["Bareheadedhemarchedinsnow，exposedtopouringrainandtheutmostrigouroftheweather。"——SiliusItalicus，i。250。]
AVenetianwhohaslonglivedinPegu，andhaslatelyreturnedthence，writesthatthemenandwomenofthatkingdom，thoughtheycoveralltheirotherparts，goalwaysbarefootandridesotoo;andPlatoveryearnestlyadvisesforthehealthofthewholebody，togivetheheadandthefeetnootherclothingthanwhatnaturehasbestowed。HewhomthePoleshaveelectedfortheirking，——[StephenBathory]——sinceourscamethence，whois，indeed，oneofthegreatestprincesofthisage，neverwearsanygloves，andinwinterorwhateverweathercancome，neverwearsothercapabroadthanthathewearsathome。WhereasIcannotenduretogounbuttonedoruntied;myneighbouringlabourerswouldthinkthemselvesinchains，iftheyweresobraced。Varroisofopinion，thatwhenitwasordainedweshouldbebareinthepresenceofthegodsandbeforethemagistrate，itwassoorderedratheruponthescoreofhealth，andtoinureustotheinjuriesofweather，thanupontheaccountofreverence;
andsincewearenowtalkingofcold，andFrenchmenusedtowearvarietyofcolours（notImyself，forIseldomwearotherthanblackorwhite，inimitationofmyfather），letusaddanotherstoryoutofLeCapitaineMartinduBellay，whoaffirms，thatinthemarchtoLuxembourghesawsogreatfrost，thatthemunition—winewascutwithhatchetsandwedges，anddeliveredouttothesoldiersbyweight，andthattheycarrieditawayinbaskets:andOvid，"Nudaqueconsistunt，formamservantiatestae，Vina;nechaustameri，seddatafrusta，bibunt。"
["Thewinewhenoutofthecaskretainstheformofthecask;
andisgivenoutnotincups，butinbits。"
——Ovid，Trist。，iii。10，23。]
AtthemouthofLakeMaeotisthefrostsaresoverysharp，thatintheverysameplacewhereMithridates’lieutenanthadfoughttheenemydryfootandgiventhemanotabledefeat，thesummerfollowingheobtainedoverthemanavalvictory。TheRomansfoughtataverygreatdisadvantage，intheengagementtheyhadwiththeCarthaginiansnearPiacenza，byreasonthattheywenttothechargewiththeirbloodcongealedandtheirlimbsnumbedwithcold，whereasHannibalhadcausedgreatfirestobedispersedquitethroughhiscamptowarmhissoldiers，andoiltobedistributedamongstthem，totheendthatanointingthemselves，theymightrendertheirnervesmoresuppleandactive，andfortifytheporesagainsttheviolenceoftheairandfreezingwind，whichragedinthatseason。
TheretreattheGreeksmadefromBabylonintotheirowncountryisfamousforthedifficultiesandcalamitiestheyhadtoovercome;ofwhichthiswasone，thatbeingencounteredinthemountainsofArmeniawithahorriblestormofsnow，theylostallknowledgeofthecountryandoftheways，andbeingdrivenup，wereadayandanightwithouteatingordrinking;mostoftheircattledied，manyofthemselveswerestarvedtodeath，severalstruckblindwiththeforceofthehailandtheglareofthesnow，manyofthemmaimedintheirfingersandtoes，andmanystiffandmotionlesswiththeextremityofthecold，whohadyettheirunderstandingentire。
Alexandersawanation，wheretheyburytheirfruit—treesinwintertoprotectthemfrombeingdestroyedbythefrost，andwealsomayseethesame。
But，sofarasclothesgo，theKingofMexicochangedfourtimesadayhisapparel，andneverputitonagain，employingthatheleftoffinhiscontinualliberalitiesandrewards;andneitherpot，dish，norotherutensilofhiskitchenortablewaseverservedtwice。
CHAPTERXXXVI
OFCATOTHEYOUNGER
["Iamnotpossessedwiththiscommonerrour，tojudgeofothersaccordingtowhatIammyselfe。Iameasietobeleevethingsdifferingfrommyselfe。ThoughIbeengagedtooneforme，Idonottietheworlduntoit，aseverymandoth。AndIbeleeveandconceiveathousandmannersoflife，contrarytothecommonsorte。"
——Florio，ed。1613，p。113。]
Iamnotguiltyofthecommonerrorofjudginganotherbymyself。I
easilybelievethatinanother’shumourwhichiscontrarytomyown;andthoughIfindmyselfengagedtoonecertainform，Idonotobligeotherstoit，asmanydo;butbelieveandapprehendathousandwaysofliving;
and，contrarytomostmen，moreeasilyadmitofdifferencethanuniformityamongstus。Iasfranklyasanyonewouldhaveme，dischargeamanfrommyhumoursandprinciples，andconsiderhimaccordingtohisownparticularmodel。ThoughIamnotcontinentmyself，IneverthelesssincerelyapprovethecontinenceoftheFeuillansandCapuchins，andhighlycommendtheirwayofliving。Iinsinuatemyselfbyimaginationintotheirplace，andloveandhonourthemthemoreforbeingotherthanIam。Iverymuchdesirethatwemaybejudgedeverymanbyhimself，andwouldnotbedrawnintotheconsequenceofcommonexamples。MyownweaknessnothingalterstheesteemIoughttohavefortheforceandvigourofthosewhodeserveit:
"Suntquinihilsuadent，quamquodseimitariposseconfidunt。"
["Therearewhopersuadenothingbutwhattheybelievetheycanimitatethemselves。"——Cicero，DeOrator。，c。7。]
Crawlingupontheslimeoftheearth，Idonotforallthatceasetoobserveupinthecloudstheinimitableheightofsomeheroicsouls。
’Tisagreatdealformetohavemyjudgmentregularandjust，iftheeffectscannotbeso，andtomaintainthissovereignpart，atleast，freefromcorruption;’tissomethingtohavemywillrightandgoodwheremylegsfailme。Thisagewhereinwelive，inourpartoftheworldatleast，isgrownsostupid，thatnotonlytheexercise，buttheveryimaginationofvirtueisdefective，andseemstobenootherbutcollegejargon:
"Virtutemverbaputant，utLucumligna:"
["Theythinkwordsvirtue，astheythinkmerewoodasacredgrove。"
——Horace，Ep。，i。6，31。]
"Quamvererideberent，etiamsiperciperenonpossent。"
["Whichtheyoughttoreverence，thoughtheycannotcomprehend。"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quas。，v。2。]
’Tisagewgawtohanginacabinetorattheendofthetongue，asonthetipoftheear，forornamentonly。Therearenolongervirtuousactionsextant;thoseactionsthatcarryashowofvirtuehaveyetnothingofitsessence;byreasonthatprofit，glory，fear，custom，andothersuchlikeforeigncauses，putusonthewaytoproducethem。Ourjusticealso，valour，courtesy，maybecalledsotoo，inrespecttoothersandaccordingtothefacetheyappearwithtothepublic;butinthedoeritcanbynomeansbevirtue，becausethereisanotherendproposed，anothermovingcause。Nowvirtueownsnothingtobehers，butwhatisdonebyherselfandforherselfalone。
InthatgreatbattleofPlataea，thattheGreeksunderthecommandofPausaniasgainedagainstMardoniusandthePersians，theconquerors，accordingtotheircustom，comingtodivideamongstthemthegloryoftheexploit，attributedtotheSpartannationthepre—eminenceofvalourintheengagement。TheSpartans，greatjudgesofvirtue，whentheycametodeterminetowhatparticularmanoftheirnationthehonourwasdueofhavingthebestbehavedhimselfuponthisoccasion，foundthatAristodemushadofallothershazardedhispersonwiththegreatestbravery;butdidnot，however，allowhimanyprize，byreasonthathisvirtuehadbeenincitedbyadesiretoclearhisreputationfromthereproachofhismiscarriageatthebusinessofThermopylae，andtodiebravelytowipeoffthatformerblemish。
Ourjudgmentsareyetsick，andobeythehumourofourdepravedmanners。
Iobservemostofthewitsofthesetimespretendtoingenuity，byendeavouringtoblemishanddarkenthegloryofthebravestandmostgenerousactionsofformerages，puttingonevileinterpretationoranotheruponthem，andforgingandsupposingvaincausesandmotivesforthenoblethingstheydid:amightysubtletyindeed！Givemethegreatestandmostunblemishedactionthateverthedaybeheld，andIwillcontriveahundredplausibledriftsandendstoobscureit。Godknows，whoeverwillstretchthemouttothefull，whatdiversityofimagesourinternalwillssufferunder。Theydonotsomaliciouslyplaythecensurers，astheydoitignorantlyandrudelyinalltheirdetractions。
Thesamepainsandlicencethatotherstaketoblemishandbespattertheseillustriousnames，Iwouldwillinglyundergotolendthemashouldertoraisethemhigher。Theserareforms，thatareculledoutbytheconsentofthewisestmenofallages，fortheworld’sexample，Ishouldnotsticktoaugmentinhonour，asfarasmyinventionwouldpermit，inallthecircumstancesoffavourableinterpretation;andwemaywellbelievethattheforceofourinventionisinfinitelyshortoftheirmerit。’Tisthedutyofgoodmentoportrayvirtueasbeautifulastheycan，andtherewouldbenothingwrongshouldourpassionalittletransportusinfavourofsosacredaform。Whatthesepeopledo，onthecontrary，theyeitherdooutofmalice，orbytheviceofconfiningtheirbelieftotheirowncapacity;or，whichIammoreinclinedtothink，fornothavingtheirsightstrong，clear，andelevatedenoughtoconceivethesplendourofvirtueinhernativepurity:asPlutarchcomplains，thatinhistimesomeattributedthecauseoftheyoungerCato’sdeathtohisfearofCaesar，atwhichheseemsveryangry，andwithgoodreason;andbythisamanmayguesshowmuchmorehewouldhavebeenoffendedwiththosewhohaveattributedittoambition。Senselesspeople！Hewouldratherhaveperformedanoble，just，andgenerousaction，andtohavehadignominyforhisreward，thanforglory。Thatmanwasintruthapatternthatnaturechoseouttoshowtowhatheighthumanvirtueandconstancycouldarrive。
ButIamnotcapableofhandlingsorichanargument，andshallthereforeonlysetfiveLatinpoetstogether，contendinginthepraiseofCato;
and，incidentally，fortheirowntoo。Now，awell—educatedchildwilljudgethetwofirst，incomparisonoftheothers，alittleflatandlanguid;thethirdmorevigorous，butoverthrownbytheextravaganceofhisownforce;hewillthenthinkthattherewillberoomforoneortwogradationsofinventiontocometothefourth，and，mountingtothepitchofthat，hewillliftuphishandsinadmiration;comingtothelast，thefirstbysomespace’（butaspacethathewillswearisnottobefilledupbyanyhumanwit），hewillbeastounded，hewillnotknowwhereheis。
Andhereisawonder:wehavefarmorepoetsthanjudgesandinterpretersofpoetry;itiseasiertowriteitthantounderstandit。Thereis，indeed，acertainlowandmoderatesortofpoetry，thatamanmaywellenoughjudgebycertainrulesofart;butthetrue，supreme，anddivinepoesyisaboveallrulesandreason。Andwhoeverdiscernsthebeautyofitwiththemostassuredandmoststeadysight，seesnomorethanthequickreflectionofaflashoflightning:itdoesnotexercise，butravishesandoverwhelmsourjudgment。Thefurythatpossesseshimwhoisabletopenetrateintoitwoundsyetathirdmanbyhearinghimrepeatit;likealoadstonethatnotonlyattractstheneedle，butalsoinfusesintoitthevirtuetoattractothers。Anditismoreevidentlymanifestinourtheatres，thatthesacredinspirationoftheMuses，havingfirststirredupthepoettoanger，sorrow，hatred，andoutofhimself，towhatevertheywill，doesmoreoverbythepoetpossesstheactor，andbytheactorconsecutivelyallthespectators。Somuchdoourpassionshanganddependupononeanother。
Poetryhaseverhadthatpowerovermefromachildtotranspierceandtransportme;butthisvividsentimentthatisnaturaltomehasbeenvariouslyhandledbyvarietyofforms，notsomuchhigherorlower（fortheywereeverthehighestofeverykind），asdifferingincolour。
First，agayandsprightlyfluency;afterwards，aloftyandpenetratingsubtlety;andlastly，amatureandconstantvigour。Theirnameswillbetterexpressthem:Ovid，Lucan，Virgil。
Butourpoetsarebeginningtheircareer:
"SitCato，dumvivit，sanevelCaesaremajor，"
["LetCato，whilsthelive，begreaterthanCaesar。"
——Martial，vi。32]
saysone。
"Etinvictum，devictamorte，Catonem，"
["AndCatoinvincible，deathbeingovercome。"
——Manilius，Astron。，iv。87。
saysthesecond。Andthethird，speakingofthecivilwarsbetwixtCaesarandPompey，"Victrixcausadiisplacuit，setvictaCatoni。"
["Thevictoriouscauseblessedthegods，thedefeatedoneCato。
——"Lucan，i。128。]
Andthefourth，uponthepraisesofCaesar:
"Etcunctaterrarumsubacta，PraeteratrocemanimumCatonis。"
["AndconqueredallbuttheindomitablemindofCato。"
——Horace，Od。，ii。1，23。]
Andthemasterofthechoir，afterhavingsetforthallthegreatnamesofthegreatestRomans，endsthus:
"HisdantemjuraCatonem。"
["Catogivinglawstoalltherest。"——AEneid，viii。670。]
CHAPTERXXXVII
THATWELAUGHANDCRYFORTHESAMETHING
WhenwereadinhistorythatAntigonuswasverymuchdispleasedwithhissonforpresentinghimtheheadofKingPyrrhushisenemy，butnewlyslainfightingagainsthim，andthatseeingit，hewept;andthatRene，DukeofLorraine，alsolamentedthedeathofCharles，DukeofBurgundy，whomhehadhimselfdefeated，andappearedinmourningathisfuneral;
andthatinthebattleofD’Auray（whichCountMontfortobtainedoverCharlesdeBlois，hiscompetitorfortheduchyofBrittany），theconquerormeetingthedeadbodyofhisenemy，wasverymuchafflictedathisdeath，wemustnotpresentlycryout:
"Ecosiavven，thel’animociascunaSuapassionsotto’lcontrariomanto，Ricopre，conlavistaor’chiara，or’bruna。"
["Andthusithappensthatthemindofeachveilsitspassionunderadifferentappearance，andbeneathasmilingvisage，gaybeneathasombreair。"——Petrarch。]
WhenPompey’sheadwaspresentedtoCaesar，thehistoriestellusthatheturnedawayhisface，asfromasadandunpleasingobject。Therehadbeensolonganintelligenceandsocietybetwixttheminthemanagementofthepublicaffairs，sogreatacommunityoffortunes，somanymutualoffices，andsonearanalliance，thatthiscountenanceofhisoughtnottosufferunderanymisinterpretation，ortobesuspectedforeitherfalseorcounterfeit，asthisotherseemstobelieve:
"TutumqueputavitJambonusessesocer;lacrymaenonspontecadentes，Effudit，gemitusqueexpressitpectorelaeto;"
["Andnowhethoughtitsafetoplaythekindfather—in—law，sheddingforcedtears，andfromajoyfulbreastdischargingsighsandgroans。"——Lucan，ix。1037。]
forthoughitbetruethatthegreatestpartofouractionsarenootherthanvisoranddisguise，andthatitmaysometimesbetruethat"Haeredisfletussubpersonarisesest，"
["Theheir’stearsbehindthemaskaresmiles。"
——PubliusSyrus，apudGellium，xvii。14。]
yet，injudgingoftheseaccidents，wearetoconsiderhowmuchoursoulsareoftentimesagitatedwithdiverspassions。Andastheysaythatinourbodiesthereisacongregationofdivershumours，ofwhichthatisthesovereignwhich，accordingtothecomplexionweareof，iscommonlymostpredominantinus:so，thoughthesoulhaveinitdiversmotionstogiveitagitation，yetmustthereofnecessitybeonetooverrulealltherest，thoughnotwithsonecessaryandabsoluteadominionbutthatthroughtheflexibilityandinconstancyofthesoul，thoseoflessauthoritymayuponoccasionreassumetheirplaceandmakealittlesallyinturn。Thenceitis，thatweseenotonlychildren，whoinnocentlyobeyandfollownature，oftenlaughandcryatthesamething，butnotoneofuscanboast，whatjourneysoeverhemayhaveinhandthathehasthemostsethisheartupon，butwhenhecomestopartwithhisfamilyandfriends，hewillfindsomethingthattroubleshimwithin;andthoughherefrainhistearsyetheputsfootinthestirrupwithasadandcloudycountenance。Andwhatgentleflamesoevermaywarmtheheartofmodestandwellbornvirgins，yetaretheyfaintobeforcedfromabouttheirmothers’neckstobeputtobedtotheirhusbands，whateverthisbooncompanionispleasedtosay:
"EstnenovisnuptisodioVenus？anneparentumFrustranturfalsisgaudialachrymulis，Ubertimthalamiquasiintraliminafundunt？
Non，itamedivi，veragemunt，juverint。"
["IsVenusreallysoalarmingtothenew—madebride，ordoesshehonestlyopposeherparent’srejoicingthetearsshesoabundantlyshedsonenteringthenuptialchamber？No，bytheGods，thesearenotruetears。"——Catullus，lxvi。15。]
["IsVenusreallysorepugnanttonewly—marriedmaids？Dotheymeetthesmilesofparentswithfeignedtears？Theyweepcopiouslywithintheverythresholdofthenuptialchamber。No，sothegodshelpme，theydonottrulygrieve。"——Catullus，lxvi。15。]——
[Amoreliteraltranslation。D。W。]
Neitherisitstrangetolamentapersondeadwhomamanwouldbynomeansshouldbealive。WhenIrattlemyman，IdoitwithallthemettleIhave，andloadhimwithnofeigned，butdownrightrealcurses;buttheheatbeingover，ifheshouldstandinneedofme，Ishouldbeveryreadytodohimgood:forIinstantlyturntheleaf。WhenIcallhimcalfandcoxcomb，Idonotpretendtoentailthosetitlesuponhimforever;
neitherdoIthinkIgivemyselfthelieincallinghimanhonestfellowpresentlyafter。Noonequalityengrossesuspurelyanduniversally。
Wereitnotthesignofafooltotalktoone’sself，therewouldhardlybeadayorhourwhereinImightnotbeheardtogrumbleandmuttertomyselfandagainstmyself，"Confoundthefool！"andyetIdonotthinkthattobemydefinition。Whoforseeingmeonewhilecoldandpresentlyveryfondtowardsmywife，believestheoneortheothertobecounterfeited，isanass。Nero，takingleaveofhismotherwhomhewassendingtobedrowned，wasneverthelesssensibleofsomeemotionatthisfarewell，andwasstruckwithhorrorandpity。’Tissaid，thatthelightofthesunisnotonecontinuousthing，butthathedartsnewrayssothickoneuponanotherthatwecannotperceivetheintermission:
"Largusenimliquidifonsluminis，aetheriussol，Irrigatassiduecoelumcandorerecenti，Suppeditatquenovoconfestimluminelumen。"
["Sothewidefountainofliquidlight，theetherealsun，steadilyfertilisestheheavenswithnewheat，andsuppliesacontinuousstoreoffreshlight。"——Lucretius，v。282。]
Justsothesoulvariouslyandimperceptiblydartsoutherpassions。
ArtabanuscomingbysurpriseonceuponhisnephewXerxes，chidhimforthesuddenalterationofhiscountenance。HewasconsideringtheimmeasurablegreatnessofhisforcespassingovertheHellespontfortheGrecianexpedition:hewasfirstseizedwithapalpitationofjoy，toseesomanymillionsofmenunderhiscommand，andthisappearedinthegaietyofhislooks:buthisthoughtsatthesameinstantsuggestingtohimthatofsomanylives，withinacenturyatmost，therewouldnotbeoneleft，hepresentlyknithisbrowsandgrewsad，eventotears。
Wehaveresolutelypursuedtherevengeofaninjuryreceived，andbeensensibleofasingularcontentmentforthevictory;butweshallweepnotwithstanding。’Tisnotforthevictory，though，thatweshallweep:
thereisnothingalteredinthatbutthesoullooksuponthingswithanothereyeandrepresentsthemtoitselfwithanotherkindofface;foreverythinghasmanyfacesandseveralaspects。
Relations，oldacquaintances，andfriendships，possessourimaginationsandmakethemtenderforthetime，accordingtotheircondition;buttheturnissoquick，that’tisgoneinamoment:
"Niladeofiericelerirationevidetur，Quamsimensfieriproponit，etinchoatipsa，Ociusergoanimus，quamressepercietulla，Anteoculosquoruminpromptunaturavidetur;"
["Nothingthereforeseemstobedoneinsoswiftamannerthanifthemindproposesittobedone，anditselfbegins。Itismoreactivethananythingwhichweseeinnature。"——Lucretius，iii。183。]
andtherefore，ifwewouldmakeonecontinuedthingofallthissuccessionofpassions，wedeceiveourselves。WhenTimoleonlamentsthemurderhehadcommitteduponsomatureandgenerousdeliberation，hedoesnotlamentthelibertyrestoredtohiscountry，hedoesnotlamentthetyrant;buthelamentshisbrother:onepartofhisdutyisperformed;
letusgivehimleavetoperformtheother。
CHAPTERXXXVIII
OFSOLITUDE
Letuspretermitthatlongcomparisonbetwixttheactiveandthesolitarylife;andasforthefinesayingswithwhichambitionandavaricepalliatetheirvices，thatwearenotbornforourselvesbutforthepublic，——[ThisistheeulogiumpassedbyLucanonCatoofUtica，ii。
383。]——letusboldlyappealtothosewhoareinpublicaffairs;letthemlaytheirhandsupontheirhearts，andthensaywhether，onthecontrary，theydonotratheraspiretotitlesandofficesandthattumultoftheworldtomaketheirprivateadvantageatthepublicexpense。Thecorruptwaysbywhichinthisourtimetheyarriveattheheighttowhichtheirambitionsaspire，manifestlyenoughdeclaresthattheirendscannotbeverygood。Letustellambitionthatitissheherselfwhogivesusatasteofsolitude;forwhatdoesshesomuchavoidassociety？Whatdoesshesomuchseekaselbowroom？Amanmanydowellorilleverywhere;butifwhatBiassaysbetrue，thatthegreatestpartistheworsepart，orwhatthePreachersays:thereisnotonegoodofathousand:
"Rariquippeboni:numerovixsunttotidemquotThebarumportae，veldivitisostiaNili，"
["Goodmenforsootharescarce:therearehardlyasmanyastherearegatesofThebesormouthsoftherichNile。"
——Juvenal，Sat。，xiii。26。]
thecontagionisverydangerousinthecrowd。Amanmusteitherimitatetheviciousorhatethembotharedangerousthings，eithertoresemblethembecausetheyaremanyortohatemanybecausetheyareunresemblingtoourselves。Merchantswhogotoseaareintherightwhentheyarecautiousthatthosewhoembarkwiththeminthesamebottombeneitherdissoluteblasphemersnorviciousotherways，lookinguponsuchsocietyasunfortunate。AndthereforeitwasthatBiaspleasantlysaidtosome，whobeingwithhiminadangerousstormimploredtheassistanceofthegods:"Peace，speaksoftly，"saidhe，"thattheymaynotknowyouarehereinmycompany。"——[DiogenesLaertius]——Andofmorepressingexample，Albuquerque，viceroyintheIndiesforEmmanuel，kingofPortugal，inanextremeperilofshipwreck，tookayoungboyuponhisshoulders，forthisonlyendthat，inthesocietyoftheircommondangerhisinnocencemightservetoprotecthim，andtorecommendhimtothedivinefavour，thattheymightgetsafetoshore。’Tisnotthatawisemanmaynotliveeverywherecontent，andbealoneintheverycrowdofapalace;butifitbelefttohisownchoice，theschoolmanwilltellyouthatheshouldflytheverysightofthecrowd:hewillendureitifneedbe;butifitbereferredtohim，hewillchoosetobealone。Hecannotthinkhimselfsufficientlyridofvice，ifhemustyetcontendwithitinothermen。Charondaspunishedthoseasevilmenwhowereconvictedofkeepingillcompany。Thereisnothingsounsociableandsociableasman，theonebyhisvice，theotherbyhisnature。AndAntisthenes，inmyopinion，didnotgivehimasatisfactoryanswer，whoreproachedhimwithfrequentingillcompany，bysayingthatthephysicianslivedwellenoughamongstthesick，foriftheycontributetothehealthofthesick，nodoubtbutbythecontagion，continualsightof，andfamiliaritywithdiseases，theymustofnecessityimpairtheirown。
Nowtheend，Itakeit，isallone，toliveatmoreleisureandatone’sease:butmendonotalwaystaketherightway。Theyoftenthinktheyhavetotallytakenleaveofallbusiness，whentheyhaveonlyexchangedoneemploymentforanother:thereislittlelesstroubleingoverningaprivatefamilythanawholekingdom。Whereverthemindisperplexed，itisinanentiredisorder，anddomesticemploymentsarenotlesstroublesomeforbeinglessimportant。Moreover，forhavingshakenoffthecourtandtheexchange，wehavenottakenleaveoftheprincipalvexationsoflife:
"Ratioetprudentiacuras，Nonlocuseffusilatemarisarbiter，aufert;"
["Reasonandprudence，notaplacewithacommandingviewofthegreatocean，banishcare。"——Horace，Ep。，i。2。]
ambition，avarice，irresolution，fear，andinordinatedesires，donotleaveusbecauseweforsakeournativecountry:
"EtPostequitemsedetatracura;"
["Blackcaresitsbehindthehorseman。"
——Horace，Od。，iii。1，40]。
theyoftenfollowuseventocloistersandphilosophicalschools;nordeserts，norcaves，hair—shirts，norfasts，candisengageusfromthem:
"Haeretlaterilethalisarundo。"
["Thefatalshaftadherestotheside。"——AEneid，iv。73。]
OnetellingSocratesthatsuchaonewasnothingimprovedbyhistravels:
"Iverywellbelieveit，"saidhe，"forhetookhimselfalongwithhim"
"QuidterrasaliocalentesSolemutamus？patriaequisexsulSequoquefugit？"
["Whydoweseekclimateswarmedbyanothersun？Whoisthemanthatbyfleeingfromhiscountry，canalsofleefromhimself？"
——Horace，Od。，ii。16，18。]
Ifamandonotfirstdischargebothhimselfandhismindoftheburdenwithwhichhefindshimselfoppressed，motionwillbutmakeitpresstheharderandsittheheavier，astheladingofashipisoflessencumbrancewhenfastandbestowedinasettledposture。Youdoasickmanmoreharmthangoodinremovinghimfromplacetoplace;youfixandestablishthediseasebymotion，asstakessinkdeeperandmorefirmlyintotheearthbybeingmovedupanddownintheplacewheretheyaredesignedtostand。Therefore，itisnotenoughtogetremotefromthepublic;’tisnotenoughtoshiftthesoilonly;amanmustfleefromthepopularconditionsthathavetakenpossessionofhissoul，hemustsequesterandcomeagaintohimself:
"Rupijamvincula，dicasNamluctatacanisnodumarripit;attamenilli，Quumfugit，acollotrahiturparslongacatenae。"
["Yousay，perhaps，youhavebrokenyourchains:thedogwhoafterlongeffortshasbrokenhischain，stillinhisflightdragsaheavyportionofitafterhim。"——Persius，Sat。，v。158。]
Westillcarryourfettersalongwithus。’Tisnotanabsoluteliberty;
weyetcastbackalookuponwhatwehaveleftbehindus;thefancyisstillfullofit:
"Nisipurgatumestpectus，quaepraelianobisAtquepericulatuncingratisinsinuandum？
QuantaeconnscindunthominemcupedinisacresSollicitumcurae？quantiqueperindetimores？
Quidvesuperbia，spurcitia，acpetulantia，quantasEfficiuntclades？quidluxusdesidiesque？"
["Butunlessthemindispurified，whatinternalcombatsanddangersmustweincurinspiteofallourefforts！Howmanybitteranxieties，howmanyterrors，followuponunregulatedpassion！
Whatdestructionbefallsusfrompride，lust，petulantanger！
Whatevilsarisefromluxuryandsloth！"——Lucretius，v。4。]
Ourdiseaseliesinthemind，whichcannotescapefromitself;
"Inculpaestanimus，quisenoneffugitunquam，"
——Horace，Ep。，i。14，13。]
andthereforeistobecalledhomeandconfinedwithinitself:thatisthetruesolitude，andthatmaybeenjoyedeveninpopulouscitiesandthecourtsofkings，thoughmorecommodiouslyapart。
Now，sincewewillattempttolivealone，andtowaiveallmannerofconversationamongstthem，letussoorderitthatourcontentmaydependwhollyuponourselves;letusdissolveallobligationsthatallyustoothers;letusobtainthisfromourselves，thatwemaylivealoneingoodearnest，andliveatoureasetoo。
Stilpohavingescapedfromtheburningofhistown，wherehelostwife，children，andgoods，DemetriusPoliorcetesseeinghim，insogreataruinofhiscountry，appearwithanundisturbedcountenance，askedhimifhehadreceivednoloss？Towhichhemadeanswer，No;andthat，thankGod，nothingwaslostofhis。——[Seneca，Ep。7。]——ThisalsowasthemeaningofthephilosopherAntisthenes，whenhepleasantlysaid，that"menshouldfurnishthemselveswithsuchthingsaswouldfloat，andmightwiththeownerescapethestorm";——[DiogenesLaertius，vi。6。]andcertainlyawisemanneverlosesanythingifhehavehimself。WhenthecityofNolawasruinedbythebarbarians，Paulinus，whowasbishopofthatplace，havingtherelostallhehad，himselfaprisoner，prayedafterthismanner:"OLord，defendmefrombeingsensibleofthisloss;forThouknowesttheyhaveyettouchednothingofthatwhichismine。"——[St。
Augustin，DeCivit。Dei，i。10。]——Therichesthatmadehimrichandthegoodsthatmadehimgood，werestillkeptentire。Thisitistomakechoiceoftreasuresthatcansecurethemselvesfromplunderandviolence，andtohidetheminsuchaplaceintowhichnoonecanenterandthatisnottobebetrayedbyanybutourselves。Wives，children，andgoodsmustbehad，andespeciallyhealth，byhimthatcangetit;butwearenotsotosetourheartsuponthemthatourhappinessmusthaveitsdependenceuponthem;wemustreserveabackshop，whollyourownandentirelyfree，whereintosettleourtrueliberty，ourprincipalsolitudeandretreat。
Andinthiswemustforthemostpartentertainourselveswithourselves，andsoprivatelythatnoexoticknowledgeorcommunicationbeadmittedthere;theretolaughandtotalk，asifwithoutwife，children，goods，train，orattendance，totheendthatwhenitshallsofalloutthatwemustloseanyorallofthese，itmaybenonewthingtobewithoutthem。
Wehaveamindpliableinitself，thatwillbecompany;thathaswherewithaltoattackandtodefend，toreceiveandtogive:letusnotthenfearinthissolitudetolanguishunderanuncomfortablevacuity。
"Insolissistibiturbalocis。"
["Insolitude，becompanyforthyself。"——Tibullus，vi。13。12。]
Virtueissatisfiedwithherself，withoutdiscipline，withoutwords，withouteffects。Inourordinaryactionsthereisnotoneofathousandthatconcernsourselves。Hethatthouseestscramblinguptheruinsofthatwall，furiousandtransported，againstwhomsomanyharquebuss—shotsarelevelled;andthatotheralloverscars，pale，andfaintingwithhunger，andyetresolvedrathertodiethantoopenthegatestohim;
dostthouthinkthatthesemenarethereupontheirownaccount？No;
peradventureinthebehalfofonewhomtheyneversawandwhoneverconcernshimselffortheirpainsanddanger，butlieswallowingthewhileinslothandpleasure:thisotherslavering，blear—eyed，slovenlyfellow，thatthouseestcomeoutofhisstudyaftermidnight，dostthouthinkhehasbeentumblingoverbookstolearnhowtobecomeabetterman，wiser，andmorecontent？Nosuchmatter;hewillthereendhisdays，buthewillteachposteritythemeasureofPlautus’versesandthetrueorthographyofaLatinword。Whoisitthatdoesnotvoluntarilyexchangehishealth，hisrepose，andhisverylifeforreputationandglory，themostuseless，frivolous，andfalsecointhatpassescurrentamongstus？Ourowndeathdoesnotsufficientlyterrifyandtroubleus;
letus，moreover，chargeourselveswiththoseofourwives，children，andfamily:ourownaffairsdonotaffordusanxietyenough;letusundertakethoseofourneighboursandfriends，stillmoretobreakourbrainsandtormentus:
"Vah！quemquamnehomineminanimuminstituere，autParare，quodsitcarius，quamipseestsibi？"
["Ah！cananymanconceiveinhismindorrealisewhatisdearerthanheistohimself？"——Terence，Adelph。，i。I，13。]
Solitudeseemstometowearthebestfavourinsuchashavealreadyemployedtheirmostactiveandflourishingageintheworld’sservice，aftertheexampleofThales。Wehavelivedenoughforothers;letusatleastliveoutthesmallremnantoflifeforourselves;letusnowcallinourthoughtsandintentionstoourselves，andtoourowneaseandrepose。’Tisnolightthingtomakeasureretreat;itwillbeenoughforustodowithoutmixingotherenterprises。SinceGodgivesusleisuretoorderourremoval，letusmakeready，trussourbaggage，takeleavebetimesofthecompany，anddisentangleourselvesfromthoseviolentimportunitiesthatengageuselsewhereandseparateusfromourselves。