspecie。"
　　["Loveisadesireofcontractingfriendshiparisingfromthebeautyoftheobject。"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，vi。34。]
　　Ireturntomyownmorejustandtruedescription:
　　"Omninoamicitiae，corroboratisjamconfirmatisque，etingeniis，etaetatibus，judicandaesunt。"
　　["Thoseareonlytobereputedfriendshipsthatarefortifiedandconfirmedbyjudgementandthelengthoftime。"
　　——Cicero，DeAmicit。，c。20。]
　　Fortherest，whatwecommonlycallfriendsandfriendships，arenothingbutacquaintanceandfamiliarities，eitheroccasionallycontracted，oruponsomedesign，bymeansofwhichtherehappenssomelittleintercoursebetwixtoursouls。ButinthefriendshipIspeakof，theymixandworkthemselvesintoonepiece，withsouniversalamixture，thatthereisnomoresignoftheseambywhichtheywerefirstconjoined。IfamanshouldimportunemetogiveareasonwhyIlovedhim，Ifinditcouldnootherwisebeexpressed，thanbymakinganswer:becauseitwashe，becauseitwasI。Thereis，beyondallthatIamabletosay，Iknownotwhatinexplicableandfatedpowerthatbroughtonthisunion。Wesoughtoneanotherlongbeforewemet，andbythecharactersweheardofoneanother，whichwroughtuponouraffectionsmorethan，inreason，merereportsshoulddo;Ithink’twasbysomesecretappointmentofheaven。
　　Weembracedinournames;andatourfirstmeeting，whichwasaccidentallyatagreatcityentertainment，wefoundourselvessomutuallytakenwithoneanother，soacquainted，andsoendearedbetwixtourselves，thatfromthenceforwardnothingwassoneartousasoneanother。HewroteanexcellentLatinsatire，sinceprinted，whereinheexcusestheprecipitationofourintelligence，sosuddenlycometoperfection，saying，thatdestinedtohavesoshortacontinuance，asbegunsolate（forwewerebothfull—grownmen，andhesomeyearstheolder），therewasnotimetolose，norwerewetiedtoconformtotheexampleofthoseslowandregularfriendships，thatrequiresomanyprecautionsoflongpreliminaryconversation:Thishasnootherideathanthatofitself，andcanonlyrefertoitself:thisisnoonespecialconsideration，nortwo，northree，norfour，norathousand;’tisIknownotwhatquintessenceofallthismixture，which，seizingmywholewill，carriedittoplungeandloseitselfinhis，andthathavingseizedhiswholewill，broughtitbackwithequalconcurrenceandappetitetoplungeandloseitselfinmine。Imaytrulysaylose，reservingnothingtoourselvesthatwaseitherhisormine。——[AllthisrelatestoEstiennedelaBoetie。]
　　WhenLaelius，——[Cicero，DeAmicit。，c。II。]——inthepresenceoftheRomanconsuls，whoafterthayhadsentencedTiberiusGracchus，prosecutedallthosewhohadhadanyfamiliaritywithhimalso;cametoaskCaiusBlosius，whowashischiefestfriend，howmuchhewouldhavedoneforhim，andthathemadeanswer:"Allthings。"——"How！Allthings！"saidLaelius。"Andwhatifhehadcommandedyoutofireourtemples？"——"Hewouldneverhavecommandedmethat，"repliedBlosius。——"Butwhatifhehad？"saidLaelius。——"Iwouldhaveobeyedhim，"saidtheother。IfhewassoperfectafriendtoGracchusasthehistoriesreporthimtohavebeen，therewasyetnonecessityofoffendingtheconsulsbysuchaboldconfession，thoughhemightstillhaveretainedtheassurancehehadofGracchus’disposition。However，thosewhoaccusethisanswerasseditious，donotwellunderstandthemystery;norpresuppose，asitwastrue，thathehadGracchus’willinhissleeve，bothbythepowerofafriend，andtheperfectknowledgehehadoftheman:theyweremorefriendsthancitizens，morefriendstooneanotherthaneitherenemiesorfriendstotheircountry，orthanfriendstoambitionandinnovation;
　　havingabsolutelygivenupthemselvestooneanother，eitherheldabsolutelythereinsoftheother’sinclination;andsupposeallthisguidedbyvirtue，andallthisbytheconductofreason，whichalsowithouttheseithadnotbeenpossibletodo，Blosius’answerwassuchasitoughttobe。Ifanyoftheiractionsflewoutofthehandle，theywereneither（accordingtomymeasureoffriendship）friendstooneanother，nortothemselves。Astotherest，thisanswercarriesnoworsesound，thanminewoulddotoonethatshouldaskme:"Ifyourwillshouldcommandyoutokillyourdaughter，wouldyoudoit？"andthatIshouldmakeanswer，thatIwould;forthisexpressesnoconsenttosuchanact，forasmuchasIdonotintheleastsuspectmyownwill，andaslittlethatofsuchafriend。’Tisnotinthepowerofalltheeloquenceintheworld，todispossessmeofthecertaintyIhaveoftheintentionsandresolutionsofmyfriend;nay，nooneactionofhis，whatfacesoeveritmightbear，couldbepresentedtome，ofwhichIcouldnotpresently，andatfirstsight，findoutthemovingcause。Oursoulshaddrawnsounanimouslytogether，theyhadconsideredeachotherwithsoardentanaffection，andwiththelikeaffectionlaidopentheverybottomofourheartstooneanother’sview，thatInotonlyknewhisaswellasmyown;
　　butshouldcertainlyinanyconcernofminehavetrustedmyinterestmuchmorewillinglywithhim，thanwithmyself。
　　Letnoone，therefore，rankothercommonfriendshipswithsuchaoneasthis。Ihavehadasmuchexperienceoftheseasanother，andofthemostperfectoftheirkind:butIdonotadvisethatanyshouldconfoundtherulesoftheoneandtheother，fortheywouldfindthemselvesmuchdeceived。Inthoseotherordinaryfriendships，youaretowalkwithbridleinyourhand，withprudenceandcircumspection，forinthemtheknotisnotsosurethatamanmaynothalfsuspectitwillslip。"Lovehim，"saidChilo，——[AulusGellius，i。3。]——"soasifyouwereonedaytohatehim;andhatehimsoasyouwereonedaytolovehim。"Thisprecept，thoughabominableinthesovereignandperfectfriendshipI
　　speakof，isneverthelessverysoundastothepracticeoftheordinaryandcustomaryones，andtowhichthesayingthatAristotlehadsofrequentinhismouth，"Omyfriends，thereisnofriend，"mayveryfitlybeapplied。Inthisnoblecommerce，goodoffices，presents，andbenefits，bywhichotherfriendshipsaresupportedandmaintained，donotdeservesomuchastobementioned;andthereasonistheconcurrenceofourwills;for，asthekindnessIhaveformyselfreceivesnoincrease，foranythingIrelievemyselfwithalintimeofneed（whatevertheStoicssay），andasIdonotfindmyselfobligedtomyselfforanyserviceIdomyself:sotheunionofsuchfriends，beingtrulyperfect，deprivesthemofallideaofsuchduties，andmakesthemloatheandbanishfromtheirconversationthesewordsofdivisionanddistinction，benefits，obligation，acknowledgment，entreaty，thanks，andthelike。Allthings，wills，thoughts，opinions，goods，wives，children，honours，andlives，beingineffectcommonbetwixtthem，andthatabsoluteconcurrenceofaffectionsbeingnootherthanonesoulintwobodies（accordingtothatveryproperdefinitionofAristotle），theycanneitherlendnorgiveanythingtooneanother。Thisisthereasonwhythelawgivers，tohonourmarriagewithsomeresemblanceofthisdivinealliance，interdictallgiftsbetwixtmanandwife;inferringbythat，thatallshouldbelongtoeachofthem，andthattheyhavenothingtodivideortogivetoeachother。
　　If，inthefriendshipofwhichIspeak，onecouldgivetotheother，thereceiverofthebenefitwouldbethemanthatobligedhisfriend;foreachofthemcontendingandaboveallthingsstudyinghowtobeusefultotheother，hethatadministerstheoccasionistheliberalman，ingivinghisfriendthesatisfactionofdoingthattowardshimwhichaboveallthingshemostdesires。WhenthephilosopherDiogeneswantedmoney，heusedtosay，thatheredemandeditofhisfriends，notthathedemandedit。Andtoletyouseethepracticalworkingofthis，Iwillhereproduceanancientandsingularexample。Eudamidas，aCorinthian，hadtwofriends，CharixenusaSicyonianandAreteusaCorinthian;thismancomingtodie，beingpoor，andhistwofriendsrich，hemadehiswillafterthismanner。"IbequeathtoAreteusthemaintenanceofmymother，tosupportandprovideforherinheroldage;andtoCharixenusI
　　bequeaththecareofmarryingmydaughter，andtogiveherasgoodaportionasheisable;andincaseoneofthesechancetodie，Iherebysubstitutethesurvivorinhisplace。"Theywhofirstsawthiswillmadethemselvesverymerryatthecontents:butthelegatees，beingmadeacquaintedwithit，accepteditwithverygreatcontent;andoneofthem，Charixenus，dyingwithinfivedaysafter，andbythatmeansthechargeofbothdutiesdevolvingsolelyonhim，Areteusnurturedtheoldwomanwithverygreatcareandtenderness，andoffivetalentshehadinestate，hegavetwoandahalfinmarriagewithanonlydaughterhehadofhisown，andtwoandahalfinmarriagewiththedaughterofEudamidas，andononeandthesamedaysolemnisedboththeirnuptials。
　　Thisexampleisveryfull，ifonethingwerenottobeobjected，namelythemultitudeoffriendsfortheperfectfriendshipIspeakofisindivisible;eachonegiveshimselfsoentirelytohisfriend，thathehasnothinglefttodistributetoothers:onthecontrary，issorrythatheisnotdouble，treble，orquadruple，andthathehasnotmanysoulsandmanywills，toconferthemalluponthisoneobject。Commonfriendshipswilladmitofdivision;onemaylovethebeautyofthisperson，thegood—humourofthat，theliberalityofathird，thepaternalaffectionofafourth，thefraternalloveofafifth，andsooftherest:
　　butthisfriendshipthatpossessesthewholesoul，andthererulesandswayswithanabsolutesovereignty，cannotpossiblyadmitofarival。
　　Iftwoatthesametimeshouldcalltoyouforsuccour，towhichofthemwouldyourun？Shouldtheyrequireofyoucontraryoffices，howcouldyouservethemboth？Shouldonecommitathingtoyoursilencethatitwereofimportancetotheothertoknow，howwouldyoudisengageyourself？Auniqueandparticularfriendshipdissolvesallotherobligationswhatsoever:thesecretIhaveswornnottorevealtoanyother，Imaywithoutperjurycommunicatetohimwhoisnotanother，butmyself。’Tismiracleenoughcertainly，foramantodoublehimself，andthosethattalkoftripling，talktheyknownotofwhat。Nothingisextreme，thathasitslike;andhewhoshallsuppose，thatoftwo，Iloveoneasmuchastheother，thattheymutuallyloveoneanothertoo，andlovemeasmuchasIlovethem，multipliesintoaconfraternitythemostsingleofunits，andwhereof，moreover，onealoneisthehardestthingintheworldtofind。TherestofthisstorysuitsverywellwithwhatI
　　wassaying;forEudamidas，asabountyandfavour，bequeathstohisfriendsalegacyofemployingthemselvesinhisnecessity;heleavesthemheirstothisliberalityofhis，whichconsistsingivingthemtheopportunityofconferringabenefituponhim;anddoubtless，theforceoffriendshipismoreeminentlyapparentinthisactofhis，thaninthatofAreteus。Inshort，theseareeffectsnottobeimaginednorcomprehendedbysuchashavenotexperienceofthem，andwhichmakemeinfinitelyhonourandadmiretheanswerofthatyoungsoldiertoCyrus，bywhombeingaskedhowmuchhewouldtakeforahorse，withwhichhehadwontheprizeofarace，andwhetherhewouldexchangehimforakingdom？——
　　"No，truly，sir，"saidhe，"butIwouldgivehimwithallmyheart，togettherebyatruefriend，couldIfindoutanymanworthyofthatalliance。"——[Xenophon，Cyropadia，viii。3。]——Hedidnotsayillinsaying，"couldIfind":forthoughonemayalmosteverywheremeetwithmensufficientlyqualifiedforasuperficialacquaintance，yetinthis，whereamanistodealfromtheverybottomofhisheart，withoutanymannerofreservation，itwillberequisitethatallthewardsandspringsbetrulywroughtandperfectlysure。
　　Inconfederationsthatholdbutbyoneend，weareonlytoprovideagainsttheimperfectionsthatparticularlyconcernthatend。Itcanbeofnoimportancetomeofwhatreligionmyphysicianormylawyeris;
　　thisconsiderationhasnothingincommonwiththeofficesoffriendshipwhichtheyoweme;andIamofthesameindifferenceinthedomesticacquaintancemyservantsmustnecessarilycontractwithme。Ineverinquire，whenIamtotakeafootman，ifhebechaste，butifhebediligent;andamnotsolicitousifmymuleteerbegiventogaming，asifhebestrongandable;orifmycookbeaswearer，ifhebeagoodcook。
　　Idonottakeuponmetodirectwhatothermenshoulddointhegovernmentoftheirfamilies，thereareplentythatmeddleenoughwiththat，butonlygiveanaccountofmymethodinmyown:
　　"Mihisicususest:tibi，utopusestfacto，face。"
　　["Thishasbeenmyway;asforyou，doasyoufindneedful。
　　——"Terence，Heaut。，i。I。，28。]
　　Fortable—talk，Ipreferthepleasantandwittybeforethelearnedandthegrave;inbed，beautybeforegoodness;incommondiscoursetheablestspeaker，whetherornotherebesincerityinthecase。And，ashethatwasfoundastrideuponahobby—horse，playingwithhischildren，entreatedthepersonwhohadsurprisedhiminthatposturetosaynothingofittillhimselfcametobeafather，——[Plutarch，LifeofAgesilaus，c。9。]——supposingthatthefondnessthatwouldthenpossesshisownsoul，wouldrenderhimafairerjudgeofsuchanaction;soI，also，couldwishtospeaktosuchashavehadexperienceofwhatIsay:though，knowinghowremoteathingsuchafriendshipisfromthecommonpractice，andhowrarelyitistobefound，Idespairofmeetingwithanysuchjudge。Foreventhesediscoursesleftusbyantiquityuponthissubject，seemtomeflatandpoor，incomparisonofthesenseIhaveofit，andinthisparticular，theeffectssurpasseventhepreceptsofphilosophy"Nilegocontulerimjucundosanusamico。"
　　["WhileIhavesenselefttome，therewillneverbeanythingmoreacceptabletomethananagreeablefriend。"
　　——Horace，Sat。，i。5，44。]
　　TheancientMenanderdeclaredhimtobehappythathadhadthegoodfortunetomeetwithbuttheshadowofafriend:anddoubtlesshehadgoodreasontosayso，especiallyifhespokebyexperience:foringoodearnest，ifIcomparealltherestofmylife，though，thanksbetoGod，Ihavepassedmytimepleasantlyenough，andatmyease，andthelossofsuchafriendexcepted，freefromanygrievousaffliction，andingreattranquillityofmind，havingbeencontentedwithmynaturalandoriginalcommodities，withoutbeingsolicitousafterothers;ifIshouldcompareitall，Isay，withthefouryearsIhadthehappinesstoenjoythesweetsocietyofthisexcellentman，’tisnothingbutsmoke，anobscureandtediousnight。FromthedaythatIlosthim:
　　"Quernsemperacerbum，Semperhonoratum（sic，di，voluistis）habebo，"
　　["Adayformeeversad，foreversacred，sohaveyouwilledyegods。"——AEneid，v。49。]
　　Ihaveonlyledalanguishinglife;andtheverypleasuresthatpresentthemselvestome，insteadofadministeringanythingofconsolation，doublemyafflictionforhisloss。Wewerehalvesthroughout，andtothatdegree，thatmethinks，byoutlivinghim，Idefraudhimofhispart。
　　"NecfasesseullamevoluptatehicfruiDecrevi，tantisperdumilleabestmeusparticeps。"
　　["Ihavedeterminedthatitwillneverberightformetoenjoyanypleasure，solongashe，withwhomIsharedallpleasuresisaway。"
　　——"Terence，Heaut。，i。I。97。]
　　Iwassogrownandaccustomedtobealwayshisdoubleinallplacesandinallthings，thatmethinksIamnomorethanhalfofmyself:
　　"IllammeaesipartemanimatulitMaturiorvis，quidmororaltera？
　　Neccarusaeque，necsuperstesInteger？IllediesutramqueDuxitruinam。"
　　["Ifthathalfofmysoulweresnatchawayfrommebyanuntimelystroke，whyshouldtheotherstay？Thatwhichremainswillnotbeequallydear，willnotbewhole:thesamedaywillinvolvethedestructionofboth。"
　　or:
　　["Ifasuperiorforcehastakenthatpartofmysoul，whydoI，theremainingone，lingerbehind？Whatisleftisnotsodear，noranentirething:thisdayhaswroughtthedestructionofboth。"
　　——Horace，Ode，ii。17，5。]
　　ThereisnoactionorimaginationofminewhereinIdonotmisshim;asI
　　knowthathewouldhavemissedme:forashesurpassedmebyinfinitedegreesinvirtueandallotheraccomplishments，sohealsodidinthedutiesoffriendship:
　　"Quisdesideriositpudor，autmodusTamcaricapitis？"
　　["Whatshamecanthere，ormeasure，inlamentingsodearafriend？"
　　——Horace，Ode，i。24，I。]
　　"Omiserofraterademptemihi！
　　Omniatecumunaperieruntgaudianostra，Quaetuusinvitadulcisalebatamor。
　　Tumea，tumoriensfregisticommoda，frater;
　　TecumunatotaestnostrasepultaanimaCujusegointeritutotadementhefugaviHaecstudia，atqueomnesdeliciasanimi。
　　Alloquar？audieronunquamtuaverbaloquentem？
　　Nunquamegote，vitafrateramabiliorAspiciamposthac;atcertesemperamabo;"
　　["Obrother，takenfrommemiserable！withthee，allourjoyshavevanished，thosejoyswhich，inthylife，thydearlovenourished。
　　Dying，thou，mybrother，hastdestroyedallmyhappiness。Mywholesoulisburiedwiththee。ThroughwhosedeathIhavebanishedfrommymindthesestudies，andallthedelightsofthemind。ShallI
　　addressthee？Ishallneverhearthyvoice。NevershallIbeholdtheehereafter。Obrother，dearertomethanlife。Noughtremains，butassuredlyIshalleverlovethee。"——Catullus，lxviii。20;lxv。]
　　Butletushearaboyofsixteenspeak:
　　——[InCotton’stranslationtheworkreferredtois"thoseMemoirsuponthefamousedictofJanuary，"ofwhichmentionhasalreadybeenmadeinthepresentedition。Theeditionof1580，however，andtheVariorumeditionof1872—1900，indicatenoparticularwork;buttheeditionof158ohasit"thisboyofeighteenyears"（whichwastheageatwhichLaBoetiewrotehis"ServitudeVolontaire"），speaksof"aboyofsixteen"asoccurringonlyinthecommoneditions，anditwouldseemtolerablyclearthatthismoreimportantworkwas，infact，theproductiontowhichMontaignerefers，andthattheproperreadingofthetextshouldbe"sixteenyears。"What"thisboyspoke"isnotgivenbyMontaigne，forthereasonstatedinthenextfollowingparagraph。
　　"BecauseIhavefoundthatthatworkhasbeensincebroughtout，andwithamischievousdesign，bythosewhoaimatdisturbingandchangingtheconditionofourgovernment，withouttroublingthemselvestothinkwhethertheyarelikelytoimproveit:andbecausetheyhavemixeduphisworkwithsomeoftheirownperformance，Ihaverefrainedfrominsertingithere。Butthatthememoryoftheauthormaynotbeinjured，norsufferwithsuchascouldnotcomenear—handtobeacquaintedwithhisprinciples，Iheregivethemtounderstand，thatitwaswrittenbyhiminhisboyhood，andthatbywayofexerciseonly，asacommonthemethathasbeenhackneyedbyathousandwriters。Imakenoquestionbutthathehimselfbelievedwhathewrote，beingsoconscientiousthathewouldnotsomuchaslieinjest:andImoreoverknow，thatcouldithavebeeninhisownchoice，hehadratherhavebeenbornatVenice，thanatSarlac;
　　andwithreason。Buthehadanothermaximsovereigntyimprintedinhissoul，veryreligiouslytoobeyandsubmittothelawsunderwhichhewasborn。Thereneverwasabettercitizen，moreaffectionatetohiscountry;noragreaterenemytoallthecommotionsandinnovationsofhistime:sothathewouldmuchratherhaveemployedhistalenttotheextinguishingofthosecivilflames，thanhaveaddedanyfueltothem;
　　hehadamindfashionedtothemodelofbetterages。Now，inexchangeofthisseriouspiece，Iwillpresentyouwithanotherofamoregayandfrolicair，fromthesamehand，andwrittenatthesameage。"