Ishouldhavehadfidelity，judgment，andfreedomenoughforthatpurpose。Itwouldbeanamelessoffice，otherwiseitwouldloseitsgraceanditseffect;and’tisapartthatisnotindifferentlyfitforallmen;fortruthitselfhasnottheprivilegetobespokenatalltimesandindiscriminately;itsuse，nobleasitis，hasitscircumspectionsandlimits。Itoftenfallsout，astheworldgoes，thatamanletsitslipintotheearofaprince，notonlytonopurpose，butmoreoverinjuriouslyandunjustly;andnomanshallmakemebelievethatavirtuousremonstrancemaynotbeviciouslyapplied，andthattheinterestofthesubstanceisnotoftentogivewaytothatoftheform。
　　Forsuchapurpose，Iwouldhaveamanwhoiscontentwithhisownfortune:
　　"Quodsit，essevelit，nihilquemalit，"
　　[Whoispleasedwithwhatheisanddesiresnothingfurther。"
　　——Martial，x。ii，18。]
　　andofmoderatestation;forasmuchas，ontheonehand，hewouldnotbeafraidtotouchhismaster’shearttothequick，forfearbythatmeansoflosinghispreferment:and，ontheotherhand，beingofnohighquality，hewouldhavemoreeasycommunicationwithallsortsofpeople。
　　Iwouldhavethisofficelimitedtoonlyoneperson;fortoallowtheprivilegeofhislibertyandprivacytomany，wouldbegetaninconvenientirreverence;andofthatone，Iwouldaboveallthingsrequirethefidelityofsilence。
　　Akingisnottobebelievedwhenhebragsofhisconstancyinstandingtheshockoftheenemyforhisglory，ifforhisprofitandamendmenthecannotstandthelibertyofafriend’sadvice，whichhasnootherpowerbuttopinchhisear，theremainderofitseffectbeingstillinhisownhands。Now，thereisnoconditionofmenwhateverwhostandinsogreatneedoftrueandfreeadviceandwarning，astheydo:theysustainapubliclife，andhavetosatisfytheopinionofsomanyspectators，that，asthoseaboutthemconcealfromthemwhatevershoulddivertthemfromtheirownway，theyinsensiblyfindthemselvesinvolvedinthehatredanddetestationoftheirpeople，oftenuponoccasionswhichtheymighthaveavoidedwithoutanyprejudiceevenoftheirpleasuresthemselves，hadtheybeenadvisedandsetrightintime。Theirfavouritescommonlyhavemoreregardtothemselvesthantotheirmaster;andindeeditanswerswiththem，forasmuchas，intruth，mostofficesofrealfriendship，whenappliedtothesovereign，areunderarudeanddangeroushazard，sothatthereinthereisgreatneed，notonlyofverygreataffectionandfreedom，butofcouragetoo。
　　Infine，allthishodge—podgewhichIscribblehere，isnothingbutaregisteroftheessaysofmyownlife，which，fortheinternalsoundness，isexemplaryenoughtotakeinstructionagainstthegrain;butastobodilyhealth，nomancanfurnishoutmoreprofitableexperiencethanI，whopresentitpure，andnowaycorruptedandchangedbyartoropinion。
　　Experienceisproperlyuponitsowndunghillinthesubjectofphysic，wherereasonwhollygivesitplace:Tiberiussaidthatwhoeverhadlivedtwentyyearsoughttoberesponsibletohimselfforallthingsthatwerehurtfulorwholesometohim，andknowhowtoorderhimselfwithoutphysic;
　　[AllthatSuetoniussaysinhisLifeofTiberiusisthatthisemperor，afterhewasthirtyyearsold，governedhishealthwithouttheaidofphysicians;andwhatPlutarchtellsus，inhisessayontheRulesandPreceptsofHealth，isthatTiberiussaidthatthemanwho，havingattainedsixtyyears，heldouthispulsetoaphysicianwasafool。]
　　andhemighthavelearneditofSocrates，who，advisinghisdisciplestobesolicitousoftheirhealthasachiefstudy，addedthatitwashardifamanofsense，havingacaretohisexerciseanddiet，didnotbetterknowthananyphysicianwhatwasgoodorillforhim。Andphysicitselfprofessesalwaystohaveexperienceforthetestofitsoperations:soPlatohadreasontosaythat，tobearightphysician，itwouldbenecessarythathewhowouldbecomesuch，shouldfirsthimselfhavepassedthroughallthediseaseshepretendstocure，andthroughalltheaccidentsandcircumstanceswhereofheistojudge。’Tisbutreasontheyshouldgetthepox，iftheywillknowhowtocureit;formypart，Ishouldputmyselfintosuchhands;theothersbutguideus，likehimwhopaintsseasandrocksandportssittingattable，andtheremakesthemodelofashipsailinginallsecurity;butputhimtotheworkitself，heknowsnotatwhichendtobegin。Theymakesuchadescriptionofourmaladiesasatowncrierdoesofalosthorseordog——suchacolor，suchaheight，suchanear——butbringittohimandheknowsitnot，forallthat。Ifphysicshouldonedaygivemesomegoodandvisiblerelief，thentrulyIwillcryoutingoodearnest:
　　"Tandemeffcacidomanusscientiae。"
　　["Showmeandefficaciousscience，andIwilltakeitbythehand。"
　　——Horace，xvii。I。]
　　Theartsthatpromisetokeepourbodiesandsoulsinhealthpromiseagreatdeal;but，withal，therearenonethatlesskeeptheirpromise。
　　And，inourtime，thosewhomakeprofessionoftheseartsamongstus，lessmanifesttheeffectsthananyothersortofmen;onemaysayofthem，atthemost，thattheysellmedicinaldrugs;butthattheyarephysicians，amancannotsay。
　　[Theeditionof1588adds:"Judgingbythemselves，andthosewhoareruledbythem。"]
　　Ihavelivedlongenoughtobeabletogiveanaccountofthecustomthathascarriedmesofar;forhimwhohasamindtotryit，ashistaster，Ihavemadetheexperiment。Herearesomeofthearticles，asmymemoryshallsupplymewiththem;Ihavenocustomthathasnotvariedaccordingtocircumstances;butIonlyrecordthosethatIhavebeenbestacquaintedwith，andthathithertohavehadthegreatestpossessionofme。
　　Myformoflifeisthesameinsicknessasinhealth;thesamebed，thesamehours，thesamemeat，andeventhesamedrink，servemeinbothconditionsalike;Iaddnothingtothembutthemoderationofmoreorless，accordingtomystrengthandappetite。Myhealthistomaintainmywontedstatewithoutdisturbance。Iseethatsicknessputsmeoffitononeside，andifIwillberuledbythephysicians，theywillputmeoffontheother;sothatbyfortuneandbyartIamoutofmyway。
　　Ibelievenothingmorecertainlythanthis，thatIcannotbehurtbytheuseofthingstowhichIhavebeensolongaccustomed。’Tisforcustomtogiveaformtoaman’slife，suchasitpleaseshim;sheisallinallinthat:’tisthepotionofCirce，thatvariesournatureasshebestpleases。Howmanynations，andbutthreestepsfromus，thinkthefearofthenight—dew，thatsomanifestlyishurtfultous，aridiculousfancy;andourownwatermenandpeasantslaughatit。YoumakeaGermansickifyoulayhimuponamattress，asyoudoanItalianifyoulayhimonafeather—bed，andaFrenchman，ifwithoutcurtainsorfire。ASpanishstomachcannotholdouttoeataswecan，norourstodrinkliketheSwiss。AGermanmademeverymerryatAugsburg，byfindingfaultwithourhearths，bythesameargumentswhichwecommonlymakeuseofindecryingtheirstoves:for，tosaythetruth，thesmotheredheat，andthenthesmellofthatheatedmatterofwhichthefireiscomposed，verymuchoffendsuchasarenotusedtothem;notme;and，indeed，theheatbeingalwaysequal，constant，anduniversal，withoutflame，withoutsmoke，andwithoutthewindthatcomesdownourchimneys，theymaymanywayssustaincomparisonwithours。WhydowenotimitatetheRomanarchitecture？fortheysaythatancientlyfireswerenotmadeinthehouses，butontheoutside，andatthefootofthem，whencetheheatwasconveyedtothewholefabricbypipescontrivedinthewall，whichweredrawntwiningabouttheroomsthatweretobewarmed:whichIhaveseenplainlydescribedsomewhereinSeneca。ThisGermanhearingmecommendtheconveniencesandbeautiesofhiscity，whichtrulydeservesit，begantocompassionatemethatIhadtoleaveit;andthefirstinconvenienceheallegedtomewas，theheavinessofheadthatthechimneyselsewherewouldbringuponme。Hehadheardsomeonemakethiscomplaint，andfixedituponus，beingbycustomdeprivedofthemeansofperceivingitathome。Allheatthatcomesfromthefireweakensanddullsme。Evenussaidthatfirewasthebestcondimentoflife:Iratherchooseanyotherwayofmakingmyselfwarm。
　　Weareafraidtodrinkourwines，whentowardthebottomofthecask;inPortugalthosefumesarereputeddelicious，anditisthebeverageofprinces。Inshort，everynationhasmanycustomsandusagesthatarenotonlyunknowntoothernations，butsavageandmiraculousintheirsight。
　　Whatshouldwedowiththosepeoplewhoadmitofnoevidencethatisnotinprint，whobelievenotmeniftheyarenotinabook，nortruthifitbenotofcompetentage？wedignifyourfopperieswhenwecommitthemtothepress:’tisofagreatdealmoreweighttosay，"Ihavereadsuchathing，"thanifyouonlysay，"Ihaveheardsuchathing。"ButI，whonomoredisbelieveaman’smouththanhispen，andwhoknowthatmenwriteasindiscreetlyastheyspeak，andwholookuponthisageasonethatispast，assoonquoteafriendasAulusGelliusorMacrobius;andwhatI
　　haveseen，aswhattheyhavewritten。And，as’tisheldofvirtue，thatitisnotgreaterforhavingcontinuedlonger，sodoIholdoftruth，thatforbeingolderitisnonethewiser。Ioftensay，thatitismerefollythatmakesusrunafterforeignandscholasticexamples;theirfertilityisthesamenowthatitwasinthetimeofHomerandPlato。
　　Butisitnotthatweseekmorehonourfromthequotation，thanfromthetruthofthematterinhand？AsifitweremoretothepurposetoborrowourproofsfromtheshopsofVascosanorPlantin，thanfromwhatistobeseeninourownvillage;orelse，indeed，thatwehavenotthewittoculloutandmakeusefulwhatweseebeforeus，andtojudgeofitclearlyenoughtodrawitintoexample:forifwesaythatwewantauthoritytogivefaithtoourtestimony，wespeakfromthepurpose;
　　forasmuchas，inmyopinion，ofthemostordinary，common，andknownthings，couldwebutfindouttheirlight，thegreatestmiraclesofnaturemightbeformed，andthemostwonderfulexamples，especiallyuponthesubjectofhumanactions。
　　Now，uponthissubject，settingasidetheexamplesIhavegatheredfrombooks，andwhatAristotlesaysofAndrontheArgian，thathetravelledoverthearidsandsofLybiawithoutdrinking:agentleman，whohasverywellbehavedhimselfinseveralemployments，said，inaplacewhereI
　　was，thathehadriddenfromMadridtoLisbon，intheheatofsummer，withoutanydrinkatall。Heisveryhealthfulandvigorousforhisage，andhasnothingextraordinaryintheuseofhislife，butthis，tolivesometimestwoorthreemonths，nay，awholeyear，ashehastoldme，withoutdrinking。Heissometimesthirsty，butheletsitpassover，andheholdsthatitisanappetitewhicheasilygoesoffofitself;
　　andhedrinksmoreoutofcapricethaneitherforneedorpleasure。
　　Hereisanotherexample:’tisnotlongagothatIfoundoneofthelearnedestmeninFrance，amongthoseofnotinconsiderablefortune，studyinginacornerofahallthattheyhadseparatedforhimwithtapestry，andabouthimarabbleofhisservantsfulloflicence。Hetoldme，andSenecaalmostsaysthesameofhimself，hemadeanadvantageofthishubbub;that，beatenwiththisnoise，hesomuchthemorecollectedandretiredhimselfintohimselfforcontemplation，andthatthistempestofvoicesdrovebackhisthoughtswithinhimself。
　　BeingastudentatPadua，hehadhisstudysolongsituatedamidtherattleofcoachesandthetumultofthesquare，thathenotonlyformedhimselftothecontempt，buteventotheuseofnoise，fortheserviceofhisstudies。SocratesansweredAlcibiades，whowasastonishedhowhecouldenduretheperpetualscoldingofhiswife，"Why，"saidhe，"asthosedowhoareaccustomedtotheordinarynoiseofwheelsdrawingwater。"Iamquiteotherwise;Ihaveatenderheadandeasilydiscomposed;when’tisbentuponanything，theleastbuzzingofaflymurdersit。
　　SenecainhisyouthhavingwarmlyespousedtheexampleofSextius，ofeatingnothingthathaddied，forawholeyeardispensedwithsuchfood，and，ashesaid，withpleasure，anddiscontinueditthathemightnotbesuspectedoftakingupthisrulefromsomenewreligionbywhichitwasprescribed:headopted，inlikemanner，fromthepreceptsofAttalusacustomnottolieuponanysortofbeddingthatgavewayunderhisweight，and，eventohisoldage，madeuseofsuchaswouldnotyieldtoanypressure。Whattheusageofhistimemadehimaccountroughness，thatofoursmakesuslookuponaseffeminacy。
　　Dobutobservethedifferencebetwixtthewayoflivingofmylabourersandmyown;theScythiansandIndianshavenothingmoreremotebothfrommycapacityandmyform。Ihavepickedupcharityboystoserveme:whosoonafterhavequittedbothmykitchenandlivery，onlythattheymightreturntotheirformercourseoflife;andIfoundoneafterwards，pickingmusselsoutofthesewerforhisdinner，whomIcouldneitherbyentreatiesnorthreatsreclaimfromthesweetnesshefoundinindigence。
　　Beggarshavetheirmagnificencesanddelights，aswellastherich，and，’tissaid，theirdignitiesandpolities。Thesearetheeffectsofcustom;shecanmouldus，notonlyintowhatformshepleases（thesagessayweoughttoapplyourselvestothebest，whichshewillsoonmakeeasytous），butalsotochangeandvariation，whichisthemostnobleandmostusefulinstructionofallsheteachesus。ThebestofmybodilyconditionsisthatIamflexibleandnotveryobstinate:Ihaveinclinationsmoremyownandordinary，andmoreagreeablethanothers;
　　butIamdivertedfromthemwithverylittleado，andeasilyslipintoacontrarycourse。Ayoungmanoughttocrosshisownrules，toawakenhisvigourandtokeepitfromgrowingfaintandrusty;andthereisnocourseoflifesoweakandsottishasthatwhichiscarriedonbyruleanddiscipline;
　　"Adprimumlapidemvectariquumplacet，horaSumiturexlibro;sipruritfrictusocelliAngulus，inspectagenesi，collyriaquaerit;"
　　["Whenheispleasedtohavehimselfcarriedtothefirstmilestone，thehourischosenfromthealmanac;ifhebutrubthecornerofhiseye，hishoroscopehavingbeenexamined，heseekstheaidofsalves。"———Juvenal，vi。576。]
　　heshalloftenthrowhimselfevenintoexcesses，ifhewilltakemyadvice;otherwisetheleastdebauchwilldestroyhim，andrenderhimtroublesomeanddisagreeableincompany。Theworstqualityinawell—
　　bredmanisover—fastidiousness，andanobligationtoacertainparticularway;anditisparticular，ifnotpliableandsupple。Itisakindofreproach，nottobeable，ornottodare，todowhatweseethoseaboutusdo;letsuchasthesestopathome。Itisineverymanunbecoming，butinasoldierviciousandintolerable:who，asPhilopcemensaid，oughttoaccustomhimselftoeveryvarietyandinequalityoflife。
　　ThoughIhavebeenbroughtup，asmuchaswaspossible，tolibertyandindependence，yetsoitisthat，growingold，andhavingbyindifferencemoresettleduponcertainforms（myageisnowpastinstruction，andhashenceforwardnothingtodobuttokeepitselfupaswellasitcan），customhasalready，ereIwasaware，soimprinteditscharacterinmeincertainthings，thatIlookuponitasakindofexcesstoleavethemoff;and，withoutaforceuponmyself，cannotsleepinthedaytime，noreatbetweenmeals，norbreakfast，norgotobed，withoutagreatintervalbetwixteatingandsleeping，——[GastroesophogealReflux。D。W。]——asofthreehoursaftersupper;norgetchildrenbutbeforeIsleep，norgetthemstanding;norenduremyownsweat;norquenchmythirsteitherwithpurewaterorpurewine;norkeepmyheadlongbare，norcutmyhairafterdinner;andIshouldbeasuneasywithoutmyglovesaswithoutmyshirt，orwithoutwashingwhenIrisefromtableoroutofmybed;andI
　　couldnotliewithoutacanopyandcurtains，asiftheywereessentialthings。Icoulddinewithoutatablecloth，butwithoutacleannapkin，aftertheGermanfashion，veryincommodiously;IfoulthemmorethantheGermansorItaliansdo，andmakebutlittleuseeitherofspoonorfork。
　　Icomplainthattheydidnotkeepupthefashion，begunaftertheexampleofkings，tochangeournapkinateveryservice，astheydoourplate。
　　WearetoldofthatlaborioussoldierMariusthat，growingold，hebecameniceinhisdrink，andneverdrankbutoutofaparticularcupofhisownI，inlikemanner，havesufferedmyselftofancyacertainformofglasses，andnotwillinglytodrinkincommonglasses，nomorethanfromastrangecommonhand:allmetaloffendsmeincomparisonofaclearandtransparentmatter:letmyeyestaste，too，accordingtotheircapacity。
　　Ioweseveralothersuchnicetiestocustom。Naturehasalso，ontheotherside，helpedmetosomeofhers:asnottobeabletoenduremorethantwofullmealsinoneday，withoutoverchargingmystomach，noratotalabstinencefromoneofthosemealswithoutfillingmyselfwithwind，dryingupmymouth，anddullingmyappetite;thefindinggreatinconveniencefromovermucheveningair;foroflateyears，innightmarches，whichoftenhappentobeallnightlong，afterfiveorsixhoursmystomachbeginstobequeasy，withaviolentpaininmyhead，sothatI
　　alwaysvomitbeforethedaycanbreak。Whentheothersgotobreakfast，Igotosleep;andwhenIrise，Iamasbriskandgayasbefore。Ihadalwaysbeentoldthatthenightdewneverrisesbutinthebeginningofthenight;butforsomeyearspast，longandfamiliarintercoursewithalord，possessedwiththeopinionthatthenightdewismoresharpanddangerousaboutthedecliningofthesun，anhourortwobeforeitsets，whichhecarefullyavoids，anddespisesthatofthenight，healmostimpresseduponme，notsomuchhisreasoningashisexperiences。What，shallmeredoubtandinquirystrikeourimagination，soastochangeus？
　　Suchasabsolutelyandonasuddengivewaytothesepropensions，drawtotaldestructionuponthemselves。Iamsorryforseveralgentlemenwho，throughthefollyoftheirphysicians，haveintheiryouthandhealthwhollyshutthemselvesup:itwerebettertoendureacough，than，bydisuse，forevertolosethecommerceofcommonlifeinthingsofsogreatutility。Malignantscience，tointerdictusthemostpleasanthoursoftheday！Letuskeepourpossessiontothelast;forthemostpart，amanhardenshimselfbybeingobstinate，andcorrectshisconstitution，asCaesardidthefallingsickness，bydintofcontempt。
　　Amanshouldaddicthimselftothebestrules，butnotenslavehimselftothem，excepttosuch，iftherebeanysuch，whereobligationandservitudeareofprofit。
　　Bothkingsandphilosophersgotostool，andladiestoo;publiclivesareboundtoceremony;mine，thatisobscureandprivate，enjoysallnaturaldispensation;soldierandGasconarealsoqualitiesalittlesubjecttoindiscretion;whereforeIshallsayofthisactofrelievingnature，thatitisdesirabletoreferittocertainprescribedandnocturnalhours，andcompelone’sselftothisbycustom，asIhavedone;butnottosubjectone’sself，asIhavedoneinmydecliningyears，toaparticularconvenienceofplaceandseatforthatpurpose，andmakeittroublesomebylongsitting;andyet，inthefouleroffices，isitnotinsomemeasureexcusabletorequiremorecareandcleanliness？
　　"Naturthomomundumetelegansanimalest。"
　　[Manisbynatureacleananddelicatecreature。"——Seneca，Ep。，92。]
　　Ofalltheactionsofnature，Iamthemostimpatientofbeinginterruptedinthat。Ihaveseenmanysoldierstroubledwiththeunrulinessoftheirbellies;whereasmineandIneverfailofourpunctualassignation，whichisatleapingoutofbed，ifsomeindispensablebusinessorsicknessdoesnotmolestus。
　　Ithinkthen，asIsaidbefore，thatsickmencannotbetterplacethemselvesanywhereinmoresafety，thaninsittingstillinthatcourseoflifewhereintheyhavebeenbredandtrainedup;change，beitwhatitwill，distempersandputsoneout。DoyoubelievethatchestnutscanhurtaPerigordinoraLucchese，ormilkandcheesethemountainpeople？
　　Weenjointhemnotonlyanew，butacontrary，methodoflife;achangethatthehealthfulcannotendure。PrescribewatertoaBretonofthreescoreandten;shutaseamanupinastove;forbidaBasquefootmantowalk:youwilldeprivethemofmotion，andintheendofairandlight:
　　"Anviveretantiest？
　　Cogimurasuetisanimumsuspendererebus，Atque，utvivamus，viveredesinimus……
　　Hossuperessereor，quibusetspirabilisaerEtlux，quaregimur，reddituripsagravis。"
　　["Islifeworthsomuch？Wearecompelledtowithholdthemindfromthingstowhichweareaccustomed;and，thatwemaylive，weceasetolive……DoIconceivethattheystilllive，towhomtherespirableair，andthelightitself，bywhichwearegoverned，isrenderedoppressive？"
　　——Pseudo—Gallus，Eclog。，i。155，247。]
　　Iftheydonoothergood，theydothisatleast，thattheypreparepatientsbetimesfordeath，bylittleandlittleunderminingandcuttingofftheuseoflife。
　　Bothwellandsick，Ihaveeverwillinglysufferedmyselftoobeytheappetitesthatpresseduponme。Igivegreatreintomydesiresandpropensities;Idonotlovetocureonediseasebyanother;Ihateremediesthataremoretroublesomethanthediseaseitself。Tobesubjecttothecolicandsubjecttoabstainfromeatingoystersaretwoevilsinsteadofone;thediseasetormentsusontheoneside，andtheremedyontheother。Sinceweareeverindangerofmistaking，letusratherrunthehazardofamistake，afterwehavehadthepleasure。Theworldproceedsquitetheotherway，andthinksnothingprofitablethatisnotpainful;ithasgreatsuspicionoffacility。Myappetite，invariousthings，hasofitsownaccordhappilyenoughaccommodateditselftothehealthofmystomach。Relishandpungencyinsauceswerepleasanttomewhenyoung;mystomachdislikingthemsince，mytasteincontinentlyfollowed。Wineishurtfultosickpeople，and’tisthefirstthingthatmymouththenfindsdistasteful，andwithaninvincibledislike。
　　WhateverItakeagainstmylikingdoesmeharm;andnothinghurtsmethatIeatwithappetiteanddelight。Ineverreceivedharmbyanyactionthatwasverypleasanttome;andaccordinglyhavemadeallmedicinalconclusionslargelygivewaytomypleasure;andIhave，whenIwasyoung，"QuemcircumcursanshucatquehucsaepeCupidoFulgebatcrocinksplendidusintunic。"
　　[WhenCupid，flutteringroundmehereandthere，shoneinhisrichpurplemantle。"——Catullus，lxvi。133。]
　　givenmyselfthereinaslicentiouslyandinconsideratelytothedesirethatwaspredominantinme，asanyotherwhomsoever:
　　"Etmilitavinonsinegloria;"
　　["AndIhaveplayedthesoldiernotingloriously。"
　　——Horace，Od。，iii。26，2。]
　　yetmoreincontinuationandholdingout，thaninsally:
　　"Sexmevixmeminisustinuissevices。"
　　["Icanscarcelyremembersixboutsinonenight"
　　——Ovid，Amor。，iii。7，26。]
　　’TiscertainlyamisfortuneandamiracleatoncetoconfessatwhatatenderageIfirstcameunderthesubjectionoflove:itwas，indeed，bychance;foritwaslongbeforetheyearsofchoiceorknowledge;Idonotremembermyselfsofarback;andmyfortunemaywellbecoupledwiththatofQuartilla，whocouldnotrememberwhenshewasamaid:
　　"Indetragus，celeresquepili，mirandaquematriBarbameae。"
　　["Thencetheodourofthearm—pits，theprecocioushair，andthebeardwhichastonishedmymother。"——Martial，xi。22，7。]
　　Physiciansmodifytheirrulesaccordingtotheviolentlongingsthathappentosickpersons，ordinarilywithgoodsuccess;thisgreatdesirecannotbeimaginedsostrangeandvicious，butthatnaturemusthaveahandinit。Andthenhoweasyathingisittosatisfythefancy？Inmyopinion;thispartwhollycarriesit，atleast，abovealltherest。Themostgrievousandordinaryevilsarethosethatfancyloadsuswith;thisSpanishsayingpleasesmeinseveralaspects:
　　"DefendameDiosdeme。"
　　["Goddefendmefrommyself。"]
　　IamsorrywhenIamsick，thatIhavenotsomelongingthatmightgivemethepleasureofsatisfyingit;alltherulesofphysicwouldhardlybeabletodivertmefromit。IdothesamewhenIamwell;Icanseeverylittlemoretobehopedorwishedfor。’Twerepityamanshouldbesoweakandlanguishing，asnottohaveevenwishinglefttohim。
　　Theartofphysicisnotsofixed，thatweneedbewithoutauthorityforwhateverwedo;itchangesaccordingtoclimatesandmoons，accordingtoFernelandtoScaliger。——[PhysicianstoHenryII。]——Ifyourphysiciandoesnotthinkitgoodforyoutosleep，todrinkwine，ortoeatsuchandsuchmeats，nevertroubleyourself;Iwillfindyouanotherthatshallnotbeofhisopinion;thediversityofmedicalargumentsandopinionsembracesallsortsandforms。Isawamiserablesickpersonpantingandburningforthirst，thathemightbecured，whowasafterwardslaughedatforhispainsbyanotherphysician，whocondemnedthatadviceasprejudicialtohim:hadhenottormentedhimselftogoodpurpose？Therelatelydiedofthestoneamanofthatprofession，whohadmadeuseofextremeabstinencetocontendwithhisdisease:hisfellow—physicianssaythat，onthecontrary，thisabstinencehaddriedhimupandbakedthegravelinhiskidneys。
　　Ihaveobserved，thatbothinwoundsandsicknesses，speakingdiscomposesandhurtsme，asmuchasanyirregularityIcancommit。Myvoicepainsandtiresme，for’tisloudandforced;sothatwhenIhavegonetoawhispersomegreatpersonsaboutaffairsofconsequence，theyhaveoftendesiredmetomoderatemyvoice。
　　Thisstoryisworthadiversion。SomeoneinacertainGreekschoolspeakingloudasIdo，themasteroftheceremoniessenttohimtospeaksoftly:"Tellhim，then，hemustsendme，"repliedtheother，"thetonehewouldhavemespeakin。"Towhichtheotherreplied，"Thatheshouldtakethetonefromtheearsofhimtowhomhespake。"Itwaswellsaid，ifitistobeunderstood:"Speakaccordingtotheaffairyouarespeakingabouttoyourauditor，"forifitmean，"’tissufficientthathehearyou，orgovernyourselfbyhim，"Idonotfindittobereason。Thetoneandmotionofmyvoicecarrieswithitagreatdealoftheexpressionandsignificationofmymeaning，and’tisIwhoamtogovernit，tomakemyselfunderstood:thereisavoicetoinstruct，avoicetoflatter，andavoicetoreprehend。Iwillnotonlythatmyvoicereachhim，but，peradventure，thatitstrikeandpiercehim。WhenIratemyvaletwithsharpandbitterlanguage，itwouldbeveryprettyforhimtosay;"Pray，master，speaklower;Ihearyouverywell":
　　"Estquaedamvoxadauditumaccommodata，nonmagnitudine，sedproprietate。"
　　["Thereisacertainvoiceaccommodatedtothehearing，notbyitsloudness，butbyitspropriety。"——Quintilian，xi。3。]
　　Speakingishalfhiswhospeaks，andhalfhiswhohears;thelatteroughttopreparehimselftoreceiveit，accordingtoitsbias;aswithtennis—
　　players，hewhoreceivestheball，shiftsandprepares，accordingasheseeshimmovewhostrikesthestroke，andaccordingtothestrokeitself。
　　Experiencehas，moreover，taughtmethis，thatweruinourselvesbyimpatience。Evilshavetheirlifeandlimits，theirdiseasesandtheirrecovery。
　　Theconstitutionofmaladiesisformedbythepatternoftheconstitutionofanimals;theyhavetheirfortuneandtheirdayslimitedfromtheirbirth;hewhoattemptsimperiouslytocutthemshortbyforceinthemiddleoftheircourse，lengthensandmultipliesthem，andincensesinsteadofappeasingthem。IamofCrantor’sopinion，thatweareneitherobstinatelyanddeaflytoopposeevils，norsuccumbtothemfromwantofcourage;butthatwearenaturallytogivewaytothem，accordingtotheirconditionandourown。Weoughttograntfreepassagetodiseases;Ifindtheystaylesswithme，wholetthemalone;andIhavelostsome，reputedthemosttenaciousandobstinate，bytheirowndecay，withouthelpandwithoutart，andcontrarytoitsrules。LetusalittlepermitNaturetotakeherownway;shebetterunderstandsherownaffairsthanwe。Butsuchanonediedofit;andsoshallyou:ifnotofthatdisease，ofanother。Andhowmanyhavenotescapeddying，whohavehadthreephysiciansattheirtails？Exampleisavagueanduniversalmirror，andofvariousreflections。Ifitbeadeliciousmedicine，takeit:’tisalwayssomuchpresentgood。Iwillneverstickatthenamenorthecolour，ifitbepleasantandgratefultothepalate:pleasureisoneofthechiefestkindsofprofit。Ihavesufferedcolds，goutydefluxions，relaxations，palpitationsoftheheart，megrims，andotheraccidents，togrowoldanddieintimeanaturaldeath。IhavesolostthemwhenIwashalffittokeepthem:theyaresoonerprevaileduponbycourtesythanhuffing。Wemustpatientlysufferthelawsofourcondition;weareborntogrowold，togrowweak，andtobesick，indespiteofallmedicine。’TisthefirstlessontheMexicansteachtheirchildren;sosoonasevertheyareborntheythussalutethem:"Thouartcomeintotheworld，child，toendure:endure，suffer，andsaynothing。"
　　’Tisinjusticetolamentthatwhichhasbefallenanyonewhichmaybefalleveryone:
　　"Indignare，siquidintoiniqueproprioconstitutumest。"
　　["Thenbeangry，whenthereisanythingunjustlydecreedagainsttheealone。"——Seneca，Ep。，91。]
　　SeeanoldmanwhobegsofGodthathewillmaintainhishealthvigorousandentire;thatistosay，thatherestorehimtoyouth:
　　"Stulte，quidhaecfrustravotispuerilibusoptas？"
　　["Fool！whydoyouvainlyformthesepuerilewishes？"
　　——Ovid。，Trist。，111。8，II。]
　　isitnotfolly？hisconditionisnotcapableofit。Thegout，thestone，andindigestionaresymptomsoflongyears;asheat，rains，andwindsareoflongjourneys。PlatodoesnotbelievethatAEsculapiustroubledhimselftoprovidebyregimentoprolonglifeinaweakandwastedbody，uselesstohiscountryandtohisprofession，ortobegethealthfulandrobustchildren;anddoesnotthinkthiscaresuitabletotheDivinejusticeandprudence，whichistodirectallthingstoutility。Mygoodfriend，yourbusinessisdone;nobodycanrestoreyou;
　　theycan，atthemost，butpatchyouup，andpropyoualittle，andbythatmeansprolongyourmiseryanhourortwo:
　　"Nonsecusinstantemcupiensfulcireruinam，Diversiscontranititurobiicibus;
　　Doneccertadies，omnicompagesoluta，Ipsumcumrebussubruatauxilium。"
　　["Likeonewho，desiringtostayanimpendingruin，placesvariouspropsagainstit，till，inashorttime，thehouse，theprops，andall，givingway，falltogether。"——Pseudo—Gallus，i。171。]
　　Wemustlearntosufferwhatwecannotevade;ourlife，liketheharmonyoftheworld，iscomposedofcontrarythings——ofdiversetones，sweetandharsh，sharpandflat，sprightlyandsolemn:themusicianwhoshouldonlyaffectsomeofthese，whatwouldhebeabletodo？hemustknowhowtomakeuseofthemall，andtomixthem;andsoweshouldminglethegoodsandevilswhichareconsubstantialwithourlife;ourbeingcannotsubsistwithoutthismixture，andtheonepartisnolessnecessarytoitthantheother。Toattempttocombatnaturalnecessity，istorepresentthefollyofCtesiphon，whoundertooktokickwithhismule。——[Plutarch，HowtorestrainAnger，c。8。]
　　IconsultlittleaboutthealterationsIfeel:forthesedoctorstakeadvantage;whentheyhaveyouattheirmercy，theysurfeityourearswiththeirprognostics;andformerlysurprisingme，weakenedwithsickness，injuriouslyhandledmewiththeirdogmasandmagisterialfopperies——onewhilemenacingmewithgreatpains，andanotherwithapproachingdeath。
　　HerebyIwasindeedmovedandshaken，butnotsubduednorjostledfrommyplace;andthoughmyjudgmentwasneitheralterednordistracted，yetitwasatleastdisturbed:’tisalwaysagitationandcombat。
　　Now，IusemyimaginationasgentlyasIcan，andwoulddischargeit，ifIcould，ofalltroubleandcontest;amanmustassist，flatter，anddeceiveit，ifhecan;mymindisfitforthatoffice;itneedsnoappearancesthroughout:coulditpersuadeasitpreaches，itwouldsuccessfullyrelieveme。Willyouhaveanexample？。Ittellsme:"that’tisformygoodtohavethestone:thatthestructureofmyagemustnaturallysuffersomedecay，anditisnowtimeitshouldbegintodisjoinandtoconfessabreach;’tisacommonnecessity，andthereisnothinginiteithermiraculousornew;Ithereinpaywhatisduetooldage，andIcannotexpectabetterbargain;thatsocietyoughttocomfortme，beingfallenintothemostcommoninfirmityofmyage;Iseeeverywherementormentedwiththesamedisease，andamhonouredbythefellowship，forasmuchasmenofthebestqualityaremostfrequentlyafflictedwithit:’tisanobleanddignifieddisease:thatofsuchasarestruckwithit，fewhaveittoalessdegreeofpain;thattheseareputtothetroubleofastrictdietandthedailytakingofnauseouspotions，whereasIowemybetterstatepurelytomygoodfortune;forsomeordinarybrothsoferingoorburst—wortthatIhavetwiceorthricetakentoobligetheladies，who，withgreaterkindnessthanmypainwassharp，wouldneedspresentmehalfoftheirs，seemedtomeequallyeasytotakeandfruitlessinoperation，theothershavetopayathousandvowstoAEsculapius，andasmanycrownstotheirphysicians，forthevoidingalittlegravel，whichIoftendobytheaidofnature:eventhedecorumofmycountenanceisnotdisturbedincompany;andIcanholdmywatertenhours，andaslongasanymaninhealth。Thefearofthisdisease，"saysmymind，"formerlyaffrightedthee，whenitwasunknowntothee;thecriesanddespairinggroansofthosewhomakeitworsebytheirimpatience，begotahorrorinthee。’Tisaninfirmitythatpunishesthemembersbywhichthouhastmostoffended。Thouartaconscientiousfellow;"
　　"Quaevenitindignepoena，dolendavenit:"
　　["Weareentitledtocomplainofapunishmentthatwehavenotdeserved。"——Ovid，Heroid。，v。8。]
　　"considerthischastisement:’tisveryeasyincomparisonofothers，andinflictedwithapaternaltenderness:dobutobservehowlateitcomes;
　　itonlyseizesonandincommodesthatpartofthylifewhichis，onewayandanother，sterileandlost;having，asitwerebycomposition，giventimeforthelicenceandpleasuresofthyyouth。Thefearandthecompassionthatthepeoplehaveofthisdiseaseservetheeformatterofglory;aqualitywhereofifthoubastthyjudgmentpurified，andthatthyreasonhassomewhatcuredit，thyfriendsnotwithstanding，discernsometinctureinthycomplexion。’Tisapleasuretohearitsaidofoneselfwhatstrengthofmind，whatpatience！Thouartseentosweatwithpain，toturnpaleandred，totremble，tovomitblood，tosufferstrangecontractionsandconvulsions，attimestoletgreattearsdropfromthineeyes，tourinethick，black，anddreadfulwater，ortohaveitsuppressedbysomesharpandcraggystone，thatcruellypricksandtearstheneckofthebladder，whilstallthewhilethouentertainestthecompanywithanordinarycountenance;droningbyfitswiththypeople;makingoneinacontinuousdiscourse，nowandthenmakingexcuseforthypain，andrepresentingthysufferinglessthanitis。Dostthoucalltomindthemenofpasttimes，whosogreedilysoughtdiseasestokeeptheirvirtueinbreathandexercise？Putthecasethatnaturesetstheeonandimpelstheetothisgloriousschool，intowhichthouwouldstneverhaveenteredofthyownfreewill。Ifthoutellestmethatitisadangerousandmortaldisease，whatothersarenotso？for’tisaphysicalcheattoexpectanythattheysaydonotgodirecttodeath:whatmattersiftheygothitherbyaccident，oriftheyeasilyslideandslipintothepaththatleadsustoit？Butthoudostnotdiebecausethouartsick;thoudiestbecausethouartliving:deathkillstheewithoutthehelpofsickness:andsicknesshasdeferreddeathinsome，whohavelivedlongerbyreasonthattheythoughtthemselvesalwaysdying;towhichmaybeadded，thatasinwounds，soindiseases，somearemedicinalandwholesome。Thestoneisoftennolesslong—livedthanyou;weseemenwithwhomithascontinuedfromtheirinfancyeventotheirextremeoldage;andiftheyhadnotbrokencompany，itwouldhavebeenwiththemlongerstill;youmoreoftenkillitthanitkillsyou。Andthoughitshouldpresenttoyoutheimageofapproachingdeath，wereitnotagoodofficetoamanofsuchanage，toputhiminmindofhisend？And，whichisworse，thouhastnolongeranythingthatshouldmaketheedesiretobecured。Whetherorno，commonnecessitywillsooncalltheeaway。
　　Dobutconsiderhowskilfullyandgentlysheputstheeoutofconcernwithlife，andweanstheefromtheworld;notforcingtheewithatyrannicalsubjection，likesomanyotherinfirmitieswhichthouseestoldmenafflictedwithal，thatholdthemincontinualtorment，andkeeptheminperpetualandunintermittedweaknessandpains，butbywarningsandinstructionsatintervals，intermixinglongpausesofrepose，asitweretogivetheeopportunitytomeditateandruminateuponthylesson，atthyowneaseandleisure。Togivetheemeanstojudgearight，andtoassumetheresolutionofamanofcourage，itpresentstotheethestateofthyentirecondition，bothingoodandevil;andonewhileaverycheerfulandanotheraninsupportablelife，inoneandthesameday。Ifthouembracestnotdeath，atleastthoushakesthandswithitonceamonth;whencethouhastmorecausetohopethatitwillonedaysurprisetheewithoutmenace;andthatbeingsooftenconductedtothewater—side，butstillthinkingthyselftobeupontheaccustomedterms，thouandthyconfidencewillatonetimeoranotherbeunexpectedlywaftedover。A
　　mancannotreasonablycomplainofdiseasesthatfairlydividethetimewithhealth。"