\"Woulditwerenow，mybrother，\"washisanswer。\"ItisnowthreedayssinceIhavebeeneagertotakemydeparture。\"
Beinginthisextremity，hefrequentlycalledme，merelytosatisfyhimthatIwasathisside。Atlength，hecomposedhimselfalittletorest，whichstrengthenedourhopes;somuchso，indeed，thatIlefttheroom，andwenttorejoicethereuponwithMademoiselledelaBoetie。But，anhourorsoafterwards，hecalledmebynameonceortwice，andthenwithalongsighexpiredatthreeo’clockonWednesdaymorning，the18thAugust1563，havinglivedthirty—twoyears，ninemonths，andseventeendays。\"
II。
ToMonseigneur，MonseigneurdeMONTAIGNE。
[ThisletterisprefixedtoMontaigne’stranslationofthe\"NaturalTheologyofRaymonddeSebonde，printedatParisin1569。]
InpursuanceoftheinstructionswhichyougavemelastyearinyourhouseatMontaigne，Monseigneur，IhaveputintoaFrenchdress，withmyownhand，RaymonddeSebonde，thatgreatSpanishtheologianandphilosopher;andIhavedivestedhim，sofarasIcould，ofthatroughbearingandbarbaricappearancewhichyousawhimwearatfirst;that，inmyopinion，heisnowqualifiedtopresenthimselfinthebestcompany。
ItisperfectlypossiblethatsomefastidiouspersonswilldetectinthebooksometraceofGasconparentage;butitwillbesomuchthemoretotheirdiscredit，thattheyallowedthetasktodevolveononewhoisquiteanoviceinthesethings。Itisonlyright，Monseigneur，thattheworkshouldcomebeforetheworldunderyourauspices，sincewhateveremendationsandpolishitmayhavereceived，areowingtoyou。StillI
seewellthat，ifyouthinkpropertobalanceaccountswiththeauthor，youwillfindyourselfmuchhisdebtor;foragainsthisexcellentandreligiousdiscourses，hisloftyand，sotospeak，divineconceptions，youwillfindthatyouwillhavetosetnothingbutwordsandphraseology;asortofmerchandisesoordinaryandcommonplace，thatwhoeverhasthemostofit，peradventureistheworstoff。
Monseigneur，IprayGodtograntyouaverylongandhappylife。FromParis，this18thofJune1568。Yourmosthumbleandmostobedientson，MICHELDEMONTAIGNE
III。
ToMonsieur，MonsieurdeLANSAC，——[Thisletterappearstobelongto1570。]——KnightoftheKing’sOrder，PrivyCouncillor，Sub—controllerofhisFinance，andCaptainoftheCentGardesofhisHousehold。
MONSIEUR，——IsendyoutheOEconomicsofXenophon，putintoFrenchbythelateM。delaBoetie，——[PrintedatParis，8vo，1571，andreissued，withtheadditionofsomenotes，in1572，withafreshtitle—page。]——apresentwhichappearstometobeappropriate，aswellbecauseitistheworkofagentlemanofmark，——[MeaningXenophon。]——amanillustriousinwarandpeace，asbecauseithastakenitssecondshapefromapersonagewhomI
knowtohavebeenheldbyyouinaffectionateregardduringhislife。
Thiswillbeaninducementtoyoutocontinuetocherishtowardshismemory，yourgoodopinionandgoodwill。Andtobeboldwithyou，Monsieur，donotfeartoincreasethesesentimentssomewhat;for，asyouhadknowledgeofhishighqualitiesonlyinhispubliccapacity，itrestswithmetoassureyouhowmanyendowmentshepossessedbeyondyourpersonalexperienceofhim。Hedidmethehonour，whilehelived，andI
countitamongstthemostfortunatecircumstancesinmyowncareer，tohavewithmeafriendshipsocloseandsointricatelyknit，thatnomovement，impulse，thought，ofhismindwaskeptfromme，andifIhavenotformedarightjudgmentofhim，Imustsupposeittobefrommyownwantofscope。Indeed，withoutexaggeration，hewassonearlyaprodigy，thatIamafraidofnotbeingcreditedwhenIspeakofhim，eventhoughI
shouldkeepmuchwithinthemarkofmyownactualknowledge。Andforthistime，Monsieur，Ishallcontentmyselfwithprayingyou，forthehonourandrespectweowetotruth，totestifyandbelievethatourGuienneneverbeheldhispeeramongthemenofhisvocation。Underthehope，therefore，thatyouwillpayhimhisjustdue，andinordertorefreshhiminyourmemory，Ipresentyouthisbook，whichwillanswerformethat，wereitnotfortheinsufficiencyofmypower，Iwouldofferyouaswillinglysomethingofmyown，asanacknowledgmentoftheobligationsIowetoyou，andoftheancientfavourandfriendshipwhichyouhavebornetowardsthemembersofourhouse。But，Monsieur，indefaultofbettercoin，Iofferyouinpaymenttheassuranceofmydesiretodoyouhumbleservice。
Monsieur，IprayGodtohaveyouinHiskeeping。Yourobedientservant，MICHELDEMONTAIGNE。
IV。
ToMonsieur，MonsieurdeMESMES，LordofRoissyandMalassize，PrivyCouncillortotheKing。
MONSIEUR，——Itisoneofthemostconspicuousfolliescommittedbymen，toemploythestrengthoftheirunderstandinginoverturninganddestroyingthoseopinionswhicharecommonlyreceivedamongus，andwhichaffordussatisfactionandcontent;forwhileeverythingbeneathheavenemploysthewaysandmeansplacedatitsdisposalbynaturefortheadvancementandcommodityofitsbeing，these，inordertoappearofamoresprightlyandenlightenedwit，notacceptinganythingwhichhasnotbeentriedandbalancedathousandtimeswiththemostsubtlereasoning，sacrificetheirpeaceofmindtodoubt，uneasiness，andfeverishexcitement。Itisnotwithoutreasonthatchildhoodandsimplicityhavebeenrecommendedbyholywrititself。Formypart，Iprefertobequietratherthanclever:givemecontent，evenifIamnottobesowideinmyrange。Thisisthereason，Monsieur，why，althoughpersonsofaningeniousturnlaughatourcareastowhatwillhappenafterourowntime，forinstance，tooursouls，which，lodgedelsewhere，willloseallconsciousnessofwhatgoesonherebelow，yetIconsiderittobeagreatconsolationforthefrailtyandbrevityoflife，toreflectthatwehavethepowerofprolongingitbyreputationandfame;andIembraceveryreadilythispleasantandfavourablenotionoriginalwithourbeing，withoutinquiringtoocriticallyhoworwhyitis。Insomuchthathavingloved，beyondeverything，thelateM。delaBoetie，thegreatestman，inmyjudgment，ofourage，IshouldthinkmyselfverynegligentofmydutyifIfailed，totheutmostofmypower，topreventsuchanameashis，andamemorysorichlymeritingremembrance，fromfallingintooblivion;
andifIdidnotusemybestendeavourtokeepthemfresh。IbelievethathefeelssomethingofwhatIdoonhisbehalf，andthatmyservicestouchandrejoicehim。Infact，helivesinmyheartsovividlyandsowholly，thatIamloathtobelievehimcommittedtothedullground，oraltogethercastofffromcommunicationwithus。Therefore，Monsieur，sinceeverynewlightIcanshedonhimandhisname，issomuchaddedtohissecondperiodofexistence，and，moreover，sincehisnameisennobledandhonouredbytheplacewhichreceivesit，itfallstomenotonlytoextenditaswidelyasIcan，buttoconfideittothekeepingofpersonsofhonourandvirtue;amongwhomyouholdsucharank，that，toaffordyoutheopportunityofreceivingthisnewguest，andgivinghimgoodentertainment，Idecidedonpresentingtoyouthislittlework，notforanyprofityouarelikelytoderivefromit，beingwellawarethatyoudonotneedtohavePlutarchandhiscompanionsinterpretedtoyou——butitispossiblethatMadamedeRoissy，readinginittheorderofherhouseholdmanagementandofyourhappyaccordpaintedtothelife，willbepleasedtoseehowherownnaturalinclinationhasnotonlyreachedbutsurpassedthetheoriesofthewisestphilosophers，regardingthedutiesandlawsoftheweddedstate。And，atallevents，itwillbealwaysanhonourtome，tobeabletodoanythingwhichshallbeforthepleasureofyouandyours，onaccountoftheobligationunderwhichIlietoserveyou。
Monsieur，IprayGodtograntyoualongandhappylife。FromMontaigne，this30thApril1570。Yourhumbleservant，MICHELDEMONTAIGNE。
V。
ToMonsieur，MonsieurdeL’HOSPITAL，ChancellorofFranceMONSEIGNEUR，——Iamoftheopinionthatpersonssuchasyou，towhomfortuneandreasonhavecommittedthechargeofpublicaffairs，arenotmoreinquisitiveinanypointthaninascertainingthecharacterofthoseinofficeunderyou;fornosocietyissopoorlyfurnished，butthat，ifaproperdistributionofauthoritybeused，ithaspersonssufficientforthedischargeofallofficialduties;andwhenthisisthecase，nothingiswantingtomakeaStateperfectinitsconstitution。Now，inproportionasthisissomuchtobedesired，soitisthemoredifficultofaccomplishment，sinceyoucannothaveeyestoembraceamultitudesolargeandsowidelyextended，nortoseetothebottomofhearts，inorderthatyoumaydiscoverintentionsandconsciences，mattersprincipallytobeconsidered;sothattherehasneverbeenanycommonwealthsowellorganised，inwhichwemightnotdetectoftenenoughdefectinsuchadepartmentorsuchachoice;andinthosesystems，whereignoranceandmalice，favouritism，intrigue，andviolencegovern，ifanyselectionhappenstobemadeonthegroundofmeritandregularity，wemaydoubtlessthankFortune，which，initscapriciousmovements，hasforoncetakenthepathofreason。
Thisconsideration，Monseigneur，oftenconsoledme，whenIbeheldM。
EtiennedelaBoetie，oneofthefittestmenforhighofficeinFrance，passhiswholelifewithoutemploymentandnotice，byhisdomestichearth，tothesingulardetrimentofthepublic;for，sofarashewasconcerned，Imayassureyou，Monseigneur，thathewassorichinthosetreasureswhichdefyfortune，thatneverwasmanmoresatisfiedorcontent。Iknow，indeed，thathewasraisedtothedignitiesconnectedwithhisneighbourhood——dignitiesaccountedconsiderable;andIknowalso，thatnooneeveracquittedhimselfbetterofthem;andwhenhediedattheageofthirty—two，heenjoyedareputationinthatwaybeyondallwhohadprecededhim。
Butforallthat，itisnoreasonthatamanshouldbeleftacommonsoldier，whodeservestobecomeacaptain;nortoassignmeanfunctionstothosewhoareperfectlyequaltothehighest。Intruth，hispowerswerebadlyeconomisedandtoosparinglyemployed;insomuchthat，overandabovehisactualwork，therewasabundantcapacitylyingidlewhichmighthavebeencalledintoservice，bothtothepublicadvantageandhisownprivateglory。
Therefore，Monseigneur，sincehewassoindifferenttohisownfame（forvirtueandambition，unfortunately，seldomlodgetogether），andsincehelivedinanagewhenothersweretoodullortoojealoustowitnesstohischaracter，Ihaveitmarvellouslyatheartthathismemory，atallevents，towhichIowethegoodofficesofafriend，shouldenjoytherecompenseofhisbravelife;andthatitshouldsurviveinthegoodreportofmenofhonourandvirtue。Onthisaccount，sir，Ihavebeendesiroustobringtolight，andpresenttoyou，suchfewLatinversesasheleftbehind。Differentfromthebuilder，whoplacesthemostattractive，portionofhishousetowardsthestreet，andtothedraper，whodisplaysinhiswindowhisbestgoods，thatwhichwasmostpreciousinmyfriend，thejuiceandmarrowofhisgenius，departedwithhim，andtherehaveremainedtousbutthebarkandtheleaves。
Theexactlyregulatedmovementsofhismind，hispiety，hisvirtue，hisjustice，hisvivacity，thesolidityandsoundnessofhisjudgment，theloftinessofhisideas，raisedsofarabovethecommonlevel，hislearning，thegracewhichaccompaniedhismostordinaryactions，thetenderaffectionhehadforhismiserablecountry，andhissupremeandsworndetestationofallvice，butprincipallyofthatvillainoustrafficwhichdisguisesitselfunderthehonourablenameofjustice，shouldcertainlyimpressallwell—disposedpersonswithasingularlovetowardshim，andanextraordinaryregretforhisloss。But，sir，Iamunabletodojusticetoallthesequalities;andofthefruitofhisownstudiesithadnotenteredintohismindtoleaveanyprooftoposterity;allthatremains，isthelittlewhich，asapastime，hedidatintervals。
Howeverthismaybe，Ibegyou，sir，toreceiveitkindly;andasourjudgmentofgreatthingsismanytimesformedfromlesserthings，andaseventherecreationsofillustriousmencarrywiththem，tointelligentobservers，somehonourabletraitsoftheirorigin，Iwouldhaveyouformfromthis，someknowledgeofhim，andhencelovinglycherishhisnameandhismemory。Inthis，sir，youwillonlyreciprocatethehighopinionwhichhehadofyourvirtue，andrealisewhatheinfinitelydesiredinhislifetime;fortherewasnooneintheworldinwhoseacquaintanceandfriendshiphewouldhavebeensohappytoseehimselfestablished，asinyourown。ButifanymanisoffendedbythefreedomwhichIusewiththebelongingsofanother，Icantellhimthatnothingwhichhasbeenwrittenorbeenlaiddown，evenintheschoolsofphilosophy，respectingthesacreddutiesandrightsoffriendship，couldgiveanadequateideaoftherelationswhichsubsistedbetweenthispersonageandmyself。
Moreover，sir，thisslendergift，tomaketwothrowsofonestoneatthesametime，maylikewiseserve，ifyouplease，totestifythehonourandrespectwhichIentertainforyourabilityandhighqualities;forastothosegiftswhichareadventitiousandaccidental，itisnottomytastetotakethemintoaccount。
Sir，IprayGodtograntyouaveryhappyandaverylonglife。FromMontaigne，this30thofApril1570。——Yourhumbleandobedientservant，MICHELDEMONTAIGNE。
ToMonsieur，MonsieurdeFolx，PrivyCouncillor，andAmbassadorofHisMajestytotheSignoryofVenice。——[Printedbeforethe’VersFrancois’
ofEtiennedelaBoetie，8vo，Paris，1572。]
SIR，——BeingonthepointofcommendingtoyouandtoposteritythememoryofthelateEtiennedelaBoetie，aswellforhisextremevirtueasforthesingularaffectionwhichheboretome，itstruckmeasanindiscretionveryseriousinitsresults，andmeritingsomecoercionfromourlaws，thepracticewhichoftenprevailsofrobbingvirtueofglory，itsfaithfulassociate，inordertoconferit，inaccordancewithourprivateinterestsandwithoutdiscrimination，onthefirstcomer;seeingthatourtwoprincipalguidingreinsarerewardandpunishment，whichonlytouchusproperly，andasmen，throughthemediumofhonouranddishonour，forasmuchasthesepenetratethemind，andcomehometoourmostintimatefeelings:justwhereanimalsthemselvesaresusceptible，moreorless，toallotherkindsofrecompenseandcorporalchastisement。
Moreover，itiswelltonoticethatthecustomofpraisingvirtue，eveninthosewhoarenolongerwithus，impalpableasitistothem，servesasastimulanttothelivingtoimitatetheirexample;justascapitalsentencesarecarriedoutbythelaw，moreforthesakeofwarningtoothers，thaninrelationtothosewhosuffer。Now，commendationanditsoppositebeinganalogousasregardseffects，wecannoteasilydenythefact，thatalthoughthelawprohibitsonemanfromslanderingthereputationofanother，itdoesnotpreventusfrombestowingreputationwithoutcause。Thisperniciouslicenceinrespecttothedistributionofpraise，hasformerlybeenconfinedinitsareaofoperations;anditmaybethereasonwhypoetryoncelostfavourwiththemorejudicious。
Howeverthismaybe，itcannotbeconcealedthattheviceoffalsehoodisoneveryunbecomingingentleman，letitassumewhatguiseitwill。
AsforthatpersonageofwhomIamspeakingtoyou，sirheleadsmefarawayindeedfromthiskindoflanguage;forthedangerinhiscaseisnot，lestIshouldlendhimanything，butthatImighttakesomethingfromhim;anditishisill—fortunethat，whilehehassuppliedme，sofaraseveramancould，withjustandobviousopportunitiesforcommendation，Ifindmyselfunableandunqualifiedtorenderittohim——
I，whoamhisdebtorforsomanyvividcommunications，andwhoalonehaveitinmypowertoanswerforamillionofaccomplishments，perfections，andvirtues，latent（thankstohisunkindstars）insonobleasoul。Forthenatureofthingshaving（Iknownothow）permittedthattruth，fairandacceptable——asitmaybeofitself，isonlyembracedwherethereareartsofpersuasion，toinsinuateitintoourminds，Iseemyselfsowanting，bothinauthoritytosupportmysimpletestimony，andintheeloquencerequisiteforlendingitvalueandweight，thatIwasontheeveofrelinquishingthetask，havingnothingofhiswhichwouldenablemetoexhibittotheworldaproofofhisgeniusandknowledge。
Intruth，sir，havingbeenovertakenbyhisfateintheflowerofhisage，andinthefullenjoymentofthemostvigoroushealth，ithadbeenhisdesigntopublishsomedayworkswhichwouldhavedemonstratedtoposteritywhatsortofamanhewas;and，peradventure，hewasindifferentenoughtofame，havingformedsuchaplaninhishead，toproceednofurtherinit。ButIhavecometotheconclusion，thatitwasfarmoreexcusableinhimtoburywithhimallhisrareendowments，thanitwouldbeonmyparttoburyalsowithmetheknowledgeofthemwhichI
hadacquiredfromhim;and，therefore，havingcollectedwithcarealltheremainswhichIfoundscatteredhereandthereamonghispapers，Iintendtodistributethemsoastorecommendhismemorytoasmanypersonsaspossible，selectingthemostsuitableandworthyofmyacquaintance，andthosewhosetestimonymightdohimgreatesthonour:suchasyou，sir，whomayverypossiblyhavehadsomeknowledgeofhimduringhislife，butassuredlytooslighttodiscovertheperfectextentofhisworth。
Posteritymaycreditme，ifitchooses，whenIswearuponmyconscience，thatIknewandsawhimtobesuchas，allthingsconsidered，Icouldneitherdesirenorimagineageniussurpassinghis。
Ibegyouveryhumbly，sir，notonlytotakehisnameunderyourgeneralprotection，butalsothesetenortwelveFrenchstanzas，whichlaythemselves，asofnecessity，undershadowofyourpatronage。ForIwillnotdisguisefromyou，thattheirpublicationwasdeferred，upontheappearanceofhisotherwritings，underthepretext（asitwasallegedyonderatParis）thattheyweretoocrudetocometolight。Youwilljudge，sir，howmuchtruththereisinthis;andsinceitisthoughtthathereaboutnothingcanbeproducedinourowndialectbutwhatisbarbarousandunpolished，itfallstoyou，who，besidesyourrankasthefirsthouseinGuienne，indeeddownfromyourancestors，possesseveryothersortofqualification，toestablish，notmerelybyyourexample，butbyyourauthoritativetestimony，thatsuchisnotalwaysthecase:
themoresothat，though’tismorenaturalwiththeGasconstoactthantalk，yetsometimestheyemploythetonguemorethanthearm，andwitinplaceofvalour。
Formyownpart;sir，itisnotinmywaytojudgeofsuchmatters;butI
haveheardpersonswhoaresupposedtounderstandthem，saythatthesestanzasarenotonlyworthytobepresentedinthemarket—place，but，independentlyofthat，asregardsbeautyandwealthofinvention，theyarefullofmarrowandmatterasanycompositionsofthekind，whichhaveappearedinourlanguage。Naturallyeachworkmanfeelshimselfmorestronginsomespecialparthisart，andthosearetoberegardedasmostfortunate，wholayhandsonthenoblest，forallthepartsessentialtotheconstructionofanywholearenotequallyprecious。Wefindelsewhere，perhaps，greaterdelicacyphrase，greatersoftnessandharmonyoflanguage;butimaginativegrace，andinthestoreofpointedwit，Idonotthinkhehasbeensurpassed;andweshouldtaketheaccountthathemadethesethingsneitherhisoccupationnorhisstudy，andthathescarcelytookapeninhishandmorethanonceayear，asisshownbytheveryslenderquantityofhisremains。Foryouseehere，sir，greenwoodanddry，withoutanysortofselection，allthathascomeintomypossession;insomuchthatthereareamongtheresteffortsevenofhisboyhood。Inpointoffact，heseemstohavewrittenthemmerelytoshowthathewascapableofdealingwithallsubjects:forotherwise，thousandsoftimes，inthecourseofordinaryconversation，Ihaveheardthingsdropfromhiminfinitelymoreworthyofbeingadmired，infinitelymoreworthyofbeingpreserved。
Such，sir，iswhatjusticeandaffection，forminginthisinstancearareconjunction，obligemetosayofthisgreatandgoodman;andifIhaveatalloffendedbythefreedomwhichIhavetakeninaddressingmyselftoyouonsuchasubjectatsuchalength，bepleasedtorecollectthattheprincipalresultofgreatnessandeminenceistolayoneopentoimportunateappealsonbehalfoftherestoftheworld。Herewith，afterdesiringyoutoacceptmyaffectionatedevotiontoyourservice，IbeseechGodtovouchsafeyou，sir，afortunateandprolongedlife。
FromMontaigne，this1stofSeptember1570。——Yourobedientservant，MICHELDEMONTAIGNE。
ToMademoiselledeMONTAIGNE，myWife。——[Printedasaprefacetothe\"ConsolationofPlutarchtohisWife，\"pub。fishedbyMontaigne，withseveralothertractsbyLaBoetie，about1571。]
MYWIFE，——Youunderstandwellthatitisnotproperforamanoftheworld，accordingtotherulesofthisourtime，tocontinuetocourtandcaressyou;fortheysaythatasensiblepersonmaytakeawifeindeed，butthattoespouseheristoactlikeafool。Letthemtalk;Iadhereformypartthecustomofthegoodolddays;Ialsowearmyhairasitusedtobethen;and，intruth，noveltycoststhispoorcountryuptothepresentmomentsodear（andIdonotknowwhetherwehavereachedthehighestpitchyet），thateverywhereandineverythingIrenouncethefashion。Letuslive，mywife，youandI，intheoldFrenchmethod。
Now，youmayrecollectthatthelateM。delaBoetie，mybrotherandinseparablecompanion，gaveme，onhisdeath—bed，allhisbooksandpapers，whichhaveremainedeversincethemostpreciouspartofmyeffects。Idonotwishtokeepthemniggardlytomyselfalone，nordoI
deservetohavetheexclusiveuseofthem;sothatIhaveresolvedtocommunicatethemtomyfriends;andbecauseIhavenone，Ibelieve，moreparticularlyintimateyou，IsendyoutheConsolatoryLetterwrittenbyPlutarchtohisWife，translatedbyhimintoFrench;regrettingmuchthatfortunehasmadeitsosuitableapresentyou，andthat，havinghadbutonechild，andthatadaughter，longlookedfor，afterfouryearsofyourmarriedlifeitwasyourlottoloseherinthesecondyearofherage。
ButIleavetoPlutarchthedutyofcomfortingyou，acquaintingyouwithyourdutyherein，beggingyoutoputyourfaithinhimformysake;forhewillrevealtoyoumyownideas，andwillexpressthematterfarbetterthanIshouldmyself。Hereupon，mywife，Icommendmyselfveryheartilytoyourgoodwill，andprayGodtohaveyouinHiskeeping。
FromParis，this10thSeptember1570。——Yourgoodhusband，MICHELDEMONTAIGNE。
VIII。
ToMonsieurDUPUY，——[ThisisprobablytheClaudeDupuy，bornatParisin1545，andoneofthefourteenjudgessentintoGuienneafterthetreatyofFleixin1580。ItwasperhapsunderthesecircumstancesthatMontaigneaddressedtohimthepresentletter。]——theKing’sCouncillorinhisCourtandParliamentofParis。
MONSIEUR，——ThebusinessoftheSieurdeVerres，aprisoner，whoisextremelywellknowntome，deserves，inthearrivalatadecision，theexerciseoftheclemencynaturaltoyou，if，inthepublicinterest，youcanfairlycallitintoplay。Hehasdoneathingnotonlyexcusable，accordingtothemilitarylawsofthisage，butnecessaryand（asweareofopinion）commendable。Hecommittedtheact，withoutdoubt，unwillinglyandunderpressure;thereisnootherpassageofhislifewhichisopentoreproach。Ibeseechyou，sir，tolendthematteryourattentiveconsideration;youwillfindthecharacterofitasIrepresentittoyou。Heispersecutedonthiscrime，inawaywhichisfarworsethantheoffenceitself。Ifitislikelytobeofusetohim，Idesiretoinformyouthatheisamanbroughtupinmyhouse，relatedtoseveralrespectablefamilies，andapersonwho，havingledanhonourablelife，ismyparticularfriend。Bysavinghimyoulaymeunderanextremeobligation。Ibegyouveryhumblytoregardhimasrecommendedbyme，and，afterkissingyourhands，IprayGod，sir，tograntyoualongandhappylife。FromCastera，this23dofApril[1580]。Youraffectionateservant，MONTAIGNE。
IX。
TotheJuratsofBordeaux。——[PublishedfromtheoriginalamongthearchivesofthetownofBordeaux，M。GustaveBrunetintheBulletinduBibliophile，July1839。]
GENTLEMEN，——ItrustthatthejourneyofMonsieurdeCursolwillbeofadvantagetothetown。Havinginhandacasesojustandsofavourable，youdidallinyourpowertoputthebusinessingoodtrim;andmattersbeingsowellsituated，Ibegyoutoexcusemyabsenceforsomelittletimelonger，andIwillabridgemystaysofarasthepressureofmyaffairspermits。Ihopethatthedelaywillbeshort;however，youwillkeepme，ifyouplease，inyourgoodgrace，andwillcommandme，iftheoccasionshallarise，inemployingmeinthepublicserviceandinyours。
MonsieurdeCursolhasalsowrittentomeandapprisedmeofhisjourney。
Ihumblycommendmyselftoyou，andprayGod，gentlemen，tograntyoulongandhappylife。FromMontaigne，this21stofMay1582。Yourhumblebrotherandservant，MONTAIGNE。
X。
Tothesame。——[TheoriginalisamongthearchivesofToulouse。]
GENTLEMEN，——Ihavetakenmyfairshareofthesatisfactionwhichyouannouncetomeasfeelingatthegooddespatchofyourbusiness，asreportedtoyoubyyourdeputies，andIregarditasafavourablesignthatyouhavemadesuchanauspiciouscommencementoftheyear。Ihopetojoinyouattheearliestconvenientopportunity。Irecommendmyselfveryhumblytoyourgraciousconsideration，andprayGodtograntyou，gentlemen，ahappyandlonglife。FromMontaigne，this8thFebruary1585。Yourhumblebrotherandservant，MONTAIGNE。
XI。
Tothesame。
GENTLEMEN，——IhaveherereceivednewsofyoufromM。leMarechal。Iwillnotspareeithermylifeoranythingelseforyourservice，andwillleaveittoyourjudgmentwhethertheassistanceImightbeabletorenderbymypresenceattheforthcomingelection，wouldbeworththeriskIshouldrunbygoingintothetown，seeingthebadstateitisin，——[Thisreferstotheplaguethenraging，andwhichcarriedoff14，000
personsatBordeaux。]——particularlyforpeoplecomingawayfromsofineanairasthisiswhereIam。IwilldrawasneartoyouonWednesdayasIcan，thatis，toFeuillas，ifthemaladyhasnotreachedthatplace，where，asIwritetoM。delaMolte，Ishallbeverypleasedtohavethehonourofseeingoneofyoutotakeyourdirections，andrelievemyselfofthecredentialswhichM。leMarechalwillgivemeforyouall:
commendingmyselfhereuponhumblytoyourgoodgrace，andprayingGodtograntyou，gentlemen，longandhappylife。AtLibourne，this30thofJuly1585。Yourhumbleservantandbrother，MONTAIGNE。
XII。——[\"AccordingtoDr。Payen，thisletterbelongsto1588。Itsauthenticityhasbeencalledinquestion;butwrongly，inouropinion。
See’Documentsinedits’，1847，p。12。\"——Notein’Essais’，ed。Paris，1854，iv。381。Itdoesnotappeartowhomtheletterwasaddressed。]
MONSEIGNEUR，——YouhaveheardofourbaggagebeingtakenfromusunderoureyesintheforestofVillebois:then，afteragooddealofdiscussionanddelay，ofthecapturebeingpronouncedillegalbythePrince。Wedarednot，however，proceedonourway，fromanuncertaintyastothesafetyofourpersons，whichshouldhavebeenclearlyexpressedonourpassports。TheLeaguehasdonethis，M。deBarrantandM。delaRochefocault;thestormhasburstonme，whohadmymoneyinmybox。I
haverecoverednoneofit，andmostofmypapersandcash——[TheFrenchwordishardes，whichSt。Johnrendersthings。ButcompareChambers’s\"DomesticAnnalsofScotland，\"2ded。i。48。]——remainintheirpossession。IhavenotseenthePrince。Fiftywerelost……asfortheCountofThorigny，helostsomeverplateandafewarticlesofclothing。HedivergedfromhisroutetopayavisittothemourningladiesatMontresor，wherearetheremainsofhistwobrothersandhisgrandmother，andcametousagaininthistown，whenceweshallresumeourjourneyshortly。ThejourneytoNormandyispostponed。TheKinghasdespatchedMM。DeBellieureanddelaGuichetoM。deGuisetosummonhimtocourt;weshallbethereonThursday。
FromOrleans，this16thofFebruary，inthemorning[1588—9？]。——Yourveryhumbleservant，MONTAIGNE。
XIII。
ToMademoisellePAULMIER。——[Thisletter，atthetimeofthepublicationofthevariorumeditionof1854，appearstohavebeeninprivatehands。
Seevol。iv。p。382。]
MADEMOISELLE，——Myfriendsknowthat，fromthefirstmomentofouracquaintance，Ihavedestinedacopyofmybookforyou;forIfeelthatyouhavedoneitmuchhonour。ThecourtesyofM。Paulmierwoulddeprivemeofthepleasureofgivingittoyounow，forhehasobligedmesinceagreatdealbeyondtheworthofmybook。Youwillacceptitthen，ifyouplease，ashavingbeenyoursbeforeIowedittoyou，andwillconferonmethefavouroflovingit，whetherforitsownsakeorformine;andI
willkeepmydebttoM。Paulmierundischarged，thatImayrequitehim，ifIhaveatsomeothertimethemeansofservinghim。
XIV。
TotheKING，HENRYIV。——[TheoriginalisintheFrenchnationallibrary，intheDupuycollection。ItwasfirstdiscoveredbyM。AchilleJubinal，whoprinteditwithafacsimileoftheentireautograph，in1850。St。
Johngivesthedatewronglyasthe1stJanuary1590。]
SIRE，Itistobeabovetheweightandcrowdofyourgreatandimportantaffairs，toknow，asyoudo，howtolendyourself，andattendtosmallmattersintheirturn，accordingtothedutyofyourroyaldignity，whichexposesyouatalltimestoeverydescriptionanddegreeofpersonandemployment。Yet，thatyourMajestyshouldhavedeignedtoconsidermyletter，anddirectareplytobemadetoit，Iprefertoowe，lesstoyourstrongunderstanding，thantoyourkindnessofheart。Ihavealwayslookedforwardtoyourenjoymentofyourpresentfortune，andyoumayrecollectthat，evenwhenIhadtomakeconfessionofittomycure，I
viewedyoursuccesseswithsatisfaction:now，withthegreaterproprietyandfreedom，Iembracethemaffectionately。Theyserveyouwhereyouareaspositivemattersoffact;buttheyserveusherenolessbythefamewhichtheydiffuse:theechocarriesasmuchweightastheblow。Weshouldnotbeabletoderivefromthejusticeofyourcausesuchpowerfulargumentsforthemaintenanceandreductionofyoursubjects，aswedofromthereportsofthesuccessofyourundertaking;andthenIhavetoassureyourMajesty，thattherecentchangestoyouradvantage，whichyouobservehereabouts，theprosperousissueofyourproceedingsatDieppe，haveopportunelysecondedthehonestzealandmarvellousprudenceofM。
theMarshaldeMatignon，fromwhomIflattermyselfthatyoudonotreceivedaybydayaccountsofsuchgoodandsignalserviceswithoutrememberingmyassurancesandexpectations。Ilooktothenextsummer，notonlyforfruitswhichwemayeat，butforthosetogrowoutofourcommontranquillity，andthatitwillpassoverourheadswiththesameeventenorofhappiness，dissipating，likeitspredecessors，allthefinepromiseswithwhichyouradversariessustainthespiritsoftheirfollowers。Thepopularinclinationsresembleatidalwave;ifthecurrentoncecommencesinyourfavour，itwillgoonofitsownforcetotheend。Icouldhavedesiredmuchthattheprivategainofthesoldiersofyourarmy，andthenecessityforsatisfyingthem，hadnotdeprivedyou，especiallyinthisprincipaltown，ofthegloriouscreditoftreatingyourmutinoussubjects，inthemidstofvictory，withgreaterclemencythantheirownprotectors，andthat，asdistinguishedfromapassingandusurpedrepute，youcouldhaveshownthemtobereallyyourown，bytheexerciseofaprotectiontrulypaternalandroyal。Intheconductofsuchaffairsasyouhaveinhand，menareobligedtohaverecoursetounusualexpedients。Itisalwaysseenthattheyaresurmountedbytheirmagnitudeanddifficulty;itnotbeingfoundeasytocompletetheconquestbyarmsandforce，theendhasbeenaccomplishedbyclemencyandgenerosity，excellentlurestodrawmenparticularlytowardsthejustandlegitimateside。Ifthereistobeseverityandpunishment，letitbedeferredtillsuccesshasbeenassured。Agreatconquerorofpasttimesboaststhathegavehisenemiesasgreataninducementtolovehim，ashisfriends。Andherewefeelalreadysomeeffectofthefavourableimpressionproduceduponourrebellioustownsbythecontrastbetweentheirrudetreatment，andthatofthosewhichareloyaltoyou。DesiringyourMajestyahappinessmoretangibleandlesshazardous，andthatyoumaybebelovedratherthanfearedbyyourpeople，andbelievingthatyourwelfareandtheirsareofnecessityknittogether，Irejoicetothinkthattheprogresswhichyoumakeisonetowardsmorepracticableconditionsofpeace，aswellastowardsvictory！
Sire，yourletterofthelastofNovembercametomyhandonlyjustnow，whenthetimewhichitpleasedyoutonameformeetingyouatTourshadalreadypassed。Itakeitasasingularfavourthatyoushouldhavedeignedtodesireavisitfromsouselessaperson，butonewhoiswhollyyours，andmoresoevenbyaffectionthanfromduty。Youhaveactedverycommendablyinadaptingyourself，inthematterofexternalforms，toyournewfortunes;butthepreservationofyouroldaffabilityandfranknessinprivateintercourseisentitledtoanequalshareofpraise。
Youhavecondescendedtotakethoughtformyage，nolessthanforthedesirewhichIhavetoseeyou，whereyoumaybeatrestfromtheselaboriousagitations。WillnotthatbesoonatParis，Sire？andmaynothingpreventmefrompresentingmyselfthere！——Yourveryhumbleandveryobedientservantandsubject，MONTAIGNE。
FromMontaigne，this18thofJanuary[1590]。
XV。
Tothesame。——[Thisletterisalsointhenationalcollection，amongtheDupuypapers。Itwasfirstprintedinthe\"Journaldel’InstructionPublique，\"4thNovember1846。]
SIRE，——Theletterwhichitpleasedyourmajestytowritetomeonthe20thofJuly，wasnotdeliveredtometillthismorning，andfoundmelaidupwithaveryviolenttertianague，acomplaintverycommoninthispartofthecountryduringthelastmonth。Sire，Iconsidermyselfgreatlyhonouredbythereceiptofyourcommands，andIhavenotomittedtocommunicatetoM。theMarshaldeMatignonthreetimesmostemphaticallymyintentionandobligationtoproceedtohim，andevensofarastoindicatetheroutebywhichIproposedtojoinhimsecretly，ifhethoughtproper。Havingreceivednoanswer，Iconsiderthathehasweighedthedifficultyandriskofthejourneytome。Sire，yourMajestydilldomethefavourtobelieve，ifyouplease，thatIshallnevercomplainoftheexpenseonoccasionswhereIshouldnothesitatetodevotemylife。Ihaveneverderivedanysubstantialbenefitwhateverfromthebountyofkings，whichIhaveneithersoughtnormerited;norhaveIhadanyrecompensefortheserviceswhichIhaveperformedforthem:whereofyourmajestyisinpartaware。WhatIhavedoneforyourpredecessorsIshalldostillmorereadilyforyou。Iamasrich，Sire，asIdesiretobe。WhenIshallhaveexhaustedmypurseinattendanceonyourMajestyatParis，Iwilltakethelibertytotellyou，andthen，ifyoushouldregardmeasworthyofbeingretainedanylongerinyoursuite，youwillfindmemoremodestinmyclaimsuponyouthanthehumblestofyourofficers。
Sire，IprayGodforyourprosperityandhealth。Yourveryhumbleandveryobedientservantandsubject，MONTAIGNE。
FromMontaigne，this2dofSeptember[1590]。