CHAPTERXXVIII。
　　NINEANDTWENTYSONNETSOFESTIENNEDELABOITIE
　　TOMADAMEDEGRAMMONT，COMTESSEDEGUISSEN。
　　[Theyscarcecontainanythingbutamorouscomplaints，expressedinaveryroughstyle，discoveringthefolliesandoutragesofarestlesspassion，overgorged，asitwere，withjealousies，fearsandsuspicions。——Coste。]
　　[These……containedintheeditionof1588nine—and—twentysonnetsofLaBoetie，accompaniedbyadedicatoryepistletoMadamedeGrammont。Theformer，whicharereferredtoattheendofChap。
　　XXVIL，donotreallybelongtothebook，andareofveryslightinterestatthistime;theepistleistransferredtotheCorrespondence。Thesonnets，withtheletter，werepresumablysentsometimeafterLettersV。etseq。Montaigneseemstohavehadseveralcopieswrittenouttoforwardtofriendsoracquaintances。]
　　CHAPTERXXIX。
　　OFMODERATION
　　Asifwehadaninfectioustouch，we，byourmannerofhandling，corruptthingsthatinthemselvesarelaudableandgood:wemaygraspvirtuesothatitbecomesvicious，ifweembraceittoostringentlyandwithtooviolentadesire。Thosewhosay，thereisneveranyexcessinvirtue，forasmuchasitisnotvirtuewhenitoncebecomesexcess，onlyplayuponwords:
　　"Insanisapiensnomenferat，aequusiniqui，Ultraquamsatisest，virtutemsipetatipsam。"
　　["Letthewisemanbearthenameofamadman，thejustoneofanunjust，ifheseekwisdommorethanissufficient。"
　　——Horace，Ep。，i。6，15。]
　　["Thewisemanisnolongerwise，thejustmannolongerjust，ifheseektocarryhisloveforwisdomorvirtuebeyondthatwhichisnecessary。]
　　Thisisasubtleconsiderationofphilosophy。Amanmaybothbetoomuchinlovewithvirtue，andbeexcessiveinajustaction。HolyWritagreeswiththis，Benotwiserthanyoushould，butbesoberlywise。——[St。
　　Paul，EpistletotheRomans，xii。3。]——Ihaveknownagreatman，——["ItislikelythatMontaignemeantHenryIII。，kingofFrance。
　　TheCardinald’Ossat，writingtoLouise，thequeen—dowager，toldher，inhisfrankmanner，thathehadlivedasmuchormorelikeamonkthanamonarch（LetterXXIII。）AndPopeSextusV。，speakingofthatprinceonedaytotheCardinaldeJoyeuse，protectoroftheaffairsofFrance，saidtohimpleasantly，’Thereisnothingthatyourkinghathnotdone，anddoesnotdosostill，tobeamonk，noranythingthatIhavenotdone，nottobeamonk。’"——Coste。
　　prejudicetheopinionmenhadofhisdevotion，bypretendingtobedevoutbeyondallexamplesofothersofhiscondition。Ilovetemperateandmoderatenatures。Animmoderatezeal，eventothatwhichisgood，eventhoughitdoesnotoffend，astonishesme，andputsmetostudywhatnametogiveit。NeitherthemotherofPausanias，——["Montaignewouldheregiveustounderstand，upontheauthorityofDiodorusSiculus，thatPausanias’mothergavethefirsthintofthepunishmentthatwastobeinflictedonherson。’Pausanias，’saysthishistorian，’perceivingthattheephori，andsomeotherLacedoemonians，aimedatapprehendinghim，gotthestartofthem，andwentandtooksanctuarymMinerva’stemple:andtheLacedaemonians，beingdoubtfulwhethertheyoughttotakehimfromthenceinviolationofthefranchisethere，itissaidthathisownmothercameherselftothetemplebutspokenothingnordidanythingmorethanlayapieceofbrick，whichshebroughtwithher，onthethresholdofthetemple，which，whenshehaddone，shereturnedhome。TheLacedaemonians，takingthehintfromthemother，causedthegateofthetempletobewalledup，andbythismeansstarvedPausanias，sothathediedwithhunger，&c。（lib。xi。cap。10。，ofAmyot’stranslation）。ThenameofPausanias’motherwasAlcithea，asweareinformedbyThucydides’scholiast，whoonlysaysthatitwasreported，thatwhentheysetaboutwallingupthegatesofthechapelinwhichPausaniashadtakenrefuge，hismotherAlcithealaidthefirststone。"——Coste。]
　　whowasthefirstinstructorofherson’sprocess，andthrewthefirststonetowardshisdeath，norPosthumiusthedictator，whoputhissontodeath，whomtheardourofyouthhadsuccessfullypushedupontheenemyalittlemoreadvancedthantherestofhissquadron，doappeartomesomuchjustasstrange;andIshouldneitheradvisenorliketofollowsosavageavirtue，andthatcostssodear。
　　——["Opinionsdifferastothetruthofthisfact。LivythinkshehasgoodauthorityforrejectingitbecauseitdoesnotappearinhistorythatPosthumiouswasbrandedwithit，asTitusManliuswas，about100yearsafterhistime;forManlius，havingputhissontodeathforthelikecause，obtainedtheodiousnameofImperiosus，andsincethattimeManlianaimperiahasbeenusedasatermtosignifyordersthataretoosevere;ManlianaImperia，saysLivy，werenotonlyhorribleforthetimepresent，butofabadexampletoposterity。AndthishistorianmakesnodoubtbutsuchcommandswouldhavebeenactuallystyledPosthumianaImperia，ifPosthumiushadbeenthefirstwhosetsobarbarousanexample（Livy，lib。iv。
　　cap。29，andlib。viii。cap。7）。But，however，MontaignehasValer。
　　Maximusonhisside，whosaysexpressly，thatPosthumiuscausedhissontobeputtodeath，andDiodorusofSicily（lib。xii。cap。
　　19）。"——Coste。]
　　Thearcherthatshootsover，missesasmuchashethatfallsshort，and’tisequallytroublesometomysight，tolookupatagreatlight，andtolookdownintoadarkabyss。CalliclesinPlatosays，thattheextremityofphilosophyishurtful，andadvisesnottodiveintoitbeyondthelimitsofprofit;that，takenmoderately，itispleasantanduseful;butthatintheenditrendersamanbrutishandvicious，acontemnerofreligionandthecommonlaws，anenemytocivilconversation，andallhumanpleasures，incapableofallpublicadministration，unfiteithertoassistothersortorelievehimself，andafitobjectforallsortsofinjuriesandaffronts。Hesaystrue;forinitsexcess，itenslavesournaturalfreedom，andbyanimpertinentsubtlety，leadsusoutofthefairandbeatenwaythatnaturehastracedforus。
　　Thelovewebeartoourwivesisverylawful，andyettheologythinksfittocurbandrestrainit。AsIremember，IhavereadinoneplaceofSt。
　　ThomasAquinas，——[SecundaSecundx，Quaest。154，art。9。]——wherehecondemnsmarriageswithinanyoftheforbiddendegrees，forthisreason，amongstothers，thatthereissomedanger，lestthefriendshipamanbearstosuchawoman，shouldbeimmoderate;foriftheconjugalaffectionbefullandperfectbetwixtthem，asitoughttobe，andthatitbeoverandabovesurchargedwiththatofkindredtoo，thereisnodoubt，butsuchanadditionwillcarrythehusbandbeyondtheboundsofreason。
　　Thosesciencesthatregulatethemannersofmen，divinityandphilosophy，willhavetheirsayineverything;thereisnoactionsoprivateandsecretthatcanescapetheirinspectionandjurisdiction。Theyarebesttaughtwhoarebestabletocontrolandcurbtheirownliberty;womenexposetheirnuditiesasmuchasyouwillupontheaccountofpleasure，thoughinthenecessitiesofphysictheyarealtogetherasshy。Iwill，therefore，intheirbehalf:
　　——[Costetranslatesthis:"onthepartofphilosophyandtheology，"
　　observingthatbutfewwiveswouldthinkthemselvesobligedtoMontaigneforanysuchlessontotheirhusbands。]——
　　teachthehusbands，thatis，suchasaretoovehementintheexerciseofthematrimonialduty——ifsuchtherestillbe——thislesson，thattheverypleasurestheyenjoyinthesocietyoftheirwivesarereproachableifimmoderate，andthatalicentiousandriotousabuseofthemisafaultasreprovablehereasinillicitconnections。Thoseimmodestanddebauchedtricksandpostures，thatthefirstardoursuggeststousinthisaffair，arenotonlyindecentlybutdetrimentallypractiseduponourwives。Letthematleastlearnimpudencefromanotherhand;theyareeverreadyenoughforourbusiness，andIformypartalwayswenttheplainwaytowork。
　　Marriageisasolemnandreligioustie，andthereforethepleasureweextractfromitshouldbeasoberandseriousdelight，andmixedwithacertainkindofgravity;itshouldbeasortofdiscreetandconscientiouspleasure。Andseeingthatthechiefendofitisgeneration，somemakeaquestion，whetherwhenmenareoutofhopesaswhentheyaresuperannuatedoralreadywithchild，itbelawfultoembraceourwives。’Tishomicide，accordingtoPlato。——[Laws，8。]——
　　Certainnations（theMohammedan，amongstothersabominateallconjunctionwithwomenwithchild，othersalso，withthosewhoareintheircourses。
　　Zenobiawouldneveradmitherhusbandformorethanoneencounter，afterwhichshelefthimtohisownswingforthewholetimeofherconception，andnottillafterthatwouldagainreceivehim:——[TrebelliusPollio，TrigintaTyran。，c。30。]——abraveandgenerousexampleofconjugalcontinence。Itwasdoubtlessfromsomelasciviouspoet，——[ThelasciviouspoetisHomer;seehisIliad，xiv。294。]——andonethathimselfwasingreatdistressforalittleofthissport，thatPlatoborrowedthisstory;thatJupiterwasonedaysohotuponhiswife，thatnothavingsomuchpatienceastillshecouldgettothecouch，hethrewheruponthefloor，wherethevehemenceofpleasuremadehimforgetthegreatandimportantresolutionshehadbutnewlytakenwiththerestofthegodsinhiscelestialcouncil，andtobragthathehadhadasgoodabout，aswhenhegothermaidenhead，unknowntotheirparents。
　　ThekingsofPersiawerewonttoinvitetheirwivestothebeginningoftheirfestivals;butwhenthewinebegantoworkingoodearnest，andthattheyweretogivethereinstopleasure，theysentthembacktotheirprivateapartments，thattheymightnotparticipateintheirimmoderatelust，sendingforotherwomenintheirstead，withwhomtheywerenotobligedtosogreatadecorumofrespect。——[Plutarch，PreceptsofMarriage，c。14。]——Allpleasuresandallsortsofgratificationsarenotproperlyandfitlyconferreduponallsortsofpersons。
　　Epaminondashadcommittedtoprisonayoungmanforcertaindebauches;
　　forwhomPelopidasmediated，thatathisrequesthemightbesetatliberty，whichEpaminondasdeniedtohim，butgranteditatthefirstwordtoawenchofhis，thatmadethesameintercession;saying，thatitwasagratificationfitforsuchaoneasshe，butnotforacaptain。
　　SophoclesbeingjointpraetorwithPericles，seeingaccidentallyafineboypassby:"Owhatacharmingboyisthat！"saidhe。"Thatmightbeverywell，"answeredPericles，"foranyotherthanapraetor，whooughtnotonlytohavehishands，buthiseyes，too，chaste。"——[Cicero，DeOffic。，i。40。]AEliusVerus，theemperor，answeredhiswife，whoreproachedhimwithhislovetootherwomen，thathedidituponaconscientiousaccount，forasmuchasmarriagewasanameofhonouranddignity，notofwantonandlasciviousdesire;andourecclesiasticalhistorypreservesthememoryofthatwomaningreatveneration，whopartedfromherhusbandbecauseshewouldnotcomplywithhisindecentandinordinatedesires。Infine，thereisnopleasuresojustandlawful，whereintemperanceandexcessarenottobecondemned。
　　But，tospeakthetruth，isnotmanamostmiserablecreaturethewhile？
　　Itisscarce，byhisnaturalcondition，inhispowertotasteonepleasurepureandentire;andyetmusthebecontrivingdoctrinesandpreceptstocurtailthatlittlehehas;heisnotyetwretchedenough，unlessbyartandstudyheaugmenthisownmisery:
　　"Fortunaemiserasauximusartevias。"
　　["Weartificiallyaugmentthewretchednessoffortune。"
　　——Properitius，lib。iii。7，44。]
　　Humanwisdommakesasilluseofhertalent，whensheexercisesitinrescindingfromthenumberandsweetnessofthosepleasuresthatarenaturallyourdue，assheemploysitfavourablyandwellinartificiallydisguisingandtrickingouttheillsoflife，toalleviatethesenseofthem。HadIruledtheroast，Ishouldhavetakenanotherandmorenaturalcourse，which，tosaythetruth，isbothcommodiousandholy，andshould，peradventure，havebeenabletohavelimitedittoo;
　　notwithstandingthatbothourspiritualandcorporalphysicians，asbycompactbetwixtthemselves，canfindnootherwaytocure，norotherremedyfortheinfirmitiesofthebodyandthesoul，thanbymiseryandpain。Tothisend，watchings，fastings，hair—shirts，remoteandsolitarybanishments，perpetualimprisonments，whipsandotherafflictions，havebeenintroducedamongstmen:butso，thattheyshouldcarryastingwiththem，andberealafflictionsindeed;andnotfalloutasitoncedidtooneGallio，whohavingbeensentanexileintotheisleofLesbos，newswasnotlongafterbroughttoRome，thathetherelivedasmerryasthedaywaslong;andthatwhathadbeenenjoinedhimforapenance，turnedtohispleasureandsatisfaction:whereupontheSenatethoughtfittorecallhimhometohiswifeandfamily，andconfinehimtohisownhouse，toaccommodatetheirpunishmenttohisfeelingandapprehension。Fortohimwhomfastingwouldmakemorehealthfulandmoresprightly，andtohimtowhosepalatefishweremoreacceptablethanflesh，theprescriptionofthesewouldhavenocurativeeffect;nomorethanintheothersortofphysic，wheredrugshavenoeffectuponhimwhoswallowsthemwithappetiteandpleasure:thebitternessofthepotionandtheabhorrenceofthepatientarenecessarycircumstancestotheoperation。Thenaturethatwouldeatrhubarblikebutteredturnips，wouldfrustratetheuseandvirtueofit;itmustbesomethingtotroubleanddisturbthestomach，thatmustpurgeandcureit;andherethecommonrule，thatthingsarecuredbytheircontraries，fails;forinthisoneilliscuredbyanother。
　　Thisbeliefalittleresemblesthatothersoancientone，ofthinkingtogratifythegodsandnaturebymassacreandmurder:anopinionuniversallyoncereceivedinallreligions。Andstill，intheselatertimeswhereinourfatherslived，AmurathatthetakingoftheIsthmus，immolatedsixhundredyoungGreekstohisfather’ssoul，inthenatureofapropitiatorysacrificeforhissins。Andinthosenewcountriesdiscoveredinthisageofours，whicharepureandvirginyet，incomparisonofours，thispracticeisinsomemeasureeverywherereceived:
　　alltheiridolsreekwithhumanblood，notwithoutvariousexamplesofhorridcruelty:sometheyburnalive，andtake，halfbroiled，offthecoalstotearouttheirheartsandentrails;some，evenwomen，theyflayalive，andwiththeirbloodyskinsclotheanddisguiseothers。Neitherarewewithoutgreatexamplesofconstancyandresolutioninthisaffairthepoorsoulsthataretobesacrificed，oldmen，women，andchildren，themselvesgoingaboutsomedaysbeforetobegalmsfortheofferingoftheirsacrifice，presentingthemselvestotheslaughter，singinganddancingwiththespectators。
　　TheambassadorsofthekingofMexico，settingouttoFernandoCortezthepowerandgreatnessoftheirmaster，afterhavingtoldhim，thathehadthirtyvassals，ofwhomeachwasabletoraiseanhundredthousandfightingmen，andthathekepthiscourtinthefairestandbestfortifiedcityunderthesun，addedatlast，thathewasobligedyearlytooffertothegodsfiftythousandmen。Anditisaffirmed，thathemaintainedacontinualwar，withsomepotentneighbouringnations，notonlytokeeptheyoungmeninexercise，butprincipallytohavewherewithaltofurnishhissacrificeswithhisprisonersofwar。Atacertaintowninanotherplace，forthewelcomeofthesaidCortez，theysacrificedfiftymenatonce。Iwilltellyouthisonetalemore，andI
　　havedone;someofthesepeoplebeingbeatenbyhim，senttoacknowledgehim，andtotreatwithhimofapeace，whosemessengerscarriedhimthreesortsofgifts，whichtheypresentedintheseterms:"Behold，lord，herearefiveslaves:ifthouartafuriousgodthatfeedethuponfleshandblood，eatthese，andwewillbringtheemore;ifthouartanaffablegod，beholdhereincenseandfeathers;butifthouartaman，takethesefowlsandthesefruitsthatwehavebroughtthee。"
　　CHAPTERXXX
　　OFCANNIBALS
　　WhenKingPyrrhusinvadedItaly，havingviewedandconsideredtheorderofthearmytheRomanssentouttomeethim;"Iknownot，"saidhe，"whatkindofbarbarians"（forsotheGreekscalledallothernations）
　　"thesemaybe;butthedispositionofthisarmythatIseehasnothingofbarbarisminit。"——[Plutarch，LifeofPyrrhus，c。8。]——AsmuchsaidtheGreeksofthatwhichFlaminiusbroughtintotheircountry;andPhilip，beholdingfromaneminencetheorderanddistributionoftheRomancampformedinhiskingdombyPubliusSulpiciusGalba，spaketothesameeffect。Bywhichitappearshowcautiousmenoughttobeoftakingthingsupontrustfromvulgaropinion，andthatwearetojudgebytheeyeofreason，andnotfromcommonreport。
　　IlonghadamaninmyhousethatlivedtenortwelveyearsintheNewWorld，discoveredintheselatterdays，andinthatpartofitwhereVillegaignonlanded，——[AtBrazil，in1557。]——whichhecalledAntarcticFrance。Thisdiscoveryofsovastacountryseemstobeofverygreatconsideration。Icannotbesure，thathereaftertheremaynotbeanother，somanywisermenthanwehavingbeendeceivedinthis。Iamafraidoureyesarebiggerthanourbellies，andthatwehavemorecuriositythancapacity;forwegraspatall，butcatchnothingbutwind。
　　PlatobringsinSolon，——[InTimaeus。]——tellingastorythathehadheardfromthepriestsofSaisinEgypt，thatofold，andbeforetheDeluge，therewasagreatislandcalledAtlantis，situatedirectlyatthemouthofthestraitsofGibraltar，whichcontainedmorecountriesthanbothAfricaandAsiaputtogether;andthatthekingsofthatcountry，whonotonlypossessedthatIsle，butextendedtheirdominionsofarintothecontinentthattheyhadacountryofAfricaasfarasEgypt，andextendinginEuropetoTuscany，attemptedtoencroachevenuponAsia，andtosubjugateallthenationsthatborderupontheMediterraneanSea，asfarastheBlackSea;andtothateffectoverranallSpain，theGauls，andItaly，sofarastopenetrateintoGreece，wheretheAtheniansstoppedthem:butthatsometimeafter，boththeAthenians，andtheyandtheirisland，wereswallowedbytheFlood。
　　Itisverylikelythatthisextremeirruptionandinundationofwatermadewonderfulchangesandalterationsinthehabitationsoftheearth，as’tissaidthattheseathendividedSicilyfromItaly——
　　"Haecloca，viquondametvastaconvulsaruina，Dissiluisseferunt，quumprotenusutraquetellusUnaforet"
　　["Theselands，theysay，formerlywithviolenceandvastdesolationconvulsed，burstasunder，whereerewhilewere。"——AEneid，iii。414。]
　　CyprusfromSyria，theisleofNegropontfromthecontinentofBeeotia，andelsewhereunitedlandsthatwereseparatebefore，byfillingupthechannelbetwixtthemwithsandandmud:
　　"Sterilisquediupalus，aptaqueremis，Vicinasurbesalit，etgravesentitaratrum。"
　　["Thatwhichwasonceasterilemarsh，andborevesselsonitsbosom，nowfeedsneighbouringcities，andadmitstheplough。"
　　——Horace，DeArtePoetica，v。65。]
　　ButthereisnogreatappearancethatthisislewasthisNewWorldsolatelydiscovered:forthatalmosttoucheduponSpain，anditwereanincredibleeffectofaninundation，tohavetumbledbacksoprodigiousamass，abovetwelvehundredleagues:besidesthatourmodernnavigatorshavealreadyalmostdiscoveredittobenoisland，butterrafirma，andcontinentwiththeEastIndiesontheoneside，andwiththelandsunderthetwopolesontheotherside;or，ifitbeseparatefromthem，itisbysonarrowastraitandchannel，thatitnonethemoredeservesthenameofanislandforthat。
　　Itshouldseem，thatinthisgreatbody，therearetwosortsofmotions，theonenaturalandtheotherfebrific，asthereareinours。WhenI
　　considertheimpressionthatourriverofDordognehasmadeinmytimeontherightbankofitsdescent，andthatintwentyyearsithasgainedsomuch，andunderminedthefoundationsofsomanyhouses，Iperceiveittobeanextraordinaryagitation:forhaditalwaysfollowedthiscourse，orwerehereaftertodoit，theaspectoftheworldwouldbetotallychanged。Butriversaltertheircourse，sometimesbeatingagainsttheoneside，andsometimestheother，andsometimesquietlykeepingthechannel。Idonotspeakofsuddeninundations，thecausesofwhicheverybodyunderstands。InMedoc，bytheseashore，theSieurd’Arsac，mybrother，seesanestatehehadthere，buriedunderthesandswhichtheseavomitsbeforeit:wherethetopsofsomehousesareyettobeseen，andwherehisrentsanddomainsareconvertedintopitifulbarrenpasturage。Theinhabitantsofthisplaceaffirm，thatoflateyearstheseahasdrivensovehementlyuponthem，thattheyhavelostabovefourleaguesofland。Thesesandsareherharbingers:andwenowseegreatheapsofmovingsand，thatmarchhalfaleaguebeforeher，andoccupytheland。
　　Theothertestimonyfromantiquity，towhichsomewouldapplythisdiscoveryoftheNewWorld，isinAristotle;atleast，ifthatlittlebookofUnheardofMiraclesbehis——[oneofthespuriouspublicationsbroughtoutunderhisname——D。W。]。Hetheretellsus，thatcertainCarthaginians，havingcrossedtheAtlanticSeawithouttheStraitsofGibraltar，andsailedaverylongtime，discoveredatlastagreatandfruitfulisland，allcoveredoverwithwood，andwateredwithseveralbroadanddeeprivers，farremotefromallterrafirma;andthatthey，andothersafterthem，alluredbythegoodnessandfertilityofthesoil，wentthitherwiththeirwivesandchildren，andbegantoplantacolony。
　　ButthesenateofCarthageperceivingtheirpeoplebylittleandlittletodiminish，issuedoutanexpressprohibition，thatnone，uponpainofdeath，shouldtransportthemselvesthither;andalsodroveoutthesenewinhabitants;fearing，’tissaid，lest’inprocessoftimetheyshouldsomultiplyastosupplantthemselvesandruintheirstate。ButthisrelationofAristotlenomoreagreeswithournew—foundlandsthantheother。
　　ThismanthatIhadwasaplainignorantfellow，andthereforethemorelikelytotelltruth:foryourbetter—bredsortofmenaremuchmorecuriousintheirobservation，’tistrue，anddiscoveragreatdealmore;
　　butthentheyglossuponit，andtogivethegreaterweighttowhattheydeliver，andallureyourbelief，theycannotforbearalittletoalterthestory;theyneverrepresentthingstoyousimplyastheyare，butratherastheyappearedtothem，orastheywouldhavethemappeartoyou，andtogainthereputationofmenofjudgment，andthebettertoinduceyourfaith，arewillingtohelpoutthebusinesswithsomethingmorethanisreallytrue，oftheirowninvention。Nowinthiscase，weshouldeitherhaveamanofirreproachableveracity，orsosimplethathehasnotwherewithaltocontrive，andtogiveacolouroftruthtofalserelations，andwhocanhavenoendsinforginganuntruth。Suchaonewasmine;andbesides，hehasatdiverstimesbroughttomeseveralseamenandmerchantswhoatthesametimewentthesamevoyage。Ishallthereforecontentmyselfwithhisinformation，withoutinquiringwhatthecosmographerssaytothebusiness。Weshouldhavetopographerstotraceouttoustheparticularplaceswheretheyhavebeen;butforhavinghadthisadvantageoverus，tohaveseentheHolyLand，theywouldhavetheprivilege，forsooth，totellusstoriesofalltheotherpartsoftheworldbeside。Iwouldhaveeveryonewritewhatheknows，andasmuchasheknows，butnomore;andthatnotinthisonlybutinallothersubjects;forsuchapersonmayhavesomeparticularknowledgeandexperienceofthenatureofsuchariver，orsuchafountain，who，astootherthings，knowsnomorethanwhateverybodydoes，andyettogiveacurrencytohislittlepittanceoflearning，willundertaketowritethewholebodyofphysics:avicefromwhichgreatinconveniencesderivetheiroriginal。
　　Now，toreturntomysubject，Ifindthatthereisnothingbarbarousandsavageinthisnation，byanythingthatIcangather，excepting，thateveryonegivesthetitleofbarbarismtoeverythingthatisnotinuseinhisowncountry。As，indeed，wehavenootherleveloftruthandreasonthantheexampleandideaoftheopinionsandcustomsoftheplacewhereinwelive:thereisalwaystheperfectreligion，theretheperfectgovernment，therethemostexactandaccomplishedusageofallthings。
　　Theyaresavagesatthesameratethatwesayfruitsarewild，whichnatureproducesofherselfandbyherownordinaryprogress;whereas，intruth，weoughtrathertocallthosewildwhosenatureswehavechangedbyourartificeanddivertedfromthecommonorder。Inthose，thegenuine，mostuseful，andnaturalvirtuesandpropertiesarevigorousandsprightly，whichwehavehelpedtodegenerateinthese，byaccommodatingthemtothepleasureofourowncorruptedpalate。Andyetforallthis，ourtasteconfessesaflavouranddelicacyexcellenteventoemulationofthebestofours，inseveralfruitswhereinthosecountriesaboundwithoutartorculture。Neitherisitreasonablethatartshouldgainthepre—eminenceofourgreatandpowerfulmothernature。Wehavesosurchargedherwiththeadditionalornamentsandgraceswehaveaddedtothebeautyandrichesofherownworksbyourinventions，thatwehavealmostsmotheredher;yetinotherplaces，wheresheshinesinherownpurityandproperlustre，shemarvellouslybafflesanddisgracesallourvainandfrivolousattempts:
　　"Etveniunthederaespontesuamelius;
　　Surgitetinsolisformosiorarbutusantris;
　　Etvolucresnullsdulciusartecanunt。"
　　["Theivygrowsbestspontaneously，thearbutusbestinshadycaves;
　　andthewildnotesofbirdsaresweeterthanartcanteach。
　　——"Propertius，i。2，10。]
　　Ourutmostendeavourscannotarriveatsomuchastoimitatethenestoftheleastofbirds，itscontexture，beauty，andconvenience:notsomuchasthewebofapoorspider。
　　Allthings，saysPlato，——[Laws，10。]——areproducedeitherbynature，byfortune，orbyart;thegreatestandmostbeautifulbytheoneortheotheroftheformer，theleastandthemostimperfectbythelast。
　　Thesenationsthenseemtometobesofarbarbarous，ashavingreceivedbutverylittleformandfashionfromartandhumaninvention，andconsequentlytobenotmuchremotefromtheiroriginalsimplicity。Thelawsofnature，however，governthemstill，notasyetmuchvitiatedwithanymixtureofours:but’tisinsuchpurity，thatIamsometimestroubledwewerenotsooneracquaintedwiththesepeople，andthattheywerenotdiscoveredinthosebettertimes，whenthereweremenmuchmoreabletojudgeofthemthanweare。IamsorrythatLycurgusandPlatohadnoknowledgeofthem;fortomyapprehension，whatwenowseeinthosenations，doesnotonlysurpassallthepictureswithwhichthepoetshaveadornedthegoldenage，andalltheirinventionsinfeigningahappystateofman，but，moreover，thefancyandeventhewishanddesireofphilosophyitself;sonativeandsopureasimplicity，aswebyexperienceseetobeinthem，couldneverenterintotheirimagination，norcouldtheyeverbelievethathumansocietycouldhavebeenmaintainedwithsolittleartificeandhumanpatchwork。IshouldtellPlatothatitisanationwhereinthereisnomanneroftraffic，noknowledgeofletters，noscienceofnumbers，nonameofmagistrateorpoliticalsuperiority;nouseofservice，richesorpoverty，nocontracts，nosuccessions，nodividends，noproperties，noemployments，butthoseofleisure，norespectofkindred，butcommon，noclothing，noagriculture，nometal，nouseofcornorwine;theverywordsthatsignifylying，treachery，dissimulation，avarice，envy，detraction，pardon，neverheardof。
　　——[ThisisthefamouspassagewhichShakespeare，throughFlorio’sversion，1603，ored。1613，p。102，hasemployedinthe"Tempest，"
　　ii。1。]
　　HowmuchwouldhefindhisimaginaryRepublicshortofhisperfection？
　　"Viriadiisrecentes。"
　　["Menfreshfromthegods。"——Seneca，Ep。，90。]
　　"Hosnaturamodosprimumdedit。"
　　["Thesewerethemannersfirsttaughtbynature。"
　　——Virgil，Georgics，ii。20。]
　　Astotherest，theyliveinacountryverypleasantandtemperate，sothat，asmywitnessesinformme，’tisraretohearofasickperson，andtheymoreoverassureme，thattheyneversawanyofthenatives，eitherparalytic，bleareyed，toothless，orcrookedwithage。Thesituationoftheircountryisalongthesea—shore，enclosedontheothersidetowardstheland，withgreatandhighmountains，havingaboutahundredleaguesinbreadthbetween。Theyhavegreatstoreoffishandflesh，thathavenoresemblancetothoseofours:whichtheyeatwithoutanyothercookery，thanplainboiling，roasting，andbroiling。Thefirstthatrodeahorsethither，thoughinseveralothervoyageshehadcontractedanacquaintanceandfamiliaritywiththem，putthemintosoterribleafright，withhiscentaurappearance，thattheykilledhimwiththeirarrowsbeforetheycouldcometodiscoverwhohewas。Theirbuildingsareverylong，andofcapacitytoholdtwoorthreehundredpeople，madeofthebarksoftalltrees，rearedwithoneendupontheground，andleaningtoandsupportingoneanotheratthetop，likesomeofourbarns，ofwhichthecoveringhangsdowntotheveryground，andservesforthesidewalls。Theyhavewoodsohard，thattheycutwithit，andmaketheirswordsofit，andtheirgrillsofittobroiltheirmeat。Theirbedsareofcotton，hungswingingfromtheroof，likeourseamen’shammocks，everymanhisown，forthewiveslieapartfromtheirhusbands。Theyrisewiththesun，andsosoonastheyareup，eatforallday，fortheyhavenomoremealsbutthat;theydonotthendrink，asSuidasreportsofsomeotherpeopleoftheEastthatneverdrankattheirmeals;butdrinkveryoftenalldayafter，andsometimestoarousingpitch。Theirdrinkismadeofacertainroot，andisofthecolourofourclaret，andtheyneverdrinkitbutlukewarm。Itwillnotkeepabovetwoorthreedays;
　　ithasasomewhatsharp，brisktaste，isnothingheady，butverycomfortabletothestomach;laxativetostrangers，butaverypleasantbeveragetosuchasareaccustomedtoit。Theymakeuse，insteadofbread，ofacertainwhitecompound，likecorianderseeds;Ihavetastedofit;thetasteissweetandalittleflat。Thewholedayisspentindancing。Theiryoungmengoa—huntingafterwildbeastswithbowsandarrows;onepartoftheirwomenareemployedinpreparingtheirdrinkthewhile，whichistheirchiefemployment。Oneoftheiroldmen，inthemorningbeforetheyfalltoeating，preachestothewholefamily，walkingfromtheoneendofthehousetotheother，andseveraltimesrepeatingthesamesentence，tillhehasfinishedtheround，fortheirhousesareatleastahundredyardslong。Valourtowardstheirenemiesandlovetowardstheirwives，arethetwoheadsofhisdiscourse，neverfailingintheclose，toputtheminmind，that’tistheirwiveswhoprovidethemtheirdrinkwarmandwellseasoned。Thefashionoftheirbeds，ropes，swords，andofthewoodenbraceletstheytieabouttheirwrists，whentheygotofight，andofthegreatcanes，boredhollowatoneend，bythesoundofwhichtheykeepthecadenceoftheirdances，aretobeseeninseveralplaces，andamongstothers，atmyhouse。Theyshaveallover，andmuchmoreneatlythanwe，withoutotherrazorthanoneofwoodorstone。Theybelieveintheimmortalityofthesoul，andthatthosewhohavemeritedwellofthegodsarelodgedinthatpartofheavenwherethesunrises，andtheaccursedinthewest。
　　TheyhaveIknownotwhatkindofpriestsandprophets，whoveryrarelypresentthemselvestothepeople，havingtheirabodeinthemountains。
　　Attheirarrival，thereisagreatfeast，andsolemnassemblyofmanyvillages:eachhouse，asIhavedescribed，makesavillage，andtheyareaboutaFrenchleaguedistantfromoneanother。Thisprophetdeclaimstotheminpublic，exhortingthemtovirtueandtheirduty:butalltheirethicsarecomprisedinthesetwoarticles，resolutioninwar，andaffectiontotheirwives。Healsoprophesiestothemeventstocome，andtheissuestheyaretoexpectfromtheirenterprises，andpromptsthemtoordivertsthemfromwar:butlethimlookto’t;forifhefailinhisdivination，andanythinghappenotherwisethanhehasforetold，heiscutintoathousandpieces，ifhebecaught，andcondemnedforafalseprophet:forthatreason，ifanyofthemhasbeenmistaken，heisnomoreheardof。
　　DivinationisagiftofGod，andthereforetoabuseit，oughttobeapunishableimposture。AmongsttheScythians，wheretheirdivinersfailedinthepromisedeffect，theywerelaid，boundhandandfoot，uponcartsloadedwithfirsandbavins，anddrawnbyoxen，onwhichtheywereburnedtodeath。——[Herodotus，iv。69。]——Suchasonlymeddlewiththingssubjecttotheconductofhumancapacity，areexcusableindoingthebesttheycan:butthoseotherfellowsthatcometodeludeuswithassurancesofanextraordinaryfaculty，beyondourunderstanding，oughttheynottobepunished，whentheydonotmakegoodtheeffectoftheirpromise，andforthetemerityoftheirimposture？
　　Theyhavecontinualwarwiththenationsthatlivefurtherwithinthemainland，beyondtheirmountains，towhichtheygonaked，andwithoutotherarmsthantheirbowsandwoodenswords，fashionedatoneendliketheheadofourjavelins。Theobstinacyoftheirbattlesiswonderful，andtheyneverendwithoutgreateffusionofblood:forastorunningaway，theyknownotwhatitis。Everyoneforatrophybringshometheheadofanenemyhehaskilled，whichhefixesoverthedoorofhishouse。Afterhavingalongtimetreatedtheirprisonersverywell，andgiventhemalltheregalestheycanthinkof，hetowhomtheprisonerbelongs，invitesagreatassemblyofhisfriends。Theybeingcome，hetiesaropetooneofthearmsoftheprisoner，ofwhich，atadistance，outofhisreach，heholdstheoneendhimself，andgivestothefriendhelovesbesttheotherarmtoholdafterthesamemanner;whichbeing。