第37章
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  Ihavenomoremademybookthanmybookhasmademe:’tisabookconsubstantialwiththeauthor,ofapeculiardesign,aparcelofmylife,andwhosebusinessisnotdesignedforothers,asthatofallotherbooksis。Ingivingmyselfsocontinualandsoexactanaccountofmyself,haveIlostmytime?Fortheywhosometimescursorilysurveythemselvesonly,donotsostrictlyexaminethemselves,norpenetratesodeep,ashewhomakesithisbusiness,hisstudy,andhisemployment,whointendsalastingrecord,withallhisfidelity,andwithallhisforce:

  Themostdeliciouspleasuresdigestedwithin,avoidleavinganytraceofthemselves,andavoidthesightnotonlyofthepeople,butofanyotherperson。Howoftenhasthisworkdivertedmefromtroublesomethoughts?

  andallthatarefrivolousshouldbereputedso。Naturehaspresenteduswithalargefacultyofentertainingourselvesalone;andoftencallsustoit,toteachusthatweoweourselvesinparttosociety,butchieflyandmostlytoourselves。ThatImayhabituatemyfancyeventomeditateinsomemethodandtosomeend,andtokeepitfromlosingitselfandrovingatrandom,’tisbuttogivetobodyandtorecordallthelittlethoughtsthatpresentthemselvestoit。Igiveeartomywhimsies,becauseIamtorecordthem。Itoftenfallsout,thatbeingdispleasedatsomeactionthatcivilityandreasonwillnotpermitmeopenlytoreprove,Iheredisgorgemyself,notwithoutdesignofpublicinstruction:andalsothesepoeticallashes,\"Zonzurl’oeil,ionsurlegroin,ZonzurledosduSagoin,\"

  [\"Aslaponhiseye,aslaponhissnout,aslaponSagoin’sback。\"——Marot。Fripelippes,ValetdeMarotaSagoin。]

  imprintthemselvesbetteruponpaperthanupontheflesh。WhatifI

  listentobooksalittlemoreattentivelythanordinary,sinceIwatchifIcanpurloinanythingthatmayadornorsupportmyown?Ihavenotatallstudiedtomakeabook;butIhaveinsomesortstudiedbecauseIhadmadeit;ifitbestudyingtoscratchandpinchnowoneauthor,andthenanother,eitherbytheheadorfoot,notwithanydesigntoformopinionsfromthem,buttoassist,second,andfortifythoseIalreadyhaveembraced。Butwhomshallwebelieveinthereporthemakesofhimselfinsocorruptanage?consideringtherearesofew,if,anyatall,whomwecanbelievewhenspeakingofothers,wherethereislessinteresttolie。

  Thefirstthingdoneinthecorruptionofmannersisbanishingtruth;

  for,asPindarsays,tobetrueisthebeginningofagreatvirtue,andthefirstarticlethatPlatorequiresinthegovernorofhisRepublic。

  Thetruthofthesedaysisnotthatwhichreallyis,butwhateverymanpersuadesanothermantobelieve;aswegenerallygivethenameofmoneynotonlytopiecesofthedustalloy,buteventothefalsealso,iftheywillpass。Ournationhaslongbeenreproachedwiththisvice;forSalvianusofMarseilles,wholivedinthetimeoftheEmperorValentinian,saysthatlyingandforswearingthemselvesiswiththeFrenchnotavice,butawayofspeaking。Hewhowouldenhancethistestimony,mightsaythatitisnowavirtueinthem;menformandfashionthemselvestoitastoanexerciseofhonour;fordissimulationisoneofthemostnotablequalitiesofthisage。

  Ihaveoftenconsideredwhencethiscustomthatwesoreligiouslyobserveshouldspring,ofbeingmorehighlyoffendedwiththereproachofavicesofamiliartousthanwithanyother,andthatitshouldbethehighestinsultthatcaninwordsbedoneustoreproachuswithalie。Uponexamination,Ifindthatitisnaturalmosttodefendthedefectswithwhichwearemosttainted。Itseemsasifbyresentingandbeingmovedattheaccusation,weinsomesortacquitourselvesofthefault;thoughwehaveitineffect,wecondemnitinoutwardappearance。Mayitnotalsobethatthisreproachseemstoimplycowardiceandfeeblenessofheart?ofwhichcantherebeamoremanifestsignthantoeataman’sownwords——nay,tolieagainstaman’sownknowledge?Lyingisabasevice;

  avicethatoneoftheancientsportraysinthemostodiouscolourswhenhesays,\"thatitistomanifestacontemptofGod,andwithalafearofmen。\"Itisnotpossiblemorefullytorepresentthehorror,baseness,andirregularityofit;forwhatcanamanimaginemorehatefulandcontemptiblethantobeacowardtowardsmen,andvaliantagainsthisMaker?Ourintelligencebeingbynootherwaycommunicabletooneanotherbutbyaparticularword,hewhofalsifiesthatbetrayspublicsociety。’Tistheonlywaybywhichwecommunicateourthoughtsandwills;’tistheinterpreterofthesoul,andifitdeceiveus,wenolongerknownorhavefurthertieupononeanother;ifthatdeceiveus,itbreaksallourcorrespondence,anddissolvesallthetiesofgovernment。

  CertainnationsofthenewlydiscoveredIndies(Ineednotgivethemnames,seeingtheyarenomore;for,bywonderfulandunheardofexample,thedesolationofthatconquesthasextendedtotheutterabolitionofnamesandtheancientknowledgeofplaces)offeredtotheirgodshumanblood,butonlysuchaswasdrawnfromthetongueandears,toexpiateforthesinoflying,aswellheardaspronounced。ThatgoodfellowofGreece——[Plutarch,LifeofLysander,c。4。]——saidthatchildrenareamusedwithtoysandmenwithwords。

  Astoourdiverseusagesofgivingthelie,andthelawsofhonourinthatcase,andthealterationtheyhavereceived,IdefersayingwhatI

  knowofthemtoanothertime,andshalllearn,ifIcan,inthemeanwhile,atwhattimethecustomtookbeginningofsoexactlyweighingandmeasuringwords,andofmakingourhonourinterestedinthem;foritiseasytojudgethatitwasnotancientlyamongsttheRomansandGreeks。

  Andithasoftenseemedtomestrangetoseethemrailatandgiveoneanothertheliewithoutanyquarrel。Theirlawsofdutysteeredsomeothercoursethanours。Caesarissometimescalledthief,andsometimesdrunkard,tohisteeth。Weseethelibertyofinvectivetheypractisedupononeanother,Imeanthegreatestchiefsofwarofbothnations,wherewordsareonlyrevengedwithwords,anddonotproceedanyfarther。

  CHAPTERXIX

  OFLIBERTYOFCONSCIENCE

  ’Tisusualtoseegoodintentions,ifcarriedonwithoutmoderation,pushmenontoveryviciouseffects。InthisdisputewhichhasatthistimeengagedFranceinacivilwar,thebetterandthesoundestcausenodoubtisthatwhichmaintainstheancientreligionandgovernmentofthekingdom。Nevertheless,amongstthegoodmenofthatparty(forIdonotspeakofthosewhoonlymakeapretenceofit,eithertoexecutetheirownparticularrevengesortogratifytheiravarice,ortoconciliatethefavourofprinces,butofthosewhoengageinthequarreloutoftruezealtoreligionandaholydesiretomaintainthepeaceandgovernmentoftheircountry),ofthese,Isay,weseemanywhompassiontransportsbeyondtheboundsofreason,andsometimesinspireswithcounselsthatareunjustandviolent,and,moreover,rash。

  Itiscertainthatinthosefirsttimes,whenourreligionbegantogainauthoritywiththelaws,zealarmedmanyagainstallsortsofpaganbooks,bywhichthelearnedsufferedanexceedinggreatloss,adisorderthatIconceivetohavedonemoreprejudicetolettersthanalltheflamesofthebarbarians。OfthisCorneliusTacitusisaverygoodtestimony;forthoughtheEmperorTacitus,hiskinsman,had,byexpressorder,furnishedallthelibrariesintheworldwithit,neverthelessoneentirecopycouldnotescapethecuriousexaminationofthosewhodesiredtoabolishitforonlyfiveorsixidleclausesthatwerecontrarytoourbelief。

  Theyhadalsothetrickeasilytolendunduepraisestoalltheemperorswhomadeforus,anduniversallytocondemnalltheactionsofthosewhowereadversaries,asisevidentlymanifestintheEmperorJulian,surnamedtheApostate,[ThecharacteroftheEmperorJulianwascensured,whenMontaignewasatRomein1581,bytheMasteroftheSacredPalace,who,however,asMontaignetellsusinhisjournal(ii。35),referredittohisconsciencetoalterwhatheshouldthinkinbadtaste。ThisMontaignedidnotdo,andthischaptersuppliedVoltairewiththegreaterpartofthepraiseshebestowedupontheEmperor。——Leclerc。]

  whowas,intruth,averygreatandrareman,amaninwhosesoulphilosophywasimprintedinthebestcharacters,bywhichheprofessedtogovernallhisactions;and,intruth,thereisnosortofvirtueofwhichhehasnotleftbehindhimverynotableexamples:inchastity(ofwhichthewholeofhislifegavemanifestproof)wereadthesameofhimthatwassaidofAlexanderandScipio,thatbeingintheflowerofhisage,forhewasslainbytheParthiansatone—and—thirty,ofagreatmanyverybeautifulcaptives,hewouldnotsomuchaslookuponone。Astohisjustice,hetookhimselfthepainstoheartheparties,andalthoughhewouldoutofcuriosityinquirewhatreligiontheywereof,nevertheless,theantipathyhehadtooursnevergaveanycounterpoisetothebalance。Hemadehimselfseveralgoodlaws,andrepealedagreatpartofthesubsidiesandtaxesleviedbyhispredecessors。

  Wehavetwogoodhistorianswhowereeyewitnessesofhisactions:oneofwhom,Marcellinus,inseveralplacesofhishistorysharplyreprovesanedictofhiswherebyheinterdictedallChristianrhetoriciansandgrammarianstokeepschoolortoteach,andsayshecouldwishthatactofhishadbeenburiedinsilence:itisprobablethathadhedoneanymoreseverethingagainstus,he,soaffectionateashewastoourparty,wouldnothavepasseditoverinsilence。Hewasindeedsharpagainstus,butyetnocruelenemy;forourownpeopletellthisstoryofhim,thatoneday,walkingaboutthecityofChalcedon,Maris,bishopoftheplace;wassoboldastotellhimthathewasimpious,andanenemytoChrist,atwhich,theysay,hewasnofurthermovedthantoreply,\"Go,poorwretch,andlamentthelossofthyeyes,\"towhichthebishoprepliedagain,\"IthankJesusChristfortakingawaymysight,thatImaynotseethyimpudentvisage,\"affectinginthat,theysay,aphilosophicalpatience。Butthisactionofhisbearsnocomparisontothecrueltythatheissaidtohaveexercisedagainstus。\"Hewas,\"saysEutropius,myotherwitness,\"anenemytoChristianity,butwithoutputtinghishandtoblood。\"And,toreturntohisjustice,thereisnothinginthatwhereofhecanbeaccused,theseverityexceptedhepractisedinthebeginningofhisreignagainstthosewhohadfollowedthepartyofConstantius,hispredecessor。Astohissobriety,helivedalwaysasoldier—likelife;andobservedadietandroutine,likeonethatpreparedandinuredhimselftotheausteritiesofwar。Hisvigilancewassuch,thathedividedthenightintothreeorfourparts,ofwhichtheleastwasdedicatedtosleep;therestwasspenteitherinvisitingthestateofhisarmyandguardsinperson,orinstudy;foramongstotherrarequalities,hewasveryexcellentinallsortsoflearning。’TissaidofAlexandertheGreat,thatbeinginbed,forfearlestsleepshoulddiverthimfromhisthoughtsandstudies,hehadalwaysabasinsetbyhisbedside,andheldoneofhishandsoutwithaballofcopperinit,totheend,that,beginningtofallasleep,andhisfingersleavingtheirhold,theballbyfallingintothebasin,mightawakehim。

  Buttheotherhadhissoulsobentuponwhathehadamindtodo,andsolittledisturbedwithfumesbyreasonofhissingularabstinence,thathehadnoneedofanysuchinvention。Astohismilitaryexperience,hewasexcellentinallthequalitiesofagreatcaptain,asitwaslikelyheshould,beingalmostallhislifeinacontinualexerciseofwar,andmostofthattimewithusinFrance,againsttheGermansandFranks:wehardlyreadofanymanwhoeversawmoredangers,orwhomademorefrequentproofsofhispersonalvalour。

  HisdeathhassomethinginitparallelwiththatofEpaminondas,forhewaswoundedwithanarrow,andtriedtopullitout,andhaddoneso,butthat,beingedged,itcutanddisabledhishand。Heincessantlycalledoutthattheyshouldcarryhimagainintotheheatofthebattle,toencouragehissoldiers,whoverybravelydisputedthefightwithouthim,tillnightpartedthearmies。Hestoodobligedtohisphilosophyforthesingularcontempthehadforhislifeandallhumanthings。Hehadafirmbeliefoftheimmortalityofsouls。

  Inmatterofreligionhewaswrongthroughout,andwassurnamedtheApostateforhavingrelinquishedours:nevertheless,theopinionseemstomemoreprobable,thathehadneverthoroughlyembracedit,buthaddissembledoutofobediencetothelaws,tillhecametotheempire。

  Hewasinhisownsosuperstitious,thathewaslaughedatforitbythoseofhisowntime,ofthesameopinion,whojeeringlysaid,thathadhegotthevictoryovertheParthians,hehaddestroyedthebreedofoxenintheworldtosupplyhissacrifices。Hewas,moreover,besottedwiththeartofdivination,andgaveauthoritytoallsortsofpredictions。

  Hesaid,amongstotherthingsathisdeath,thathewasobligedtothegods,andthankedthem,inthattheywouldnotcuthimoffbysurprise,havinglongbeforeadvertisedhimoftheplaceandhourofhisdeath,norbyameanandunmanlydeath,morebecominglazyanddelicatepeople;norbyadeaththatwaslanguishing,long,andpainful;andthattheyhadthoughthimworthytodieafterthatnoblemanner,intheprogressofhisvictories,intheflowerofhisglory。HehadavisionlikethatofMarcusBrutus,thatfirstthreatenedhiminGaul,andafterwardappearedtohiminPersiajustbeforehisdeath。Thesewordsthatsomemakehimsaywhenhefelthimselfwounded:\"Thouhastovercome,Nazarene\";orasothers,\"Contentthyself,Nazarene\";wouldhardlyhavebeenomitted,hadtheybeenbelieved,bymywitnesses,who,beingpresentinthearmy,havesetdowntotheleastmotionsandwordsofhisend;nomorethancertainothermiraclesthatarereportedaboutit。

  Andtoreturntomysubject,helongnourished,saysMarcellinus,paganisminhisheart;butallhisarmybeingChristians,hedurstnotownit。Butintheend,seeinghimselfstrongenoughtodaretodiscoverhimself,hecausedthetemplesofthegodstobethrownopen,anddidhisuttermosttosetonfootandtoencourageidolatry。Whichthebettertoeffect,havingatConstantinoplefoundthepeopledisunited,andalsotheprelatesofthechurchdividedamongstthemselves,havingconvenedthemallbeforehim,heearnestlyadmonishedthemtocalmthosecivildissensions,andthateveryonemightfreely,andwithoutfear,followhisownreligion。Whichhethemoresedulouslysolicited,inhopethatthislicencewouldaugmenttheschismsandfactionsoftheirdivision,andhinderthepeoplefromreuniting,andconsequentlyfortifyingthemselvesagainsthimbytheirunanimousintelligenceandconcord;

  havingexperiencedbythecrueltyofsomeChristians,thatthereisnobeastintheworldsomuchtobefearedbymanasman;theseareverynearlyhiswords。

  Whereinthisisveryworthyofconsideration,thattheEmperorJulianmadeuseofthesamereceiptoflibertyofconsciencetoinflamethecivildissensionsthatourkingsdotoextinguishthem。Sothatamanmaysayononeside,thattogivethepeoplethereinstoentertaineverymanhisownopinion,istoscatterandsowdivision,and,asitwere,tolendahandtoaugmentit,therebeingnolegalimpedimentorrestrainttostoporhindertheircareer;but,ontheotherside,amanmayalsosay,thattogivethepeoplethereinstoentertaineverymanhisownopinion,istomollifyandappeasethembyfacilityandtoleration,andtodullthepointwhichiswhettedandmadesharperbysingularity,novelty,anddifficulty:andIthinkitisbetterforthehonourofthedevotionofourkings,thatnothavingbeenabletodowhattheywould,theyhavemadeashowofbeingwillingtodowhattheycould。

  CHAPTERXX

  THATWETASTENOTHINGPURE

  Thefeeblenessofourconditionissuchthatthingscannot,intheirnaturalsimplicityandpurity,fallintoouruse;theelementsthatweenjoyarechanged,andso’tiswithmetals;andgoldmustbedebasedwithsomeothermattertofititforourservice。Neitherhasvirtue,sosimpleasthatwhichAristo,Pyrrho,andalsotheStoics,madetheendoflife;northeCyrenaicandAristippicpleasure,beenwithoutmixtureusefultoit。Ofthepleasureandgoodsthatweenjoy,thereisnotoneexemptfromsomemixtureofillandinconvenience:

  \"Mediodefonteleporum,Surgitamarialiquid,quodinipsisfioribusangat。\"

  [\"Fromtheveryfountainofourpleasure,somethingrisesthatisbitter,whicheveninflowersdestroys。\"——Lucretius,iv。1130。]

  Ourextremestpleasurehassomesortofgroaningandcomplaininginit;

  wouldyounotsaythatitisdyingofpain?Nay,whenweframetheimageofitinitsfullexcellence,westuffitwithsicklyandpainfulepithetsandqualities,languor,softness,feebleness,faintness,’morbidezza’:agreattestimonyoftheirconsanguinityandconsubstantiality。Themostprofoundjoyhasmoreofseveritythangaiety,init。Thehighestandfullestcontentmentoffersmoreofthegravethanofthemerry:

  \"Ipsafelicitas,senisitemperat,premit。\"

  [\"Evenfelicity,unlessitmoderateitself,oppresses?

  ——Seneca,Ep。74。]

  Pleasurechewsandgrindsus;accordingtotheoldGreekverse,whichsaysthatthegodssellusallthegoodstheygiveus;thatistosay,thattheygiveusnothingpureandperfect,andthatwedonotpurchasebutatthepriceofsomeevil。

  Labourandpleasure,veryunlikeinnature,associate,nevertheless,byIknownotwhatnaturalconjunction。Socratessays,thatsomegodtriedtomixinonemassandtoconfoundpainandpleasure,butnotbeingabletodoit;hebethoughthimatleasttocouplethembythetail。

  Metrodorussaid,thatinsorrowthereissomemixtureofpleasure。I

  knownotwhetherornoheintendedanythingelsebythatsaying;butformypart,Iamofopinionthatthereisdesign,consent,andcomplacencyingivingaman’sselfuptomelancholy。Isay,thatbesidesambition,whichmayalsohaveastrokeinthebusiness,thereissomeshadowofdelightanddelicacywhichsmilesuponandflattersusevenintheverylapofmelancholy。Aretherenotsomeconstitutionsthatfeeduponit?

  \"Estquaedamflerevoluptas;\"

  [\"’Tisacertainkindofpleasuretoweep。\"

  ——Ovid,Trist。,iv。3,27。]

  andoneAttalusinSenecasays,thatthememoryofourlostfriendsisasgratefultous,asbitternessinwine,whentooold,istothepalate:

  \"Ministervetuli,puer,FalerniInger’micalicesamariores\"——

  [\"Boy,whenyoupouroutoldFalernianwine,thebitterestputintomybowl。\"——Catullus,xxvii。I。]

  andasapplesthathaveasweettartness。

  Naturediscoversthisconfusiontous;paintersholdthatthesamemotionsandgrimacesofthefacethatserveforweeping;serveforlaughtertoo;andindeed,beforetheoneortheotherbefinished,dobutobservethepainter’smannerofhandling,andyouwillbeindoubttowhichofthetwothedesigntends;andtheextremeoflaughterdoesatlastbringtears:

  \"Nullumsineauctoramentomalumest。\"

  [\"Noeviliswithoutitscompensation。\"——Seneca,Ep。,69。]

  WhenIimaginemanaboundingwithalltheconveniencesthataretobedesired(letusputthecasethatallhismemberswerealwaysseizedwithapleasurelikethatofgeneration,initsmostexcessiveheight)Ifeelhimmeltingundertheweightofhisdelight,andseehimutterlyunabletosupportsopure,socontinual,andsouniversalapleasure。Indeed,heisrunningawaywhilstheisthere,andnaturallymakeshastetoescape,asfromaplacewherehecannotstandfirm,andwhereheisafraidofsinking。

  WhenIreligiouslyconfessmyselftomyself,IfindthatthebestvirtueIhavehasinitsometinctureofvice;andIamafraidthatPlato,inhispurestvirtue(I,whoamassincereandloyalaloverofvirtueofthatstampasanyotherwhatever),ifhehadlistenedandlaidhisearclosetohimselfandhedidsonodoubt——wouldhaveheardsomejarringnoteofhumanmixture,butfaintandonlyperceptibletohimself。Maniswhollyandthroughoutbutpatchandmotley。Eventhelawsofjusticethemselvescannotsubsistwithoutmixtureofinjustice;insomuchthatPlatosays,theyundertaketocutoffthehydra’shead,whopretendtoclearthelawofallinconveniences:

  \"Omnemagnumexemplumhabetaliquidexiniquo,quodcontrasingulosutilitatepublicsrependitur,\"

  [\"Everygreatexamplehasinitsomemixtureofinjustice,whichrecompensesthewrongdonetoparticularmenbythepublicutility。\"

  ——Annals,xiv。44。]

  saysTacitus。

  Itislikewisetrue,thatfortheuseoflifeandtheserviceofpubliccommerce,theremaybesomeexcessesinthepurityandperspicacityofourminds;thatpenetratinglighthasinittoomuchofsubtletyandcuriosity:wemustalittlestupefyandbluntthemtorenderthemmoreobedienttoexampleandpractice,andalittleveilandobscurethem,thebettertoproportionthemtothisdarkandearthlylife。Andthereforecommonandlessspeculativesoulsarefoundtobemoreproperforandmoresuccessfulinthemanagementofaffairs,andtheelevatedandexquisiteopinionsofphilosophyunfitforbusiness。Thissharpvivacityofsoul,andthesuppleandrestlessvolubilityattendingit,disturbournegotiations。Wearetomanagehumanenterprisesmoresuperficiallyandroughly,andleaveagreatparttofortune;itisnotnecessarytoexamineaffairswithsomuchsubtletyandsodeep:amanloseshimselfintheconsiderationofmanycontrarylustres,andsomanyvariousforms:

  \"Volutantibusresintersepugnantes,obtorpuerunt……animi。\"

  [\"Whilsttheyconsideredofthingssoindifferentinthemselves,theywereastonished,andknewnotwhattodo。\"——Livy,xxxii。20。]

  ’TiswhattheancientssayofSimonides,thatbyreasonhisimaginationsuggestedtohim,uponthequestionKingHierohadputtohim——[WhatGodwas。——Cicero,DeNat。Deor。,i。22。]——(toanswerwhichhehadhadmanydaysforthought),severalsharpandsubtleconsiderations,whilsthedoubtedwhichwasthemostlikely,hetotallydespairedofthetruth。

  Hewhodivesintoandinhisinquisitioncomprehendsallcircumstancesandconsequences,hindershiselection:alittleenginewellhandledissufficientforexecutions,whetheroflessorgreaterweight。Thebestmanagersarethosewhocanworstgiveaccounthowtheyareso;whilethegreatesttalkers,forthemostpart,donothingtopurpose;Iknowoneofthissortofmen,andamostexcellentdiscourseruponallsortsofgoodhusbandry,whohasmiserablyletahundredthousandlivresyearlyrevenueslipthroughhishands;Iknowanotherwhotalks,whobetteradvisesthananymanofhiscounsel,andthereisnotintheworldafairershowofsoulandunderstandingthanhehas;nevertheless,whenhecomestothetest,hisservantsfindhimquiteanotherthing;nottomakeanymentionofhismisfortunes。

  CHAPTERXXI

  AGAINSTIDLENESS

  TheEmperorVespasian,beingsickofthediseasewhereofhedied,didnotforallthatneglecttoinquireafterthestateoftheempire,andeveninbedcontinuallydespatchedverymanyaffairsofgreatconsequence;forwhich,beingreprovedbyhisphysician,asathingprejudicialtohishealth,\"Anemperor,\"saidhe,\"mustdiestanding。\"Afinesaying,inmyopinion,andworthyagreatprince。TheEmperorAdriansincemadeuseofthesamewords,andkingsshouldbeoftenputinmindofthem,tomakethemknowthatthegreatofficeconferreduponthemofthecommandofsomanymen,isnotanemploymentofease;andthatthereisnothingcansojustlydisgustasubject,andmakehimunwillingtoexposehimselftolabouranddangerfortheserviceofhisprince,thantoseehim,inthemeantime,devotedtohiseaseandfrivolousamusement,andtobesolicitousofhispreservationwhosomuchneglectsthatofhispeople。

  Whoeverwilltakeuponhimtomaintainthat’tisbetterforaprincetocarryonhiswarsbyothers,thaninhisownperson,fortunewillfurnishhimwithexamplesenoughofthosewhoselieutenantshavebroughtgreatenterprisestoahappyissue,andofthosealsowhosepresencehasdonemorehurtthangood:butnovirtuousandvaliantprincecanwithpatienceenduresodishonourablecouncils。Undercolourofsavinghishead,likethestatueofasaint,forthehappinessofhiskingdom,theydegradehimfromanddeclarehimincapableofhisoffice,whichismilitarythroughout:Iknowone——[ProbablyHenryIV。]——whohadmuchratherbebeaten,thantosleepwhilstanotherfightsforhim;andwhoneverwithoutjealousyheardofanybravethingdoneevenbyhisownofficersinhisabsence。AndSolimanI。said,withverygoodreason,inmyopinion,thatvictoriesobtainedwithoutthemasterwerenevercomplete。

  Muchmorewouldhehavesaidthatthatmasteroughttoblushforshame,topretendtoanyshareinthehonour,havingcontributednothingtothework,buthisvoiceandthought;norevensomuchasthese,consideringthatinsuchworkasthat,thedirectionandcommandthatdeservehonourareonlysuchasaregivenuponthespot,andintheheatofthebusiness。Nopilotperformshisofficebystandingstill。TheprincesoftheOttomanfamily,thechiefestintheworldinmilitaryfortune,havewarmlyembracedthisopinion,andBajazetII。,withhisson,whoswervedfromit,spendingtheirtimeinscienceandotherretiredemployments,gavegreatblowstotheirempire;andAmurathIII。,nowreigning,followingtheirexample,beginstofindthesame。WasitnotEdwardIII。,KingofEngland,whosaidthisofourCharlesV。:\"Thereneverwaskingwhososeldomputonhisarmour,andyetneverkingwhogavemesomuchtodo。\"Hehadreasontothinkitstrange,asaneffectofchancemorethanofreason。Andletthoseseekoutsomeothertojoinwiththemthanme,whowillreckontheKingsofCastileandPortugalamongstthewarlikeandmagnanimousconquerors,becauseatthedistanceoftwelvehundredleaguesfromtheirlazyabode,bytheconductoftheircaptains,theymadethemselvesmastersofbothIndies;ofwhichithastobeknowniftheywouldhavehadeventhecouragetogoandinpersonenjoythem。

  TheEmperorJuliansaidyetfurther,thataphilosopherandabravemanoughtnotsomuchastobreathe;thatistosay,nottoallowanymoretobodilynecessitiesthanwhatwecannotrefuse;keepingthesoulandbodystillintentandbusyabouthonourable,great,andvirtuousthings。Hewasashamedifanyoneinpublicsawhimspit,orsweat(whichissaidbysome,also,oftheLacedaemonianyoungmen,andwhichXenophonsaysofthePersian),forasmuchasheconceivedthatexercise,continuallabour,andsobriety,oughttohavedriedupallthosesuperfluities。WhatSenecasayswillnotbeunfitforthisplace;whichis,thattheancientRomanskepttheiryouthalwaysstanding,andtaughtthemnothingthattheyweretolearnsitting。

  ’Tisagenerousdesiretowishtodieusefullyandlikeaman,buttheeffectliesnotsomuchinourresolutionasinourgoodfortune;athousandhaveproposedtothemselvesinbattle,eithertoovercomeortodie,whohavefailedbothintheoneandtheother,woundsandimprisonmentcrossingtheirdesignandcompellingthemtoliveagainsttheirwill。Therearediseasesthatoverthrowevenourdesires,andourknowledge。FortuneoughtnottosecondthevanityoftheRomanlegions,whoboundthemselvesbyoath,eithertoovercomeordie:

  \"Victor,MarceFabi,revertarexacie:sifallo,Jovempatrem,GradivumqueMartemaliosqueiratosinvocodeos。\"

  [\"Iwillreturn,MarcusFabius,aconqueror,fromthefight:

  andifIfail,IinvokeFatherJove,MarsGradivus,andtheotherangrygods。\"——Livy,ii。45。]

  ThePortuguesesaythatinacertainplaceoftheirconquestoftheIndies,theymetwithsoldierswhohadcondemnedthemselves,withhorribleexecrations,toenterintonoothercompositionbuteithertocausethemselvestobeslain,ortoremainvictorious;andhadtheirheadsandbeardsshavedintokenofthisvow。’Tistomuchpurposeforustohazardourselvesandtobeobstinate:itseemsasifblowsavoidedthosewhopresentthemselvestoobrisklytothem,anddonotwillinglyfalluponthosewhotoowillinglyseekthem,andsodefeatthemoftheirdesign。Suchtherehavebeen,who,afterhavingtriedallways,nothavingbeenablewithalltheirendeavourtoobtainthefavourofdyingbythehandoftheenemy,havebeenconstrained,tomakegoodtheirresolutionofbringinghomethehonourofvictoryoroflosingtheirlives,tokillthemselvesevenintheheatofbattle。Ofwhichthereareotherexamples,butthisisone:Philistus,generalofthenavalarmyofDionysiustheyoungeragainsttheSyracusans,presentedthembattlewhichwassharplydisputed,theirforcesbeingequal:inthisengagement,hehadthebetteratthefirst,throughhisownvalour:buttheSyracusansdrawingabouthisgallytoenvironhim,afterhavingdonegreatthingsinhisownpersontodisengagehimselfandhopingfornorelief,withhisownhandhetookawaythelifehehadsoliberally,andinvain,exposedtotheenemy。

  MuleMoloch,kingofFez,wholatelywonagainstSebastian,kingofPortugal,thebattlesofamousforthedeathofthreekings,andforthetransmissionofthatgreatkingdomtothecrownofCastile,wasextremelysickwhenthePortugueseenteredinanhostilemannerintohisdominions;

  andfromthatdayforwardgrewworseandworse,stilldrawingnearertoandforeseeinghisend;yetneverdidmanbetteremployhisownsufficiencymorevigorouslyandbravelythanhediduponthisoccasion。

  Hefoundhimselftooweaktoundergothepompandceremonyofentering。

  intohiscamp,whichaftertheirmannerisverymagnificent,andthereforeresignedthathonourtohisbrother;butthiswasalloftheofficeofageneralthatheresigned;alltherestofgreatestutilityandnecessityhemost,exactlyandgloriouslyperformedinhisownperson;hisbodylyinguponacouch,buthisjudgmentandcourageuprightandfirmtohislastgasp,andinsomesortbeyondit。Hemighthavewastedhisenemy,indiscreetlyadvancedintohisdominions,withoutstrikingablow;anditwasaveryunhappyoccurrence,thatforwantofalittlelifeorsomebodytosubstituteintheconductofthiswarandtheaffairsofatroubledstate,hewascompelledtoseekadoubtfulandbloodyvictory,havinganotherbyabetterandsurerwayalreadyinhishands。Notwithstanding,hewonderfullymanagedthecontinuanceofhissicknessinconsumingtheenemy,andindrawingthemfarfromtheassistanceofthenavyandtheportstheyhadonthecoastofAfrica,eventillthelastdayofhislife,whichhedesignedlyreservedforthisgreatbattle。Hearrangedhisbattalionsinacircularform,environingthePortuguesearmyoneveryside,whichroundcirclecomingtocloseinandtodrawupclosetogether,notonlyhinderedthemintheconflict(whichwasverysharpthroughthevalouroftheyounginvadingking),consideringthattheyhadeverywaytopresentafront,butpreventedtheirflightafterthedefeat,sothatfindingallpassagespossessedandshutupbytheenemy,theywereconstrainedtocloseuptogetheragain:

  \"Coacerventurquenonsolumcaede,sedetiamfuga,\"

  [\"Piledupnotonlyinslaughterbutinflight。\"]

  andtheretheywereslaininheapsupononeanother,leavingtotheconqueroraverybloodyandentirevictory。Dying,hecausedhimselftobecarriedandhurriedfromplacetoplacewheremostneedwas,andpassingalongthefiles,encouragedthecaptainsandsoldiersoneafteranother;butacornerofhismainbattalionsbeingbroken,hewasnottobeheldfrommountingonhorsebackwithhisswordinhishand;hedidhisutmosttobreakfromthoseabouthim,andtorushintothethickestofthebattle,theyallthewhilewithholdinghim,somebythebridle,somebyhisrobe,andothersbyhisstirrups。Thislastefforttotallyoverwhelmedthelittlelifehehadleft;theyagainlaidhimuponhisbed;butcomingtohimself,andstartingasitwereoutofhisswoon,allotherfacultiesfailing,togivehispeoplenoticethattheyweretoconcealhisdeaththemostnecessarycommandhehadthentogive,thathissoldiersmightnotbediscouragedwiththenews)heexpiredwithhisfingeruponhismouth,theordinarysignofkeepingsilence。Whoeverlivedsolongandsofarintodeath?whoeverdiedsoerect,ormorelikeaman?

  Themostextremedegreeofcourageouslytreatingdeath,andthemostnatural,istolookuponitnotonlywithoutastonishmentbutwithoutcare,continuingthewontedcourseoflifeevenintoit,asCatodid,whoentertainedhimselfinstudy,andwenttosleep,havingaviolentandbloodydeathinhisheart,andtheweaponinhishandwithwhichhewasresolvedtodespatchhimself。

  CHAPTERXXII

  OFPOSTING

  Ihavebeennoneoftheleastableinthisexercise,whichisproperformenofmypitch,well—knitandshort;butIgiveitover;itshakesustoomuchtocontinueitlong。Iwasatthismomentreading,thatKingCyrus,thebettertohavenewsbroughthimfromallpartsoftheempire,whichwasofavastextent,causedittobetriedhowfarahorsecouldgoinadaywithoutbaiting,andatthatdistanceappointedmen,whosebusinessitwastohavehorsesalwaysinreadiness,tomountthosewhoweredespatchedtohim;andsomesay,thatthisswiftwayofpostingisequaltothatoftheflightofcranes。

  Caesarsays,thatLuciusVibulliusRufus,beingingreathastetocarryintelligencetoPompey,rodenightandday,stilltakingfreshhorsesforthegreaterdiligenceandspeed;andhehimself,asSuetoniusreports,travelledahundredmilesadayinahiredcoach;buthewasafuriouscourier,forwheretheriversstoppedhiswayhepassedthembyswimming,withoutturningoutofhiswaytolookforeitherbridgeorford。

  TiberiusNero,goingtoseehisbrotherDrusus,whowassickinGermany,travelledtwohundredmilesinfour—and—twentyhours,havingthreecoaches。InthewaroftheRomansagainstKingAntiochus,T。SemproniusGracchus,saysLivy:

  \"PerdispositosequospropeincredibiliceleritateabAmphissatertiodiePellampervenit。\"

  [\"Bypre—arrangedrelaysofhorses,he,withanalmostincrediblespeed,rodeinthreedaysfromAmphissatoPella。\"

  ——Livy,xxxvii。7。]

  Anditappearsthattheywereestablishedposts,andnothorsespurposelylaidinuponthisoccasion。

  Cecina’sinventiontosendbacknewstohisfamilywasmuchmorequick,forhetookswallowsalongwithhimfromhome,andturnedthemouttowardstheirnestswhenhewouldsendbackanynews;settingamarkofsomecolouruponthemtosignifyhismeaning,accordingtowhatheandhispeoplehadbeforeagreedupon。

  AtthetheatreatRomemastersoffamiliescarriedpigeonsintheirbosomstowhichtheytiedletterswhentheyhadamindtosendanyorderstotheirpeopleathome;andthepigeonsweretraineduptobringbackananswer。D。BrutusmadeuseofthesamedevicewhenbesiegedinModena,andotherselsewherehavedonethesame。

  InPerutheyrodepostuponmen,whotookthemupontheirshouldersinacertainkindoflittersmadeforthatpurpose,andranwithsuchagilitythat,intheirfullspeed,thefirstcourierstransferredtheirloadtothesecondwithoutmakinganystop。

  IunderstandthattheWallachians,thegrandSignior’scouriers,performwonderfuljourneys,byreasontheyhavelibertytodismountthefirstpersontheymeetupontheroad,givinghimtheirowntiredhorses;andthattopreservethemselvesfrombeingweary,theygirdthemselvesstraightaboutthemiddlewithabroadgirdle;butIcouldneverfindanybenefitfromthis。

  CHAPTERXXIII

  OFILLMEANSEMPLOYEDTOAGOODEND

  Thereiswonderfulrelationandcorrespondenceinthisuniversalgovernmentoftheworksofnature,whichverywellmakesitappearthatitisneitheraccidentalnorcarriedonbydiversmasters。Thediseasesandconditionsofourbodiesare,inlikemanner,manifestinstatesandgovernments;kingdomsandrepublicsarefounded,flourish,anddecaywithageaswedo。Wearesubjecttoarepletionofhumours,uselessanddangerous:whetherofthosethataregood(foreventhosethephysiciansareafraidof;andseeingwehavenothinginusthatisstable,theysaythatatoobriskandvigorousperfectionofhealthmustbeabatedbyart,lestournature,unabletorestinanycertaincondition,andnothavingwhithertorisetomenditself,maketoosuddenandtoodisorderlyaretreat;andthereforeprescribewrestlerstopurgeandbleed,toqualifythatsuperabundanthealth),orelsearepletionofevilhumours,whichistheordinarycauseofsickness。Statesareveryoftensickofthelikerepletion,andvarioussortsofpurgationshavecommonlybeenapplied。

  Sometimesagreatmultitudeoffamiliesareturnedouttoclearthecountry,whoseekoutnewabodeselsewhereandencroachuponothers。

  AfterthismannerourancientFrankscamefromtheremotestpartofGermanytoseizeuponGaul,andtodrivethencethefirstinhabitants;

  sowasthatinfinitedelugeofmenmadeupwhocameintoItalyundertheconductofBrennusandothers;sotheGothsandVandals,andalsothepeoplewhonowpossessGreece,lefttheirnativecountrytogosettleelsewhere,wheretheymighthavemoreroom;andtherearescarcetwoorthreelittlecornersintheworldthathavenotfelttheeffectofsuchremovals。TheRomansbythismeanserectedtheircolonies;for,perceivingtheircitytogrowimmeasurablypopulous,theyeaseditofthemostunnecessarypeople,andsentthemtoinhabitandcultivatethelandsconqueredbythem;sometimesalsotheypurposelymaintainedwarswithsomeoftheirenemies,notonlytokeeptheirownmeninaction,forfearlestidleness,themotherofcorruption,shouldbringuponthemsomeworseinconvenience:

  \"Etpatimurlongaepacismala;saeviorarmisLuxuriaincumbit。\"

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