CHAPTERXXVIII。
NINEANDTWENTYSONNETSOFESTIENNEDELABOITIE
TOMADAMEDEGRAMMONT，COMTESSEDEGUISSEN。
[Theyscarcecontainanythingbutamorouscomplaints，expressedinaveryroughstyle，discoveringthefolliesandoutragesofarestlesspassion，overgorged，asitwere，withjealousies，fearsandsuspicions。——Coste。]
[These……containedintheeditionof1588nine—and—twentysonnetsofLaBoetie，accompaniedbyadedicatoryepistletoMadamedeGrammont。Theformer，whicharereferredtoattheendofChap。
XXVIL，donotreallybelongtothebook，andareofveryslightinterestatthistime;theepistleistransferredtotheCorrespondence。Thesonnets，withtheletter，werepresumablysentsometimeafterLettersV。etseq。Montaigneseemstohavehadseveralcopieswrittenouttoforwardtofriendsoracquaintances。]
CHAPTERXXIX。
OFMODERATION
Asifwehadaninfectioustouch，we，byourmannerofhandling，corruptthingsthatinthemselvesarelaudableandgood:wemaygraspvirtuesothatitbecomesvicious，ifweembraceittoostringentlyandwithtooviolentadesire。Thosewhosay，thereisneveranyexcessinvirtue，forasmuchasitisnotvirtuewhenitoncebecomesexcess，onlyplayuponwords:
\"Insanisapiensnomenferat，aequusiniqui，Ultraquamsatisest，virtutemsipetatipsam。\"
[\"Letthewisemanbearthenameofamadman，thejustoneofanunjust，ifheseekwisdommorethanissufficient。\"
——Horace，Ep。，i。6，15。]
[\"Thewisemanisnolongerwise，thejustmannolongerjust，ifheseektocarryhisloveforwisdomorvirtuebeyondthatwhichisnecessary。]
Thisisasubtleconsiderationofphilosophy。Amanmaybothbetoomuchinlovewithvirtue，andbeexcessiveinajustaction。HolyWritagreeswiththis，Benotwiserthanyoushould，butbesoberlywise。——[St。
Paul，EpistletotheRomans，xii。3。]——Ihaveknownagreatman，——[\"ItislikelythatMontaignemeantHenryIII。，kingofFrance。
TheCardinald’Ossat，writingtoLouise，thequeen—dowager，toldher，inhisfrankmanner，thathehadlivedasmuchormorelikeamonkthanamonarch（LetterXXIII。）AndPopeSextusV。，speakingofthatprinceonedaytotheCardinaldeJoyeuse，protectoroftheaffairsofFrance，saidtohimpleasantly，’Thereisnothingthatyourkinghathnotdone，anddoesnotdosostill，tobeamonk，noranythingthatIhavenotdone，nottobeamonk。’\"——Coste。
prejudicetheopinionmenhadofhisdevotion，bypretendingtobedevoutbeyondallexamplesofothersofhiscondition。Ilovetemperateandmoderatenatures。Animmoderatezeal，eventothatwhichisgood，eventhoughitdoesnotoffend，astonishesme，andputsmetostudywhatnametogiveit。NeitherthemotherofPausanias，——[\"Montaignewouldheregiveustounderstand，upontheauthorityofDiodorusSiculus，thatPausanias’mothergavethefirsthintofthepunishmentthatwastobeinflictedonherson。’Pausanias，’saysthishistorian，’perceivingthattheephori，andsomeotherLacedoemonians，aimedatapprehendinghim，gotthestartofthem，andwentandtooksanctuarymMinerva’stemple:andtheLacedaemonians，beingdoubtfulwhethertheyoughttotakehimfromthenceinviolationofthefranchisethere，itissaidthathisownmothercameherselftothetemplebutspokenothingnordidanythingmorethanlayapieceofbrick，whichshebroughtwithher，onthethresholdofthetemple，which，whenshehaddone，shereturnedhome。TheLacedaemonians，takingthehintfromthemother，causedthegateofthetempletobewalledup，andbythismeansstarvedPausanias，sothathediedwithhunger，&c。（lib。xi。cap。10。，ofAmyot’stranslation）。ThenameofPausanias’motherwasAlcithea，asweareinformedbyThucydides’scholiast，whoonlysaysthatitwasreported，thatwhentheysetaboutwallingupthegatesofthechapelinwhichPausaniashadtakenrefuge，hismotherAlcithealaidthefirststone。\"——Coste。]
whowasthefirstinstructorofherson’sprocess，andthrewthefirststonetowardshisdeath，norPosthumiusthedictator，whoputhissontodeath，whomtheardourofyouthhadsuccessfullypushedupontheenemyalittlemoreadvancedthantherestofhissquadron，doappeartomesomuchjustasstrange;andIshouldneitheradvisenorliketofollowsosavageavirtue，andthatcostssodear。
——[\"Opinionsdifferastothetruthofthisfact。LivythinkshehasgoodauthorityforrejectingitbecauseitdoesnotappearinhistorythatPosthumiouswasbrandedwithit，asTitusManliuswas，about100yearsafterhistime;forManlius，havingputhissontodeathforthelikecause，obtainedtheodiousnameofImperiosus，andsincethattimeManlianaimperiahasbeenusedasatermtosignifyordersthataretoosevere;ManlianaImperia，saysLivy，werenotonlyhorribleforthetimepresent，butofabadexampletoposterity。AndthishistorianmakesnodoubtbutsuchcommandswouldhavebeenactuallystyledPosthumianaImperia，ifPosthumiushadbeenthefirstwhosetsobarbarousanexample（Livy，lib。iv。
cap。29，andlib。viii。cap。7）。But，however，MontaignehasValer。
Maximusonhisside，whosaysexpressly，thatPosthumiuscausedhissontobeputtodeath，andDiodorusofSicily（lib。xii。cap。
19）。\"——Coste。]
Thearcherthatshootsover，missesasmuchashethatfallsshort，and’tisequallytroublesometomysight，tolookupatagreatlight，andtolookdownintoadarkabyss。CalliclesinPlatosays，thattheextremityofphilosophyishurtful，andadvisesnottodiveintoitbeyondthelimitsofprofit;that，takenmoderately，itispleasantanduseful;butthatintheenditrendersamanbrutishandvicious，acontemnerofreligionandthecommonlaws，anenemytocivilconversation，andallhumanpleasures，incapableofallpublicadministration，unfiteithertoassistothersortorelievehimself，andafitobjectforallsortsofinjuriesandaffronts。Hesaystrue;forinitsexcess，itenslavesournaturalfreedom，andbyanimpertinentsubtlety，leadsusoutofthefairandbeatenwaythatnaturehastracedforus。
Thelovewebeartoourwivesisverylawful，andyettheologythinksfittocurbandrestrainit。AsIremember，IhavereadinoneplaceofSt。
ThomasAquinas，——[SecundaSecundx，Quaest。154，art。9。]——wherehecondemnsmarriageswithinanyoftheforbiddendegrees，forthisreason，amongstothers，thatthereissomedanger，lestthefriendshipamanbearstosuchawoman，shouldbeimmoderate;foriftheconjugalaffectionbefullandperfectbetwixtthem，asitoughttobe，andthatitbeoverandabovesurchargedwiththatofkindredtoo，thereisnodoubt，butsuchanadditionwillcarrythehusbandbeyondtheboundsofreason。
Thosesciencesthatregulatethemannersofmen，divinityandphilosophy，willhavetheirsayineverything;thereisnoactionsoprivateandsecretthatcanescapetheirinspectionandjurisdiction。Theyarebesttaughtwhoarebestabletocontrolandcurbtheirownliberty;womenexposetheirnuditiesasmuchasyouwillupontheaccountofpleasure，thoughinthenecessitiesofphysictheyarealtogetherasshy。Iwill，therefore，intheirbehalf:
——[Costetranslatesthis:\"onthepartofphilosophyandtheology，\"
observingthatbutfewwiveswouldthinkthemselvesobligedtoMontaigneforanysuchlessontotheirhusbands。]——
teachthehusbands，thatis，suchasaretoovehementintheexerciseofthematrimonialduty——ifsuchtherestillbe——thislesson，thattheverypleasurestheyenjoyinthesocietyoftheirwivesarereproachableifimmoderate，andthatalicentiousandriotousabuseofthemisafaultasreprovablehereasinillicitconnections。Thoseimmodestanddebauchedtricksandpostures，thatthefirstardoursuggeststousinthisaffair，arenotonlyindecentlybutdetrimentallypractiseduponourwives。Letthematleastlearnimpudencefromanotherhand;theyareeverreadyenoughforourbusiness，andIformypartalwayswenttheplainwaytowork。
Marriageisasolemnandreligioustie，andthereforethepleasureweextractfromitshouldbeasoberandseriousdelight，andmixedwithacertainkindofgravity;itshouldbeasortofdiscreetandconscientiouspleasure。Andseeingthatthechiefendofitisgeneration，somemakeaquestion，whetherwhenmenareoutofhopesaswhentheyaresuperannuatedoralreadywithchild，itbelawfultoembraceourwives。’Tishomicide，accordingtoPlato。——[Laws，8。]——
Certainnations（theMohammedan，amongstothersabominateallconjunctionwithwomenwithchild，othersalso，withthosewhoareintheircourses。
Zenobiawouldneveradmitherhusbandformorethanoneencounter，afterwhichshelefthimtohisownswingforthewholetimeofherconception，andnottillafterthatwouldagainreceivehim:——[TrebelliusPollio，TrigintaTyran。，c。30。]——abraveandgenerousexampleofconjugalcontinence。Itwasdoubtlessfromsomelasciviouspoet，——[ThelasciviouspoetisHomer;seehisIliad，xiv。294。]——andonethathimselfwasingreatdistressforalittleofthissport，thatPlatoborrowedthisstory;thatJupiterwasonedaysohotuponhiswife，thatnothavingsomuchpatienceastillshecouldgettothecouch，hethrewheruponthefloor，wherethevehemenceofpleasuremadehimforgetthegreatandimportantresolutionshehadbutnewlytakenwiththerestofthegodsinhiscelestialcouncil，andtobragthathehadhadasgoodabout，aswhenhegothermaidenhead，unknowntotheirparents。
ThekingsofPersiawerewonttoinvitetheirwivestothebeginningoftheirfestivals;butwhenthewinebegantoworkingoodearnest，andthattheyweretogivethereinstopleasure，theysentthembacktotheirprivateapartments，thattheymightnotparticipateintheirimmoderatelust，sendingforotherwomenintheirstead，withwhomtheywerenotobligedtosogreatadecorumofrespect。——[Plutarch，PreceptsofMarriage，c。14。]——Allpleasuresandallsortsofgratificationsarenotproperlyandfitlyconferreduponallsortsofpersons。
Epaminondashadcommittedtoprisonayoungmanforcertaindebauches;
forwhomPelopidasmediated，thatathisrequesthemightbesetatliberty，whichEpaminondasdeniedtohim，butgranteditatthefirstwordtoawenchofhis，thatmadethesameintercession;saying，thatitwasagratificationfitforsuchaoneasshe，butnotforacaptain。
SophoclesbeingjointpraetorwithPericles，seeingaccidentallyafineboypassby:\"Owhatacharmingboyisthat！\"saidhe。\"Thatmightbeverywell，\"answeredPericles，\"foranyotherthanapraetor，whooughtnotonlytohavehishands，buthiseyes，too，chaste。\"——[Cicero，DeOffic。，i。40。]AEliusVerus，theemperor，answeredhiswife，whoreproachedhimwithhislovetootherwomen，thathedidituponaconscientiousaccount，forasmuchasmarriagewasanameofhonouranddignity，notofwantonandlasciviousdesire;andourecclesiasticalhistorypreservesthememoryofthatwomaningreatveneration，whopartedfromherhusbandbecauseshewouldnotcomplywithhisindecentandinordinatedesires。Infine，thereisnopleasuresojustandlawful，whereintemperanceandexcessarenottobecondemned。
But，tospeakthetruth，isnotmanamostmiserablecreaturethewhile？
Itisscarce，byhisnaturalcondition，inhispowertotasteonepleasurepureandentire;andyetmusthebecontrivingdoctrinesandpreceptstocurtailthatlittlehehas;heisnotyetwretchedenough，unlessbyartandstudyheaugmenthisownmisery:
\"Fortunaemiserasauximusartevias。\"
[\"Weartificiallyaugmentthewretchednessoffortune。\"
——Properitius，lib。iii。7，44。]
Humanwisdommakesasilluseofhertalent，whensheexercisesitinrescindingfromthenumberandsweetnessofthosepleasuresthatarenaturallyourdue，assheemploysitfavourablyandwellinartificiallydisguisingandtrickingouttheillsoflife，toalleviatethesenseofthem。HadIruledtheroast，Ishouldhavetakenanotherandmorenaturalcourse，which，tosaythetruth，isbothcommodiousandholy，andshould，peradventure，havebeenabletohavelimitedittoo;
notwithstandingthatbothourspiritualandcorporalphysicians，asbycompactbetwixtthemselves，canfindnootherwaytocure，norotherremedyfortheinfirmitiesofthebodyandthesoul，thanbymiseryandpain。Tothisend，watchings，fastings，hair—shirts，remoteandsolitarybanishments，perpetualimprisonments，whipsandotherafflictions，havebeenintroducedamongstmen:butso，thattheyshouldcarryastingwiththem，andberealafflictionsindeed;andnotfalloutasitoncedidtooneGallio，whohavingbeensentanexileintotheisleofLesbos，newswasnotlongafterbroughttoRome，thathetherelivedasmerryasthedaywaslong;andthatwhathadbeenenjoinedhimforapenance，turnedtohispleasureandsatisfaction:whereupontheSenatethoughtfittorecallhimhometohiswifeandfamily，andconfinehimtohisownhouse，toaccommodatetheirpunishmenttohisfeelingandapprehension。Fortohimwhomfastingwouldmakemorehealthfulandmoresprightly，andtohimtowhosepalatefishweremoreacceptablethanflesh，theprescriptionofthesewouldhavenocurativeeffect;nomorethanintheothersortofphysic，wheredrugshavenoeffectuponhimwhoswallowsthemwithappetiteandpleasure:thebitternessofthepotionandtheabhorrenceofthepatientarenecessarycircumstancestotheoperation。Thenaturethatwouldeatrhubarblikebutteredturnips，wouldfrustratetheuseandvirtueofit;itmustbesomethingtotroubleanddisturbthestomach，thatmustpurgeandcureit;andherethecommonrule，thatthingsarecuredbytheircontraries，fails;forinthisoneilliscuredbyanother。
Thisbeliefalittleresemblesthatothersoancientone，ofthinkingtogratifythegodsandnaturebymassacreandmurder:anopinionuniversallyoncereceivedinallreligions。Andstill，intheselatertimeswhereinourfatherslived，AmurathatthetakingoftheIsthmus，immolatedsixhundredyoungGreekstohisfather’ssoul，inthenatureofapropitiatorysacrificeforhissins。Andinthosenewcountriesdiscoveredinthisageofours，whicharepureandvirginyet，incomparisonofours，thispracticeisinsomemeasureeverywherereceived:
alltheiridolsreekwithhumanblood，notwithoutvariousexamplesofhorridcruelty:sometheyburnalive，andtake，halfbroiled，offthecoalstotearouttheirheartsandentrails;some，evenwomen，theyflayalive，andwiththeirbloodyskinsclotheanddisguiseothers。Neitherarewewithoutgreatexamplesofconstancyandresolutioninthisaffairthepoorsoulsthataretobesacrificed，oldmen，women，andchildren，themselvesgoingaboutsomedaysbeforetobegalmsfortheofferingoftheirsacrifice，presentingthemselvestotheslaughter，singinganddancingwiththespectators。
TheambassadorsofthekingofMexico，settingouttoFernandoCortezthepowerandgreatnessoftheirmaster，afterhavingtoldhim，thathehadthirtyvassals，ofwhomeachwasabletoraiseanhundredthousandfightingmen，andthathekepthiscourtinthefairestandbestfortifiedcityunderthesun，addedatlast，thathewasobligedyearlytooffertothegodsfiftythousandmen。Anditisaffirmed，thathemaintainedacontinualwar，withsomepotentneighbouringnations，notonlytokeeptheyoungmeninexercise，butprincipallytohavewherewithaltofurnishhissacrificeswithhisprisonersofwar。Atacertaintowninanotherplace，forthewelcomeofthesaidCortez，theysacrificedfiftymenatonce。Iwilltellyouthisonetalemore，andI
havedone;someofthesepeoplebeingbeatenbyhim，senttoacknowledgehim，andtotreatwithhimofapeace，whosemessengerscarriedhimthreesortsofgifts，whichtheypresentedintheseterms:\"Behold，lord，herearefiveslaves:ifthouartafuriousgodthatfeedethuponfleshandblood，eatthese，andwewillbringtheemore;ifthouartanaffablegod，beholdhereincenseandfeathers;butifthouartaman，takethesefowlsandthesefruitsthatwehavebroughtthee。\"
CHAPTERXXX
OFCANNIBALS
WhenKingPyrrhusinvadedItaly，havingviewedandconsideredtheorderofthearmytheRomanssentouttomeethim;\"Iknownot，\"saidhe，\"whatkindofbarbarians\"（forsotheGreekscalledallothernations）
\"thesemaybe;butthedispositionofthisarmythatIseehasnothingofbarbarisminit。\"——[Plutarch，LifeofPyrrhus，c。8。]——AsmuchsaidtheGreeksofthatwhichFlaminiusbroughtintotheircountry;andPhilip，beholdingfromaneminencetheorderanddistributionoftheRomancampformedinhiskingdombyPubliusSulpiciusGalba，spaketothesameeffect。Bywhichitappearshowcautiousmenoughttobeoftakingthingsupontrustfromvulgaropinion，andthatwearetojudgebytheeyeofreason，andnotfromcommonreport。
IlonghadamaninmyhousethatlivedtenortwelveyearsintheNewWorld，discoveredintheselatterdays，andinthatpartofitwhereVillegaignonlanded，——[AtBrazil，in1557。]——whichhecalledAntarcticFrance。Thisdiscoveryofsovastacountryseemstobeofverygreatconsideration。Icannotbesure，thathereaftertheremaynotbeanother，somanywisermenthanwehavingbeendeceivedinthis。Iamafraidoureyesarebiggerthanourbellies，andthatwehavemorecuriositythancapacity;forwegraspatall，butcatchnothingbutwind。
PlatobringsinSolon，——[InTimaeus。]——tellingastorythathehadheardfromthepriestsofSaisinEgypt，thatofold，andbeforetheDeluge，therewasagreatislandcalledAtlantis，situatedirectlyatthemouthofthestraitsofGibraltar，whichcontainedmorecountriesthanbothAfricaandAsiaputtogether;andthatthekingsofthatcountry，whonotonlypossessedthatIsle，butextendedtheirdominionsofarintothecontinentthattheyhadacountryofAfricaasfarasEgypt，andextendinginEuropetoTuscany，attemptedtoencroachevenuponAsia，andtosubjugateallthenationsthatborderupontheMediterraneanSea，asfarastheBlackSea;andtothateffectoverranallSpain，theGauls，andItaly，sofarastopenetrateintoGreece，wheretheAtheniansstoppedthem:butthatsometimeafter，boththeAthenians，andtheyandtheirisland，wereswallowedbytheFlood。
Itisverylikelythatthisextremeirruptionandinundationofwatermadewonderfulchangesandalterationsinthehabitationsoftheearth，as’tissaidthattheseathendividedSicilyfromItaly——
\"Haecloca，viquondametvastaconvulsaruina，Dissiluisseferunt，quumprotenusutraquetellusUnaforet\"
[\"Theselands，theysay，formerlywithviolenceandvastdesolationconvulsed，burstasunder，whereerewhilewere。\"——AEneid，iii。414。]
CyprusfromSyria，theisleofNegropontfromthecontinentofBeeotia，andelsewhereunitedlandsthatwereseparatebefore，byfillingupthechannelbetwixtthemwithsandandmud:
\"Sterilisquediupalus，aptaqueremis，Vicinasurbesalit，etgravesentitaratrum。\"
[\"Thatwhichwasonceasterilemarsh，andborevesselsonitsbosom，nowfeedsneighbouringcities，andadmitstheplough。\"
——Horace，DeArtePoetica，v。65。]
ButthereisnogreatappearancethatthisislewasthisNewWorldsolatelydiscovered:forthatalmosttoucheduponSpain，anditwereanincredibleeffectofaninundation，tohavetumbledbacksoprodigiousamass，abovetwelvehundredleagues:besidesthatourmodernnavigatorshavealreadyalmostdiscoveredittobenoisland，butterrafirma，andcontinentwiththeEastIndiesontheoneside，andwiththelandsunderthetwopolesontheotherside;or，ifitbeseparatefromthem，itisbysonarrowastraitandchannel，thatitnonethemoredeservesthenameofanislandforthat。
Itshouldseem，thatinthisgreatbody，therearetwosortsofmotions，theonenaturalandtheotherfebrific，asthereareinours。WhenI
considertheimpressionthatourriverofDordognehasmadeinmytimeontherightbankofitsdescent，andthatintwentyyearsithasgainedsomuch，andunderminedthefoundationsofsomanyhouses，Iperceiveittobeanextraordinaryagitation:forhaditalwaysfollowedthiscourse，orwerehereaftertodoit，theaspectoftheworldwouldbetotallychanged。Butriversaltertheircourse，sometimesbeatingagainsttheoneside，andsometimestheother，andsometimesquietlykeepingthechannel。Idonotspeakofsuddeninundations，thecausesofwhicheverybodyunderstands。InMedoc，bytheseashore，theSieurd’Arsac，mybrother，seesanestatehehadthere，buriedunderthesandswhichtheseavomitsbeforeit:wherethetopsofsomehousesareyettobeseen，andwherehisrentsanddomainsareconvertedintopitifulbarrenpasturage。Theinhabitantsofthisplaceaffirm，thatoflateyearstheseahasdrivensovehementlyuponthem，thattheyhavelostabovefourleaguesofland。Thesesandsareherharbingers:andwenowseegreatheapsofmovingsand，thatmarchhalfaleaguebeforeher，andoccupytheland。
Theothertestimonyfromantiquity，towhichsomewouldapplythisdiscoveryoftheNewWorld，isinAristotle;atleast，ifthatlittlebookofUnheardofMiraclesbehis——[oneofthespuriouspublicationsbroughtoutunderhisname——D。W。]。Hetheretellsus，thatcertainCarthaginians，havingcrossedtheAtlanticSeawithouttheStraitsofGibraltar，andsailedaverylongtime，discoveredatlastagreatandfruitfulisland，allcoveredoverwithwood，andwateredwithseveralbroadanddeeprivers，farremotefromallterrafirma;andthatthey，andothersafterthem，alluredbythegoodnessandfertilityofthesoil，wentthitherwiththeirwivesandchildren，andbegantoplantacolony。
ButthesenateofCarthageperceivingtheirpeoplebylittleandlittletodiminish，issuedoutanexpressprohibition，thatnone，uponpainofdeath，shouldtransportthemselvesthither;andalsodroveoutthesenewinhabitants;fearing，’tissaid，lest’inprocessoftimetheyshouldsomultiplyastosupplantthemselvesandruintheirstate。ButthisrelationofAristotlenomoreagreeswithournew—foundlandsthantheother。
ThismanthatIhadwasaplainignorantfellow，andthereforethemorelikelytotelltruth:foryourbetter—bredsortofmenaremuchmorecuriousintheirobservation，’tistrue，anddiscoveragreatdealmore;
butthentheyglossuponit，andtogivethegreaterweighttowhattheydeliver，andallureyourbelief，theycannotforbearalittletoalterthestory;theyneverrepresentthingstoyousimplyastheyare，butratherastheyappearedtothem，orastheywouldhavethemappeartoyou，andtogainthereputationofmenofjudgment，andthebettertoinduceyourfaith，arewillingtohelpoutthebusinesswithsomethingmorethanisreallytrue，oftheirowninvention。Nowinthiscase，weshouldeitherhaveamanofirreproachableveracity，orsosimplethathehasnotwherewithaltocontrive，andtogiveacolouroftruthtofalserelations，andwhocanhavenoendsinforginganuntruth。Suchaonewasmine;andbesides，hehasatdiverstimesbroughttomeseveralseamenandmerchantswhoatthesametimewentthesamevoyage。Ishallthereforecontentmyselfwithhisinformation，withoutinquiringwhatthecosmographerssaytothebusiness。Weshouldhavetopographerstotraceouttoustheparticularplaceswheretheyhavebeen;butforhavinghadthisadvantageoverus，tohaveseentheHolyLand，theywouldhavetheprivilege，forsooth，totellusstoriesofalltheotherpartsoftheworldbeside。Iwouldhaveeveryonewritewhatheknows，andasmuchasheknows，butnomore;andthatnotinthisonlybutinallothersubjects;forsuchapersonmayhavesomeparticularknowledgeandexperienceofthenatureofsuchariver，orsuchafountain，who，astootherthings，knowsnomorethanwhateverybodydoes，andyettogiveacurrencytohislittlepittanceoflearning，willundertaketowritethewholebodyofphysics:avicefromwhichgreatinconveniencesderivetheiroriginal。
Now，toreturntomysubject，Ifindthatthereisnothingbarbarousandsavageinthisnation，byanythingthatIcangather，excepting，thateveryonegivesthetitleofbarbarismtoeverythingthatisnotinuseinhisowncountry。As，indeed，wehavenootherleveloftruthandreasonthantheexampleandideaoftheopinionsandcustomsoftheplacewhereinwelive:thereisalwaystheperfectreligion，theretheperfectgovernment，therethemostexactandaccomplishedusageofallthings。
Theyaresavagesatthesameratethatwesayfruitsarewild，whichnatureproducesofherselfandbyherownordinaryprogress;whereas，intruth，weoughtrathertocallthosewildwhosenatureswehavechangedbyourartificeanddivertedfromthecommonorder。Inthose，thegenuine，mostuseful，andnaturalvirtuesandpropertiesarevigorousandsprightly，whichwehavehelpedtodegenerateinthese，byaccommodatingthemtothepleasureofourowncorruptedpalate。Andyetforallthis，ourtasteconfessesaflavouranddelicacyexcellenteventoemulationofthebestofours，inseveralfruitswhereinthosecountriesaboundwithoutartorculture。Neitherisitreasonablethatartshouldgainthepre—eminenceofourgreatandpowerfulmothernature。Wehavesosurchargedherwiththeadditionalornamentsandgraceswehaveaddedtothebeautyandrichesofherownworksbyourinventions，thatwehavealmostsmotheredher;yetinotherplaces，wheresheshinesinherownpurityandproperlustre，shemarvellouslybafflesanddisgracesallourvainandfrivolousattempts:
\"Etveniunthederaespontesuamelius;
Surgitetinsolisformosiorarbutusantris;
Etvolucresnullsdulciusartecanunt。\"
[\"Theivygrowsbestspontaneously，thearbutusbestinshadycaves;
andthewildnotesofbirdsaresweeterthanartcanteach。
——\"Propertius，i。2，10。]
Ourutmostendeavourscannotarriveatsomuchastoimitatethenestoftheleastofbirds，itscontexture，beauty，andconvenience:notsomuchasthewebofapoorspider。
Allthings，saysPlato，——[Laws，10。]——areproducedeitherbynature，byfortune，orbyart;thegreatestandmostbeautifulbytheoneortheotheroftheformer，theleastandthemostimperfectbythelast。
Thesenationsthenseemtometobesofarbarbarous，ashavingreceivedbutverylittleformandfashionfromartandhumaninvention，andconsequentlytobenotmuchremotefromtheiroriginalsimplicity。Thelawsofnature，however，governthemstill，notasyetmuchvitiatedwithanymixtureofours:but’tisinsuchpurity，thatIamsometimestroubledwewerenotsooneracquaintedwiththesepeople，andthattheywerenotdiscoveredinthosebettertimes，whenthereweremenmuchmoreabletojudgeofthemthanweare。IamsorrythatLycurgusandPlatohadnoknowledgeofthem;fortomyapprehension，whatwenowseeinthosenations，doesnotonlysurpassallthepictureswithwhichthepoetshaveadornedthegoldenage，andalltheirinventionsinfeigningahappystateofman，but，moreover，thefancyandeventhewishanddesireofphilosophyitself;sonativeandsopureasimplicity，aswebyexperienceseetobeinthem，couldneverenterintotheirimagination，norcouldtheyeverbelievethathumansocietycouldhavebeenmaintainedwithsolittleartificeandhumanpatchwork。IshouldtellPlatothatitisanationwhereinthereisnomanneroftraffic，noknowledgeofletters，noscienceofnumbers，nonameofmagistrateorpoliticalsuperiority;nouseofservice，richesorpoverty，nocontracts，nosuccessions，nodividends，noproperties，noemployments，butthoseofleisure，norespectofkindred，butcommon，noclothing，noagriculture，nometal，nouseofcornorwine;theverywordsthatsignifylying，treachery，dissimulation，avarice，envy，detraction，pardon，neverheardof。
——[ThisisthefamouspassagewhichShakespeare，throughFlorio’sversion，1603，ored。1613，p。102，hasemployedinthe\"Tempest，\"
ii。1。]
HowmuchwouldhefindhisimaginaryRepublicshortofhisperfection？
\"Viriadiisrecentes。\"
[\"Menfreshfromthegods。\"——Seneca，Ep。，90。]
\"Hosnaturamodosprimumdedit。\"
[\"Thesewerethemannersfirsttaughtbynature。\"
——Virgil，Georgics，ii。20。]
Astotherest，theyliveinacountryverypleasantandtemperate，sothat，asmywitnessesinformme，’tisraretohearofasickperson，andtheymoreoverassureme，thattheyneversawanyofthenatives，eitherparalytic，bleareyed，toothless，orcrookedwithage。Thesituationoftheircountryisalongthesea—shore，enclosedontheothersidetowardstheland，withgreatandhighmountains，havingaboutahundredleaguesinbreadthbetween。Theyhavegreatstoreoffishandflesh，thathavenoresemblancetothoseofours:whichtheyeatwithoutanyothercookery，thanplainboiling，roasting，andbroiling。Thefirstthatrodeahorsethither，thoughinseveralothervoyageshehadcontractedanacquaintanceandfamiliaritywiththem，putthemintosoterribleafright，withhiscentaurappearance，thattheykilledhimwiththeirarrowsbeforetheycouldcometodiscoverwhohewas。Theirbuildingsareverylong，andofcapacitytoholdtwoorthreehundredpeople，madeofthebarksoftalltrees，rearedwithoneendupontheground，andleaningtoandsupportingoneanotheratthetop，likesomeofourbarns，ofwhichthecoveringhangsdowntotheveryground，andservesforthesidewalls。Theyhavewoodsohard，thattheycutwithit，andmaketheirswordsofit，andtheirgrillsofittobroiltheirmeat。Theirbedsareofcotton，hungswingingfromtheroof，likeourseamen’shammocks，everymanhisown，forthewiveslieapartfromtheirhusbands。Theyrisewiththesun，andsosoonastheyareup，eatforallday，fortheyhavenomoremealsbutthat;theydonotthendrink，asSuidasreportsofsomeotherpeopleoftheEastthatneverdrankattheirmeals;butdrinkveryoftenalldayafter，andsometimestoarousingpitch。Theirdrinkismadeofacertainroot，andisofthecolourofourclaret，andtheyneverdrinkitbutlukewarm。Itwillnotkeepabovetwoorthreedays;
ithasasomewhatsharp，brisktaste，isnothingheady，butverycomfortabletothestomach;laxativetostrangers，butaverypleasantbeveragetosuchasareaccustomedtoit。Theymakeuse，insteadofbread，ofacertainwhitecompound，likecorianderseeds;Ihavetastedofit;thetasteissweetandalittleflat。Thewholedayisspentindancing。Theiryoungmengoa—huntingafterwildbeastswithbowsandarrows;onepartoftheirwomenareemployedinpreparingtheirdrinkthewhile，whichistheirchiefemployment。Oneoftheiroldmen，inthemorningbeforetheyfalltoeating，preachestothewholefamily，walkingfromtheoneendofthehousetotheother，andseveraltimesrepeatingthesamesentence，tillhehasfinishedtheround，fortheirhousesareatleastahundredyardslong。Valourtowardstheirenemiesandlovetowardstheirwives，arethetwoheadsofhisdiscourse，neverfailingintheclose，toputtheminmind，that’tistheirwiveswhoprovidethemtheirdrinkwarmandwellseasoned。Thefashionoftheirbeds，ropes，swords，andofthewoodenbraceletstheytieabouttheirwrists，whentheygotofight，andofthegreatcanes，boredhollowatoneend，bythesoundofwhichtheykeepthecadenceoftheirdances，aretobeseeninseveralplaces，andamongstothers，atmyhouse。Theyshaveallover，andmuchmoreneatlythanwe，withoutotherrazorthanoneofwoodorstone。Theybelieveintheimmortalityofthesoul，andthatthosewhohavemeritedwellofthegodsarelodgedinthatpartofheavenwherethesunrises，andtheaccursedinthewest。
TheyhaveIknownotwhatkindofpriestsandprophets，whoveryrarelypresentthemselvestothepeople，havingtheirabodeinthemountains。
Attheirarrival，thereisagreatfeast，andsolemnassemblyofmanyvillages:eachhouse，asIhavedescribed，makesavillage，andtheyareaboutaFrenchleaguedistantfromoneanother。Thisprophetdeclaimstotheminpublic，exhortingthemtovirtueandtheirduty:butalltheirethicsarecomprisedinthesetwoarticles，resolutioninwar，andaffectiontotheirwives。Healsoprophesiestothemeventstocome，andtheissuestheyaretoexpectfromtheirenterprises，andpromptsthemtoordivertsthemfromwar:butlethimlookto’t;forifhefailinhisdivination，andanythinghappenotherwisethanhehasforetold，heiscutintoathousandpieces，ifhebecaught，andcondemnedforafalseprophet:forthatreason，ifanyofthemhasbeenmistaken，heisnomoreheardof。
DivinationisagiftofGod，andthereforetoabuseit，oughttobeapunishableimposture。AmongsttheScythians，wheretheirdivinersfailedinthepromisedeffect，theywerelaid，boundhandandfoot，uponcartsloadedwithfirsandbavins，anddrawnbyoxen，onwhichtheywereburnedtodeath。——[Herodotus，iv。69。]——Suchasonlymeddlewiththingssubjecttotheconductofhumancapacity，areexcusableindoingthebesttheycan:butthoseotherfellowsthatcometodeludeuswithassurancesofanextraordinaryfaculty，beyondourunderstanding，oughttheynottobepunished，whentheydonotmakegoodtheeffectoftheirpromise，andforthetemerityoftheirimposture？
Theyhavecontinualwarwiththenationsthatlivefurtherwithinthemainland，beyondtheirmountains，towhichtheygonaked，andwithoutotherarmsthantheirbowsandwoodenswords，fashionedatoneendliketheheadofourjavelins。Theobstinacyoftheirbattlesiswonderful，andtheyneverendwithoutgreateffusionofblood:forastorunningaway，theyknownotwhatitis。Everyoneforatrophybringshometheheadofanenemyhehaskilled，whichhefixesoverthedoorofhishouse。Afterhavingalongtimetreatedtheirprisonersverywell，andgiventhemalltheregalestheycanthinkof，hetowhomtheprisonerbelongs，invitesagreatassemblyofhisfriends。Theybeingcome，hetiesaropetooneofthearmsoftheprisoner，ofwhich，atadistance，outofhisreach，heholdstheoneendhimself，andgivestothefriendhelovesbesttheotherarmtoholdafterthesamemanner;whichbeing。