["Theymayindeedappeartobe;letthemnotbeaffirmed（Letthemstatetheprobabilities，butnotaffirm。）"
——Cicero，Acad。，n。27。]
butintherealconsequencetheydrawfromitthesehavemuchtheadvantage。Tokillmen，aclearandstronglightisrequired，andourlifeistoorealandessentialtowarrantthesesupernaturalandfantasticaccidents。
Astodrugsandpoisons，Ithrowthemoutofmycount，asbeingtheworstsortofhomicides:yeteveninthis，’tissaid，thatmenarenotalwaystorelyuponthepersonalconfessionsofthesepeople;fortheyhavesometimesbeenknowntoaccusethemselvesofthemurderofpersonswhohaveafterwardsbeenfoundlivingandwell。Intheseotherextravagantaccusations，Ishouldbeapttosay，thatitissufficientaman，whatrecommendationsoeverhemayhave，bebelievedastohumanthings;butofwhatisbeyondhisconception，andofsupernaturaleffect，heoughtthenonlytobebelievedwhenauthorisedbyasupernaturalapprobation。TheprivilegeithaspleasedAlmightyGodtogivetosomeofourwitnesses，oughtnottobelightlycommunicatedandmadecheap。Ihavemyearsbatteredwithathousandsuchtalesasthese:"Threepersonssawhimsuchadayintheeastthree，thenextdayinthewest:atsuchanhour，insuchaplace，andinsuchhabit";assuredlyIshouldnotbelieveitmyself。HowmuchmorenaturalandlikelydoIfinditthattwomenshouldliethanthatonemanintwelvehours’timeshouldflywiththewindfromeasttowest？Howmuchmorenaturalthatourunderstandingshouldbecarriedfromitsplacebythevolubilityofourdisorderedminds，thanthatoneofusshouldbecarriedbyastrangespirituponabroomstaff，fleshandbonesasweare，uptheshaftofachimney？Letnotusseekillusionsfromwithoutandunknown，wewhoareperpetuallyagitatedwithillusionsdomesticandourown。Methinksoneispardonableindisbelievingamiracle，atleast，atalleventswhereonecaneludeitsverificationassuch，bymeansnotmiraculous;andIamofSt。
Augustine’sopinion，that，’tisbettertoleantowardsdoubtthanassurance，inthingshardtoproveanddangeroustobelieve。"
’TisnowsomeyearsagothatItravelledthroughtheterritoriesofasovereignprince，who，inmyfavour，andtoabatemyincredulity，didmethehonourtoletmesee，inhisownpresence，andinaprivateplace，tenortwelveprisonersofthiskind，andamongstothers，anoldwoman，arealwitchinfoulnessanddeformity，wholonghadbeenfamousinthatprofession。Isawbothproofsandfreeconfessions，andIknownotwhatinsensiblemarkuponthemiserablecreature:IexaminedandtalkedwithherandtherestasmuchandaslongasIwould，andgavethebestandsoundestattentionIcould，andIamnotamantosuffermyjudgmenttobemadecaptivebyprepossession。Intheend，andinallconscience，I
shouldratherhaveprescribedthemhelleborethanhemlock;
"Captisqueresmagismentibus，quamconsceleratissimilisvisa;"
["Thethingwasrathertobeattributedtomadness，thanmalice。"
（"Thethingseemedtoresemblemindspossessedratherthanguilty。"）
——Livy，viii，18。]
justicehasitscorrectionsproperforsuchmaladies。Astotheoppositionsandargumentsthatworthymenhavemadetome，boththere，andofteninotherplaces，Ihavemetwithnonethathaveconvincedme，andthathavenotadmittedamorelikelysolutionthantheirconclusions。
Itistrue，indeed，thattheproofsandreasonsthatarefoundeduponexperienceandfact，Idonotgoabouttountie，neitherhavetheyanyend;Ioftencutthem，asAlexanderdidtheGordianknot。Afterall，’tissettingaman’sconjecturesataveryhighpriceuponthemtocauseamantoberoastedalive。
Wearetoldbyseveralexamples，asPraestantiusofhisfather，thatbeingmoreprofoundly，asleepthanmenusuallyare，hefanciedhimselftobeamare，andthatheservedthesoldiersforasumpter;andwhathefanciedhimselftobe，hereallyproved。Ifsorcerersdreamsomaterially;ifdreamscansometimessoincorporatethemselveswitheffects，stillIcannotbelievethatthereforeourwillshouldbeaccountabletojustice;whichIsayasonewhoamneitherjudgenorprivycouncillor，andwhothinkmyselfbymanydegreesunworthysotobe，butamanofthecommonsort，bornandavowedtotheobedienceofthepublicreason，bothinitswordsandacts。Hewhoshouldrecordmyidletalkasbeingtotheprejudiceofthepettiestlaw，opinion，orcustomofhisparish，woulddohimselfagreatdealofwrong，andmemuchmore;for，inwhatIsay，Iwarrantnoothercertainty，butthat’tiswhatIhadtheninmythought，atumultuousandwaveringthought。AllIsayisbywayofdiscourse，andnothingbywayofadvice:
"Necmepudet，utistosfaterinescire，quodnesciam;"
["NeitheramIashamed，astheyare，toconfessmyignoranceofwhatIdonotknow。"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，i。25。]
Ishouldnotspeaksoboldly，ifitweremyduetobebelieved;andsoI
toldagreatman，whocomplainedofthetartnessandcontentiousnessofmyexhortations。Perceivingyoutobereadyandpreparedononepart，I
proposetoyoutheother，withallthediligenceandcareIcan，toclearyourjudgment，nottocompelit。GodhasyourheartsinHishands，andwillfurnishyouwiththemeansofchoice。Iamnotsopresumptuousevenastodesirethatmyopinionsshouldbiasyou——inathingofsogreatimportance:myfortunehasnottrainedthemuptosopotentandelevatedconclusions。Truly，Ihavenotonlyagreatmanyhumours，butalsoagreatmanyopinions，thatIwouldendeavourtomakemysondislike，ifI
hadone。What，ifthetruestarenotalwaysthemostcommodioustoman，beingofsowildacomposition？
Whetheritbetothepurposeornot，tisnogreatmatter:’tisacommonproverbinItaly，thatheknowsnotVenusinherperfectsweetnesswhohasneverlainwithalamemistress。Fortune，orsomeparticularincident，longagoputthissayingintothemouthsofthepeople;andthesameissaidofmenaswellasofwomen;forthequeenoftheAmazonsansweredtheScythianwhocourtedhertolove，"Lamemenperformbest。"
Inthisfemininerepublic，toevadethedominionofthemales，theylamedthemintheirinfancy——arms，legs，andothermembersthatgavethemadvantageoverthem，andonlymadeuseoftheminthatwhereinwe，inthesepartsoftheworld，makeuseofthem。Ishouldhavebeenapttothink;thattheshufflingpaceofthelamemistressaddedsomenewpleasuretothework，andsomeextraordinarytitillationtothosewhowereatthesport;butIhavelatelylearntthatancientphilosophyhasitselfdeterminedit，whichsaysthatthelegsandthighsoflamewomen，notreceiving，byreasonoftheirimperfection，theirduealiment，itfallsoutthatthegenitalpartsabovearefullerandbettersuppliedandmuchmorevigorous;orelsethatthisdefect，hinderingexercise，theywhoaretroubledwithitlessdissipatetheirstrength，andcomemoreentiretothesportsofVenus;whichalsoisthereasonwhytheGreeksdecriedthewomen—weaversasbeingmorehotthanotherwomenbyreasonoftheirsedentarytrade，whichtheycarryonwithoutanygreatexerciseofthebody。Whatisitwemaynotreasonofatthisrate？Imightalsosayofthese，thatthejagglingaboutwhilstsosittingatwork，rousesandprovokestheirdesire，astheswingingandjoltingofcoachesdoesthatofourladies。
DonottheseexamplesservetomakegoodwhatIsaidatfirst:thatourreasonsoftenanticipatetheeffect，andhavesoinfiniteanextentofjurisdictionthattheyjudgeandexercisethemselvesevenoninanityitselfandnon—existency？Besidestheflexibilityofourinventiontoforgereasonsofallsortsofdreams，ourimaginationisequallyfaciletoreceiveimpressionsoffalsitybyveryfrivolousappearances;for，bythesoleauthorityoftheancientandcommonuseofthisproverb，IhaveformerlymademyselfbelievethatIhavehadmorepleasureinawomanbyreasonshewasnotstraight，andaccordinglyreckonedthatdeformityamongsthergraces。
TorquatoTasso，inthecomparisonhemakesbetwixtFranceandItaly，saysthathehasobservedthatourlegsaregenerallysmallerthanthoseoftheItaliangentlemen，andattributesthecauseofittoourbeingcontinuallyonhorseback;whichistheverysamecausefromwhichSuetoniusdrawsaquiteoppositeconclusion;forhesays，onthecontrary，thatGermanicushadmadehislegsbiggerbythecontinuationofthesameexercise。
Nothingissosuppleanderraticasourunderstanding;itistheshoeofTheramenes，fitforallfeet。Itisdoubleanddiverse，andthemattersaredoubleanddiversetoo。"Givemeadrachmofsilver，"saidaCynicphilosophertoAntigonus。"Thatisnotapresentbefittingaking，"
repliedhe。"Givemethenatalent，"saidtheother。"ThatisnotapresentbefittingaCynic。"
"SeuplurescalorilleviasetcaecarelaxatSpiramenta，novasveniatquasuccusinherbasSeuduratmagis，etvenasastringithiantes;
Netenuespluviae，rapidivepotentiacolicAcrior，autBoreaepenetrabilefrigusadurat。"
["Whethertheheatopensmorepassagesandsecretporesthroughwhichthesapmaybederivedintothenew—bornherbs;orwhetheritratherhardensandbindsthegapingveinsthatthesmallshowersandkeeninfluenceoftheviolentsunorpenetratingcoldofBoreasmaynothurtthem。"——Virg。，Georg。，i。89。]
"Ognimedagliahailsuorovescio。"
["Everymedalhasitsreverse。"——ItalianProverb。]
ThisisthereasonwhyClitomachussaidofoldthatCarneadeshadoutdonethelaboursofHercules，inhavingeradicatedconsentfrommen，thatistosay，opinionandthecourageofjudging。ThissovigorousfancyofCarneadessprang，inmyopinion，ancientlyfromtheimpudenceofthosewhomadeprofessionofknowledgeandtheirimmeasurableself—conceit。
AEsopwassettosalewithtwootherslaves;thebuyeraskedthefirstofthesewhathecoulddo;he，toenhancehisownvalue，promisedmountainsandmarvels，sayinghecoulddothisandthat，andIknownotwhat;thesecondsaidasmuchofhimselformore:whenitcametoAEsop’sturn，andthathewasalsoaskedwhathecoulddo;"Nothing，"saidhe，"forthesetwohavetakenupallbeforeme;theyknoweverything。"Sohasithappenedintheschoolofphilosophy:theprideofthosewhoattributedthecapacityofallthingstothehumanmindcreatedinothers，outofdespiteandemulation，thisopinion，thatitiscapableofnothing:theonemaintainthesameextremeinignorancethattheothersdoinknowledge;tomakeitundeniablymanifestthatmanisimmoderatethroughout，andcanneverstopbutofnecessityandthewantofabilitytoproceedfurther。
CHAPTERXII
OFPHYSIOGNOMY
Almostalltheopinionswehavearetakenonauthorityandtrust;and’tisnotamiss;wecouldnotchooseworsethanbyourselvesinsoweakanage。ThatimageofSocrates’discourses，whichhisfriendshavetransmittedtous，weapproveuponnootheraccountthanareverencetopublicsanction:’tisnotaccordingtoourownknowledge;theyarenotafterourway;ifanythingofthekindshouldspringupnow，fewmenwouldvaluethem。Wediscernnogracesthatarenotpointedandpuffedoutandinflatedbyart;suchasglideonintheirownpurityandsimplicityeasilyescapesogrossasightasours;theyhaveadelicateandconcealedbeauty，suchasrequiresaclearandpurifiedsighttodiscoveritssecretlight。Isnotsimplicity，aswetakeit，cousin—
germantofollyandaqualityofreproach？Socratesmakeshissoulmoveanaturalandcommonmotion:apeasantsaidthis;awomansaidthat;hehasneveranybodyinhismouthbutcarters，joiners，cobblers，andmasons;hisareinductionsandsimilitudesdrawnfromthemostcommonandknownactionsofmen;everyoneunderstandshim。Weshouldneverhaverecognisedthenobilityandsplendourofhisadmirableconceptionsundersomeanaform;we，whothinkallthingslowandflatthatarenotelevated，bylearneddoctrine，andwhodiscernnorichesbutinpompandshow。Thisworldofoursisonlyformedforostentation:menareonlypuffedupwithwind，andarebandiedtoandfroliketennis—balls。Heproposedtohimselfnovainandidlefancies;hisdesignwastofurnishuswithpreceptsandthingsthatmorereallyandfitlyservetotheuseoflife;
"Servaremodum，finemquetenere，Naturamquesequi。"
["Tokeepajustmean，toobserveajustlimit，andtofollowNature。"——Lucan，ii。381。]
Hewasalsoalwaysoneandthesame，andraisedhimself，notbystartsbutbycomplexion，tothehighestpitchofvigour;or，tosaybetter，mountednotatall，butratherbroughtdown，reduced，andsubjectedallasperitiesanddifficultiestohisoriginalandnaturalcondition;forinCato’tismostmanifestthat’tisaprocedureextendedfarbeyondthecommonwaysofmen:inthebraveexploitsofhislife，andinhisdeath，wefindhimalwaysmounteduponthegreathorse;whereastheotherevercreepsupontheground，andwithagentleandordinarypace，treatsofthemostusefulmatters，andbearshimself，bothathisdeathandintherudestdifficultiesthatcouldpresentthemselves，intheordinarywayofhumanlife。
Ithasfallenoutwellthatthemanmostworthytobeknownandtobepresentedtotheworldforexampleshouldbeheofwhomwehavethemostcertainknowledge;hehasbeenpriedintobythemostclear—sightedmenthateverwere;thetestimonieswehaveofhimareadmirablebothinfidelityandfulness。’Tisagreatthingthathewasablesotoorderthepureimaginationsofachild，that，withoutalteringorwrestingthem，hetherebyproducedthemostbeautifuleffectsofoursoul:hepresentsitneitherelevatednorrich;heonlyrepresentsitsound，butassuredlywithabriskandfullhealth。Bythesecommonandnaturalsprings，bytheseordinaryandpopularfancies，withoutbeingmovedorputout，hesetupnotonlythemostregular，butthemosthighandvigorousbeliefs，actions，andmannersthateverwere。’Tishewhobroughtagainfromheaven，whereshelosthertime，humanwisdom，torestorehertomanwithwhomhermostjustandgreatestbusinesslies。
Seehimpleadbeforehisjudges;observebywhatreasonsherouseshiscouragetothehazardsofwar;withwhatargumentshefortifieshispatienceagainstcalumny，tyranny，death，andtheperversenessofhiswife:youwillfindnothinginallthisborrowedfromartsandsciences:
thesimplestmaytherediscovertheirownmeansandstrength;’tisnotpossiblemoretoretireortocreepmorelow。Hehasdonehumannatureagreatkindnessinshowingithowmuchitcandoofitself。
Weareallofusricherthanwethinkweare;butwearetaughttoborrowandtobeg，andbroughtupmoretomakeuseofwhatisanother’sthanofourown。Mancaninnothingfixhimselftohisactualnecessity:ofpleasure，wealth，andpower，hegraspsatmorethanhecanhold;hisgreedinessisincapableofmoderation。AndIfindthatincuriosityofknowingheisthesame;hecutshimselfoutmoreworkthanhecando，andmorethanheneedstodo:extendingtheutilityofknowledgetothefullofitsmatter:
"Utomniumrerum，siclitterarumquoque，intemperantialaboramus。"
["Wecarryintemperanceintothestudyofliterature，aswellasintoeverythingelse。"——Seneca，Ep。，106。]
AndTacitushadreasontocommendthemotherofAgricolaforhavingrestrainedhersoninhistooviolentappetiteforlearning。
Tisagood，ifdulyconsidered，whichhasinit，astheothergoodsofmenhave，agreatdealofvanityandweakness，properandnaturaltoitself，andthatcostsverydear。Itsacquisitionisfarmorehazardousthanthatofallothermeatordrink;for，astootherthings，whatwehaveboughtwecarryhomeinsomevessel，andtherehavefullleisuretoexamineourpurchase，howmuchweshalleatordrinkofit，andwhen:butscienceswecan，attheveryfirst，stowintonoothervesselthanthesoul;weswallowtheminbuying，andreturnfromthemarket，eitheralreadyinfectedoramended:therearesomethatonlyburdenandoverchargethestomach，insteadofnourishing;and，moreover，somethat，undercolourofcuring，poisonus。Ihavebeenpleased，inplaceswhereIhavebeen，toseemenindevotionvowignoranceaswellaschastity，poverty，andpenitence:’tisalsoageldingofourunrulyappetites，tobluntthiscupiditythatspursusontothestudyofbooks，andtodeprivethesoulofthisvoluptuouscomplacencythatticklesuswiththeopinionofknowledge:and’tisplenarilytoaccomplishthevowofpoverty，toadduntoitthatofthemind。Weneedlittledoctrinetoliveatourease;andSocratesteachesusthatthisisinus，andthewayhowtofindit，andthemannerhowtouseit:Alloursufficiencywhichexceedsthenaturaliswell—nighsuperfluousandvain:’tismuchifitdoesnotratherburdenandcumberusthandousgood:
"Paucisopusestliterisadmentembonam:"
["Littlelearningisneededtoformasoundmind。"
——Seneca，Ep。，106。]
’tisafeverishexcessofthemind;atempestuousandunquietinstrument。
Dobutrecollectyourself，andyouwillfindinyourselfnaturalargumentsagainstdeath，true，andthefittesttoserveyouintimeofnecessity:’tistheythatmakeapeasant，andwholenations，diewithasmuchfirmnessasaphilosopher。ShouldIhavediedlesscheerfullybeforeIhadreadCicero’sTusculanQuastiones？Ibelievenot;andwhenIfindmyselfatthebest，Iperceivethatmytongueisenrichedindeed，butmycouragelittleornothingelevatedbythem;thatisjustasnatureframeditatfirst，anddefendsitselfagainsttheconflictonlyafteranaturalandordinaryway。Bookshavenotsomuchservedmeforinstructionasexercise。Whatifknowledge，tryingtoarmuswithnewdefencesagainstnaturalinconveniences，hasmoreimprintedinourfanciestheirweightandgreatness，thanherreasonsandsubtletiestosecureusfromthem？Theyaresubtleties，indeed，withwhichsheoftenalarmsustolittlepurpose。Dobutobservehowmanyslightandfrivolous，and，ifnearlyexamined，incorporealarguments，theclosestandwisestauthorsscatteraboutonegoodone:theyarebutverbalquirksandfallaciestoamuseandgullus:butforasmuchasitmaybewithsomeprofit，Iwillsiftthemnofurther;manyofthatsortarehereandtheredispersedupanddownthisbook，eitherborrowedorbyimitation。
Thereforeoneoughttotakealittleheednottocallthatforcewhichisonlyaprettyknackofwriting，andthatsolidwhichisonlysharp，orthatgoodwhichisonlyfine:
"Quaemagisgustataquampotata，delectant，"
["Whichmoredelightinthetastingthaninbeingdrunk。"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，v。5。]
everythingthatpleasesdoesnotnourish:
"Ubinoningenii，sedaniminegotiumagitur。"
["Wherethequestionisnotaboutthewit，butaboutthesoul。"
——Seneca，Ep。，75。]
ToseethetroublethatSenecagiveshimselftofortifyhimselfagainstdeath;toseehimsosweatandpanttohardenandencouragehimself，andbustlesolonguponthisperch，wouldhavelessenedhisreputationwithme，hadhenotverybravelyheldhimselfatthelast。Hissoardentandfrequentagitationsdiscoverthathewasinhimselfimpetuousandpassionate，"Magnusanimusremissiusloquitur，etsecurius……
nonestaliusingenio，aliusammocolor;"
["Agreatcouragespeaksmorecalmlyandmoresecurely。Thereisnotonecomplexionforthewitandanotherforthemind。"
——Seneca，Ep。114，115]
hemustbeconvincedathisownexpense;andheinsomesortdiscoversthathewashardpressedbyhisenemy。Plutarch’sway，byhowmuchitismoredisdainfulandfartherstretched，is，inmyopinion，somuchmoremanlyandpersuasive:andIamapttobelievethathissoulhadmoreassuredandmoreregularmotions。Theonemoresharp，pricksandmakesusstart，andmoretouchesthesoul;theothermoreconstantlysolid，forms，establishes，andsupportsus，andmoretouchestheunderstanding。
Thatravishesthejudgment，thiswinsit。Ihavelikewiseseenotherwritings，yetmorereverencedthanthese，thatintherepresentationoftheconflicttheymaintainagainstthetemptationsoftheflesh，paintthem，sosharp，sopowerfulandinvincible，thatweourselves，whoareofthecommonherd，areasmuchtowonderatthestrangenessandunknownforceoftheirtemptation，asattheresistingit。
Towhatenddowesoarmourselveswiththisharnessofscience？Letuslookdownuponthepoorpeoplethatweseescattereduponthefaceoftheearth，proneandintentupontheirbusiness，thatneitherknowAristotlenorCato，examplenorprecept;fromthesenatureeverydayextractseffectsofconstancyandpatience，morepureandmanlythanthosewesoinquisitivelystudyintheschools:howmanydoIordinarilyseewhoslightpoverty？howmanywhodesiretodie，orwhodiewithoutalarmorregret？Hewhoisnowdigginginmygarden，hasthismorningburiedhisfatherorhisson。Theverynamesbywhichtheycalldiseasessweetenandmollifythesharpnessofthem:thephthisiciswiththemnomorethanacough，dysenterybutalooseness，thepleurisybutastitch;and，astheygentlynamethem，sotheypatientlyendurethem;theyareverygreatandgrievousindeedwhentheyhindertheirordinarylabour;theyneverkeeptheirbedsbuttodie:
"Simplexillaetapertavirtusinobscurametsolertemscientiamversaest。"
["Thatovertandsimplevirtueisconvertedintoanobscureandsubtlescience。"——Seneca，Ep。，95。]
Iwaswritingthisaboutthetimewhenagreatloadofourintestinetroublesforseveralmonthslaywithallitsweightuponme;Ihadtheenemyatmydoorononeside，andthefreebooters，worseenemies，ontheother，"Nonarmis，sedvitiis，certatur;"
["Thefightisnotwitharms，butwithvices。"——Seneca，Ep。95。]
andunderwentallsortsofmilitaryinjuriesatonce:
"Hostisadestdextralaevaqueapartetimendus。
Vicinoquemaloterretutrumquelatus。"
["Rightandleftaformidableenemyistobefeared，andthreatensmeonbothsideswithimpendingdanger。"——Ovid，DePonto，i。3，57。]
Amonstrouswar！Otherwarsarebentagainststrangers，thisagainstitself，destroyingitselfwithitsownpoison。Itisofsomalignantandruinousanature，thatitruinsitselfwiththerest;andwithitsownragemanglesandtearsitselftopieces。Wemoreoftenseeitdissolveofitselfthanthroughscarcityofanynecessarythingorbyforceoftheenemy。Alldisciplineevadesit;itcomestocomposesedition，andisitselffullofit;wouldchastisedisobedience，anditselfistheexample;and，employedforthedefenceofthelaws，rebelsagainstitsown。Whataconditionarewein！Ourphysicmakesussick！
"Nostremals’empoisonneDusecoursqu’onluydonne。"
"Exuperatmagis，aegrescitquemedendo。"
["Ourdiseaseispoisonedwithitsveryremedies"——AEnead，xii。46。]
"Omniafanda，nefanda，malopermistafurore，Justificamnobismentemaverteredeorum。"
["Rightandwrong，allshuffledtogetherinthiswickedfury，havedeprivedusofthegods’protection:
——Catullus，DeNuptiisPeleietThetidos，V。405。]
Inthebeginningofthesepopularmaladies，onemaydistinguishthesoundfromthesick;butwhentheycometocontinue，asourshavedone，thewholebodyistheninfectedfromheadtofoot;nopartisfreefromcorruption，forthereisnoairthatmensogreedilydrawinthatdiffusesitselfsosoonandthatpenetratessodeepasthatoflicence。
Ourarmiesonlysubsistandarekepttogetherbythecementofforeigners;forofFrenchmenthereisnownoconstantandregulararmytobemade。Whatashameitis！thereisnolongeranydisciplinebutwhatweseeinthemercenarysoldiers。Astoourselves，ourconductisatdiscretion，andthatnotofthechief，buteveryoneathisown。Thegeneralhasahardergametoplaywithinthanhehaswithout;heitiswhohastofollow，tocourtthesoldiers，togivewaytothem;healonehastoobey:alltherestifdisolutionandfreelicence。Itpleasesmetoobservehowmuchpusillanimityandcowardicethereisinambition;byhowabjectandservilewaysitmustarriveatitsend;butitdispleasesmetoseegoodandgenerousnatures，andthatarecapableofjustice，everydaycorruptedinthemanagementandcommandofthisconfusion。
Longtolerationbegetshabit;habit，consentandimitation。Wehadill—
formedsoulsenough，withoutspoilingthosethatweregenerousandgood;
sothat，ifweholdon，therewillscarcelyremainanywithwhomtointrustthehealthofthisStateofours，incasefortunechancetorestoreit:
"Huncsaltemeversojuvenemsuccurrereseclo，Neprohibete。"
["Forbidnot，atleast，thatthisyoungmanrepairthisruinedage。"
——Virgil，Georg。，i。500。MontaigneprobablyreferstoHenry，kingofNavarre，afterwardsHenryIV。]
Whathasbecomeoftheoldprecept，"Thatsoldiersoughtmoretofeartheirchiefthantheenemy"？——[ValeriusMaximus，Ext。2。]——andofthatwonderfulexample，thatanorchardbeingenclosedwithintheprecinctsofacampoftheRomanarmy，wasseenattheirdislodgmentthenextdayinthesamecondition，notanapple，thoughripeanddelicious，beingpulledoff，butalllefttothepossessor？Icouldwishthatouryouth，insteadofthetimetheyspendinlessfruitfultravelsandlesshonourableemployments，wouldbestowonehalfofthattimeinbeinganeye—witnessofnavalexploits，undersomegoodcaptainofRhodes，andtheotherhalfinobservingthedisciplineoftheTurkisharmies;fortheyhavemanydifferencesandadvantagesoverours;oneoftheseis，thatoursoldiersbecomemorelicentiousinexpeditions，theirsmoretemperateandcircumspect;forthetheftsandinsolenciescommitteduponthecommonpeople，whichareonlypunishedwithacudgelinpeace，arecapitalinwar;foraneggtakenbyaTurkishsoldierwithoutpayingforit，fiftyblowswithastickisthefixedrate;foranythingelse，ofwhatsortorhowtrivialsoever，notnecessarytonourishment，theyarepresentlyimpaledorbeheadedwithoutmercy。Iamastonished，inthehistoryofSelim，themostcruelconquerorthateverwas，toseethatwhenhesubduedEgypt，thebeautifulgardensaboutDamascusbeingallopen，andinaconqueredland，andhisarmyencampedupontheveryplace，shouldbeleftuntouchedbythehandsofthesoldiers，byreasontheyhadnotreceivedthesignalofpillage。
Butisthereanydiseaseinagovernmentthatitisworthwhiletophysicwithsuchamortaldrug？——[i。e。ascivilwar。]——No，saidFavonius，noteventhetyrannicalusurpationofaCommonwealth。Plato，likewise，willnotconsentthatamanshouldviolatethepeaceofhiscountryinordertocureit，andbynomeansapprovesofareformationthatdisturbsandhazardsall，andthatistobepurchasedatthepriceofthecitizens’
bloodandruin;determiningittobethedutyofagoodpatriotinsuchacasetoletitalone，andonlytopraytoGodforhisextraordinaryassistance:andheseemstobeangrywithhisgreatfriendDion，forhavingproceededsomewhatafteranothermanner。IwasaPlatonistinthispointbeforeIknewtherehadeverbeensuchamanasPlatointheworld。Andifthispersonoughtabsolutelytoberejectedfromoursociety（hewhobythesincerityofhisconsciencemeritedfromthedivinefavourtopenetratesofarintotheChristianlight，throughtheuniversaldarknesswhereintheworldwasinvolvedinhistime），Idonotthinkitbecomesustosufferourselvestobeinstructedbyaheathen，howgreatanimpietyitisnottoexpectfromGodanyreliefsimplyhisownandwithoutourco—operation。Ioftendoubt，whetheramongstsomanymenasmeddleinsuchaffairs，thereisnottobefoundsomeoneofsoweakunderstandingastohavebeenreallypersuadedthathewenttowardsreformationbytheworstofdeformations;andadvancedtowardssalvationbythemostexpresscausesthatwehaveofmostassureddamnation;thatbyoverthrowinggovernment，themagistracy，andthelaws，inwhoseprotectionGodhasplacedhim，bydismemberinghisgoodmother，andgivingherlimbstobemangledbyheroldenemies，fillingfraternalheartswithparricidalhatreds，callingdevilsandfuriestohisaid，hecanassistthemostholysweetnessandjusticeofthedivinelaw。
Ambition，avarice，cruelty，andrevengehavenotsufficientnaturalimpetuosityoftheirown;letusbaitthemwiththeglorioustitlesofjusticeanddevotion。Therecannotaworsestateofthingsbeimaginedthanwherewickednesscomestobelegitimate，andassumes，withthemagistrates’permission，thecloakofvirtue:
"Nihilinspeciemfallacius，quampravareligio，ubideorumnumenprxtenditursceleribus。"
["Nothinghasamoredeceivingfacethanfalsereligion，wherethedivinityofthegodsisobscuredbycrimes。"——Livy，xxxix。16。]
Theextremestsortofinjustice，accordingtoPlato，iswherethatwhichisunjustshouldbereputedforjust。
Thecommonpeoplethensufferedverymuch，andnotpresentdamageonly:
"UndiquetotisUsqueadeoturbaturagris，"
["Suchgreatdisordersovertakeourfieldsoneveryside。"
——Virgil，Eclog。，i。II。]
butfuturetoo;thelivingweretosuffer，andsoweretheywhowereyetunborn;theystriptthem，andconsequentlymyself，evenofhope，takingfromthemalltheyhadlaidupinstoretoliveonformanyyears:
"Quaenequeuntsecumferreautabducere，perdunt;
Etcrematinsontesturbascelestacasas……
Murisnullafides，squalentpopulatibusagri。"
["Whattheycannotbearaway，theyspoil;andthewickedmobburnharmlesshouses;wallscannotsecuretheirmasters，andthefieldsaresqualidwithdevastation。"
——Ovid，Trist。，iii。10，35;Claudianus，InEutyop。，i。244。]
Besidesthisshock，Isufferedothers:Iunderwenttheinconveniencesthatmoderationbringsalongwithitinsuchadisease:Iwasrobbedonallhands;totheGhibellineIwasaGuelph，andtotheGuelphaGhibelline";oneofmypoetsexpressesthisverywell，butIknownotwhereitis。
["SoToriescalledmeWhig，andWhigsaTory。"——Pope，afterHorace。]
Thesituationofmyhouse，andmyfriendlinesswithmyneighbours，presentedmewithoneface;mylifeandmyactionswithanother。Theydidnotlayformalaccusationstomycharge，fortheyhadnofoundationforsodoing;Ineverhidemyheadfromthelaws，andwhoeverwouldhavequestionedme，wouldhavedonehimselfagreaterprejudicethanme;theywereonlymutesuspicionsthatwerewhisperedabout，whichneverwantappearanceinsoconfusedamixture，nomorethanenviousoridleheads。
Icommonlymyselflendahandtoinjuriouspresumptionsthatfortunescattersabroadagainstme，byawayIhaveeverhadofevadingtojustify，excuse，orexplainmyself;conceivingthatitweretocompromisemyconsciencetopleadinitsbehalf:
"Perspicuitasenimargumentationeelevatur;"
["Forperspicuityislessenedbyargument。"
（"Theclearnessofacauseiscloudedbyargumentation。"）
——Cicero，DeNat。Deor。，iii。4。]
and，asifeveryonesawasclearlyintomeasIdomyself，insteadofretiringfromanaccusation，Istepuptomeetit，andrathergiveitsomekindofcolourbyanironicalandscoffingconfession，ifIdonotsittotallymute，asofathingnotworthmyanswer。Butsuchaslookuponthiskindofbehaviourofmineastoohaughtyaconfidence，haveaslittlekindnessformeastheywhointerprettheweaknessofanindefensiblecause;namely，thegreatfolks，towardswhomwantofsubmissionisthegreatfault，harshtowardsalljusticethatknowsandfeelsitself，andisnotsubmissivehumble，andsuppliant;Ihaveoftenknockedmyheadagainstthispillar。Soitisthatatwhatthenbefellme，anambitiousmanwouldhavehangedhimself，andacovetousmanwouldhavedonethesame。Ihavenomannerofcareofgetting;
"Simihi，quodnuncest，etiamminus;etmihivivamQuodsuperestaevi，siquidsuperessevolentdii:"
["IfImayhavewhatInowown，orevenless，andmayliveformyselfwhatofliferemains，ifthegodsgrantmeremainingyears。"
——Horace，Ep。，i。18，107。]
butthelossesthatbefallmebytheinjuryofothers，whetherbytheftorviolence，goalmostasnearmyheartastheywouldtothatofthemostavariciousman。Theoffencetroublesme，withoutcomparison，morethantheloss。Athousandseveralsortsofmischiefsfelluponmeintheneckofoneanother;Icouldmorecheerfullyhavebornethemallatonce。
Iwasalreadyconsideringtowhom，amongstmyfriends，Imightcommitanecessitousanddiscreditedoldage;andhavingturnedmyeyesquiteround，Ifoundmyselfbare。Toletone’sselffallplumpdown，andfromsogreataheight，itoughttobeinthearmsofasolid，vigorous，andfortunatefriendship:theseareveryrare，iftherebeany。Atlast，I
sawthatitwassafestformetotrusttomyselfinmynecessity;andifitshouldsofallout，thatIshouldbebutuponcoldtermsinFortune’sfavour，Ishouldsomuchthemorepressinglyrecommendmetomyown，andattachmyselfandlooktomyselfallthemoreclosely。Menonalloccasionsthrowthemselvesuponforeignassistancetosparetheirown，whichisalonecertainandsufficienttohimwhoknowshowtherewithtoarmhimself。Everyonerunselsewhere，andtothefuture，forasmuchasnooneisarrivedathimself。AndIwassatisfiedthattheywereprofitableinconveniences;forasmuchas，first，illscholarsaretobeadmonishedwiththerod，whenreasonwillnotdo，asacrookedpieceofwoodisbyfireandstrainingreducedtostraightness。Ihaveagreatwhilepreachedtomyselftostickclosetomyownconcerns，andseparatemyselffromtheaffairsofothers;yetIamstillturningmyeyesaside。
Abow，afavourableword，akindlookfromagreatpersontemptsme;ofwhichGodknowsifthereisscarcityinthesedays，andwhattheysignify。I，moreover，withoutwrinklingmyforehead，hearkentothepersuasionsofferedme，todrawmeintothemarketplace，andsogentlyrefuse，asifIwerehalfwillingtobeovercome。Nowforsoindocileaspiritblowsarerequired;thisvesselwhichthuschopsandcleaves，andisreadytofallonepiecefromanother，musthavethehoopsforceddownwithgoodsoundstrokesofamallet。Secondly，thatthisaccidentservedmeforexercisetopreparemeforworse，ifI，whobothbythebenefitoffortune，andbytheconditionofmymanners，hopedtobeamongthelast，shouldhappentobeoneofthefirstassailedbythisstorm;instructingmyselfbetimestoconstrainmylife，andfititforanewstate。Thetruelibertyistobeabletodowhatamanwillwithhimself:
"Potentissimusest，quisehabetinpotestate。"
["Heismostpotentwhoismasterofhimself。"——Seneca，Ep。，94。]
Inanordinaryandquiettime，amanprepareshimselfformoderateandcommonaccidents;butintheconfusionwhereinwehavebeenforthesethirtyyears，everyFrenchman，whetherpersonaloringeneral，seeshimselfeveryhouruponthepointofthetotalruinandoverthrowofhisfortune:bysomuchthemoreoughthetohavehiscouragesuppliedwiththestrongestandmostvigorousprovisions。Letusthankfortune，thathasnotmadeusliveinaneffeminate，idle，andlanguishingage;somewhocouldneverhavebeensobyothermeanswillbemadefamousbytheirmisfortunes。AsIseldomreadinhistoriestheconfusionsofotherstateswithoutregretthatIwasnotpresent，thebettertoconsiderthem，sodoesmycuriositymakemeinsomesortpleasemyselfinseeingwithmyowneyesthisnotablespectacleofourpublicdeath，itsformandsymptoms;andsinceIcannothinderit，Iamcontenttohavebeendestinedtobepresenttherein，andtherebytoinstructmyself。Sodoweeagerlycovettosee，thoughbutinshadowandthefablesoftheatres，thepompoftragicrepresentationsofhumanfortune;’tisnotwithoutcompassionatwhatwehear，butwepleaseourselvesinrousingourdispleasure，bytherarityofthesepitiableevents。Nothingticklesthatdoesnotpinch。Andgoodhistoriansskipover，asstagnantwateranddeadsea，calmnarrations，toreturntoseditions，towars，towhichtheyknowthatweinvitethem。
IquestionwhetherIcandecentlyconfesswithhowsmallasacrificeofitsreposeandtranquillityIhavepassedoverabovetheonehalfofmylifeamidtheruinofmycountry。Ilendmyselfmypatiencesomewhattoocheap，inaccidentsthatdonotprivatelyassailme;anddonotsomuchregardwhattheytakefromme，aswhatremainssafe，bothwithinandwithout。Thereiscomfortinevading，onewhilethis，anotherwhilethat，oftheevilsthatarelevelledatourselvestoo，atlast，butatpresenthurtothersonlyaboutus;asalso，thatinmattersofpublicinterest，themoreuniversallymyaffectionisdispersed，theweakeritis:towhichmaybeadded，thatitishalftrue:
"Tantumexpublicismalissentimus，quantumadprivatasrespertinet;"