willmayprocureusthisfavourfromtheladies;thisisnotasufficienttestimonyofaffection:treacherymaylurkthere，aswellaselsewhere:
theysometimesgoto’tbyhalves:
\"TanquamthuramerumqueparentAbsentemmarmoreamveputes:\"
[\"Asiftheyarepreparingfrankincenseandwine……youmightthinkherabsentormarble。\"——Martial，xi。103，12，and59，8。]
Iknowsomewhohadratherlendthatthantheircoach，andwhoonlyimpartthemselvesthatway。Youaretoexaminewhetheryourcompanypleasesthemuponanyotheraccount，or，assomestrong—chinedgroom，forthatonly;inwhatdegreeoffavourandesteemyouarewiththem:
\"Tibisidaturuni，Quemlapideilladiemcandidiorenotat。\"
[\"Whereforethatisenough，ifthatdayaloneisgivenuswhichshemarkswithawhiterstone。\"——Catullus，lxviii。147。]
Whatiftheyeatyourbreadwiththesauceofamorepleasingimagination。
\"Tetenet，absentesaliossuspiratamores。\"
[\"Shehasyouinherarms;herthoughtsarewithotherabsentlovers。\"——Tibullus，i。6，35。]
What？havewenotseenoneinthesedaysofourswhomadeuseofthisactforthepurposeofamosthorridrevenge，bythatmeanstokillandpoison，ashedid，aworthylady？
SuchasknowItalywillnotthinkitstrangeif，forthissubject，Iseeknotelsewhereforexamples;forthatnationmaybecalledtheregentoftheworldinthis。Theyhavemoregenerallyhandsomeandfeweruglywomenthanwe;butforrareandexcellentbeautieswehaveasmanyasthey。Ithinkthesameoftheirintellects:ofthoseofthecommonsort，theyhaveevidentlyfarmorebrutishnessisimmeasurablyrarerthere;
butinindividualcharactersofthehighestform，wearenothingindebtedtothem。IfIshouldcarryonthecomparison，Imightsay，astouchingvalour，that，onthecontrary，itis，towhatitiswiththem，commonandnaturalwithus;butsometimesweseethempossessedofittosuchadegreeassurpassesthegreatestexampleswecanproduce:Themarriagesofthatcountryaredefectiveinthis;theircustomcommonlyimposessorudeandsoslavishalawuponthewomen，thatthemostdistantacquaintancewithastrangerisascapitalanoffenceasthemostintimate;sothatallapproachesbeingrenderednecessarilysubstantial，andseeingthatallcomestooneaccount，theyhavenohardchoicetomake;andwhentheyhavebrokendownthefence，wemaysafelypresumetheygetonfire:
\"Luxuriaipsisvinculis，sicutferabestia，irritata，deindeemissa。\"
[\"Lust，likeawildbeast，beingmoreexcitedbybeingbound，breaksfromhischainswithgreaterwildness。\"——Livy，xxxiv。4。]
Theymustgivethemalittlemorerein:
\"Vidiegonuperequum，contrasuafrenatenacem，Orereluctantifulminisiremodo\":
[\"Isaw，theotherday，ahorsestrugglingagainsthisbit，rushlikeathunderbolt。\"——Ovid，Amor。，iii。4，13。]
thedesireofcompanyisallayedbygivingitalittleliberty。Weareprettymuchinthesamecasetheyareextremeinconstraint，weinlicence。’TisagoodcustomwehaveinFrancethatoursonsarereceivedintothebestfamilies，theretobeentertainedandbreduppages，asinaschoolofnobility;and’tislookeduponasadiscourtesyandanaffronttorefusethistoagentleman。Ihavetakennotice（for，somanyfamilies，somanydifferingforms）thattheladieswhohavebeenstrictestwiththeirmaidshavehadnobetterluckthanthosewhoallowedthemagreaterliberty。Thereshouldbemoderationinthesethings;onemustleaveagreatdealoftheirconducttotheirowndiscretion;for，whenallcomestoall，nodisciplinecancurbthemthroughout。Butitistruewithalthatshewhocomesoffwithflyingcoloursfromaschoolofliberty，bringswithherwhereontoreposemoreconfidencethanshewhocomesawaysoundfromasevereandstrictschool。
Ourfathersdresseduptheirdaughters’looksinbashfulnessandfear（theircourageanddesiresbeingthesame）;weoursinconfidenceandassurance;weunderstandnothingofthematter;wemustleaveittotheSarmatianwomen，whomaynotliewithamantillwiththeirownhandstheyhavefirstkilledanotherinbattle。Forme，whohavenoothertitleleftmetothesethingsbutbytheears，’tissufficientif，accordingtotheprivilegeofmyage，theyretainmeforoneoftheircounsel。Iadvisethemthen，andusmentoo，toabstinence;butiftheageweliveinwillnotendureit，atleastmodestyanddiscretion。For，asinthestoryofAristippus，who，speakingtosomeyoungmenwhoblushedtoseehimgointoascandaloushouse，said\"theviceisinnotcomingout，notingoingin，\"letherwhohasnocareofherconsciencehaveyetsomeregardtoherreputation;andthoughsheberottenwithin，lethercarryafairoutsideatleast。
Icommendagradationanddelayinbestowingtheirfavours:Plato’declaresthat，inallsortsoflove，facilityandpromptnessareforbiddentothedefendant。’Tisasignofeagernesswhichtheyoughttodisguisewithallthearttheyhave，sorashly，wholly，andhand—over—
handtosurrenderthemselves。Incarryingthemselvesorderlyandmeasuredlyinthegrantingtheirlastfavours，theymuchmoreallureourdesiresandhidetheirown。Letthemstillflybeforeus，eventhosewhohavemostmindtobeovertaken:theybetterconquerusbyflying，astheScythiansdid。Tosaythetruth，accordingtothelawthatnaturehasimposeduponthem，itisnotproperlyforthemeithertowillordesire;
theirpartistosuffer，obey，andconsentandforthisitisthatnaturehasgiventhemaperpetualcapacity，whichinusisbutattimesanduncertain;theyarealwaysfitfortheencounter，thattheymaybealwaysreadywhenweareso\"Patinatee。\"—[\"Borntosuffer。\"—Seneca，Ep。，95。]——
Andwhereasshehasorderedthatourappetitesshallbemanifestbyaprominentdemonstration，shewouldhavetheirstobehiddenandconcealedwithin，andhasfurnishedthemwithpartsimproperforostentation，andsimplydefensive。SuchproceedingsasthisthatfollowsmustbelefttotheAmazonianlicence:AlexandermarchinghisarmythroughHyrcania，Thalestris，QueenoftheAmazons，camewiththreehundredlighthorseofherown—sex，wellmounted，andarmed，havinglefttheremainderofaverygreat，armythatfollowedherbehindtheneighbouringmountainstogivehimavisit;whereshepubliclyandinplaintermstoldhimthatthefameofhisvalourandvictorieshadbroughtherthithertoseehim，andtomakehimanofferofherforcestoassisthiminthepursuitofhisenterprises;andthat，findinghimsohandsome，young，andvigorous，she，whowasalsoperfectinallthosequalities，advisedthattheymightlietogether，totheendthatfromthemostvaliantwomanoftheworldandthebravestmanthenliving，theremightspringsomegreatandwonderfulissueforthetimetocome。Alexanderreturnedherthanksforalltherest;but，togiveleisurefortheaccomplishmentofherlastdemand，hedetainedherthirteendaysinthatplace，whichwerespentinroyalfeastingandjollity，forthewelcomeofsocourageousaprincess。
Weare，almostthroughout，unjustjudgesoftheiractions，astheyareofours。Iconfessthetruthwhenitmakesagainstme，aswellaswhen’tisonmyside。’Tisanabominableintemperancethatpushesthemonsooftentochange，andthatwillnotletthemlimittheiraffectiontoanyonepersonwhatever;asisevidentinthatgoddesstowhomareattributedsomanychangesandsomanylovers。But’tistruewithalthat’tiscontrarytothenatureofloveifitbe，notviolent;andcontrarytothenatureofviolenceifitbeconstant。Andtheywhowonder，exclaim，andkeepsuchacluttertofindoutthecausesofthisfrailtyoftheirs，asunnaturalandnottobebelieved，howcomesittopasstheydonotdiscernhowoftentheyarethemselvesguiltyofthesame，withoutanyastonishmentormiracleatall？Itwould，peradventure，bemorestrangetoseethepassionfixed;’tisnotasimplycorporealpassion。Iftherebenoendtoavariceandambition，thereisdoubtlessnomoreindesire;
itstilllivesaftersatiety;and’tisimpossibletoprescribeeitherconstantsatisfactionorend;itevergoesbeyonditspossession。Andbythatmeansinconstancy，peradventure，isinsomesortmorepardonableinthemthaninus:theymayplead，aswellaswe，theinclinationtovarietyandnoveltycommontousboth;andsecondly，withoutus，thattheybuyacatinasack:Joanna，queenofNaples，causedherfirsthusband，Andrews，tobehangedatthebarsofherwindowinahalterofgoldandsilkwovenwithherownhand，becauseinmatrimonialperformancessheneitherfoundhispartsnorabilitiesanswertheexpectationshehadconceivedfromhisstature，beauty，youth，andactivity，bywhichshehadbeencaughtanddeceived。Theymaysaythereismorepainsrequiredindoingthaninsuffering;andsotheyareontheirpartalwaysatleastprovidedfornecessity，whereasonourpartitmayfalloutotherwise。Forthisreasonitwas，thatPlatowiselymadealawthatbeforemarriage，todetermineofthefitnessofpersons，thejudgesshouldseetheyoungmenwhopretendedtoitstrippedstarknaked，andthewomenbuttothegirdleonly。Whentheycometotryustheydonot，perhaps，findusworthyoftheirchoice:
\"Expertalatus，madidoquesimillimaloroInguina，neclassastarecoactamanu，Deseritimbellesthalamos。\"
[\"Afterusingeveryendeavourtoarousehimtoaction，shequitsthebarrencouch。\"——Martial，vii。58。]
’Tisnotenoughthataman’swillbegood;weaknessandinsufficiencylawfullybreakamarriage，\"Etquaerendumaliundeforetnervosiusillud，Quodpossetzonamsolverevirgineam:\"
[\"Andseeksamorevigorouslovertoundohervirginzone。\"
——Catullus，lxvii。27。]
whynot？andaccordingtoherownstandard，anamorousintelligence，morelicentiousandactive，\"Siblandonequeatsuperesselabori。\"
[\"Ifhisstrengthbeunequaltothepleasanttask。\"
——Virgil，Georg。，iii。127。]
Butisitnotgreatimpudencetoofferourimperfectionsandimbecilities，wherewedesiretopleaseandleaveagoodopinionandesteemofourselves？ForthelittlethatIamabletodonow:
\"AdunumMollisopus。\"
[\"Fitbutforonce。\"——Horace，Epod。，xii。15。]
Iwouldnottroubleawoman，thatIamtoreverenceandfear:
\"Fugesuspicari，CujusundenumtrepidavitaetasClauderelustrum。\"
[\"Fearnothimwhoseeleventhlustrumisclosed。\"
——Horace，Od。，ii。4，12，limitsittotheeighth。]
Natureshouldsatisfyherselfinhavingrenderedthisagemiserable，withoutrenderingitridiculoustoo。Ihatetoseeit，foronepoorinchofpitifulvigourwhichcomesuponitbutthriceaweek，tostrutandsetitselfoutwithasmucheagernessasifitcoulddomightyfeats;atrueflameofflax;andlaughtoseeitsoboilandbubbleandtheninamomentsocongealedandextinguished。Thisappetiteoughttoappertainonlytotheflowerofbeautifulyouth:trustnottoitssecondingthatindefatigable，full，constant，magnanimousardouryouthinkinyou，foritwillcertainlyleaveyouinaprettycorner;butrathertransferittosometender，bashful，andignorantboy，whoyettremblesattherod，andblushes:
\"IndumsanguineovelutiviolaveritostroSiquisebur，velmistarubentubililiamultaAlbarosa。\"
[\"AsIndianivorystreakedwithcrimson，orwhiteliliesmixedwiththedamaskrose。\"——AEneid，xii。67。]
Whocanstaytillthemorningwithoutdyingforshametobeholdthedisdainofthefaireyesofherwhoknowssowellhisfumblingimpertinence，\"Ettacitifeceretamenconviciavultus，\"
[\"Thoughshenothingsay，herlooksbetrayheranger。\"
——Ovid，Amor。，i。7，21。]
hasneverhadthesatisfactionandthegloryofhavingcudgelledthemtilltheywereweary，withthevigorousperformanceofoneheroicnight。
WhenIhaveobservedanyonetobevexedwithme，Ihavenotpresentlyaccusedherlevity，buthavebeenindoubt，ifIhadnotreasonrathertocomplainofnature;shehasdoubtlessusedmeveryuncivillyandunkindly:
\"Sinonlongasatis，sinonbenementulacrassaNimirumsapiunt，videntqueparvamMatronaequoquementulamillibenter:\"
[ThefirstoftheseversesisthecommencementofanepigramoftheVeterumPoetayurraCatalecta，andthetwoothersarefromanepigraminthesamecollection（AdMatrones）。TheydescribeuntranslatablyMontaigne’schargeagainstnature，indicatedinthepreviouspassage。]
anddonemeamostenormousinjury。EverymemberIhave，asmuchoneasanother，isequallymyown，andnoothermoreproperlymakesmeamanthanthis。
Iuniversallyowemyentirepicturetothepublic。Thewisdomofmyinstructionconsistsinliberty，intruth，inessence:disdainingtointroducethoselittle，feigned，common，andprovincialrulesintothecatalogueofitsrealduties;allnatural，general，andconstant，ofwhichcivilityandceremonyaredaughtersindeed，butillegitimate。
Wearesuretohavethevicesofappearance，whenweshallhavehadthoseofessence:whenwehavedonewiththese，werunfulldriveupontheothers，ifwefinditmustbeso;forthereisdangerthatweshallfancynewoffices，toexcuseournegligencetowardsthenaturalones，andtoconfoundthem:andtomanifestthis，isitnotseenthatinplaceswherefaultsarecrimes，crimesarebutfaults;thatinnationswherethelawsofdecencyaremostrareandmostremiss，theprimitivelawsofcommonreasonarebetterobserved:theinnumerablemultitudeofsomanydutiesstiflinganddissipatingourcare。Theapplicationofourselvestolightandtrivialthingsdivertsusfromthosethatarenecessaryandjust。
Oh，howthesesuperficialmentakeaneasyandplausiblewayincomparisonofours！Theseareshadowswherewithwepalliateandpayoneanother;butwedonotpay，butinflamethereckoningtowardsthatgreatjudge，whotucksupourragsandtattersaboveourshamefulparts，andsucklesnottoviewusallover，eventoourinmostandmostsecretordures:itwereausefuldecencyofourmaidenlymodesty，coulditkeephimfromthisdiscovery。Infine，whoevercouldreclaimmanfromsoscrupulousaverbalsuperstition，woulddotheworldnogreatdisservice。
Ourlifeisdividedbetwixtfollyandprudence:whoeverwillwriteofitbutwhatisreverendandcanonical，willleaveabovetheone—halfbehind。
Idonotexcusemyselftomyself;andifIdid，itshouldratherbeformyexcusesthatIwouldexcusemyselfthanforanyotherfault;Iexcusemyselfofcertainhumours，whichIthinkmorestronginnumberthanthosethatareonmyside。Inconsiderationofwhich，Iwillfurthersaythis（forIdesiretopleaseeveryone，thoughitwillbehardtodo）:
\"Esseunumhominemaccommodatumadtantammorumacsermonumetvoluntatumvarietatem，\"
[\"Foramantoconformtosuchavarietyofmanners，discourses，andwill。\"——Q。Cicero，DePet。Consul，c。14。]
thattheyoughtnottocondemnmeforwhatImakeauthorities，receivedandapprovedbysomanyages，toutter:andthatthereisnoreasonthatforwantofrhymetheyshouldrefusemethelibertytheyalloweventochurchmenofournationandtime，andtheseamongstthemostnotable，ofwhichherearetwooftheirbriskverses:
\"Rimula，dispeream，nimonogrammatuaest。\"
\"Unvitd’amylacontenteetbientraicte:\"
[St。Gelais，（EuvresPoetiques，p。99，ed。ofLyons，1574。]
besideshowmanyothers。Ilovemodesty;and’tisnotoutofjudgmentthatIhavechosenthisscandalouswayofspeaking;’tisnaturethathaschosenitforme。Icommenditnot，nomorethanotherformsthatarecontrarytocommonuse:butIexcuseit，andbycircumstancesbothgeneralandparticular，alleviateitsaccusation。
Buttoproceed。Whence，too，canproceedthatusurpationofsovereignauthorityyoutakeuponyouoverthewomen，whofavouryouattheirownexpense，\"Sifurtivadeditmiramunusculanocte，\"
[\"If，inthestealthynight，shehasmadestrangegifts。\"
——Catullus，lxviii。145。]
sothatyoupresentlyassumetheinterest，coldness，andauthorityofahusband？’Tisafreecontractwhydoyounotthenkeeptoit，asyouwouldhavethemdo？thereisnoprescriptionuponvoluntarythings。
’Tisagainsttheform，butitistruewithal，thatIinmytimehaveconductedthisbargainasmuchasthenatureofitwouldpermit，asconscientiouslyandwithasmuchcolourofjustice，asanyothercontract;andthatIneverpretendedotheraffectionthanwhatIreallyhad，andhavetrulyacquaintedthemwithitsbirth，vigour，anddeclination，itsfitsandintermissions:amandoesnotalwaysholdonatthesamerate。Ihavebeensosparingofmypromises，thatIthinkIhavebeenbetterthanmyword。Theyhavefoundmefaithfuleventoserviceoftheirinconstancy，aconfessedandsometimesmultipliedinconstancy。Ineverbrokewiththem，whilstIhadanyholdatall，andwhatoccasionsoevertheyhavegivenme，neverbrokewiththemtohatredorcontempt;forsuchprivacies，thoughobtaineduponneversoscandalousterms，doyetobligetosomegoodwill:Ihavesometimes，upontheirtricksandevasions，discoveredalittleindiscreetangerandimpatience;
forIamnaturallysubjecttorashemotions，which，thoughlightandshort，oftenspoilmymarket。Atanytimetheyhaveconsultedmyjudgment，Ineverstucktogivethemsharpandpaternalcounsels，andtopinchthemtothequick。IfIhaveleftthemanycausetocomplainofme，’tisrathertohavefoundinme，incomparisonofthemodernuse，alovefoolishlyconscientiousthananythingelse。Ihavekeptmy，wordinthingswhereinImighteasilyhavebeendispensed;theysometimessurrenderedthemselveswithreputation，anduponarticlesthattheywerewillingenoughshouldbebrokenbytheconqueror:Ihave，morethanonce，madepleasureinitsgreatesteffortstriketotheinterestoftheirhonour;andwherereasonimportunedme，havearmedthemagainstmyself;
sothattheyorderedthemselvesmoredecorouslyandsecurelybymyrules，whentheyfranklyreferredthemselvestothem，thantheywouldhavedonebytheirown。Ihaveever，asmuchasIcould，whollytakenuponmyselfalonethehazardofourassignations，toacquitthem;andhavealwayscontrivedourmeetingsafterthehardestandmostunusualmanner，aslesssuspected，and，moreover，inmyopinion，moreaccessible。Theyarechieflymoreopen，wheretheythinktheyaremostsecurelyshut;thingsleastfearedareleastinterdictedandobserved;onemaymoreboldlydarewhatnobodythinksyoudare，whichbyitsdifficultybecomeseasy。Neverhadanymanhisapproachesmoreimpertinentlygenerative;thiswayoflovingismoreaccordingtodisciplinebuthowridiculousitistoourpeople，andhowineffectual，whobetterknowsthanI？yetIshallnotrepentmeofit;Ihavenothingtheremoretolose:
\"MetabulasacerVotivaparies，indicatuvidaSuspendissepotentiVestimentamarisdeo:\"
[\"Theholywall，bymyvotivetable，showsthatIhavehangedupmywetclothesinhonourofthepowerfulgodofthesea。\"
——Horace，Od。，i。5，13。]
’tisnowtimetospeakout。ButasImight，peradventure，saytoanother，\"Thoutalkestidly，myfriend;theloveofthytimehaslittlecommercewithfaithandintegrity;\"
\"HaecsitupostulesRationecertafacere，nihiloplusagas，Quamsidesoperam，utcumrationeinsanias:\"
[\"Ifyouseektomakethesethingscertainbyreason，youwilldonomorethanifyoushouldseektobemadinyoursenses。\"
——Terence，Eun。，acti。，sc。i，v。16。]
onthecontrary，also，ifitwereformetobeginagain，certainlyitshouldbebythesamemethodandthesameprogress，howfruitlesssoeveritmightbetome;follyandinsufficiencyarecommendableinanincommendableaction:thefartherIgofromtheirhumourinthis，I
approachsomuchnearertomyown。Astotherest，inthistraffic，I
didnotsuffermyselftobetotallycarriedaway;Ipleasedmyselfinit，butdidnotforgetmyself。Iretainedthelittlesenseanddiscretionthatnaturehasgivenme，entirefortheirserviceandmyown:alittleemotion，butnodotage。Myconscience，also，wasengagedinit，eventodebauchandlicentiousness;but，astoingratitude，treachery，malice，andcruelty，never。Iwouldnotpurchasethepleasureofthisviceatanyprice，butcontentmyselfwithitsproperandsimplecost:
\"Nullumintrasevitiumest。\"
[\"Nothingisaviceinitself。\"——Seneca，Ep。，95。]
Ialmostequallyhateastupidandslothfullaziness，asIdoatoilsomeandpainfulemployment;thispinches，theotherlaysmeasleep。Ilikewoundsaswellasbruises，andcutsaswellasdryblows。Ifoundinthiscommerce，whenIwasthemostableforit，ajustmoderationbetwixttheseextremes。Loveisasprightly，lively，andgayagitation;Iwasneithertroublednorafflictedwithit，butheated，andmoreover，disordered;amanmuststopthere;ithurtsnobodybutfools。AyoungmanaskedthephilosopherPanetiusifitwerebecomingawisemantobeinlove？\"Letthewisemanlooktothat，\"answeredhe，\"butletnotthouandI，whoarenotso，engageourselvesinsostirringandviolentanaffair，thatenslavesustoothers，andrendersuscontemptibletoourselves。\"HesaidtruethatwearenottointrustathingsoprecipitousinitselftoasoulthathasnotwherewithaltowithstanditsassaultsanddisprovepracticallythesayingofAgesilaus，thatprudenceandlovecannotlivetogether。’Tisavainemployment，’tistrue，unbecoming，shameful，andillegitimate;butcarriedonafterthismanner，Ilookuponitaswholesome，andpropertoenlivenadrowsysoulandtorouseupaheavybody;and，asanexperiencedphysician，Iwouldprescribeittoamanofmyformandcondition，assoonasanyotherrecipewhatever，torouseandkeephiminvigourtillwelladvancedinyears，andtodefertheapproachesofage。Whilstwearebutinthesuburbs，andthatthepulseyetbeats:
\"Dumnovacanities，dumprimaetrectasenectus，Dumsuperestlachesiquodtorqueat，etpedibusmePortomeis，nullodextramsubeuntebacillo，\"
[Whilstthewhitehairisnew，whilstoldageisstillstraightshouldered，whilsttherestillremainssomethingforLachesistospin，whilstIwalkonmyownlegs，andneednostafftoleanupon。\"
——Juvenal，iii。26。]
wehaveneedtobesolicitedandtickledbysomesuchnippingincitationasthis。Dobutobservewhatyouth，vigour，andgaietyitinspiredthegoodAnacreonwithal:andSocrates，whowasthenolderthanI，speakingofanamorousobject:
\"Leaning，\"saidhe，\"myshouldertohershoulder，andmyheadtohers，aswewerereadingtogetherinabook，Ifelt，withoutdissembling，asuddenstinginmyshoulderlikethebitingofaninsect，whichIstillfeltabovefivedaysafter，andacontinualitchingcreptintomyheart。\"Sothatmerelytheaccidentaltouch，andofashoulder，heatedandalteredasoulcooledandenervedbyage，andthestrictestliverofallmankind。
And，pray，whynot？Socrateswasaman，andwouldneitherbe，norseem，anyotherthing。Philosophydoesnotcontendagainstnaturalpleasures，providedtheybemoderate，andonlypreachesmoderation，notatotalabstinence;thepowerofitsresistanceisemployedagainstthosethatareadulterateandstrange。Philosophysaysthattheappetitesofthebodyoughtnottobeaugmentedbythemind，andingeniouslywarnsusnottostiruphungerbysaturity;nottostuff，insteadofmerelyfilling，thebelly;toavoidallenjoymentsthatmaybringustowant;andallmeatsanddrinksthatbringthirstandhunger:as，intheserviceoflove，sheprescribesustotakesuchanobjectasmaysimplysatisfythebody’sneed，anddoesnotstirthesoul，whichoughtonlybarelytofollowandassistthebody，withoutmixingintheaffair。ButhaveInotreasontoholdthattheseprecepts，which，indeed，inmyopinion，aresomewhatoverstrict，onlyconcernabodyinitsbestplight;andthatinabodybrokenwithage，asinaweakstomach，’tisexcusabletowarmandsupportitbyart，andbythemediationofthefancytorestoretheappetiteandcheerfulnessithaslostofitself。
Maywenotsaythatthereisnothinginus，duringthisearthlyprison，thatispurelyeithercorporealorspiritual;andthatweinjuriouslybreakupamanalive;andthatitseemsbutreasonablethatweshouldcarryourselvesasfavourably，atleast，towardstheuseofpleasureaswedotowardsthatofpain！Painwas（forexample）vehementeventoperfectioninthesoulsofthesaintsbypenitence:thebodyhadtherenaturallyashambytherightofunion，andyetmighthavebutlittlepartinthecause;andyetaretheynotcontentedthatitshouldbarelyfollowandassisttheafflictedsoul:theyhaveafflicteditselfwithgrievousandspecialtorments，totheendthatbyemulationofoneanotherthesoulandbodymightplungemanintomiserybysomuchmoresalutiferousasitismoresevere。Inlikemanner，isitnotinjustice，inbodilypleasures，tosubdueandkeepunderthesoul，andsaythatitmustthereinbedraggedalongastosomeenforcedandservileobligationandnecessity？’Tisratherherparttohatchandcherishthem，theretopresentherself，andtoinvitethem，theauthorityofrulingbelongingtoher;asitisalsoherpart，inmyopinion，inpleasuresthatarepropertoher，toinspireandinfuseintothebodyallthesentimentitiscapableof，andtostudyhowtomakethemsweetandusefultoit。Foritisgoodreason，astheysay，thatthebodyshouldnotpursueitsappetitestotheprejudiceofthemind;butwhyisitnotalsothereasonthatthemindshouldnotpursueherstotheprejudiceofthebody？
Ihavenootherpassiontokeepmeinbreath。Whatavarice，ambition，quarrels，lawsuitsdoforotherswho，likeme，havenoparticularvocation，lovewouldmuchmorecommodiouslydo;itwouldrestoretomevigilance，sobriety，grace，andthecareofmyperson;itwouldreassuremycountenance，sothatthegrimacesofoldage，thosedeformedanddismallooks，mightnotcometodisgraceit;wouldagainputmeuponsoundandwisestudies，bywhichImightrendermyselfmorelovedandesteemed，clearingmymindofthedespairofitselfandofitsuse，andredintegratingittoitself;woulddivertmefromathousandtroublesomethoughts，athousandmelancholichumoursthatidlenessandtheillpostureofourhealthloadsuswithalatsuchanage;wouldwarmagain，indreamsatleast，thebloodthatnatureisabandoning;wouldholdupthechin，andalittlestretchoutthenerves，thevigourandgaietyoflifeofthatpoormanwhoisgoingfulldrivetowardshisruin。ButI
verywellunderstandthatitisacommodityhardtorecover:byweaknessandlongexperienceourtasteisbecomemoredelicateandnice;weaskmostwhenwebringleast，andarehardertochoosewhenweleastdeservetobeaccepted:andknowingourselvesforwhatweare，wearelessconfidentandmoredistrustful;nothingcanassureusofbeingbeloved，consideringourconditionandtheirs。Iamoutofcountenancetoseemyselfincompanywiththoseyoungwantoncreatures:
\"Cujusinindomitoconstantioringuinenervus，Quamnovacollibusarborinhaeret。\"
[\"Inwhoseunbridledreinsthevigourismoreinherentthanintheyoungtreeonthehills。\"——Horace，Epod。，xii。19。]
Towhatendshouldwegoinsinuateourmiseryamidtheirgayandsprightlyhumour？
\"Possintutjuvenesviserefervidi。
Multononsinerisu，Dilapsamincineresfacem。\"
[\"Asthefervidyouthsmaybehold，notwithoutlaughter，aburningtorchworntoashes。\"——Horace，Od。，iv。13，21。]
Theyhavestrengthandreasonontheirside;letusgiveway;wehavenothingtodothere:andtheseblossomsofspringingbeautysuffernotthemselvestobehandledbysuchbenumbedhandsnordealtwithbymerematerialmeans，for，astheoldphilosopheransweredonewhojeeredhimbecausehecouldnotgainthefavourofayounggirlhemadeloveto:
\"Friend，thehookwillnotstickinsuchsoftcheese。\"Itisacommercethatrequiresrelationandcorrespondence:theotherpleasureswereceivemaybeacknowledgedbyrecompensesofanothernature，butthisisnottobepaidbutwiththesamekindofcoin。Inearnest，inthissport，thepleasureIgivemoreticklesmyimaginationthanthattheygiveme;now，hehasnothingofgenerosityinhimwhocanreceivepleasurewhereheconfersnone——itmustneedsbeameansoulthatwilloweall，andcanbecontenttomaintainrelationswithpersonstowhomheisacontinualcharge;thereisnobeauty，grace，norprivacysoexquisitethatagentlemanoughttodesireatthisrate。Iftheycanonlybekindtousoutofpity，Ihadmuchratherdiethanliveuponcharity。Iwouldhaverighttoask，inthestylewhereinIheardthembeginItaly:\"Fatebenpervoi，\"——[\"Dogoodforyourself。\"]——orafterthemannerthatCyrusexhortedhissoldiers，\"Wholoveshimselflethimfollowme。\"——\"Consortyourself，\"someonewillsaytome，\"withwomenofyourowncondition，whomlikefortunewillrendermoreeasytoyourdesire。\"Oridiculousandinsipidcomposition！
\"NoloBarbamvelleremortuoleoni。\"
[\"Iwouldnotpluckthebeardfromadeadlion。\"——Martial]
XenophonlaysitforanobjectionandanaccusationagainstMenon，thathenevermadelovetoanybutoldwomen。Formypart，Itakemorepleasureinbutseeingthejustandsweetmixtureoftwoyoungbeauties，oronlyinmeditatingonitinmyfancy，thanmyselfinactingsecondinapitifulandimperfectconjunction;
[WhichCottonrenders，\"Thantobemyselfanactorinthesecondwithadeformedcreature。\"]
IleavethatfantasticappetitetotheEmperorGalba，whowasonlyforoldcurriedflesh:andtothispoorwretch:
\"OegoDifacianttalemtocernerepossim，Caraquemutatisosculaferrecomis，Amplectiquemeiscorpusnonpinguelacertis！\"
[Ovid，who（Ex。Ponto，i。4，49）writestohiswife，\"OwouldthegodsarrangethatsuchImightseethee，andbringdearkissestothychangedlocks，andembracethywitheredbodywithmyarms\"]
AmongstchiefdeformitiesIreckonforcedandartificialbeauties:Hemon，ayoungboyofChios，thinkingbyfinedressingtoacquirethebeautythatnaturehaddeniedhim，cametothephilosopherArcesilausandaskedhimifitwaspossibleforawisemantobeinlove——\"Yes，\"repliedhe，\"provideditbenotwithafardedandadulteratedbeautylikethine。\"
[DiogenesLaertius，iv。3？Thequestionwaswhetherawisemancouldlovehim。Cottonhas\"Emonez，ayoungcourtezanofChios。\"]
Uglinessofaconfessedantiquityistomelessoldandlessuglythananotherthatispolishedandplasteredup。ShallIspeakit，withoutthedangerofhavingmythroatcut？love，inmyopinion，isnotproperlyandnaturallyinitsseason，butintheagenexttochildhood，\"Quemsipuellaruminserereschoro，Millesagacesfallerethospites，Discrimenobscurum，solutisCrinibusambiguoquevultu:\"
[\"Whomifthoushouldstplaceinacompanyofgirls，itwouldrequireathousandexpertstodistinguishhim，withhislooselocksandambiguouscountenance。\"——Horace，Od。，ii。5，21。]
norbeautyneither;forwhereasHomerextendsitsofarastothebuddingofthebeard，Platohimselfhasremarkedthisasrare:andthereasonwhythesophistBionsopleasantlycalledthefirstappearinghairsofadolescence’Aristogitons’and’Harmodiuses’—[Plutarch，OnLove，c。34。]——
issufficientlyknown。Ifinditinvirilityalreadyinsomesortalittleoutofdate，thoughnotsomuchasinoldage;
\"ImportunusenimtransvolataridasQuercus。\"
[\"Forituncivillypassesoverwitheredoaks。\"
——Horace，Od。，iv。13，9。]
andMarguerite，QueenofNavarre，likeawoman，veryfarextendstheadvantageofwomen，ordainingthatitistime，atthirtyyearsold，toconvertthetitleoffairintothatofgood。Theshorterauthoritywegivetoloveoverourlives，’tissomuchthebetterforus。Dobutobservehisport;’tisabeardlessboy。Whoknowsnothow，inhisschooltheyproceedcontrarytoallorder;study，exercise，andusagearetheirwaysforinsufficiencytherenovicesrule:
\"Amorordinemnescit。\"
[\"Loveignoresrules。\"（Or:）\"Loveknowsnorule。\"
——St。Jerome，LettertoChyomatius。
Doubtlesshisconductismuchmoregracefulwhenmixedwithinadvertencyandtrouble;miscarriagesandillsuccessesgivehimpointandgrace;
provideditbesharpandeager，’tisnogreatmatterwhetheritbeprudentorno:dobutobservehowhegoesreeling，tripping，andplaying:
youputhiminthestockswhenyouguidehimbyartandwisdom;andheisrestrainedofhisdivinelibertywhenputintothosehairyandcallousclutches。
Astotherest，Ioftenhearthewomensetoutthisintelligenceasentirelyspiritual，anddisdaintoputtheinterestthesensestherehaveintoconsideration;everythingthereserves;butIcansaythatIhaveoftenseenthatwehaveexcusedtheweaknessoftheirunderstandingsinfavouroftheiroutwardbeauty，buthaveneveryetseenthatinfavourofmind，howmatureandfullsoever，anyofthemwouldholdoutahandtoabodythatwasneversolittleindecadence。WhydoesnotsomeoneofthemtakeitintoherheadtomakethatnobleSocraticalbargainbetweenbodyandsoul，purchasingaphilosophicalandspiritualintelligenceandgenerationatthepriceofherthighs，whichisthehighestpriceshecangetforthem？PlatoordainsinhisLawsthathewhohasperformedanysignalandadvantageousexploitinwarmaynotberefusedduringthewholeexpedition，hisageoruglinessnotwithstanding，akissoranyotheramorousfavourfromanywomanwhatever。Whathethinkstobesojustinrecommendationofmilitaryvalour，whymayitnotbethesameinrecommendationofanyothergoodquality？andwhydoesnotsomewomantakeafancytopossessoverhercompanionsthegloryofthischastelove？Imaywellsaychaste;
\"Namsiquandoadpraeliaventumest，Utquondaminstipulismagnussineviribusignis，Incassumfurit:\"
[\"Forwhentheysometimesengageinlove’sbattle，hissterileardourlightsupbutastheflameofastraw。\"
——Virgil，Georg。，iii。98。]
thevicesthatarestifledinthethoughtarenottheworst。
Toconcludethisnotablecommentary，whichhasescapedfrommeinatorrentofbabble，atorrentsometimesimpetuousandhurtful，\"UtmissumsponsifurtivomuneremalumProcurritcastovirginisagremio，Quodmiseraeoblitaemollisubvestelocatuat，Dumadventumatrisprosilit，excutitur，AtqueilludpronopraecepsagiturdecursuHuicmanattristiconsciusorerubor。\"
[\"Aswhenanapple，sentbyaloversecretlytohismistress，fallsfromthechastevirgin’sbosom，whereshehadquiteforgottenit;
when，startingathermother’scomingin，itisshakenoutandrollsoverthefloorbeforehereyes，aconsciousblushcoversherface。\"
——Catullus，lxv。19。]
Isaythatmalesandfemalesarecastinthesamemould，andthat，educationandusageexcepted，thedifferenceisnotgreat。Platoindifferentlyinvitesboththeoneandtheothertothesocietyofallstudies，exercises，andvocations，bothmilitaryandcivil，inhisCommonwealth;andthephilosopherAntisthenesrejectedalldistinctionbetwixttheirvirtueandours。Itismuchmoreeasytoaccuseonesexthantoexcusetheother;’tisaccordingtothesaying，\"Lefourgonsemoquedelapaele。\"
[\"ThePotandtheKettle。\"]
EndTheEssaysofMontaigne，V16
byMicheldeMontaigneTranslatedbyCharlesCottonEditedbyWilliamCarewHazilitt1877
CONTENTSOFVOLUME16。
VI。OfCoaches。
VII。OftheInconvenienceofGreatness。
VIII。OftheArtofConference。
CHAPTERVI
OFCOACHES
Itisveryeasytoverify，thatgreatauthors，whentheywriteofcauses，notonlymakeuseofthosetheythinktobethetruecauses，butalsoofthosetheybelievenottobeso，providedtheyhaveinthemsomebeautyandinvention:theyspeaktrueandusefullyenough，ifitbeingeniously。
Wecannotmakeourselvessureofthesupremecause，andthereforecrowdagreatmanytogether，toseeifitmaynotaccidentallybeamongstthem:
\"NamqueunamdicerecausamNonsatisest，verumplures，undeunatamensit。\"
[Lucretius，vi。704。——Thesenseisintheprecedingpassage。]
Doyouaskme，whencecomesthecustomofblessingthosewhosneeze？
Webreakwindthreeseveralways;thatwhichsalliesfrombelowistoofilthy;thatwhichbreaksoutfromthemouthcarrieswithitsomereproachofgluttony;thethirdissneezing，which，becauseitproceedsfromtheheadandiswithoutoffence，wegiveitthiscivilreception:donotlaughatthisdistinction;theysay’tisAristotle’s。
IthinkIhaveseeninPlutarch’（whoofalltheauthorsIknow，ishewhohasbestmixedartwithnature，andjudgmentwithknowledge），hisgivingasareasonforthe，risingofthestomachinthosewhoareatsea，thatitisoccasionedbyfear;havingfirstfoundoutsomereasonbywhichheprovesthatfearmayproducesuchaneffect。I，whoamverysubjecttoit，knowwellthatthiscauseconcernsnotme;andIknowit，notbyargument，butbynecessaryexperience。Withoutinstancingwhathasbeentoldme，thatthesamethingoftenhappensinbeasts，especiallyhogs，whoareoutofallapprehensionofdanger;andwhatanacquaintanceofminetoldmeofhimself，thatthoughverysubjecttoit，thedispositiontovomithasthreeorfourtimesgoneoffhim，beingveryafraidinaviolentstorm，asithappenedtothatancient:
\"Pejusvexabar，quamutpericulummihisuccurreret;\"
[\"Iwastooilltothinkofdanger。\"（Orthereverse:）
\"Iwastoofrightenedtobeill。\"——Seneca，Ep。，53。2]
Iwasneverafraiduponthewater，norindeedinanyotherperil（andI
havehadenoughbeforemyeyesthatwouldhavesufficed，ifdeathbeone），soastobeastoundedtolosemyjudgment。Fearspringssometimesasmuchfromwantofjudgmentasfromwantofcourage。AllthedangersI
havebeeninIhavelookeduponwithoutwinking，withanopen，sound，andentiresight;and，indeed，amanmusthavecouragetofear。Itformerlyservedmebetterthanotherhelp，sotoorderandregulatemyretreat，thatitwas，ifnotwithoutfear，neverthelesswithoutaffrightandastonishment;itwasagitated，indeed，butnotamazedorstupefied。
Greatsoulsgoyetmuchfarther，andpresenttousflights，notonlysteadyandtemperate，butmoreoverlofty。LetusmakearelationofthatwhichAlcibiadesreportsofSocrates，hisfellowinarms:\"Ifoundhim，\"
sayshe，\"aftertheroutofourarmy，himandLachez，lastamongthosewhofled，andconsideredhimatmyleisureandinsecurity，forIwasmountedonagoodhorse，andheonfoot，ashehadfought。Itooknotice，inthefirstplace，howmuchjudgmentandresolutionheshowed，incomparisonofLachez，andthenthebraveryofhismarch，nothingdifferentfromhisordinarygait;hissightfirmandregular，consideringandjudgingwhatpassedabouthim，lookingonewhileuponthose，andthenuponothers，friendsandenemies，aftersuchamannerasencouragedthose，andsignifiedtotheothersthathewouldsellhislifedeartoanyonewhoshouldattempttotakeitfromhim，andsotheycameoff;forpeoplearenotwillingtoattacksuchkindofmen，butpursuethosetheyseeareinafright。\"Thatisthetestimonyofthisgreatcaptain，whichteachesus，whatweeverydayexperience，thatnothingsomuchthrowsusintodangersasaninconsiderateeagernessofgettingourselvesclearofthem:
\"Quotimorisminusest，eominusfermepericuliest。\"