"Doesnotalltheworlddancethesamebrawlthatyoudo？Isthereanythingthatdoesnotgrowold，aswellasyou？Athousandmen，athousandanimals，athousandothercreatures，dieatthesamemomentthatyoudie:
"`Namnoxnulladiem，nequenoctemaurorasequutaest，QuaenonaudieritmistosvagitibusaegrisPloratus，mortiscomitesetfunerisatri。’
["Nonighthasfollowedday，nodayhasfollowednight，inwhichtherehasnotbeenheardsobsandsorrowingcries，thecompanionsofdeathandfunerals。"——Lucretius，v。579。]
"Towhatendshouldyouendeavourtodrawback，iftherebenopossibilitytoevadeit？youhaveseenexamplesenoughofthosewhohavebeenwellpleasedtodie，astherebydeliveredfromheavymiseries;buthaveyoueverfoundanywhohavebeendissatisfiedwithdying？Itmust，therefore，needsbeveryfoolishtocondemnathingyouhaveneitherexperimentedinyourownperson，norbythatofanyother。Whydostthoucomplainofmeandofdestiny？Dowedotheeanywrong？Isitfortheetogovernus，orforustogovernthee？Though，peradventure，thyagemaynotbeaccomplished，yetthylifeis:amanoflowstatureisasmuchamanasagiant;neithermennortheirlivesaremeasuredbytheell。
Chironrefusedtobeimmortal，whenhewasacquaintedwiththeconditionsunderwhichhewastoenjoyit，bythegodoftimeitselfanditsduration，hisfatherSaturn。DobutseriouslyconsiderhowmuchmoreinsupportableandpainfulanimmortallifewouldbetomanthanwhatI
havealreadygivenhim。Ifyouhadnotdeath，youwouldeternallycursemeforhavingdeprivedyouofit;Ihavemixedalittlebitternesswithit，totheend，thatseeingofwhatconvenienceitis，youmightnottoogreedilyandindiscreetlyseekandembraceit:andthatyoumightbesoestablishedinthismoderation，asneithertonauseatelife，norhaveanyantipathyfordying，whichIhavedecreedyoushalloncedo，Ihavetemperedtheoneandtheotherbetwixtpleasureandpain。ItwasIthattaughtThales，themosteminentofyoursages，thattoliveandtodiewereindifferent;whichmadehim，verywisely，answerhim，’Whythenhedidnotdie？’’Because，’saidhe，’itisindifferent。’——[DiogenesLaertius，i。35。]——Water，earth，air，andfire，andtheotherpartsofthiscreationofmine，arenomoreinstrumentsofthylifethantheyareofthydeath。Whydostthoufearthylastday？itcontributesnomoretothydissolution，thaneveryoneoftherest:thelaststepisnotthecauseoflassitude:itdoesnotconfessit。Everydaytravelstowardsdeath;thelastonlyarrivesatit。"ThesearethegoodlessonsourmotherNatureteaches。
Ihaveoftenconsideredwithmyselfwhenceitshouldproceed，thatinwartheimageofdeath，whetherwelookuponitinourselvesorinothers，should，withoutcomparison，appearlessdreadfulthanathomeinourownhouses（forifitwerenotso，itwouldbeanarmyofdoctorsandwhiningmilksops），andthatbeingstillinallplacesthesame，thereshouldbe，notwithstanding，muchmoreassuranceinpeasantsandthemeanersortofpeople，thaninothersofbetterquality。Ibelieve，intruth，thatitisthoseterribleceremoniesandpreparationswherewithwesetitout，thatmoreterrifyusthanthethingitself;anew，quitecontrarywayofliving;thecriesofmothers，wives，andchildren;thevisitsofastoundedandafflictedfriends;theattendanceofpaleandblubberingservants;adarkroom，setroundwithburningtapers;ourbedsenvironedwithphysiciansanddivines;insum，nothingbutghostlinessandhorrorroundaboutus;weseemdeadandburiedalready。Childrenareafraidevenofthosetheyarebestacquaintedwith，whendisguisedinavisor;
andso’tiswithus;thevisormustberemovedaswellfromthingsasfrompersons，thatbeingtakenaway，weshallfindnothingunderneathbuttheverysamedeaththatameanservantorapoorchambermaiddiedadayortwoago，withoutanymannerofapprehension。Happyisthedeaththatdeprivesusofleisureforpreparingsuchceremonials。
CHAPTERXX
OFTHEFORCEOFIMAGINATION
"Fortisimaginatiogeneratcasum，"saytheschoolmen。
["Astrongimaginationbegetstheeventitself。"——Axiom。Scholast。]
Iamoneofthosewhoaremostsensibleofthepowerofimagination:
everyoneisjostledbyit，butsomeareoverthrownbyit。Ithasaverypiercingimpressionuponme;andImakeitmybusinesstoavoid，wantingforcetoresistit。Icouldlivebythesolehelpofhealthfulandjollycompany:theverysightofanother’spainmateriallypainsme，andI
oftenusurpthesensationsofanotherperson。Aperpetualcoughinanotherticklesmylungsandthroat。ImoreunwillinglyvisitthesickinwhombyloveanddutyIaminterested，thanthoseIcarenotfor，towhomIlesslook。ItakepossessionofthediseaseIamconcernedat，andtakeittomyself。Idonotatallwonderthatfancyshouldgivefeversandsometimeskillsuchasallowittoomuchscope，andaretoowillingtoentertainit。SimonThomaswasagreatphysicianofhistime:
Iremember，thathappeningonedayatToulousetomeethimataricholdfellow’shouse，whowastroubledwithweaklungs，anddiscoursingwiththepatientaboutthemethodofhiscure，hetoldhim，thatonethingwhichwouldbeveryconducivetoit，wastogivemesuchoccasiontobepleasedwithhiscompany，thatImightcomeoftentoseehim，bywhichmeans，andbyfixinghiseyesuponthefreshnessofmycomplexion，andhisimaginationuponthesprightlinessandvigourthatglowedinmyyouth，andpossessingallhissenseswiththeflourishingagewhereinI
thenwas，hishabitofbodymight，peradventure，beamended;butheforgottosaythatmine，atthesametime，mightbemadeworse。GallusVibiussomuchbenthismindtofindouttheessenceandmotionsofmadness，that，intheend，hehimselfwentoutofhiswits，andtosuchadegree，thathecouldneverafterrecoverhisjudgment，andmightbragthathewasbecomeafoolbytoomuchwisdom。Sometherearewhothroughfearanticipatethehangman;andtherewastheman，whoseeyesbeingunboundtohavehispardonreadtohim，wasfoundstarkdeaduponthescaffold，bythestrokeofimagination。Westart，tremble，turnpale，andblush，aswearevariouslymovedbyimagination;and，beinga—bed，feelourbodiesagitatedwithitspowertothatdegree，asevensometimestoexpiring。Andboilingyouth，whenfastasleep，growssowarmwithfancy，asinadreamtosatisfyamorousdesires:——
"Ut，quasitransactissaepeomniburebu，profundantFluminisingentes，fluctus，vestemquecruentent。"
Althoughitbenonewthingtoseehornsgrowninanightontheforeheadofonethathadnonewhenhewenttobed，notwithstanding，whatbefellCippus，KingofItaly，ismemorable;whohavingonedaybeenaverydelightedspectatorofabullfight，andhavingallthenightdreamedthathehadhornsonhishead，did，bytheforceofimagination，reallycausethemtogrowthere。PassiongavetothesonofCroesusthevoicewhichnaturehaddeniedhim。AndAntiochusfellintoafever，inflamedwiththebeautyofStratonice，toodeeplyimprintedinhissoul。PlinypretendstohaveseenLuciusCossitius，whofromawomanwasturnedintoamanuponherverywedding—day。PontanusandothersreportthelikemetamorphosistohavehappenedintheselatterdaysinItaly。And，throughthevehementdesireofhimandhismother:
"Voltapuersolvit，quaefoeminavoverat，Iphis。"
MyselfpassingbyVitryleFrancois，sawamantheBishopofSoissonshad，inconfirmation，calledGermain，whomalltheinhabitantsoftheplacehadknowntobeagirltilltwo—and—twentyyearsofage，calledMary。Hewas，atthetimeofmybeingthere，veryfullofbeard，old，andnotmarried。Hetoldus，thatbystraininghimselfinaleaphismaleorganscameout;andthegirlsofthatplacehave，tothisday，asong，whereintheyadviseoneanothernottotaketoogreatstrides，forfearofbeingturnedintomen，asMaryGermainwas。Itisnowonderifthissortofaccidentfrequentlyhappen;forifimaginationhaveanypowerinsuchthings，itissocontinuallyandvigorouslybentuponthissubject，thattotheenditmaynotsooftenrelapseintothesamethoughtandviolenceofdesire，itwerebetter，onceforall，togivetheseyoungwenchesthethingstheylongfor。
SomeattributethescarsofKingDagobertandofSt。Francistotheforceofimagination。Itissaid，thatbyitbodieswillsometimesberemovedfromtheirplaces;andCelsustellsusofapriestwhosesoulwouldberavishedintosuchanecstasythatthebodywould，foralongtime，remainwithoutsenseorrespiration。St。Augustinemakesmentionofanother，who，uponthehearingofanylamentableordolefulcries，wouldpresentlyfallintoaswoon，andbesofaroutofhimself，thatitwasinvaintocall，bawlinhisears，pinchorburnhim，tillhevoluntarilycametohimself;andthenhewouldsay，thathehadheardvoicesasitwereafaroff，anddidfeelwhentheypinchedandburnedhim;and，toprovethatthiswasnoobstinatedissimulationindefianceofhissenseoffeeling，itwasmanifest，thatallthewhilehehadneitherpulsenorbreathing。
’Tisveryprobable，thatvisions，enchantments，andallextraordinaryeffectsofthatnature，derivetheircreditprincipallyfromthepowerofimagination，workingandmakingitschiefestimpressionuponvulgarandmoreeasysouls，whosebeliefissostrangelyimposedupon，astothinktheyseewhattheydonotsee。
Iamnotsatisfiedwhetherthosepleasantligatures——[Lesnouementsd’aiguillettes，astheywerecalled，knotstiedbysomeone，atawedding，onastripofleather，cotton，orsilk，andwhich，especiallywhenpassedthroughthewedding—ring，weresupposedtohavethemagicaleffectofpreventingaconsummationofthemarriageuntiltheywereuntied。SeeLouandre，LaSorcellerie，1853，p。73。ThesamesuperstitionandapplianceexistedinEngland。]——withwhichthisageofoursissooccupied，thatthereisalmostnoothertalk，arenotmerevoluntaryimpressionsofapprehensionandfear;forIknow，byexperience，inthecaseofaparticularfriendofmine，oneforwhomI
canbeasresponsibleasformyself，andamanthatcannotpossiblyfallunderanymannerofsuspicionofinsufficiency，andaslittleofbeingenchanted，whohavingheardacompanionofhismakearelationofanunusualfrigiditythatsurprisedhimataveryunseasonabletime;beingafterwardshimselfengageduponthesameaccount，thehorroroftheformerstoryonasuddensostrangelypossessedhisimagination，thatheranthesamefortunetheotherhaddone;andfromthattimeforward，thescurvyremembranceofhisdisasterrunninginhismindandtyrannisingoverhim，hewassubjecttorelapseintothesamemisfortune。Hefoundsomeremedy，however，forthisfancyinanotherfancy，byhimselffranklyconfessinganddeclaringbeforehandtothepartywithwhomhewastohavetodo，thissubjectionofhis，bywhichmeans，theagitationofhissoulwas，insomesort，appeased;andknowingthat，now，somesuchmisbehaviourwasexpectedfromhim，therestraintuponhisfacultiesgrewless。Andafterwards，atsuchtimesashewasinnosuchapprehension，whensettingabouttheact（histhoughtsbeingthendisengagedandfree，andhisbodyinitstrueandnaturalestate）hewasatleisuretocausetheparttobehandledandcommunicatedtotheknowledgeoftheotherparty，hewastotallyfreedfromthatvexatiousinfirmity。Afteramanhasoncedoneawomanright，heisneverafterindangerofmisbehavinghimselfwiththatperson，unlessupontheaccountofsomeexcusableweakness。Neitheristhisdisastertobefeared，butinadventures，wherethesoulisoverextendedwithdesireorrespect，and，especially，wheretheopportunityisofanunforeseenandpressingnature;inthosecases，thereisnomeansforamantodefendhimselffromsuchasurprise，asshallputhimaltogetheroutofsorts。Ihaveknownsome，whohavesecuredthemselvesfromthismischance，bycominghalfsatedelsewhere，purposelytoabatetheardourofthefury，andothers，who，beinggrownold，findthemselveslessimpotentbybeinglessable;andone，whofoundanadvantageinbeingassuredbyafriendofhis，thathehadacounter—charmofenchantmentsthatwouldsecurehimfromthisdisgrace。Thestoryitselfisnot，muchamiss，andthereforeyoushallhaveit。
ACountofaverygreatfamily，andwithwhomIwasveryintimate，beingmarriedtoafairlady，whohadformerlybeencourtedbyonewhowasatthewedding，allhisfriendswereinverygreatfear;butespeciallyanoldladyhiskinswoman，whohadtheorderingofthesolemnity，andinwhosehouseitwaskept，suspectinghisrivalwouldofferfoulplaybythesesorceries。Whichfearshecommunicatedtome。Ibadeherrelyuponme:Ihad，bychance，aboutmeacertainflatplateofgold，whereonweregravensomecelestialfigures，supposedgoodagainstsunstrokeorpainsinthehead，beingappliedtothesuture:where，thatitmightthebetterremainfirm，itwassewedtoaribbontobetiedunderthechin;afopperycousin—germantothisofwhichIamspeaking。JaquesPelletier，wholivedinmyhouse，hadpresentedthistomeforasingularrarity。
Ihadafancytomakesomeuseofthisknack，andthereforeprivatelytoldtheCount，thathemightpossiblyrunthesamefortuneotherbridegroomshadsometimesdone，especiallysomeonebeinginthehouse，who，nodoubt，wouldbegladtodohimsuchacourtesy:butlethimboldlygotobed。ForIwoulddohimtheofficeofafriend，and，ifneedwere，wouldnotspareamiracleitwasinmypowertodo，providedhewouldengagetome，uponhishonour，tokeepittohimself;andonly，whentheycametobringhimhiscaudle，——[AcustominFrancetobringthebridegroomacaudleinthemiddleofthenightonhiswedding—night]——
ifmattershadnotgonewellwithhim，togivemesuchasign，andleavetheresttome。Nowhehadhadhisearssobattered，andhismindsoprepossessedwiththeeternaltattleofthisbusiness，thatwhenhecameto’t，hedidreallyfindhimselftiedwiththetroubleofhisimagination，and，accordingly，atthetimeappointed，gavemethesign。
Whereupon，Iwhisperedhimintheear，thatheshouldrise，underpretenceofputtingusoutoftheroom，andafterajestingmannerpullmynightgownfrommyshoulders——wewereofmuchaboutthesameheight——
throwitoverhisown，andtherekeepittillhehadperformedwhatIhadappointedhimtodo，whichwas，thatwhenwewereallgoneoutofthechamber，heshouldwithdrawtomakewater，shouldthreetimesrepeatsuchandsuchwords，andasoftendosuchandsuchactions;thatateveryofthethreetimes，heshouldtietheribbonIputintohishandabouthismiddle，andbesuretoplacethemedalthatwasfastenedtoit，thefiguresinsuchaposture，exactlyuponhisreins，whichbeingdone，andhavingthelastofthethreetimessowellgirtandfasttiedtheribbonthatitcouldneitheruntienorslipfromitsplace，lethimconfidentlyreturntohisbusiness，andwithalnotforgettospreadmygownuponthebed，sothatitmightbesuretocoverthemboth。Theseape’stricksarethemainoftheeffect，ourfancybeingsofarseducedastobelievethatsuchstrangemeansmust，ofnecessity，proceedfromsomeabstrusescience:theirveryinanitygivesthemweightandreverence。And，certainitis，thatmyfiguresapprovedthemselvesmorevenerealthansolar，moreactivethanprohibitive。’Twasasuddenwhimsey，mixedwithalittlecuriosity，thatmademedoathingsocontrarytomynature;forIamanenemytoallsubtleandcounterfeitactions，andabominateallmanneroftrickery，thoughitbeforsport，andtoanadvantage;forthoughtheactionmaynotbeviciousinitself，itsmodeisvicious。
Amasis，KingofEgypt，havingmarriedLaodice，averybeautifulGreekvirgin，thoughnotedforhisabilitieselsewhere，foundhimselfquiteanothermanwithhiswife，andcouldbynomeansenjoyher;atwhichhewassoenraged，thathethreatenedtokillher，suspectinghertobeawitch。As’tisusualinthingsthatconsistinfancy，sheputhimupondevotion，andhavingaccordinglymadehisvowstoVenus，hefoundhimselfdivinelyrestoredtheveryfirstnightafterhisoblationsandsacrifices。Nowwomenaretoblametoentertainuswiththatdisdainful，coy，andangrycountenance，whichextinguishesourvigour，asitkindlesourdesire;whichmadethedaughter—in—lawofPythagoras——[Theano，theladyinquestionwasthewife，notthedaughter—in—lawofPythagoras。]——
say，"Thatthewomanwhogoestobedtoaman，mustputoffhermodestywithherpetticoat，andputitonagainwiththesame。"Thesouloftheassailant，beingdisturbedwithmanyseveralalarms，readilylosesthepowerofperformance;andwhoevertheimaginationhasonceputthistrickupon，andconfoundedwiththeshameofit（andsheneverdoesitbutatthefirstacquaintance，byreasonmenarethenmoreardentandeager，andalso，atthisfirstaccountamangivesofhimself，heismuchmoretimorousofmiscarrying），havingmadeanillbeginning，heentersintosuchfeveranddespiteattheaccident，asareapttoremainandcontinuewithhimuponfollowingoccasions。
Marriedpeople，havingalltheirtimebeforethem，oughtnevertocompelorsomuchastoofferatthefeat，iftheydonotfindthemselvesquiteready:anditislessunseemlytofailofhandsellingthenuptialsheets，whenamanperceiveshimselffullofagitationandtrembling，andtoawaitanotheropportunityatmoreprivateandmorecomposedleisure，thantomakehimselfperpetuallymiserable，forhavingmisbehavedhimselfandbeenbaffledatthefirstassault。Tillpossessionbetaken，amanthatknowshimselfsubjecttothisinfirmity，shouldleisurelyandbydegreesmakeseverallittletrialsandlightoffers，withoutobstinatelyattemptingatonce，toForceanabsoluteconquestoverhisownmutinousandindisposedfaculties。Suchasknowtheirmemberstobenaturallyobedient，needtakenoothercarebutonlytocounterplottheirfantasies。
Theindocilelibertyofthismemberisveryremarkable，soimportunatelyunrulyinitstumidityandimpatience，whenwedonotrequireit，andsounseasonablydisobedient，whenwestandmostinneedofit:soimperiouslycontestinginauthoritywiththewill，andwithsomuchhaughtyobstinacydenyingallsolicitation，bothofhandandmind。Andyet，thoughhisrebellionissouniversallycomplainedof，andthatproofisthencededucedtocondemnhim，ifhehad，nevertheless，feedmetopleadhiscause，Ishouldperadventure，bringtherestofhisfellow—
membersintosuspicionofcomplottingthismischiefagainsthim，outofpureenvyattheimportanceandpleasureespecialtohisemployment;andtohave，byconfederacy，armedthewholeworldagainsthim，bymalevolentlycharginghimalone，withtheircommonoffence。Forletanyoneconsider，whetherthereisanyonepartofourbodiesthatdoesnotoftenrefusetoperformitsofficeatthepreceptofthewill，andthatdoesnotoftenexerciseitsfunctionindefianceofhercommand。Theyhaveeveryoneofthempassionsoftheirown，thatrouseandawaken，stupefyandbenumbthem，withoutourleaveorconsent。Howoftendotheinvoluntarymotionsofthecountenancediscoverourinwardthoughts，andbetrayourmostprivatesecretstothebystanders。Thesamecausethatanimatesthismember，doesalso，withoutourknowledge，animatethelungs，pulse，andheart，thesightofapleasingobjectimperceptiblydiffusingaflamethroughallourparts，withafeverishmotion。Istherenothingbuttheseveinsandmusclesthatswellandflagwithouttheconsent，notonlyofthewill，butevenofourknowledgealso？Wedonotcommandourhairstostandonend，norourskintoshivereitherwithfearordesire;thehandsoftenconveythemselvestopartstowhichwedonotdirectthem;thetonguewillbeinterdict，andthevoicecongealed，whenweknownothowtohelpit。Whenwehavenothingtoeat，andwouldwillinglyforbidit，theappetitedoesnot，forallthat，forbeartostirupthepartsthataresubjecttoit，nomorenorlessthantheotherappetitewewerespeakingof，andinlikemanner，asunseasonablyleavesus，whenitthinksfit。Thevesselsthatservetodischargethebellyhavetheirownproperdilatationsandcompressions，withoutandbeyondourconcurrence，aswellasthosewhicharedestinedtopurgethereins;
andthatwhich，tojustifytheprerogativeofthewill，St。Augustineurges，ofhavingseenamanwhocouldcommandhisreartodischargeasoftentogetherashepleased，Vives，hiscommentator，yetfurtherfortifieswithanotherexampleinhistime，——ofonethatcouldbreakwindintune;butthesecasesdonotsupposeanymorepureobedienceinthatpart;forisanythingcommonlymoretumultuaryorindiscreet？Towhichletmeadd，thatImyselfknewonesorudeandungoverned，asforfortyyearstogethermadehismasterventwithonecontinuedandunintermittedoutbursting，and’tislikewilldosotillhedieofit。AndIcouldheartilywish，thatIonlyknewbyreading，howoftenaman’sbelly，bythedenialofonesinglepuff，bringshimtotheverydoorofanexceedingpainfuldeath;andthattheemperor，——[TheEmperorClaudius，who，however，accordingtoSuetonius（Vita，c。32），onlyintendedtoauthorisethissingularprivilegebyanedict。]——whogavelibertytoletflyinallplaces，had，atthesametime，givenuspowertodoit。Butforourwill，inwhosebehalfwepreferthisaccusation，withhowmuchgreaterprobabilitymaywereproachherselfwithmutinyandsedition，forherirregularityanddisobedience？Doesshealwayswillwhatwewouldhavehertodo？Doesshenotoftenwillwhatweforbidhertowill，andthattoourmanifestprejudice？Doesshesufferherself，morethananyoftherest，tobegovernedanddirectedbytheresultsofourreason？
Toconclude，Ishouldmove，inthebehalfofthegentleman，myclient，itmightbeconsidered，thatinthisfact，hiscausebeinginseparablyandindistinctlyconjoinedwithanaccessory，yetheonlyiscalledinquestion，andthatbyargumentsandaccusations，whichcannotbechargedupontheother;whosebusiness，indeed，itissometimesinopportunelytoinvite，butnevertorefuse，andinvite，moreover，afteratacitandquietmanner;andthereforeisthemaliceandinjusticeofhisaccusersmostmanifestlyapparent。Butbeithowitwill，protestingagainsttheproceedingsoftheadvocatesandjudges，naturewill，inthemeantime，proceedafterherownway，whohaddonebutwell，hadsheendowedthismemberwithsomeparticularprivilege;theauthorofthesoleimmortalworkofmortals;adivinework，accordingtoSocrates;andlove，thedesireofimmortality，andhimselfanimmortaldemon。
Someone，perhaps，bysuchaneffectofimaginationmayhavehadthegoodlucktoleavebehindhimhere，thescrofula，whichhiscompanionwhohascomeafter，hascarriedwithhimintoSpain。And’tisforthisreasonyoumayseewhymeninsuchcasesrequireamindpreparedforthethingthatistobedone。Whydothephysicianspossess，beforehand，theirpatients’credulitywithsomanyfalsepromisesofcure，ifnottotheend，thattheeffectofimaginationmaysupplytheimpostureoftheirdecoctions？Theyknowverywell，thatagreatmasteroftheirtradehasgivenitunderhishand，thathehasknownsomewithwhomtheverysightofphysicwouldwork。Allwhichconceitscomenowintomyhead，bytheremembranceofastorywastoldmebyadomesticapothecaryofmyfather’s，abluntSwiss，anationnotmuchaddictedtovanityandlying，ofamerchanthehadlongknownatToulouse，whobeingavaletudinary，andmuchafflictedwiththestone，hadoftenoccasiontotakeclysters，ofwhichhecausedseveralsortstobeprescribedhimbythephysicians，acccordingtotheaccidentsofhisdisease;which，beingbroughthim，andnoneoftheusualforms，asfeelingifitwerenottoohot，andthelike，beingomitted，helaydown，thesyringeadvanced，andallceremoniesperformed，injectionaloneexcepted;afterwhich，theapothecarybeinggone，andthepatientaccommodatedasifhehadreallyreceivedaclyster，hefoundthesameoperationandeffectthatthosedowhohavetakenoneindeed;andifatanytimethephysiciandidnotfindtheoperationsufficient，hewouldusuallygivehimtwoorthreemoredoses，afterthesamemanner。Andthefellowswore，thattosavecharges（forhepaidasifhehadreallytakenthem）thissickman’swife，havingsometimesmadetrialofwarmwateronly，theeffectdiscoveredthecheat，andfindingthesewoulddonogood，wasfaintoreturntotheoldway。
Awomanfancyingshehadswallowedapininapieceofbread，criedandlamentedasthoughshehadanintolerablepaininherthroat，whereshethoughtshefeltitstick;butaningeniousfellowthatwasbroughttoher，seeingnooutwardtumournoralteration，supposingittobeonlyaconceittakenatsomecrustofbreadthathadhurtherasitwentdown，causedhertovomit，and，unseen，threwacrookedpinintothebasin，whichthewomannosoonersaw，butbelievingshehadcastitup，shepresentlyfoundherselfeasedofherpain。Imyselfknewagentleman，whohavingtreatedalargecompanyathishouse，threeorfourdaysafterbraggedinjest（fortherewasnosuchthing），thathehadmadethemeatofabakedcat;atwhich，ayounggentlewoman，whohadbeenatthefeast，tooksuchahorror，thatfallingintoaviolentvomitingandfever，therewasnopossiblemeanstosaveher。Evenbrutebeastsaresubjecttotheforceofimaginationaswellaswe;witnessdogs，whodieofgriefforthelossoftheirmasters;andbarkandtrembleandstartintheirsleep;
sohorseswillkickandwhinnyintheirsleep。
Nowallthismaybeattributedtothecloseaffinityandrelationbetwixtthesoulandthebodyintercommunicatingtheirfortunes;but’tisquiteanotherthingwhentheimaginationworksnotonlyuponone’sownparticularbody，butuponthatofothersalso。Andasaninfectedbodycommunicatesitsmaladytothosethatapproachorlivenearit，asweseeintheplague，thesmallpox，andsoreeyes，thatrunthroughwholefamiliesandcities:——
"Dumspectantoculilaesos，laedunturetipsi;
Multaquecorporibustransitionenocent。"
["Whenwelookatpeoplewithsoreeyes，ourowneyesbecomesore。
Manythingsarehurtfultoourbodiesbytransition。"
——Ovid，DeRem。Amor。，615。]
——sotheimagination，beingvehementlyagitated，dartsoutinfectioncapableofoffendingtheforeignobject。TheancientshadanopinionofcertainwomenofScythia，thatbeinganimatedandenragedagainstanyone，theykilledhimonlywiththeirlooks。Tortoisesandostricheshatchtheireggswithonlylookingonthem，whichinfersthattheireyeshaveinthemsomeejaculativevirtue。Andtheeyesofwitchesaresaidtobeassailantandhurtful:——
"Nescioquistenerosoculusmihifascinatagnos。"
["Someeye，Iknownotwhoseisbewitchingmytenderlambs。"
——Virgil，Eclog。，iii。103。]
Magiciansarenoverygoodauthoritywithme。Butweexperimentallyseethatwomenimpartthemarksoftheirfancytothechildrentheycarryinthewomb;witnessherthatwasbroughttobedofaMoor;andtherewaspresentedtoCharlestheEmperorandKingofBohemia，agirlfromaboutPisa，alloverroughandcoveredwithhair，whomhermothersaidtobesoconceivedbyreasonofapictureofSt。JohntheBaptist，thathungwithinthecurtainsofherbed。
Itisthesamewithbeasts;witnessJacob’ssheep，andtheharesandpartridgesthatthesnowturnswhiteuponthemountains。Therewasatmyhouse，alittlewhileago，acatseenwatchingabirduponthetopofatree:these，forsometime，mutuallyfixingtheireyesoneuponanother，thebirdatlastletherselffalldeadintothecat’sclaws，eitherdazzledbytheforceofitsownimagination，ordrawnbysomeattractivepowerofthecat。Suchasareaddictedtothepleasuresofthefield，have，Imakenoquestion，heardthestoryofthefalconer，whohavingearnestlyfixedhiseyesuponakiteintheair;laidawagerthathewouldbringherdownwiththesolepowerofhissight，anddidso，asitwassaid;forthetalesIborrowIchargeupontheconsciencesofthosefromwhomIhavethem。Thediscoursesaremyown，andfoundthemselvesupontheproofsofreason，notofexperience;towhicheveryonehaslibertytoaddhisownexamples;andwhohasnone，lethimnotforbear，thenumberandvarietiesofaccidentsconsidered，tobelievethatthereareplentyofthem;ifIdonotapplythemwell，letsomeotherdoitforme。And，also，inthesubjectofwhichItreat，ourmannersandmotions，testimoniesandinstances;howfabuloussoever，providedtheyarepossible，serveaswellasthetrue;whethertheyhavereallyhappenedorno，atRomeorParis，toJohnorPeter，’tisstillwithinthevergeofhumancapacity，whichservesmetogooduse。Isee，andmakemyadvantageofit，aswellinshadowasinsubstance;andamongstthevariousreadingsthereofinhistory，Iculloutthemostrareandmemorabletofitmyownturn。Thereareauthorswhoseonlyendanddesignitistogiveanaccountofthingsthathavehappened;mine，ifI
couldarriveuntoit，shouldbetodeliverofwhatmayhappen。Thereisajustlibertyallowedintheschools，ofsupposingsimilitudes，whentheyhavenoneathand。Idonot，however，makeanyuseofthatprivilege，andastothatmatter，insuperstitiousreligion，surpassallhistoricalauthority。IntheexampleswhichIherebringin，ofwhatI
haveheard，read，done，orsaid，Ihaveforbiddenmyselftodaretoaltereventhemostlightandindifferentcircumstances;myconsciencedoesnotfalsifyonetittle;whatmyignorancemaydo，Icannotsay。
Andthisitisthatmakesmesometimesdoubtinmyownmind，whetheradivine，oraphilosopher，andsuchmenofexactandtenderprudenceandconscience，arefittowritehistory:forhowcantheystaketheirreputationuponapopularfaith？howberesponsiblefortheopinionsofmentheydonotknow？andwithwhatassurancedelivertheirconjecturesforcurrentpay？Ofactionsperformedbeforetheirowneyes，whereinseveralpersonswereactors，theywouldbeunwillingtogiveevidenceuponoathbeforeajudge;andthereisnoman，sofamiliarlyknowntothem，forwhoseintentionstheywouldbecomeabsolutecaution。Formypart，Ithinkitlesshazardoustowriteofthingspast，thanpresent，byhowmuchthewriterisonlytogiveanaccountofthingseveryoneknowshemustofnecessityborrowupontrust。
Iamsolicitedtowritetheaffairsofmyowntimebysome，whofancyI
lookuponthemwithaneyelessblindedwithpassionthananother，andhaveaclearerinsightintothembyreasonofthefreeaccessfortunehasgivenmetotheheadsofvariousfactions;buttheydonotconsider，thattopurchasethegloryofSallust，Iwouldnotgivemyselfthetrouble，swornenemyasIamtoobligation，assiduity，orperseverance:thatthereisnothingsocontrarytomystyle，asacontinuednarrative，Isoofteninterruptandcutmyselfshortinmywritingforwantofbreath;Ihaveneithercompositionnorexplanationworthanything，andamignorant，beyondachild，ofthephrasesandeventheverywordspropertoexpressthemostcommonthings;andforthatreasonitis，thatIhaveundertakentosayonlywhatIcansay，andhaveaccommodatedmysubjecttomystrength。ShouldItakeonetobemyguide，peradventureIshouldnotbeabletokeeppacewithhim;andinthefreedomofmylibertymightdeliverjudgments，whichuponbetterthoughts，andaccordingtoreason，wouldbeillegitimateandpunishable。Plutarchwouldsayofwhathehasdeliveredtous，thatitistheworkofothers:thathisexamplesareallandeverywhereexactlytrue:thattheyareusefultoposterity，andarepresentedwithalustrethatwilllightusthewaytovirtue，ishisownwork。Itisnotofsodangerousconsequence，asinamedicinaldrug，whetheranoldstorybesoorso。
CHAPTERXXI
THATTHEPROFITOFONEMANISTHEDAMAGEOFANOTHER
DemadestheAthenian——[Seneca，DeBeneficiis，vi。38，whencenearlythewholeofthischapteristaken。]——condemnedoneofhiscity，whosetradeitwastosellthenecessariesforfuneralceremonies，uponpretencethathedemandedunreasonableprofit，andthatthatprofitcouldnotaccruetohim，butbythedeathofagreatnumberofpeople。Ajudgmentthatappearstobeillgrounded，forasmuchasnoprofitwhatevercanpossiblybemadebutattheexpenseofanother，andthatbythesameruleheshouldcondemnallgainofwhatkindsoever。Themerchantonlythrivesbythedebaucheryofyouth，thehusbandmanbythedearnessofgrain，thearchitectbytheruinofbuildings，lawyersandofficersofjusticebythesuitsandcontentionsofmen:nay，eventhehonourandofficeofdivinesarederivedfromourdeathandvices。Aphysiciantakesnopleasureinthehealthevenofhisfriends，saystheancientGreekcomicwriter，norasoldierinthepeaceofhiscountry，andsooftherest。
And，whichisyetworse，leteveryonebutdiveintohisownbosom，andhewillfindhisprivatewishesspringandhissecrethopesgrowupatanother’sexpense。Uponwhichconsiderationitcomesintomyhead，thatnaturedoesnotinthisswervefromhergeneralpolity;forphysicianshold，thatthebirth，nourishment，andincreaseofeverythingisthedissolutionandcorruptionofanother:
"Namquodcumquesuismutatumfinibusexit，Continuohocmorsestillius，quodfuitante。"
["For，whateverfromitsownconfinespasseschanged，thisisatoncethedeathofthatwhichbeforeitwas。"——Lucretius，ii。752。]
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V4
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME4。
XXII。Ofcustom，andthatweshouldnoteasilychangealawreceivedXXIII。Variouseventsfromthesamecounsel。
XXIV。Ofpedantry。