Standingontheconfineswhichseparateusfromaknowledgeofmaterialthings，apatientobserverofatoms，Idestroyforms，I
　　dissolvethebondsofcombinations；IimitatedeaththatImaylearnhowtoimitatelife。Istrikeincessantlyatthedoorofcreation，andIshallcontinuesotostrikeuntilthedayofmydeath。WhenIamdeadtheknockerwillpassintootherhandsequallypersistentwiththoseofthemightymenwhohandedittome。Fabulousanduncomprehendedbeings，likePrometheus，Ixion，Adonis，Pan，andothers，whohaveenteredintothereligiousbeliefsofallcountriesandallages，provetotheworldthatthehopeswenowembodywerebornwiththehumanraces。Chaldea，India，Persia，Egypt，Greece，theMoors，havetransmittedfromonetoanotherMagic，thehighestofalltheoccultsciences，whichholdswithinit，asapreciousdepositthefruitsofthestudiesofeachgeneration。InitlaythetiethatboundthegrandandmajesticinstitutionoftheTemplars。Sire，whenoneofyourpredecessorsburnedtheTemplars，heburnedmenonly，——theirSecretlived。ThereconstructionoftheTempleisavowofanunknownnation，araceofdaringseekers，whosefacesareturnedtotheOrientof/life/，——allbrothers，allinseparable，allunitedbyoneidea，andstampedwiththemarkoftoil。Iamthesovereignleaderofthatpeople，sovereignbyelection，notbybirth。Iguidethemonwardtoaknowledgeoftheessenceoflife。Grand-master，Red-Cross-bearers，companions，adepts，weforeverfollowtheimperceptiblemoleculewhichstillescapesoureyes。ButsoonweshallmakeourselveseyesmorepowerfulthanthosewhichNaturehasgivenus；weshallattaintoasightoftheprimitiveatom，thecorpuscularelementsopersistentlysoughtbythewiseandlearnedofallageswhohaveprecededusintheglorioussearch。Sire，whenamanisastrideofthatabyss，whenhecommandsbolddiverslikemydisciples，allotherhumaninterestsareasnothing。Thereforewearenotdangerous。Religiousdisputesandpoliticalstrugglesarefarawayfromus；wehavepassedbeyondandabovethem。NomantakesothersbythethroatwhenhiswholestrengthisgiventoastrugglewithNature。Besides，inourscienceresultsareperceivable；wecanmeasureeffectsandpredictthem；whereasallthingsareuncertainandvacillatinginthestrugglesofmenandtheirselfishinterests。Wedecomposethediamondinourcrucibles，andweshallmakediamonds，weshallmakegold！WeshallimpelvesselsastheyhaveatBarcelonawithfireandalittlewater！Wetestthewind，andweshallmakewind；weshallmakelight；weshallrenewthefaceofempireswithnewindustries！Butweshallneverdebaseourselvestomountathronetobecrucifiedbythepeoples！”
　　InspiteofhisstrongdeterminationnottobetakeninbyItalianwiles，theking，togetherwithhisgentlemistress，wasalreadycaughtandsnaredbytheambiguousphrasesanddoublingsofthispompousandhumbuggingloquacity。Theeyesofthetwoloversshowedhowtheirmindsweredazzledbythemysteriousrichesofpowerthusdisplayed；
　　theysaw，asitwere，aseriesofsubterraneancavernsfilledwithgnomesattheirtoil。Theimpatienceoftheircuriosityputtoflightallsuspicion。”But，”criedtheking，”ifthisbeso，youaregreatstatesmenwhocanenlightenus。””No，sire，”saidLorenzo，naively。”Whynot？”askedtheking。”Sire，itisnotgiventoanymantoforeseewhatwillhappenwhenthousandsofmenaregatheredtogether。Wecantellwhatonemanwilldo，howlonghewilllive，whetherhewillbehappyorunhappy；butwecannottellwhatacollectionofwillsmaydo；andtocalculatetheoscillationsoftheirselfishinterestsismoredifficultstill，forinterestsaremen/plus/things。Wecan，insolitude，seethefutureasawhole，andthatisall。TheProtestantismthatnowtormentsyouwillbedestroyedinturnbyitsmaterialconsequences，whichwillturntotheoriesinduetime。Europeisatthepresentmomentgettingthebetterofreligion；to-morrowitwillattackroyalty。””ThentheSaint-Bartholomewwasagreatconception？””Yes，sire；forifthepeopletriumphitwillhaveaSaint-Bartholomewofitsown。Whenreligionandroyaltyaredestroyedthepeoplewillattackthenobles；afterthenobles，therich。WhenEuropehasbecomeameretroopofmenwithoutconsistenceorstability，becausewithoutleaders，itwillfallapreytobrutalconquerors。Twentytimesalreadyhastheworldseenthatsight，andEuropeisnowpreparingtorenewit。Ideasconsumetheagesaspassionsconsumemen。Whenmaniscured，humanitymaypossiblycureitself。Scienceistheessenceofhumanity，andweareitspontiffs；whosoconcernshimselfabouttheessencecareslittleabouttheindividuallife。””Towhathaveyouattained，sofar？”askedtheking。”Weadvanceslowly；butwelosenothingthatwehavewon。””Thenyouarethekingofsorcerers？”retortedtheking，piquedatbeingofnoaccountinthepresenceofthisman。
　　Themajesticgrand-masteroftheRosicrucianscastalookonCharlesIX。whichwitheredhim。”Youarethekingofmen，”hesaid；”Iamthekingofideas。Ifweweresorcerers，youwouldalreadyhaveburnedus。Wehavehadourmartyrs。””Butbywhatmeansareyouabletocastnativities？”persistedtheking。”HowdidyouknowthatthemanwhocametoyourwindowlastnightwasKingofFrance？Whatpowerauthorizedoneofyoutotellmymotherthefateofherthreesons？Canyou，grand-masterofanartwhichclaimstomouldtheworld，canyoutellmewhatmymotherisplanningatthismoment？””Yes，sire。”
　　ThisanswerwasgivenbeforeCosmocouldpullhisbrother’srobetoenjoinsilence。”Doyouknowwhymybrother，theKingofPoland，hasreturned？””Yes，sire。””Why？””Totakeyourplace。””Ourmostcruelenemiesareournearestinblood！”exclaimedtheking，violently，risingandwalkingabouttheroomwithhastysteps。”Kingshaveneitherbrothers，norsons，normothers。Colignywasright；mymurderersarenotamongtheHuguenots，butintheLouvre。Youareeitherimpostersorregicides！——Jacob，callSolern。””Sire，”saidMarieTouchet，”theRuggierihaveyourwordasagentleman。Youwantedtotasteofthefruitofthetreeofknowledge；
　　donotcomplainofitsbitterness。”
　　Thekingsmiled，withanexpressionofbitterself-contempt；hethoughthismaterialroyaltypettyinpresenceoftheaugustintellectualroyaltyofLorenzoRuggiero。CharlesIX。knewthathecouldscarcelygovernFrance，butthisgrand-masterofRosicruciansruledasubmissiveandintelligentworld。”Answermetruthfully；Ipledgemywordasagentlemanthatyouranswer，incaseitconfessesdreadfulcrimes，shallbeasifitwereneveruttered，”resumedtheking。”Doyoudealwithpoisons？””Todiscoverthatwhichgiveslife，wemustalsohavefullknowledgeofthatwhichkills。””Doyoupossessthesecretofmanypoisons？””Yes，sire，——intheory，butnotinpractice。Weunderstandallpoisons，butdonotusethem。””Hasmymotheraskedyouforany？”saidtheking，breathlessly。”Sire，”repliedLorenzo，”QueenCatherineistooableawomantoemploysuchmeans。Sheknowsthatthesovereignwhopoisonsdiesbypoison。TheBorgias，alsoBiancaCapello，GrandDuchessofTuscany，arenotedexamplesofthedangersofthatmiserableresource。Allthingsareknownatcourts；therecanbenoconcealment。Itmaybepossibletokillapoordevil——andwhatisthegoodofthat？——buttoaimatgreatmencannotbedonesecretly。WhoshotColigny？Itcouldonlybeyou，orthequeen-mother，ortheGuises。Notasoulisdoubtfulofthat。Believeme，poisoncannotbetwiceusedwithimpunityinstatecraft。Princeshavesuccessors。Asforothermen，if，likeLuther，theyaresovereignsthroughthepowerofideas，theirdoctrinesarenotkilledbykillingthem。ThequeenisfromFlorence；
　　sheknowsthatpoisonshouldneverbeusedexceptasaweaponofpersonalrevenge。Mybrother，whohasnotbeenpartedfromhersinceherarrivalinFrance，knowsthegriefthatMadameDianecausedyourmother。Butsheneverthoughtofpoisoningher，thoughshemighteasilyhavedoneso。Whatcouldyourfatherhavesaid？Neverhadawomanabetterrighttodoit；andshecouldhavedoneitwithimpunity；butMadamedeValentinoisstilllives。””Butwhatofthosewaxenimages？”askedtheking。”Sire，”saidCosmo，”thesethingsaresoabsolutelyharmlessthatwelendourselvestothepracticetosatisfyblindpassions，justasphysiciansgivebreadpillstoimaginaryinvalids。Adisappointedwomanfanciesthatbystabbingtheheartofawax-figureshehasbroughtmisfortunesupontheheadofthemanwhohasbeenunfaithfultoher。Whatharminthat？Besides，itisourrevenue。””ThePopesellsindulgences，”saidLorenzoRuggiero，smiling。”Hasmymotherpractisedthesespellswithwaxenimages？””Whatgoodwouldsuchharmlessmeansbetoonewhohastheactualpowertodoallthings？””HasQueenCatherinethepowertosaveyouatthismoment？”inquiredtheking，inathreateningmanner。”Sire，wearenotinanydanger，”repliedLorenzo，tranquilly。”IknewbeforeIcameintothishousethatIshouldleaveitsafely，justasI
　　knowthatthekingwillbeevillydisposedtomybrotherCosmoafewweekshence。Mybrothermayrunsomedangerthen，buthewillescapeit。Ifthekingreignsbythesword，healsoreignsbyjustice，”addedtheoldman，alludingtothefamousmottoonamedalstruckforCharlesIX。”Youknowall，andyouknowthatIshalldiesoon，whichisverywell，”saidtheking，hidinghisangerundernervousimpatience；”buthowwillmybrotherdie，——hewhomyousayistobeHenriIII。？””Byaviolentdeath。””AndtheDucd’Alencon？””Hewillnotreign。””ThenHenrideBourbonwillbekingofFrance？””Yes，sire。””Howwillhedie？””Byaviolentdeath。””WhenIamdeadwhatwillbecomeofmadame？”askedtheking，motioningtoMarieTouchet。”MadamedeBellevillewillmarry，sire。””Youareimposters！”criedMarieTouchet。”Sendthemaway，sire。””Dearest，theRuggierihavemywordasagentleman，”repliedtheking，smiling。”Willmadamehavechildren？”hecontinued。”Yes，sire；andmadamewilllivetobemorethaneightyyearsold。””ShallIorderthemtobehanged？”saidthekingtohismistress。”Butaboutmyson，theComted’Auvergne？”hecontinued，goingintothenextroomtofetchthechild。”WhydidyoutellhimIshouldmarry？”saidMarietothetwobrothers，themomenttheywerealone。”Madame，”repliedLorenzo，withdignity，”thekingboundustotellthetruth，andwehavetoldit。””/Is/thattrue？”sheexclaimed。”AstrueasitisthatthegovernorofthecityofOrleansismadlyinlovewithyou。””ButIdonotlovehim，”shecried。”Thatistrue，madame，”repliedLorenzo；”butyourhoroscopedeclaresthatyouwillmarrythemanwhoisinlovewithyouatthepresenttime。””Canyounotliealittleformysake？”shesaidsmiling；”forifthekingbelievesyourpredictions——””Isitnotalsonecessarythatheshouldbelieveourinnocence？”
　　interruptedCosmo，withawilyglanceattheyoungfavorite。”Theprecautionstakenagainstusbythekinghavemadeusthinkduringthetimewehavespentinyourcharmingjailthattheoccultscienceshavebeentraducedtohim。””Donotfeeluneasy，”repliedMarie。”Iknowhim；hissuspicionsareatanend。””Weareinnocent，”saidthegrand-masteroftheRosicrucians，proudly。”Somuchthebetterforyou，”saidMarie，”foryourlaboratory，andyourretortsandphialsarenowbeingsearchedbyorderoftheking。”
　　Thebrotherslookedateachothersmiling。MarieTouchettookthatsmileforoneofinnocence，thoughitreallysignified:”Poorfools！
　　cantheysupposethatifwebrewpoisons，wedonothidethem？””Wherearetheking’ssearchers？””InRene’slaboratory，”repliedMarie。
　　Againthebrothersglancedateachotherwithalookwhichsaid:”ThehoteldeSoissonsisinviolable。”
　　Thekinghadsocompletelyforgottenhissuspicionsthatwhen，ashetookhisboyinhisarms，JacobgavehimanotefromChapelain，heopeneditwiththecertaintyoffindinginhisphysician’sreportthatnothinghadbeendiscoveredinthelaboratorybutwhatrelatedexclusivelytoalchemy。”Willheliveahappyman？”askedtheking，presentinghissontothetwoalchemists。”ThatisaquestionwhichconcernsCosmo，”repliedLorenzo，signinghisbrother。
　　Cosmotookthetinyhandofthechild，andexamineditcarefully。”Monsieur，”saidCharlesIX。totheoldman，”ifyoufinditnecessarytodenytheexistenceofthesoulinordertobelieveinthepossibilityofyourenterprise，willyouexplaintomywhyyoushoulddoubtwhatyourpowerdoes？Thought，whichyouseektonullify，isthecertainty，thetorchwhichlightsyourresearches。Ha！ha！isnotthatthemotionofaspiritwithinyou，whileyoudenysuchmotion？”criedtheking，pleasedwithhisargument，andlookingtriumphantlyathismistress。”Thought，”repliedLorenzoRuggiero，”istheexerciseofaninwardsense；justasthefacultyofseeingseveralobjectsandnoticingtheirsizeandcolorisaneffectofsight。Ithasnoconnectionwithwhatpeoplechoosetocallanotherlife。Thoughtisafacultywhichceases，withtheforceswhichproducedit，whenweceasetobreathe。””Youarelogical，”saidtheking，surprised。”Butalchemymustthereforebeanatheisticalscience。’”Amaterialistscience，sire，whichisaverydifferentthing。
　　MaterialismistheoutcomeofIndiandoctrines，transmittedthroughthemysteriesofIsistoChaldeaandEgypt，andbroughttoGreecebyPythagoras，oneofthedemigodsofhumanity。Hisdoctrineofre-incarnationisthemathematicsofmaterialism，thevitallawofitsphases。Toeachofthedifferentcreationswhichformtheterrestrialcreationbelongsthepowerofretardingthemovementwhichsweepsontherest。””Alchemyisthescienceofsciences！”criedCharlesIX。，enthusiastically。”Iwanttoseeyouatwork。””Wheneveritpleasesyou，sire；youcannotbemoreinterestedthanMadametheQueen-mother。””Ah！sothisiswhyshecaresforyou？”exclaimedtheking。”ThehouseofMedicihassecretlyprotectedourSearchformorethanacentury。””Sire，”saidCosmo，”thischildwilllivenearlyahundredyears；hewillhavetrials；nevertheless，hewillbehappyandhonored，becausehehasinhisveinsthebloodoftheValois。””Iwillgoandseeyouinyourlaboratory，messieurs，”saidtheking，hisgood-humorquiterestored。”Youmaynowgo。”
　　ThebrothersbowedtoMarieandtothekingandthenwithdrew。Theywentdownthestepsoftheporticogravely，withoutlookingorspeakingtoeachother；neitherdidtheyturntheirfacestothewindowsastheycrossedthecourtyard，feelingsurethattheking’seyewatchedthem。ButastheypassedsidewaysoutofthegateintothestreettheylookedbackandsawCharlesIX。gazingafterthemfromawindow。Whenthealchemistandtheastrologerweresafelyintheruedel’Autruche，theycasttheireyesbeforeandbehindthem，toseeiftheywerefollowedoroverheard；thentheycontinuedtheirwaytothemoatoftheLouvrewithoututteringaword。Oncethere，however，feelingthemselvessecurelyalone，LorenzosaidtoCosmo，intheTuscanItalianofthatday:——”Affed’Iddio！howwehavefooledhim！””Muchgoodmayitdohim；lethimmakewhathecanofit！”saidCosmo。”Wehavegivenhimahelpinghand，——whetherthequeenpaysitbacktousornot。”
　　Somedaysafterthisscene，whichstrucktheking’smistressasforciblyasitdidtheking，Mariesuddenlyexclaimed，inoneofthosemomentswhenthesoulseems，asitwere，disengagedfromthebodyintheplenitudeofhappiness:——”Charles，IunderstandLorenzoRuggiero；butdidyouobservethatCosmosaidnothing？””True，”saidtheking，struckbythatsuddenlight。”Afterall，therewasasmuchfalsehoodastruthinwhattheysaid。ThoseItaliansareassuppleasthesilktheyweave。”
　　ThissuspicionexplainstherancorwhichthekingshowedagainstCosmowhenthetrialofLaMoleandCoconnastookplaceafewweekslater。
　　Findinghimoneoftheagentsofthatconspiracy，hethoughttheItalianshadtrickedhim；foritwasprovedthathismother’sastrologerwasnotexclusivelyconcernedwithstars，thepowderofprojection，andtheprimitiveatom。Lorenzohadbythattimeleftthekingdom。
　　Inspiteoftheincredulitywhichmostpersonsshowinthesematters，theeventswhichfollowedthescenewehavenarratedconfirmedthepredictionsoftheRuggieri。
　　Thekingdiedwithinthreemonths。
　　CharlesdeGondifollowedCharlesIX。tothegrave，ashadbeenforetoldtohimjestinglybyhisbrothertheMarechaldeRetz，afriendoftheRuggieri，whobelievedintheirpredictions。
　　MarieTouchetmarriedCharlesdeBalzac，Marquisd’Entragues，thegovernorofOrleans，bywhomshehadtwodaughters。Themostcelebratedofthesedaughters，thehalf-sisteroftheComted’Auvergne，wasthemistressofHenriIV。，anditwasshewhoendeavored，atthetimeofBiron’sconspiracy，toputherbrotheronthethroneofFrancebydrivingouttheBourbons。
　　TheComted’Auvergne，whobecametheDucd’Angouleme，livedintothereignofLouisXIV。Hecoinedmoneyonhisestatesandalteredtheinscriptions；butLouisXIV。lethimdoashepleased，outofrespectforthebloodoftheValois。
　　CosmoRuggierolivedtillthemiddleofthereignofLouisXIII。；hewitnessedthefallofthehouseoftheMediciinFrance，alsothatoftheConcini。Historyhastakenpainstorecordthathediedanatheist，thatis，amaterialist。
　　TheMarquised’Entragueswasovereightywhenshedied。
　　ThefamousComtedeSaint-Germain，whomadesomuchnoiseunderLouisXIV。，wasapupilofLorenzoandCosmoRuggiero。Thiscelebratedalchemistlivedtobeonehundredandthirtyyearsold，——anagewhichsomebiographersgivetoMariondeLorme。HemusthaveheardfromtheRuggierithevariousincidentsoftheSaint-BartholomewandofthereignsoftheValoiskings，whichheafterwardsrecountedinthefirstpersonsingular，asthoughhehadplayedapartinthem。TheComtedeSaint-Germainwasthelastofthealchemistswhoknewhowtoclearlyexplaintheirscience；butheleftnowritings。ThecabalisticdoctrinepresentedinthisStudyisthattaughtbythismysteriouspersonage。
　　Andhere，beholdastrangething！Threelives，thatoftheoldmanfromwhomIhaveobtainedthesefacts，thatoftheComtedeSaint-
　　Germain，andthatofCosmoRuggiero，sufficetocoverthewholeofEuropeanhistoryfromFrancoisI。toNapoleon！Onlyfiftysuchlivesareneededtoreachbacktothefirstknownperiodoftheworld。”Whatarefiftygenerationsforthestudyofthemysteriesoflife？”saidtheComtedeSaint-Germain。
　　PARTIII
　　I
　　TWODREAMS
　　In1786BodarddeSaint-James，treasurerofthenavy，excitedmoreattentionandgossipastohisluxurythananyotherfinancierinParis。Atthisperiodhewasbuildinghisfamous”Folie”atNeuilly，andhiswifehadjustboughtasetoffeatherstocrownthetesterofherbed，thepriceofwhichhadbeentoogreatforeventhequeentopay。
　　BodardownedthemagnificentmansionintheplaceVendome，whichthe/fermier-general/，Dange，hadlatelybeenforcedtoleave。Thatcelebratedepicureanwasnowdead，andonthedayofhisintermenthisintimatefriend，MonsieurdeBievre，raisedalaughbysayingthathe”couldnowpassthroughtheplaceVendomewithout/danger/。”Thisallusiontothehellishgamblingwhichwentoninthedeadman’shouse，washisonlyfuneraloration。ThehouseisoppositetotheChancellerie。
　　ToendinafewwordsthehistoryofBodard，——hebecameapoorman，havingfailedforfourteenmillionsafterthebankruptcyofthePrincedeGuemenee。Thestupidityheshowedinnotanticipatingthat”serenissimedisaster，”tousetheexpressionofLebrunPindare，wasthereasonwhynonoticewastakenofhismisfortunes。Hedied，likeBourvalais，Bouret，andsomanyothers，inagarret。
　　MadameBodarddeSaint-Jameswasambitious，andprofessedtoreceivenonebutpersonsofqualityatherhouse，——anoldabsurditywhichisevernew。Toherthinking，eventheparliamentaryjudgeswereofsmallaccount；shewishedfortitledpersonsinhersalons，oratallevents，thosewhohadtherightofentranceatcourt。Tosaythatmany/cordonsbleus/wereseenatherhousewouldbefalse；butitisquitecertainthatshemanagedtoobtainthegood-willandcivilitiesofseveralmembersofthehouseofRohan，aswasprovedlaterintheaffairofthetoocelebrateddiamondnecklace。
　　Oneevening——itwas，Ithink，inAugust，1786——Iwasmuchsurprisedtomeetinthesalonsofthislady，soexactinginthematterofgentility，twonewfaceswhichstruckmeasbelongingtomenofinferiorsocialposition。ShecametomepresentlyintheembrasureofawindowwhereIhadensconcedmyself。”Tellme，”Isaidtoher，withaglancetowardoneofthenew-comers，”whoandwhatisthatqueerspecies？Whydoyouhavethatkindofthinghere？””Heischarming。””Doyouseehimthroughaprismoflove，oramIblind？””Youarenotblind，”shesaid，laughing。”Themanisasuglyasacaterpillar；buthehasdonemethemostimmenseserviceawomancanreceivefromaman。”
　　AsIlookedatherrathermaliciouslyshehastenedtoadd:”He’saphysician，andhehascompletelycuredmeofthoseodiousredblotcheswhichspoiledmycomplexionandmademelooklikeapeasantwoman。”
　　Ishruggedmyshoulderswithdisgust。”Heisacharlatan。””No，”shesaid，”heisthesurgeonofthecourtpages。Hehasafineintellect，Iassureyou；infact，heisawriter，andaverylearnedman。””Heavens！ifhisstyleresembleshisface！”Isaidscoffingly。”Butwhoistheother？””Whatother？””Thatspruce，affectedlittlepopinjayoverthere，wholooksasifhehadbeendrinkingverjuice。””Heisaratherwell-bornman，”shereplied；”justarrivedfromsomeprovince，Iforgetwhich——oh！fromArtois。HeissentheretoconcludeanaffairinwhichtheCardinaldeRohanisinterested，andhisEminenceinpersonhadjustpresentedhimtoMonsieurdeSaint-James。
　　Itseemstheyhavebothchosenmyhusbandasarbitrator。Theprovincialdidn’tshowhiswisdominthat；butfancywhatsimpletonsthepeoplewhosenthimheremustbetotrustacasetoamanofhissort！Heisasmeekasasheepandastimidasagirl。HisEminenceisverykindtohim。””Whatisthenatureoftheaffair？””Oh！aquestionofthreehundredthousandfrancs。””Thenthemanisalawyer？”Isaid，withaslightshrug。”Yes，”shereplied。
　　Somewhatconfusedbythishumiliatingavowal，MadameBodardreturnedtoherplaceatafaro-table。
　　Allthetableswerefull。Ihadnothingtodo，noonetospeakto，andIhadjustlosttwothousandcrownstoMonsieurdeLaval。Iflungmyselfonasofanearthefireplace。Presently，iftherewaseveramanonearthmostutterlyastonisheditwasI，when，onlookingup，I
　　saw，seatedonanothersofaontheoppositesideofthefireplace，MonsieurdeCalonne，thecomptroller-general。Heseemedtobedozing，orelsehewasburiedinoneofthosedeepmeditationswhichovertakestatesmen。WhenIpointedoutthefamousministertoBeaumarchais，whohappenedtocomenearmeatthatmoment，thefatherofFigaroexplainedthemysteryofhispresenceinthathousewithoututteringaword。Hepointedfirstatmyhead，thenatBodard’swithamaliciousgesturewhichconsistedinturningtoeachofustwofingersofhishandwhilehekepttheothersdoubledup。MyfirstimpulsewastoriseandsaysomethingrousingtoCalonne；thenIpaused，first，becauseI
　　thoughtofatrickIcouldplaythestatesman，andsecondly，becauseBeaumarchaiscaughtmefamiliarlybythehand。”Whydoyoudothat，monsieur？”Isaid。
　　Hewinkedatthecomptroller。”Don’twakehim，”hesaidinalowvoice。”Amanishappywhenasleep。””Pray，issleepafinancialscheme？”Iwhispered。”Indeed，yes！”saidCalonne，whohadguessedourwordsfromthemeremotionofourlips。”WouldtoGodwecouldsleeplong，andthentheawakeningyouareabouttoseewouldneverhappen。””Monseigneur，”saidthedramatist，”Imustthankyou——””Forwhat？””MonsieurdeMirabeauhasstartedforBerlin。Idon’tknowwhetherwemightnotbothhavedrownedourselvesinthataffairof’lesEaux。’””Youhavetoomuchmemory，andtoolittlegratitude，”repliedtheminister，annoyedathavingoneofhissecretsdivulgedinmypresence。”Possibly，”saidBeaumarchais，cuttothequick；”butIhavemillionsthatcanbalancemanyascore。”
　　Calonnepretendednottohear。
　　Itwaslongpastmidnightwhentheplayceased。Supperwasannounced。
　　Thereweretenofusattable:Bodardandhiswife，Calonne，Beaumarchais，thetwostrangemen，twoprettywomen，whosenamesI
　　willnotgivehere，a/fermier-general/，Lavoisier，andmyself。OutofthirtyguestswhowereinthesalonwhenIenteredit，onlythesetenremained。Thetwo/queerspecies/didnotconsenttostayuntiltheywereurgedtodosobyMadameBodard，whoprobablythoughtshewaspayingherobligationstothesurgeonbygivinghimsomethingtoeat，andpleasingherhusbandwithwhomsheappeared，Idon’tpreciselyknowwhy，tobecoquettingbyinvitingthelawyer。
　　Thesupperbeganbybeingfrightfullydull。Thetwostrangersandthe/fermier-general/oppressedus。ImadeasigntoBeaumarchaistointoxicatethesonofEsculapius，whosatonhisright，givinghimtounderstandthatIwoulddothesamebythelawyer，whowasnexttome。
　　Asthereseemednootherwaytoamuseourselves，anditofferedachancetodrawoutthetwomen，whowerealreadysufficientlysingular，MonsieurdeCalonnesmiledatourproject。Theladiespresentalsosharedinthebacchanalconspiracy，andthewineofSillerycrownedourglassesagainandagainwithitssilveryfoam。Thesurgeonwaseasilymanaged；butatthesecondglasswhichIofferedtomyneighborthelawyer，hetoldmewiththefrigidpolitenessofausurerthatheshoulddrinknomore。
　　AtthisinstantMadamedeSaint-Jameschancedtointroduce，Iscarcelyknowhow，thetopicofthemarvelloussupperstotheComtedeCagliostro，givenbytheCardinaldeRohan。Mymindwasnotveryattentivetowhatthemistressofthehousewassaying，becauseIwaswatchingwithextremecuriositythepinchedandlividfaceofmylittleneighbor，whoseprincipalfeaturewasaturned-upandatthesametimepointednose，whichmadehim，attimes，lookverylikeaweasel。SuddenlyhischeeksflushedashecaughtthewordsofadisputebetweenMadamedeSaint-JamesandMonsieurdeCalonne。”ButIassureyou，monsieur，”shewassaying，withanimperiousair，”thatI/saw/Cleopatra，thequeen。””Icanbelieveit，madame，”saidmyneighbor，”forImyselfhavespokentoCatherinede’Medici。””Oh！oh！”exclaimedMonsieurdeCalonne。
　　Thewordsutteredbythelittleprovincialweresaidinavoiceofstrangesonorousness，ifImaybepermittedtoborrowthatexpressionfromthescienceofphysics。Thissuddenclearnessofintonation，comingfromamanwhohadhithertoscarcelyspoken，andtheninalowandmodulatedtone，surprisedallpresentexceedingly。”Why，heistalking！”saidthesurgeon，whowasnowinasatisfactorystateofdrunkenness，addressingBeaumarchais。”Hisneighbormusthavepulledhiswires，”repliedthesatirist。
　　Mymanflushedagainasheoverheardthewords，thoughtheyweresaidinalowvoice。”Andpray，howwasthelatequeen？”askedCalonne，jestingly。”IwillnotswearthatthepersonwithwhomIsuppedlastnightatthehouseoftheCardinaldeRohanwasCatherinede’Mediciinperson。
　　ThatmiraclewouldjustlyseemimpossibletoChristiansaswellastophilosophers，”saidthelittlelawyer，restingthetipsofhisfingersonthetable，andleaningbackinhischairasifpreparingtomakeaspeech。”Nevertheless，IdoassertthatthewomanIsawresembledCatherinede’Mediciascloselyasthoughtheyweretwin-sisters。Shewasdressedinablackvelvetgown，preciselylikethatofthequeeninthewell-knownportraitwhichbelongstotheking；onherheadwasthepointedvelvetcoif，whichischaracteristicofher；andshehadthewancomplexion，andthefeaturesweallknowwell。IcouldnothelpbetrayingmysurprisetohisEminence。ThesuddennessoftheevocationseemedtomeallthemoreamazingbecauseMonsieurdeCagliostrohadbeenunabletodivinethenameofthepersonwithwhomIwishedtocommunicate。Iwasconfounded。Themagicalspectacleofasupper，whereoneoftheillustriouswomenofpasttimespresentedherself，tookfrommemypresenceofmind。Ilistenedwithoutdaringtoquestion。WhenIrousedmyselfaboutmidnightfromthespellofthatmagic，Iwasinclinedtodoubtmysenses。ButeventhisgreatmarvelseemednaturalincomparisonwiththesingularhallucinationtowhichIwaspresentlysubjected。Idon’tknowinwhatwordsIcandescribetoyouthestateofmysenses。ButIdeclare，inthesincerityofmyheart，Inolongerwonderthatsoulshavebeenfoundweakenough，orstrongenough，tobelieveinthemysteriesofmagicandinthepowerofdemons。Formyself，untilIambetterinformed，I
　　regardaspossibletheapparitionswhichCardanandotherthaumaturgistsdescribe。”
　　Thesewords，saidwithindescribableeloquenceoftone，wereofanaturetorousethecuriosityofallpresent。Welookedatthespeakerandkeptsilence；oureyesalonebetrayedourinterest，theirpupilsreflectingthelightofthewax-candlesinthesconces。Bydintofobservingthisunknownlittleman，IfanciedIcouldseetheporesofhisskin，especiallythoseofhisforehead，emittinganinwardsentimentwithwhichhewassaturated。Thisman，apparentlysocoldandformal，seemedtocontainwithinhimaburningaltar，theflamesofwhichbeatdownuponus。”Idonotknow，”hecontinued，”iftheFigureevokedfollowedmeinvisibly，butnosoonerhadmyheadtouchedthepillowinmyownchamberthanIsawoncemorethatgrandShadeofCatherinerisebeforeme。Ifeltmyself，instinctively，inaluminoussphere，andmyeyes，fasteneduponthequeenwithintolerablefixity，sawnaughtbuther。
　　Suddenly，shebenttowardme。”
　　Atthesewordstheladiespresentmadeaunanimousmovementofcuriosity。”But，”continuedthelawyer，”IamnotsurethatIoughttorelatewhathappened，forthoughIaminclinedtobelieveitwasalladream，itconcernsgravematters。”Ofreligion？”askedBeaumarchais。”Ifthereisanyimpropriety，”remarkedCalonne，”theseladieswillexcuseit。””Itrelatestothegovernment，”repliedthelawyer。”Goon，then，”saidtheminister；”Voltaire，Diderot，andtheirfellowshavealreadybeguntotutorusonthatsubject。”
　　Calonnebecameveryattentive，andhisneighbor，MadamedeGenlis，ratheranxious。Thelittleprovincialstillhesitated，andBeaumarchaissaidtohimsomewhatroughly:——”Goon，/maitre/，goon！Don’tyouknowthatwhenthelawsallowbutlittlelibertythepeopleseektheirfreedomintheirmorals？”
　　Thusadjured，thesmallmantoldhistale:——”Whetheritwasthatcertainideaswerefermentinginmybrain，orthatsomestrangepowerimpelledme，Isaidtoher:’Ah！madame，youcommittedaverygreatcrime。’’Whatcrime？’sheaskedinagravevoice。’Thecrimeforwhichthesignalwasgivenfromtheclockofthepalaceonthe24thofAugust，’Ianswered。Shesmileddisdainfully，andafewdeepwrinklesappearedonherpallidcheeks。’Youcallthatacrimewhichwasonlyamisfortune，’shesaid。’Theenterprise，beingill-managed，failed；thebenefitweexpectedforFrance，forEurope，fortheCatholicChurchwaslost。Impossibletoforeseethat。Ourorderswereillexecuted；wedidnotfindasmanyMontlucsasweneeded。Posteritywillnotholdusresponsibleforthefailureofcommunications，whichdeprivedourworkoftheunityofmovementwhichisessentialtoallgreatstrokesofpolicy；thatwasourmisfortune！
　　Ifonthe25thofAugustnottheshadowofaHuguenothadbeenleftinFrance，IshouldgodowntotheuttermostposterityasanobleimageofProvidence。Howmany，manytimeshavetheclear-sightedsoulsofSixtustheFifth，Richelieu，Bossuet，reproachedmesecretlyforhavingfailedinthatenterpriseafterhavingtheboldnesstoconceiveit！Howmanyanddeepregretsforthatfailureattendedmydeathbed！
　　ThirtyyearsaftertheSaint-Bartholomewtheevilitmighthavecuredwasstillinexistence。ThatfailurecausedtentimesmorebloodtoflowinFrancethanifthemassacreofAugust24thhadbeencompletedonthe26th。TherevocationoftheEdictofNantes，inhonorofwhichyouhavestruckmedals，hascostmoretears，moreblood，moremoney，andkilledtheprosperityofFrancefarmorethanthreeSaint-
　　Bartholomews。Letellierwithhispengaveeffecttoadecreewhichthethronehadsecretlypromulgatedsincemytime；but，thoughthevastexecutionwasnecessaryofthe25thofAugust，1572，onthe25thofAugust，1685，itwasuseless。UnderthesecondsonofHenrideValoisheresyhadscarcelyconceivedanoffspring；underthesecondsonofHenrideBourbonthatteemingmotherhadcastherspawnoverthewholeuniverse。Youaccusemeofacrime，andyouputupstatuestothesonofAnneofAustria！Nevertheless，heandIattemptedthesamething；
　　hesucceeded，Ifailed；butLouisXIV。foundtheProtestantswithoutarms，whereasinmyreigntheyhadpowerfularmies，statesmen，warriors，andallGermanyontheirside。’Atthesewords，slowlyuttered，Ifeltaninwardshudderpassthroughme。IfanciedI
　　breathedthefumesofbloodfromIknownotwhatgreatmassofvictims。Catherinewasmagnified。Shestoodbeforemelikeanevilgenius；shesought，itseemedtome，toentermyconsciousnessandabidethere。””Hedreamedallthat，”whisperedBeaumarchais；”hecertainlyneverinventedit。””’Myreasonisbewildered，’Isaidtothequeen。’Youpraiseyourselfforanactwhichthreegenerationsofmenhavecondemned，stigmatized，and——’’Add，’sherejoined，’thathistorianshavebeenmoreunjusttowardmethanmycontemporaries。Nonehavedefendedme。I，richandall-powerful，amaccusedofambition！Iamtaxedwithcruelty，——Iwhohavebuttwodeathsuponmyconscience。EventoimpartialmindsIamstillaproblem。DoyoubelievethatIwasactuatedbyhatred，thatvengeanceandfurywerethebreathofmynostrils？’Shesmiledwithpity。’No，’shecontinued，’Iwascoldandcalmasreasonitself。I
　　condemnedtheHuguenotswithoutpity，butwithoutpassion；theyweretherottenfruitinmybasketandIcastthemout。HadIbeenQueenofEngland，IshouldhavetreatedseditiousCatholicsinthesameway。
　　ThelifeofourpowerinthosedaysdependedontheirbeingbutoneGod，oneFaith，oneMasterintheState。Happilyforme，Iutteredmyjustificationinonesentencewhichhistoryistransmitting。WhenBiragofalselyannouncedtomethelossofthebattleofDreux，I
　　answered:”Wellthen；wewillgototheProtestantchurches。”DidI
　　hatethereformers？No，Iesteemedthemmuch，andIknewthemlittle。
　　IfIfeltanyaversiontothepoliticiansofmytime，itwastothatbaseCardinaldeLorraine，andtohisbrothertheshrewdandbrutalsoldierwhospieduponmyeveryact。Theyweretherealenemiesofmychildren；theysoughttosnatchthecrown；Isawthemdailyatworkandtheyworemeout。If/we/hadnotorderedtheSaint-Bartholomew，theGuiseswouldhavedonethesamethingbythehelpofRomeandthemonks。TheLeague，whichwaspowerfulonlyinconsequenceofmyoldage，wouldhavebegunin1573。’’But，madame，insteadoforderingthathorriblemurderpardonmyplainnesswhynothaveemployedthevastresourcesofyourpoliticalpoweringivingtotheReformersthosewiseinstitutionswhichmadethereignofHenriIV。sogloriousandsopeaceful？’Shesmiledagainandshruggedhershoulders，thehollowwrinklesofherpallidfacegivingheranexpressionofthebitterestsarcasm。’Thepeoples，’shesaid，’needperiodsofrestaftersavagefeuds；thereliesthesecretofthatreign。ButHenriIV。committedtwoirreparableblunders。HeoughtneithertohaveabjuredProtestantism，nor，afterbecomingaCatholichimself，shouldhehaveleftFranceCatholic。He，alone，wasinapositiontohavechangedthewholeofFrancewithoutajar。Eithernotastole，ornotaconventicle——thatshouldhavebeenhismotto。Toleavetwobitterenemies，twoantagonisticprinciplesinagovernmentwithnothingtobalancethem，thatisthecrimeofkings；itisthusthattheysowrevolutions。ToGodalonebelongstherighttokeepgoodandevilperpetuallytogetherinhiswork。Butitmaybe，’shesaidreflectively，’thatthatsentencewasinscribedonthefoundationofHenriIV。’spolicy，anditmayhavecausedhisdeath。ItisimpossiblethatSullydidnotcastcovetouseyesonthevastwealthoftheclergy，——whichtheclergydidnotpossessinpeace，forthenoblesrobbedthemofatleasttwo-thirdsoftheirrevenue。Sully，theReformer，himselfownedabbeys。’Shepaused，andappearedtoreflect。
　　’But，’sheresumed，’rememberyouareaskingthenieceofaPopetojustifyherCatholicism。’Shestoppedagain。’Andyet，afterall，’sheaddedwithagestureofsomelevity，’IshouldhavemadeagoodCalvinist！Dothewisemenofyourcenturystillthinkthatreligionhadanythingtodowiththatstruggle，thegreatestwhichEuropehaseverseen？——avastrevolution，retardedbylittlecauseswhich，however，willnotbepreventedfromoverwhelmingtheworldbecauseI
　　failedtosmotherit；arevolution，’shesaid，givingmeasolemnlook，’whichisstilladvancing，andwhichyoumightconsummate。Yes，/you/，whohearme！’Ishuddered。’What！hasnooneyetunderstoodthattheoldinterestsandthenewinterestsseizedRomeandLutherasmerebanners？What！dotheynotknowLouisIX。，toescapejustsuchastruggle，draggedapopulationahundredfoldmoreinnumberthanI
　　destroyedfromtheirhomesandlefttheirbonesonthesandsofEgypt，forwhichhewasmadeasaint？whileI——ButI，’sheadded，’/failed/。’
　　Shebowedherheadandwassilentforsomemoments。Inolongerbeheldaqueen，butratheroneofthoseancientdruidessestowhomhumanlivesaresacrificed；whounrollthepagesofthefutureandexhumetheteachingsofthepast。Butsoonsheupliftedherregalandmajesticform。’LutherandCalvin，’shesaid，’bycallingtheattentionoftheburgherstotheabusesoftheRomanChurch，gavebirthinEuropetoaspiritofinvestigationwhichwascertaintoleadthepeoplestoexamineallthings。Examinationleadstodoubt。Insteadoffaith，whichisnecessarytoallsocieties，thosetwomendrewafterthem，inthefardistance，astrangephilosophy，armedwithhammers，hungryfordestruction。Sciencesprang，sparklingwithherspeciouslights，fromthebosomofheresy。ItwasfarlessaquestionofreformingaChurchthanofwinningindefinitelibertyforman——
　　whichisthedeathofpower。Isawthat。TheconsequenceofthesuccesseswonbythereligionistsintheirstruggleagainstthepriesthoodalreadybetterarmedandmoreformidablethantheCrown
　　wasthedestructionofthemonarchicalpowerraisedbyLouisIX。atsuchvastcostupontheruinsoffeudality。Itinvolved，infact，nothinglessthantheannihilationofreligionandroyalty，ontheruinsofwhichthewholeburgherclassofEuropemeanttostand。Thestrugglewasthereforewarwithoutquarterbetweenthenewideasandthelaw，——thatis，theoldbeliefs。TheCatholicsweretheemblemofthematerialinterestsofroyalty，ofthegreatlords，andoftheclergy。Itwasadueltothedeathbetweentwogiants；unfortunately，theSaint-Bartholomewprovedtobeonlyawound。Rememberthis:
　　becauseafewdropsofbloodweresparedatthatopportunemoment，torrentswerecompelledtoflowatalaterperiod。Theintellectwhichsoarsaboveanationcannotescapeagreatmisfortune；Imeanthemisfortuneoffindingnoequalscapableofjudgingitwhenitsuccumbsbeneaththeweightofuntowardevents。Myequalsarefew；foolsareinthemajority:thatstatementexplainsitall。IfmynameisexecratedinFrance，thefaultlieswiththecommonplacemindswhoformthemassofallgenerations。InthegreatcrisesthroughwhichIpassed，thedutyofreigningwasnotthemeregivingofaudiences，reviewingoftroops，signingofdecrees。Imayhavecommittedmistakes，forIwasbutawoman。Butwhywastherethennomanwhoroseabovehisage？TheDukeofAlbahadasoulofiron；PhilipII。wasstupefiedbyCatholicbelief；HenriIV。wasagamblingsoldierandalibertine；theAdmiral，astubbornmule。LouisXI。livedtoosoon，Richelieutoolate。
　　Virtuousorcriminal，guiltyornotintheSaint-Bartholomew，Iaccepttheonusofit；Istandbetweenthosetwogreatmen，——thevisiblelinkofanunseenchain。Thedaywillcomewhensomeparadoxicalwriterwillaskifthepeopleshavenotbestowedthetitleofexecutioneramongtheirvictims。Itwillnotbethefirsttimethathumanityhaspreferredtoimmolateagodratherthanadmititsownguilt。Youaresheddingupontwohundredclowns，sacrificedforapurpose，thetearsyourefusetoageneration，acentury，aworld！Youforgetthatpoliticalliberty，thetranquillityofanation，nay，knowledgeitself，aregiftsonwhichdestinyhaslaidataxofblood！’’But，’I
　　exclaimed，withtearsinmyeyes，’willthenationsneverbehappyatlesscost？’’Truthneverleavesherwellbuttobatheinthebloodwhichrefreshesher，’shereplied。’Christianity，itselftheessenceofalltruth，sinceitcomesfromGod，wasfedbythebloodofmartyrs，whichflowedintorrents；andshallitnoteverflow？Youwilllearnthis，youwhoaredestinedtobeoneofthebuildersofthesocialedificefoundedbytheApostles。Solongasyoulevelheadsyouwillbeapplauded，buttakeyourtrowelinhand，begintoreconstruct，andyourfellowswillkillyou。’Blood！blood！thewordsoundedinmyearslikeaknell。’Accordingtoyou，’Icried，’Protestantismhastherighttoreasonasyoudo！’ButCatherinehaddisappeared，asifsomepuffofairhadsuddenlyextinguishedthesupernaturallightwhichenabledmymindtoseethatFigurewhoseproportionshadgraduallybecomegigantic。Andthen，withoutwarning，IfoundwithinmeaportionofmyselfwhichadoptedthemonstrousdoctrinedeliveredbytheItalian。Iwoke，weeping，bathedinsweat，atthemomentwhenmyreasontoldmefirmly，inagentlevoice，thatneitherkingsnornationshadtherighttoapplysuchprinciples，fitonlyforaworldofatheists。””Howwouldyousaveafallingmonarchy？”askedBeaumarchais。”Godispresent，”repliedthelittlelawyer。”Therefore，”remarkedMonsieurdeCalonne，withtheinconceivablelevitywhichcharacterizedhim，”wehavetheagreeableresourceofbelievingourselvestheinstrumentsofGod，accordingtotheGospelofBossuet。”
　　Assoonastheladiesdiscoveredthatthetalerelatedonlytoaconversationbetweenthequeenandthelawyer，theyhadbeguntowhisperandtoshowsignsofimpatience，——interjecting，nowandthen，littlephrasesthroughhisspeech。”Howwearisomeheis！””Mydear，whenwillhefinish？”wereamongthosewhichreachedmyear。
　　Whenthestrangelittlemanhadceasedspeakingtheladiestooweresilent；MonsieurBodardwassoundasleep；thesurgeon，halfdrunk；
　　MonsieurdeCalonnewassmilingattheladynexthim。Lavoisier，Beaumarchais，andIalonehadlistenedtothelawyer’sdream。Thesilenceatthismomenthadsomethingsolemnaboutit。Thegleamofthecandlesseemedtomemagical。Asentimentboundallthreeofusbysomemysterioustietothatsingularlittleman，whomademe，strangetosay，conceive，suddenly，theinexplicableinfluencesoffanaticism。
　　Nothinglessthanthehollow，cavernousvoiceofBeaumarchais’sneighbor，thesurgeon，could，Ithink，haverousedme。”I，too，havedreamed，”hesaid。
　　Ilookedathimmoreattentively，andafeelingofsomestrangehorrorcameoverme。Hislividskin，hisfeatures，hugeandyetignoble，gaveanexactideaofwhatyoumustallowmetocallthe/scum/oftheearth。Afewbluish-blackspotswerescatteredoverhisface，likebitsofmud，andhiseyesshotforthanevilgleam。Thefaceseemed，perhaps，darker，moreloweringthanitwas，becauseofthewhitehairpiledlikehoarfrostonhishead。”Thatmanmusthaveburiedmanyapatient，”Iwhisperedtomyneighborthelawyer。”Iwouldn’ttrusthimwithmydog，”heanswered。”Ihatehiminvoluntarily。””Formypart，Idespisehim。””Perhapsweareunjust，”Iremarked。”Ha！to-morrowhemaybeasfamousasVolangetheactor。”
　　MonsieurdeCalonneheremotionedustolookatthesurgeon，withagesturethatseemedtosay:”Ithinkhe’llbeveryamusing。””Didyoudreamofaqueen？”askedBeaumarchais。”No，IdreamedofaPeople，”repliedthesurgeon，withanemphasiswhichmadeuslaugh。”IwastheninchargeofapatientwhoselegI
　　wastoamputatethenextday——””DidyoufindthePeopleinthelegofyourpatient？”askedMonsieurdeCalonne。”Precisely，”repliedthesurgeon。”Howamusing！”criedMadamedeGenlis。”Iwassomewhatsurprised，”wentonthespeaker，withoutnoticingtheinterruption，andstickinghishandsintothegussetsofhisbreeches，”tohearsomethingtalkingtomewithinthatleg。IthenfoundIhadthesingularfacultyofenteringthebeingofmypatient。OncewithinhisskinIsawamarvellousnumberoflittlecreatureswhichmoved，andthought，andreasoned。Someofthemlivedinthebodyoftheman，otherslivedinhismind。Hisideaswerethingswhichwereborn，andgrew，anddied；theyweresickandwell，andgay，andsad；theyallhadspecialcountenances；theyfoughtwitheachother，ortheyembracedeachother。Someideassprangforthandwenttoliveintheworldofintellect。Ibegantoseethatthereweretwoworlds，twouniverses，——thevisibleuniverse，andtheinvisibleuniverse；thattheearthhad，likeman，abodyandasoul。Natureilluminedherselfforme；IfeltherimmensitywhenIsawtheoceansofbeingswho，inmassesandinspecies，spreadeverywhere，makingonesoleanduniformanimatedMatter，fromthestoneoftheearthtoGod。Magnificentvision！Inshort，Ifoundauniversewithinmypatient。WhenI
　　insertedmyknifeintohisgangrenedlegIcutintoamillionofthoselittlebeings。Oh！youlaugh，madame；letmetellyouthatyouareeatenupbysuchcreatures——””Nopersonalities！”interposedMonsieurdeCalonne。”Speakforyourselfandforyourpatient。””Mypatient，frightenedbythecriesofhisanimalcules，wantedtostoptheoperation；butIwentonregardlessofhisremonstrances；
　　tellinghimthatthoseevilanimalswerealreadygnawingathisbones。
　　Hemadeasuddenmovementofresistance，notunderstandingthatwhatI
　　didwasforhisgood，andmyknifeslippedaside，enteredmyownbody，and——””Heisstupid，”saidLavoisier。”No，heisdrunk，”repliedBeaumarchais。”But，gentlemen，mydreamhasameaning，”criedthesurgeon。”Oh！oh！”exclaimedBodard，wakingup；”mylegisasleep！””Youranimalculesmustbedead，”saidhiswife。”Thatmanhasavocation，”announcedmylittleneighbor，whohadstaredimperturbablyatthesurgeonwhilehewasspeaking。”Itistoyours，”saidtheuglyman，”whattheactionistotheword，thebodytothesoul。”
　　Buthistonguegrewthick，hiswordswereindistinct，andhesaidnomore。Fortunatelyforustheconversationtookanotherturn。Attheendofhalfanhourwehadforgottenthesurgeonoftheking’spages，whowasfastasleep。Rainwasfallingintorrentsasweleftthesupper-table。”Thelawyerisnofool，”IsaidtoBeaumarchais。”True，butheiscoldanddull。Yousee，however，thattheprovincesarestillsendingusworthymenwhotakeaseriousviewofpoliticaltheoriesandthehistoryofFrance。Itisaleavenwhichwillrise。””Isyourcarriagehere？”askedMadamedeSaint-James，addressingme。”No，”Ireplied，”IdidnotthinkthatIshouldneeditto-night。”
　　MadamedeSaint-Jamesthenrangthebell，orderedherowncarriagetobebroughtround，andsaidtothelittlelawyerinalowvoice:——”MonsieurdeRobespierre，willyoudomethekindnesstodropMonsieurMaratathisowndoor？——forheisnotinastatetogoalone。””Withpleasure，madame，”repliedMonsieurdeRobespierre，withhisfinicalgallantry。”Ionlywishyouhadrequestedmetodosomethingmoredifficult。”
　　End