butthathewasnowsoaccustomedtoithecouldnotleaveitoff。And，atthatverytime，hewastrappedstealingalady’srings，havingcomeintoherchamber，asshewasdressingwithseveralothers。HeputmeinmindofastoryIhadheardofanothergentleman，soperfectandaccomplishedinthisfinetradeinhisyouth，that，afterhecametohisestateandresolvedtogiveitover，hecouldnotholdhishands，nevertheless，ifhepassedbyashopwherehesawanythingheliked，fromcatchingitup，thoughitputhimtotheshameofsendingafterwardstopayforit。AndIhavemyselfseenseveralsohabituatedtothisqualitythatevenamongsttheircomradestheycouldnotforbearfilching，thoughwithintenttorestorewhattheyhadtaken。IamaGascon，andyetthereisnoviceIsolittleunderstandasthat;IhateitsomethingmorebydispositionthanIcondemnitbyreason;Idonotsomuchasdesireanythingofanotherman’s。Thisprovinceofoursis，inplaintruth，alittlemoredecriedthantheotherpartsofthekingdom;andyetwehaveseveraltimesseen，inourtimes，menofgoodfamiliesofotherprovinces，inthehandsofjustice，convictedofabominablethefts。I
　　fearthisviceis，insomesort，tobeattributedtothefore—mentionedviceofthefathers。
　　Andifamanshouldtellme，asalordofverygoodunderstandingoncedid，that"hehoardedupwealth，nottoextractanyotherfruitandusefromhisparsimony，buttomakehimselfhonouredandsoughtafterbyhisrelations;andthatagehavingdeprivedhimofallotherpower，itwastheonlyremainingremedytomaintainhisauthorityinhisfamily，andtokeephimfrombeingneglectedanddespisedbyallaround，"intruth，notonlyoldage，butallotherimbecility，accordingtoAristotle，isthepromoterofavarice;thatissomething，butitisphysicforadiseasethatamanshouldpreventthebirthof。Afatherisverymiserablewhohasnootherholdonhischildren’saffectionthantheneedtheyhaveofhisassistance，ifthatcanbecalledaffection;hemustrenderhimselfworthytoberespectedbyhisvirtueandwisdom，andbelovedbyhiskindnessandthesweetnessofhismanners;eventheveryashesofarichmatterhavetheirvalue;andwearewonttohavethebonesandrelicsofworthymeninregardandreverence。Nooldagecanbesodecrepidinamanwhohaspassedhislifeinhonour，butitmustbevenerable，especiallytohischildren，whosesoulhemusthavetraineduptotheirdutybyreason，notbynecessityandtheneedtheyhaveofhim，norbyharshnessandcompulsion:
　　"EterratlongemeaquidemsententiaQuiimperiumcredatessegravius，autstabilius，Viquodfit，quamillud，quodamicitiaadjungitur。"
　　["Hewandersfarfromthetruth，inmyopinion，whothinksthatgovernmentmoreabsoluteanddurablewhichisacquiredbyforcethanthatwhichisattachedtofriendship。——Terence，Adelph。，i。I，40。]
　　Icondemnallviolenceintheeducationofatendersoulthatisdesignedforhonourandliberty。ThereisIknownotwhatofservileinrigourandconstraint;andIamofopinionthatwhatisnottobedonebyreason，prudence，andaddress，isnevertobeaffectedbyforce。I
　　myselfwasbroughtupafterthatmanner;andtheytellmethatinallmyfirstageIneverfelttherodbuttwice，andthenveryslightly。I
　　practisedthesamemethodwithmychildren，whoallofthemdiedatnurse，exceptLeonora，myonlydaughter，andwhoarrivedtotheageoffiveyearsandupwardwithoutothercorrectionforherchildishfaults（hermother’sindulgenceeasilyconcurring）thanwordsonly，andthoseverygentle;inwhichkindofproceeding，thoughmyendandexpectationshouldbebothfrustrated，thereareothercausesenoughtolaythefaultonwithoutblamingmydiscipline，whichIknowtobenaturalandjust，andIshould，inthis，haveyetbeenmorereligioustowardsthemales，aslessborntosubjectionandmorefree;andIshouldhavemadeitmybusinesstofilltheirheartswithingenuousnessandfreedom。Ihaveneverobservedothereffectsofwhippingthantorenderboysmorecowardly，ormorewilfullyobstinate。
　　Dowedesiretobebelovedofourchildren？Willweremovefromthemalloccasionofwishingourdeaththoughnooccasionofsohorridawishcaneitherbejustorexcusable？
　　"Nullumscelusrationemhabet。"
　　["Nowickednesshasreason。"——Livy，xxviii。28]
　　Letusreasonablyaccommodatetheirliveswithwhatisinourpower。Inordertothis，weshouldnotmarrysoyoungthatourageshallinamannerbeconfoundedwiththeirs;forthisinconvenienceplungesusintomanyverygreatdifficulties，andespeciallythegentryofthenation，whoareofaconditionwhereintheyhavelittletodo，andwholiveupontheirrentsonly:forelsewhere，withpeoplewholivebytheirlabour，thepluralityandcompanyofchildrenisanincreasetothecommonstock;
　　theyaresomanynewtoolsandinstrumentswherewithtogrowrich。
　　Imarriedatthree—and—thirtyyearsofage，andconcurintheopinionofthirty—five，whichissaidtobethatofAristotle。Platowillhavenobodymarrybeforethirty;buthehasreasontolaughatthosewhoundertooktheworkofmarriageafterfive—and—fifty，andcondemnstheiroffspringasunworthyofalimentandlife。Thalesgavethetruestlimits，who，youngandbeingimportunedbyhismothertomarry，answered，"Thatitwastoosoon，"and，beinggrownintoyearsandurgedagain，"Thatitwastoolate。"Amanmustdenyopportunitytoeveryinopportuneaction。TheancientGauls’lookeduponitasaveryhorridthingforamantohavesocietywithawomanbeforehewastwentyyearsofage，andstrictlyrecommendedtothemenwhodesignedthemselvesforwarthekeepingtheirvirginitytillwellgrowninyears，forasmuchascourageisabatedanddivertedbyintercoursewithwomen:
　　"Ma，orcongiuntoagiovinettasposa，Elietoomaide’figli，erainvilitoNegliaffettidipadreetdimarito。"
　　["Now，marriedtoayoungwifeandhappyinchildren，hewasdemoralisedbyhisloveasfatherandhusband。"
　　——Tasso，Gierus。，x。39。]
　　MuleyHassam，kingofTunis，hewhomtheEmperorCharlesV。restoredtohiskingdom，reproachedthememoryofhisfatherMahometwiththefrequentationofwomen，stylinghimloose，effeminate，andagetterofchildren。——[Ofwhomhehadthirty—four。]——TheGreekhistoryobservesofIccustheTarentine，ofChryso，Astyllus，Diopompos，andothers，thattokeeptheirbodiesinorderfortheOlympicgamesandsuchlikeexercises，theydeniedthemselvesduringthatpreparationallcommercewithVenus。
　　InacertaincountryoftheSpanishIndiesmenwerenotpermittedtomarrytillafterfortyage，andyetthegirlswereallowedatten。
　　’Tisnottimeforagentlemanofthirtyyearsoldtogiveplacetohissonwhoistwenty;heishimselfinaconditiontoservebothintheexpeditionsofwarandinthecourtofhisprince;hasneedofallhisappurtenances;andyet，doubtless，heoughttosurrenderashare，butnotsogreatanoneastoforgethimselfforothers;andforsuchanonetheanswerthatfathershaveordinarilyintheirmouths，"Iwillnotputoffmyclothes，beforeIgotobed，"serveswell。
　　Butafatherwornoutwithageandinfirmities，anddeprivedbyweaknessandwantofhealthofthecommonsocietyofmen，wrongshimselfandhistoamassagreatheapoftreasure。Hehaslivedlongenough，ifhebewise，tohaveamindtostriphimselftogotobed，nottohisveryshirt，Iconfess，buttothatandagood，warmdressing—gown;theremainingpomps，ofwhichhehasnofurtheruse，heoughtvoluntarilytosurrendertothose，towhombytheorderofnaturetheybelong。’Tisreasonheshouldrefertheuseofthosethingstothem，seeingthatnaturehasreducedhimtosuchastatethathecannotenjoythemhimself;
　　otherwisethereisdoubtlessmaliceandenvyinthecase。ThegreatestactoftheEmperorCharlesV。wasthatwhen，inimitationofsomeoftheancientsofhisownquality，confessingitbutreasontostripourselveswhenourclothesencumberandgrowtooheavyforus，andtoliedownwhenourlegsbegintofailus，heresignedhispossessions，grandeur，andpowertohisson，whenhefoundhimselffailinginvigour，andsteadinessfortheconductofhisaffairssuitablewiththegloryhehadthereinacquired:
　　"Solvesenescentemmaturesanusequum，nePeccetadextremumridendus，etiliaducat。"
　　["Dismisstheoldhorseingoodtime，lest，failinginthelists，thespectatorslaugh。"——Horace，Epist。，i。，I，8。]
　　Thisfaultofnotperceivingbetimesandofnotbeingsensibleofthefeeblenessandextremealterationthatagenaturallybringsbothuponbodyandmind，which，inmyopinion，isequal，ifindeedthesoulhasnotmorethanhalf，haslostthereputationofmostofthegreatmenintheworld。Ihaveknowninmytime，andbeenintimatelyacquaintedwithpersonsofgreatauthority，whomonemighteasilydiscernmarvellouslylapsedfromthesufficiencyIknewtheywereonceenduedwith，bythereputationtheyhadacquiredintheirformeryears，whomIcouldheartily，fortheirownsakes，havewishedathomeattheirease，dischargedoftheirpublicormilitaryemployments，whichwerenowgrowntooheavyfortheirshoulders。Ihaveformerlybeenveryfamiliarinagentleman’shouse，awidowerandveryold，thoughhealthyandcheerfulenough:thisgentlemanhadseveraldaughterstomarryandasonalreadyofripeage，whichbroughtuponhimmanyvisitors，andagreatexpense，neitherofwhichwellpleasedhim，notonlyoutofconsiderationoffrugality，butyetmoreforhaving，byreasonofhisage，enteredintoacourseoflifefardifferingfromours。Itoldhimonedayalittleboldly，asIusedtodo，thathewoulddobettertogiveusyoungerfolkroom，andtoleavehisprincipalhouse（forhehadbutthatwellplacedandfurnished）tohisson，andhimselfretiretoanestatehehadhardby，wherenobodywouldtroublehisrepose，seeinghecouldnototherwiseavoidbeingimportunedbyus，theconditionofhischildrenconsidered。
　　Hetookmyadviceafterwards，andfoundanadvantageinsodoing。
　　Idonotmeanthatamanshouldsoinstalthemasnottoreservetohimselfalibertytoretract;I，whoamnowarrivedtotheagewhereinsuchthingsarefittobedone，wouldresigntothemtheenjoymentofmyhouseandgoods，butwithapowerofrevocationiftheyshouldgivemecausetoaltermymind;Iwouldleavetothemtheuse，thatbeingnolongerconvenientforme;and，ofthegeneralauthorityandpoweroverall，wouldreserveasmuchas——Ithoughtgoodtomyself;havingalwaysheldthatitmustneedsbeagreatsatisfactiontoanagedfatherhimselftoputhischildrenintothewayofgoverninghisaffairs，andtohavepowerduringhisownlifetocontroltheirbehaviour，supplyingthemwithinstructionandadvicefromhisownexperience，andhimselftotransfertheancienthonourandorderofhishouseintothehandsofthosewhoaretosucceedhim，andbythatmeanstosatisfyhimselfastothehopeshemayconceiveoftheirfutureconduct。AndinordertothisIwouldnotavoidtheircompany;Iwouldobservethemnearathand，andpartake，accordingtotheconditionofmyage，oftheirfeastsandjollities。
　　IfIdidnotliveabsolutelyamongstthem，whichIcouldnotdowithoutannoyingthemandtheirfriends，byreasonofthemorosityofmyageandtherestlessnessofmyinfirmities，andwithoutviolatingalsotherulesandorderoflivingIshouldthenhavesetdowntomyself，Iwould，atleast，liveneartheminsomeretiredpartofmyhouse，notthebestinshow，butthemostcommodious。NorasIsawsomeyearsago，adeanofSt。HilaryofPoitiersgivenuptosuchasolitude，thatatthetimeI
　　cameintohischamberithadbeentwoandtwentyyearsthathehadnotsteppedonefootoutofit，andyethadallhismotionsfreeandeasy，andwasingoodhealth，savingacoldthatfelluponhislungs;hewould，hardlyonceinaweek，sufferanyonetocomeintoseehim;healwayskepthimselfshutupinhischamberalone，exceptthataservantbroughthim，onceaday，somethingtoeat，anddidthenbutjustcomeinandgooutagain。Hisemploymentwastowalkupanddown，andreadsomebook，forhewasabitofascholar;but，astotherest，obstinatelybenttodieinthisretirement，ashesoonafterdid。Iwouldendeavourbypleasantconversationtocreateinmychildrenawarmandunfeignedfriendshipandgood—willtowardsme，whichinwell—descendednaturesisnothardtodo;foriftheybefuriousbrutes，ofwhichthisageofoursproducesthousands，wearethentohateandavoidthemassuch。
　　Iamangryatthecustomofforbiddingchildrentocalltheirfatherbythenameoffather，andtoenjointhemanother，asmorefullofrespectandreverence，asifnaturehadnotsufficientlyprovidedforourauthority。WecallAlmightyGodFather，anddisdaintohaveourchildrencallusso;Ihavereformedthiserrorinmyfamily。——[AsdidHenryIV。
　　ofFrance]——And’tisalsofollyandinjusticetodeprivechildren，whengrownup，offamiliaritywiththeirfather，andtocarryascornfulandausterecountenancetowardthem，thinkingbythattokeeptheminaweandobedience;foritisaveryidlefarcethat，insteadofproducingtheeffectdesigned，rendersfathersdistasteful，and，whichisworse，ridiculoustotheirownchildren。Theyhaveyouthandvigourinpossession，andconsequentlythebreathandfavouroftheworld;andthereforereceivethesefierceandtyrannicallooks——merescarecrows——
　　ofamanwithoutblood，eitherinhisheartorveins，withmockeryandcontempt。ThoughIcouldmakemyselffeared，Ihadyetmuchrathermakemyselfbeloved:therearesomanysortsofdefectsinoldage，somuchimbecility，anditissoliabletocontempt，thatthebestacquisitionamancanmakeisthekindnessandaffectionofhisownfamily;commandandfeararenolongerhisweapons。SuchanoneIhaveknownwho，havingbeenveryimperiousinhisyouth，whenhecametobeold，thoughhemighthavelivedathisfullease，wouldeverstrike，rant，swear，andcurse:
　　themostviolenthouseholderinFrance:frettinghimselfwithunnecessarysuspicionandvigilance。Andallthisrumbleandclutterbuttomakehisfamilycheathimthemore;ofhisbarn，hiskitchen，cellar，nay，andhisverypursetoo，othershadthegreatestuseandshare，whilsthekeepshiskeysinhispocketmuchmorecarefullythanhiseyes。Whilsthehugshimselfwiththepitifulfrugalityofaniggardtable，everythinggoestorackandruinineverycornerofhishouse，inplay，drink，allsortsofprofusion，makingsportintheirjunketswithhisvainangerandfruitlessparsimony。Everyoneisasentinelagainsthim，andif，byaccident，anywretchedfellowthatserveshimisofanotherhumour，andwillnotjoinwiththerest，heispresentlyrenderedsuspectedtohim，abaitthatoldageveryeasilybitesatofitself。Howoftenhasthisgentlemanboastedtomeinhowgreatawehekepthisfamily，andhowexactanobedienceandreverencetheypaidhim！Howclearlyhesawintohisownaffairs！
　　"Illesolosnescitomnia。"
　　["Healoneisignorantofallthatispassing。"
　　——Terence，Adelph。，iv。2，9。]
　　Idonotknowanyonethatcanmustermoreparts，bothnaturalandacquired，propertomaintaindominion，thanhe;yetheisfallenfromitlikeachild。ForthisreasonitisthatIhavepickedouthim，amongstseveralothersthatIknowofthesamehumour，forthegreatestexample。
　　Itwerematterforaquestionintheschools，whetherheisbetterthusorotherwise。Inhispresence，allsubmittoandbowtohim，andgivesomuchwaytohisvanitythatnobodyeverresistshim;hehashisfillofassents，ofseemingfear，submission，andrespect。Doesheturnawayaservant？hepacksuphisbundle，andisgone;but’tisnofurtherthanjustoutofhissight:thestepsofoldagearesoslow，thesensessotroubled，thathewillliveanddohisoldofficeinthesamehouseayeartogetherwithoutbeingperceived。
　　Andafterafitintervaloftime，lettersarepretendedtocomefromagreatwayoff;veryhumble，suppliant;andfullofpromisesofamendment，byvirtueofwhichheisagainreceivedintofavour。DoesMonsieurmakeanybargain，orprepareanydespatchthatdoesnotplease？’tissuppressed，andcausesafterwardsforgedtoexcusethewantofexecutionintheoneoranswerintheother。Nolettersbeingfirstbroughttohim，heneverseesanybutthosethatshallseemfitforhisknowledge。
　　Ifbyaccidenttheyfallfirstintohisownhand，beingusedtotrustsomebodytoreadthemtohim;hereadsextemporewhathethinksfit，andoftenmakessuchaoneaskhimpardonwhoabusesandrailsathiminhisletter。Inshort，heseesnothing，butbyanimagepreparedanddesignedbeforehandandthemostsatisfactorytheycaninvent，nottorouseandawakenhisillhumourandcholer。Ihaveseen，undervariousaspects，enoughofthesemodesofdomesticgovernment，long—enduring，constant，tothelikeeffect。
　　Womenareevermoreaddictedtocrosstheirhusbands:theylayholdwithbothhandsonalloccasionstocontradictandopposethem;thefirstexcuseservesforaplenaryjustification。Ihaveseenonewhorobbedherhusbandwholesale，that，asshetoldherconfessor，shemightdistributethemoreliberalalms。Letwhowilltrusttothatreligiousdispensation。Nomanagementofaffairsseemstothemofsufficientdignity，ifproceedingfromthehusband’sassent;theymustusurpiteitherbyinsolenceorcunning，andalwaysinjuriously，orelseithasnotthegraceandauthoritytheydesire。When，asinthecaseIamspeakingof，’tisagainstapooroldmanandforthechildren，thentheymakeuseofthistitletoservetheirpassionwithglory;and，asforacommonservice，easilycabal，andcombineagainsthisgovernmentanddominion。Iftheybemalesgrownupinfullandflourishinghealth，theypresentlycorrupt，eitherbyforceorfavour，steward，receivers，andalltherout。Suchashaveneitherwifenorsondonotsoeasilyfallintothismisfortune;butwithalmorecruellyandunworthily。Catotheelderinhistimesaid:Somanyservants，somanyenemies;consider，then，whetheraccordingtothevastdifferencebetweenthepurityoftheagehelivedinandthecorruptionofthisofours，hedoesnotseemtoshewusthatwife，son，andservant，aresomanyenemiestous？’Tiswellforoldagethatitisalwaysaccompaniedbywantofobservation，ignorance，andapronenesstobeingdeceived。Forshouldweseehowweareusedandwouldnotacquiesce，whatwouldbecomeofus？especiallyinsuchanageasthis，wheretheveryjudgeswhoaretodetermineourcontroversiesareusuallypartisanstotheyoung，andinterestedinthecause。Incasethediscoveryofthischeatingescapeme，IcannotatleastfailtodiscernthatIamveryfittobecheated。Andcanamaneverenoughexaltthevalueofafriend，incomparisonwiththesecivilties？TheveryimageofitwhichIseeinbeasts，sopureanduncorrupted，howreligiouslydoIrespectit！Ifothersdeceiveme，yetdoInot，atleast，deceivemyselfinthinkingIamabletodefendmyselffromthem，orincudgellingmybrainstomakemyselfso。Iprotectmyselffromsuchtreasonsinmyownbosom，notbyanunquietandtumultuouscuriosity，butratherbydiversionandresolution。WhenIheartalkofanyone’scondition，I
　　nevertroublemyselftothinkofhim;IpresentlyturnmyeyesuponmyselftoseeinwhatconditionIam;whateverconcernsanotherrelatestome;theaccidentthathasbefallenhimgivesmecaution，androusesmetoturnmydefencethatway。Weeverydayandeveryhoursaythingsofanotherthatwemightproperlysayofourselves，couldwebutapplyourobservationtoourownconcerns，aswellasextendittoothers。Andseveralauthorshaveinthismannerprejudicedtheirowncausebyrunningheadlonguponthosetheyattack，anddartingthoseshaftsagainsttheirenemies，thataremoreproperly，andwithgreateradvantage，tobeturneduponthemselves。
　　ThelateMareschaldeMontluchavinglosthisson，whodiedintheislandofMadeira，intruthaveryworthygentlemanandofgreatexpectation，didtome，amongsthisotherregrets，verymuchinsistuponwhatasorrowandheart—breakingitwasthathehadnevermadehimselffamiliarwithhim;andbythathumourofpaternalgravityandgrimacetohavelosttheopportunityofhavinganinsightintoandofwellknowing，hisson，asalsooflettinghimknowtheextremeaffectionhehadforhim，andtheworthyopinionhehadofhisvirtue。"Thatpoorboy，"saidhe，"neversawinmeotherthanasternanddisdainfulcountenance，andisgoneinabeliefthatIneitherknewhowtolovehimnoresteemhimaccordingtohisdesert。ForwhomdidIreservethediscoveryofthatsingularaffectionIhadforhiminmysoul？Wasitnothehimself，whooughttohavehadallthepleasureofit，andalltheobligation？Iconstrainedandrackedmyselftoputon，andmaintainthisvaindisguise，andhavebythatmeansdeprivedmyselfofthepleasureofhisconversation，and，I
　　doubt，insomemeasure，hisaffection，whichcouldnotbutbeverycoldtome，havingneverotherfrommethanausterity，norfeltotherthanatyrannicalmannerofproceeding。"
　　[MadamedeSevignetellsusthatsheneverreadthispassagewithouttearsinhereyes。"MyGod！"sheexclaims，"howfullisthisbookofgoodsense！"Ed。]
　　Ifindthiscomplainttoberationalandrightlyapprehended:for，asI
　　myselfknowbytoocertainexperience，thereisnososweetconsolationinthelossoffriendsastheconscienceofhavinghadnoreserveorsecretforthem，andtohavehadwiththemaperfectandentirecommunication。Ohmyfriend，——[LaBoetie。]amIthebetterforbeingsensibleofthis;oramItheworse？Iam，doubtless，muchthebetter。
　　Iamconsoledandhonoured，inthesorrowforhisdeath。Isitnotapiousandapleasingofficeofmylifetobealwaysuponmyfriend’sobsequies？Cantherebeanyjoyequaltothisprivation？
　　Iopenmyselftomyfamily，asmuchasIcan，andverywillinglyletthemknowthestateofmyopinionandgoodwilltowardsthem，asIdotoeverybodyelse:Imakehastetobringoutandpresentmyselftothem;forIwillnothavethemmistakeninme，inanything。AmongstotherparticularcustomsofourancientGauls，this，asCaesarreports，——[DeBelloGall。，vi。r8。]——wasone，thatthesonsneverpresentedthemselvesbeforetheirfathers，nordursteverappearintheircompanyinpublic，tilltheybegantobeararms;asiftheywouldintimatebythis，thatitwasalsotimefortheirfatherstoreceivethemintotheirfamiliarityandacquaintance。
　　Ihaveobservedyetanothersortofindiscretioninfathersofmytime，that，notcontentedwithhavingdeprivedtheirchildren，duringtheirownlonglives，ofthesharetheynaturallyoughttohavehadintheirfortunes，theyafterwardsleavetotheirwivesthesameauthorityovertheirestates，andlibertytodisposeofthemaccordingtotheirownfancy。AndIhaveknownacertainlord，oneoftheprincipalofficersofthecrown，who，havinginreversionabovefiftythousandcrownsyearlyrevenue，diednecessitousandoverwhelmedwithdebtatabovefiftyyearsofage;hismotherinherextremestdecrepitudebeingyetinpossessionofallhispropertybythewillofhisfather，whohad，forhispart，livedtillnearfourscoreyearsold。Thisappearstomebynomeansreasonable。AndthereforeIthinkitofverylittleadvantagetoaman，whoseaffairsarewellenough，toseekawifewhoencumbershisestatewithaverygreatfortune;thereisnosortofforeigndebtthatbringsmoreruintofamiliesthanthis:mypredecessorshaveeverbeenawareofthatdangerandprovidedagainstit，andsohaveI。Butthosewhodissuadeusfromrichwives，forfeartheyshouldbelesstractableandkind，areoutintheiradvicetomakeamanlosearealcommodityforsofrivolousaconjecture。Itcostsanunreasonablewomannomoretopassoveronereasonthananother;theycherishthemselvesmostwheretheyaremostwrong。Injusticealluresthem，asthehonouroftheirvirtuousactionsdoesthegood;andthemorerichestheybringwiththem，theyaresomuchthemoregood—natured，aswomen，whoarehandsome，areallthemoreinclinedandproudtobechaste。
　　’Tisreasonabletoleavetheadministrationofaffairstothemothers，tillthechildrenareoldenough，accordingtolaw，tomanagethem;butthefatherhasbroughtthem，upveryill，ifhecannothopethat，whentheycometomaturity，theywillhavemorewisdomandabilityinthemanagementofaffairsthanhiswife，consideringtheordinaryweaknessofthesex。Itwere，notwithstanding，tosaythetruth，moreagainstnaturetomakethemothersdependuponthediscretionoftheirchildren;theyoughttobeplentifullyprovidedfor，tomaintainthemselvesaccordingtotheirqualityandage，byreasonthatnecessityandindigencearemuchmoreunbecomingandinsupportabletothemthantomen;thesonshouldratherbecutshortthanthemother。
　　Ingeneral，themostjudiciousdistributionofourgoods，whenwecometodie，is，inmyopinion，toletthembedistributedaccordingtothecustomofthecountry;thelawshaveconsideredthematterbetterthanweknowhowtodo，and’tiswisertoletthemfailintheirappointment，thanrashlytorunthehazardofmiscarryinginours。Norarethegoodsproperlyours，since，bycivilprescriptionandwithoutus，theyarealldestinedtocertainsuccessors。Andalthoughwehavesomelibertybeyondthat，yetIthinkweoughtnot，withoutgreatandmanifestcause，totakeawaythatfromonewhichhisfortunehasallottedhim，andtowhichthepublicequitygiveshimtitle;andthatitisagainstreason，toabusethisliberty，inmakingitserveourownfrivolousandprivatefancies。
　　Mydestinyhasbeenkindtomeinnotpresentingmewithoccasionstotemptmeanddivertmyaffectionfromthecommonandlegitimateinstitution。Iseemanywithwhom’tistimelosttoemployalongexerciseofgoodoffices:awordilltakenobliteratestenyears’merit;
　　heishappywhoisinapositiontooiltheirgoodwillatthislastpassage。Thelastactioncarriesit，notthebestandmostfrequentoffices，butthemostrecentandpresentdothework。Thesearepeoplethatplaywiththeirwillsaswithapplesorrods，togratifyorchastiseeveryactionofthosewhopretendtoaninterestintheircare。’Tisathingoftoogreatweightandconsequencetobesotumbledandtossedandalteredeverymoment，andwhereinthewisedetermineonceforall，havingaboveallthingsregardtoreasonandthepublicobservance。Welaythesemasculinesubstitutionstoomuchtoheart，proposingaridiculouseternitytoournames。Weare，moreover，toosuperstitiousinvainconjecturesastothefuture，thatwederivefromthewordsandactionsofchildren。Peradventuretheymighthavedonemeaninjustice，indispossessingmeofmyright，forhavingbeenthemostdullandheavy，themostslowandunwillingatmybook，notofallmybrothersonly，butofalltheboysinthewholeprovince:whetheraboutlearningmylesson，oraboutanybodilyexercise。’Tisafollytomakeanelectionoutoftheordinarycourseuponthecreditofthesedivinationswhereinwearesooftendeceived。Iftheordinaryruleofdescentweretobeviolated，andthedestiniescorrectedinthechoicetheyhavemadeofourheirs，onemightmoreplausiblydoitupontheaccountofsomeremarkableandenormouspersonaldeformity，apermanentandincorrigibledefect，andintheopinionofusFrench，whoaregreatadmirersofbeauty，animportantprejudice。
　　ThepleasantdialoguebetwixtPlato’slegislatorandhiscitizenswillbeanornamenttothisplace，"What，"saidthey，feelingthemselvesabouttodie，"maywenotdisposeofourowntowhomweplease？God！whatcrueltythatitshallnotbelawfulforus，accordingaswehavebeenservedandattendedinoursickness，inouroldage，inouraffairs，togivemoreorlesstothosewhomwehavefoundmostdiligentaboutus，atourownfancyanddiscretion！"Towhichthelegislatoranswersthus:
　　"Myfriends，whoarenow，withoutquestion，verysoontodie，itishardforyouintheconditionyouare，eithertoknowyourselves，orwhatisyours，accordingtothedelphicinscription。I，whomakethelaws，amofopinion，thatyouneitherareyourselvesyourown，noristhatyoursofwhichyouarepossessed。Bothyourgoodsandyoubelongtoyourfamilies，aswellthosepastasthosetocome;but，further，bothyourfamilyandgoodsmuchmoreappertaintothepublic。Wherefore，lestanyflattererinyouroldageorinyoursickness，oranypassionofyourown，shouldunseasonablyprevailwithyoutomakeanunjustwill，Ishalltakecaretopreventthatinconvenience;but，havingrespectbothtotheuniversalinterestsofthecityandthatofyourparticularfamily，I
　　shallestablishlaws，andmakeitbygoodreasonsappear，thatprivateconvenienceoughttogiveplacetothecommonbenefit。Gothencheerfullywherehumannecessitycallsyou。Itisforme，whoregardnomoretheonethingthantheother，andwho，asmuchasinmelies，amprovidentofthepublicinterest，tohaveacareastowhatyouleavebehindyou。"
　　Toreturntomysubject:itappearstomethatwomenareveryrarelyborn，towhomtheprerogativeovermen，thematernalandnaturalexcepted，isinanysortdue，unlessitbeforthepunishmentofsuch，asinsomeamorousfeverhavevoluntarilysubmittedthemselvestothem:
　　butthatinnowayconcernstheoldones，ofwhomwearenowspeaking。
　　Thisconsiderationitiswhichhasmadeussowillinglytoenactandgiveforcetothatlaw，whichwasneveryetseenbyanyone，bywhichwomenareexcludedthesuccessiontoourcrown:andthereishardlyagovernmentintheworldwhereitisnotpleaded，asitishere，bytheprobabilityofreasonthatauthorisesit，thoughfortunehasgivenitmorecreditinsomeplacesthaninothers。’Tisdangeroustoleavethedisposalofoursuccessiontotheirjudgment，accordingtothechoicetheyshallmakeofchildren，whichisoftenfantasticandunjust;fortheirregularappetitesanddepravedtastestheyhaveduringthetimeoftheirbeingwithchild，theyhaveatallothertimesinthemind。Wecommonlyseethemfondofthemostweak，ricketty，anddeformedchildren;
　　orofthose，iftheyhavesuch，asarestillhangingatthebreast。For，nothavingsufficientforceofreasontochooseandembracethatwhichismostworthy，theythemorewillinglysufferthemselvestobecarriedaway，wheretheimpressionsofnaturearemostalone;likeanimalsthatknowtheiryoungnolongerthantheygivethemsuck。Astotherest，itiseasybyexperiencetobediscernedthatthisnaturalaffectiontowhichwegivesogreatauthorityhasbutveryweakroots。Foraverylittleprofit，weeverydayteartheirownchildrenoutofthemothers’
　　arms，andmakethemtakeoursintheirroom:wemakethemabandontheirowntosomepitifulnurse，towhomwedisdaintocommitours，ortosomeshe—goat，forbiddingthem，notonlytogivethemsuck，whatdangersoevertheyrunthereby，but，moreover，totakeanymannerofcareofthem，thattheymaywhollybeoccupiedwiththecareofandattendanceuponours;
　　andweseeinmostofthemanadulterateaffection，morevehementthanthenatural，begottenbycustomtowardthefosterchildren，andagreatersolicitudeforthepreservationofthosetheyhavetakenchargeof，thanoftheirown。AndthatwhichIwassayingofgoatswasuponthisaccount;thatitisordinaryallaboutwhereIlive，toseethecountrywomen，whentheywantmilkoftheirownfortheirchildren，tocallgoatstotheirassistance;andIhaveatthishourtwomen—servantsthatneversuckedwomen’smilkmorethaneightdaysaftertheywereborn。
　　Thesegoatsareimmediatelytaughttocometosucklethelittlechildren，knowtheirvoiceswhentheycry，andcomerunningtothem。Ifanyotherthanthisfoster—childbepresentedtothem，theyrefusetoletitsuck;
　　andthechildinlikemannerwillrefusetosuckanothergoat。Isawonetheotherdayfromwhomtheyhadtakenawaythegoatthatusedtonourishit，byreasonthefatherhadonlyborroweditofaneighbour;thechildwouldnottouchanyothertheycouldbring，anddied，doubtlessofhunger。Beastsaseasilyalterandcorrupttheirnaturalaffectionaswe:IbelievethatinwhatHerodotusrelatesofacertaindistrictofLybia，therearemanymistakes;hesaysthatthewomenarethereincommon;butthatthechild，sosoonasitcango，findshimoutinthecrowdforhisfather，towhomheisfirstledbyhisnaturalinclination。
　　Now，toconsiderthissimplereasonforlovingourchildren，thatwehavebegotthem，thereforecallingthemoursecondselves，itappears，methinks，thatthereisanotherkindofproductionproceedingfromus，thatisofnolessrecommendation:forthatwhichweengenderbythesoul，theissueofourunderstanding，courage，andabilities，springsfromnoblerpartsthanthoseofthebody，andthataremuchmoreourown:
　　wearebothfatherandmotherinthisgeneration。Thesecostusagreatdealmoreandbringusmorehonour，iftheyhaveanythingofgoodinthem。Forthevalueofourotherchildrenismuchmoretheirsthanours;
　　thesharewehaveinthemisverylittle;butoftheseallthebeauty，allthegraceandvalue，areours;andalsotheymorevividlyrepresentusthantheothers。Platoadds，thattheseareimmortalchildrenthatimmortaliseanddeifytheirfathers，asLycurgus，Solon，Minos。Now，historiesbeingfullofexamplesofthecommonaffectionoffatherstotheirchildren，itseemsnotaltogetherimpropertointroducesomefewofthisotherkind。Heliodorus，thatgoodbishopofTrikka，ratherchosetolosethedignity，profit，anddevotionofsovenerableaprelacy，thantolosehisdaughter;adaughterthatcontinuestothisdayverygracefulandcomely;but，peradventure，alittletoocuriouslyandwantonlytricked，andtooamorousforanecclesiasticalandsacerdotaldaughter。
　　TherewasoneLabienusatRome，amanofgreatworthandauthority，andamongstotherqualitiesexcellentinallsortsofliterature，whowas，asItakeit，thesonofthatgreatLabienus，thechiefofCaesar’scaptainsinthewarsofGaul;andwho，afterwards，sidingwithPompeythegreat，sovaliantlymaintainedhiscause，tillhewasbyCaesardefeatedinSpain。ThisLabienus，ofwhomIamnowspeaking，hadseveralenemies，enviousofhisgoodqualities，and，tislikely，thecourtiersandminionsoftheemperorsofhistimewhowereveryangryathisfreedomandthepaternalhumourwhichheyetretainedagainsttyranny，withwhichitistobesupposedhehadtincturedhisbooksandwritings。HisadversariesprosecutedseveralpieceshehadpublishedbeforethemagistratesatRome，andprevailedsofaragainsthim，astohavethemcondemnedtothefire。Itwasinhimthatthisnewexampleofpunishmentwasbegun，whichwasafterwardscontinuedagainstothersatRome，topunishevenwritingandstudieswithdeath。Therewouldnotbemeansandmatterenoughofcruelty，didwenotmixwiththemthingsthatnaturehasexemptedfromallsenseandsuffering，asreputationandtheproductsofthemind，anddidwenotcommunicatecorporalpunishmentstotheteachingsandmonumentsoftheMuses。Now，Labienuscouldnotsufferthisloss，norsurvivethesehissodearissue，andthereforecausedhimselftobeconveyedandshutupaliveinthemonumentofhisancestors，wherehemadeshifttokillandburyhimselfatonce。’Tishardtoshewamorevehementpaternalaffectionthanthis。CassiusSeverus，amanofgreateloquenceandhisveryintimatefriend，seeinghisbooksburned，criedoutthatbythesamesentencetheyshouldaswellcondemnhimtothefiretoo，seeingthathecarriedinhismemoryallthattheycontained。ThelikeaccidentbefelCremutiusCordus，whobeingaccusedofhavinginhisbookscommendedBrutusandCassius，thatdirty，servile，andcorruptSenate，worthyaworsemasterthanTiberius，condemnedhiswritingstotheflame。Hewaswillingtobearthemcompany，andkilledhimselfwithfasting。ThegoodLucan，beingcondemnedbythatrascalNero，atthelastgaspofhislife，whenthegreaterpartofhisbloodwasalreadyspentthroughtheveinsofhisarms，whichhehadcausedhisphysiciantoopentomakehimdie，andwhenthecoldhadseizeduponallhisextremities，andbegantoapproachhisvitalparts，thelastthinghehadinhismemorywassomeoftheversesofhisBattleofPhaysalia，whichherecited，dyingwiththeminhismouth。Whatwasthis，buttakingatenderandpaternalleaveofhischildren，inimitationofthevaledictionsandembraces，wherewithwepartfromours，whenwecometodie，andaneffectofthatnaturalinclination，thatsuggeststoourremembranceinthisextremitythosethingswhichweredearesttousduringthetimeofourlife？
　　CanwebelievethatEpicuruswho，ashesayshimself，dyingoftheintolerablepainofthestone，hadallhisconsolationinthebeautyofthedoctrineheleftbehindhim，couldhavereceivedthesamesatisfactionfrommanychildren，thoughneversowell—conditionedandbroughtup，hadhehadthem，ashedidfromtheproductionofsomanyrichwritings？Orthat，haditbeeninhischoicetohaveleftbehindhimadeformedanduntowardchildorafoolishandridiculousbook，he，oranyothermanofhisunderstanding，wouldnotratherhavechosentohaverunthefirstmisfortunethantheother？Ithadbeen，forexample，peradventure，animpietyinSt。Augustin，if，ontheonehand，ithadbeenproposedtohimtoburyhiswritings，fromwhichreligionhasreceivedsogreatfruit，orontheothertoburyhischildren，hadhehadthem，hadhenotratherchosentoburyhischildren。AndIknownotwhetherIhadnotmuchratherhavebegotaverybeautifulone，throughsocietywiththeMuses，thanbylyingwithmywife。Tothis，suchasitis，whatIgiveitIgiveabsolutelyandirrevocably，asmendototheirbodilychildren。ThatlittleIhavedoneforit，isnomoreatmyowndisposal;itmayknowmanythingsthataregonefromme，andfrommeholdthatwhichIhavenotretained;andwhich，aswellasastranger，I
　　shouldborrowthence，shouldIstandinneed。IfIamwiserthanmybook，itisricherthanI。Therearefewmenaddictedtopoetry，whowouldnotbemuchproudertobethefathertotheAEneidthantothehandsomestyouthofRome;andwhowouldnotmuchbetterbearthelossoftheonethanoftheother。ForaccordingtoAristotle，thepoet，ofallartificers，isthefondestofhiswork。’TishardtobelievethatEpaminondas，whoboastedthatinlieuofallposterityhelefttwodaughtersbehindhimthatwouldonedaydotheirfatherhonour（meaningthetwovictoriesheobtainedovertheLacedaemonians），wouldwillinglyhaveconsentedtoexchangetheseforthemostbeautifulcreaturesofallGreece;orthatAlexanderorCaesareverwishedtobedeprivedofthegrandeuroftheirgloriousexploitsinwar，fortheconvenienceofchildrenandheirs，howperfectandaccomplishedsoever。Nay，Imakeagreatquestion，whetherPhidiasoranyotherexcellentsculptorwouldbesosolicitousofthepreservationandcontinuanceofhisnaturalchildren，ashewouldbeofararestatue，whichwithlonglabourandstudyhehadperfectedaccordingtoart。Andtothosefuriousandirregularpassionsthathavesometimesinflamedfatherstowardstheirowndaughters，andmotherstowardstheirownsons，thelikeisalsofoundinthisothersortofparentage:witnesswhatisrelatedofPygmalionwho，havingmadethestatueofawomanofsingularbeauty，fellsopassionatelyinlovewiththisworkofhis，thatthegodsinfavourofhispassioninspireditwithlife。
　　"Tentatummollescitebur，positoquerigore，Subsiditdigitis。"
　　["Theivorygrowssoftunderhistouchandyieldstohisfingers。"
　　——Ovid，Metam。，x。283。]