IamobligedtoFortuneforhavingsooftenassaultedmewiththesamesortofweapons:sheformsandfashionsmebyuse，hardensandhabituatesme，sothatIcanknowwithinalittleforhowmuchIshallbequit。Forwantofnaturalmemory，Imakeoneofpaper;andasanynewsymptomhappensinmydisease，Isetitdown，whenceitfallsoutthat，havingnowalmostpassedthroughallsortsofexamples，ifanythingstrikingthreatensme，turningovertheselittleloosenotes，astheSybillineleaves，Ineverfailoffindingmatterofconsolationfromsomefavourableprognosticinmypastexperience。Customalsomakesmehopebetterforthetimetocome;for，theconductofthisclearingouthavingsolongcontinued，’tistobebelievedthatnaturewillnotalterhercourse，andthatnootherworseaccidentwillhappenthanwhatIalreadyfeel。Andbesides，theconditionofthisdiseaseisnotunsuitabletomypromptandsuddencomplexion:whenitassaultsmegently，Iamafraid，for’tisthenforagreatwhile;butithas，naturally，briskandvigorousexcesses;itclawsmetopurposeforadayortwo。Mykidneysheldoutanagewithoutalteration;andIhavealmostnowlivedanother，sincetheychangedtheirstate;evilshavetheirperiods，aswellasbenefits:peradventure，theinfirmitydrawstowardsanend。Ageweakenstheheatofmystomach，and，itsdigestionbeinglessperfect，sendsthiscrudemattertomykidneys;why，atacertainrevolution，maynottheheatofmykidneysbealsoabated，sothattheycannomorepetrifymyphlegm，andnaturefindoutsomeotherwayofpurgation。Yearshaveevidentlyhelpedmetodraincertainrheums;andwhynottheseexcrementswhichfurnishmatterforgravel？Butisthereanythingdelightfulincomparisonofthissuddenchange，whenfromanexcessivepain，Icome，bythevoidingofastone，torecover，asbyaflashoflightning，thebeautifullightofhealth，sofreeandfull，asithappensinoursuddenandsharpestcolics？Isthereanythinginthepainsuffered，thatonecancounterpoisetothepleasureofsosuddenanamendment？Oh，howmuchdoeshealthseemthemorepleasanttome，afterasicknesssonearandsocontiguous，thatIcandistinguishtheminthepresenceofoneanother，intheirgreatestshow;whentheyappearinemulation，asiftomakeheadagainstanddisputeitwithoneanother！AstheStoicssaythatvicesareprofitablyintroducedtogivevaluetoandtosetoffvirtue，wecan，withbetterreasonandlesstemerityofconjecture，saythatnaturehasgivenuspainforthehonourandserviceofpleasureandindolence。WhenSocrates，afterhisfetterswereknockedoff，feltthepleasureofthatitchingwhichtheweightofthemhadcausedinhislegs，herejoicedtoconsiderthestrictalliancebetwixtpainandpleasure;howtheyarelinkedtogetherbyanecessaryconnection，sothatbyturnstheyfollowandmutuallybegetoneanother;andcriedouttogoodAEsop，thatheoughtoutofthisconsiderationtohavetakenmatterforafinefable。
　　TheworstthatIseeinotherdiseasesis，thattheyarenotsogrievousintheireffectastheyareintheirissue:amanisawholeyearinrecovering，andallthewhilefullofweaknessandfear。Thereissomuchhazard，andsomanystepstoarriveatsafety，thatthereisnoendon’tbeforetheyhaveunmuffledyouofakerchief，andthenofacap，beforetheyallowyoutowalkabroadandtaketheair，todrinkwine，toliewithyourwife，toeatmelons，’tisoddsyourelapseintosomenewdistemper。Thestonehasthisprivilege，thatitcarriesitselfcleanoff:whereastheothermaladiesalwaysleavebehindthemsomeimpressionandalterationthatrenderthebodysubjecttoanewdisease，andlendahandtooneanother。Thoseareexcusablethatcontentthemselveswithpossessingus，withoutextendingfartherandintroducingtheirfollowers;
　　butcourteousandkindarethosewhosepassagebringsusanyprofitableissue。SinceIhavebeentroubledwiththestone，Ifindmyselffreedfromallotheraccidents，muchmore，methinks，thanIwasbefore，andhaveneverhadanyfeversince;IarguethattheextremeandfrequentvomitingsthatIamsubjecttopurgeme:and，ontheotherhand，mydistastesforthisandthat，andthestrangefastsIamforcedtokeep，digestmypeccanthumours，andnature，withthosestones，voidswhateverthereisinmesuperfluousandhurtful。Letthemnevertellmethatitisamedicinetoodearbought:forwhatavailsomanystinkingdraughts，somanycaustics，incisions，sweats，setons，diets，andsomanyothermethodsofcure，whichoften，byreasonwearenotabletoundergotheirviolenceandimportunity，bringustoourgraves？SothatwhenIhavethestone，Ilookuponitasphysic;whenfreefromit，asanabsolutedeliverance。
　　Andhereisanotherparticularbenefitofmydisease;whichis，thatitalmostplaysitsgamebyitself，andlets’meplaymine，ifIhaveonlycouragetodoit;for，initsgreatestfury，Ihaveenduredittenhourstogetheronhorseback。Dobutendureonly;youneednootherregimenplay，run，dine，dothisandt’other，ifyoucan;yourdebauchwilldoyoumoregoodthanharm;sayasmuchtoonethathasthepox，thegout，orhernia！Theotherdiseaseshavemoreuniversalobligations;rackouractionsafteranotherkindofmanner，disturbourwholeorder，andtotheirconsiderationengagethewholestateoflife:thisonlypinchestheskin;itleavestheunderstandingandthewillwhollyatourowndisposal，andthetongue，thehands，andthefeet;itratherawakensthanstupefiesyou。Thesoulisstruckwiththeardourofafever，overwhelmedwithanepilepsy，anddisplacedbyasharpmegrim，and，inshort，astoundedbyallthediseasesthathurtthewholemassandthemostnobleparts;thisnevermeddleswiththesoul;ifanythinggoesamisswithher，’tisherownfault;shebetrays，dismounts，andabandonsherself。Therearenonebutfoolswhosufferthemselvestobepersuadedthatthishardandmassivebodywhichisbakedinourkidneysistobedissolvedbydrinks;wherefore，whenitisoncestirred，thereisnothingtobedonebuttogiveitpassage;and，forthatmatter，itwillitselfmakeone。
　　Imoreoverobservethisparticularconvenienceinit，thatitisadiseasewhereinwehavelittletoguessat:wearedispensedfromthetroubleintowhichotherdiseasesthrowusbytheuncertaintyoftheircauses，conditions，andprogress;atroublethatisinfinitelypainful:
　　wehavenoneedofconsultationsanddoctoralinterpretations;thesenseswellenoughinformusbothwhatitisandwhereitis。
　　Bysuchlikearguments，weakandstrong，asCicerowiththediseaseofhisoldage，Itrytorockasleepandamusemyimagination，andtodressitswounds。IfIfindthemworsetomorrow，Iwillprovidenewstratagems。
　　Thatthisistrue:Iamcometothatpassoflate，thattheleastmotionforcespurebloodoutofmykidneys:whatofthat？Imoveabout，nevertheless，asbefore，andrideaftermyhoundswithajuvenileandinsolentardour;andholdthatIhaveverygoodsatisfactionforanaccidentofthatimportance，whenitcostsmenomorebutadullheavinessanduneasinessinthatpart;’tissomegreatstonethatwastesandconsumesthesubstanceofmykidneysandmylife，whichIbylittleandlittleevacuate，notwithoutsomenaturalpleasure，asanexcrementhenceforwardsuperfluousandtroublesome。NowifIfeelanythingstirring，donotfancythatItroublemyselftoconsultmypulseormyurine，therebytoputmyselfuponsomeannoyingprevention;Ishallsoonenoughfeelthepain，withoutmakingitmoreandlongerbythediseaseoffear。Hewhofearsheshallsuffer，alreadysufferswhathefears。Towhichmaybeaddedthatthedoubtsandignoranceofthosewhotakeuponthemtoexpoundthedesignsofnatureandherinternalprogressions，andthemanyfalseprognosticsoftheirart，oughttogiveustounderstandthatherwaysareinscrutableandutterlyunknown;thereisgreatuncertainty，variety，andobscurityinwhatsheeitherpromisesorthreatens。Oldageexcepted，whichisanindubitablesignoftheapproachofdeath，inallotheraccidentsIseefewsignsofthefuture，whereonwemaygroundourdivination。Ionlyjudgeofmyselfbyactualsensation，notbyreasoning:towhatend，sinceIamresolvedtobringnothingtoitbutexpectationandpatience？WillyouknowhowmuchIgetbythis？observethosewhodootherwise，andwhorelyuponsomanydiversepersuasionsandcounsels;howoftentheimaginationpressesuponthemwithoutanybodilypain。Ihavemanytimesamusedmyself，beingwellandinsafety，andquitefreefromthesedangerousattacksincommunicatingthemtothephysiciansasthenbeginningtodiscoverthemselvesinme;Iunderwentthedecreeoftheirdreadfulconclusions，beingallthewhilequiteatmyease，andsomuchthemoreobligedtothefavourofGodandbettersatisfiedofthevanityofthisart。
　　Thereisnothingthatoughtsomuchtoberecommendedtoyouthasactivityandvigilanceourlifeisnothingbutmovement。Ibestirmyselfwithgreatdifficulty，andamslowineverything，whetherinrising，goingtobed，oreating:sevenoftheclockinthemorningisearlyforme，andwhereIrule，Ineverdinebeforeeleven，norsuptillaftersix。
　　IformerlyattributedthecauseofthefeversandotherdiseasesIfellintototheheavinessthatlongsleepinghadbroughtuponme，andhaveeverrepentedgoingtosleepagaininthemorning。Platoismoreangryatexcessofsleepingthanatexcessofdrinking。Ilovetoliehardandalone，evenwithoutmywife，askingsdo;prettywellcoveredwithclothes。Theyneverwarmmybed，butsinceIhavegrownoldtheygivemeatneedclothstolaytomyfeetandstomach。TheyfoundfaultwiththegreatScipiothathewasagreatsleeper;not，inmyopinion，foranyotherreasonthanthatmenweredispleasedthathealoneshouldhavenothinginhimtobefoundfaultwith。IfIamanythingfastidiousinmywayofliving’tisratherinmylyingthananythingelse;butgenerallyIgivewayandaccommodatemyselfaswellasanyonetonecessity。
　　Sleepinghastakenupagreatpartofmylife，andIyetcontinue，attheageInowam，tosleepeightorninehoursatonebreath。Iweanmyselfwithutilityfromthispronenesstosloth，andamevidentlythebetterforsodoing。Ifindthechangealittlehardindeed，butinthreedays’tisover;andIseebutfewwholivewithlesssleep，whenneedrequires，andwhomoreconstantlyexercisethemselves，ortowhomlongjourneysarelesstroublesome。Mybodyiscapableofafirm，butnotofaviolentorsuddenagitation。Iescapeoflatefromviolentexercises，andsuchasmakemesweat:mylimbsgrowwearybeforetheyarewarm。
　　Icanstandawholedaytogether，andamneverwearyofwalking;butfrommyyouthIhaveeverpreferredtorideuponpavedroads;onfoot，Igetuptothehaunchesindirt，andlittlefellowsasIamaresubjectinthestreetstobeelbowedandjostledforwantofpresence;Ihaveeverlovedtoreposemyself，whethersittingorlying，withmyheelsashighorhigherthanmyseat。
　　Thereisnoprofessionaspleasantasthemilitary，aprofessionbothnobleinitsexecution（forvalouristhestoutest，proudest，andmostgenerousofallvirtues），andnobleinitscause:thereisnoutilityeithermoreuniversalormorejustthantheprotectionofthepeaceandgreatnessofone’scountry。Thecompanyofsomanynoble，young，andactivemendelightsyou;theordinarysightofsomanytragicspectacles;
　　thefreedomoftheconversation，withoutart;amasculineandunceremoniouswayofliving，pleaseyou;thevarietyofathousandseveralactions;theencouragingharmonyofmartialmusicthatravishesandinflamesbothyourearsandsouls;thehonourofthisoccupation，nay，evenitshardshipsanddifficulties，whichPlatoholdssolightthatinhisRepublichemakeswomenandchildrenshareinthem，aredelightfultoyou。Youputyourselfvoluntarilyuponparticularexploitsandhazards，accordingasyoujudgeoftheirlustreandimportance;and，avolunteer，findevenlifeitselfexcusablyemployed:
　　"Pulchrumquemorisuccurritinarmis。"
　　["’Tisfinetodieswordinhand。"（"Andheremembersthatitishonourabletodieinarms。"）——AEneid，ii。317。]
　　Tofearcommondangersthatconcernsogreatamultitudeofmen;nottodaretodowhatsomanysortsofsouls，whatawholepeopledare，isforaheartthatispoorandmeanbeyondallmeasure:companyencouragesevenchildren。Ifothersexcelyouinknowledge，ingracefulness，instrength，orfortune，youhavealternativeresourcesatyourdisposal;
　　buttogiveplacetotheminstabilityofmind，youcanblamenooneforthatbutyourself。Deathismoreabject，morelanguishingandtroublesome，inbedthaninafight:feversandcatarrhsaspainfulandmortalasamusket—shot。Whoeverhasfortifiedhimselfvaliantlytobeartheaccidentsofcommonlifeneednotraisehiscouragetobeasoldier:
　　"Vivere，miLucili，militareest。"
　　["Tolive，myLucilius，is（tomakewar）tobeasoldier。"
　　——Seneca，Ep。，96。]
　　IdonotrememberthatIeverhadtheitch，andyetscratchingisoneofnature’ssweetestgratifications，andsomuchathand;butrepentancefollowstoonear。Iuseitmostinmyears，whichareatintervalsapttoitch。
　　Icameintotheworldwithallmysensesentire，eventoperfection。Mystomachiscommodiouslygood，asalsoismyheadandmybreath;and，forthemostpart，upholdthemselvessointheheightoffevers。Ihavepassedtheagetowhichsomenations，notwithoutreason，haveprescribedsojustatermoflifethattheywouldnotsuffermentoexceedit;andyetIhavesomeintermissions，thoughshortandinconstant，socleanandsoundastobelittleinferiortothehealthandpleasantnessofmyyouth。Idonotspeakofvigourandsprightliness;’tisnotreasontheyshouldfollowmebeyondtheirlimits:
　　"Nonhocampliusestliminis，autaquaeCoelestis，patienslatus。"
　　["Iamnolongerabletostandwaitingatadoorintherain。"
　　——Horace，Od。，iii。10，9。]
　　Myfaceandeyespresentlydiscovermycondition;allmyalterationsbeginthere，andappearsomewhatworsethantheyreallyare;myfriendsoftenpitymebeforeIfeelthecauseinmyself。Mylooking—glassdoesnotfrightenme;foreveninmyyouthithasbefallenmemorethanoncetohaveascurvycomplexionandofillaugury，withoutanygreatconsequence，sothatthephysicians，notfindinganycausewithinanswerabletothatoutwardalteration，attributedittothemindandtosomesecretpassionthattormentedmewithin;buttheyweredeceived。
　　Ifmybodywouldgovernitselfaswell，accordingtomyrule，asmyminddoes，weshouldmovealittlemoreatourease。Mymindwasthennotonlyfreefromtrouble，but，moreover，fullofjoyandsatisfaction，asitcommonlyis，halfbyitscomplexion，halfbyitsdesign:
　　"Necvitiantartusaegraecontagiamentis。"
　　["Nordothetroublesofthebodyeveraffectmymind。"
　　——Ovid，Trist。，iii。8，25。]
　　Iamoftheopinionthatthistemperatureofmysoulhasoftenraisedmybodyfromitslapses;thisisoftendepressed;iftheotherbenotbriskandgay，’tisatleasttranquilandatrest。Ihadaquartanaguefourorfivemonths，thatmademelookmiserablyill;mymindwasalways，ifnotcalm，yetpleasant。Ifthepainbewithoutme，theweaknessandlanguordonotmuchafflictme;Iseevariouscorporalfaintings，thatbegetahorrorinmebuttoname，whichyetIshouldlessfearthanathousandpassionsandagitationsofthemindthatIseeaboutme。Imakeupmymindnomoretorun;’tisenoughthatIcancrawlalong;nordoI
　　morecomplainofthenaturaldecadencethatIfeelinmyself:
　　"QuistumidumgutturmiraturinAlpibus？"
　　["WhoissurprisedtoseeaswollengoitreintheAlps？"
　　——Juvenal，xiii。162。]
　　thanIregretthatmydurationshallnotbeaslongandentireasthatofanoak。
　　Ihavenoreasontocomplainofmyimagination;Ihavehadfewthoughtsinmylifethathavesomuchasbrokenmysleep，exceptthoseofdesire，whichhaveawakenedwithoutafflictingme。Idreambutseldom，andthenofchimaerasandfantasticthings，commonlyproducedfrompleasantthoughts，andratherridiculousthansad;andIbelieveittobetruethatdreamsarefaithfulinterpretersofourinclinations;butthereisartrequiredtosortandunderstandthem"Res，quaeinvitausurpanthomines，cogitant，curant，vident，Quaequeaguntvigilantes，agitantque，easicuiinsomnoaccidunt，Minusmirandumest。"
　　["’Tislesswonder，whatmenpractise，think，carefor，see，anddowhenwaking，（shouldalsorunintheirheadsanddisturbthemwhentheyareasleep）andwhichaffecttheirfeelings，iftheyhappentoanyinsleep。"——Attius，citedinCicero，DeDivin。，i。22。]
　　Plato，moreover，says，that’tistheofficeofprudencetodrawinstructionsofdivinationoffuturethingsfromdreams:Idon’tknowaboutthis，buttherearewonderfulinstancesofitthatSocrates，Xenophon，andAristotle，menofirreproachableauthority，relate。
　　HistorianssaythattheAtlantesneverdream;whoalsonevereatanyanimalfood，whichIadd，forasmuchasitis，peradventure，thereasonwhytheyneverdream，forPythagorasorderedacertainpreparationofdiettobegetappropriatedreams。Mineareverygentle，withoutanyagitationofbodyorexpressionofvoice。Ihaveseenseveralofmytimewonderfullydisturbedbythem。Theonthephilosopherwalkedinhissleep，andsodidPericlesservant，andthatuponthetilesandtopofthehouse。
　　Ihardlyeverchoosemydishattable，buttakethenextathand，andunwillinglychangeitforanother。Aconfusionofmeatsandaclatterofdishesdispleasemeasmuchasanyotherconfusion:Iameasilysatisfiedwithfewdishes:andamanenemytotheopinionofFavorinus，thatinafeasttheyshouldsnatchfromyouthemeatyoulike，andsetaplateofanothersortbeforeyou;andthat’tisapitifulsupper，ifyoudonotsateyourguestswiththerumpsofvariousfowls，thebeccaficoonlydeservingtobealleaten。Iusuallyeatsaltmeats，yetIpreferbreadthathasnosaltinit;andmybakerneversendsupothertomytable，contrarytothecustomofthecountry。Inmyinfancy，whattheyhadmosttocorrectinmewastherefusalofthingsthatchildrencommonlybestlove，assugar，sweetmeats，andmarch—panes。Mytutorcontendedwiththisaversiontodelicatethings，asakindofover—nicety;andindeed’tisnothingelsebutadifficultyoftaste，inanythingitappliesitselfto。Whoevercuresachildofanobstinatelikingforbrownbread，bacon，orgarlic，cureshimalsoofpamperinghispalate。Therearesomewhoaffecttemperanceandplainnessbywishingforbeefandhamamongstthepartridges;’tisallveryfine;thisisthedelicacyofthedelicate;
　　’tisthetasteofaneffeminatefortunethatdisrelishesordinaryandaccustomedthings。
　　"Perquxluxuriadivitiarumtaedioludit。"
　　["Bywhichtheluxuryofwealthcausestedium。"——Seneca，Ep。，18。]
　　Nottomakegoodcheerwithwhatanotherisenjoying，andtobecuriousinwhatamaneats，istheessenceofthisvice:
　　"Simodicacoenaretimesolusomnepatella。"
　　["Ifyoucan’tbecontentwithherbsinasmalldishforsupper。"
　　——Horace，Ep。，i。5，2。]
　　Thereisindeedthisdifference，that’tisbettertoobligeone’sappetitetothingsthataremosteasytobehad;but’tisalwaysvicetoobligeone’sself。Iformerlysaidakinsmanofminewasovernice，who，bybeinginourgalleys，hadunlearnedtheuseofbedsandtoundresswhenhewenttosleep。
　　IfIhadanysons，Ishouldwillinglywishthemmyfortune。ThegoodfatherthatGodgaveme（whohasnothingofmebuttheacknowledgmentofhisgoodness，buttruly’tisaveryheartyone）sentmefrommycradletobebroughtupinapoorvillageofhis，andtherecontinuedmeallthewhileIwasatnurse，andstilllonger，bringingmeuptothemeanestandmostcommonwayofliving:
　　"Magnaparslibertatisestbenemoratusventer。"
　　["Awell—governedstomachisagreatpartofliberty。"
　　——Seneca，Ep。，123。]
　　Nevertakeuponyourselves，andmuchlessgiveuptoyourwives，thecareoftheirnurture;leavetheformationtofortune，underpopularandnaturallaws;leaveittocustomtotrainthemuptofrugalityandhardship，thattheymayratherdescendfromrigourthanmountuptoit。
　　Thishumourofhisyetaimedatanotherend，tomakemefamiliarwiththepeopleandtheconditionofmenwhomostneedourassistance;consideringthatIshouldratherregardthemwhoextendtheirarmstome，thanthosewhoturntheirbacksuponme;andforthisreasonitwasthatheprovidedtoholdmeatthefontpersonsofthemeanestfortune，toobligeandattachmetothem。
　　Norhashisdesignsucceededaltogetherill;for，whetherupontheaccountofthemorehonourinsuchacondescension，oroutofanaturalcompassionthathasaverygreatpoweroverme，Ihaveaninclinationtowardsthemeanersortofpeople。ThefactionwhichIshouldcondemninourwars，Ishouldmoresharplycondemn，flourishingandsuccessful;itwillsomewhatreconcilemetoit，whenIshallseeitmiserableandoverwhelmed。HowwillinglydoIadmirethefinehumourofCheilonis，daughterandwifetokingsofSparta。WhilstherhusbandCleombrotus，inthecommotionofhercity，hadtheadvantageoverLeonidasherfather，she，likeagooddaughter，stuckclosetoherfatherinallhismiseryandexile，inoppositiontotheconqueror。Butsosoonasthechanceofwarturned，shechangedherwillwiththechangeoffortune，andbravelyturnedtoherhusband’sside，whomsheaccompaniedthroughout，wherehisruincarriedhim:admitting，asitappearstome，nootherchoicethantocleavetothesidethatstoodmostinneedofher，andwhereshecouldbestmanifesthercompassion。IamnaturallymoreapttofollowtheexampleofFlaminius，whorathergavehisassistancetothosewhohadmostneedofhimthantothosewhohadpowertodohimgood，thanIdotothatofPyrrhus，whowasofanhumourtotruckleunderthegreatandtodomineeroverthepoor。
　　Longsittingsattablebothtroublemeanddomeharm;for，beitthatI
　　wassoaccustomedwhenachild，IeatallthewhileIsit。Thereforeitisthatatmyownhouse，thoughthemealsthereareoftheshortest，I
　　usuallysitdownalittlewhileaftertherest，afterthemannerofAugustus，butIdonotimitatehiminrisingalsobeforetherest;onthecontrary，Ilovetositstillalongtimeafter，andtohearthemtalk，providedIamnoneofthetalkers:forItireandhurtmyselfwithspeakinguponafullstomach，asmuchasIfinditverywholesomeandpleasanttoargueandtostrainmyvoicebeforedinner。
　　TheancientGreeksandRomanshadmorereasonthanweinsettingapartforeating，whichisaprincipalactionoflife，iftheywerenotpreventedbyotherextraordinarybusiness，manyhoursandthegreatestpartofthenight;eatinganddrinkingmoredeliberatelythanwedo，whoperformallouractionspost—haste;andinextendingthisnaturalpleasuretomoreleisureandbetteruse，intermixingwithprofitableconversation。
　　Theywhoseconcernitistohaveacareofme，mayveryeasilyhindermefromeatinganythingtheythinkwilldomeharm;forinsuchmattersI
　　nevercovetnormissanythingIdonotsee;butwithal，ifitoncecomesinmysight，’tisinvaintopersuademetoforbear;sothatwhenI
　　designtofastImustbekeptapartfromthesuppers，andmusthaveonlysomuchgivenmeasisrequiredforaprescribedcollation;foriftotable，Iforgetmyresolution。WhenIordermycooktoalterthemannerofdressinganydish，allmyfamilyknowwhatitmeans，thatmystomachisoutoforder，andthatIshallnottouchit。
　　Ilovetohaveallmeats，thatwillendureit，verylittleboiledorroasted，andpreferthemveryhigh，andeven，astoseveral，quitegone。
　　Nothingbuthardnessgenerallyoffendsme（ofanyotherqualityIamaspatientandindifferentasanymanIhaveknown）;sothat，contrarytothecommonhumour，eveninfishitoftenhappensthatIfindthembothtoofreshandtoofirm;notforwantofteeth，whichIeverhadgood，eventoexcellence，andwhichagedoesnotnowbegintothreaten;Ihavealwaysbeenusedeverymorningtorubthemwithanapkin，andbeforeandafterdinner。GodisfavourabletothosewhomHemakestodiebydegrees;’tistheonlybenefitofoldage;thelastdeathwillbesomuchthelesspainful;itwillkillbutahalforaquarterofaman。Thereisonetoothlatelyfallenoutwithoutdrawingandwithoutpain;itwasthenaturaltermofitsduration;inthatpartofmybeingandseveralothers，arealreadydead，othershalfdead，ofthosethatweremostactiveandinthefirstrankduringmyvigorousyears;’tissoImeltandstealawayfrommyself。Whatafollyitwouldbeinmyunderstandingtoapprehendtheheightofthisfall，alreadysomuchadvanced，asifitwerefromtheverytop！IhopeIshallnot。I，intruth，receiveaprincipalconsolationinmeditatingmydeath，thatitwillbejustandnatural，andthathenceforwardIcannothereineitherrequireorhopefromDestinyanyotherbutunlawfulfavour。Menmakethemselvesbelievethatweformerlyhadlongerlivesaswellasgreaterstature。Buttheydeceivethemselves;andSolon，whowasofthoseeldertimes，limitsthedurationoflifetothreescoreandtenyears。I，whohavesomuchandsouniversallyadoredthat"Themeanisbest，"ofthepassedtime，andwhohaveconcludedthemostmoderatemeasurestobethemostperfect，shallIpretendtoanimmeasurableandprodigiousoldage？Whateverhappenscontrarytothecourseofnaturemaybetroublesome;butwhatcomesaccordingtohershouldalwaysbepleasant:
　　"Omnia，quaesecundumnaturamfiunt，sunthabendainbonis。"
　　["Allthingsthataredoneaccordingtonaturearetobeaccountedgood。"——Cicero，DeSenect。，c。19。]
　　Andso，saysPlato，thedeathwhichisoccasionedbywoundsanddiseasesisviolent;butthatwhichcomesuponus，oldageconductingustoit，isofallothersthemosteasy，andinsomesortdelicious:
　　"Vitamadolescentibusvisaufert，senibusmaturitas。"
　　["Youngmenaretakenawaybyviolence，oldmenbymaturity。"
　　——Cicero，ubisup。]
　　Deathmixesandconfoundsitselfthroughoutwithlife;decayanticipatesitshour，andshouldersitselfevenintothecourseofouradvance。
　　Ihaveportraitsofmyselftakenatfive—and—twentyandfive—and—thirtyyearsofage。Icomparethemwiththatlatelydrawn:howmanytimesisitnolongerme;howmuchmoreismypresentimageunliketheformer，thanunlikemydyingone？Itistoomuchtoabusenature，tomakehertrotsofarthatshemustbeforcedtoleaveus，andabandonourconduct，oureyes，teeth，legs，andalltheresttothemercyofaforeignandhaggardcountenance，andtoresignusintothehandsofart，beingwearyoffollowingusherself。
　　Iamnotexcessivelyfondeitherofsaladsorfruits，exceptmelons。Myfatherhatedallsortsofsauces;Ilovethemall。Eatingtoomuchhurtsme;but，astothequalityofwhatIeat，Idonotyetcertainlyknowthatanysortofmeatdisagreeswithme;neitherhaveIobservedthateitherfullmoonordecrease，autumnorspring，haveanyinfluenceuponme。Wehaveinusmotionsthatareinconstantandunknown;forexample，Ifoundradishesfirstgratefultomystomach，sincethatnauseous，andnowagaingrateful。Inseveralotherthings，Ifindmystomachandappetitevaryafterthesamemanner;Ihavechangedagainandagainfromwhitewinetoclaret，fromclarettowhitewine。
　　Iamagreatloveroffish，andconsequentlymakemyfastsfeastsandfeastsfasts;andIbelievewhatsomepeoplesay，thatitismoreeasyofdigestionthanflesh。AsImakeaconscienceofeatingfleshuponfish—
　　days，sodoesmytastemakeaconscienceofmixingfishandflesh;thedifferencebetwixtthemseemstometooremote。
　　Frommyyouth，Ihavesometimeskeptoutofthewayatmeals;eithertosharpenmyappetiteagainstthenextmorning（for，asEpicurusfastedandmadeleanmealstoaccustomhispleasuretomakeshiftwithoutabundance，I，onthecontrary，doittopreparemypleasuretomakebetterandmorecheerfuluseofabundance）;orelseIfastedtopreservemyvigourfortheserviceofsomeactionofbodyormind:forboththeoneandtheotheroftheseiscruellydulledinmebyrepletion;and，aboveallthings，Ihatethatfoolishcouplingofsohealthfulandsprightlyagoddesswiththatlittlebelchinggod，bloatedwiththefumesofhisliquor——[MontaignedidnotapproveofcouplingBacchuswithVenus。]——
　　ortocuremysickstomach，orforwantoffitcompany;forIsay，asthesameEpicurusdid，thatoneisnotsomuchtoregardwhatheeats，aswithwhom;andIcommendChilo，thathewouldnotengagehimselftobeatPeriander’sfeasttillhewasfirstinformedwhoweretobetheotherguests;nodishissoacceptabletome，nornosaucesoappetising，asthatwhichisextractedfromsociety。Ithinkitmorewholesometoeatmoreleisurelyandless，andtoeatoftener;butIwouldhaveappetiteandhungerattendedto;Ishouldtakenopleasuretobefedwiththreeorfourpitifulandstintedrepastsaday，afteramedicinalmanner:whowillassuremethat，ifIhaveagoodappetiteinthemorning，Ishallhavethesameatsupper？Butweoldfellowsespecially，letustakethefirstopportunetimeofeating，andleavetoalmanac—makershopesandprognostics。Theutmostfruitofmyhealthispleasure;letustakeholdofthepresentandknown。Iavoidtheinvariableintheselawsoffasting;hewhowouldhaveoneformservehim，lethimavoidthecontinuingit;wehardenourselvesinit;ourstrengthistherestupefiedandlaidasleep;sixmonthsafter，youshallfindyourstomachsoinuredtoit，thatallyouhavegotisthelossofyourlibertyofdoingotherwisebuttoyourprejudice。
　　Ineverkeepmylegsandthighswarmerinwinterthaninsummer;onesimplepairofsilkstockingsisall。Ihavesufferedmyself，forthereliefofmycolds，tokeepmyheadwarmer，andmybellyupontheaccountofmycolic:mydiseasesinafewdayshabituatethemselvesthereto，anddisdainedmyordinaryprovisions:wesoongetfromacoiftoakerchiefoverit，fromasimplecaptoaquiltedhat;thetrimmingsofthedoubletmustnotmerelyserveforornament:theremustbeaddedahare’sskinoravulture’sskin，andacapunderthehat:followthisgradation，andyouwillgoaveryfinewaytowork。Iwilldonothingofthesort，andwouldwillinglyleaveoffwhatIhavebegun。Ifyoufallintoanynewinconvenience，allthisislabourlost;youareaccustomedtoit;seekoutsomeother。Thusdotheydestroythemselveswhosubmittobepesteredwiththeseenforcedandsuperstitiousrules;theymustaddsomethingmore，andsomethingmoreafterthat;thereisnoendon’t。
　　Forwhatconcernsouraffairsandpleasures，itismuchmorecommodious，astheancientsdid，toloseone’sdinner，anddefermakinggoodcheertillthehourofretirementandrepose，withoutbreakingupaday;andsowasIformerlyusedtodo。Astohealth，Isincebyexperiencefind，onthecontrary，thatitisbettertodine，andthatthedigestionisbetterwhileawake。Iamnotveryusedtobethirsty，eitherwellorsick;mymouthis，indeed，apttobedry，butwithoutthirst;andcommonlyIneverdrinkbutwiththirstthatiscreatedbyeating，andfaroninthemeal;
　　Idrinkprettywellforamanofmypitch:insummer，andatarelishingmeal，IdonotonlyexceedthelimitsofAugustus，whodrankbutthriceprecisely;butnottooffendDemocritusrule，whoforbadethatmenshouldstopatfourtimesasanunluckynumber，Iproceedatneedtothefifthglass，aboutthreehalf—pints;forthelittleglassesaremyfavourites，andIliketodrinkthemoff，whichotherpeopleavoidasanunbecomingthing。Imixmywinesometimeswithhalf，sometimeswiththethirdpartwater;andwhenIamathome，byanancientcustomthatmyfather’sphysicianprescribedbothtohimandhimself，theymixthatwhichisdesignedformeinthebuttery，twoorthreehoursbefore’tisbroughtin。’TissaidthatCranabs，kingofAttica，wastheinventorofthiscustomofdilutingwine;whetherusefulorno，Ihavehearddisputed。
　　Ithinkitmoredecentandwholesomeforchildrentodrinknowinetillaftersixteenoreighteenyearsofage。Themostusualandcommonmethodoflivingisthemostbecoming;allparticularity，inmyopinion，istobeavoided;andIshouldasmuchhateaGermanwhomixedwaterwithhiswine，asIshouldaFrenchmanwhodrankitpure。Publicusagegivesthelawinthesethings。