Inthemidstofthecaresofgovernment，MontaignefoundtimetoreviseandenlargehisEssays，which，sincetheirappearancein1580，werecontinuallyreceivingaugmentationintheformofadditionalchaptersorpapers。Twomoreeditionswereprintedin1582and1587;andduringthistimetheauthor，whilemakingalterationsintheoriginaltext，hadcomposedpartoftheThirdBook。HewenttoParistomakearrangementsforthepublicationofhisenlargedlabours，andafourthimpressionin1588wastheresult。Heremainedinthecapitalsometimeonthisoccasion，anditwasnowthathemetforthefirsttimeMademoiselledeGournay。Giftedwithanactiveandinquiringspirit，and，aboveall，possessingasoundandhealthytoneofmind，MademoiselledeGournayhadbeencarriedfromherchildhoodwiththattidewhichsetinwithsixteenthcenturytowardscontroversy，learning，andknowledge。ShelearntLatinwithoutamaster;andwhen，theageofeighteen，sheaccidentallybecamepossessorofacopyoftheEssays，shewastransportedwithdelightandadmiration。
ShequittedthechateauofGournay，tocomeandseehim。Wecannotdobetter，inconnectionwiththisjourneyofsympathy，thantorepeatthewordsofPasquier:"Thatyounglady，alliedtoseveralgreatandnoblefamiliesofParis，proposedtoherselfnoothermarriagethanwithherhonour，enrichedwiththeknowledgegainedfromgoodbooks，and，beyondallothers，fromtheessaysofM。deMontaigne，whomakingintheyear1588alengthenedstayinthetownofParis，shewentthereforthepurposeofforminghispersonalacquaintance;andhermother，MadamedeGournay，andherselftookhimbackwiththemtotheirchateau，where，attwoorthreedifferenttimes，hespentthreemonthsaltogether，mostwelcomeofvisitors。"ItwasfromthismomentthatMademoiselledeGournaydatedheradoptionasMontaigne’sdaughter，acircumstancewhichhastendedtoconferimmortalityuponherinafargreatermeasurethanherownliteraryproductions。
Montaigne，onleavingParis，stayedashorttimeatBlois，toattendthemeetingoftheStates—General。Wedonotknowwhatparthetookinthatassembly:butitisknownthathewascommissioned，aboutthisperiod，tonegotiatebetweenHenryofNavarre（afterwardsHenryIV。）andtheDukeofGuise。Hispoliticallifeisalmostablank;butDeThouassuresusthatMontaigneenjoyedtheconfidenceoftheprincipalpersonsofhistime。
DeThou，whocallshimafrankmanwithoutconstraint，tellsusthat，walkingwithhimandPasquierinthecourtattheCastleofBlois，heheardhimpronouncesomeveryremarkableopinionsoncontemporaryevents，andheaddsthatMontaignehadforeseenthatthetroublesinFrancecouldnotendwithoutwitnessingthedeathofeithertheKingofNavarreoroftheDukeofGuise。Hehadmadehimselfsocompletelymasteroftheviewsofthesetwoprinces，thathetoldDeThouthattheKingofNavarrewouldhavebeenpreparedtoembraceCatholicism，ifhehadnotbeenafraidofbeingabandonedbyhisparty，andthattheDukeofGuise，onhispart，hadnoparticularrepugnancetotheConfessionofAugsburg，forwhichtheCardinalofLorraine，hisuncle，hadinspiredhimwithaliking，ifithadnotbeenfortheperilinvolvedinquittingtheRomishcommunion。ItwouldhavebeeneasyforMontaignetoplay，aswecallit，agreatpartinpolitics，andcreateforhimselfaloftypositionbuthismottowas，’OtioetLibertati’;andhereturnedquietlyhometocomposeachapterforhisnexteditiononinconveniencesofGreatness。
TheauthoroftheEssayswasnowfifty—five。Themaladywhichtormentedhimgrewonlyworseandworsewithyears;andyetheoccupiedhimselfcontinuallywithreading，meditating，andcomposition。Heemployedtheyears1589，1590，and1591inmakingfreshadditionstohisbook;andevenintheapproachesofoldagehemightfairlyanticipatemanyhappyhours，whenhewasattackedbyquinsy，deprivinghimofthepowerutterance。Pasquier，whohasleftussomedetailshislasthours，narratesthatheremainedthreedaysinfullpossessionofhisfaculties，butunabletospeak，sothat，inordertomakeknownhisdesires，hewasobligedtoresorttowriting;andashefelthisenddrawingnear，hebeggedhiswifetosummoncertainofthegentlemenwholivedintheneighbourhoodtobidthemalastfarewell。Whentheyhadarrived，hecausedmasstobecelebratedinapartment;andjustasthepriestwaselevatingthehost，Montaignefellforwardwithhisarmsextendedinfrontofhim，onthebed，andsoexpired。Hewasinhissixtiethyear。
Itwasthe13thSeptember1592。
Montaignewasburiednearhisownhouse;butafewyearsafterhisdecease，hisremainswereremovedtothechurchofaCommanderyofSt。
AntoineatBordeaux，wheretheystillcontinue。Hismonumentwasrestoredin1803byadescendant。Itwasseenabout1858byanEnglishtraveller（Mr。St。John）。’——["MontaignetheEssayist，"byBayleSt。
John，1858，2vols。8vo，isoneofmostdelightfulbooksofthekind。]——
andwastheningoodpreservation。
In1595MademoiselledeGournaypublishedaneweditionofMontaigne’sEssays，andthefirstwiththelatestemendationsoftheauthor，fromacopypresentedtoherbyhiswidow，andwhichhasnotbeenrecovered，althoughitisknowntohavebeeninexistencesomeyearsafterthedateoftheimpression，madeonitsauthority。
ColdlyasMontaigne’sliteraryproductionsappeartohavebeenreceivedbythegenerationimmediatelysucceedinghisownage，hisgeniusgrewintojustappreciationintheseventeenthcentury，whensuchgreatspiritsaroseasLaBruyere，Moliere，LaFontaine，MadamedeSevigne。
"O，"exclaimedtheChatelainedesRochers，"whatcapitalcompanyheis，thedearman！heismyoldfriend;andjustforthereasonthatheisso，healwaysseemsnew。MyGod！howfullisthatbookofsense！"
Balzacsaidthathehadcarriedhumanreasonasfarandashighasitcouldgo，bothinpoliticsandinmorals。Ontheotherhand，MalebrancheandthewritersofPortRoyalwereagainsthim;somereprehendedthelicentiousnessofhiswritings;otherstheirimpiety，materialism，epicureanism。EvenPascal，whohadcarefullyreadtheEssays，andgainednosmallprofitbythem，didnotsparehisreproaches。ButMontaignehasoutliveddetraction。Astimehasgoneon，hisadmirersandborrowershaveincreasedinnumber，andhisJansenism，whichrecommendedhimtotheeighteenthcentury，maynotbehisleastrecommendationinthenineteenth。Herewehavecertainly，onthewhole，afirst—classman，andoneproofofhismasterlygeniusseemstobe，thathismeritsandhisbeautiesaresufficienttoinduceustoleaveoutofconsiderationblemishesandfaultswhichwouldhavebeenfataltoaninferiorwriter。
THELETTERSOFMONTAIGNE。
I。
ToMonsieurdeMONTAIGNE
[ThisaccountofthedeathofLaBoetiebeginsimperfectly。ItfirstappearedinalittlevolumeofMiscellaniesin1571。SeeHazlitt，ubisup。p。630。]——"……Astohislastwords，doubtless，ifanymancangivegoodaccountofthem，itisI，bothbecause，duringthewholeofhissicknessheconversedasfullywithmeaswithanyone，andalsobecause，inconsequenceofthesingularandbrotherlyfriendshipwhichwehadentertainedforeachother，Iwasperfectlyacquaintedwiththeintentions，opinions，andwisheswhichhehadformedinthecourseofhislife，asmuchso，certainly，asonemancanpossiblybewiththoseofanotherman;andbecauseIknewthemtobeelevated，virtuous，fullofsteadyresolution，and（afterallsaid）admirable。Iwellforesawthat，ifhisillnesspermittedhimtoexpresshimself，hewouldallownothingtofallfromhim，insuchanextremity，thatwasnotrepletewithgoodexample。Iconsequentlytookeverycareinmypowertotreasurewhatwassaid。Trueitis，Monseigneur，asmymemoryisnotonlyinitselfveryshort，butinthiscaseaffectedbythetroublewhichIhaveundergone，throughsoheavyandimportantaloss，thatIhaveforgottenanumberofthingswhichIshouldwishtohavehadknown;butthosewhichIrecollectshallberelatedtoyouasexactlyasliesinmypower。Fortorepresentinfullmeasurehisnoblecareersuddenlyarrested，topainttoyouhisindomitablecourage，inabodywornoutandprostratedbypainandtheassaultsofdeath，Iconfess，woulddemandafarbetterabilitythanmine:because，although，wheninformeryearshediscoursedonseriousandimportantmatters，hehandledtheminsuchamannerthatitwasdifficulttoreproduceexactlywhathesaid，yethisideasandhiswordsatthelastseemedtorivaleachotherinservinghim。ForIamsurethatIneverknewhimgivebirthtosuchfineconceptions，ordisplaysomucheloquence，asinthetimeofhissickness。If，Monseigneur，youblamemeforintroducinghismoreordinaryobservations，pleasetoknowthatIdosoadvisedly;forsincetheyproceededfromhimataseasonofsuchgreattrouble，theyindicatetheperfecttranquillityofhismindandthoughtstothelast。
OnMonday，the9thdayofAugust1563，onmyreturnfromtheCourt，I
sentaninvitationtohimtocomeanddinewithme。Hereturnedwordthathewasobliged，but，beingindisposed，hewouldthankmetodohimthepleasureofspendinganhourwithhimbeforehestartedforMedoc。
ShortlyaftermydinnerIwenttohim。Hehadlaidhimselfdownonthebedwithhisclotheson，andhewasalready，Iperceived，muchchanged。
Hecomplainedofdiarrhoea，accompaniedbythegripes，andsaidthathehaditabouthimeversinceheplayedwithM。d’Escarswithnothingbuthisdoubleton，andthatwithhimacoldoftenbroughtonsuchattacks。
Iadvisedhimtogoashehadproposed，buttostayforthenightatGermignac，whichisonlyabouttwoleaguesfromthetown。Igavehimthisadvice，becausesomehouses，neartothatwherehewasping，werevisitedbytheplague，aboutwhichhewasnervoussincehisreturnfromPerigordandtheAgenois，hereithadbeenraging;and，besides，horseexercisewas，frommyownexperience，beneficialundersimilarcircumstances。Hesetout，accordingly，withhiswifeandM。
Bouillhonnas，hisuncle。
Earlyonthefollowingmorning，however，IhadintelligencefromMadamedelaBoetie，thatinthenighthehadfreshandviolentattackofdysentery。Shehadcalledinphysicianandapothecary，andprayedmetolosenotimecoming，which（afterdinner）Idid。Hewasdelightedtoseeme;andwhenIwasgoingaway，underpromisetoturnthefollowingday，hebeggedmemoreimportunatelyandaffectionatelythanhewaswonttodo，togivehimassuchofmycompanyaspossible。Iwasalittleaffected;yetwasabouttoleave，whenMadamedelaBoetie，asifsheforesawsomethingabouttohappen，imploredmewithtearstostaythenight。WhenIconsented，heseemedtogrowmorecheerful。Ireturnedhomethenextday，andontheThursdayIpaidhimanothervisit。Hehadbecomeworse;andhislossofbloodfromthedysentery，whichreducedhisstrengthverymuch，waslargelyontheincrease。IquittedhissideonFriday，butonSaturdayIwenttohim，andfoundhimveryweak。Hethengavemetounderstandthathiscomplaintwasinfectious，and，moreover，disagreeableanddepressing;andthathe，knowingthoroughlymyconstitution，desiredthatIshouldcontentmyselfwithcomingtoseehimnowandthen。Onthecontrary，afterthatIneverlefthisside。
ItwasonlyontheSundaythathebegantoconversewithmeonanysubjectbeyondtheimmediateoneofhisillness，andwhattheancientdoctorsthoughtofit:wehadnottouchedonpublicaffairs，forIfoundattheveryoutsetthathehadadisliketothem。
But，ontheSunday，hehadafaintingfit;andwhenhecametohimself，hetoldmethateverythingseemedtohimconfused，asifinamistandindisorder，andthat，nevertheless，thisvisitationwasnotunpleasingtohim。"Death，"Ireplied，"hasnoworsesensation，mybrother。""Nonesobad，"washisanswer。Hehadhadnoregularsleepsincethebeginningofhisillness;andashebecameworseandworse，hebegantoturnhisattentiontoquestionswhichmencommonlyoccupythemselveswithinthelastextremity，despairingnowofgettingbetter，andintimatingasmuchtome。Onthatday，asheappearedintolerablygoodspirits，Itookoccasiontosaytohimthat，inconsiderationofthesingularloveIborehim，itwouldbecomemetotakecarethathisaffairs，whichhehadconductedwithsuchrareprudenceinhislife，shouldnotbeneglectedatpresent;andthatIshouldregretitif，fromwantofpropercounsel，heshouldleaveanythingunsettled，notonlyonaccountofthelosstohisfamily，butalsotohisgoodname。
Hethankedmeformykindness;andafteralittlereflection，asifhewasresolvingcertaindoubtsinhisownmind，hedesiredmetosummonhisuncleandhiswifebythemselves，inorderthathemightacquaintthemwithhistestamentarydispositions。Itoldhimthatthiswouldshockthem。"No，no，"heanswered，"Iwillcheerthembymakingoutmycasetobebetterthanitis。"Andthenheinquired，whetherwewerenotallmuchtakenbysurpriseathishavingfainted？Ireplied，thatitwasofnoimportance，beingincidentaltothecomplaintfromwhichhesuffered。
"True，mybrother，"saidhe;"itwouldbeunimportant，eventhoughitshouldleadtowhatyoumostdread。""Foryou，"Irejoined，"itmightbeahappything;butIshouldbetheloser，whowouldtherebybedeprivedofsogreat，sowise，andsosteadfastafriend，afriendwhoseplaceI
shouldneverseesupplied。""Itisverylikelyyoumaynot，"washisanswer;"andbesurethatonethingwhichmakesmesomewhatanxioustorecover，andtodelaymyjourneytothatplace，whitherIamalreadyhalf—waygone，isthethoughtofthelossbothyouandthatpoormanandwomanthere（referringtohisuncleandwife）mustsustain;forIlovethemwithmywholeheart，andIfeelcertainthattheywillfinditveryhardtoloseme。Ishouldalsoregretitonaccountofsuchashave，inmylifetime，valuedme，andwhoseconversationIshouldliketohaveenjoyedalittlelonger;andIbeseechyou，mybrother，ifIleavetheworld，tocarrytothemformeanassuranceoftheesteemIentertainedforthemtothelastmomentofmyexistence。Mybirthwas，moreover，scarcelytosolittlepurposebutthat，hadIlived，Imighthavedonesomeservicetothepublic;but，howeverthismaybe，IampreparedtosubmittothewillofGod，whenitshallpleaseHimtocallme，beingconfidentofenjoyingthetranquillitywhichyouhaveforetoldforme。
Asforyou，myfriend，Ifeelsurethatyouaresowise，thatyouwillcontrolyouremotions，andsubmittoHisdivineordinanceregardingme;
andIbegofyoutoseethatthatgoodmanandwomandonotmournformydepartureunnecessarily。"
Heproceededtoinquirehowtheybehavedatpresent。"Verywell，"saidI，"consideringthecircumstances。""Ah！"hereplied，"thatis，solongastheydonotabandonallhopeofme;butwhenthatshallbethecase，youwillhaveahardtasktosupportthem。"Itwasowingtohisstrongregardforhiswifeandunclethathestudiouslydisguisedfromthemhisownconvictionastothecertaintyofhisend，andheprayedmetodothesame。Whentheywerenearhimheassumedanappearanceofgaiety，andflatteredthemwithhopes。Ithenwenttocallthem。Theycame，wearingascomposedanairaspossible;andwhenwefourweretogether，headdressedus，withanuntroubledcountenance，asfollows:"Uncleandwife，restassuredthatnonewattackofmydisease，orfreshdoubtthatIhaveastomyrecovery，hasledmetotakethisstepofcommunicatingtoyoumyintentions，for，thankGod，Ifeelverywellandhopeful;buttaughtbyobservationandexperiencetheinstabilityofallhumanthings，andevenofthelifetowhichwearesomuchattached，andwhichis，nevertheless，amerebubble;andknowing，moreover，thatmystateofhealthbringsmemorewithinthedangerofdeath，Ihavethoughtpropertosettlemyworldlyaffairs，havingthebenefitofyouradvice。"Thenaddressinghimselfmoreparticularlytohisuncle，"Gooduncle，"saidhe，"ifIweretorehearsealltheobligationsunderwhichIlietoyou，IamsurethatInevershouldmakeanend。Letmeonlysaythat，whereverI
havebeen，andwithwhomsoeverIhaveconversed，Ihaverepresentedyouasdoingformeallthatafathercoulddoforason;bothinthecarewithwhichyoutendedmyeducation，andinthezealwithwhichyoupushedmeforwardintopubliclife，sothatmywholeexistenceisatestimonyofyourgoodofficestowardsme。Inshort，IamindebtedforallthatI
havetoyou，whohavebeentomeasaparent;andthereforeIhavenorighttopartwithanything，unlessitbewithyourapproval。"
Therewasageneralsilencehereupon，andhisunclewaspreventedfromreplyingbytearsandsobs。Atlasthesaidthatwhateverhethoughtforthebestwouldbeagreeabletohim;andasheintendedtomakehimhisheir，hewasatlibertytodisposeofwhatwouldbehis。
Thenheturnedtohiswife。"Myimage，"saidhe（forsoheoftencalledher，therebeingsomesortofrelationshipbetweenthem），"sinceIhavebeenunitedtoyoubymarriage，whichisoneofthemostweightyandsacredtiesimposedonusbyGod，forthepurposeofmaintaininghumansociety，Ihavecontinuedtolove，cherish，andvalueyou;andIknowthatyouhavereturnedmyaffection，forwhichIhavenosufficientacknowledgment。IbegyoutoacceptsuchportionofmyestateasI
bequeathtoyou，andbesatisfiedwithit，thoughitisveryinadequatetoyourdesert。"
Afterwardsheturnedtome。"Mybrother，"hebegan，"forwhomIhavesoentirealove，andwhomIselectedoutofsolargeanumber，thinkingtorevivewithyouthatvirtuousandsincerefriendshipwhich，owingtothedegeneracyoftheage，hasgrowntobealmostunknowntous，andnowexistsonlyincertainvestigesofantiquity，Ibegofyou，asamarkofmyaffectiontoyou，toacceptmylibrary:aslenderoffering，butgivenwithacordialwill，andsuitabletoyou，seeingthatyouarefondoflearning。Itwillbeamemorialofyouroldcompanion。"
Thenheaddressedallthreeofus。HeblessedGodthatinhisextremityhehadthehappinesstobesurroundedbythosewhomhehelddearestintheworld，andhelookeduponitasafinespectacle，wherefourpersonsweretogether，sounanimousintheirfeelings，andlovingeachotherforeachother’ssake。Hecommendedusonetotheother;andproceededthus:
"Myworldlymattersbeingarranged，Imustnowthinkofthewelfareofmysoul。IamaChristian;IamaCatholic。Ihavelivedone，andIshalldieone。Sendforapriest;forIwishtoconformtothislastChristianobligation。"Henowconcludedhisdiscourse，whichhehadconductedwithsuchafirmfaceandwithsodistinctanutterance，thatwhereas，whenI
firstenteredhisroom，hewasfeeble，inarticulateinhisspeech，hispulselowandfeverish，andhisfeaturespallid，now，byasortofmiracle，heappearedtohaverallied，andhispulsewassostrongthatforthesakeofcomparison，Iaskedhimtofeelmine。
Ifeltmyheartsooppressedatthismoment，thatIhadnotthepowertomakehimanyanswer;butinthecourseoftwoorthreehours，solicitoustokeepuphiscourage，and，likewise，outofthetendernesswhichIhadhadallmylifeforhishonourandfame，wishingalargernumberofwitnessestohisadmirablefortitude，Isaidtohim，howmuchIwasashamedtothinkthatIlackedcouragetolistentowhathe，sogreatasufferer，hadthecouragetodeliver;thatdowntothepresenttimeIhadscarcelyconceivedthatGodgrantedussuchcommandoverhumaninfirmities，andhadfoundadifficultyincreditingtheexamplesIhadreadinhistories;butthatwithsuchevidenceofthethingbeforemyeyes，IgavepraisetoGodthatithadshownitselfinonesoexcessivelydeartome，andwholovedmesoentirely，andthathisexamplewouldhelpmetoactinasimilarmannerwhenmyturncame。Interruptingme，hebeggedthatitmighthappenso，andthattheconversationwhichhadpassedbetweenusmightnotbemerewords，butmightbeimpresseddeeplyonourminds，tobeputinexerciseatthefirstoccasion;andthatthiswastherealobjectandaimofallphilosophy。
Hethentookmyhand，andcontinued:"Brother，friend，therearemanyactsofmylife，Ithink，whichhavecostmeasmuchdifficultyasthisoneislikelytodo;and，afterall，Ihavebeenlongpreparedforit，andhavemylessonbyheart。HaveInotlivedlongenough？Iamjustuponthirty—three。BythegraceofGod，mydayssofarhaveknownnothingbuthealthandhappiness;butintheordinarycourseofourunstablehumanaffairs，thiscouldnothavelastedmuchlonger;itwouldhavebecometimeformetoenterongraveravocations，andIshouldthushaveinvolvedmyselfinnumberlessvexations，and，amongthem，thetroublesofoldage，fromwhichIshallnowbeexempt。Moreover，itisprobablethathithertomylifehasbeenspentmoresimply，andwithlessofevil，thanifGodhadsparedme，andIhadsurvivedtofeelthethirstforrichesandworldlyprosperity。Iamsure，formypart，thatInowgotoGodandtheplaceoftheblessed。"Heseemedtodetectinmyexpressionsomeinquietudeathiswords;andheexclaimed，"What，mybrother，wouldyoumakemeentertainapprehensions？HadIany，whomwoulditbecomesomuchasyourselftoremovethem？"
Thenotary，whohadbeensummonedtodrawuphiswill，cameintheevening，andwhenhehadthedocumentsprepared，IinquiredofLaBoetieifhewouldsignthem。"Signthem，"criedhe;"Iwilldosowithmyownhand;butIcoulddesiremoretime，forIfeelexceedinglytimidandweak，andinamannerexhausted。"ButwhenIwasgoingtochangetheconversation，hesuddenlyrallied，saidhehadbutashorttimetolive，andaskedifthenotarywroterapidly，forheshoulddictatewithoutmakinganypause。Thenotarywascalled，andhedictatedhiswillthereandthenwithsuchspeedthatthemancouldscarcelykeepupwithhim;
andwhenhehaddone，heaskedmetoreaditout，sayingtome，"Whatagoodthingitistolookafterwhatarecalledourriches。"’Sunthaec，quoehominibusvocanturbona’。Assoonasthewillwassigned，thechamberbeingfull，heaskedmeifitwouldhurthimtotalk。I
answered，thatitwouldnot，ifhedidnotspeaktooloud。HethensummonedMademoiselledeSaintQuentin，hisniece，tohim，andaddressedherthus:"Dearniece，sincemyearliestacquaintancewiththee，Ihaveobservedthemarksof，greatnaturalgoodnessinthee;buttheserviceswhichthourenderedtome，withsomuchaffectionatediligence，inmypresentandlastnecessity，inspiremewithhighhopesofthee;andIamundergreatobligationstothee，andgivetheemostaffectionatethanks。
Letmerelievemyconsciencebycounsellingtheetobe，inthefirstplace，devout，toGod:forthisdoubtlessisourfirstduty，failingwhichallotherscanbeoflittleadvantageorgrace，butwhich，dulyobserved，carrieswithitnecessarilyallothervirtues。AfterGod，thoushouldestlovethyfatherandmother——thymother，mysister，whomI
regardasoneofthebestandmostintelligentofwomen，andbywhomI
begoftheetoletthyownlifeberegulated。Allownotthyselftobeledawaybypleasures;shun，liketheplague，thefoolishfamiliaritiesthouseestbetweensomemenandwomen;harmlessenoughatfirst，butwhichbyinsidiousdegreescorrupttheheart，andthenceleadittonegligence，andthenintothevilesloughofvice。Creditme，thegreatestsafeguardtofemalechastityissobrietyofdemeanour。I
beseechanddirectthatthouoftencalltomindthefriendshipwhichwasbetwixtus;butIdonotwishtheetomournformetoomuch——aninjunctionwhich，sofarasitisinmypower，Ilayonallmyfriends，sinceitmightseemthatbydoingsotheyfeltajealousyofthatblessedconditioninwhichIamabouttobeplacedbydeath。Iassurethee，mydear，thatifIhadtheoptionnowofcontinuinginlifeorofcompletingthevoyageonwhichIhavesetout，Ishouldfinditveryhardtochoose。
Adieu，dearniece。"
Mademoiselled’Arsat，hisstepdaughter，wasnextcalled。Hesaidtoher:
"Daughter，youstandinnogreatneedofadvicefromme，insomuchasyouhaveamother，whomIhaveeverfoundmostsagacious，andentirelyinconformitywithmyownopinionsandwishes，andwhomIhaveneverfoundfaulty;withsuchapreceptress，youcannotfailtobeproperlyinstructed。DonotaccountitsingularthatI，withnotieofbloodtoyou，aminterestedinyou;for，beingthechildofonewhoissocloselyalliedtome，Iamnecessarilyconcernedinwhatconcernsyou;andconsequentlytheaffairsofyourbrother，M。d’Arsat，haveeverbeenwatchedbymewithasmuchcareasmyown;norperhapswillitbetoyourdisadvantagethatyouweremystep—daughter。Youenjoysufficientstoreofwealthandbeauty;youarealadyofgoodfamily;itonlyremainsforyoutoaddtothesepossessionsthecultivationofyourmind，inwhichI
exhortyounottofail。Idonotthinknecessarytowarnyouagainstvice，athingsoodiousinwomen，forIwouldnotevensupposethatyoucouldharbouranyinclinationforit——nay，Ibelievethatyouholdtheverynameinabhorrence。Deardaughter，farewell。"
Allintheroomwereweepingandlamenting;butheheldwithoutinterruptionthethreadofhisdiscourse，whichwasprettylong。Butwhenhehaddone，hedirectedusalltoleavetheroom，exceptthewomenattendants，whomhestyledhisgarrison。Butfirst，callingtohimmybrother，M。deBeauregard，hesaidtohim:"M。deBeauregard，youhavemybestthanksforallthecareyouhavetakenofme。IhavenowathingwhichIamveryanxiousindeedtomentiontoyou，andwithyourpermissionIwilldoso。"Asmybrothergavehimencouragementtoproceed，headded:"IassureyouthatIneverknewanymanwhoengagedinthereformationofourChurchwithgreatersincerity，earnestness，andsingle—heartednessthanyourself。Iconsiderthatyouwereledtoitbyobservingtheviciouscharacterofourprelates，whichnodoubtmuchrequiressettinginorder，andbyimperfectionswhichtimehasbroughtintoourChurch。Itisnotmydesireatpresentdiscourageyoufromthiscourse，forIwouldhavenooneactinoppositiontohisconscience;
butIwish，havingregardtothegoodreputeacquiredbyyourfamilyfromitsenduringconcord——afamilythanwhichnonecanbedearertome;afamily，thankGod！nomemberofwhichhaseverbeenguiltyofdishonour—
—inregard，further，tothewillofyourgoodfathertowhomyouowesomuch，andofyour，uncle，Iwishyoutoavoidextrememeans;avoidharshnessandviolence:bereconciledwithyourrelatives;donotactapart，butunite。Youperceivewhatdisastersourquarrelshavebroughtuponthiskingdom，andIanticipatestillworsemischiefs;andinyourgoodnessandwisdom，bewareofinvolvingyourfamilyinsuchbroils;letitcontinuetoenjoyitsformerreputationandhappiness。M。deBeauregard，takewhatIsayingoodpart，andasaproofofthefriendshipIfeelforyou。Ipostponedtillnowanycommunicationwithyouonthesubject，andperhapstheconditioninwhichyouseemeaddressyou，maycausemyadviceandopiniontocarrygreaterauthority。"Mybrotherexpressedhisthankstohimcordially。
OntheMondaymorninghehadbecomesoillthathequitedespairedofhimself;andhesaidtomeverypitifully:"Brother，donotyoufeelpainforallthepainIamsuffering？Doyounotperceivenowthatthehelpyougivemehasnoothereffectthanthatoflengtheningmysuffering？"
Shortlyafterwardshefainted，andweallthoughthimgone;butbytheapplicationofvinegarandwineherallied。Buthesoonsank，andwhenheheardusinlamentation，hemurmured，"OGod！whoisitthatteasesmeso？WhydidyoubreaktheagreeablereposeIwasenjoying？Ibegofyoutoleaveme。"Andthen，whenhecaughtthesoundofmyvoice，hecontinued:"Andartthou，mybrother，likewiseunwillingtoseemeatpeace？O，howthourobbestmeofmyrepose！"Afterawhile，heseemedtogainmorestrength，andcalledforwine，whichherelished，anddeclaredittobethefinestdrinkpossible。I，inordertochangethecurrentofhisthoughts，putin，"Surelynot;wateristhebest。""Ah，yes，"hereturned，"doubtlessso;——（Greek）———————。"Hehadnowbecome，icy—coldathisextremities，eventohisface;adeathlyperspirationwasuponhim，andhispulsewasscarcelyperceptible。
Thismorningheconfessed，butthepriesthadomittedtobringwithhimthenecessaryapparatusforcelebratingMass。OntheTuesday，however，M。delaBoetiesummonedhimtoaidhim，ashesaid，indischargingthelastofficeofaChristian。AftertheconclusionofMass，hetookthesacrament;whenthepriestwasabouttodepart，hesaidtohim:
"Spiritualfather，Iimploreyouhumbly，aswellasthoseoverwhomyouareset，topraytotheAlmightyonmybehalf;that，ifitbedecreedinheaventhatIamnowtoendmylife，Hewilltakecompassiononmysoul，andpardonmemysins，whicharemanifold，itnotbeingpossibleforsoweakandpooracreatureasItoobeycompletelythewillofsuchaMaster;or，ifHethinkfittokeepmelongerhere，thatitmaypleaseHimtoreleasemypresentextremeanguish，andtodirectmyfootstepsintherightpath，thatImaybecomeabettermanthanIhavebeen。Hepausedtorecoverbreathalittle;priestwasabouttogoaway，hecalledhimbackandproceeded:"Idesiretosay，besides，inyourhearingthis:
IdeclarethatIwaschristenedandIhavelived，andthatsoIwishtodie，inthefaithwhichMosespreachedinEgypt;whichafterwardsthePatriarchsacceptedandprofessedinJudaea;andwhich，inthecourseoftime，hasbeentransmittedtoFranceandtous。"Heseemeddesirousofaddingsomethingmore，butheendedwitharequesttohisuncleandmetosendupprayersforhim;"forthoseare，"hesaid，"thebestdutiesthatChristianscanfulfiloneforanother。"Inthecourseoftalking，hisshoulderwasuncovered，andalthoughaman—servantstoodnearhim，heaskedhisuncletore—adjusttheclothes。Then，turninghiseyestowardsme，hesaid，"Ingenuiest，cuimultumdebeas，eiplurimumvelledebere。"
M。deBelotcalledintheafternoontoseehim，andM。delaBoetie，takinghishand，saidtohim:"Iwasonthepointofdischargingmydebt，butmykindcreditorhasgivenmealittlefurthertime。"Alittlewhileafter，appearingtowakeoutofasortofreverie，heutteredwordswhichhehademployedonceortwicebeforeinthecourseofhissickness:
"Ahwell，ahwell，wheneverthehourcomes，Iawaititwithpleasureandfortitude。"Andthen，astheywereholdinghismouthopenbyforcetogivehimadraught，heobservedtoM。deBelot:"Anviveretantiest？"
Astheeveningapproached，hebeganperceptiblytosink;andwhileI
supped，hesentformetocome，beingnomorethantheshadowofaman，or，asheputithimself，’nonhomo，sedspecieshominis’;andhesaidtomewiththeutmostdifficulty:"Mybrother，myfriend，pleaseGodImayrealisetheimaginationsIhavejustenjoyed。"Afterwards，havingwaitedforsometimewhileheremainedsilent，andbypainfuleffortswasdrawinglongsighs（forhistongueatthispointbegantorefuseitsfunctions），Isaid，"Whatarethey？""Grand，grand！"hereplied。"I
haveneveryetfailed，"returnedI，"tohavethehonourofhearingyourconceptionsandimaginationscommunicatedtome;willyounotnowstillletmeenjoythem？""Iwouldindeed，"heanswered;"but，mybrother，Iamnotabletodoso;theyareadmirable，infinite，andunspeakable。"
Westoppedshortthere，forhecouldnotgoon。Alittlebefore，indeed，hehadshownadesiretospeaktohiswife，andhadtoldher，withasgayacountenanceashecouldcontrivetoassume，thathehadastorytotellher。Anditseemedasifhewasmakinganattempttogainutterance;
but，hisstrengthfailinghim，hebeggedalittlewinetoresuscitateit。
Itwasofnoavail，forhefaintedawaysuddenly，andwasforsometimeinsensible。Havingbecomesonearaneighbourtodeath，andhearingthesobsofMademoiselledelaBoetie，hecalledher，andsaidtoherthus:
"Myownlikeness，yougrieveyourselfbeforehand;willyounothavepityonme？takecourage。Assuredly，itcostsmemorethanhalfthepainI
endure，toseeyousuffer;andreasonablyso，becausetheevilswhichweourselvesfeelwedonotactuallyourselvessuffer，butitcertainsentientfacultieswhichGodplantsinus，thatfeelthem:whereaswhatwefeelonaccountofothers，wefeelbyconsequenceofacertainreasoningprocesswhichgoesonwithinourminds。ButIamgoingaway"——
Thathesaidbecausehisstrengthwasfailinghim;andfearingthathehadfrightenedhiswife，heresumed，observing:"Iamgoingtosleep。
Goodnight，mywife;gothyway。"Thiswasthelastfarewellhetookofher。
Aftershehadleft，"Mybrother，"saidhetome，"keepnearme，ifyouplease;"andthenfeelingtheadvanceofdeathmorepressingandmoreacute，orelsetheeffectofsomewarmdraughtwhichtheyhadmadehimswallow，hisvoicegrewstrongerandclearer，andheturnedquitewithviolenceinhisbed，sothatallbeganagaintoentertainthehopewhichwehadlostonlyuponwitnessinghisextremeprostration。
Atthisstageheproceeded，amongotherthings，topraymeagainandagain，inamostaffectionatemanner，togivehimaplace;sothatIwasapprehensivethathisreasonmightbeimpaired，particularlywhen，onmypointingouttohimthathewasdoinghimselfharm，andthatthesewerenotofthewordsofarationalman，hedidnotyieldatfirst，butredoubledhisoutcry，saying，"Mybrother，mybrother！dostthouthenrefusemeaplace？"insomuchthatheconstrainedmetodemonstratetohimthat，ashebreathedandspoke，andhadhisphysicalbeing，thereforehehadhisplace。"Yes，yes，"heresponded，"Ihave;butitisnotthatwhichIneed;and，besides，whenallissaid，Ihavenolongeranyexistence。""God，"Ireplied，"willgrantyouabetteronesoon。"
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