IknownotwhetherornoIshallbringitabout。Icouldwishthat，insteadofsomeothermemberofhissuccession，myfatherhadresignedtomethepassionateaffectionhehadinhisoldagetohishouseholdaffairs;hewashappyinthathecouldaccommodatehisdesirestohisfortune，andsatisfyhimselfwithwhathehad;politicalphilosophymaytomuchpurposecondemnthemeannessandsterilityofmyemployment，ifI
canoncecometorelishit，ashedid。Iamofopinionthatthemosthonourablecallingistoservethepublic，andtobeusefultomany，\"Fructusenimingeniietvirtutis，omnisquepraestantiae，tummaximuscapitur，quuminproximumquemqueconfertur:\"
[\"Forthegreatestenjoymentofevilandvirtue，andofallexcellence，isexperiencedwhentheyareconferredonsomeonenearest。\"——Cicero，DeAmicil。，c。]
formyself，Idisclaimit;partlyoutofconscience（forwhereIseetheweightthatliesuponsuchemployments，IperceivealsothelittlemeansIhavetosupplyit;andPlato，amasterinallpoliticalgovernmenthimself，neverthelesstookcaretoabstainfromit），andpartlyoutofcowardice。Icontentmyselfwithenjoyingtheworldwithoutbustle;
only—toliveanexcusablelife，andsuchasmayneitherbeaburdentomyselfnortoanyother。
NeverdidanymanmorefullyandfeeblysufferhimselftobegovernedbyathirdpersonthanIshoulddo，hadIanyonetowhomtoentrustmyself。
Oneofmywishesatthistimeshouldbe，tohaveason—in—lawthatknewhandsomelyhowtocherishmyoldage，andtorockitasleep;intowhosehandsImightdeposit，infullsovereignty，themanagementanduseofallmygoods，thathemightdisposeofthemasIdo，andgetbythemwhatI
get，providedthatheonhispartweretrulyacknowledging，andafriend。
Butweliveinaworldwhereloyaltyofone’sownchildrenisunknown。
Hewhohasthechargeofmypurseinhistravels，hasitpurelyandwithoutcontrol;hecouldcheatmethoroughly，ifhecametoreckoning;
and，ifheisnotadevil，Iobligehimtodealfaithfullywithmebysoentireatrust:
\"Multifalleredocuerunt，dumtimentfalli;
etaliisjuspeccandisuspicandofecerunt。\"
[\"Manyhavetaughtotherstodeceive，whiletheyfeartobedeceived，and，bysuspectingthem，havegiventhematitletodoill。\"——Seneca，Epist。，3。]
ThemostcommonsecurityItakeofmypeopleisignorance;IneverpresumeanytobevicioustillIhavefirstfoundthemso;andreposethemostconfidenceintheyoungersort，thatIthinkareleastspoiledbyillexample。Ihadratherbetoldattwomonths’endthatIhavespentfourhundredcrowns，thantohavemyearsbatteredeverynightwiththree，five，seven:andIhavebeen，inthisway，aslittlerobbedasanother。Itistrue，Iamwillingenoughnottoseeit;I，insomesort，purposely，harbourakindofperplexed，uncertainknowledgeofmymoney:
uptoacertainpoint，Iamcontenttodoubt。Onemustleavealittleroomfortheinfidelityorindiscretionofaservant;ifyouhaveleftenough，ingross，todoyourbusiness，lettheoverplusofFortune’sliberalityrunalittlemorefreelyathermercy;’tisthegleaner’sportion。Afterall，IdonotsomuchvaluethefidelityofmypeopleasIcontemntheirinjury。Whatameanandridiculousthingitisforamantostudyhismoney，todelightinhandlingandtellingitoverandoveragain！’Tisbythisavaricemakesitsapproaches。
IneighteenyearsthatIhavehadmyestateinmy，ownhands，Icouldneverprevailwithmyselfeithertoreadovermydeedsorexaminemyprincipalaffairs，whichought，ofnecessity，topassundermyknowledgeandinspection。’Tisnotaphilosophicaldisdainofworldlyandtransitorythings;mytasteisnotpurifiedtothatdegree，andIvaluethematasgreatarate，atleast，astheyareworth;but’tis，intruth，aninexcusableandchildishlazinessandnegligence。WhatwouldInotratherdothanreadacontract？orthan，asaslavetomyownbusiness，tumbleoverthosedustywritings？or，whichisworse，thoseofanotherman，assomanydonowadays，togetmoney？Igrudgenothingbutcareandtrouble，andendeavournothingsomuch，astobecarelessandatease。
Ihadbeenmuchfitter，Ibelieve，couldithavebeenwithoutobligationandservitude，tohaveliveduponanotherman’sfortunethanmyown:and，indeed，Idonotknow，whenIexamineitnearer，whether，accordingtomyhumour，whatIhavetosufferfrommyaffairsandservants，hasnotinitsomethingmoreabject，troublesome，andtormentingthantherewouldbeinservingamanbetterbornthanmyself，whowouldgovernmewithagentlerein，andalittleatmyowncase:
\"Servitusobedientiaestfractianimietabjecti，arbitriocarentissuo。\"
[\"Servitudeistheobedienceofasubduedandabjectmind，wantingitsownfreewill。\"——Cicero，Paradox，V。I。]
Cratesdidworse，whothrewhimselfintothelibertyofpoverty，onlytoridhimselfoftheinconveniencesandcaresofhishouse。ThisiswhatI
wouldnotdo;Ihatepovertyequallywithpain;butIcouldbecontenttochangethekindoflifeIliveforanotherthatwashumblerandlesschargeable。
Whenabsentfromhome，Idivestmyselfofallthesethoughts，andshouldbelessconcernedfortheruinofatower，thanIam，whenpresent，atthefallofatile。Mymindiseasilycomposedatdistance，butsuffersasmuchasthatofthemeanestpeasantwhenIamathome;thereinsofmybridlebeingwronglyputon，orastrapflappingagainstmyleg，willkeepmeoutofhumouradaytogether。Iraisemycourage，wellenoughagainstinconveniences:liftupmyeyesIcannot:
\"Sensus，osuperi，sensus。\"
[\"Thesenses，Oyegods，thesenses。\"]
Iamathomeresponsibleforwhatevergoesamiss。Fewmasters（Ispeakofthoseofmediumconditionsuchasmine），andiftherebeanysuch，theyaremorehappy，canrelysomuchuponanother，butthatthegreatestpartoftheburdenwilllieupontheirownshoulders。Thistakesmuchfrommygraceinentertainingvisitors，sothatIhave，peradventure，detainedsomeratheroutofexpectationofagooddinner，thanbymyownbehaviour;andlosemuchofthepleasureIoughttoreapatmyownhousefromthevisitationandassemblingofmyfriends。Themostridiculouscarriageofagentlemaninhisownhouse，istoseehimbustlingaboutthebusinessoftheplace，whisperingoneservant，andlookinganangrylookatanother:itoughtinsensiblytoslidealong，andtorepresentanordinarycurrent;andIthinkitunhandsometotalkmuchtoourguestsoftheirentertainment，whetherbywayofbraggingorexcuse。Iloveorderandcleanliness——
\"EtcantharusetlanxOstenduntmihime\"——
[\"Thedishesandtheglassesshewmemyownreflection。\"
——Horace，Ep。，i。5，23]
morethanabundance;andathomehaveanexactregardtonecessity，littletooutwardshow。Ifafootmanfallstocuffsatanotherman’shouse，orstumbleandthrowadishbeforehimasheiscarryingitup，youonlylaughandmakeajeston’t;yousleepwhilstthemasterofthehouseisarrangingabilloffarewithhisstewardforyourmorrow’sentertainment。IspeakaccordingasIdomyself;quiteappreciating，nevertheless，goodhusbandryingeneral，andhowpleasantquietandprosperoushouseholdmanagement，carriedregularlyon，istosomenatures;andnotwishingtofastenmyownerrorsandinconveniencestothething;nortogivePlatothelie，wholooksuponitasthemostpleasantemploymenttoeveryonetodohisparticularaffairswithoutwrongtoanother。
WhenItravelIhavenothingtocareforbutmyself，andthelayingoutmymoney;whichisdisposedofbyonesingleprecept;toomanythingsarerequiredtotherakingittogether;inthatIunderstandnothing;inspending，Iunderstandalittle，andhowtogivesomeshowtomyexpense，whichisindeeditsprincipaluse;butIrelytooambitiouslyuponit，whichrendersitunequalanddifform，and，moreover，immoderateinboththeoneandtheotheraspect;ifitmakesashow，ifitservetheturn，Iindiscreetlyletitrun;andasindiscreetlytieupmypurse—strings，ifitdoesnotshine，anddoesnotpleaseme。Whateveritbe，whetherartornature，thatimprintsinustheconditionoflivingbyreferencetoothers，itdoesusmuchmoreharmthangood;wedepriveourselvesofourownutilities，toaccommodateappearancestothecommonopinion:
wecarenotsomuchwhatourbeingis，astousandinreality，aswhatitistothepublicobservation。Eventhepropertiesofthemind，andwisdomitself，seemfruitlesstous，ifonlyenjoyedbyourselves，andifitproducenotitselftotheviewandapprobationofothers。Thereisasortofmenwhosegoldrunsinstreamsundergroundimperceptibly;othersexposeitallinplatesandbranches;sothattotheonealiardisworthacrown，andtotheotherstheinverse:theworldesteemingitsuseandvalue，accordingtotheshow。Allover—nicesolicitudeaboutrichessmellsofavarice:eventheverydisposingofit，withatoosystematicandartificialliberality，isnotworthapainfulsuperintendenceandsolicitude:he，thatwillorderhisexpensetojustsomuch，makesittoopinchedandnarrow。Thekeepingorspendingare，ofthemselves，indifferentthings，andreceivenocolourofgoodorill，butaccordingtotheapplicationofthewill。
Theothercausethattemptsmeouttothesejourneysis，inaptitudeforthepresentmannersinourstate。Icouldeasilyconsolemyselfforthiscorruptioninregardtothepublicinterest:
\"PejoraquesaeculaferriTemporibus，quorumscelerinoninvenitipsaNomen，etanulloposuitnaturametallo;\"
[\"And，worsethantheironages，forwhosecrimesthereisnosimilitudeinanyofNature’smetals。\"——Juvenal，xiii。28。]
butnottomyown。Iam，inparticular，toomuchoppressedbythem:for，inmyneighbourhood，weare，oflate，bythelonglicenceofourcivilwars，grownoldinsoriotousaformofstate，\"Quippeubifasversumatquenefas，\"
[\"Wherewrongandrighthavechangedplaces。\"
——Virgil，Georg。，i。504。]
thatinearnest，’tisawonderhowitcansubsist:
\"Armatiterramexercent，semperquerecentesConvectarejuvatpraedas;etvivererapto。\"
[\"Menplough，girtwitharms;everdelightinginfreshrobberies，andlivingbyrapine。\"——AEneid，vii。748。]
Infine，Iseebyourexample，thatthesocietyofmenismaintainedandheldtogether，atwhatpricesoever;inwhatconditionsoevertheyareplaced，theystillcloseandsticktogether，bothmovingandinheaps;asillunitedbodies，that，shuffledtogetherwithoutorder，findofthemselvesameanstouniteandsettle，oftenbetterthantheycouldhavebeendisposedbyart。KingPhilipmustereduparabbleofthemostwickedandincorrigiblerascalshecouldpickout，andputthemalltogetherintoacityhehadcausedtobebuiltforthatpurpose，whichboretheirname:Ibelievethatthey，evenfromvicesthemselves，erectedagovernmentamongstthem，andacommodiousandjustsociety。Isee，notoneaction，orthree，orahundred，butmanners，incommonandreceiveduse，soferocious，especiallyininhumanityandtreachery，whicharetometheworstofallvices，thatIhavenotthehearttothinkofthemwithouthorror;andalmostasmuchadmireasIdetestthem:theexerciseofthesesignalvillainiescarrieswithitasgreatsignsofvigourandforceofsoul，asoferroranddisorder。Necessityreconcilesandbringsmentogether;andthisaccidentalconnectionafterwardsformsitselfintolaws:fortherehavebeensuch，assavageasanyhumanopinioncouldconceive，who，nevertheless，havemaintainedtheirbodywithasmuchhealthandlengthoflifeasanyPlatoorAristotlecouldinvent。Andcertainly，allthesedescriptionsofpolities，feignedbyart，arefoundtoberidiculousandunfittobeputinpractice。
Thesegreatandtediousdebatesaboutthebestformofsociety，andthemostcommodiousrulestobindus，aredebatesonlyproperfortheexerciseofourwits;asintheartsthereareseveralsubjectswhichhavetheirbeinginagitationandcontroversy，andhavenolifebutthere。Suchanideaofgovernmentmightbeofsomevalueinanewworld;
butwetakeaworldalreadymade，andformedtocertaincustoms;wedonotbegetit，asPyrrhaorCadmusdid。Bywhatmeanssoeverwemayhavetheprivilegetoredressandreformitanew，wecanhardlywritheitfromitswontedbent，butweshallbreakall。SolonbeingaskedwhetherhehadestablishedthebestlawshecouldfortheAthenians;\"Yes，\"saidhe，\"ofthosetheywouldhavereceived。\"Varroexcuseshimselfafterthesamemanner:\"thatifheweretobegintowriteofreligion，hewouldsaywhathebelieved;butseeingitwasalreadyreceived，hewouldwriteratheraccordingtousethannature。\"
Notaccordingtoopinion，butintruthandreality，thebestandmostexcellentgovernmentforeverynationisthatunderwhichitismaintained:itsformandessentialconveniencedependuponcustom。
Weareapttobedispleasedatthepresentcondition;butI，nevertheless，maintainthattodesirecommandinafew——[anoligarchy。]——
inarepublic，oranothersortofgovernmentinmonarchythanthatalreadyestablished，isbothviceandfolly:
\"Aymel’estat，telquetoleveoisestreS’ilestroyalaymelaroyaute;
S’ilestdepeu，oubierscommunaute，Aymel’aussi;carDieut’yafaictnaistre。\"
[\"Lovethegovernment，suchasyouseeittobe。Ifitberoyal，loveroyalty;ifitisarepublicofanysort，stillloveit;forGodhimselfcreatedtheetherein。\"]
SowrotethegoodMonsieurdePibrac，whomwehavelatelylost，amanofsoexcellentawit，suchsoundopinions，andsuchgentlemanners。Thisloss，andthatatthesametimewehavehadofMonsieurdeFoix，areofsogreatimportancetothecrown，thatIdonotknowwhetherthereisanothercoupleinFranceworthytosupplytheplacesofthesetwoGasconsinsincerityandwisdominthecouncilofourkings。Theywerebothvariouslygreatmen，andcertainly，accordingtotheage，rareandgreat，eachoftheminhiskind:butwhatdestinywasitthatplacedtheminthesetimes，mensoremotefromandsodisproportionedtoourcorruptionandintestinetumults？
Nothingpressessoharduponastateasinnovation:changeonlygivesformtoinjusticeandtyranny。Whenanypieceisloosened，itmaybepropertostayit;onemaytakecarethatthealterationandcorruptionnaturaltoallthingsdonotcarryustoofarfromourbeginningsandprinciples:buttoundertaketofoundsogreatamassanew，andtochangethefoundationsofsovastabuilding，isforthemtodo，whotomakeclean，efface;whoreformparticulardefectsbyanuniversalconfusion，andcurediseasesbydeath:
\"Nontamcommutandarumquamevertendarumrerumcupidi。\"
[\"Notsodesirousofchangingasofoverthrowingthings。\"
——Cicero，De0ffic。，ii。i。]
Theworldisunapttobecured;andsoimpatientofanythingthatpressesit，thatitthinksofnothingbutdisengagingitselfatwhatpricesoever。Weseebyathousandexamples，thatitordinarilycuresitselftoitscost。Thedischargeofapresentevilisnocure，iftherebenotageneralamendmentofcondition。Thesurgeon’sendisnotonlytocutawaythedeadflesh;thatisbuttheprogressofhiscure;hehasacare，overandabove，tofillupthewoundwithbetterandmorenaturalflesh，andtorestorethemembertoitsduestate。Whoeveronlyproposestohimselftoremovethatwhichoffendshim，fallsshort:forgooddoesnotnecessarilysucceedevil;anotherevilmaysucceed，andaworse，asithappenedtoCaesar’smurderers，whobroughttherepublictosuchapass，thattheyhadreasontorepentthemeddlingwiththematter。Thesamehassincehappenedtoseveralothers，evendowntoourowntimes:theFrench，mycontemporaries，knowitwellenough。Allgreatmutationsshakeanddisorderastate。
Whoeverwouldlookdirectatacure，andwellconsiderofitbeforehebegan，wouldbeverywillingtowithdrawhishandsfrommeddlinginit。
PacuviusCalaviuscorrectedtheviceofthisproceedingbyanotableexample。Hisfellow—citizenswereinmutinyagainsttheirmagistrates;
hebeingamanofgreatauthorityinthecityofCapua，foundmeansonedaytoshutuptheSenatorsinthepalace;andcallingthepeopletogetherinthemarket—place，theretoldthemthatthedaywasnowcomewhereinatfulllibertytheymightrevengethemselvesonthetyrantsbywhomtheyhadbeensolongoppressed，andwhomhehadnow，allaloneandunarmed，athismercy。Hethenadvisedthattheyshouldcalltheseout，onebyone，bylot，andshouldindividuallydetermineastoeach，causingwhatevershouldbedecreedtobeimmediatelyexecuted;withthisproviso，thattheyshould，atthesametime，deputesomehonestmanintheplaceofhimwhowascondemned，totheendtheremightbenovacancyintheSenate。Theyhadnosoonerheardthenameofonesenatorbutagreatcryofuniversaldislikewasraisedupagainsthim。\"Isee，\"saysPacuvius，\"thatwemustputhimout;heisawickedfellow;letuslookoutagoodoneinhisroom。\"Immediatelytherewasaprofoundsilence，everyonebeingatastandwhomtochoose。Butone，moreimpudentthantherest，havingnamedhisman，therearoseyetagreaterconsentofvoicesagainsthim，anhundredimperfectionsbeinglaidtohischarge，andasmanyjustreasonswhyheshouldnotstand。Thesecontradictoryhumoursgrowinghot，itfaredworsewiththesecondsenatorandthethird，therebeingasmuchdisagreementintheelectionofthenew，asconsentintheputtingoutoftheold。Intheend，growingwearyofthisbustletonopurpose，theybegan，someonewayandsomeanother，tostealoutoftheassembly:
everyonecarryingbackthisresolutioninhismind，thattheoldestandbestknownevilwasevermoresupportablethanonethatwas，newanduntried。
Seeinghowmiserablyweareagitated（forwhathavewenotdone！）
\"Eheu！cicatricum，etscelerispudet，Fratrumque:quidnosdurarefugimusAEtas？quidintactumnefastiLiquimus？UndemanusinventusMetuDeorumcontinuit？quibusPepercitaris。\"
[\"Alas！ourcrimesandourfratricidesareashametous！Whatcrimedoesthisbadageshrinkfrom？Whatwickednesshaveweleftundone？Whatyouthisrestrainedfromevilbythefearofthegods？
Whataltarisspared？\"——Horace，Od。，i。33，35]
Idonotpresentlyconclude，\"IpsasivelitSalus，Servareprorsusnonpotesthancfamiliam;\"
[\"IfthegoddessSalusherselfwishtosavethisfamily，sheabsolutelycannot\"——Terence，Adelph。，iv。7，43。]
wearenot，peradventure，atourlastgasp。Theconservationofstatesisathingthat，inalllikelihood，surpassesourunderstanding;——acivilgovernmentis，asPlatosays，amightyandpuissantthing，andhardtobedissolved;itoftencontinuesagainstmortalandintestinediseases，againsttheinjuryofunjustlaws，againsttyranny，thecorruptionandignoranceofmagistrates，thelicenceandseditionofthepeople。Inallourfortunes，wecompareourselvestowhatisaboveus，andstilllooktowardsthosewhoarebetter:butletusmeasureourselveswithwhatisbelowus:thereisnoconditionsomiserablewhereinamanmaynotfindathousandexamplesthatwilladministerconsolation。’Tisourvicethatwemoreunwillinglylookuponwhatisabove，thanwillinglyuponwhatisbelow;andSolonwasusedtosay，that\"whoeverwouldmakeaheapofalltheillstogether，thereisnoonewhowouldnotratherchoosetobearawaytheillshehasthantocometoanequaldivisionwithallothermenfromthatheap，andtakehisshare。\"Ourgovernmentis，indeed，verysick，buttherehavebeenothersmoresickwithoutdying。Thegodsplayatballwithusandbandyuseveryway:
\"EnimveroDiinoshominesquasipilashabent。\"
ThestarsfatallydestinedthestateofRomeforanexampleofwhattheycoulddointhiskind:initarecomprisedalltheformsandadventuresthatconcernastate:allthatorderordisorder，goodorevilfortune，cando。Who，then，candespairofhiscondition，seeingtheshocksandcommotionswherewithRomewastumbledandtossed，andyetwithstoodthemall？Iftheextentofdominionbethehealthofastate（whichIbynomeansthinkitis，andIsocratespleasesmewhenheinstructsNicoclesnottoenvyprinceswhohavelargedominions，butthosewhoknowhowtopreservethosewhichhavefallenintotheirhands），thatofRomewasneversosound，aswhenitwasmostsick。Theworstofherformswasthemostfortunate;onecanhardlydiscernanyimageofgovernmentunderthefirstemperors;itisthemosthorribleandtumultuousconfusionthatcanbeimagined;itenduredit，notwithstanding，andthereincontinued，preservingnotamonarchylimitedwithinitsownbounds，butsomanynationssodiffering，soremote，sodisaffected，soconfusedlycommanded，andsounjustlyconquered:
\"NecgentibusullisCommodatinpopulum，terrapelagiquepotentem，Invidiamfortunasuam。\"
[\"Fortunenevergaveittoanynationtosatisfyitshatredagainstthepeople，mastersoftheseasandoftheearth。\"——Lucan，i。32。]
Everythingthattottersdoesnotfall。Thecontextureofsogreatabodyholdsbymorenailsthanone;itholdsevenbyitsantiquity，likeoldbuildings，fromwhichthefoundationsarewornawaybytime，withoutrough—castormortar，whichyetliveandsupportthemselvesbytheirownweight:
\"Necjamvalidisradicibushaerens，Ponderetutasuoest。\"
Moreover，itisnotrightlytogotowork，toexamineonlytheflankandthefoss，tojudgeofthesecurityofaplace;wemustobservewhichwayapproachescanbemadetoit，andinwhatconditiontheassailantis:fewvesselssinkwiththeirownweight，andwithoutsomeexteriorviolence。
Now，letuseverywaycastoureyes;everythingaboutustotters;inallthegreatstates，bothofChristendomandelsewhere，thatareknowntous，ifyouwillbutlook，youwillthereseeevidentmenaceofalterationandruin:
\"Etsuasuntillisincommoda;parqueperomnesTempestas。\"
[\"Theyallshareinthemischief;thetempestrageseverywhere。\"——AEneid，ii。]
Astrologersmayverywell，astheydo，warnusofgreatrevolutionsandimminentmutations:theirpropheciesarepresentandpalpable，theyneednotgotoheaventoforetellthis。Thereisnotonlyconsolationtobeextractedfromthisuniversalcombinationofillsandmenaces，but，moreover，somehopesofthecontinuationofourstate，forasmuchas，naturally，nothingfallswhereallfalls:universalsicknessisparticularhealth:conformityisantagonistictodissolution。Formypart，Idespairnot，andfancythatIdiscoverwaystosaveus:
\"DeushaecfortassebenignaReducetinsedemvice。\"
[\"Thedeitywillperchancebyafavourableturnrestoreustoourformerposition。\"——Horace，Epod。，xiii。7。]
WhoknowsbutthatGodwillhaveithappen，asinhumanbodiesthatpurgeandrestorethemselvestoabetterstatebylongandgrievousmaladies，whichrenderthemmoreentireandperfecthealththanthattheytookfromthem？Thatwhichweighsthemostwithmeis，thatinreckoningthesymptomsofourill，Iseeasmanynaturalones，andthatHeavensendsus，andproperlyitsown，asofthosethatourdisorderandhumanimprudencecontributetoit。Theverystarsseemtodeclarethatwehavealreadycontinuedlongenough，andbeyondtheordinaryterm。Thisalsoafflictsme，thatthemischiefwhichnearestthreatensus，isnotanalterationintheentireandsolidmass，butitsdissipationanddivulsion，whichisthemostextremeofourfears。
I，moreover，fear，inthesefantasiesofmine，thetreacheryofmymemory，lest，byinadvertence，itshouldmakemewritethesamethingtwice。Ihatetoexaminemyself，andneverreview，butveryunwillingly，whathasonceescapedmypen。Iheresetdownnothingnew。Thesearecommonthoughts，andhaving，peradventure，conceivedthemanhundredtimes，IamafraidIhavesetthemdownsomewhereelsealready。
Repetitioniseverywheretroublesome，thoughitwereinHomer;but’tisruinousinthingsthathaveonlyasuperficialandtransitoryshow。Idonotloveover—insisting，eveninthemostprofitablethings，asinSeneca;andtheusageofhisstoicalschooldispleasesme，torepeat，uponeverysubject，atfulllengthandwidththeprinciplesandpresuppositionsthatserveingeneral，andalwaystorealledgeanewcommonanduniversalreasons。
Mymemorygrowscruellyworseeveryday:
\"PoculaLethaeosutsiducentiasomnos，Arentefaucetraxerim;\"
[\"AsifmydrythroathaddrunkseducingcupsofLethaeanoblivion。\"——Horace，Epod。，xiv。3。]
Imustbefainforthetimetocome（forhitherto，thanksbetoGod，nothinghashappenedmuchamiss），whereasothersseektimeandopportunitytothinkofwhattheyhavetosay，toavoidallpreparation，forfearoftyingmyselftosomeobligationuponwhichImustinsist。Tobetiedandboundtoathingputsmequiteout，andtodependuponsoweakaninstrumentasmymemory。IneverreadthisfollowingstorythatIamnotoffendedatitwithapersonalandnaturalresentment:
Lyncestes，accusedofconspiracyagainstAlexander，thedaythathewasbroughtoutbeforethearmy，accordingtothecustom，tobeheardastowhathecouldsayforhimself，hadlearnedastudiedspeech，ofwhich，hesitatingandstammering，hepronouncedsomewords。Whilstgrowingmoreandmoreperplexed，whilststrugglingwithhismemory，andtryingtorecollectwhathehadtosay，thesoldiersnearesttohimchargedtheirpikesagainsthimandkilledhim，lookinguponhimasconvict;hisconfusionandsilenceservedthemforaconfession;forhavinghadsomuchleisuretopreparehimselfinprison，theyconcludedthatitwasnothismemorythatfailedhim，butthathisconsciencetieduphistongueandstoppedhismouth。And，truly，wellsaid;theplace，theassembly，theexpectation，astoundaman，evenwhenhehasbuttheambitiontospeakwell;whatcanamandowhen’tisanharangueuponwhichhislifedepends？
Formypart，theverybeingtiedtowhatIamtosayisenoughtoloosemefromit。WhenIwhollycommitandrefermyselftomymemory，Ilaysomuchstressuponitthatitsinksunderme:itgrowsdismayedwiththeburden。SomuchasItrusttoit，somuchdoIputmyselfoutofmyownpower，eventothefindingitdifficulttokeepmyowncountenance;andhavebeensometimesverymuchputtoittoconcealtheslaverywhereinI
wasengaged;whereasmydesignistomanifest，inspeaking，aperfectcalmnessbothoffaceandaccent，andcasualandunpremeditatedmotions，asrisingfrompresentoccasions，choosingrathertosaynothingtopurposethantoshowthatIcamepreparedtospeakwell，athingespeciallyunbecomingamanofmyprofession，andoftoogreatobligationonhimwhocannotretainmuch。Thepreparationbegetsagreatdealmoreexpectationthanitwillsatisfy。Amanoftenstripshimselftohisdoublettoleapnofartherthanhewouldhavedoneinhisgown:
\"Nihilesthis，quiplacerevolunt，turnadversarium，quamexpectatio。\"
[\"Nothingissoadversetothosewhomakeittheirbusinesstopleaseasexpectation\"——Cicero，Acad。，ii。4]
ItisrecordedoftheoratorCurio，thatwhenheproposedthedivisionofhisorationintothreeorfourparts，orthreeorfourargumentsorreasons，itoftenhappenedeitherthatheforgotsomeone，oraddedoneortwomore。Ihavealwaysavoidedfallingintothisinconvenience，havingeverhatedthesepromisesandprescriptions，notonlyoutofdistrustofmymemory，butalsobecausethismethodrelishestoomuchoftheartist:
\"Simplicioramilitaresdecent。\"
[\"Simplicitybecomeswarriors。\"——Quintilian，Instit。Orat。，xi。I。]
’Tis—enoughthatIhavepromisedtomyselfneveragaintotakeuponmetospeakinaplaceofrespect，forastospeaking，whenamanreadshisspeech，besidesthatitisveryabsurd，itisamightydisadvantagetothosewhonaturallycouldgiveitagracebyaction;andtorelyuponthemercyofmypresentinvention，Iwouldmuchlessdoit;’tisheavyandperplexed，andsuchaswouldneverfurnishmeinsuddenandimportantnecessities。
Permit，reader，thisessayitscoursealso，andthisthirdsittingtofinishtherestofmypicture:Iadd，butIcorrectnot。First，becauseIconceivethatamanhavingoncepartedwithhislabourstotheworld，hehasnofurtherrighttothem;lethimdobetterifhecan，insomenewundertaking，butnotadulteratewhathehasalreadysold。Ofsuchdealersnothingshouldbeboughttillaftertheyaredead。Letthemwellconsiderwhattheydobeforethey，produceittothelightwhohastensthem？Mybookisalwaysthesame，savingthatuponeverynewedition（thatthebuyermaynotgoawayquiteempty）Itakethelibertytoadd（as’tisbutanilljointedmarqueterie）somesupernumeraryemblem;itisbutoverweight，thatdoesnotdisfiguretheprimitiveformoftheessays，but，byalittleartfulsubtlety，givesakindofparticularvaluetoeveryoneofthosethatfollow。Thence，however，willeasilyhappensometranspositionofchronology，mystoriestakingplaceaccordingtotheiropportuneness，notalwaysaccordingtotheirage。
Secondly，becauseastowhatconcernsmyself，Ifeartolosebychange:
myunderstandingdoesnotalwaysgoforward，itgoesbackwardtoo。Idonotmuchlesssuspectmyfanciesforbeingthesecondorthethird，thanforbeingthefirst，orpresent，orpast;weoftencorrectourselvesasfoolishlyaswedoothers。Iamgrownolderbyagreatmanyyearssincemyfirstpublications，whichwereintheyear1580;butIverymuchdoubtwhetherIamgrownaninchthewiser。Inow，andIanon，aretwoseveralpersons;butwhetherbetter，Icannotdetermine。Itwereafinethingtobeold，ifweonlytravelledtowardsimprovement;but’tisadrunken，stumbling，reeling，infirmmotion:likethatofreeds，whichtheaircasuallywavestoandfroatpleasure。AntiochushadinhisyouthstronglywritteninfavouroftheAcademy;inhisoldagehewroteasmuchagainstit;wouldnot，whichofthesetwosoeverIshouldfollow，bestillAntiochus？Afterhavingestablishedtheuncertainty，togoabouttoestablishthecertaintyofhumanopinions，wasitnottoestablishdoubt，andnotcertainty，andtopromise，thathadhehadyetanotheragetolive，hewouldbealwaysupontermsofalteringhisjudgment，notsomuchforthebetter，asforsomethingelse？
ThepublicfavourhasgivenmealittlemoreconfidencethanIexpected;
butwhatI’mostfearis，lestIshouldgluttheworldwithmywritings;
Ihadrather，ofthetwo，piquemyreaderthantirehim，asalearnedmanofmytimehasdone。Praiseisalwayspleasing，letitcomefromwhom，oruponwhataccountitwill;yetoughtamantounderstandwhyheiscommended，thathemayknowhowtokeepupthesamereputationstill:
imperfectionsthemselvesmaygetcommendation。Thevulgarandcommonestimationisseldomhappyinhitting;andIammuchmistakenif，amongstthewritingsofmytime，theworstarenotthosewhichhavemostgainedthepopularapplause。Formypart，Ireturnmythankstothosegood—
naturedmenwhoarepleasedtotakemyweakendeavoursingoodpart;thefaultsoftheworkmanshiparenowheresoapparentasinamatterwhichofitselfhasnorecommendation。Blamenotme，reader，forthosethatslipinherebythefancyorinadvertencyofothers;everyhand，everyartisan，contributetheirownmaterials;Ineitherconcernmyselfwithorthography（andonlycaretohaveitaftertheoldway）norpointing，beingveryinexpertbothintheoneandtheother。Wheretheywhollybreakthesense，Iamverylittleconcerned，fortheyatleastdischargeme;butwheretheysubstituteafalseone，astheysooftendo，andwrestmetotheirconception，theyruinme。Whenthesentence，nevertheless，isnotstrongenoughformyproportion，acivilpersonoughttorejectitasspurious，andnoneofmine。WhoevershallknowhowlazyIam，andhowindulgenttomyownhumour，willeasilybelievethatIhadratherwriteasmanymoreessays，thanbetiedtorevisetheseoveragainforsochildishacorrection。
Isaidelsewhere，thatbeingplantedintheverycentreofthisnewreligion，Iamnotonlydeprivedofanygreatfamiliaritywithmenofotherkindofmannersthanmyown，andofotheropinions，bywhichtheyholdtogether，asbyatiethatsupersedesallotherobligations;butmoreoverIdonotlivewithoutdanger，amongstmentowhomallthingsareequallylawful，andofwhomthemostpartcannotoffendthelawsmorethantheyhavealreadydone;fromwhichtheextremistdegreeoflicenceproceeds。Alltheparticularbeingsummeduptogether，Idonotfindonemanofmycountry，whopayssodearforthedefenceofourlawsbothinlossanddamages（asthelawyerssay）asmyself;andsometherearewhovapourandbragoftheirzealandconstancy，thatifthingswerejustlyweighed，domuchlessthanI。Myhouse，asonethathaseverbeenopenandfreetoallcomers，andciviltoall（forIcouldneverpersuademyselftomakeitagarrisonofwar，warbeingathingthatIprefertoseeasremoteasmaybe），hassufficientlymeritedpopularkindness，andsothatitwouldbeahardmatterjustlytoinsultovermeuponmyowndunghill;andIlookuponitasawonderfulandexemplarythingthatityetcontinuesavirginfrombloodandplunderduringsolongastorm，andsomanyneighbouringrevolutionsandtumults。Fortoconfessthetruth，ithadbeenpossibleenoughforamanofmycomplexiontohaveshakenhandswithanyoneconstantandcontinuedformwhatever;butthecontraryinvasionsandincursions，alternationsandvicissitudesoffortuneroundaboutme，havehithertomoreexasperatedthancalmedandmollifiedthetemperofthecountry，andinvolvedme，overandoveragain，withinvincibledifficultiesanddangers。
Iescape，’tistrue，butamtroubledthatitismorebychance，andsomethingofmyownprudence，thanbyjustice;andamnotsatisfiedtobeoutoftheprotectionofthelaws，andunderanyothersafeguardthantheirs。Asmattersstand，Ilive，aboveonehalf，bythefavourofothers，whichisanuntowardobligation。Idonotliketoowemysafetyeithertothegenerosityoraffectionofgreatpersons，whoallowmemylegalityandmyliberty，ortotheobligingmannersofmypredecessors，ormyown:forwhatifIwereanotherkindofman？Ifmydeportment，andthefranknessofmyconversationorrelationship，obligemyneighbours，’tisthatthattheyshouldacquitthemselvesofobligationinonlypermittingmetolive，andtheymaysay，\"Weallowhimthefreelibertyofhavingdivineservicereadinhisownprivatechapel，whenitisinterdictedinallchurchesroundabout，andallowhimtheuseofhisgoodsandhislife，asonewhoprotectsourwivesandcattleintimeofneed。\"FormyhousehasformanydescentssharedinthereputationofLycurgustheAthenian，whowasthegeneraldepositoryandguardianofthepursesofhisfellow—citizens。NowIamclearlyofopinionthatamanshouldlivebyrightandbyauthority，andnoteitherbyrecompenseorfavour。Howmanygallantmenhaveratherchosentolosetheirlivesthantobedebtorsforthem？Ihatetosubjectmyselftoanysortofobligation，butaboveall，tothatwhichbindsmebythedutyofhonour。
Ithinknothingsodearaswhathasbeengivenme，andthisbecausemywillliesatpawnunderthetitleofgratitude，andmorewillinglyacceptofservicesthataretobesold;IfeelthatforthelastIgivenothingbutmoney，butfortheotherIgivemyself。
Theknotthatbindsmebythelawsofcourtesybindsmemorethanthatofcivilconstraint;Iammuchmoreateasewhenboundbyascrivener，thanbymyself。Isitnotreasonthatmyconscienceshouldbemuchmoreengagedwhenmensimplyrelyuponit？Inabond，myfaithowesnothing，becauseithasnothinglentit;letthemtrusttothesecuritytheyhavetakenwithoutme。Ihadmuchratherbreakthewallofaprisonandthelawsthemselvesthanmyownword。Iamnice，eventosuperstition，inkeepingmypromises，and，therefore，uponalloccasionshaveacaretomakethemuncertainandconditional。Tothoseofnogreatmoment，Iaddthejealousyofmyownrule，tomakethemweight;itwracksandoppressesmewithitsowninterest。Eveninactionswhollymyownandfree，ifI
oncesayathing，IconceivethatIhaveboundmyself，andthatdeliveringittotheknowledgeofanother，Ihavepositivelyenjoineditmyownperformance。MethinksIpromiseit，ifIbutsayit:andthereforeamnotapttosaymuchofthatkind。ThesentencethatIpassuponmyselfismoreseverethanthatofajudge，whoonlyconsidersthecommonobligation;butmyconsciencelooksuponitwithamoresevereandpenetratingeye。IlaginthosedutiestowhichIshouldbecompelledifIdidnotgo:
\"Hocipsumitajustumest，quodrectefit，siestvoluntarium。\"
[\"Thisitselfissofarjust，thatitisrightlydone，ifitisvoluntary。\"——Cicero，DeOffic。，i。9。]
Iftheactionhasnotsomesplendourofliberty，ithasneithergracenorhonour:
\"Quodvosjuscogit，vixvoluntateimpetrent:\"
[\"Thatwhichthelawscompelustodo，wescarcelydowithawill。\"
——Terence，Adelph。，iii。3，44。
wherenecessitydrawsme，Ilovetoletmywilltakeitsowncourse:
\"Quiaquicquidimperiocogitur，exigentimagis，quampraestanti，acceptumrefertur。\"
[\"Forwhateveriscompelledbypower，ismoreimputedtohimthatexactsthantohimthatperforms。\"——ValeriusMaximus，ii。2，6。]
Iknowsomewhofollowthisrule，eventoinjustice;whowillsoonergivethanrestore，soonerlendthanpay，andwilldothemtheleastgoodtowhomtheyaremostobliged。Idon’tgosofarasthat，butI’mnotfaroff。
Isomuchlovetodisengageanddisobligatemyself，thatIhavesometimeslookeduponingratitudes，affronts，andindignitieswhichIhavereceivedfromthosetowhomeitherbynatureoraccidentIwasboundinsomewayoffriendship，asanadvantagetome;takingthisoccasionoftheirill—
usage，foranacquaintanceanddischargeofsomuchofmydebt。AndthoughIstillcontinuetopaythemalltheexternalofficesofpublicreason，I，notwithstanding，findagreatsavingindoingthatupontheaccountofjusticewhichIdiduponthescoreofaffection，andamalittleeasedoftheattentionandsolicitudeofmyinwardwill:
\"Estprudentissustinere，utcurrum，sicimpetumbenevolentia;\"
[\"’Tisthepartofawisemantokeepacurbinghandupontheimpetusoffriendship，asuponthatofhishorse。\"
——Cicero，DeAmicit。，c。17。]
’tisinme，toourgingandpressingwhereItake;atleast，foramanwholovesnottobestrainedatall。AndthishusbandingmyfriendshipservesmeforasortofconsolationintheimperfectionsofthoseinwhomIamconcerned。IamverysorrytheyarenotsuchasIcouldwishtheywere，butthenIalsoamsparedsomewhatofmyapplicationandengagementtowardsthem。Iapproveofamanwhoisthelessfondofhischildforhavingascaldhead，orforbeingcrooked;andnotonlywhenheisill—
conditioned，butalsowhenheisofunhappydisposition，andimperfectinhislimbs（Godhimselfhasabatedsomuchfromhisvalueandnaturalestimation），providedhecarryhimselfinthiscoldnessofaffectionwithmoderationandexactjustice:proximity，withme，lessensnotdefects，butratheraggravatesthem。
Afterall，accordingtowhatIunderstandinthescienceofbenefitandacknowledgment，whichisasubtlescience，andofgreatuse，IknownopersonwhatevermorefreeandlessindebtedthanIamatthishour。WhatIdooweissimplytoforeignobligationsandbenefits;astoanythingelse，nomanismoreabsolutelyclear:
\"NecsuntmihinotapotentumMunera。\"
[\"Thegiftsofgreatmenareunknowntome。\"——AEneid，xii。529。]
Princesgivemeagreatdealiftheytakenothingfromme;anddomegoodenoughiftheydomenoharm;that’sallIaskfromthem。OhowamI
obligedtoGod，thathehasbeenpleasedIshouldimmediatelyreceivefromhisbountyallIhave，andspeciallyreservedallmyobligationtohimself。HowearnestlydoIbegofhisholycompassionthatImayneveroweessentialthankstoanyone。OhappylibertywhereinIhavethusfarlived。Mayitcontinuewithmetothelast。Iendeavourtohavenoexpressneedofanyone:
\"Inmeomnisspecestmihi。\"
[\"Allmyhopeisinmyself。\"——Terence，Adelph。，iii。5，9。]
’Tiswhateveryonemaydoinhimself，butmoreeasilytheywhomGodhasplacedinaconditionexemptfromnaturalandurgentnecessities。Itisawretchedanddangerousthingtodependuponothers;weourselves，inwhomiseverthemostjustandsafestdependence，arenotsufficientlysure。