Scipiothoughtitmuchbettertogoandattackhisenemy’sterritoriesinAfricathantostayathometodefendhisownandtofighthiminItaly，anditsucceededwellwithhim。But，onthecontrary，Hannibalinthesamewarruinedhimselfbyabandoningtheconquestofaforeigncountrytogoanddefendhisown。TheAthenianshavinglefttheenemyintheirowndominionstogooverintoSicily，werenotfavouredbyfortuneintheirdesign;butAgathocles，kingofSyracuse，foundherfavourabletohimwhenhewentoverintoAfricaandleftthewarathome。
Bywhichexampleswearewonttoconclude，andwithsomereason，thatevents，especiallyinwar，forthemostpartdependuponfortune，whowillnotbegovernedbynorsubmituntohumanreasonsandprudence，accordingtothepoet:
\"Etmaleconsultispretiumest:prudentiafallitNecfortuneprobatcausas，sequiturquemerentes，Sedvagapercunctosnullodiscriminefertur。
Scilicetestaliud，quodnoscogatqueregatqueMajus，etinpropriasducatmortalialeges。\"
[\"Andthereisvalueinillcounsel:prudencedeceives:nordoesfortuneinquireintocauses，noraidthemostdeserving，butturnshitherandthitherwithoutdiscrimination。Indeedthereisagreaterpowerwhichdirectsandrulesus，andbringsmortalaffairsunderitsownlaws。\"——Manilius，iv。95。]
But，totakethethingright，itshouldseemthatourcounselsanddeliberationsdependasmuchuponfortuneasanythingelsewedo，andthatsheengagesalsoourargumentsinheruncertaintyandconfusion。
\"Wearguerashlyandadventurously，\"saysTimaeusinPlato，\"byreasonthat，aswellasourselves，ourdiscourseshavegreatparticipationinthetemerityofchance。\"
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V8
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME8。
XLVIII。Ofwar—horses，ordestriers。
XLIX。Ofancientcustoms。
L。OfDemocritusandHeraclitus。
LI。Ofthevanityofwords。
LII。OftheparsimonyoftheAncients。
LIII。OfasayingofCaesar。
LIV。Ofvainsubtleties。
LV。Ofsmells。
LVI。Ofprayers。
LVII。Ofage。
CHAPTERXLVIII
OFWARHORSES，ORDESTRIERS
Iherehavebecomeagrammarian，Iwhoneverlearnedanylanguagebutbyrote，andwhodonotyetknowadjective，conjunction，orablative。I
thinkIhavereadthattheRomanshadasortofhorsesbythemcalled’funales’or’dextrarios’，whichwereeitherledhorses，orhorseslaidonatseveralstagestobetakenfreshuponoccasion，andthenceitisthatwecallourhorsesofservice’destriers’;andourromancescommonlyusethephraseof’adestrer’for’accompagner’，toaccompany。Theyalsocalledthosethatweretrainedinsuchsort，thatrunningfullspeed，sidebyside，withoutbridleorsaddle，theRomangentlemen，armedatallpieces，wouldshiftandthrowthemselvesfromonetotheother，’desultoriosequos’。TheNumidianmen—at—armshadalwaysaledhorseinonehand，besidesthattheyrodeupon，tochangeintheheatofbattle:
\"Quibus，desultoruminmodum，binostrahentibusequos，interacerrimamsaepepugnam，inrecentemequum，exfesso，armatistransultaremoserat:tantavelocitasipsis，tamquedocileequorumgenus。\"
[\"Towhomitwasacustom，leadingalongtwohorses，ofteninthehottestfight，toleaparmedfromatiredhorsetoafreshone;soactivewerethemen，andthehorsessodocile。\"——Livy，xxiii。29。]
Therearemanyhorsestrainedtohelptheirriderssoastorunuponanyone，thatappearswithadrawnsword，tofallbothwithmouthandheelsuponanythatfrontoropposethem:butitoftenhappensthattheydomoreharmtotheirfriendsthantotheirenemies;and，moreover，youcannotloosethemfromtheirhold，toreducethemagainintoorder，whentheyareonceengagedandgrappled，bywhichmeansyouremainatthemercyoftheirquarrel。IthappenedveryilltoArtybius，generalofthePersianarmy，fighting，mantoman，withOnesilus，kingofSalamis，tobemounteduponahorsetrainedafterthismanner，itbeingtheoccasionofhisdeath，thesquireofOnesiluscleavingthehorsedownwithascythebetwixttheshouldersasitwasrearedupuponhismaster。AndwhattheItaliansreport，thatinthebattleofFornova，thehorseofCharlesVIII。，withkicksandplunges，disengagedhismasterfromtheenemythatpresseduponhim，withoutwhichhehadbeenslain，soundslikeaverygreatchance，ifitbetrue。
[InthenarrativewhichPhilipdeCommineshasgivenofthisbattle，inwhichhehimselfwaspresent（lib。viii。ch。6），hetellsusofwonderfulperformancesbythehorseonwhichthekingwasmounted。ThenameofthehorsewasSavoy，anditwasthemostbeautifulhorsehehadeverseen。Duringthebattlethekingwaspersonallyattacked，whenhehadnobodynearhimbutavaletdechambre，alittlefellow，andnotwellarmed。\"Theking，\"saysCommines，\"hadthebesthorseunderhimintheworld，andthereforehestoodhisgroundbravely，tillanumberofhismen，notagreatwayfromhim，arrivedatthecriticalminute。\"]
TheMamalukesmaketheirboastthattheyhavethemostreadyhorsesofanycavalryintheworld;thatbynatureandcustomtheyweretaughttoknowanddistinguishtheenemy，andtofallfouluponthemwithmouthandheels，accordingtoawordorsigngiven;asalsotogatherupwiththeirteethdartsandlancesscattereduponthefield，andpresentthemtotheirriders，onthewordofcommand。’Tissaid，bothofCaesarandPompey，thatamongsttheirotherexcellentqualitiestheywerebothverygoodhorsemen，andparticularlyofCaesar，thatinhisyouth，beingmountedonthebareback，withoutsaddleorbridle，hecouldmakethehorserun，stop，andturn，andperformallitsairs，withhishandsbehindhim。Asnaturedesignedtomakeofthisperson，andofAlexander，twomiraclesofmilitaryart，soonewouldsayshehaddoneherutmosttoarmthemafteranextraordinarymannerforeveryoneknowsthatAlexander’shorse，Bucephalus，hadaheadincliningtotheshapeofabull;thathewouldsufferhimselftobemountedandgovernedbynonebuthismaster，andthathewassohonouredafterhisdeathastohaveacityerectedtohisname。Caesarhadalsoonewhichhadforefeetlikethoseofaman，hishoofsbeingdividedintheformoffingers，whichlikewisewasnottoberidden，byanybutCaesarhimself，who，afterhisdeath，dedicatedhisstatuetothegoddessVenus。
IdonotwillinglyalightwhenIamonceonhorseback，foritistheplacewhere，whetherwellorsick，Ifindmyselfmostatease。Platorecommendsitforhealth，asalsoPlinysaysitisgoodforthestomachandthejoints。Letusgofurtherintothismattersincehereweare。
WereadinXenophonalawforbiddinganyonewhowasmasterofahorsetotravelonfoot。TrogusPompeiusandJustinsaythattheParthianswerewonttoperformallofficesandceremonies，notonlyinwarbutalsoallaffairswhetherpublicorprivate，makebargains，confer，entertain，taketheair，andallonhorseback;andthatthegreatestdistinctionbetwixtfreemenandslavesamongstthemwasthattheonerodeonhorsebackandtheotherwentonfoot，aninstitutionofwhichKingCyruswasthefounder。
ThereareseveralexamplesintheRomanhistory（andSuetoniusmoreparticularlyobservesitofCaesar）ofcaptainswho，onpressingoccasions，commandedtheircavalrytoalight，bothbythatmeanstotakefromthemallhopesofflight，asalsofortheadvantagetheyhopedinthissortoffight。
\"QuobauddubiesuperatRomanus，\"
[\"WhereintheRomandoesquestionlessexcel。\"——Livy，ix。22。]
saysLivy。Andsothefirstthingtheydidtopreventthemutiniesandinsurrectionsofnationsoflateconquestwastotakefromthemtheirarmsandhorses，andthereforeitisthatwesooftenmeetinCaesar:
\"Armaproferri，jumentaproduci，obsidesdarijubet。\"
[\"Hecommandedthearmstobeproduced，thehorsesbroughtout，hostagestobegiven。\"——DeBelloGall。，vii。II。]
TheGrandSigniortothisdaysuffersnotaChristianoraJewtokeepahorseofhisownthroughouthisempire。
Ourancestors，andespeciallyatthetimetheyhadwarwiththeEnglish，inalltheirgreatestengagementsandpitchedbattlesfoughtforthemostpartonfoot，thattheymighthavenothingbuttheirownforce，courage，andconstancytotrusttoinaquarrelofsogreatconcernaslifeandhonour。Youstake（whateverChrysanthesinXenophonsaystothecontrary）yourvalourandyourfortuneuponthatofyourhorse;hiswoundsordeathbringyourpersonintothesamedanger;hisfearorfuryshallmakeyoureputedrashorcowardly;ifhehaveanillmouthorwillnotanswertothespur，yourhonourmustanswerforit。And，therefore，Idonotthinkitstrangethatthosebattlesweremorefirmandfuriousthanthosethatarefoughtonhorseback:
\"Caedebantpariter，pariterqueruebantVictoresvictique;nequehisfuganota，nequeillis。\"
[\"Theyfoughtandfellpell—mell，victorsandvanquished;norwasflightthoughtofbyeither。\"——AEneid，x。756。]
Theirbattlesweremuchbetterdisputed。Nowadaystherearenothingbutrouts:
\"Primusclamoratqueimpetusremdecernit。\"
[\"Thefirstshoutandchargedecidesthebusiness。\"——Livy，xxv。41。]
Andthemeanswechoosetomakeuseofinsogreatahazardshouldbeasmuchaspossibleatourowncommand:whereforeIshouldadvisetochooseweaponsoftheshortestsort，andsuchofwhichweareabletogivethebestaccount。Amanmayreposemoreconfidenceinaswordheholdsinhishandthaninabullethedischargesoutofapistol，whereintheremustbeaconcurrenceofseveralcircumstancestomakeitperformitsoffice，thepowder，thestone，andthewheel:ifanyofwhichfailitendangersyourfortune。Amanhimselfstrikesmuchsurerthantheaircandirecthisblow:
\"Et，quoferrevelint，permitterevulneraventisEnsishabetvires;etgensquaecumquevirorumest，Bellageritgladiis。\"
[\"Andsowheretheychoosetocarry[thearrows]，thewindsallowthewounds;theswordhasstrengthofarm:andwhatevernationofmenthereis，theywagewarwithswords。\"——Lucan，viii。384。]
ButofthatweaponIshallspeakmorefullywhenIcometocomparethearmsoftheancientswiththoseofmodernuse;only，bytheway，theastonishmentoftheearabated，whicheveryonegrowsfamiliarwithinashorttime，Ilookuponitasaweaponofverylittleexecution，andhopeweshallonedaylayitaside。ThatmissileweaponwhichtheItaliansformerlymadeuseofbothwithfireandbyslingwasmuchmoreterrible:
theycalledacertainkindofjavelin，armedatthepointwithanironthreefeetlong，thatitmightpiercethroughandthroughanarmedman，Phalarica，whichtheysometimesinthefielddartedbyhand，sometimesfromseveralsortsofenginesforthedefenceofbeleagueredplaces;theshaftbeingrolledroundwithflax，wax，rosin，oil，andothercombustiblematter，tookfireinitsflight，andlightinguponthebodyofamanorhistarget，tookawayalltheuseofarmsandlimbs。Andyet，comingtoclosefight，Ishouldthinktheywouldalsodamagetheassailant，andthatthecampbeingasitwereplantedwiththeseflamingtruncheons，wouldproduceacommoninconveniencetothewholecrowd:
\"MagnumstridenscontortaPhalaricavenit，Fulminisactamodo。\"
[\"ThePhalarica，launchedlikelightning，fliesthroughtheairwithaloudrushingsound。\"——AEneid，ix。705。]
Theyhad，moreover，otherdeviceswhichcustommadethemperfectin（whichseemincredibletouswhohavenotseenthem），bywhichtheysuppliedtheeffectsofourpowderandshot。Theydartedtheirspearswithsogreatforce，asofttimestotransfixtwotargetsandtwoarmedmenatonce，andpinthemtogether。Neitherwastheeffectoftheirslingslesscertainofexecutionorofshortercarriage:
[\"Cullingroundstonesfromthebeachfortheirslings;andwiththesepractisingoverthewaves，soasfromagreatdistancetothrowwithinaverysmallcircuit，theybecameablenotonlytowoundanenemyinthehead，buthitanyotherpartatpleasure。\"
——Livy，xxxviii。29。]
Theirpiecesofbatteryhadnotonlytheexecutionbutthethunderofourcannonalso:
\"Adictusmoeniumcumterribilisonitueditos，pavorettrepidatiocepit。\"
[\"Atthebatteryofthewalls，performedwithaterriblenoise，thedefendersbegantofearandtremble。\"——Idem，ibid。，5。]
TheGauls，ourkinsmeninAsia，abominatedthesetreacherousmissilearms，itbeingtheirusetofight，withgreaterbravery，handtohand:
[\"Theyarenotsomuchconcernedaboutlargegashes—thebiggeranddeeperthewound，themoregloriousdotheyesteemthecombatbutwhentheyfindthemselvestormentedbysomearrow—headorbulletlodgedwithin，butpresentinglittleoutwardshowofwound，transportedwithshameandangertoperishbysoimperceptibleadestroyer，theyfalltotheground。\"———Livy，xxxviii。21。]
Aprettydescriptionofsomethingverylikeanarquebuse—shot。ThetenthousandGreeksintheirlongandfamousretreatmetwithanationwhoverymuchgalledthemwithgreatandstrongbows，carryingarrowssolongthat，takingthemup，onemightreturnthembacklikeadart，andwiththempierceabucklerandanarmedmanthroughandthrough。Theengines，thatDionysiusinventedatSyracusetoshootvastmassydartsandstonesofaprodigiousgreatnesswithsogreatimpetuosityandatsogreatadistance，cameveryneartoourmoderninventions。
Butinthisdiscourseofhorsesandhorsemanship，wearenottoforgetthepleasantpostureofoneMaistrePierrePol，adoctorofdivinity，uponhismule，whomMonstreletreportsalwaystohaveriddensidewaysthroughthestreetsofParislikeawoman。Hesaysalso，elsewhere，thattheGasconshadterriblehorses，thatwouldwheelintheirfullspeed，whichtheFrench，Picards，Flemings，andBrabanterslookeduponasamiracle，\"havingneverseenthelikebefore，\"whicharehisverywords。
Caesar，speakingoftheSuabians:\"inthechargestheymakeonhorseback，\"sayshe，\"theyoftenthrowthemselvesofftofightonfoot，havingtaughttheirhorsesnottostirinthemeantimefromtheplace，towhichtheypresentlyrunagainuponoccasion;andaccordingtotheircustom，nothingissounmanlyandsobaseastousesaddlesorpads，andtheydespisesuchasmakeuseofthoseconveniences:insomuchthat，beingbutaveryfewinnumber，theyfearnottoattackagreatmany。\"ThatwhichIhaveformerlywonderedat，toseeahorsemadetoperformallhisairswithaswitchonlyandthereinsuponhisneck，wascommonwiththeMassilians，whoridtheirhorseswithoutsaddleorbridle:
\"Etgens，quaenudoresidensMassyliadorso，Oraleviflectit，fraenorumnescia，virga。\"
[\"TheMassylians，mountedonthebarebacksoftheirhorses，bridleless，guidethembyamereswitch。\"——Lucan，iv。682。]
\"EtNumidaeinfraenicingunt。\"
[\"TheNumidiansguidingtheirhorseswithoutbridles。\"
——AEneid，iv。41。]
\"Equisinefraenis，deformisipsecursus，rigidacerviceetextentocapitecurrentium。\"
[\"Thecareerofahorsewithoutabridleisungraceful;theneckextendedstiff，andthenosethrustout。\"——Livy，xxxv。II。]
KingAlfonso，——[AlfonsoXI。，kingofLeonandCastile，died1350。]——
hewhofirstinstitutedtheOrderoftheBandorScarfinSpain，amongstotherrulesoftheorder，gavethemthis，thattheyshouldneverridemuleormulet，uponpenaltyofamarkofsilver;thisIhadlatelyoutofGuevara’sLetters。WhoevergavethesethetitleofGoldenEpistleshadanotherkindofopinionofthemthanIhave。TheCourtiersays，thattillhistimeitwasadisgracetoagentlemantorideononeofthesecreatures:buttheAbyssinians，onthecontrary，thenearertheyaretothepersonofPresterJohn，lovetobemounteduponlargemules，forthegreatestdignityandgrandeur。
Xenophontellsus，thattheAssyrianswerefaintokeeptheirhorsesfetteredinthestable，theyweresofierceandvicious;andthatitrequiredsomuchtimetolooseandharnessthem，thattoavoidanydisorderthistediouspreparationmightbringuponthemincaseofsurprise，theyneversatdownintheircamptillitwasfirstwellfortifiedwithditchesandramparts。HisCyrus，whowassogreatamasterinallmannerofhorseservice，kepthishorsestotheirduework，andneversufferedthemtohaveanythingtoeattillfirsttheyhadearneditbythesweatofsomekindofexercise。TheScythianswheninthefieldandinscarcityofprovisionsusedtolettheirhorsesblood，whichtheydrank，andsustainedthemselvesbythatdiet:
\"VenitetepotoSarmatapastusequo。\"
[\"TheScythiancomes，whofeedsonhorse—flesh\"
——Martial，DeSpectaculisLibey，Epigr。iii。4。]
ThoseofCrete，beingbesiegedbyMetellus，wereinsogreatnecessityfordrinkthattheywerefaintoquenchtheirthirstwiththeirhorsesurine。——[Val。Max。，vii。6，ext。1。]
ToshewhowmuchcheapertheTurkisharmiessupportthemselvesthanourEuropeanforces，’tissaidthatbesidesthesoldiersdrinknothingbutwaterandeatnothingbutriceandsaltfleshpulverised（ofwhicheveryonemayeasilycarryaboutwithhimamonth’sprovision），theyknowhowtofeeduponthebloodoftheirhorsesaswellastheMuscoviteandTartar，andsaltitfortheiruse。
Thesenew—discoveredpeopleoftheIndies[MexicoandYucatanD。W。]，whentheSpaniardsfirstlandedamongstthem，hadsogreatanopinionbothofthemenandhorses，thattheylookeduponthefirstasgodsandtheotherasanimalsennobledabovetheirnature;insomuchthataftertheyweresubdued，comingtothementosueforpeaceandpardon，andtobringthemgoldandprovisions，theyfailednottoofferofthesametothehorses，withthesamekindofharanguetothemtheyhadmadetotheothers:interpretingtheirneighingforalanguageoftruceandfriendship。
IntheotherIndies，torideuponanelephantwasthefirstandroyalplaceofhonour;thesecondtorideinacoachwithfourhorses;thethirdtorideuponacamel;andthelastandleasthonourtobecarriedordrawnbyonehorseonly。Someoneofourlatewriterstellsusthathehasbeenincountriesinthosepartswheretheyrideuponoxenwithpads，stirrups，andbridles，andverymuchattheirease。
QuintusFabiusMaximusRullianus，inabattlewiththeSamnites，seeinghishorse，afterthreeorfourcharges，hadfailedofbreakingintotheenemy’sbattalion，tookthiscourse，tomakethemunbridlealltheirhorsesandspurtheirhardest，sothathavingnothingtochecktheircareer，theymightthroughweaponsandmenopenthewaytohisfoot，whobythatmeansgavethemabloodydefeat。ThesamecommandwasgivenbyQuintusFulviusFlaccusagainsttheCeltiberians:
[\"Youwilldoyourbusinesswithgreateradvantageofyourhorses’
strength，ifyousendthemunbridledupontheenemy，asitisrecordedtheRomanhorsetotheirgreatgloryhaveoftendone;theirbitsbeingtakenoff，theychargedthroughandagainbackthroughtheenemy’srankswithgreatslaughter，breakingdownalltheirspears。\"——Idem，xl。40。]
TheDukeofMuscovywasancientlyobligedtopaythisreverencetotheTartars，thatwhentheysentanembassytohimhewentouttomeetthemonfoot，andpresentedthemwithagobletofmares’milk（abeverageofgreatestesteemamongstthem），andif，indrinking，adropfellbychanceupontheirhorse’smane，hewasboundtolickitoffwithhistongue。
ThearmythatBajazethadsentintoRussiawasoverwhelmedwithsodreadfulatempestofsnow，thattoshelterandpreservethemselvesfromthecold，manykilledandembowelledtheirhorses，tocreepintotheirbelliesandenjoythebenefitofthatvitalheat。Bajazet，afterthatfuriousbattlewhereinhewasoverthrownbyTamerlane，wasinahopefulwayofsecuringhisownpersonbythefleetnessofanArabianmarehehadunderhim，hadhenotbeenconstrainedtoletherdrinkherfillatthefordofariverinhisway，whichrenderedhersoheavyandindisposed，thathewasafterwardseasilyovertakenbythosethatpursuedhim。Theysay，indeed，thattoletahorsestaletakeshimoffhismettle，butastodrinking，Ishouldratherhavethoughtitwouldrefreshhim。
Croesus，marchinghisarmythroughcertainwastelandsnearSardis，metwithaninfinitenumberofserpents，whichthehorsesdevouredwithgreatappetite，andwhichHerodotussayswasaprodigyofominousportenttohisaffairs。
Wecallahorseentire，thathashismaneandearsso，andnootherwillpassmuster。TheLacedaemonians，havingdefeatedtheAtheniansinSicily，returningtriumphantfromthevictoryintothecityofSyracuse，amongstotherinsolences，causedallthehorsestheyhadtakentobeshornandledintriumph。AlexanderfoughtwithanationcalledDahas，whosedisciplineitwastomarchtwoandtwotogetherarmedononehorse，tothewar;andbeinginfight，oneofthemalighted，andsotheyfoughtonhorsebackandonfoot，oneafteranotherbyturns。
IdonotthinkthatforgracefulridinganynationintheworldexcelstheFrench。Agoodhorseman，accordingtoourwayofspeaking，seemsrathertohaverespecttothecourageofthemanthanaddressinriding。
OfallthateverIsaw，themostknowinginthatart，whohadthebestseatandthebestmethodinbreakinghorses，wasMonsieurdeCarnavalet，whoservedourKingHenryII。
Ihaveseenamanridewithbothhisfeetuponthesaddle，takeoffhissaddle，andathisreturntakeitupagainandreplaceit，ridingallthewhilefullspeed;havinggallopedoveracap，makeatitverygoodshotsbackwardswithhisbow;takeupanythingfromtheground，settingonefootonthegroundandtheotherinthestirrup:withtwentyotherape’stricks，whichhegothislivingby。
TherehasbeenseeninmytimeatConstantinopletwomenupononehorse，who，intheheightofitsspeed，wouldthrowthemselvesoffandintothesaddleagainbyturn;andonewhobridledandsaddledhishorsewithnothingbuthisteeth;anotherwhobetwixttwohorses，onefootupononesaddleandtheotheruponanother，carryingtheothermanuponhisshoulders，wouldridefullcareer，theotherstandingboltuprightuponandmakingverygoodshotswithhisbow;severalwhowouldridefullspeedwiththeirheelsupward，andtheirheadsuponthesaddlebetwixtseveralscimitars，withthepointsupwards，fixedintheharness。WhenI
wasaboy，theprinceofSulmona，ridinganunbrokenhorseatNaples，pronetoallsortsofaction，heldreals——[AsmallcoinofSpain，theTwoSicilies，&c。]——underhiskneesandtoes，asiftheyhadbeennailedthere，toshewthefirmnessofhisseat。
CHAPTERXLIX
OFANCIENTCUSTOMS
Ishouldwillinglypardonourpeopleforadmittingnootherpatternorruleofperfectionthantheirownpeculiarmannersandcustoms;for’tisacommonvice，notofthevulgaronly，butalmostofallmen，towalkinthebeatenroadtheirancestorshavetrodbeforethem。Iamcontent，whentheyseeFabriciusorLaelius，thattheylookupontheircountenanceandbehaviourasbarbarous，seeingtheyareneitherclothednorfashionedaccordingtoourmode。ButIfindfaultwiththeirsingularindiscretioninsufferingthemselvestobesoblindedandimposeduponbytheauthorityofthepresentusageaseverymonthtoaltertheiropinion，ifcustomsorequire，andthattheyshouldsovarytheirjudgmentintheirownparticularconcern。Whentheyworethebuskoftheirdoubletsupashighastheirbreasts，theystifflymaintainedthattheywereintheirproperplace;someyearsafteritwasslippeddownbetwixttheirthighs，andthentheycouldlaughattheformerfashionasuneasyandintolerable。Thefashionnowinusemakesthemabsolutelycondemntheothertwowithsogreatresolutionandsouniversalconsent，thatamanwouldthinktherewasacertainkindofmadnesscreptinamongstthem，thatinfatuatestheirunderstandingstothisstrangedegree。Now，seeingthatourchangeoffashionsissopromptandsudden，thattheinventionsofallthetailorsintheworldcannotfurnishoutnewwhim—whamsenowtofeedourvanitywithal，therewilloftenbeanecessitythatthedespisedformsmustagaincomeinvogue，theseimmediatelyafterfallintothesamecontempt;andthatthesamejudgmentmust，inthespaceoffifteenortwentyyears，takeuphalf—a—dozennotonlydiversbutcontraryopinions，withanincrediblelightnessandinconstancy;thereisnotanyofussodiscreet，whosuffersnothimselftobegulledwiththiscontradiction，andbothinexternalandinternalsighttobeinsensiblyblinded。
IwishtomusterupheresomeoldcustomsthatIhaveinmemory，someofthemthesamewithours，theothersdifferent，totheendthat，bearinginmindthiscontinualvariationofhumanthings，wemayhaveourjudgmentmoreclearlyandfirmlysettled。
ThethinginuseamongstusoffightingwithrapierandcloakwasinpracticeamongsttheRomansalso:
\"Sinistrassagisinvolvunt，gladiosquedistringunt，\"
[\"Theywrapttheircloaksupontheleftarm，anddrewtheirswords。\"——DeBelloCivili，i。75。]
saysCaesar;andheobservesaviciouscustomofournation，thatcontinuesyetamongstus，whichistostoppassengerswemeetupontheroad，tocompelthemtogiveanaccountwhotheyare，andtotakeitforanaffrontandjustcauseofquarreliftheyrefusetodoit。
AttheBaths，whichtheancientsmadeuseofeverydaybeforetheywenttodinner，andasfrequentlyaswewashourhands，theyatfirstonlybathedtheirarmsandlegs;butafterwards，andbyacustomthathascontinuedformanyagesinmostnationsoftheworld，theybathedstarknakedinmixedandperfumedwater，lookinguponitasagreatsimplicitytobatheinmerewater。Themostdelicateandaffectedperfumedthemselvesalloverthreeorfourtimesaday。Theyoftencausedtheirhairtobepinchedoff，asthewomenofFrancehavesometimesincetakenupacustomtodotheirforeheads，\"Quodpectus，quodcruratibi，quodbrachiaveilis，\"
[\"Youpluckthehairsoutofyourbreast，yourarms，andthighs。\"
——Martial，ii。62，i。]
thoughtheyhadointmentsproperforthatpurpose:
\"Psilotronitet，autacidslatetoblitacreta。\"
[\"Sheshineswithunguents，orwithchalkdissolvedinvinegar。\"
——Idem，vi。93，9。]
Theydelightedtoliesoft，andallegeditasagreattestimonyofhardinesstolieuponamattress。Theyatelyinguponbeds，muchafterthemanneroftheTurksinthisage:
\"IndethoropaterAEneassicorsusabalto。\"
[\"ThusFatherAEneas，fromhishighbedofstate，spoke。\"
——AEneid，ii。2。]
And’tissaidoftheyoungerCato，thatafterthebattleofPharsalia，beingenteredintoamelancholydispositionattheillpostureofthepublicaffairs，hetookhisrepastsalwayssitting，assumingastrictandausterecourseoflife。Itwasalsotheircustomtokissthehandsofgreatpersons;themoretohonourandcaressthem。Andmeetingwithfriends，theyalwayskissedinsalutation，asdotheVenetians:
\"Gratatusquedaremcumdulcibusosculaverbis。\"
[\"AndkindestwordsIwouldminglewithkisses。\"
——Ovid，DePont。，iv。9，13]
Inpetitioningorsalutinganygreatman，theyusedtolaytheirhandsuponhisknees。Pasiclesthephilosopher，brotherofCrates，insteadoflayinghishanduponthekneelaiditupontheprivateparts，andbeingroughlyrepulsedbyhimtowhomhemadethatindecentcompliment:
\"What，\"saidhe，\"isnotthatpartyourownaswellastheother？\"——
[DiogenesLaertius，vi。89。]——Theyusedtoeatfruit，aswedo，afterdinner。Theywipedtheirfundaments（lettheladies，iftheyplease，minceitsmaller）withasponge，whichisthereasonthat’spongia’isasmuttywordinLatin;whichspongewasfastenedtotheendofastick，asappearsbythestoryofhimwho，ashewasledalongtobethrowntothewildbeastsinthesightofthepeople，askingleavetodohisbusiness，andhavingnootherwaytodespatchhimself，forcedthespongeandstickdownhisthroatandchokedhimself。——[Seneca，Ep。，70。]Theyusedtowipe，aftercoition，withperfumedwool:
\"Attibinilfaciam;sedIotamentulalana。\"
TheyhadinthestreetsofRomevesselsandlittletubsforpassengerstourinein:
\"Pusisaepelacumpropterse，acdoliacurta。\"
Somnodevincti，creduntextollerevestem。\"
[\"Thelittleboysintheirsleepoftenthinktheyarenearthepublicurinal，andraisetheircoatstomakeuseofit。\"
——Lucretius，iv。]
Theyhadcollationbetwixtmeals，andhadinsummercellarsofsnowtocooltheirwine;andsometherewerewhomadeuseofsnowinwinter，notthinkingtheirwinecoolenough，evenatthatcoldseasonoftheyear。
Themenofqualityhadtheircupbearersandcarvers，andtheirbuffoonstomakethemsport。Theyhadtheirmeatservedupinwinteruponchafingdishes，whichweresetuponthetable，andhadportablekitchens（ofwhichImyselfhaveseensome）whereinalltheirservicewascarriedaboutwiththem:
\"Hasvobisepulashabete，lautiNosoffendimurambulantecaena。\"
[\"Doyou，ifyouplease，esteemthesefeasts:wedonotliketheambulatorysuppers。\"——Martial，vii。48，4。]
Insummertheyhadacontrivancetobringfreshandclearrillsthroughtheirlowerrooms，whereinweregreatstoreoflivingfish，whichthegueststookoutwiththeirownhandstobedressedeverymanaccordingtohisownliking。Fishhaseverhadthispre—eminence，andkeepsitstill，thatthegrandees，astothem，allpretendtobecooks;andindeedthetasteismoredelicatethanthatofflesh，atleasttomyfancy。Butinallsortsofmagnificence，debauchery，andvoluptuousinventionsofeffeminacyandexpense，wedo，intruth，allwecantoparallelthem;
forourwillsareascorruptastheirs:butwewantabilitytoequalthem。Ourforceisnomoreabletoreachthemintheirvicious，thanintheirvirtuous，qualities，forboththeoneandtheotherproceededfromavigourofsoulwhichwaswithoutcomparisongreaterinthemthaninus;
andsouls，byhowmuchtheweakertheyare，bysomuchhavetheylesspowertodoeitherverywellorveryill。
Thehighestplaceofhonouramongstthemwasthemiddle。Thenamegoingbefore，orfollowingafter，eitherinwritingorspeaking，hadnosignificationofgrandeur，asisevidentbytheirwritings;theywillassoonsayOppiusandCaesar，asCaesarandOppius;andmeandthee，astheeandme。ThisisthereasonthatmademeformerlytakenoticeinthelifeofFlaminius，inourFrenchPlutarch，ofonepassage，whereitseemsasiftheauthor，speakingofthejealousyofhonourbetwixttheAEtoliansandRomans，aboutthewinningofabattletheyhadwiththeirjoinedforcesobtained，madeitofsomeimportance，thatintheGreeksongstheyhadputtheAEtoliansbeforetheRomans:iftherebenoamphibologyinthewordsoftheFrenchtranslation。
Theladies，intheirbaths，madenoscrupleofadmittingmenamongstthem，andmoreovermadeuseoftheirserving—mentorubandanointthem:
\"InguinasuccinctusnigritibiservusalutaStat，quotiescalidisnudafoverisaquis。\"
[\"Aslave——hismiddlegirdedwithablackapron——standsbeforeyou，when，naked，youtakeahotbath。\"——Martial，vii。35，i。]
Theyallpowderedthemselveswithacertainpowder，tomoderatetheirsweats。
TheancientGauls，saysSidoniusApollinaris，woretheirhairlongbeforeandthehinderpartoftheheadshaved，afashionthatbeginstoreviveinthisviciousandeffeminateage。
TheRomansusedtopaythewatermentheirfareattheirfirststeppingintotheboat，whichweneverdotillafterlanding:
\"Dumaesexigitur，dummulaligatur，Totaabithora。\"
[\"Whilstthefare’spaying，andthemuleisbeingharnessed，awholehour’stimeispast。\"——Horace，Sat。i。5，13。]
Thewomenusedtolieonthesideofthebednextthewall:andforthatreasontheycalledCaesar，\"SpondamregisNicomedis，\"
[\"ThebedofKingNicomedes。\"——Suetonius，LifeofCaesar，49。]
Theytookbreathintheirdrinking，andwateredtheirwine\"QuispuerociusRestinguetardentisFalerniPoculapraetereuntelympha？\"
[\"WhatboywillquicklycomeandcooltheheatoftheFalernianwinewithclearwater？\"——Horace，Od。，ii。z，18。]
Andtheroguishlooksandgesturesofourlackeyswerealsoinuseamongstthem:
OJane，atergoquernnullsciconiapinsit，Necmanus，auriculasimitariestmobilisalbas，Neclingua，quantumsitiatcanisAppula，tantum。\"
[\"OJanus，whomnocrookedfingers，simulatingastork，peckatbehindyourback，whomnoquickhandsderidebehindyou，byimitatingthemotionofthewhiteearsoftheass，againstwhomnomockingtongueisthrustout，asthetongueofthethirstyApuliandog。\"——Persius，i。58。]
TheArgianandRomanladiesmournedinwhite，asoursdidformerlyandshoulddostill，wereItogoverninthispoint。Buttherearewholebooksonthissubject。
CHAPTERL
OFDEMOCRITUSANDHERACLITUS
Thejudgmentisanutensilproperforallsubjects，andwillhaveanoarineverything:whichisthereason，thatintheseEssaysItakeholdofalloccasionswhere，thoughithappentobeasubjectIdonotverywellunderstand，Itry，however，soundingitatadistance，andfindingittoodeepformystature，Ikeepmeontheshore;andthisknowledgethatamancanproceednofurther，isoneeffectofitsvirtue，yes，oneofthoseofwhichitismostproud。Onewhileinanidleandfrivoloussubject，Itrytofindoutmatterwhereoftocomposeabody，andthentopropandsupportit;anotherwhile，Iemployitinanoblesubject，onethathasbeentossedandtumbledbyathousandhands，whereinamancanscarcepossiblyintroduceanythingofhisown，thewaybeingsobeatenoneverysidethathemustofnecessitywalkinthestepsofanother:insuchacase，’tistheworkofthejudgmenttotakethewaythatseemsbest，andofathousandpaths，todeterminethatthisorthatisthebest。Ileavethechoiceofmyargumentstofortune，andtakethatshefirstpresentstome;theyareallaliketome，Ineverdesigntogothroughanyofthem;forIneverseeallofanything:neitherdotheywhosolargelypromisetoshowitothers。Ofahundredmembersandfacesthateverythinghas，Itakeone，onewhiletolookitoveronly，anotherwhiletorippleuptheskin，andsometimestopinchittothebones:I
giveastab，notsowidebutasdeepasIcan，andamforthemostparttemptedtotakeitinhandbysomenewlightIdiscoverinit。DidI
knowmyselfless，Imightperhapsventuretohandlesomethingorothertothebottom，andtobedeceivedinmyowninability;butsprinklinghereonewordandthereanother，patternscutfromseveralpiecesandscatteredwithoutdesignandwithoutengagingmyselftoofar，Iamnotresponsibleforthem，orobligedtokeepclosetomysubject，withoutvaryingatmyownlibertyandpleasure，andgivingupmyselftodoubtanduncertainty，andtomyowngoverningmethod，ignorance。
Allmotiondiscoversus:theverysamesoulofCaesar，thatmadeitselfsoconspicuousinmarshallingandcommandingthebattleofPharsalia，wasalsoseenassolicitousandbusyinthesofteraffairsofloveandleisure。Amanmakesajudgmentofahorse，notonlybyseeinghimwhenheisshowingoffhispaces，butbyhisverywalk，nay，andbyseeinghimstandinthestable。