Wemustmoderateandadaptourdesirestothenearestandeasiesttobeacquiredthings。Isitnotafoolishhumourofminetoseparatemyselffromathousandtowhommyfortunehasconjoinedme，andwithoutwhomI
cannotlive，andcleavetooneortwowhoareoutofmyintercourse;orratherafantasticdesireofathingIcannotobtain？Mygentleandeasymanners，enemiesofallsournessandharshness，mayeasilyenoughhavesecuredmefromenvyandanimosities;tobebeloved，Idonotsay，butneveranymangavelessoccasionofbeinghated;butthecoldnessofmyconversationhas，reasonablyenough，deprivedmeofthegoodwillofmany，whoaretobeexcusediftheyinterpretitinanotherandworsesense。
Iamverycapableofcontractingandmaintainingrareandexquisitefriendships;forbyreasonthatIsogreedilyseizeuponsuchacquaintanceasfitmyliking，IthrowmyselfwithsuchviolenceuponthemthatIhardlyfailtostick，andtomakeanimpressionwhereIhit;
asIhaveoftenmadehappyproof。InordinaryfriendshipsIamsomewhatcoldandshy，formymotionisnotnatural，ifnotwithfullsail:
besideswhich，myfortunehavinginmyyouthgivenmearelishforonesoleandperfectfriendship，has，intruth，createdinmeakindofdistastetoothers，andtoomuchimprintedinmyfancythatitisabeastofcompany，astheancientsaid，butnotoftheherd。——[Plutarch，OnthePluralityofFriends，c。2。]——AndalsoIhaveanaturaldifficultyofcommunicatingmyselfbyhalves，withthemodificationsandtheservileandjealousprudencerequiredintheconversationofnumerousandimperfectfriendships:andweareprincipallyenjoinedtotheseinthisageofours，whenwecannottalkoftheworldbuteitherwithdangerorfalsehood。
YetdoIverywelldiscernthathewhohastheconveniences（Imeantheessentialconveniences）oflifeforhisend，asIhave，oughttoflythesedifficultiesanddelicacyofhumour，asmuchastheplague。I
shouldcommendasoulofseveralstages，thatknowsbothhowtostretchandtoslackenitself;thatfindsitselfateaseinallconditionswhitherfortuneleadsit;thatcandiscoursewithaneighbour，ofhisbuilding，hishunting，hisquarrels;thatcanchatwithacarpenteroragardenerwithpleasure。Ienvythosewhocanrenderthemselvesfamiliarwiththemeanestoftheirfollowers，andtalkwiththemintheirownway;
anddisliketheadviceofPlato，thatmenshouldalwaysspeakinamagisterialtonetotheirservants，whethermenorwomen，withoutbeingsometimesfacetiousandfamiliar;forbesidesthereasonsIhavegiven，’tisinhumanandunjusttosetsogreatavalueuponthispitifulprerogativeoffortune，andthepolitieswhereinlessdisparityispermittedbetwixtmastersandservantsseemtomethemostequitable。
Othersstudyhowtoraiseandelevatetheirminds;I，howtohumblemineandtobringitlow;’tisonlyviciousinextension:
\"NarrasetgenusAEaci，EtpugnatasacrobellasubIlioQuoChiumpretiocadumMercemur，quisaquamtemperetignibus，Quopraebentedomum，etquota，Peligniscareamfrigoribus，taces。\"
[\"YoutelluslongstoriesabouttheraceofAEacus，andthebattlesfoughtundersacredIlium;butwhattogiveforacaskofChianwine，whoshallpreparethewarmbath，andinwhosehouse，andwhenImayescapefromthePeligniancold，youdonottellus。\"
——Horace，Od。，iii。19，3。]
Thus，astheLacedaemonianvalourstoodinneedofmoderation，andofthesweetandharmonioussoundofflutestosoftenitinbattle，lesttheyshouldprecipitatethemselvesintotemerityandfury，whereasallothernationscommonlymakeuseofharshandshrillsounds，andofloudandimperiouscries，toinciteandheatthesoldier’scouragetothelastdegree;so，methinks，contrarytotheusualmethod，inthepracticeofourminds，wehaveforthemostpartmoreneedofleadthanofwings;oftemperanceandcomposednessthanofardourandagitation。But，aboveallthings，’tisinmyopinionegregiouslytoplaythefool，toputonthegraveairsofamanofloftymindamongstthosewhoarenothingofthesort:evertospeakinprint（bythebook），\"Favellareinpumadiforchetta。\"
[\"Totalkwiththepointofafork，\"（affectedly）]
Youmustletyourselfdowntothosewithwhomyouconverse;andsometimesaffectignorance:layasidepowerandsubtiltyincommonconversation;topreservedecorumandorder’tisenough—nay，crawlontheearth，iftheysodesireit。
Thelearnedoftenstumbleatthisstone;theywillalwaysbeparadingtheirpedanticscience，andstrewtheirbookseverywhere;theyhave，inthesedays，sofilledthecabinetsandearsoftheladieswiththem，thatiftheyhavelostthesubstance，theyatleastretainthewords;soasinalldiscourseuponallsortsofsubjects，howmeanandcommonsoever，theyspeakandwriteafteranewandlearnedway，\"Hocsermonepavent，hociram，gaudia，curas，Hoccunctaeffunduntanimisecreta;quidultra？
Concumbuntdocte;\"
[\"Inthislanguagedotheyexpresstheirfears，theiranger，theirjoys，theircares;inthispouroutalltheirsecrets;whatmore？
theyliewiththeirloverslearnedly。\"——Juvenal，vi。189。]
andquotePlatoandAquinasinthingsthefirstmantheymeetcoulddetermineaswell;thelearningthatcannotpenetratetheirsoulshangsstilluponthetongue。Ifpeopleofqualitywillbepersuadedbyme，theyshallcontentthemselveswithsettingouttheirproperandnaturaltreasures;theyconcealandcovertheirbeautiesunderothersthatarenoneoftheirs:’tisagreatfollytoputouttheirownlightandshinebyaborrowedlustre:theyareinterredandburiedunder’decapsulatotae\"——[Paintedandperfumedfromheadtofoot。\"（Or:）\"asiftheywerethingscarefullydepositedinaband—box。\"——Seneca，Ep。115]——Itisbecausetheydonotsufficientlyknowthemselvesordothemselvesjustice:theworldhasnothingfairerthanthey;’tisforthemtohonourthearts，andtopaintpainting。Whatneedhavetheyofanythingbuttolivebelovedandhonoured？Theyhaveandknowbuttoomuchforthis:
theyneeddonomorebutrouseandheatalittlethefacultiestheyhaveoftheirown。WhenIseethemtamperingwithrhetoric，law，logic，andotherdrugs，soimproperandunnecessaryfortheirbusiness，Ibegintosuspectthatthemenwhoinspirethemwithsuchfancies，doitthattheymaygovernthemuponthataccount;forwhatotherexcusecanIcontrive？
Itisenoughthattheycan，withoutourinstruction，composethegracesoftheireyestogaiety，severity，sweetness，andseasonadenialwithasperity，suspense，orfavour:theyneednotanothertointerpretwhatwespeakfortheirservice;withthisknowledge，theycommandwithaswitch，andruleboththetutorsandtheschools。Butif，nevertheless，itangersthemtogiveplacetousinanythingwhatever，andwill，outofcuriosity，havetheirshareinbooks，poetryisadiversionproperforthem;’tisawanton，subtle，dissembling，andpratingart，allpleasureandallshow，likethemselves。Theymayalsoabstractseveralcommoditiesfromhistory。Inphilosophy，outofthemoralpartofit，theymayselectsuchinstructionsaswillteachthemtojudgeofourhumoursandconditions，todefendthemselvesfromourtreacheries，toregulatetheardouroftheirowndesires，tomanagetheirliberty，tolengthenthepleasuresoflife，andgentlytobeartheinconstancyofalover，therudenessofahusband;andtheimportunityofyears，wrinkles，andthelike。ThisistheutmostofwhatIwouldallowtheminthesciences。
Therearesomeparticularnaturesthatareprivateandretired:mynaturalwayisproperforcommunication，andapttolaymeopen;Iamallwithoutandinsight，bornforsocietyandfriendship。ThesolitudethatIlovemyselfandrecommendtoothers，ischieflynootherthantowithdrawmythoughtsandaffectionsintomyself;torestrainandcheck，notmysteps，butmyowncaresanddesires，resigningallforeignsolicitude，andmortallyavoidingservitudeandobligation，andnotsomuchthecrowdofmenasthecrowdofbusiness。Localsolitude，tosaythetruth，rathergivesmemoreroomandsetsmemoreatlarge;ImorereadilythrowmyselfuponaffairsofstateandtheworldwhenIamalone。
AttheLouvreandinthebustleofthecourt，Ifoldmyselfwithinmyownskin;thecrowdthrustsmeuponmyself;andIneverentertainmyselfsowantonly，withsomuchlicence，orsoespecially，asinplacesofrespectandceremoniousprudence:ourfolliesdonotmakemelaugh，itisourwisdomwhichdoes。Iamnaturallynoenemytoacourt，life;Ihavethereinpassedapartofmyown，andamofahumourcheerfullytofrequentgreatcompany，provideditbebyintervalsandatmyowntime:
butthissoftnessofjudgmentwhereofIspeaktiesmeperforcetosolitude。Evenathome，amidstanumerousfamily，andinahousesufficientlyfrequented，Iseepeopleenough，butrarelysuchwithwhomI
delighttoconverse;andItherereservebothformyselfandothersanunusualliberty:thereisinmyhousenosuchthingasceremony，ushering，orwaitinguponpeopledowntothecoach，andsuchothertroublesomeceremoniesasourcourtesyenjoins（Otheservileandimportunatecustom！）。Everyonetheregovernshimselfaccordingtohisownmethod;letwhowillspeakhisthoughts，Isitmute，meditatingandshutupinmycloset，withoutanyoffencetomyguests。
ThemenwhosesocietyandfamiliarityIcovetarethosetheycallsincereandablemen;andtheimageofthesemakesmedisrelishtherest。Itis，ifrightlytaken，therarestofourforms，andaformthatwechieflyowetonature。Theendofthiscommerceissimplyprivacy，frequentationandconference，theexerciseofsouls，withoutotherfruit。Inourdiscourse，allsubjectsarealiketome;lettherebeneitherweight，nordepth，’tisallone:thereisyetgraceandpertinency;allthereistintedwithamatureandconstantjudgment，andmixedwithgoodness，freedom，gaiety，andfriendship。’Tisnotonlyintalkingoftheaffairsofkingsandstatethatourwitsdiscovertheirforceandbeauty，buteverywhitasmuchinprivateconferences。Iunderstandmymenevenbytheirsilenceandsmiles;andbetterdiscoverthem，perhaps，attablethaninthecouncil。Hippomachussaid，verywell，\"thathecouldknowthegoodwrestlersbyonlyseeingthemwalkinthestreet。\"Iflearningpleasetostepintoourtalk，itshallnotberejected，notmagisterial，imperious，andimportunate，as—itcommonlyis，butsuffragananddocileitself;wethereonlyseektopassawayourtime;whenwehaveamindtobeinstructedandpreachedto，wewillgoseekthisinitsthrone;pleaseletithumbleitselftousforthenonce;for，usefulandprofitableasitis，Iimaginethat，atneed，wemaymanagewellenoughwithoutit，anddoourbusinesswithoutitsassistance。Awell—descendedsoul，andpractisedintheconversationofmen，willofherselfrenderherselfsufficientlyagreeable;artisnothingbutthecounterpartandregisterofwhatsuchsoulsproduce。
Theconversationalsoofbeautifulandhonourablewomenisformeasweetcommerce:
\"Namnosquoqueoculoseruditoshabemus。\"
[\"Forwealsohaveeyesthatareversedinthematter。\"
——Cicero，Paradox，v。2。]
Ifthesoulhasnotthereinsomuchtoenjoy，asinthefirstthebodilysenses，whichparticipatemoreofthis，bringittoaproportionnextto，though，inmyopinion，notequaltotheother。But’tisacommercewhereinamanmuststandalittleuponhisguard，especiallythose，wherethebodycandomuch，asinme。Itherescaldedmyselfinmyyouth，andsufferedallthetormentsthatpoetssaybefallthosewhoprecipitatethemselvesintolovewithoutorderandjudgment。Itistruethatthatwhippinghasmademewisersince:
\"QuicumqueArgolicadeclasseCaphareafugit，SemperabEuboicisvelaretorquetaquis。\"
[\"WhoeveroftheGrecianfleethasescapedtheCaphareanrocks，evertakescaretosteerfromtheEuboeansea。\"——Ovid，Trist。，i。i，83。]
’Tisfollytofixallaman’sthoughtsuponit，andtoengageinitwithafuriousandindiscreetaffection;but，ontheotherhand，toengagetherewithoutloveandwithoutinclination，likecomedians，toplayacommonpart，withoutputtinganythingtoitofhisownbutwords，isindeedtoprovideforhissafety，but，withal，afterascowardlyamannerashewhoshouldabandonhishonour，profit，orpleasureforfearofdanger。Foritiscertainthatfromsuchapractice，theywhosetitonfootcanexpectnofruitthatcanpleaseorsatisfyanoblesoul。Amanmusthave，ingoodearnest，desiredthatwhichhe，ingoodearnest，expectstohaveapleasureinenjoying;Isay，thoughfortuneshouldunjustlyfavourtheirdissimulation;whichoftenfallsout，becausethereisnoneofthesex，letherbeasuglyasthedevil，whodoesnotthinkherselfwellworthytobebeloved，andwhodoesnotpreferherselfbeforeotherwomen，eitherforheryouth，thecolourofherhair，orhergracefulmotion（fortherearenomorewomenuniversallyugly，thantherearewomenuniversallybeautiful，andsuchoftheBrahminvirginsashavenothingelsetorecommendthem，thepeoplebeingassembledbythecommoncriertothateffect，comeoutintothemarket—placetoexposetheirmatrimonialpartstopublicview，totryiftheseatleastarenotoftemptationsufficienttogetthemahusband）。Consequently，thereisnotonewhodoesnoteasilysufferherselftobeovercomebythefirstvowthattheymaketoserveher。Nowfromthiscommonandordinarytreacheryofthemenofthepresentday，thatmustfalloutwhichwealreadyexperimentallysee，eitherthattheyrallytogether，andseparatethemselvesbythemselvestoevadeus，orelseformtheirdisciplinebytheexamplewegivethem，playtheirpartsofthefarceaswedoours，andgivethemselvesuptothesport，withoutpassion，care，orlove;
\"Nequeafl’ectuisuo，autalieno，obnoxiae;\"
[\"Neitheramenabletotheirownaffections，northoseofothers。\"
——Tacitus，Annal。，xiii。45。]
believing，accordingtothepersuasionofLysiasinPlato，thattheymaywithmoreutilityandconveniencesurrenderthemselvesuptousthelesswelovethem;whereitwillfallout，asincomedies，thatthepeoplewillhaveasmuchpleasureormorethanthecomedians。Formypart，InomoreacknowledgeaVenuswithoutaCupidthan，amotherwithoutissue:theyarethingsthatmutullylendandowetheiressencetooneanother。Thusthischeatrecoilsuponhimwhoisguiltyofit;itdoesnotcosthimmuch，indeed，buthealsogetslittleornothingbyit。
TheywhohavemadeVenusagoddesshavetakennoticethatherprincipalbeautywasincorporealandspiritual;buttheVenuswhomthesepeoplehuntafterisnotsomuchashuman，norindeedbrutal;theverybeastswillnotacceptitsogrossandsoearthly;weseethatimaginationanddesireoftenheatandincitethembeforethebodydoes;weseeinboththeonesexandtheother，theyhaveintheherdchoiceandparticularelectionintheiraffections，andthattheyhaveamongstthemselvesalongcommerceofgoodwill。Eventhosetowhomoldagedeniesthepracticeoftheirdesire，stilltremble，neigh，andtwitterforlove;weseethem，beforetheact，fullofhopeandardour，andwhenthebodyhasplayeditsgame，yetpleasethemselveswiththesweetremembranceofthepastdelight;somethatswellwithprideaftertheyhaveperformed，andotherswho，tiredandsated，stillbyvociferationexpressatriumphingjoy。Hewhohasnothingtodobutonlytodischargehisbodyofanaturalnecessity，neednottroubleotherswithsocuriouspreparations:
itisnotmeatforagross，coarseappetite。
AsonewhodoesnotdesirethatmenshouldthinkmebetterthanIam，Iwillheresaythisastotheerrorsofmyyouth。Notonlyfromthedangerofimpairingmyhealth（andyetIcouldnotbesocarefulbutthatIhadtwolightmischances），butmoreoverupontheaccountofcontempt，Ihaveseldomgivenmyselfuptocommonandmercenaryembraces:Iwouldheightenthepleasurebythedifficulty，bydesire，andacertainkindofglory，andwasofTiberius’smind，whoinhisamourswasasmuchtakenwithmodestyandbirthasanyotherquality，andofthecourtesanFlora’shumour，whoneverlentherselftolessthanadictator，aconsul，oracensor，andtookpleasureinthedignityofherlovers。Doubtlesspearlsandgoldtissue，titlesandtrain，addsomethingtoit。
Astotherest，Ihadagreatesteemforwit，providedthepersonwasnotexceptionable;for，toconfessthetruth，iftheoneortheotherofthesetwoattractionsmustofnecessitybewanting，Ishouldratherhavequittedthatoftheunderstanding，thathasitsuseinbetterthings;
butinthesubjectoflove，asubjectprincipallyrelatingtothesensesofseeingandtouching，somethingmaybedonewithoutthegracesofthemind:withoutthegracesofthebody，nothing。Beautyisthetrueprerogativeofwomen，andsopeculiarlytheirown，thatours，thoughnaturallyrequiringanothersortoffeature，isneverinitslustrebutwhenyouthfulandbeardless，asortofconfusedimageoftheirs。’TissaidthatsuchasservetheGrandSigniorupontheaccountofbeauty，whoareaninfinitenumber，are，atthelatest，dismissedattwo—and—twentyyearsofage。Reason，prudence，andtheofficesoffriendshiparebetterfoundamongstmen，andthereforeitisthattheygoverntheaffairsoftheworld。
Thesetwoengagementsarefortuitous，anddependinguponothers;theoneistroublesomebyitsrarity，theotherwitherswithage，sothattheycouldneverhavebeensufficientforthebusinessofmylife。Thatofbooks，whichisthethird，ismuchmorecertain，andmuchmoreourown。
Ityieldsallotheradvantagestothetwofirst，buthastheconstancyandfacilityofitsserviceforitsownshare。Itgoessidebysidewithmeinmywholecourse，andeverywhereisassistingme:itcomfortsmeinoldageandsolitude;iteasesmeofatroublesomeweightofidleness，anddeliversmeatallhoursfromcompanythatIdislike:itbluntsthepointofgriefs，iftheyarenotextreme，andhavenotgotanentirepossessionofmysoul。Todivertmyselffromatroublesomefancy，’tisbuttoruntomybooks;theypresentlyfixmetothemanddrivetheotheroutofmythoughts，anddonotmutinyatseeingthatIhaveonlyrecoursetothemforwantofothermorereal，natural，andlivelycommodities;
theyalwaysreceivemewiththesamekindness。Hemaywellgoafoot，theysay，wholeadshishorseinhishand;andourJames，KingofNaplesandSicily，who，handsome，youngandhealthful，causedhimselftobecarriedaboutonabarrow，extendeduponapitifulmattressinapoorrobeofgreycloth，andacapofthesame，yetattendedwithalbyaroyaltrain，litters，ledhorsesofallsorts，gentlemenandofficers，didyethereinrepresentatenderandunsteadyauthority:\"Thesickmanhasnottocomplainwhohashiscureinhissleeve。\"Intheexperienceandpracticeofthismaxim，whichisaverytrueone，consistsallthebenefitIreapfrombooks。Asamatteroffact，Imakenomoreuseofthem，asitwere，thanthosewhoknowthemnot。Ienjoythemasmisersdotheirmoney，inknowingthatImayenjoythemwhenIplease:mymindissatisfiedwiththisrightofpossession。Inevertravelwithoutbooks，eitherinpeaceorwar;andyetsometimesIpassoverseveraldays，andsometimesmonths，withoutlookingonthem。Iwillreadby—and—
by，sayItomyself，orto—morrow，orwhenIplease;andintheinterim，timestealsawaywithoutanyinconvenience。ForitisnottobeimaginedtowhatdegreeIpleasemyselfandrestcontentinthisconsideration，thatIhavethembymetodivertmyselfwiththemwhenIamsodisposed，andtocalltomindwhatarefreshmenttheyaretomylife。’TisthebestviaticumIhaveyetfoundoutforthishumanjourney，andIverymuchpitythosemenofunderstandingwhoareunprovidedofit。Itheratheracceptofanyothersortofdiversion，howlightsoever，becausethiscanneverfailme。
Whenathome，Ialittlemorefrequentmylibrary，whenceIoverlookatoncealltheconcernsofmyfamily。’Tissituatedattheentranceintomyhouse，andIthenceseeundermemygarden，court，andbase—court，andalmostallpartsofthebuilding。ThereIturnovernowonebook，andthenanother，onvarioussubjects，withoutmethodordesign。OnewhileImeditate，anotherIrecordanddictate，asIwalktoandfro，suchwhimsiesastheseIpresenttoyouhere。’Tisinthethirdstoreyofatower，ofwhichtheground—roomismychapel，thesecondstoreyachamberwithawithdrawing—roomandcloset，whereIoftenlie，tobemoreretired;andaboveisagreatwardrobe。Thisformerlywasthemostuselesspartofthehouse。Itherepassawaybothmostofthedaysofmylifeandmostofthehoursofthosedays。InthenightIamneverthere。
Thereisbythesideofitacabinethandsomeenough，withafireplaceverycommodiouslycontrived，andplentyoflight;andwereInotmoreafraidofthetroublethantheexpense——thetroublethatfrightsmefromallbusiness——Icouldveryeasilyadjoinoneitherside，andonthesamefloor，agalleryofanhundredpaceslongandtwelvebroad，havingfoundwallsalreadyraisedforsomeotherdesigntotherequisiteheight。
Everyplaceofretirementrequiresawalk:mythoughtssleepifIsitstill:myfancydoesnotgobyitself，aswhenmylegsmoveit:andallthosewhostudywithoutabookareinthesamecondition。Thefigureofmystudyisround，andthereisnomoreopenwallthanwhatistakenupbymytableandmychair，sothattheremainingpartsofthecirclepresentmeaviewofallmybooksatonce，rangeduponfiverowsofshelvesroundaboutme。Ithasthreenobleandfreeprospects，andissixteenpacesindiameter。Iamnotsocontinuallythereinwinter;formyhouseisbuiltuponaneminence，asitsnameimports，andnopartofitissomuchexposedtothewindandweatherasthis，whichpleasesmethebetter，asbeingofmoredifficultaccessandalittleremote，aswellupontheaccountofexercise，asalsobeingtheremoreretiredfromthecrowd。’TistherethatIaminmykingdom，andthereIendeavourtomakemyselfanabsolutemonarch，andtosequesterthisonecornerfromallsociety，conjugal，filial，andcivil;elsewhereIhavebutverbalauthorityonly，andofaconfusedessence。Thatman，inmyopinion，isverymiserable，whohasnotathomewheretobebyhimself，wheretoentertainhimselfalone，ortoconcealhimselffromothers。Ambitionsufficientlyplaguesherproselytes，bykeepingthemalwaysinshow，likethestatueofapublic，square:
\"Magnaservitusestmagnafortuna。\"
[\"Agreatfortuneisagreatslavery。\"
——Seneca，DeConsol。ad。Polyb。，c。26。]
Theycannotsomuchasbeprivateinthewatercloset。Ihavethoughtnothingsosevereintheausterityoflifethatourmonksaffect，aswhatIhaveobservedinsomeoftheircommunities;namely，byrule，tohaveaperpetualsocietyofplace，andnumerouspersonspresentineveryactionwhatever;andthinkitmuchmoresupportabletobealwaysalonethannevertobeso。
IfanyoneshalltellmethatitistoundervaluetheMusestomakeuseofthemonlyforsportandtopassawaythetime，Ishalltellhim，thathedoesnotknowsowellasIthevalueofthesport，thepleasure，andthepastime;Icanhardlyforbeartoaddthatallotherendisridiculous。Ilivefromdaytoday，and，withreverencebeitspoken，I
onlyliveformyself;thereallmydesignsterminate。Istudied，whenyoung，forostentation;since，tomakemyselfalittlewiser;andnowformydiversion，butneverforanyprofit。AvainandprodigalhumourIhadafterthissortoffurniture，notonlyforthesupplyingmyownneed，but，moreover，forornamentandoutwardshow，Ihavesincequitecuredmyselfof。
Bookshavemanycharmingqualitiestosuchasknowhowtochoosethem;
buteverygoodhasitsill;’tisapleasurethatisnotpureandclean，nomorethanothers:ithasitsinconveniences，andgreatonestoo。Thesoulindeedisexercisedtherein;butthebody，thecareofwhichImustwithalneverneglect，remainsinthemeantimewithoutaction，andgrowsheavyandsombre。Iknownoexcessmoreprejudicialtome，normoretobeavoidedinthismydecliningage。
Thesehavebeenmythreefavouriteandparticularoccupations;IspeaknotofthoseIowetotheworldbycivilobligation。
CHAPTERIV。
OFDIVERSION
Iwasonceemployedinconsolingaladytrulyafflicted。Mostoftheirmourningsareartificialandceremonious:
\"Uberibussemperlacrymis，semperqueparatis，Instationesubatqueexpectantibusillam，Quojubeatmanaremodo。\"
[\"Awomanhaseverafountainoftearsreadytogushupwheneversherequirestomakeuseofthem。\"——Juvenal，vi。272。]
Amangoesthewrongwaytoworkwhenheopposesthispassion;foroppositiondoesbutirritateandmakethemmoreobstinateinsorrow;theevilisexasperatedbydiscussion。Wesee，incommondiscourse，thatwhatIhaveindifferentlyletfallfromme，ifanyonetakesituptocontrovertit，IjustifyitwiththebestargumentsIhave;andmuchmoreathingwhereinIhadarealinterest。Andbesides，insodoingyouenterroughlyuponyouroperation;whereasthefirstaddressesofaphysiciantohispatientshouldbegracious，gay，andpleasing;neverdidanyill—looking，morosephysiciandoanythingtopurpose。Onthecontrary，then，amanshould，atthefirstapproaches，favourtheirgriefandexpresssomeapprobationoftheirsorrow。Bythisintelligenceyouobtaincredittoproceedfurther，andbyafacileandinsensiblegradationfallintodiscoursesmoresolidandproperfortheircure。
I，whoseaimitwasprincipallytogullthecompanywhohadtheireyesfixeduponme，tookitintomyheadonlytopalliatethedisease。AndindeedIhavefoundbyexperiencethatIhaveanunluckyhandinpersuading。Myargumentsareeithertoosharpanddry，orpressedtooroughly，ornothomeenough。AfterIhadsometimeappliedmyselftohergrief，Ididnotattempttocureherbystrongandlivelyreasons，eitherbecauseIhadthemnotathand，orbecauseIthoughttodomybusinessbetteranotherway;neitherdidImakechoiceofanyofthosemethodsofconsolationwhichphilosophyprescribes:thatwhatwecomplainofisnoevil，accordingtoCleanthes;thatitisalightevil，accordingtothePeripatetics;thattobemoanone’sselfisanactionneithercommendablenorjust，accordingtoChrysippus;northisofEpicurus，moresuitabletomyway，ofshiftingthethoughtsfromafflictingthingstothosethatarepleasing;normakingabundleofallthesetogether，tomakeuseofuponoccasion，accordingtoCicero;but，gentlybendingmydiscourse，andbylittleandlittledigressing，sometimestosubjectsnearer，andsometimesmoreremotefromthepurpose，accordingasshewasmoreintentonwhatI
said，Iimperceptiblyledherfromthatsorrowfulthought，andkepthercalmandingood—humourwhilstIcontinuedthere。Ihereinmadeuseofdiversion。Theywhosucceededmeinthesameservicedidnot，forallthat，findanyamendmentinher，forIhadnotgonetotheroot。
I，peradventure，mayelsewherehaveglanceduponsomesortofpublicdiversions;andthepracticeofmilitaryones，whichPericlesmadeuseofinthePeloponnesianwar，andathousandothersinotherplaces，towithdrawtheadverseforcesfromtheirowncountries，istoofrequentinhistory。ItwasaningeniousevasionwherebyMonseigneurd’HempricourtsavedbothhimselfandothersinthecityofLiege，intowhichtheDukeofBurgundy，whokeptitbesieged，hadmadehimentertoexecutethearticlesoftheirpromisedsurrender;thepeople，beingassembledbynighttoconsiderofit，begantomutinyagainsttheagreement，andseveralofthemresolvedtofalluponthecommissioners，whomtheyhadintheirpower;he，feelingthegustsofthisfirstpopularstorm，whowerecomingtorushintohislodgings，suddenlysentouttothemtwooftheinhabitantsofthecity（ofwhomhehadsomewithhim）withnewandmildertermstobeproposedintheircouncil，whichhehadthenandtherecontrivedforhisneed:Thesetwodivertedthefirsttempest，carryingbacktheenragedrabbletothetown—halltohearandconsiderofwhattheyhadtosay。Thedeliberationwasshort;asecondstormaroseasviolentastheother，whereuponhedespatchedfournewmediatorsofthesamequalitytomeetthem，protestingthathehadnowbetterconditionstopresentthemwith，andsuchaswouldgivethemabsolutesatisfaction，bywhichmeansthetumultwasoncemoreappeased，andthepeopleagainturnedbacktotheconclave。Infine，bythisdispensationofamusements，oneafteranother，divertingtheirfuryanddissipatingitinfrivolousconsultations，helaiditatlastasleeptillthedayappeared，whichwashisprincipalend。
Thisotherstorythatfollowsisalsoofthesamecategory。Atalanta，avirginofexcellingbeautyandofwonderfuldispositionofbody，todisengageherselffromthecrowdofathousandsuitorswhosoughtherinmarriage，madethisproposition，thatshewouldacceptofhimforherhusbandwhoshouldequalherinrunning，uponconditionthattheywhofailedshouldlosetheirlives。Therewereenoughwhothoughttheprizeverywellworththehazard，andwhosufferedthecruelpenaltyofthecontract。Hippomenes，abouttomaketrialaftertherest，madehisaddresstothegoddessoflove，imploringherassistance;andshe，grantinghisrequest，gavehimthreegoldenapples，andinstructedhimhowtousethem。Theracebeginning，asHippomenesperceivedhismistresstopressharduptohim;he，asitwerebychance，letfalloneoftheseapples;themaid，takenwiththebeautyofit，failednottostepoutofherwaytopickitup:
\"ObstupuitVirgo，nitidiquecupidinepomiDeclinatcursus，aurumquevolubiletollit。\"
[\"Thevirgin，astonishedandattractedbytheglitteringapple，stopshercareer，andseizestherollinggold。\"
——Ovid，Metam。，x。666。]
Hedidthesame，whenhesawhistime，bythesecondandthethird，tillbysodivertingher，andmakingherlosesomuchground，hewontherace。
Whenphysicianscannotstopacatarrh，theydivertandturnitintosomeotherlessdangerouspart。AndIfindalsothatthisisthemostordinarypracticeforthediseasesofthemind:
\"Abducendusetiamnonnunquamanimusestadaliastudia，sollicitudines，curas，negotia:locideniquemutatione，tanquamaegrotinonconvalescentes，saepecurandusest。\"
[\"Themindissometimestobedivertedtootherstudies，thoughts，cares，business:infine，bychangeofplace，aswheresickpersonsdonotbecomeconvalescent。\"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，iv。35。]
’Tistolittleeffectdirectlytojostleaman’sinfirmities;weneithermakehimsustainnorrepeltheattack;weonlymakehimdeclineandevadeit。
Thisotherlessonistoohighandtoodifficult:’tisformenofthefirstformofknowledgepurelytoinsistuponthething，toconsiderandjudgeit;itappertainstoonesoleSocratestomeetdeathwithanordinarycountenance，togrowacquaintedwithit，andtosportwithit;
heseeksnoconsolationoutofthethingitself;dyingappearstohimanaturalandindifferentaccident;’tistherethathefixeshissightandresolution，withoutlookingelsewhere。ThedisciplesofHegesias，whostarvedthemselvestodeath，animatedthereuntobyhisfinelectures，andinsuchnumbersthatKingPtolemyorderedheshouldbeforbiddentoentertainhisfollowerswithsuchhomicidaldoctrines，didnotconsiderdeathinitself，neitherdidtheyjudgeofit;itwasnottheretheyfixedtheirthoughts;theyrantowardsandaimedatanewbeing。
Thepoorwretcheswhomweseebroughtuponthescaffold，fullofardentdevotion，andtherein，asmuchasinthemlies，employingalltheirsenses，theirearsinhearingtheinstructionsgiventhem，theireyesandhandslifteduptowardsheaven，theirvoicesinloudprayers，withavehementandcontinualemotion，dodoubtlessthingsverycommendableandproperforsuchanecessity:weoughttocommendthemfortheirdevotion，butnotproperlyfortheirconstancy;theyshuntheencounter，theydiverttheirthoughtsfromtheconsiderationofdeath，aschildrenareamusedwithsometoyorotherwhenthesurgeonisgoingtogivethemaprickwithhislancet。Ihaveseensome，who，castingtheireyesuponthedreadfulinstrumentsofdeathroundabout，havefainted，andfuriouslyturnedtheirthoughtsanotherway;suchasaretopassaformidableprecipiceareadvisedeithertoshuttheireyesortolookanotherway。
SubriusFlavius，beingbyNero’scommandtobeputtodeath，andbythehandofNiger，bothofthemgreatcaptains，whentheyleadhimtotheplaceappointedforhisexecution，seeingthegravethatNigerhadcausedtobehollowedtoputhimintoill—made:\"Neitheristhis，\"saidhe，turningtothesoldierswhoguardedhim，\"accordingtomilitarydiscipline。\"AndtoNiger，whoexhortedhimtokeephisheadfirm:\"Dobutthoustrikeasfirmly，\"saidhe。Andheverywellforesawwhatwouldfollowwhenhesaidso;forNiger’sarmsotrembledthathehadseveralblowsathisheadbeforehecouldcutitoff。Thismanseemstohavehadhisthoughtsrightlyfixeduponthesubject。
Hewhodiesinabattle，withhisswordinhishand，doesnotthenthinkofdeath;hefeelsorconsidersitnot;theardourofthefightdivertshisthoughtanotherway。Aworthymanofmyacquaintance，fallingashewasfightingaduel，andfeelinghimselfnailedtotheearthbynineortenthrustsofhisenemy，everyonepresentcalledtohimtothinkofhisconscience;buthehassincetoldme，thatthoughheverywellheardwhattheysaid，itnothingmovedhim，andthatheneverthoughtofanythingbuthowtodisengageandrevengehimself。Heafterwardskilledhismaninthatveryduel。HewhobroughttoL。Silanusthesentenceofdeath，didhimaverygreatkindness，inthat，havingreceivedhisanswer，thathewaswellpreparedtodie，butnotbybasehands，heranuponhimwithhissoldierstoforcehim，andashe，unarmedashewas，obstinatelydefendedhimselfwithhisfistsandfeet，hemadehimlosehislifeinthecontest，bythatmeansdissipatinganddivertinginasuddenandfuriousragethepainfulapprehensionofthelingeringdeathtowhichhewasdesigned。
Wealwaysthinkofsomethingelse;eitherthehopeofabetterlifecomfortsandsupportsus，orthehopeofourchildren’sworth，orthefuturegloryofourname，ortheleavingbehindtheevilsofthislife，orthevengeancethatthreatensthosewhoarethecausesofourdeath，administersconsolationtous:
\"Speroequidemmediis，siquidpianuminapossunt，Suppliciahausurumscopulis，etnomineDidoSaepevocaturum……
Audiam;ethaecManesvenietmihifamasubimos。\"
[\"Ihope，however，ifthepiousgodshaveanypower，thouwiltfeelthypunishmentamidtherocks，andwillcallonthenameofDido;
Ishallhear，andthisreportwillcometomebelow。\"——AEneid，iv。
382，387。]
XenophonwassacrificingwithacrownuponhisheadwhenonecametobringhimnewsofthedeathofhissonGryllus，slaininthebattleofMantinea:atthefirstsurpriseofthenews，hethrewhiscrowntotheground;butunderstandingbythesequelofthenarrativethemannerofamostbraveandvaliantdeath，hetookitupandreplacedituponhishead。Epicurushimself，athisdeath，consoleshimselfupontheutilityandeternityofhiswritings:
\"Omnesclarietnobilitatilaboresfiunttolerabiles;\"
[\"Alllaboursthatareillustriousandfamousbecomesupportable。\"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，ii。26。]
andthesamewound，thesamefatigue，isnot，saysXenophon，sointolerabletoageneralofanarmyastoacommonsoldier。Epaminondastookhisdeathmuchmorecheerfully，havingbeeninformedthatthevictoryremainedtohim:
\"Haecsuntsolatia，haecfomentasummorumdolorum;\"
[\"Thesearesedativesandalleviationstothegreatestpains。\"
——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，ii。23。]
andsuchlikecircumstancesamuse，divert，andturnourthoughtsfromtheconsiderationofthethinginitself。Eventheargumentsofphilosophyarealwaysedgingandglancingonthematter，soasscarcetorubitscrust;thegreatestmanofthefirstphilosophicalschool，andsuperintendentoveralltherest，thegreatZeno，formsthissyllogismagainstdeath:\"Noevilishonourable;butdeathishonourable;thereforedeathisnoevil\";againstdrunkennessthis:\"Noonecommitshissecretstoadrunkard;buteveryonecommitshissecretstoawiseman:thereforeawisemanisnodrunkard。\"Isthistohitthewhite？Ilovetoseethatthesegreatandleadingsoulscannotridthemselvesofourcompany:
perfectmenastheyare，theyareyetsimplymen。
Revengeisasweetpassion，ofgreatandnaturalimpression;Idiscernitwellenough，thoughIhavenomannerofexperienceofit。Fromthisnotlongagotodivertayoungprince，Ididnottellhimthathemust，tohimthathadstruckhimupontheonecheek，turntheother，uponaccountofcharity;norgoabouttorepresenttohimthetragicaleventsthatpoetryattributestothispassion。Ileftthatbehind;andIbusiedmyselftomakehimrelishthebeautyofacontraryimage:and，byrepresentingtohimwhathonour，esteem，andgoodwillhewouldacquirebyclemencyandgoodnature，divertedhimtoambition。Thusamanistodealinsuchcases。
Ifyourpassionoflovebetooviolent，disperseit，saythey，andtheysaytrue;forIhaveoftentrieditwithadvantage:breakitintoseveraldesires，ofwhichletoneberegent，ifyouwill，overtherest;but，lestitshouldtyranniseanddomineeroveryou，weakenandprotract，bydividinganddivertingit:
\"Cummorosavagosingultietinguinevena，\"
[\"Whenyouaretormentedwithfiercedesire，satisfyitwiththefirstpersonthatpresentsherself。\"——Persius，Sat。，vi。73。]
\"Conjicitohumoremcollectumincorporaquaeque，\"
[Lucretius，vi。1062，tothelikeeffect。]
andprovideforitintime，lestitprovetroublesometodealwith，whenithasonceseizedyou:
\"Sinonprimanovisconturbesvulneraplagis，Volgivagaquevagusvenereanterecentiacures。\"
[\"Unlessyoucureoldwoundsbynew。\"—Lucretius，iv。1064。]
Iwasoncewoundedwithavehementdispleasure，andwithal，morejustthanvehement;Imightperadventurehavelostmyselfinit，ifIhadmerelytrustedtomyownstrength。Havingneedofapowerfuldiversiontodisengageme，byartandstudyIbecameamorous，whereinIwasassistedbymyyouth:loverelievedandrescuedmefromtheevilwhereinfriendshiphadengagedme。’Tisineverythingelsethesame;aviolentimaginationhathseizedme:Ifinditanearerwaytochangethantosubdueit:Idepute，ifnotonecontrary，yetanotheratleast，initsplace。Variationeverrelieves，dissolves，anddissipates。
IfIamnotabletocontendwithit，Iescapefromit;andinavoidingit，slipoutoftheway，andmake，mydoubles;shiftingplace，business，andcompany，Isecuremyselfinthecrowdofotherthoughtsandfancies，whereitlosesmytrace，andIescape。
Afterthesamemannerdoesnatureproceed，bythebenefitofinconstancy;
fortime，whichshehasgivenusforthesovereignphysicianofourpassions，chieflyworksbythis，thatsupplyingourimaginationswithotherandnewaffairs，itloosensanddissolvesthefirstapprehension，howstrongsoever。Awisemanlittlelessseeshisfrienddyingattheendoffive—and—twentyyearsthanonthefirstyear;andaccordingtoEpicurus，nolessatall;forhedidnotattributeanyalleviationofafflictions，eithertotheirforesightortheirantiquity;butsomanyotherthoughtstraversethis，thatitlanguishesandtiresatlast。