Allthings，saysanoldadage，aretobehopedforbyamanwhilsthelives;ay，but，repliesSeneca，whyshouldthisratherbealwaysrunninginaman’sheadthatfortunecandoallthingsforthelivingman，thanthis，thatfortunehasnopoweroverhimthatknowshowtodie？
Josephus，whenengagedinsonearandapparentdanger，awholepeoplebeingviolentlybentagainsthim，thattherewasnovisiblemeansofescape，nevertheless，being，ashehimselfsays，inthisextremitycounselledbyoneofhisfriendstodespatchhimself，itwaswellforhimthatheyetmaintainedhimselfinhope，forfortunedivertedtheaccidentbeyondallhumanexpectation，sothathesawhimselfdeliveredwithoutanymannerofinconvenience。WhereasBrutusandCassius，onthecontrary，threwawaytheremainsoftheRomanliberty，ofwhichtheywerethesoleprotectors，bytheprecipitationandtemeritywherewiththeykilledthemselvesbeforetheduetimeandajustoccasion。Monsieurd’Anguien，atthebattleofSerisolles，twiceattemptedtorunhimselfthrough，despairingofthefortuneoftheday，whichwentindeedveryuntowardlyonthatsideofthefieldwherehewasengaged，andbythatprecipitationwasveryneardeprivinghimselfoftheenjoymentofsobraveavictory。Ihaveseenahundredharesescapeoutoftheveryteethofthegreyhounds:
\"Aliquiscarnificisuosuperstesfuit。\"
[\"Somehavesurvivedtheirexecutioners。\"——Seneca，Ep。，13。]
\"Multadies，variusquelabormutabilisneviRettulitinmelius;multosalternarevisensLusit，etinsolidorursusfortunalocavit。\"
[Lengthofdays，andthevariouslabourofchangefultime，havebroughtthingstoabetterstate;fortuneturning，shewsareverseface，andagainrestoresmentoprosperity。\"——AEneid，xi。425。]
Pinysaystherearebutthreesortsofdiseases，toescapewhichamanhasgoodtitletodestroyhimself;theworstofwhichisthestoneinthebladder，whentheurineissuppressed。
[\"Inthequartoeditionoftheseessays，in1588，Plinyissaidtomentiontwomore，viz。，apaininthestomachandaheadache，which，hesays（lib。xxv。c。9。），weretheonlythreedistempersalmostforwhichmenkilledthemselves。\"]
Senecasaysthoseonlywhichforalongtimearediscomposingthefunctionsofthesoul。Andsometherehavebeenwho，toavoidaworsedeath，havechosenonetotheirownliking。Democritus，generaloftheAEtolians，beingbroughtprisonertoRome，foundmeanstomakehisescapebynight:butclosepursuedbyhiskeepers，ratherthansufferhimselftoberetaken，hefelluponhisownswordanddied。AntinousandTheodotus，theircityofEpirusbeingreducedbytheRomanstothelastextremity，gavethepeoplecounseluniversallytokillthemselves;but，thesepreferringtogivethemselvesuptotheenemy，thetwochiefswenttoseekthedeaththeydesired，rushingfuriouslyupontheenemy，withintentiontostrikehomebutnottowardablow。TheIslandofGozzobeingtakensomeyearsagobytheTurks，aSicilian，whohadtwobeautifuldaughtersmarriageable，killedthembothwithhisownhand，andtheirmother，runningintosavethem，toboot，whichhavingdone，sallyingoutofthehousewithacross—bowandharquebus，withtwoshotshekilledtwooftheTurksnearesttohisdoor，anddrawinghissword，chargedfuriouslyinamongsttherest，wherehewassuddenlyenclosedandcuttopieces，bythatmeansdeliveringhisfamilyandhimselffromslaveryanddishonour。TheJewishwomen，afterhavingcircumcisedtheirchildren，threwthemandthemselvesdownaprecipicetoavoidthecrueltyofAntigonus。Ihavebeentoldofapersonofconditioninoneofourprisons，thathisfriends，beinginformedthathewouldcertainlybecondemned，toavoidtheignominyofsuchadeathsubornedapriesttotellhimthattheonlymeansofhisdeliverancewastorecommendhimselftosuchasaint，undersuchandsuchvows，andtofasteightdaystogetherwithouttakinganymannerofnourishment，whatweaknessorfaintnesssoeverhemightfindinhimselfduringthetime;hefollowedtheiradvice，andbythatmeansdestroyedhimselfbeforehewasaware，notdreamingofdeathoranydangerintheexperiment。ScriboniaadvisinghernephewLibotokillhimselfratherthanawaitthestrokeofjustice，toldhimthatitwastodootherpeople’sbusinesstopreservehislifetoputitafterintothehandsofthosewhowithinthreeorfourdayswouldfetchhimtoexecution，andthatitwastoservehisenemiestokeephisbloodtogratifytheirmalice。
WereadintheBiblethatNicanor，thepersecutorofthelawofGod，havingsenthissoldierstoseizeuponthegoodoldmanRazis，surnamedinhonourofhisvirtuethefatheroftheJews:thegoodman，seeingnootherremedy，hisgatesburneddown，andtheenemiesreadytoseizehim，choosingrathertodienoblythantofallintothehandsofhiswickedadversariesandsufferhimselftobecruellybutcheredbythem，contrarytothehonourofhisrankandquality，stabbedhimselfwithhisownsword，buttheblow，forhaste，nothavingbeengivenhome，heranandthrewhimselffromthetopofawallheadlongamongthem，whoseparatingthemselvesandmakingroom，hepitcheddirectlyuponhishead;
notwithstandingwhich，feelingyetinhimselfsomeremainsoflife，herenewedhiscourage，andstartingupuponhisfeetallbloodyandwoundedashewas，andmakinghiswaythroughthecrowdtoaprecipitousrock，there，throughoneofhiswounds，drewouthisbowels，which，tearingandpullingtopieceswithbothhishands，hethrewamongsthispursuers，allthewhileattestingandinvokingtheDivinevengeanceuponthemfortheircrueltyandinjustice。
Ofviolencesofferedtotheconscience，thatagainstthechastityofwomanis，inmyopinion，mosttobeavoided，forasmuchasthereisacertainpleasurenaturallymixedwithit，andforthatreasonthedissentthereincannotbesufficientlyperfectandentire，sothattheviolenceseemstobemixedwithalittleconsentoftheforcedparty。Theecclesiasticalhistoryhasseveralexamplesofdevoutpersonswhohaveembraceddeathtosecurethemfromtheoutragespreparedbytyrantsagainsttheirreligionandhonour。PelagiaandSophronia，bothcanonised，thefirstoftheseprecipitatedherselfwithhermotherandsistersintotherivertoavoidbeingforcedbysomesoldiers，andthelastalsokilledherselftoavoidbeingravishedbytheEmperorMaxentius。
Itmay，peradventure，beanhonourtousinfutureages，thatalearnedauthorofthispresenttime，andaParisian，takesagreatdealofpainstopersuadetheladiesofouragerathertotakeanyothercoursethantoenterintothehorridmeditationofsuchadespair。Iamsorryhehadneverheard，thathemighthaveinserteditamongsthisotherstories，thesayingofawoman，whichwastoldmeatToulouse，whohadpassedthroughthehandlingofsomesoldiers:\"Godbepraised，\"saidshe，\"thatonceatleastinmylifeIhavehadmyfillwithoutsin。\"Intruth，thesecrueltiesareveryunworthytheFrenchgoodnature，andalso，Godbethanked，ourairisverywellpurgedofthemsincethisgoodadvice:
’tisenoughthattheysay\"no\"indoingit，accordingtotheruleofthegoodMarot。
\"Undoulxnenny，avecundoulxsourireEsttanthonneste。\"——Marot。
Historyiseverywherefullofthosewhobyathousandwayshaveexchangedapainfulandirksomelifefordeath。LuciusAruntiuskilledhimself，tofly，hesaid，boththefutureandthepast。GraniusSilvanusandStatiusProximus，afterhavingbeenpardonedbyNero，killedthemselves;eitherdisdainingtolivebythefavourofsowickedaman，orthattheymightnotbetroubled，atsomeothertime，toobtainasecondpardon，consideringtheproclivityofhisnaturetosuspectandcreditaccusationsagainstworthymen。Spargapises，sonofQueenTomyris，beingaprisonerofwartoCyrus，madeuseofthefirstfavourCyrusshewedhim，incommandinghimtobeunbound，tokillhimself，havingpretendedtonootherbenefitofliberty，butonlytoberevengedofhimselfforthedisgraceofbeingtaken。Boges，governorinEionforKingXerxes，beingbesiegedbytheAthenianarmyundertheconductofCimon，refusedtheconditionsoffered，thathemightsafereturnintoAsiawithallhiswealth，impatienttosurvivethelossofaplacehismasterhadgivenhimtokeep;wherefore，havingdefendedthecitytothelastextremity，nothingbeinglefttoeat，hefirstthrewallthegoldandwhateverelsetheenemycouldmakebootyofintotheriverStrymon，andthencausingagreatpiletobesetonfire，andthethroatsofallthewomen，children，concubines，andservantstobecut，hethrewtheirbodiesintothefire，andatlastleapedintoithimself。
Ninachetuen，anIndianlord，sosoonasheheardthefirstwhisperofthePortugueseViceroy’sdeterminationtodispossesshim，withoutanyapparentcause，ofhiscommandinMalacca，totransferittotheKingofCampar，hetookthisresolutionwithhimself:hecausedascaffold，morelongthanbroad，tobeerected，supportedbycolumnsroyallyadornedwithtapestryandstrewedwithflowersandabundanceofperfumes;allwhichbeingprepared，inarobeofclothofgold，setfullofjewelsofgreatvalue，hecameoutintothestreet，andmountedthestepstothescaffold，atonecornerofwhichhehadapilelightedofaromaticwood。
Everybodyrantoseetowhatendtheseunusualpreparationsweremade;
whenNinachetuen，withamanlybutdispleasedcountenance，setforthhowmuchhehadobligedthePortuguesenation，andwithhowunspottedfidelityhehadcarriedhimselfinhischarge;thathavingsooften，swordinhand，manifestedinthebehalfofothers，thathonourwasmuchmoredeartohimthanlife，hewasnottoabandontheconcernofitforhimself:thatfortunedenyinghimallmeansofopposingtheaffrontdesignedtobeputuponhim，hiscourageatleastenjoinedhimtofreehimselffromthesenseofit，andnottoserveforafabletothepeople，norforatriumphtomenlessdeservingthanhimself;whichhavingsaidheleapedintothefire。
Sextilia，wifeofScaurus，andPaxaea，wifeofLabeo，toencouragetheirhusbandstoavoidthedangersthatpresseduponthem，whereintheyhadnoothersharethanconjugalaffection，voluntarilysacrificedtheirownlivestoservetheminthisextremenecessityforcompanyandexample。
Whattheydidfortheirhusbands，CocceiusNervadidforhiscountry，withlessutilitythoughwithequalaffection:thisgreatlawyer，flourishinginhealth，riches，reputation，andfavourwiththeEmperor，hadnoothercausetokillhimselfbutthesolecompassionofthemiserablestateoftheRomanRepublic。NothingcanbeaddedtothebeautyofthedeathofthewifeofFulvius，afamiliarfavouriteofAugustus:Augustushavingdiscoveredthathehadventedanimportantsecrethehadentrustedhimwithal，onemorningthathecametomakehiscourt，receivedhimverycoldlyandlookedfrowninglyuponhim。Hereturnedhome，fullof，despair，wherehesorrowfullytoldhiswifethat，havingfallenintothismisfortune，hewasresolvedtokillhimself:towhichsheroundlyreplied，\"’tisbutreasonyoushould，seeingthathavingsooftenexperiencedtheincontinenceofmytongue，youcouldnottakewarning:butletmekillmyselffirst，\"andwithoutanymoresayingranherselfthroughthebodywithasword。VibiusVirrius，despairingofthesafetyofhiscitybesiegedbytheRomansandoftheirmercy，inthelastdeliberationofhiscity’ssenate，aftermanyargumentsconducingtothatend，concludedthatthemostnoblemeanstoescapefortunewasbytheirownhands:tellingthemthattheenemywouldhavetheminhonour，andHannibalwouldbesensiblehowmanyfaithfulfriendshehadabandoned;invitingthosewhoapprovedofhisadvicetocometoagoodsupperhehadreadyathome，whereaftertheyhadeatenwell，theywoulddrinktogetherofwhathehadprepared;abeverage，saidhe，thatwilldeliverourbodiesfromtorments，oursoulsfrominsult，andoureyesandearsfromthesenseofsomanyhatefulmischiefs，astheconqueredsufferfromcruelandimplacableconquerors。Ihave，saidhe，takenorderforfitpersonstothrowourbodiesintoafuneralpilebeforemydoorsosoonaswearedead。Manyenoughapprovedthishighresolution，butfewimitatedit;seven—and—twentysenatorsfollowedhim，who，afterhavingtriedtodrownthethoughtofthisfataldeterminationinwine，endedthefeastwiththemortalmess;andembracingoneanother，aftertheyhadjointlydeploredthemisfortuneoftheircountry，someretiredhometotheirownhouses，othersstayedtobeburnedwithVibiusinhisfuneralpyre;andwereallofthemsolongindying，thevapourofthewinehavingprepossessedtheveins，andbythatmeansdeferredtheeffectofpoison，thatsomeofthemwerewithinanhourofseeingtheenemyinsidethewallsofCapua，whichwastakenthenextmorning，andofundergoingthemiseriestheyhadatsodeararateendeavouredtoavoid。JubelliusTaurea，anothercitizenofthesamecountry，theConsulFulviusreturningfromtheshamefulbutcheryhehadmadeoftwohundredandtwenty—fivesenators，calledhimbackfiercelybyname，andhavingmadehimstop:
\"Givetheword，\"saidhe，\"thatsomebodymaydispatchmeafterthemassacreofsomanyothers，thatthoumayestboasttohavekilledamuchmorevaliantmanthanthyself。\"Fulvius，disdaininghimasamanoutofhiswits，andalsohavingreceivedlettersfromRomecensuringtheinhumanityofhisexecutionwhichtiedhishands，Jubelliusproceeded:
\"Sincemycountryhasbeentaken，myfriendsdead，andhavingwithmyownhandsslainmywifeandchildrentorescuethemfromthedesolationofthisruin，Iamdeniedtodiethedeathofmyfellow—citizens，letmeborrowfromvirtuevengeanceonthishatedlife，\"andtherewithaldrawingashortswordhecarriedconcealedabouthim，heranitthroughhisownbosom，fallingdownbackward，andexpiringattheconsul’sfeet。
Alexander，layingsiegetoacityoftheIndies，thosewithin，findingthemselvesveryhardlyset，putonavigorousresolutiontodeprivehimofthepleasureofhisvictory，andaccordinglyburnedthemselvesingeneral，togetherwiththeircity，indespiteofhishumanity:anewkindofwar，wheretheenemiessoughttosavethem，andtheytodestroythemselves，doingtomakethemselvessureofdeath，allthatmendotosecurelife。
Astapa，acityofSpain，findingitselfweakinwallsanddefencetowithstandtheRomans，theinhabitantsmadeaheapofalltheirrichesandfurnitureinthepublicplace;and，havingrangeduponthisheapallthewomenandchildren，andpiledthemroundwithwoodandothercombustiblemattertotakesuddenfire，andleftfiftyoftheiryoungmenfortheexecutionofthatwhereontheyhadresolved，theymadeadesperatesally，whereforwantofpowertoovercome，theycausedthemselvestobeeverymanslain。Thefifty，afterhavingmassacredeverylivingsoulthroughoutthewholecity，andputfiretothispile，threwthemselveslastlyintoit，finishingtheirgenerousliberty，ratherafteraninsensible，thanafterasorrowfulanddisgracefulmanner，givingtheenemytounderstand，thatiffortunehadbeensopleased，theyhadaswellthecouragetosnatchfromthemvictoryastheyhadtofrustrateandrenderitdreadful，andevenmortaltothosewho，alluredbythesplendourofthegoldmeltinginthisflame，havingapproachedit，agreatnumberweretheresuffocatedandburned，beingkeptfromretiringbythecrowdthatfollowedafter。
TheAbydeans，beingpressedbyKingPhilip，putonthesameresolution;
but，nothavingtime，theycouldnotputit’ineffect。Theking，whowasstruckwithhorrorattherashprecipitationofthisexecution（thetreasureandmovablesthattheyhadcondemnedtotheflamesbeingfirstseized），drawingoffhissoldiers，grantedthemthreedays’timetokillthemselvesin，thattheymightdoitwithmoreorderandatgreaterease:
whichtimetheyfilledwithbloodandslaughterbeyondtheutmostexcessofallhostilecruelty，sothatnotsomuchasanyonesoulwasleftalivethathadpowertodestroyitself。Thereareinfiniteexamplesoflikepopularresolutionswhichseemthemorefierceandcruelinproportionastheeffectismoreuniversal，andyetarereallylesssothanwhensinglyexecuted;whatargumentsandpersuasioncannotdowithindividualmen，theycandowithall，theardourofsocietyravishingparticularjudgments。
ThecondemnedwhowouldlivetobeexecutedinthereignofTiberius，forfeitedtheirgoodsandweredeniedtheritesofsepulture;thosewho，bykillingthemselves，anticipatedit，wereinterred，andhadlibertytodisposeoftheirestatesbywill。
Butmensometimescovetdeathoutofhopeofagreatergood。\"Idesire，\"
saysSt。Paul，\"tobewithChrist，\"and\"whoshallridmeofthesebands？\"CleombrotusofAmbracia，havingreadPlato’sPheedo，enteredintosogreatadesireofthelifetocomethat，withoutanyotheroccasion，hethrewhimselfintothesea。Bywhichitappearshowimproperlywecallthisvoluntarydissolution，despair，towhichtheeagernessofhopeofteninclinesus，and，often，acalmandtemperatedesireproceedingfromamatureanddeliberatejudgment。JacquesduChastel，bishopofSoissons，inSt。Louis’sforeignexpedition，seeingthekingandwholearmyuponthepointofreturningintoFrance，leavingtheaffairsofreligionimperfect，tookaresolutionrathertogointoParadise;wherefore，havingtakensolemnleaveofhisfriends，hechargedalone，inthesightofeveryone，intotheenemy’sarmy，wherehewaspresentlycuttopieces。Inacertainkingdomofthenewdiscoveredworld，uponadayofsolemnprocession，whentheidoltheyadoreisdrawnaboutinpublicuponachariotofmarvellousgreatness;besidesthatmanyarethenseencuttingoffpiecesoftheirfleshtooffertohim，thereareanumberofotherswhoprostratethemselvesupontheplace，causingthemselvestobecrushedandbrokentopiecesundertheweightywheels，toobtainthevenerationofsanctityafterdeath，whichisaccordinglypaidthem。Thedeathofthebishop，swordinhand，hasmoreofmagnanimityinit，andlessofsentiment，theardourofcombattakingawaypartofthelatter。
Therearesomegovernmentswhohavetakenuponthemtoregulatethejusticeandopportunityofvoluntarydeath。InformertimestherewaskeptinourcityofMarseillesapoisonpreparedoutofhemlock，atthepubliccharge，forthosewhohadamindtohastentheirend，havingfirst，beforethesixhundred，whoweretheirsenate，givenaccountofthereasonsandmotivesoftheirdesign，anditwasnototherwiselawful，thanbyleavefromthemagistrateanduponjustoccasiontodoviolencetothemselves。——[ValeriusMaximus，ii。6，7。]——Thesamelawwasalsoinuseinotherplaces。
SextusPompeius，inhisexpeditionintoAsia，touchedattheisleofCeainNegropont:ithappenedwhilsthewasthere，aswehaveitfromonethatwaswithhim，thatawomanofgreatquality，havinggivenanaccounttohercitizenswhyshewasresolvedtoputanendtoherlife，invitedPompeiustoherdeath，torenderitthemorehonourable，aninvitationthatheaccepted;andhavinglongtriedinvainbythepowerofhiseloquence，whichwasverygreat，andpersuasion，todivertherfromthatdesign，heacquiescedintheendinherownwill。Shehadpassedtheageoffourscoreandteninaveryhappystate，bothofbodyandmind;beingthenlaiduponherbed，betterdressedthanordinaryandleaninguponherelbow，\"Thegods，\"saidshe，\"OSextusPompeius，andratherthoseIleavethanthoseIgotoseek，rewardthee，forthatthouhastnotdisdainedtobeboththecounsellorofmylifeandthewitnessofmydeath。Formypart，havingalwaysexperiencedthesmilesoffortune，forfearlestthedesireoflivingtoolongmaymakemeseeacontraryface，Iamgoing，byahappyend，todismisstheremainsofmysoul，leavingbehindtwodaughtersofmybodyandalegionofnephews\";whichhavingsaid，withsomeexhortationstoherfamilytoliveinpeace，shedividedamongstthemhergoods，andrecommendingherdomesticgodstohereldestdaughter，sheboldlytookthebowlthatcontainedthepoison，andhavingmadehervowsandprayerstoMercurytoconducthertosomehappyabodeintheotherworld，sheroundlyswallowedthemortalpoison。Thisbeingdone，sheentertainedthecompanywiththeprogressofitsoperation，andhowthecoldbydegreesseizedtheseveralpartsofherbodyoneafteranother，tillhavingintheendtoldthemitbegantoseizeuponherheartandbowels，shecalledherdaughterstodothelastofficeandclosehereyes。
PlinytellsusofacertainHyperboreannationwhere，byreasonofthesweettemperatureoftheair，livesrarelyendedbutbythevoluntarysurrenderoftheinhabitants，who，beingwearyofandsatiatedwithliving，hadthecustom，ataveryoldage，afterhavingmadegoodcheer，toprecipitatethemselvesintotheseafromthetopofacertainrock，assignedforthatservice。Painandthefearofaworsedeathseemtomethemostexcusableincitements。，CHAPTERIV
TO—MORROW’SANEWDAY
Igive，asitseemstome，withgoodreasonthepalmtoJacquesAmyotofallourFrenchwriters，notonlyforthesimplicityandpurityofhislanguage，whereinheexcelsallothers，norforhisconstancyingoingthroughsolongawork，norforthedepthofhisknowledge，havingbeenablesosuccessfullytosmoothandunravelsoknottyandintricateanauthor（forletpeopletellmewhattheywill，IunderstandnothingofGreek;butImeetwithsensesowellunitedandmaintainedthroughouthiswholetranslation，thatcertainlyheeitherknewthetruefancyoftheauthor，orhaving，bybeinglongconversantwithhim，imprintedavividandgeneralideaofthatofPlutarchinhissoul，hehasdeliveredusnothingthateitherderogatesfromorcontradictshim），butaboveall，I
amthemosttakenwithhimforhavingmadesodiscreetachoiceofabooksoworthyandofsogreatutilitywherewithtopresenthiscountry。Weignorantfellowshadbeenlost，hadnotthisbookraisedusoutofthedirt;bythisfavourofhiswedarenowspeakandwrite;theladiesareabletoreadtoschoolmasters;’tisourbreviary。Ifthisgoodmanbeyetliving，IwouldrecommendtohimXenophon，todoasmuchbythat;
’tisamuchmoreeasytaskthantheother，andconsequentlymoreproperforhisage。And，besides，thoughIknownothow，methinkshedoesbriskly——andclearlyenoughtripoverstepsanotherwouldhavestumbledat，yetneverthelesshisstyleseemstobemorehisownwherehedoesnotencounterthosedifficulties，androllsawayathisownease。
IwasjustnowreadingthispassagewherePlutarchsaysofhimself，thatRusticusbeingpresentatadeclamationofhisatRome，therereceivedapacketfromtheemperor，anddeferredtoopenittillallwasdone:forwhich，sayshe，allthecompanyhighlyapplaudedthegravityofthisperson。’Tistrue，thatbeinguponthesubjectofcuriosityandofthateagerpassionfornews，whichmakesuswithsomuchindiscretionandimpatienceleavealltoentertainanewcomer，andwithoutanymannerofrespectoroutcry，tearopenonasudden，inwhatcompanysoever，thelettersthataredeliveredtous，hehadreasontoapplaudthegravityofRusticusuponthisoccasion;andmightmoreoverhaveaddedtoitthecommendationofhiscivilityandcourtesy，thatwouldnotinterruptthecurrentofhisdeclamation。ButIdoubtwhetheranyonecancommendhisprudence;forreceivingunexpectedletters，andespeciallyfromanemperor，itmighthavefallenoutthatthedeferringtoreadthemmighthavebeenofgreatprejudice。Theviceoppositetocuriosityisnegligence，towhichInaturallyincline，andwhereinIhaveseensomemensoextremethatonemighthavefoundletterssentthemthreeorfourdaysbefore，stillsealedupintheirpockets。
Ineveropenanylettersdirectedtoanother;notonlythoseintrustedwithme，butevensuchasfortunehasguidedtomyhand;andamangrywithmyselfifmyeyesunawaresstealanycontentsoflettersofimportanceheisreadingwhenIstandnearagreatman。Neverwasmanlessinquisitiveorlesspryingintoothermen’saffairsthanI。
Inourfathers’days，MonsieurdeBoutiereshadliketohavelostTurinfromhaving，whileengagedingoodcompanyatsupper，delayedtoreadinformationthatwassenthimofthetreasonplottedagainstthatcitywherehecommanded。AndthisveryPlutarchhasgivenmetounderstand，thatJuliusCaesarhadpreservedhimself，if，goingtotheSenatethedayhewasassassinatedbytheconspirators，hehadreadanotewhichwaspresentedtohimby，theway。HetellsalsothestoryofArchias，thetyrantofThebes，thatthenightbeforetheexecutionofthedesignPelopidashadplottedtokillhimtorestorehiscountrytoliberty，hehadafullaccountsenthiminwritingbyanotherArchias，anAthenian，ofthewholeconspiracy，andthat，thispackethavingbeendeliveredtohimwhilehesatatsupper，hedeferredtheopeningofit，saying，whichafterwardsturnedtoaproverbinGreece，\"Businessto—morrow。\"
Awisemanmay，Ithink，outofrespecttoanother，asnottodisturbthecompany，asRusticusdid，ornottobreakoffanotheraffairofimportanceinhand，defertoreadorhearanynewthingthatisbroughthim;butforhisowninterestorparticularpleasure，especiallyifhebeapublicminister，thathewillnotinterrupthisdinnerorbreakhissleepisinexcusable。AndtherewasancientlyatRome，theconsularplace，astheycalledit，whichwasthemosthonourableatthetable，asbeingaplaceofmostliberty，andofmoreconvenientaccesstothosewhocameintospeaktothepersonseatedthere;bywhichitappears，thatbeingatmeat，theydidnottotallyabandontheconcernofotheraffairsandincidents。Butwhenallissaid，itisveryhardinhumanactionstogivesoexactaruleuponmoralreasons，thatfortunewillnotthereinmaintainherownright。
CHAPTERV
OFCONSCIENCE
TheSieurdelaBrousse，mybrother，andI，travellingonedaytogetherduringthetimeofourcivilwars，metagentlemanofgoodsort。Hewasofthecontraryparty，thoughIdidnotknowsomuch，forhepretendedotherwise:andthemischiefon’tis，thatinthissortofwarthecardsaresoshuffled，yourenemynotbeingdistinguishedfromyourselfbyanyapparentmarkeitheroflanguageorhabit，andbeingnourishedunderthesamelaw，air，andmanners，itisveryhardtoavoiddisorderandconfusion。ThismademeafraidmyselfofmeetinganyofourtroopsinaplacewhereIwasnotknown，thatImightnotbeinfeartotellmyname，andperadventureofsomethingworse;asithadbefallenmebefore，where，bysuchamistake，Ilostbothmenandhorses，andamongstothersanItaliangentlemanmypage，whomIbredwiththegreatestcareandaffection，wasmiserablyslain，inwhomayouthofgreatpromiseandexpectationwasextinguished。ButthegentlemanmybrotherandImethadsodesperate，half—deadafearuponhimatmeetingwithanyhorse，orpassingbyanyofthetownsthatheldfortheKing，thatIatlastdiscoveredittobealarmsofconscience。Itseemedtothepoormanasifthroughhisvisorandthecrossesuponhiscassock，onewouldhavepenetratedintohisbosomandreadthemostsecretintentionsofhisheart;sowonderfulisthepowerofconscience。Itmakesusbetray，accuse，andfightagainstourselves，andforwantofotherwitnesses，togiveevidenceagainstourselves:
\"Occultumquatiensanimotortoreflagellum。\"
[\"Thetorturerofthesoulbrandishingasharpscourgewithin。\"
——Juvenal，iii。195。]
Thisstoryisineverychild’smouth:BessusthePaeonian，beingreproachedforwantonlypullingdownanestofyoungsparrowsandkillingthem，replied，thathehadreasontodoso，seeingthatthoselittlebirdsneverceasedfalselytoaccusehimofthemurderofhisfather。
Thisparricidehadtillthenbeenconcealedandunknown，buttherevengingfuryofconsciencecausedittobediscoveredbyhimhimself，whowastosufferforit。HesiodcorrectsthesayingofPlato，thatpunishmentcloselyfollowssin，itbeing，ashesays，bornatthesametimewithit。Whoeverexpectspunishmentalreadysuffersit，andwhoeverhasdeserveditexpectsit。Wickednesscontrivestormentsagainstitself:
\"Malumconsiliumconsultoripessimum:\"
[Illdesignsareworsttothecontriver。\"
——ApudAul。Gellium，iv。5。]
asthewaspstingsandhurtsanother，butmostofallitself，forittherelosesitsstinganditsuseforever，\"Vitasqueinvulnereponunt。\"
[Andleavetheirownlivesinthewound。\"
——Virgil，Geo。，iv。238。]
Cantharideshavesomewhereaboutthem，byacontrarietyofnature，acounterpoisonagainsttheirpoison。Inlikemanner，atthesametimethatmentakedelightinvice，therespringsintheconscienceadispleasurethatafflictsussleepingandwakingwithvarioustormentingimaginations:
\"Quippeubisemulti，persomniasaepeloquentes，Autmorbodelirantes，protraxeferantur，Etcelatadiuinmediumpeccatadedisse。\"
[\"Surelywheremany，oftentalkingintheirsleep，orravingindisease，aresaidtohavebetrayedthemselves，andtohavegivenpublicitytooffenceslongconcealed。\"——Lucretius，v。1157。]
ApollodorusdreamedthathesawhimselfflayedbytheScythiansandafterwardsboiledinacauldron，andthathisheartmutteredthesewords\"Iamthecauseofallthesemischiefsthathavebefallenthee。\"
Epicurussaidthatnohiding—holecouldconcealthewicked，sincetheycouldneverassurethemselvesofbeinghidwhilsttheirconsciencediscoveredthemtothemselves。
\"Primaesthaecultio，quodseJudicenemonocensabsohitur。\"
[\"Tisthefirstpunishmentofsinthatnomanabsolveshimself。\"or:
\"Thisisthehighestrevenge，thatbyitsjudgmentnooffenderisabsolved。\"——Juvenal，xiii。2。]
Asanillconsciencefillsuswithfear，soagoodonegivesusgreaterconfidenceandassurance;andIcantrulysaythatIhavegonethroughseveralhazardswithamoresteadypaceinconsiderationofthesecretknowledgeIhadofmyownwillandtheinnocenceofmyintentions:
\"Consciamensutcuiquesuaest，itaconcipitintraPectoraprofactospemquemetumquesuo。\"
[\"Asaman’sconscienceis，sowithinhopeorfearprevails，suitingtohisdesign。\"——Ovid，Fast。，i。485。]
Ofthisareathousandexamples;butitwillbeenoughtoinstancethreeofoneandthesameperson。Scipio，beingonedayaccusedbeforethepeopleofRomeofsomecrimesofaveryhighnature，insteadofexcusinghimselforflatteringhisjudges:\"Itwillbecomeyouwell，\"saidhe，\"tositinjudgmentuponahead，bywhosemeansyouhavethepowertojudgealltheworld。\"Anothertime，alltheanswerhegavetoseveralimpeachmentsbroughtagainsthimbyatribuneofthepeople，insteadofmakinghisdefence:\"Letusgo，citizens，\"saidhe，\"letusgorenderthankstothegodsforthevictorytheygavemeovertheCarthaginiansasthisday，\"andadvancinghimselfbeforetowardstheTemple，hehadpresentlyalltheassemblyandhisveryaccuserhimselffollowingathisheels。AndPetilius，havingbeensetonbyCatotodemandanaccountofthemoneythathadpassedthroughhishandsintheprovinceofAntioch，Scipiobeingcomeintothesenatetothatpurpose，producedabookfromunderhisrobe，whereinhetoldthemwasanexactaccountofhisreceiptsanddisbursements;butbeingrequiredtodeliverittotheprothonotarytobeexamined，herefused，saying，hewouldnotdohimselfsogreatadisgrace;andinthepresenceofthewholesenatetorethebookwithhisownhandstopieces。Idonotbelievethatthemostsearedconsciencecouldhavecounterfeitedsogreatanassurance。Hehadnaturallytoohighaspiritandwasaccustomedtotoohighafortune，saysTitiusLivius，toknowhowtobecriminal，andtolowerhimselftothemeannessofdefendinghisinnocence。Theputtingmentotherackisadangerousinvention，andseemstoberatheratrialofpatiencethanoftruth。
Bothhewhohasthefortitudetoendureitconcealsthetruth，andhewhohasnot:forwhyshouldpainsoonermakemeconfesswhatreallyis，thanforcemetosaywhatisnot？And，onthecontrary，ifhewhoisnotguiltyofthatwhereofheisaccused，hasthecouragetoundergothosetorments，whyshouldnothewhoisguiltyhavethesame，sofairarewardaslifebeinginhisprospect？Ibelievethegroundofthisinventionproceedsfromtheconsiderationoftheforceofconscience:for，totheguilty，itseemstoassisttheracktomakehimconfesshisfaultandtoshakehisresolution;and，ontheotherside，thatitfortifiestheinnocentagainstthetorture。Butwhenallisdone，’tis，inplaintruth，atrialfullofuncertaintyanddangerwhatwouldnotamansay，whatwouldnotamando，toavoidsointolerabletorments？
\"Etiaminnocentescogitmentiridolor。\"
[\"Painwillmakeeventheinnocentlie。\"——PubliusSyrus，DeDolore。]
Whenceitcomestopass，thathimwhomthejudgehasrackedthathemaynotdieinnocent，hemakeshimdiebothinnocentandracked。Athousandandathousandhavechargedtheirownheadsbyfalseconfessions，amongstwhomIplacePhilotas，consideringthecircumstancesofthetrialAlexanderputuponhimandtheprogressofhistorture。Butsoitisthatsomesayitistheleastevilhumanweaknesscouldinvent;veryinhumanly，notwithstanding，andtoverylittlepurpose，inmyopinion。
ManynationslessbarbarousinthisthantheGreeksandRomanswhocallthemso，reputeithorribleandcrueltotormentandpullamantopiecesforafaultofwhichtheyareyetindoubt。Howcanhehelpyourignorance？Arenotyouunjust，that，nottokillhimwithoutcause，doworsethankillhim？Andthatthisisso，dobutobservehowoftenmenprefertodiewithoutreasonthanundergothisexamination，morepainfulthanexecutionitself;andthatoft—timesbyitsextremityanticipatesexecution，andperformit。IknownotwhereIhadthisstory，butitexactlymatchestheconscienceofourjusticeinthisparticular。A
country—woman，toageneralofaveryseverediscipline，accusedoneofhissoldiersthathehadtakenfromherchildrenthelittlesoupmeatshehadlefttonourishthemwithal，thearmyhavingconsumedalltherest;
butofthisprooftherewasnone。Thegeneral，afterhavingcautionedthewomantotakegoodheedtowhatshesaid，forthatshewouldmakeherselfguiltyofafalseaccusationifshetoldalie，andshepersisting，hepresentlycausedthesoldier’sbellytoberippeduptoclearthetruthofthefact，andthewomanwasfoundtoberight。Aninstructivesentence。
CHAPTERVI
USEMAKESPERFECT
’Tisnottobeexpectedthatargumentandinstruction，thoughweneversovoluntarilysurrenderourbelieftowhatisreadtous，shouldbeofforcetoleadusonsofarastoaction，ifwedonot，overandabove，exerciseandformthesoulbyexperiencetothecourseforwhichwedesignit;itwill，otherwise，doubtlessfinditselfatalosswhenitcomestothepinchofthebusiness。Thisisthereasonwhythoseamongstthephilosopherswhowereambitioustoattaintoagreaterexcellence，werenotcontentedtoawaittheseveritiesoffortuneintheretirementandreposeoftheirownhabitations，lestheshouldhavesurprisedthemrawandinexpertinthecombat，butsalliedouttomeether，andpurposelythrewthemselvesintotheproofofdifficulties。Someofthemabandonedrichestoexercisethemselvesinavoluntarypoverty;otherssoughtoutlabourandanausterityoflife，toinurethemtohardshipsandinconveniences;othershavedeprivedthemselvesoftheirdearestmembers，asofsight，andoftheinstrumentsofgeneration，lesttheirtoodelightfulandeffeminateserviceshouldsoftenanddebauchthestabilityoftheirsouls。
Butindying，whichisthegreatestworkwehavetodo，practicecangiveusnoassistanceatall。Amanmaybycustomfortifyhimselfagainstpain，shame，necessity，andsuch—likeaccidents，butastodeath，wecanexperimentitbutonce，andareallapprenticeswhenwecometoit。
Therehave，anciently，beenmensoexcellentmanagersoftheirtimethattheyhavetriedevenindeathitselftorelishandtasteit，andwhohavebenttheirutmostfacultiesofmindtodiscoverwhatthispassageis，buttheyarenoneofthemcomebacktotellusthenews:
\"Nemoexpergitusexstat，Frigidaquernsemelestvitaipausasequuta。\"
[\"Noonewakeswhohasoncefallenintothecoldsleepofdeath。\"
——Lucretius，iii。942]
JuliusCanus，anobleRoman，ofsingularconstancyandvirtue，havingbeencondemnedtodiebythatworthlessfellowCaligula，besidesmanymarvelloustestimoniesthathegaveofhisresolution，ashewasjustgoingtoreceivethestrokeoftheexecutioner，wasaskedbyaphilosopher，afriendofhis:\"Well，Canus，whereaboutisyoursoulnow？
whatisshedoing？Whatareyouthinkingof？\"——\"Iwasthinking，\"repliedtheother，\"tokeepmyselfready，andthefacultiesofmymindfullsettledandfixed，totryifinthisshortandquickinstantofdeath，I
couldperceivethemotionofthesoulwhenshepartsfromthebody，andwhethershehasanysentimentattheseparation，thatImayaftercomeagainifIcan，toacquaintmyfriendswithit。\"Thismanphilosophisesnotuntodeathonly，butindeathitself。Whatastrangeassurancewasthis，andwhatbraveryofcourage，todesirehisdeathshouldbealessontohim，andtohaveleisuretothinkofotherthingsinsogreatanaffair:
\"Jushocanimimorientishabebat。\"
[\"Thismightypowerofmindhehaddying。\"—Lucan，viii。636。]
AndyetIfancy，thereisacertainwayofmakingitfamiliartous，andinsomesortofmakingtrialwhatitis。Wemaygainexperience，ifnotentireandperfect，yetsuch，atleast，asshallnotbetotallyuselesstous，andthatmayrenderusmoreconfidentandmoreassured。Ifwecannotovertakeit，wemayapproachitandviewit，andifwedonotadvancesofarasthefort，wemayatleastdiscoverandmakeourselvesacquaintedwiththeavenues。Itisnotwithoutreasonthatwearetaughttoconsidersleepasaresemblanceofdeath:withhowgreatfacilitydowepassfromwakingtosleeping，andwithhowlittleconcerndowelosetheknowledgeoflightandofourselves。Peradventure，thefacultyofsleepingwouldseemuselessandcontrarytonature，sinceitdeprivesusofallactionandsentiment，wereitnotthatbyitnatureinstructsusthatshehasequallymadeustodieastolive;andinlifepresentstoustheeternalstateshereservesforusafterit，toaccustomustoitandtotakefromusthefearofit。Butsuchashavebyviolentaccidentfallenintoaswoon，andinithavelostallsense，these，methinks，havebeenverynearseeingthetrueandnaturalfaceofdeath;forastothemomentofthepassage，itisnottobefearedthatitbringswithitanypainordispleasure，forasmuchaswecanhavenofeelingwithoutleisure;
oursufferingsrequiretime，whichindeathissoshort，andsoprecipitous，thatitmustnecessarilybeinsensible。Theyaretheapproachesthatwearetofear，andthesemayfallwithinthelimitsofexperience。