Allthings，saysanoldadage，aretobehopedforbyamanwhilsthelives;ay，but，repliesSeneca，whyshouldthisratherbealwaysrunninginaman’sheadthatfortunecandoallthingsforthelivingman，thanthis，thatfortunehasnopoweroverhimthatknowshowtodie？
　　Josephus，whenengagedinsonearandapparentdanger，awholepeoplebeingviolentlybentagainsthim，thattherewasnovisiblemeansofescape，nevertheless，being，ashehimselfsays，inthisextremitycounselledbyoneofhisfriendstodespatchhimself，itwaswellforhimthatheyetmaintainedhimselfinhope，forfortunedivertedtheaccidentbeyondallhumanexpectation，sothathesawhimselfdeliveredwithoutanymannerofinconvenience。WhereasBrutusandCassius，onthecontrary，threwawaytheremainsoftheRomanliberty，ofwhichtheywerethesoleprotectors，bytheprecipitationandtemeritywherewiththeykilledthemselvesbeforetheduetimeandajustoccasion。Monsieurd’Anguien，atthebattleofSerisolles，twiceattemptedtorunhimselfthrough，despairingofthefortuneoftheday，whichwentindeedveryuntowardlyonthatsideofthefieldwherehewasengaged，andbythatprecipitationwasveryneardeprivinghimselfoftheenjoymentofsobraveavictory。Ihaveseenahundredharesescapeoutoftheveryteethofthegreyhounds:
　　"Aliquiscarnificisuosuperstesfuit。"
　　["Somehavesurvivedtheirexecutioners。"——Seneca，Ep。，13。]
　　"Multadies，variusquelabormutabilisneviRettulitinmelius;multosalternarevisensLusit，etinsolidorursusfortunalocavit。"
　　[Lengthofdays，andthevariouslabourofchangefultime，havebroughtthingstoabetterstate;fortuneturning，shewsareverseface，andagainrestoresmentoprosperity。"——AEneid，xi。425。]
　　Pinysaystherearebutthreesortsofdiseases，toescapewhichamanhasgoodtitletodestroyhimself;theworstofwhichisthestoneinthebladder，whentheurineissuppressed。
　　["Inthequartoeditionoftheseessays，in1588，Plinyissaidtomentiontwomore，viz。，apaininthestomachandaheadache，which，hesays（lib。xxv。c。9。），weretheonlythreedistempersalmostforwhichmenkilledthemselves。"]
　　Senecasaysthoseonlywhichforalongtimearediscomposingthefunctionsofthesoul。Andsometherehavebeenwho，toavoidaworsedeath，havechosenonetotheirownliking。Democritus，generaloftheAEtolians，beingbroughtprisonertoRome，foundmeanstomakehisescapebynight:butclosepursuedbyhiskeepers，ratherthansufferhimselftoberetaken，hefelluponhisownswordanddied。AntinousandTheodotus，theircityofEpirusbeingreducedbytheRomanstothelastextremity，gavethepeoplecounseluniversallytokillthemselves;but，thesepreferringtogivethemselvesuptotheenemy，thetwochiefswenttoseekthedeaththeydesired，rushingfuriouslyupontheenemy，withintentiontostrikehomebutnottowardablow。TheIslandofGozzobeingtakensomeyearsagobytheTurks，aSicilian，whohadtwobeautifuldaughtersmarriageable，killedthembothwithhisownhand，andtheirmother，runningintosavethem，toboot，whichhavingdone，sallyingoutofthehousewithacross—bowandharquebus，withtwoshotshekilledtwooftheTurksnearesttohisdoor，anddrawinghissword，chargedfuriouslyinamongsttherest，wherehewassuddenlyenclosedandcuttopieces，bythatmeansdeliveringhisfamilyandhimselffromslaveryanddishonour。TheJewishwomen，afterhavingcircumcisedtheirchildren，threwthemandthemselvesdownaprecipicetoavoidthecrueltyofAntigonus。Ihavebeentoldofapersonofconditioninoneofourprisons，thathisfriends，beinginformedthathewouldcertainlybecondemned，toavoidtheignominyofsuchadeathsubornedapriesttotellhimthattheonlymeansofhisdeliverancewastorecommendhimselftosuchasaint，undersuchandsuchvows，andtofasteightdaystogetherwithouttakinganymannerofnourishment，whatweaknessorfaintnesssoeverhemightfindinhimselfduringthetime;hefollowedtheiradvice，andbythatmeansdestroyedhimselfbeforehewasaware，notdreamingofdeathoranydangerintheexperiment。ScriboniaadvisinghernephewLibotokillhimselfratherthanawaitthestrokeofjustice，toldhimthatitwastodootherpeople’sbusinesstopreservehislifetoputitafterintothehandsofthosewhowithinthreeorfourdayswouldfetchhimtoexecution，andthatitwastoservehisenemiestokeephisbloodtogratifytheirmalice。
　　WereadintheBiblethatNicanor，thepersecutorofthelawofGod，havingsenthissoldierstoseizeuponthegoodoldmanRazis，surnamedinhonourofhisvirtuethefatheroftheJews:thegoodman，seeingnootherremedy，hisgatesburneddown，andtheenemiesreadytoseizehim，choosingrathertodienoblythantofallintothehandsofhiswickedadversariesandsufferhimselftobecruellybutcheredbythem，contrarytothehonourofhisrankandquality，stabbedhimselfwithhisownsword，buttheblow，forhaste，nothavingbeengivenhome，heranandthrewhimselffromthetopofawallheadlongamongthem，whoseparatingthemselvesandmakingroom，hepitcheddirectlyuponhishead;
　　notwithstandingwhich，feelingyetinhimselfsomeremainsoflife，herenewedhiscourage，andstartingupuponhisfeetallbloodyandwoundedashewas，andmakinghiswaythroughthecrowdtoaprecipitousrock，there，throughoneofhiswounds，drewouthisbowels，which，tearingandpullingtopieceswithbothhishands，hethrewamongsthispursuers，allthewhileattestingandinvokingtheDivinevengeanceuponthemfortheircrueltyandinjustice。
　　Ofviolencesofferedtotheconscience，thatagainstthechastityofwomanis，inmyopinion，mosttobeavoided，forasmuchasthereisacertainpleasurenaturallymixedwithit，andforthatreasonthedissentthereincannotbesufficientlyperfectandentire，sothattheviolenceseemstobemixedwithalittleconsentoftheforcedparty。Theecclesiasticalhistoryhasseveralexamplesofdevoutpersonswhohaveembraceddeathtosecurethemfromtheoutragespreparedbytyrantsagainsttheirreligionandhonour。PelagiaandSophronia，bothcanonised，thefirstoftheseprecipitatedherselfwithhermotherandsistersintotherivertoavoidbeingforcedbysomesoldiers，andthelastalsokilledherselftoavoidbeingravishedbytheEmperorMaxentius。
　　Itmay，peradventure，beanhonourtousinfutureages，thatalearnedauthorofthispresenttime，andaParisian，takesagreatdealofpainstopersuadetheladiesofouragerathertotakeanyothercoursethantoenterintothehorridmeditationofsuchadespair。Iamsorryhehadneverheard，thathemighthaveinserteditamongsthisotherstories，thesayingofawoman，whichwastoldmeatToulouse，whohadpassedthroughthehandlingofsomesoldiers:"Godbepraised，"saidshe，"thatonceatleastinmylifeIhavehadmyfillwithoutsin。"Intruth，thesecrueltiesareveryunworthytheFrenchgoodnature，andalso，Godbethanked，ourairisverywellpurgedofthemsincethisgoodadvice:
　　’tisenoughthattheysay"no"indoingit，accordingtotheruleofthegoodMarot。
　　"Undoulxnenny，avecundoulxsourireEsttanthonneste。"——Marot。
　　Historyiseverywherefullofthosewhobyathousandwayshaveexchangedapainfulandirksomelifefordeath。LuciusAruntiuskilledhimself，tofly，hesaid，boththefutureandthepast。GraniusSilvanusandStatiusProximus，afterhavingbeenpardonedbyNero，killedthemselves;eitherdisdainingtolivebythefavourofsowickedaman，orthattheymightnotbetroubled，atsomeothertime，toobtainasecondpardon，consideringtheproclivityofhisnaturetosuspectandcreditaccusationsagainstworthymen。Spargapises，sonofQueenTomyris，beingaprisonerofwartoCyrus，madeuseofthefirstfavourCyrusshewedhim，incommandinghimtobeunbound，tokillhimself，havingpretendedtonootherbenefitofliberty，butonlytoberevengedofhimselfforthedisgraceofbeingtaken。Boges，governorinEionforKingXerxes，beingbesiegedbytheAthenianarmyundertheconductofCimon，refusedtheconditionsoffered，thathemightsafereturnintoAsiawithallhiswealth，impatienttosurvivethelossofaplacehismasterhadgivenhimtokeep;wherefore，havingdefendedthecitytothelastextremity，nothingbeinglefttoeat，hefirstthrewallthegoldandwhateverelsetheenemycouldmakebootyofintotheriverStrymon，andthencausingagreatpiletobesetonfire，andthethroatsofallthewomen，children，concubines，andservantstobecut，hethrewtheirbodiesintothefire，andatlastleapedintoithimself。
　　Ninachetuen，anIndianlord，sosoonasheheardthefirstwhisperofthePortugueseViceroy’sdeterminationtodispossesshim，withoutanyapparentcause，ofhiscommandinMalacca，totransferittotheKingofCampar，hetookthisresolutionwithhimself:hecausedascaffold，morelongthanbroad，tobeerected，supportedbycolumnsroyallyadornedwithtapestryandstrewedwithflowersandabundanceofperfumes;allwhichbeingprepared，inarobeofclothofgold，setfullofjewelsofgreatvalue，hecameoutintothestreet，andmountedthestepstothescaffold，atonecornerofwhichhehadapilelightedofaromaticwood。
　　Everybodyrantoseetowhatendtheseunusualpreparationsweremade;
　　whenNinachetuen，withamanlybutdispleasedcountenance，setforthhowmuchhehadobligedthePortuguesenation，andwithhowunspottedfidelityhehadcarriedhimselfinhischarge;thathavingsooften，swordinhand，manifestedinthebehalfofothers，thathonourwasmuchmoredeartohimthanlife，hewasnottoabandontheconcernofitforhimself:thatfortunedenyinghimallmeansofopposingtheaffrontdesignedtobeputuponhim，hiscourageatleastenjoinedhimtofreehimselffromthesenseofit，andnottoserveforafabletothepeople，norforatriumphtomenlessdeservingthanhimself;whichhavingsaidheleapedintothefire。
　　Sextilia，wifeofScaurus，andPaxaea，wifeofLabeo，toencouragetheirhusbandstoavoidthedangersthatpresseduponthem，whereintheyhadnoothersharethanconjugalaffection，voluntarilysacrificedtheirownlivestoservetheminthisextremenecessityforcompanyandexample。
　　Whattheydidfortheirhusbands，CocceiusNervadidforhiscountry，withlessutilitythoughwithequalaffection:thisgreatlawyer，flourishinginhealth，riches，reputation，andfavourwiththeEmperor，hadnoothercausetokillhimselfbutthesolecompassionofthemiserablestateoftheRomanRepublic。NothingcanbeaddedtothebeautyofthedeathofthewifeofFulvius，afamiliarfavouriteofAugustus:Augustushavingdiscoveredthathehadventedanimportantsecrethehadentrustedhimwithal，onemorningthathecametomakehiscourt，receivedhimverycoldlyandlookedfrowninglyuponhim。Hereturnedhome，fullof，despair，wherehesorrowfullytoldhiswifethat，havingfallenintothismisfortune，hewasresolvedtokillhimself:towhichsheroundlyreplied，"’tisbutreasonyoushould，seeingthathavingsooftenexperiencedtheincontinenceofmytongue，youcouldnottakewarning:butletmekillmyselffirst，"andwithoutanymoresayingranherselfthroughthebodywithasword。VibiusVirrius，despairingofthesafetyofhiscitybesiegedbytheRomansandoftheirmercy，inthelastdeliberationofhiscity’ssenate，aftermanyargumentsconducingtothatend，concludedthatthemostnoblemeanstoescapefortunewasbytheirownhands:tellingthemthattheenemywouldhavetheminhonour，andHannibalwouldbesensiblehowmanyfaithfulfriendshehadabandoned;invitingthosewhoapprovedofhisadvicetocometoagoodsupperhehadreadyathome，whereaftertheyhadeatenwell，theywoulddrinktogetherofwhathehadprepared;abeverage，saidhe，thatwilldeliverourbodiesfromtorments，oursoulsfrominsult，andoureyesandearsfromthesenseofsomanyhatefulmischiefs，astheconqueredsufferfromcruelandimplacableconquerors。Ihave，saidhe，takenorderforfitpersonstothrowourbodiesintoafuneralpilebeforemydoorsosoonaswearedead。Manyenoughapprovedthishighresolution，butfewimitatedit;seven—and—twentysenatorsfollowedhim，who，afterhavingtriedtodrownthethoughtofthisfataldeterminationinwine，endedthefeastwiththemortalmess;andembracingoneanother，aftertheyhadjointlydeploredthemisfortuneoftheircountry，someretiredhometotheirownhouses，othersstayedtobeburnedwithVibiusinhisfuneralpyre;andwereallofthemsolongindying，thevapourofthewinehavingprepossessedtheveins，andbythatmeansdeferredtheeffectofpoison，thatsomeofthemwerewithinanhourofseeingtheenemyinsidethewallsofCapua，whichwastakenthenextmorning，andofundergoingthemiseriestheyhadatsodeararateendeavouredtoavoid。JubelliusTaurea，anothercitizenofthesamecountry，theConsulFulviusreturningfromtheshamefulbutcheryhehadmadeoftwohundredandtwenty—fivesenators，calledhimbackfiercelybyname，andhavingmadehimstop:
　　"Givetheword，"saidhe，"thatsomebodymaydispatchmeafterthemassacreofsomanyothers，thatthoumayestboasttohavekilledamuchmorevaliantmanthanthyself。"Fulvius，disdaininghimasamanoutofhiswits，andalsohavingreceivedlettersfromRomecensuringtheinhumanityofhisexecutionwhichtiedhishands，Jubelliusproceeded:
　　"Sincemycountryhasbeentaken，myfriendsdead，andhavingwithmyownhandsslainmywifeandchildrentorescuethemfromthedesolationofthisruin，Iamdeniedtodiethedeathofmyfellow—citizens，letmeborrowfromvirtuevengeanceonthishatedlife，"andtherewithaldrawingashortswordhecarriedconcealedabouthim，heranitthroughhisownbosom，fallingdownbackward，andexpiringattheconsul’sfeet。
　　Alexander，layingsiegetoacityoftheIndies，thosewithin，findingthemselvesveryhardlyset，putonavigorousresolutiontodeprivehimofthepleasureofhisvictory，andaccordinglyburnedthemselvesingeneral，togetherwiththeircity，indespiteofhishumanity:anewkindofwar，wheretheenemiessoughttosavethem，andtheytodestroythemselves，doingtomakethemselvessureofdeath，allthatmendotosecurelife。
　　Astapa，acityofSpain，findingitselfweakinwallsanddefencetowithstandtheRomans，theinhabitantsmadeaheapofalltheirrichesandfurnitureinthepublicplace;and，havingrangeduponthisheapallthewomenandchildren，andpiledthemroundwithwoodandothercombustiblemattertotakesuddenfire，andleftfiftyoftheiryoungmenfortheexecutionofthatwhereontheyhadresolved，theymadeadesperatesally，whereforwantofpowertoovercome，theycausedthemselvestobeeverymanslain。Thefifty，afterhavingmassacredeverylivingsoulthroughoutthewholecity，andputfiretothispile，threwthemselveslastlyintoit，finishingtheirgenerousliberty，ratherafteraninsensible，thanafterasorrowfulanddisgracefulmanner，givingtheenemytounderstand，thatiffortunehadbeensopleased，theyhadaswellthecouragetosnatchfromthemvictoryastheyhadtofrustrateandrenderitdreadful，andevenmortaltothosewho，alluredbythesplendourofthegoldmeltinginthisflame，havingapproachedit，agreatnumberweretheresuffocatedandburned，beingkeptfromretiringbythecrowdthatfollowedafter。
　　TheAbydeans，beingpressedbyKingPhilip，putonthesameresolution;
　　but，nothavingtime，theycouldnotputit’ineffect。Theking，whowasstruckwithhorrorattherashprecipitationofthisexecution（thetreasureandmovablesthattheyhadcondemnedtotheflamesbeingfirstseized），drawingoffhissoldiers，grantedthemthreedays’timetokillthemselvesin，thattheymightdoitwithmoreorderandatgreaterease:
　　whichtimetheyfilledwithbloodandslaughterbeyondtheutmostexcessofallhostilecruelty，sothatnotsomuchasanyonesoulwasleftalivethathadpowertodestroyitself。Thereareinfiniteexamplesoflikepopularresolutionswhichseemthemorefierceandcruelinproportionastheeffectismoreuniversal，andyetarereallylesssothanwhensinglyexecuted;whatargumentsandpersuasioncannotdowithindividualmen，theycandowithall，theardourofsocietyravishingparticularjudgments。
　　ThecondemnedwhowouldlivetobeexecutedinthereignofTiberius，forfeitedtheirgoodsandweredeniedtheritesofsepulture;thosewho，bykillingthemselves，anticipatedit，wereinterred，andhadlibertytodisposeoftheirestatesbywill。
　　Butmensometimescovetdeathoutofhopeofagreatergood。"Idesire，"
　　saysSt。Paul，"tobewithChrist，"and"whoshallridmeofthesebands？"CleombrotusofAmbracia，havingreadPlato’sPheedo，enteredintosogreatadesireofthelifetocomethat，withoutanyotheroccasion，hethrewhimselfintothesea。Bywhichitappearshowimproperlywecallthisvoluntarydissolution，despair，towhichtheeagernessofhopeofteninclinesus，and，often，acalmandtemperatedesireproceedingfromamatureanddeliberatejudgment。JacquesduChastel，bishopofSoissons，inSt。Louis’sforeignexpedition，seeingthekingandwholearmyuponthepointofreturningintoFrance，leavingtheaffairsofreligionimperfect，tookaresolutionrathertogointoParadise;wherefore，havingtakensolemnleaveofhisfriends，hechargedalone，inthesightofeveryone，intotheenemy’sarmy，wherehewaspresentlycuttopieces。Inacertainkingdomofthenewdiscoveredworld，uponadayofsolemnprocession，whentheidoltheyadoreisdrawnaboutinpublicuponachariotofmarvellousgreatness;besidesthatmanyarethenseencuttingoffpiecesoftheirfleshtooffertohim，thereareanumberofotherswhoprostratethemselvesupontheplace，causingthemselvestobecrushedandbrokentopiecesundertheweightywheels，toobtainthevenerationofsanctityafterdeath，whichisaccordinglypaidthem。Thedeathofthebishop，swordinhand，hasmoreofmagnanimityinit，andlessofsentiment，theardourofcombattakingawaypartofthelatter。
　　Therearesomegovernmentswhohavetakenuponthemtoregulatethejusticeandopportunityofvoluntarydeath。InformertimestherewaskeptinourcityofMarseillesapoisonpreparedoutofhemlock，atthepubliccharge，forthosewhohadamindtohastentheirend，havingfirst，beforethesixhundred，whoweretheirsenate，givenaccountofthereasonsandmotivesoftheirdesign，anditwasnototherwiselawful，thanbyleavefromthemagistrateanduponjustoccasiontodoviolencetothemselves。——[ValeriusMaximus，ii。6，7。]——Thesamelawwasalsoinuseinotherplaces。
　　SextusPompeius，inhisexpeditionintoAsia，touchedattheisleofCeainNegropont:ithappenedwhilsthewasthere，aswehaveitfromonethatwaswithhim，thatawomanofgreatquality，havinggivenanaccounttohercitizenswhyshewasresolvedtoputanendtoherlife，invitedPompeiustoherdeath，torenderitthemorehonourable，aninvitationthatheaccepted;andhavinglongtriedinvainbythepowerofhiseloquence，whichwasverygreat，andpersuasion，todivertherfromthatdesign，heacquiescedintheendinherownwill。Shehadpassedtheageoffourscoreandteninaveryhappystate，bothofbodyandmind;beingthenlaiduponherbed，betterdressedthanordinaryandleaninguponherelbow，"Thegods，"saidshe，"OSextusPompeius，andratherthoseIleavethanthoseIgotoseek，rewardthee，forthatthouhastnotdisdainedtobeboththecounsellorofmylifeandthewitnessofmydeath。Formypart，havingalwaysexperiencedthesmilesoffortune，forfearlestthedesireoflivingtoolongmaymakemeseeacontraryface，Iamgoing，byahappyend，todismisstheremainsofmysoul，leavingbehindtwodaughtersofmybodyandalegionofnephews";whichhavingsaid，withsomeexhortationstoherfamilytoliveinpeace，shedividedamongstthemhergoods，andrecommendingherdomesticgodstohereldestdaughter，sheboldlytookthebowlthatcontainedthepoison，andhavingmadehervowsandprayerstoMercurytoconducthertosomehappyabodeintheotherworld，sheroundlyswallowedthemortalpoison。Thisbeingdone，sheentertainedthecompanywiththeprogressofitsoperation，andhowthecoldbydegreesseizedtheseveralpartsofherbodyoneafteranother，tillhavingintheendtoldthemitbegantoseizeuponherheartandbowels，shecalledherdaughterstodothelastofficeandclosehereyes。
　　PlinytellsusofacertainHyperboreannationwhere，byreasonofthesweettemperatureoftheair，livesrarelyendedbutbythevoluntarysurrenderoftheinhabitants，who，beingwearyofandsatiatedwithliving，hadthecustom，ataveryoldage，afterhavingmadegoodcheer，toprecipitatethemselvesintotheseafromthetopofacertainrock，assignedforthatservice。Painandthefearofaworsedeathseemtomethemostexcusableincitements。，CHAPTERIV
　　TO—MORROW’SANEWDAY
　　Igive，asitseemstome，withgoodreasonthepalmtoJacquesAmyotofallourFrenchwriters，notonlyforthesimplicityandpurityofhislanguage，whereinheexcelsallothers，norforhisconstancyingoingthroughsolongawork，norforthedepthofhisknowledge，havingbeenablesosuccessfullytosmoothandunravelsoknottyandintricateanauthor（forletpeopletellmewhattheywill，IunderstandnothingofGreek;butImeetwithsensesowellunitedandmaintainedthroughouthiswholetranslation，thatcertainlyheeitherknewthetruefancyoftheauthor，orhaving，bybeinglongconversantwithhim，imprintedavividandgeneralideaofthatofPlutarchinhissoul，hehasdeliveredusnothingthateitherderogatesfromorcontradictshim），butaboveall，I
　　amthemosttakenwithhimforhavingmadesodiscreetachoiceofabooksoworthyandofsogreatutilitywherewithtopresenthiscountry。Weignorantfellowshadbeenlost，hadnotthisbookraisedusoutofthedirt;bythisfavourofhiswedarenowspeakandwrite;theladiesareabletoreadtoschoolmasters;’tisourbreviary。Ifthisgoodmanbeyetliving，IwouldrecommendtohimXenophon，todoasmuchbythat;
　　’tisamuchmoreeasytaskthantheother，andconsequentlymoreproperforhisage。And，besides，thoughIknownothow，methinkshedoesbriskly——andclearlyenoughtripoverstepsanotherwouldhavestumbledat，yetneverthelesshisstyleseemstobemorehisownwherehedoesnotencounterthosedifficulties，androllsawayathisownease。
　　IwasjustnowreadingthispassagewherePlutarchsaysofhimself，thatRusticusbeingpresentatadeclamationofhisatRome，therereceivedapacketfromtheemperor，anddeferredtoopenittillallwasdone:forwhich，sayshe，allthecompanyhighlyapplaudedthegravityofthisperson。’Tistrue，thatbeinguponthesubjectofcuriosityandofthateagerpassionfornews，whichmakesuswithsomuchindiscretionandimpatienceleavealltoentertainanewcomer，andwithoutanymannerofrespectoroutcry，tearopenonasudden，inwhatcompanysoever，thelettersthataredeliveredtous，hehadreasontoapplaudthegravityofRusticusuponthisoccasion;andmightmoreoverhaveaddedtoitthecommendationofhiscivilityandcourtesy，thatwouldnotinterruptthecurrentofhisdeclamation。ButIdoubtwhetheranyonecancommendhisprudence;forreceivingunexpectedletters，andespeciallyfromanemperor，itmighthavefallenoutthatthedeferringtoreadthemmighthavebeenofgreatprejudice。Theviceoppositetocuriosityisnegligence，towhichInaturallyincline，andwhereinIhaveseensomemensoextremethatonemighthavefoundletterssentthemthreeorfourdaysbefore，stillsealedupintheirpockets。
　　Ineveropenanylettersdirectedtoanother;notonlythoseintrustedwithme，butevensuchasfortunehasguidedtomyhand;andamangrywithmyselfifmyeyesunawaresstealanycontentsoflettersofimportanceheisreadingwhenIstandnearagreatman。Neverwasmanlessinquisitiveorlesspryingintoothermen’saffairsthanI。
　　Inourfathers’days，MonsieurdeBoutiereshadliketohavelostTurinfromhaving，whileengagedingoodcompanyatsupper，delayedtoreadinformationthatwassenthimofthetreasonplottedagainstthatcitywherehecommanded。AndthisveryPlutarchhasgivenmetounderstand，thatJuliusCaesarhadpreservedhimself，if，goingtotheSenatethedayhewasassassinatedbytheconspirators，hehadreadanotewhichwaspresentedtohimby，theway。HetellsalsothestoryofArchias，thetyrantofThebes，thatthenightbeforetheexecutionofthedesignPelopidashadplottedtokillhimtorestorehiscountrytoliberty，hehadafullaccountsenthiminwritingbyanotherArchias，anAthenian，ofthewholeconspiracy，andthat，thispackethavingbeendeliveredtohimwhilehesatatsupper，hedeferredtheopeningofit，saying，whichafterwardsturnedtoaproverbinGreece，"Businessto—morrow。"
　　Awisemanmay，Ithink，outofrespecttoanother，asnottodisturbthecompany，asRusticusdid，ornottobreakoffanotheraffairofimportanceinhand，defertoreadorhearanynewthingthatisbroughthim;butforhisowninterestorparticularpleasure，especiallyifhebeapublicminister，thathewillnotinterrupthisdinnerorbreakhissleepisinexcusable。AndtherewasancientlyatRome，theconsularplace，astheycalledit，whichwasthemosthonourableatthetable，asbeingaplaceofmostliberty，andofmoreconvenientaccesstothosewhocameintospeaktothepersonseatedthere;bywhichitappears，thatbeingatmeat，theydidnottotallyabandontheconcernofotheraffairsandincidents。Butwhenallissaid，itisveryhardinhumanactionstogivesoexactaruleuponmoralreasons，thatfortunewillnotthereinmaintainherownright。
　　CHAPTERV
　　OFCONSCIENCE
　　TheSieurdelaBrousse，mybrother，andI，travellingonedaytogetherduringthetimeofourcivilwars，metagentlemanofgoodsort。Hewasofthecontraryparty，thoughIdidnotknowsomuch，forhepretendedotherwise:andthemischiefon’tis，thatinthissortofwarthecardsaresoshuffled，yourenemynotbeingdistinguishedfromyourselfbyanyapparentmarkeitheroflanguageorhabit，andbeingnourishedunderthesamelaw，air，andmanners，itisveryhardtoavoiddisorderandconfusion。ThismademeafraidmyselfofmeetinganyofourtroopsinaplacewhereIwasnotknown，thatImightnotbeinfeartotellmyname，andperadventureofsomethingworse;asithadbefallenmebefore，where，bysuchamistake，Ilostbothmenandhorses，andamongstothersanItaliangentlemanmypage，whomIbredwiththegreatestcareandaffection，wasmiserablyslain，inwhomayouthofgreatpromiseandexpectationwasextinguished。ButthegentlemanmybrotherandImethadsodesperate，half—deadafearuponhimatmeetingwithanyhorse，orpassingbyanyofthetownsthatheldfortheKing，thatIatlastdiscoveredittobealarmsofconscience。Itseemedtothepoormanasifthroughhisvisorandthecrossesuponhiscassock，onewouldhavepenetratedintohisbosomandreadthemostsecretintentionsofhisheart;sowonderfulisthepowerofconscience。Itmakesusbetray，accuse，andfightagainstourselves，andforwantofotherwitnesses，togiveevidenceagainstourselves:
　　"Occultumquatiensanimotortoreflagellum。"
　　["Thetorturerofthesoulbrandishingasharpscourgewithin。"
　　——Juvenal，iii。195。]
　　Thisstoryisineverychild’smouth:BessusthePaeonian，beingreproachedforwantonlypullingdownanestofyoungsparrowsandkillingthem，replied，thathehadreasontodoso，seeingthatthoselittlebirdsneverceasedfalselytoaccusehimofthemurderofhisfather。
　　Thisparricidehadtillthenbeenconcealedandunknown，buttherevengingfuryofconsciencecausedittobediscoveredbyhimhimself，whowastosufferforit。HesiodcorrectsthesayingofPlato，thatpunishmentcloselyfollowssin，itbeing，ashesays，bornatthesametimewithit。Whoeverexpectspunishmentalreadysuffersit，andwhoeverhasdeserveditexpectsit。Wickednesscontrivestormentsagainstitself:
　　"Malumconsiliumconsultoripessimum:"
　　[Illdesignsareworsttothecontriver。"
　　——ApudAul。Gellium，iv。5。]
　　asthewaspstingsandhurtsanother，butmostofallitself，forittherelosesitsstinganditsuseforever，"Vitasqueinvulnereponunt。"
　　[Andleavetheirownlivesinthewound。"
　　——Virgil，Geo。，iv。238。]
　　Cantharideshavesomewhereaboutthem，byacontrarietyofnature，acounterpoisonagainsttheirpoison。Inlikemanner，atthesametimethatmentakedelightinvice，therespringsintheconscienceadispleasurethatafflictsussleepingandwakingwithvarioustormentingimaginations:
　　"Quippeubisemulti，persomniasaepeloquentes，Autmorbodelirantes，protraxeferantur，Etcelatadiuinmediumpeccatadedisse。"
　　["Surelywheremany，oftentalkingintheirsleep，orravingindisease，aresaidtohavebetrayedthemselves，andtohavegivenpublicitytooffenceslongconcealed。"——Lucretius，v。1157。]
　　ApollodorusdreamedthathesawhimselfflayedbytheScythiansandafterwardsboiledinacauldron，andthathisheartmutteredthesewords"Iamthecauseofallthesemischiefsthathavebefallenthee。"
　　Epicurussaidthatnohiding—holecouldconcealthewicked，sincetheycouldneverassurethemselvesofbeinghidwhilsttheirconsciencediscoveredthemtothemselves。
　　"Primaesthaecultio，quodseJudicenemonocensabsohitur。"
　　["Tisthefirstpunishmentofsinthatnomanabsolveshimself。"or:
　　"Thisisthehighestrevenge，thatbyitsjudgmentnooffenderisabsolved。"——Juvenal，xiii。2。]
　　Asanillconsciencefillsuswithfear，soagoodonegivesusgreaterconfidenceandassurance;andIcantrulysaythatIhavegonethroughseveralhazardswithamoresteadypaceinconsiderationofthesecretknowledgeIhadofmyownwillandtheinnocenceofmyintentions:
　　"Consciamensutcuiquesuaest，itaconcipitintraPectoraprofactospemquemetumquesuo。"
　　["Asaman’sconscienceis，sowithinhopeorfearprevails，suitingtohisdesign。"——Ovid，Fast。，i。485。]
　　Ofthisareathousandexamples;butitwillbeenoughtoinstancethreeofoneandthesameperson。Scipio，beingonedayaccusedbeforethepeopleofRomeofsomecrimesofaveryhighnature，insteadofexcusinghimselforflatteringhisjudges:"Itwillbecomeyouwell，"saidhe，"tositinjudgmentuponahead，bywhosemeansyouhavethepowertojudgealltheworld。"Anothertime，alltheanswerhegavetoseveralimpeachmentsbroughtagainsthimbyatribuneofthepeople，insteadofmakinghisdefence:"Letusgo，citizens，"saidhe，"letusgorenderthankstothegodsforthevictorytheygavemeovertheCarthaginiansasthisday，"andadvancinghimselfbeforetowardstheTemple，hehadpresentlyalltheassemblyandhisveryaccuserhimselffollowingathisheels。AndPetilius，havingbeensetonbyCatotodemandanaccountofthemoneythathadpassedthroughhishandsintheprovinceofAntioch，Scipiobeingcomeintothesenatetothatpurpose，producedabookfromunderhisrobe，whereinhetoldthemwasanexactaccountofhisreceiptsanddisbursements;butbeingrequiredtodeliverittotheprothonotarytobeexamined，herefused，saying，hewouldnotdohimselfsogreatadisgrace;andinthepresenceofthewholesenatetorethebookwithhisownhandstopieces。Idonotbelievethatthemostsearedconsciencecouldhavecounterfeitedsogreatanassurance。Hehadnaturallytoohighaspiritandwasaccustomedtotoohighafortune，saysTitiusLivius，toknowhowtobecriminal，andtolowerhimselftothemeannessofdefendinghisinnocence。Theputtingmentotherackisadangerousinvention，andseemstoberatheratrialofpatiencethanoftruth。
　　Bothhewhohasthefortitudetoendureitconcealsthetruth，andhewhohasnot:forwhyshouldpainsoonermakemeconfesswhatreallyis，thanforcemetosaywhatisnot？And，onthecontrary，ifhewhoisnotguiltyofthatwhereofheisaccused，hasthecouragetoundergothosetorments，whyshouldnothewhoisguiltyhavethesame，sofairarewardaslifebeinginhisprospect？Ibelievethegroundofthisinventionproceedsfromtheconsiderationoftheforceofconscience:for，totheguilty，itseemstoassisttheracktomakehimconfesshisfaultandtoshakehisresolution;and，ontheotherside，thatitfortifiestheinnocentagainstthetorture。Butwhenallisdone，’tis，inplaintruth，atrialfullofuncertaintyanddangerwhatwouldnotamansay，whatwouldnotamando，toavoidsointolerabletorments？
　　"Etiaminnocentescogitmentiridolor。"
　　["Painwillmakeeventheinnocentlie。"——PubliusSyrus，DeDolore。]
　　Whenceitcomestopass，thathimwhomthejudgehasrackedthathemaynotdieinnocent，hemakeshimdiebothinnocentandracked。Athousandandathousandhavechargedtheirownheadsbyfalseconfessions，amongstwhomIplacePhilotas，consideringthecircumstancesofthetrialAlexanderputuponhimandtheprogressofhistorture。Butsoitisthatsomesayitistheleastevilhumanweaknesscouldinvent;veryinhumanly，notwithstanding，andtoverylittlepurpose，inmyopinion。
　　ManynationslessbarbarousinthisthantheGreeksandRomanswhocallthemso，reputeithorribleandcrueltotormentandpullamantopiecesforafaultofwhichtheyareyetindoubt。Howcanhehelpyourignorance？Arenotyouunjust，that，nottokillhimwithoutcause，doworsethankillhim？Andthatthisisso，dobutobservehowoftenmenprefertodiewithoutreasonthanundergothisexamination，morepainfulthanexecutionitself;andthatoft—timesbyitsextremityanticipatesexecution，andperformit。IknownotwhereIhadthisstory，butitexactlymatchestheconscienceofourjusticeinthisparticular。A
　　country—woman，toageneralofaveryseverediscipline，accusedoneofhissoldiersthathehadtakenfromherchildrenthelittlesoupmeatshehadlefttonourishthemwithal，thearmyhavingconsumedalltherest;
　　butofthisprooftherewasnone。Thegeneral，afterhavingcautionedthewomantotakegoodheedtowhatshesaid，forthatshewouldmakeherselfguiltyofafalseaccusationifshetoldalie，andshepersisting，hepresentlycausedthesoldier’sbellytoberippeduptoclearthetruthofthefact，andthewomanwasfoundtoberight。Aninstructivesentence。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　USEMAKESPERFECT
　　’Tisnottobeexpectedthatargumentandinstruction，thoughweneversovoluntarilysurrenderourbelieftowhatisreadtous，shouldbeofforcetoleadusonsofarastoaction，ifwedonot，overandabove，exerciseandformthesoulbyexperiencetothecourseforwhichwedesignit;itwill，otherwise，doubtlessfinditselfatalosswhenitcomestothepinchofthebusiness。Thisisthereasonwhythoseamongstthephilosopherswhowereambitioustoattaintoagreaterexcellence，werenotcontentedtoawaittheseveritiesoffortuneintheretirementandreposeoftheirownhabitations，lestheshouldhavesurprisedthemrawandinexpertinthecombat，butsalliedouttomeether，andpurposelythrewthemselvesintotheproofofdifficulties。Someofthemabandonedrichestoexercisethemselvesinavoluntarypoverty;otherssoughtoutlabourandanausterityoflife，toinurethemtohardshipsandinconveniences;othershavedeprivedthemselvesoftheirdearestmembers，asofsight，andoftheinstrumentsofgeneration，lesttheirtoodelightfulandeffeminateserviceshouldsoftenanddebauchthestabilityoftheirsouls。
　　Butindying，whichisthegreatestworkwehavetodo，practicecangiveusnoassistanceatall。Amanmaybycustomfortifyhimselfagainstpain，shame，necessity，andsuch—likeaccidents，butastodeath，wecanexperimentitbutonce，andareallapprenticeswhenwecometoit。
　　Therehave，anciently，beenmensoexcellentmanagersoftheirtimethattheyhavetriedevenindeathitselftorelishandtasteit，andwhohavebenttheirutmostfacultiesofmindtodiscoverwhatthispassageis，buttheyarenoneofthemcomebacktotellusthenews:
　　"Nemoexpergitusexstat，Frigidaquernsemelestvitaipausasequuta。"
　　["Noonewakeswhohasoncefallenintothecoldsleepofdeath。"
　　——Lucretius，iii。942]
　　JuliusCanus，anobleRoman，ofsingularconstancyandvirtue，havingbeencondemnedtodiebythatworthlessfellowCaligula，besidesmanymarvelloustestimoniesthathegaveofhisresolution，ashewasjustgoingtoreceivethestrokeoftheexecutioner，wasaskedbyaphilosopher，afriendofhis:"Well，Canus，whereaboutisyoursoulnow？
　　whatisshedoing？Whatareyouthinkingof？"——"Iwasthinking，"repliedtheother，"tokeepmyselfready，andthefacultiesofmymindfullsettledandfixed，totryifinthisshortandquickinstantofdeath，I
　　couldperceivethemotionofthesoulwhenshepartsfromthebody，andwhethershehasanysentimentattheseparation，thatImayaftercomeagainifIcan，toacquaintmyfriendswithit。"Thismanphilosophisesnotuntodeathonly，butindeathitself。Whatastrangeassurancewasthis，andwhatbraveryofcourage，todesirehisdeathshouldbealessontohim，andtohaveleisuretothinkofotherthingsinsogreatanaffair:
　　"Jushocanimimorientishabebat。"
　　["Thismightypowerofmindhehaddying。"—Lucan，viii。636。]
　　AndyetIfancy，thereisacertainwayofmakingitfamiliartous，andinsomesortofmakingtrialwhatitis。Wemaygainexperience，ifnotentireandperfect，yetsuch，atleast，asshallnotbetotallyuselesstous，andthatmayrenderusmoreconfidentandmoreassured。Ifwecannotovertakeit，wemayapproachitandviewit，andifwedonotadvancesofarasthefort，wemayatleastdiscoverandmakeourselvesacquaintedwiththeavenues。Itisnotwithoutreasonthatwearetaughttoconsidersleepasaresemblanceofdeath:withhowgreatfacilitydowepassfromwakingtosleeping，andwithhowlittleconcerndowelosetheknowledgeoflightandofourselves。Peradventure，thefacultyofsleepingwouldseemuselessandcontrarytonature，sinceitdeprivesusofallactionandsentiment，wereitnotthatbyitnatureinstructsusthatshehasequallymadeustodieastolive;andinlifepresentstoustheeternalstateshereservesforusafterit，toaccustomustoitandtotakefromusthefearofit。Butsuchashavebyviolentaccidentfallenintoaswoon，andinithavelostallsense，these，methinks，havebeenverynearseeingthetrueandnaturalfaceofdeath;forastothemomentofthepassage，itisnottobefearedthatitbringswithitanypainordispleasure，forasmuchaswecanhavenofeelingwithoutleisure;
　　oursufferingsrequiretime，whichindeathissoshort，andsoprecipitous，thatitmustnecessarilybeinsensible。Theyaretheapproachesthatwearetofear，andthesemayfallwithinthelimitsofexperience。