第18章

done，theytwo，inthepresenceofalltheassembly，despatchhimwiththeirswords。Afterthat，theyroasthim，eathimamongstthem，andsendsomechopstotheirabsentfriends。Theydonotdothis，assomethink，fornourishment，astheScythiansancientlydid，butasarepresentationofanextremerevenge;aswillappearbythis:thathavingobservedthePortuguese，whowereinleaguewiththeirenemies，toinflictanothersortofdeathuponanyofthemtheytookprisoners，whichwastosetthemuptothegirdleintheearth，toshootattheremainingparttillitwasstuckfullofarrows，andthentohangthem，theythoughtthosepeopleoftheotherworld（asbeingmenwhohadsowntheknowledgeofagreatmanyvicesamongsttheirneighbours，andwhoweremuchgreatermastersinallsortsofmischiefthanthey）didnotexercisethissortofrevengewithoutameaning，andthatitmustneedsbemorepainfulthantheirs，theybegantoleavetheiroldway，andtofollowthis。Iamnotsorrythatweshouldheretakenoticeofthebarbaroushorrorofsocruelanaction，butthat，seeingsoclearlyintotheirfaults，weshouldbesoblindtoourown。Iconceivethereismorebarbarityineatingamanalive，thanwhenheisdead;intearingabodylimbfromlimbbyracksandtorments，thatisyetinperfectsense;inroastingitbydegrees;incausingittobebittenandworriedbydogsandswine（aswehavenotonlyread，butlatelyseen，notamongstinveterateandmortalenemies，butamongneighboursandfellow—citizens，and，whichisworse，undercolourofpietyandreligion），thantoroastandeathimafterheisdead。

ChrysippusandZeno，thetwoheadsoftheStoicsect，wereofopinionthattherewasnohurtinmakinguseofourdeadcarcasses，inwhatwaysoeverforournecessity，andinfeedinguponthemtoo;——[DiogenesLaertius，vii。188。]——asourownancestors，whobeingbesiegedbyCaesarinthecityAlexia，resolvedtosustainthefamineofthesiegewiththebodiesoftheiroldmen，women，andotherpersonswhowereincapableofbearingarms。

"Vascones，utfamaest，alimentistalibususiProduxereanimas。"

["’TissaidtheGasconswithsuchmeatsappeasedtheirhunger。"

——Juvenal，Sat。，xv。93。

Andthephysiciansmakenobonesofemployingittoallsortsofuse，eithertoapplyitoutwardly;ortogiveitinwardlyforthehealthofthepatient。Butthereneverwasanyopinionsoirregular，astoexcusetreachery，disloyalty，tyranny，andcruelty，whichareourfamiliarvices。Wemaythencallthesepeoplebarbarous，inrespecttotherulesofreason:butnotinrespecttoourselves，whoinallsortsofbarbarityexceedthem。Theirwarsarethroughoutnobleandgenerous，andcarryasmuchexcuseandfairpretence，asthathumanmaladyiscapableof;havingwiththemnootherfoundationthanthesolejealousyofvalour。Theirdisputesarenotfortheconquestofnewlands，forthesetheyalreadypossessaresofruitfulbynature，astosupplythemwithoutlabourorconcern，withallthingsnecessary，insuchabundancethattheyhavenoneedtoenlargetheirborders。Andtheyare，moreover，happyinthis，thattheyonlycovetsomuchastheirnaturalnecessitiesrequire:allbeyondthatissuperfluoustothem:menofthesameagecalloneanothergenerallybrothers，thosewhoareyounger，children;andtheoldmenarefatherstoall。Theseleavetotheirheirsincommonthefullpossessionofgoods，withoutanymannerofdivision，orothertitlethanwhatnaturebestowsuponhercreatures，inbringingthemintotheworld。Iftheirneighbourspassoverthemountainstoassaultthem，andobtainavictory，allthevictorsgainbyitisgloryonly，andtheadvantageofhavingprovedthemselvesthebetterinvalourandvirtue:fortheynevermeddlewiththegoodsoftheconquered，butpresentlyreturnintotheirowncountry，wheretheyhavenowantofanythingnecessary，norofthisgreatestofallgoods，toknowhappilyhowtoenjoytheirconditionandtobecontent。Andthoseinturndothesame;theydemandoftheirprisonersnootherransom，thanacknowledgmentthattheyareovercome:

butthereisnotonefoundinanage，whowillnotratherchoosetodiethanmakesuchaconfession，oreitherbywordorlookrecedefromtheentiregrandeurofaninvinciblecourage。Thereisnotamanamongstthemwhohadnotratherbekilledandeaten，thansomuchastoopenhismouthtoentreathemaynot。Theyusethemwithallliberalityandfreedom，totheendtheirlivesmaybesomuchthedearertothem;butfrequentlyentertainthemwithmenacesoftheirapproachingdeath，ofthetormentstheyaretosuffer，ofthepreparationsmakinginordertoit，ofthemanglingtheirlimbs，andofthefeastthatistobemade，wheretheircarcassistobetheonlydish。Allwhichtheydo，tonootherend，butonlytoextortsomegentleorsubmissivewordfromthem，ortofrightenthemsoastomakethemrunaway，toobtainthisadvantagethattheywereterrified，andthattheirconstancywasshaken;andindeed，ifrightlytaken，itisinthispointonlythatatruevictoryconsists:

"Victorianullaest，Quamquaeconfessoranimoquoquesubjugathostes。"

["Novictoryiscomplete，whichtheconquereddonotadmittobeso。——"Claudius，DeSextoConsulatuHonorii，v。248。]

TheHungarians，averywarlikepeople，neverpretendfurtherthantoreducetheenemytotheirdiscretion;forhavingforcedthisconfessionfromthem，theyletthemgowithoutinjuryorransom，excepting，atthemost，tomakethemengagetheirwordnevertobeararmsagainstthemagain。Wehavesufficientadvantagesoverourenemiesthatareborrowedandnottrulyourown;itisthequalityofaporter，andnoeffectofvirtue，tohavestrongerarmsandlegs;itisadeadandcorporealqualitytosetinarray;’tisaturnoffortunetomakeourenemystumble，ortodazzlehimwiththelightofthesun;’tisatrickofscienceandart，andthatmayhappeninameanbasefellow，tobeagoodfencer。Theestimateandvalueofamanconsistintheheartandinthewill:therehistruehonourlies。Valourisstability，notoflegsandarms，butofthecourageandthesoul;itdoesnotlieinthegoodnessofourhorseorourarmsbutinourown。Hethatfallsobstinateinhiscourage——

"Sisucciderit，degenupugnat"

["Ifhislegsfailhim，hefightsonhisknees。"

——Seneca，DeProvidentia，c。2。]

——hewho，foranydangerofimminentdeath，abatesnothingofhisassurance;who，dying，yetdartsathisenemyafierceanddisdainfullook，isovercomenotbyus，butbyfortune;heiskilled，notconquered;

themostvaliantaresometimesthemostunfortunate。Therearedefeatsmoretriumphantthanvictories。Nevercouldthosefoursistervictories，thefairestthesuneverbeheld，ofSalamis，Plataea，Mycale，andSicily，venturetoopposealltheirunitedglories，tothesinglegloryofthediscomfitureofKingLeonidasandhismen，atthepassofThermopylae。Whoeverranwithamoregloriousdesireandgreaterambition，tothewinning，thanCaptainIscolastothecertainlossofabattle？——[DiodorusSiculus，xv。64。]——Whocouldhavefoundoutamoresubtleinventiontosecurehissafety，thanhedidtoassurehisdestruction？HewassettodefendacertainpassofPeloponnesusagainsttheArcadians，which，consideringthenatureoftheplaceandtheinequalityofforces，findingitutterlyimpossibleforhimtodo，andseeingthatallwhowerepresentedtotheenemy，mustcertainlybeleftupontheplace;andontheotherside，reputingitunworthyofhisownvirtueandmagnanimityandoftheLacedaemoniannametofailinanypartofhisduty，hechoseameanbetwixtthesetwoextremesafterthismanner;theyoungestandmostactiveofhismen，hepreservedfortheserviceanddefenceoftheircountry，andsentthemback;andwiththerest，whoselosswouldbeoflessconsideration，heresolvedtomakegoodthepass，andwiththedeathofthem，tomaketheenemybuytheirentryasdearaspossiblyhecould;asitfellout，forbeingpresentlyenvironedonallsidesbytheArcadians，afterhavingmadeagreatslaughteroftheenemy，heandhiswereallcutinpieces。Isthereanytrophydedicatedtotheconquerorswhichwasnotmuchmoreduetothesewhowereovercome？Thepartthattrueconqueringistoplay，liesintheencounter，notinthecomingoff;andthehonourofvalourconsistsinfighting，notinsubduing。

Buttoreturntomystory:theseprisonersaresofarfromdiscoveringtheleastweakness，foralltheterrorsthatcanberepresentedtothem，that，onthecontrary，duringthetwoorthreemonthstheyarekept，theyalwaysappearwithacheerfulcountenance;importunetheirmasterstomakehastetobringthemtothetest，defy，railatthem，andreproachthemwithcowardice，andthenumberofbattlestheyhavelostagainstthoseoftheircountry。Ihaveasongmadebyoneoftheseprisoners，whereinhebidsthem"comeall，anddineuponhim，andwelcome，fortheyshallwithaleattheirownfathersandgrandfathers，whosefleshhasservedtofeedandnourishhim。Thesemuscles，"sayshe，"thisfleshandtheseveins，areyourown:poorsillysoulsasyouare，youlittlethinkthatthesubstanceofyourancestors’limbsishereyet;noticewhatyoueat，andyouwillfindinitthetasteofyourownflesh:"inwhichsongthereistobeobservedaninventionthatnothingrelishesofthebarbarian。Thosethatpaintthesepeopledyingafterthismanner，representtheprisonerspittinginthefacesofhisexecutionersandmakingwrymouthsatthem。And’tismostcertain，thattotheverylastgasp，theyneverceasetobraveanddefythembothinwordandgesture。

Inplaintruth，thesemenareverysavageincomparisonofus;ofnecessity，theymusteitherbeabsolutelysoorelsewearesavages;forthereisavastdifferencebetwixttheirmannersandours。

Thementherehaveseveralwives，andsomuchthegreaternumber，byhowmuchtheyhavethegreaterreputationforvalour。Anditisoneveryremarkablefeatureintheirmarriages，thatthesamejealousyourwiveshavetohinderanddivertusfromthefriendshipandfamiliarityofotherwomen，thoseemploytopromotetheirhusbands’desires，andtoprocurethemmanyspouses;forbeingaboveallthingssolicitousoftheirhusbands’honour，’tistheirchiefestcaretoseekout，andtobringinthemostcompanionstheycan，forasmuchasitisatestimonyofthehusband’svirtue。Mostofourladieswillcryout，that’tismonstrous;

whereasintruthitisnotso，butatrulymatrimonialvirtue，andofthehighestform。IntheBible，Sarah，withLeahandRachel，thetwowivesofJacob，gavethemostbeautifuloftheirhandmaidstotheirhusbands;

LiviapreferredthepassionsofAugustustoherowninterest;

——[Suetonius，LifeofAugustus，c。71。]——andthewifeofKingDeiotarus，Stratonice，didnotonlygiveupafairyoungmaidthatservedhertoherhusband’sembraces，butmoreovercarefullybroughtupthechildrenhehadbyher，andassistedtheminthesuccessiontotheirfather’scrown。

Andthatitmaynotbesupposed，thatallthisisdonebyasimpleandservileobligationtotheircommonpractice，orbyanyauthoritativeimpressionoftheirancientcustom，withoutjudgmentorreasoning，andfromhavingasoulsostupidthatitcannotcontrivewhatelsetodo，I

mustheregiveyousometouchesoftheirsufficiencyinpointofunderstanding。BesideswhatIrepeatedtoyoubefore，whichwasoneoftheirsongsofwar，Ihaveanother，alove—song，thatbeginsthus:

"Stay，adder，stay，thatbythypatternmysistermaydrawthefashionandworkofarichribbon，thatImaypresenttomybeloved，bywhichmeansthybeautyandtheexcellentorderofthyscalesshallforeverbepreferredbeforeallotherserpents。"

Whereinthefirstcouplet，"Stay，adder，"&c。，makestheburdenofthesong。NowIhaveconversedenoughwithpoetrytojudgethusmuchthatnotonlythereisnothingbarbarousinthisinvention，but，moreover，thatitisperfectlyAnacreontic。Towhichitmaybeadded，thattheirlanguageissoft，ofapleasingaccent，andsomethingborderingupontheGreektermination。

Threeofthesepeople，notforeseeinghowdeartheirknowledgeofthecorruptionsofthispartoftheworldwillonedaycosttheirhappinessandrepose，andthattheeffectofthiscommercewillbetheirruin，asI

presupposeitisinaveryfairway（miserablementosufferthemselvestobedeludedwithdesireofnoveltyandtohavelefttheserenityoftheirownheaventocomesofartogazeatours！），wereatRouenatthetimethatthelateKingCharlesIX。wasthere。Thekinghimselftalkedtothemagoodwhile，andtheyweremadetoseeourfashions，ourpomp，andtheformofagreatcity。Afterwhich，someoneaskedtheiropinion，andwouldknowofthem，whatofallthethingstheyhadseen，theyfoundmosttobeadmired？Towhichtheymadeanswer，threethings，ofwhichI

haveforgottenthethird，andamtroubledatit，buttwoIyetremember。

Theysaid，thatinthefirstplacetheythoughtitverystrangethatsomanytallmen，wearingbeards，strong，andwellarmed，whowereabouttheking（’tisliketheymeanttheSwissoftheguard），shouldsubmittoobeyachild，andthattheydidnotratherchooseoutoneamongstthemselvestocommand。Secondly（theyhaveawayofspeakingintheirlanguagetocallmenthehalfofoneanother），thattheyhadobservedthattherewereamongstusmenfullandcrammedwithallmannerofcommodities，whilst，inthemeantime，theirhalveswerebeggingattheirdoors，leanandhalf—

starvedwithhungerandpoverty;andtheythoughtitstrangethatthesenecessitoushalveswereabletosuffersogreataninequalityandinjustice，andthattheydidnottaketheothersbythethroats，orsetfiretotheirhouses。

Italkedtooneofthemagreatwhiletogether，butIhadsoillaninterpreter，andonewhowassoperplexedbyhisownignorancetoapprehendmymeaning，thatIcouldgetnothingoutofhimofanymoment:

Askinghimwhatadvantagehereapedfromthesuperiorityhehadamongsthisownpeople（forhewasacaptain，andourmarinerscalledhimking），hetoldme，tomarchattheheadofthemtowar。Demandingofhimfurtherhowmanymenhehadtofollowhim，heshowedmeaspaceofground，tosignifyasmanyascouldmarchinsuchacompass，whichmightbefourorfivethousandmen;andputtingthequestiontohimwhetherornohisauthorityexpiredwiththewar，hetoldmethisremained:thatwhenhewenttovisitthevillagesofhisdependence，theyplanedhimpathsthroughthethickoftheirwoods，bywhichhemightpassathisease。Allthisdoesnotsoundveryill，andthelastwasnotatallamiss，fortheywearnobreeches。

CHAPTERXXXI

THATAMANISSOBERLYTOJUDGEOFTHEDIVINEORDINANCES

Thetruefieldandsubjectofimposturearethingsunknown，forasmuchas，inthefirstplace，theirverystrangenesslendsthemcredit，andmoreover，bynotbeingsubjectedtoourordinaryreasons，theydepriveusofthemeanstoquestionanddisputethem:Forwhichreason，saysPlato，——[InCritias。]——itismuchmoreeasytosatisfythehearers，whenspeakingofthenatureofthegodsthanofthenatureofmen，becausetheignoranceoftheauditoryaffordsafairandlargecareerandallmanneroflibertyinthehandlingofabstrusethings。Thenceitcomestopass，thatnothingissofirmlybelieved，aswhatweleastknow;noranypeoplesoconfident，asthosewhoentertainuswithfables，suchasyouralchemists，judicialastrologers，fortune—tellers，andphysicians，"Idgenusomne。"

["Allthatsortofpeople。"——Horace，Sat。，i。2，2。]

TowhichIwouldwillingly，ifIdurst，joinapackofpeoplethattakeuponthemtointerpretandcontrolthedesignsofGodHimself，pretendingtofindoutthecauseofeveryaccident，andtopryintothesecretsofthedivinewill，theretodiscovertheincomprehensiblemotive，ofHisworks;andalthoughthevariety，andthecontinualdiscordanceofevents，throwthemfromcornertocorner，andtossthemfromeasttowest，yetdotheystillpersistintheirvaininquisition，andwiththesamepenciltopaintblackandwhite。

InanationoftheIndies，thereisthiscommendablecustom，thatwhenanythingbefallsthemamissinanyencounterorbattle，theypubliclyaskpardonofthesun，whoistheirgod，ashavingcommittedanunjustaction，alwaysimputingtheirgoodorevilfortunetothedivinejustice，andtothatsubmittingtheirownjudgmentandreason。’TisenoughforaChristiantobelievethatallthingscomefromGod，toreceivethemwithacknowledgmentofHisdivineandinscrutablewisdom，andalsothankfullytoacceptandreceivethem，withwhatfacesoevertheymaypresentthemselves。ButIdonotapproveofwhatIseeinuse，thatis，toseektoaffirmandsupportourreligionbytheprosperityofourenterprises。

Ourbeliefhasotherfoundationenough，withoutgoingabouttoauthoriseitbyevents:forthepeoplebeingaccustomedtosuchplausibleargumentsastheseandsopropertotheirtaste，itistobefeared，lestwhentheyfailofsuccesstheyshouldalsostaggerintheirfaith:asinthewarwhereinwearenowengagedupontheaccountofreligion，thosewhohadthebetterinthebusinessofRochelabeille，——[May1569。]——makinggreatbragsofthatsuccessasaninfallibleapprobationoftheircause，whentheycameafterwardstoexcusetheirmisfortunesofMoncontourandJarnac，bysayingtheywerefatherlyscourgesandcorrectionsthattheyhadnotapeoplewhollyattheirmercy，theymakeitmanifestlyenoughappear，whatitistotaketwosortsofgristoutofthesamesack，andwiththesamemouthtoblowhotandcold。Itwerebettertopossessthevulgarwiththesolidandrealfoundationsoftruth。’TwasafinenavalbattlethatwasgainedunderthecommandofDonJohnofAustriaafewmonthssince——[ThatofLepanto，October7，1571。]——againsttheTurks;

butithasalsopleasedGodatothertimestoletusseeasgreatvictoriesatourownexpense。Infine，’tisahardmattertoreducedivinethingstoourbalance，withoutwasteandlosingagreatdealoftheweight。AndwhowouldtakeuponhimtogiveareasonthatAriusandhisPopeLeo，theprincipalheadsoftheArianheresy，shoulddie，atseveraltimes，ofsolikeandstrangedeaths（forbeingwithdrawnfromthedisputationbyagripinginthebowels，theybothofthemsuddenlygaveuptheghostuponthestool），andwouldaggravatethisdivinevengeancebythecircumstancesoftheplace，mightaswelladdthedeathofHeliogabalus，whowasalsoslaininahouseofoffice。And，indeed，Irenaeuswasinvolvedinthesamefortune。God，beingpleasedtoshowus，thatthegoodhavesomethingelsetohopeforandthewickedsomethingelsetofear，thanthefortunesormisfortunesofthisworld，managesandappliestheseaccordingtoHisownoccultwillandpleasure，anddeprivesusofthemeansfoolishlytomakethereofourownprofit。

Andthosepeopleabusethemselveswhowillpretendtodiveintothesemysteriesbythestrengthofhumanreason。Theynevergiveonehitthattheydonotreceivetwoforit;ofwhichSt。Augustinemakesoutagreatproofuponhisadversaries。’Tisaconflictthatismoredecidedbystrengthofmemorythanbytheforceofreason。Wearetocontentourselveswiththelightitpleasesthesuntocommunicatetous，byvirtueofhisrays;andwhowillliftuphiseyestotakeinagreater，lethimnotthinkitstrange，iffortherewardofhispresumption，hetherelosehissight。

"QuishominumpotestscireconsiliumDei？

AutquispoteritcogitarequidvelitDominus？"

["WhoofmencanknowthecounselofGod？orwhocanthinkwhatthewilloftheLordis。"——BookofWisdom，ix。13。]

CHAPTERXXXII

THATWEARETOAVOIDPLEASURES，EVENATTHEEXPENSEOFLIFE

Ihadlongagoobservedmostoftheopinionsoftheancientstoconcurinthis，thatitishightimetodiewhenthereismoreillthangoodinliving，andthattopreservelifetoourowntormentandinconvenienceiscontrarytotheveryrulesofnature，astheseoldlawsinstructus。

["Eithertranquillife，orhappydeath。Itiswelltodiewhenlifeiswearisome。Itisbettertodiethantolivemiserable。"

——Stobaeus，Serm。xx。]

Buttopushthiscontemptofdeathsofarastoemployittotheremovingourthoughtsfromthehonours，riches，dignities，andotherfavoursandgoods，aswecallthem，offortune，asifreasonwerenotsufficienttopersuadeustoavoidthem，withoutaddingthisnewinjunction，Ihadneverseeniteithercommandedorpractised，tillthispassageofSenecafellintomyhands;whoadvisingLucilius，amanofgreatpowerandauthorityabouttheemperor，toalterhisvoluptuousandmagnificentwayofliving，andtoretirehimselffromthisworldlyvanityandambition，tosomesolitary，quiet，andphilosophicallife，andtheotherallegingsomedifficulties:"Iamofopinion，"sayshe，"eitherthatthouleavethatlifeofthine，orlifeitself;Iwould，indeed，advisetheetothegentleway，andtountie，ratherthantobreak，theknotthouhastindiscreetlyknit，provided，thatifitbenototherwisetobeuntied，thouresolutelybreakit。Thereisnomansogreatacoward，thathadnotratheroncefallthantobealwaysfalling。"IshouldhavefoundthiscounselconformableenoughtotheStoicalroughness:butitappearsthemorestrange，forbeingborrowedfromEpicurus，whowritesthesamethinguponthelikeoccasiontoIdomeneus。AndIthinkIhaveobservedsomethinglikeit，butwithChristianmoderation，amongstourownpeople。

St。Hilary，BishopofPoictiers，thatfamousenemyoftheArianheresy，beinginSyria，hadintelligencethithersenthim，thatAbra，hisonlydaughter，whomheleftathomeundertheeyeandtuitionofhermother，wassoughtinmarriagebythegreatestnoblemenofthecountry，asbeingavirginvirtuouslybroughtup，fair，rich，andintheflowerofherage;

whereuponhewrotetoher（asappearsuponrecord），thatsheshouldremoveheraffectionfromallthepleasuresandadvantagesproposedtoher;forthathehadinhistravelsfoundoutamuchgreaterandmoreworthyfortuneforher，ahusbandofmuchgreaterpowerandmagnificence，whowouldpresentherwithrobesandjewelsofinestimablevalue;whereinhisdesignwastodispossessheroftheappetiteanduseofworldlydelights，tojoinherwhollytoGod;butthenearestandmostcertainwaytothis，being，asheconceived，thedeathofhisdaughter;heneverceased，byvows，prayers，andorisons，tobegoftheAlmighty，thatHewouldpleasetocallheroutofthisworld，andtotakehertoHimself;

asaccordinglyitcametopass;forsoonafterhisreturn，shedied，atwhichheexpressedasingularjoy。Thisseemstooutdotheother，forasmuchasheapplieshimselftothismeansattheoutset，whichtheyonlytakesubsidiarily;and，besides，itwastowardshisonlydaughter。

ButIwillnotomitthelatterendofthisstory，thoughitbeformypurpose;St。Hilary’swife，havingunderstoodfromhimhowthedeathoftheirdaughterwasbroughtaboutbyhisdesireanddesign，andhowmuchhappiershewastoberemovedoutofthisworldthantohavestayedinit，conceivedsovividanapprehensionoftheeternalandheavenlybeatitude，thatshebeggedofherhusband，withtheextremestimportunity，todoasmuchforher;andGod，attheirjointrequest，shortlyaftercallinghertoHim，itwasadeathembracedwithsingularandmutualcontent。

CHAPTERXXXIII

THATFORTUNEISOFTENTIMESOBSERVEDTOACTBYTHERULEOFREASON

TheinconstancyandvariousmotionsofFortune[ThetermFortune，sooftenemployedbyMontaigne，andinpassageswherehemighthaveusedProvidence，wascensuredbythedoctorswhoexaminedhisEssayswhenhewasatRomein1581。SeehisTravels，i。35and76。]

mayreasonablymakeusexpectsheshouldpresentuswithallsortsoffaces。Cantherebeamoreexpressactofjusticethanthis？TheDucdeValentinois，——[CaesarBorgia。]——havingresolvedtopoisonAdrian，CardinalofCorneto，withwhomPopeAlexanderVI。，hisfatherandhimself，weretosupintheVatican，hesentbeforeabottleofpoisonedwine，andwithal，strictordertothebutlertokeepitverysafe。

ThePopebeingcomebeforehisson，andcallingfordrink，thebutlersupposingthiswinehadnotbeensostrictlyrecommendedtohiscare，butonlyupontheaccountofitsexcellency，presenteditforthwithtothePope，andthedukehimselfcominginpresentlyafter，andbeingconfidenttheyhadnotmeddledwithhisbottle，tookalsohiscup;sothatthefatherdiedimmediatelyuponthespot——[OtherhistoriansassignthePopeseveraldaysofmiserypriortodeath。D。W。]——，andtheson，afterhavingbeenlongtormentedwithsickness，wasreservedtoanotherandaworsefortune。

Sometimessheseemstoplayuponus，justinthenickofanaffair;

Monsieurd’Estrees，atthattimeensigntoMonsieurdeVendome，andMonsieurdeLicques，lieutenantinthecompanyoftheDucd’Ascot，beingbothpretenderstotheSieurdeFougueselles’sister，thoughofseveralparties（asitoftfallsoutamongstfrontierneighbours），theSieurdeLicquescarriedher;butonthesamedayhewasmarried，andwhichwasworse，beforehewenttobedtohiswife，thebridegroomhavingamindtobreakalanceinhonourofhisnewbride，wentouttoskirmishnearSt。

Omer，wheretheSieurd’Estreesprovingthestronger，tookhimprisoner，andthemoretoillustratehisvictory，theladywasfain——

"Conjugisantecoactanovidimitterecollum，QuamveniensunaatquealterarursushyemsNoctibusinlongisavidumsaturassetamorem，"

["Compelledtoabstainfromembracinghernewspouseinherarmsbeforetwowinterspassinsuccession，duringtheirlongnightshadsatiatedhereagerlove。"——Catullus，lxviii。81。]

——torequesthimofcourtesy，todeliveruphisprisonertoher，asheaccordinglydid，thegentlemenofFranceneverdenyinganythingtoladies。

Doesshenotseemtobeanartisthere？Constantine，sonofHelena，foundedtheempireofConstantinople，andsomanyagesafter，Constantine，thesonofHelen，putanendtoit。Sometimessheispleasedtoemulateourmiracleswearetold，thatKingClovisbesiegingAngouleme，thewallsfelldownofthemselvesbydivinefavourandBouchethasitfromsomeauthor，thatKingRoberthavingsatdownbeforeacity，andbeingstolenawayfromthesiegetogokeepthefeastofSt。AignanatOrleans，ashewasindevotionatacertainpartoftheMass，thewallsofthebeleagueredcity，withoutanymannerofviolence，felldownwithasuddenruin。ButshedidquitecontraryinourMilanwars;for，leCapitaineRenselayingsiegeforustothecityArona，andhavingcarriedamineunderagreatpartofthewall，theminebeingsprung，thewallwasliftedfromitsbase，butdroppeddownagainnevertheless，wholeandentire，andsoexactlyuponitsfoundation，thatthebesiegedsufferednoinconveniencebythatattempt。

Sometimessheplaysthephysician。JasonofPheresbeinggivenoverbythephysicians，byreasonofanimposthumeinhisbreast，havingamindtoridhimselfofhispain，bydeathatleast，threwhimselfinabattledesperatelyintothethickestoftheenemy，wherehewassofortunatelywoundedquitethroughthebody，thattheimposthumebroke，andhewasperfectlycured。DidshenotalsoexcelthepainterProtogenesinhisart？whohavingfinishedthepictureofadogquitetiredandoutofbreath，inalltheotherpartsexcellentlywelltohisownliking，butnotbeingabletoexpress，ashewould，theslaverandfoamthatshouldcomeoutofitsmouth，vexedandangryathiswork，hetookhissponge，whichbycleaninghispencilshadimbibedseveralsortsofcolours，andthrewitinarageagainstthepicture，withanintentutterlytodefaceit;whenfortuneguidingthespongetohitjustuponthemouthofthedog，itthereperformedwhatallhisartwasnotabletodo。Doesshenotsometimesdirectourcounselsandcorrectthem？Isabel，QueenofEngland，havingtosailfromZealandintoherownkingdom，——[in1326]——

withanarmy，infavourofhersonagainstherhusband，hadbeenlost，hadshecomeintotheportsheintended，beingtherelaidwaitforbytheenemy;butfortune，againstherwill，threwherintoanotherhaven，whereshelandedinsafety。Andthatmanofoldwho，throwingastoneatadog，hitandkilledhismother—in—law，hadhenotreasontopronouncethisverse:

["Fortunehasmorejudgementthanwe。"——Menander]

IceteshadcontractedwithtwosoldierstokillTimoleonatAdranainSicily。——[Plutarch，LifeofTimoleon，c。7。]——Theytooktheirtimetodoitwhenhewasassistingatasacrifice，andthrustingintothecrowd，astheyweremakingsignstooneanother，thatnowwasafittimetodotheirbusiness，instepsathird，who，withaswordtakesoneofthemfulldriveoverthepate，layshimdeadupontheplaceandrunsaway，whichtheotherssee，andconcludinghimselfdiscoveredandlost，runstothealtarandbegsformercy，promisingtodiscoverthewholetruth，whichashewasdoing，andlayingopenthefullconspiracy，beholdthethirdman，whobeingapprehended，was，asamurderer，thrustandhauledbythepeoplethroughthepress，towardsTimoleon，andtheothermosteminentpersonsoftheassembly，beforewhombeingbrought，hecriesoutforpardon，pleadingthathehadjustlyslainhisfather’smurderer;

whichhe，also，provinguponthespot，bysufficientwitnesses，whomhisgoodfortuneveryopportunelysuppliedhimwithal，thathisfatherwasreallykilledinthecityofLeontini，bythatverymanonwhomhehadtakenhisrevenge，hewaspresentlyawardedtenAtticminae，forhavinghadthegoodfortune，bydesigningtorevengethedeathofhisfather，topreservethelifeofthecommonfatherofSicily。Fortune，truly，inherconductsurpassesalltherulesofhumanprudence。

Buttoconclude:istherenotadirectapplicationofherfavour，bounty，andpietymanifestlydiscoveredinthisaction？IgnatiusthefatherandIgnatiusthesonbeingproscribedbythetriumvirsofRome，resolveduponthisgenerousactofmutualkindness，tofallbythehandsofoneanother，andbythatmeanstofrustrateanddefeatthecrueltyofthetyrants;andaccordinglywiththeirswordsdrawn，ranfulldriveupononeanother，wherefortunesoguidedthepoints，thattheymadetwoequallymortalwounds，affordingwithalsomuchhonourtosobraveafriendship，astoleavethemjuststrengthenoughtodrawouttheirbloodyswords，thattheymighthavelibertytoembraceoneanotherinthisdyingcondition，withsocloseandheartyanembrace，thattheexecutionercutoffboththeirheadsatonce，leavingthebodiesstillfastlinkedtogetherinthisnoblebond，andtheirwoundsjoinedmouthtomouth，affectionatelysuckinginthelastbloodandremainderofthelivesofeachother。

CHAPTERXXXIV

OFONEDEFECTINOURGOVERNMENT

Mylatefather，amanthathadnootheradvantagesthanexperienceandhisownnaturalparts，wasneverthelessofaveryclearjudgment，formerlytoldmethatheoncehadthoughtsofendeavouringtointroducethispractice;thattheremightbeineverycityacertainplaceassignedtowhichsuchasstoodinneedofanythingmightrepair，andhavetheirbusinessenteredbyanofficerappointedforthatpurpose。Asforexample:Iwantachapmantobuymypearls;Iwantonethathaspearlstosell;suchaonewantscompanytogotoParis;suchaoneseeksaservantofsuchaquality;suchaoneamaster;suchaonesuchanartificer;

someinquiringforonething，someforanother，everyoneaccordingtowhathewants。Anddoubtless，thesemutualadvertisementswouldbeofnocontemptibleadvantagetothepubliccorrespondenceandintelligence:forthereareevermoreconditionsthathuntafteroneanother，andforwantofknowingoneanother’soccasionsleavemeninverygreatnecessity。

Ihaveheard，tothegreatshameoftheagewelivein，thatinourverysighttwomostexcellentmenforlearningdiedsopoorthattheyhadscarcebreadtoputintheirmouths:LiliusGregoriusGiraldusinItalyandSebastianusCastalioinGermany:andIbelievethereareathousandmenwouldhaveinvitedthemintotheirfamilies，withveryadvantageousconditions，orhaverelievedthemwheretheywere，hadtheyknowntheirwants。Theworldisnotsogenerallycorrupted，butthatIknowamanthatwouldheartilywishtheestatehisancestorshavelefthimmightbeemployed，solongasitshallpleasefortunetogivehimleavetoenjoyit，tosecurerareandremarkablepersonsofanykind，whommisfortunesometimespersecutestothelastdegree，fromthedangersofnecessity;

andatleastplacetheminsuchaconditionthattheymustbeveryhardtoplease，iftheyarenotcontented。

Myfatherinhisdomesticeconomyhadthisrule（whichIknowhowtocommend，butbynomeanstoimitate），namely，thatbesidestheday—bookormemorialofhouseholdaffairs，wherethesmallaccounts，payments，anddisbursements，whichdonotrequireasecretary’shand，wereentered，andwhichastewardalwayshadincustody，heorderedhimwhomheemployedtowriteforhim，tokeepajournal，andinittosetdownalltheremarkableoccurrences，anddailymemorialsofthehistoryofhishouse:

verypleasanttolookover，whentimebeginstowearthingsoutofmemory，andveryusefulsometimestoputusoutofdoubtwhensuchathingwasbegun，whenended;whatvisitorscame，andwhentheywent;ourtravels，absences，marriages，anddeaths;thereceptionofgoodorillnews;thechangeofprincipalservants，andthelike。Anancientcustom，whichIthinkitwouldnotbeamissforeveryonetoreviveinhisownhouse;andIfindIdidveryfoolishlyinneglectingit。

CHAPTERXXXV

OFTHECUSTOMOFWEARINGCLOTHES

WhateverIshallsayuponthissubject，Iamofnecessitytoinvadesomeoftheboundsofcustom，socarefulhasshebeentoshutupalltheavenues。Iwasdisputingwithmyselfinthisshiveringseason，whetherthefashionofgoingnakedinthosenationslatelydiscoveredisimposeduponthembythehottemperatureoftheair，aswesayoftheIndiansandMoors，orwhetheritbetheoriginalfashionofmankind。Menofunderstanding，forasmuchasallthingsunderthesun，astheHolyWritdeclares，aresubjecttothesamelaws，werewontinsuchconsiderationsasthese，wherewearetodistinguishthenaturallawsfromthosewhichhavebeenimposedbyman’sinvention，tohaverecoursetothegeneralpolityoftheworld，wheretherecanbenothingcounterfeit。Now，allothercreaturesbeingsufficientlyfurnishedwithallthingsnecessaryforthesupportoftheirbeing——[Montaigne’sexpressionis，"withneedleandthread。"——W。C。H。]——itisnottobeimaginedthatweonlyarebroughtintotheworldinadefectiveandindigentcondition，andinsuchastateascannotsubsistwithoutexternalaid。ThereforeitisthatIbelieve，thatasplants，trees，andanimals，andallthingsthathavelife，areseentobebynaturesufficientlyclothedandcovered，todefendthemfromtheinjuriesofweather:

"Proptereaquefereresomnesantcoriosunt，Autseta，antconchis，antcallo，antcorticetectae，"

["Andthatforthisreasonnearlyallthingsareclothedwithskin，orhair，orshells，orbark，orsomesuchthing。"

——Lucretius，iv。936。]

sowerewe:butasthosewhobyartificiallightputoutthatofday，sowebyborrowedformsandfashionshavedestroyedourown。And’tisplainenoughtobeseen，that’tiscustomonlywhichrendersthatimpossiblethatotherwiseisnothingso;forofthosenationswhohavenomannerofknowledgeofclothing，somearesituatedunderthesametemperaturethatweare，andsomeinmuchcolderclimates。Andbesides，ourmosttenderpartsarealwaysexposedtotheair，astheeyes，mouth，nose，andears;

andourcountrylabourers，likeourancestorsinformertimes，gowiththeirbreastsandbelliesopen。Hadwebeenbornwithanecessityuponusofwearingpetticoatsandbreeches，thereisnodoubtbutnaturewouldhavefortifiedthosepartssheintendedshouldbeexposedtothefuryoftheseasonswithathickerskin，asshehasdonethefinger—endsandthesolesofthefeet。Andwhyshouldthisseemhardtobelieve？Iobservemuchgreaterdistancebetwixtmyhabitandthatofoneofourcountryboors，thanbetwixthisandthatofamanwhohasnoothercoveringbuthisskin。Howmanymen，especiallyinTurkey，gonakedupontheaccountofdevotion？Someoneaskedabeggar，whomhesawinhisshirtinthedepthofwinter，asbriskandfrolicashewhogoesmuffleduptotheearsinfurs，howhewasabletoenduretogoso？"Why，sir，"heanswered，"yougowithyourfacebare:Iamallface。"TheItalianshaveastoryoftheDukeofFlorence’sfool，whomhismasteraskinghow，beingsothinlyclad，hewasabletosupportthecold，whenhehimself，warmlywrappedupashewas，washardlyabletodoit？"Why，"repliedthefool，"usemyreceipttoputonallyourclothesyouhaveatonce，andyou’llfeelnomorecoldthanI。"KingMassinissa，toanextremeoldage，couldneverbeprevailedupontogowithhisheadcovered，howcold，stormy，orrainysoevertheweathermightbe;whichalsoisreportedoftheEmperorSeverus。Herodotustellsus，thatinthebattlesfoughtbetwixttheEgyptiansandthePersians，itwasobservedbothbyhimselfandbyothers，thatofthosewhowereleftdeaduponthefield，theheadsoftheEgyptianswerewithoutcomparisonharderthanthoseofthePersians，byreasonthatthelasthadgonewiththeirheadsalwayscoveredfromtheirinfancy，firstwithbiggins，andthenwithturbans，andtheothersalwaysshavedandbare。KingAgesilauscontinuedtoadecrepitagetowearalwaysthesameclothesinwinterthathedidinsummer。Caesar，saysSuetonius，marchedalwaysattheheadofhisarmy，forthemostpartonfoot，withhisheadbare，whetheritwasrainorsunshine，andasmuchissaidofHannibal:

"Tumverticenudo，Excipereinsanosimbres，coeliqueruinam。"