Thereader,however,willreadilyconceivethattheymusthaveaprodigioussuperiorityoverthepebblesandsand,whichwecallgoldandpreciousstones。
  TwentybeautifulyoungvirginsinwaitingreceivedCandideandCacamboontheiralightingfromthecoach,conductedthemtothebathandcladtheminrobeswovenofthedownofhummingbirds;afterwhichtheywereintroducedbythegreatofficersofthecrownofbothsexestotheKing’sapartment,betweentwofilesofmusicians,eachfileconsistingofathousand,agreeabletothecustomofthecountry。
  Whentheydrewneartothepresence-chamber,CacamboaskedoneoftheofficersinwhatmannertheyweretopaytheirobeisancetoHisMajesty;
  whetheritwasthecustomtofallupontheirknees,ortoprostratethemselvesupontheground;whethertheyweretoputtheirhandsupontheirheads,orbehindtheirbacks;whethertheyweretolickthedustoffthefloor;inshort,whatwastheceremonyusualonsuchoccasions。
  "Thecustom",saidthegreatofficer,"istoembracetheKingandkisshimoneachcheek。"
  CandideandCacamboaccordinglythrewtheirarmsroundHisMajesty’sneck,whoreceivedtheminthemostgraciousmannerimaginable,andverypolitelyaskedthemtosupwithhim。
  Whilesupperwaspreparing,ordersweregiventoshowthemthecity,wheretheysawpublicstructuresthatrearedtheirloftyheadstotheclouds;
  themarketplacesdecoratedwithathousandcolumns;fountainsofspringwater,besidesothersofrosewater,andofliquorsdrawnfromthesugarcane,incessantlyflowinginthegreatsquares,whichwerepavedwithakindofpreciousstonesthatemittedanodorlikethatofclovesandcinnamon。
  CandideaskedtoseetheHighCourtofjustice,theParliament;
  butwasansweredthattheyhadnoneinthatcountry,beingutterstrangerstolawsuits。Hetheninquirediftheyhadanyprisons;theyrepliednone。ButwhatgavehimatoncethegreatestsurpriseandpleasurewasthePalaceofSciences,wherehesawagallerytwothousandfeetlong,filledwiththevariousapparatusinmathematicsandnaturalphilosophy。
  Afterhavingspentthewholeafternooninseeingonlyaboutthethousandthpartofthecity,theywerebroughtbacktotheKing’spalace。CandidesatdownatthetablewithHisMajesty,hisvaletCacambo,andseveralladiesofthecourt。Neverwasentertainmentmoreelegant,norcouldanyonepossiblyshowmorewitthanHisMajestydisplayedwhiletheywereatsupper。CacamboexplainedalltheKing’sbonsmotstoCandide,and,althoughtheyweretranslated,theystillappearedtobebonsmots。OfallthethingsthatsurprisedCandide,thiswasnottheleast。
  Theyspentawholemonthinthishospitableplace,duringwhichtimeCandidewascontinuallysayingtoCacambo,"Iown,myfriend,oncemore,thatthecastlewhereIwasbornisamerenothingincomparisontotheplacewherewenoware;butstillMissCunegondeisnothere,andyouyourselfhavedoubtlesssomefaironeinEuropeforwhomyousigh。Ifweremainhereweshallonlybeasothersare;whereasifwereturntoourownworldwithonlyadozenofElDoradosheep,loadedwiththepebblesofthiscountry,weshallbericherthanallthekingsinEurope;
  weshallnolongerneedtostandinaweoftheInquisitors;andwemayeasilyrecoverMissCunegonde。"
  ThisspeechwasperfectlyagreeabletoCacambo。Afondnessforroving,formakingafigureintheirowncountry,andforboastingofwhattheyhadseenintheirtravels,wassopowerfulinourtwowanderersthattheyresolvedtobenolongerhappy;anddemandedpermissionoftheKingtoquitthecountry。
  "Youareabouttodoarashandsillyaction",saidtheKing。"Iamsensiblemykingdomisaninconsiderablespot;butwhenpeoplearetolerablyattheireaseinanyplace,Ishouldthinkitwouldbetotheirinteresttoremainthere。
  Mostassuredly,Ihavenorighttodetainyou,oranystrangers,againstyourwills;thisisanactoftyrannytowhichourmannersandourlawsareequallyrepugnant。Allmenarebynaturefree;youhavethereforeanundoubtedlibertytodepartwheneveryouplease,butyouwillhavemanyandgreatdifficultiestoencounterinpassingthefrontiers。
  Itisimpossibletoascendthatrapidriverwhichrunsunderhighandvaultedrocks,andbywhichyouwereconveyedhitherbyakindofmiracle。Themountainsbywhichmykingdomarehemmedinonallsides,aretenthousandfeethigh,andperfectlyperpendicular;theyareabovetenleaguesacross,andthedescentfromthemisonecontinuedprecipice。
  "However,sinceyouaredeterminedtoleaveus,Iwillimmediatelygiveorderstothesuperintendentofmycarriagestocauseonetobemadethatwillconveyyouverysafely。Whentheyhaveconductedyoutothebackofthemountains,nobodycanattendyoufarther;formysubjectshavemadeavownevertoquitthekingdom,andtheyaretooprudenttobreakit。Askmewhateverelseyouplease。"
  "AllweshallaskofYourMajesty",saidCacambo,"isonlyafewsheepladenwithprovisions,pebbles,andtheclayofyourcountry。"
  TheKingsmiledattherequestandsaid,"IcannotimaginewhatpleasureyouEuropeansfindinouryellowclay;buttakeawayasmuchofitasyouwill,andmuchgoodmayitdoyou。"
  Heimmediatelygaveorderstohisengineerstomakeamachinetohoistthesetwoextraordinarymenoutofthekingdom。Threethousandgoodmachinistswenttoworkandfinisheditinaboutfifteendays,anditdidnotcostmorethantwentymillionssterlingofthatcountry’smoney。CandideandCacambowereplacedonthismachine,andtheytookwiththemtwolargeredsheep,bridledandsaddled,torideupon,whentheygotontheothersideofthemountains;twentyotherstoserveassumptersforcarryingprovisions;thirtyladenwithpresentsofwhateverwasmostcuriousinthecountry,andfiftywithgold,diamonds,andotherpreciousstones。TheKing,atpartingwithourtwoadventurers,embracedthemwiththegreatestcordiality。
  Itwasacurioussighttobeholdthemanneroftheirsettingoff,andtheingeniousmethodbywhichtheyandtheirsheepwerehoistedtothetopofthemountains。Themachinistsandengineerstookleaveofthemassoonastheyhadconveyedthemtoaplaceofsafety,andCandidewaswhollyoccupiedwiththethoughtsofpresentinghissheeptoMissCunegonde。
  "Now",criedhe,"thankstoHeaven,wehavemorethansufficienttopaytheGovernorofBuenosAyresforMissCunegonde,ifsheisredeemable。LetusmakethebestofourwaytoCayenne,wherewewilltakeshippingandthenwemayatleisurethinkofwhatkingdomweshallpurchasewithourriches。"
  chapter19CHAPTERXIX
  WHATHAPPENEDTOTHEMATSURINAM,ANDHOW
  CANDIDEBECAMEACQUAINTED
  WITHMARTIN
  Ourtravelers’firstday’sjourneywasverypleasant;
  theywereelatedwiththeprospectofpossessingmorerichesthanweretobefoundinEurope,Asia,andAfricatogether。Candide,inamoroustransports,cutthenameofMissCunegondeonalmosteverytreehecameto。Theseconddaytwooftheirsheepsunkinamorass,andwereswallowedupwiththeirJading;twomorediedoffatigue;somefewdaysafterwardssevenoreightperishedwithhungerinadesert,andothers,atdifferenttimes,tumbleddownprecipices,orwereotherwiselost,sothat,aftertravelingaboutahundreddaystheyhadonlytwosheepleftofthehundredandtwotheybroughtwiththemfromElDorado。
  SaidCandidetoCacambo,"Yousee,mydearfriend,howperishabletherichesofthisworldare;thereisnothingsolidbutvirtue。"
  "Verytrue",saidCacambo,"butwehavestilltwosheepremaining,withmoretreasurethanevertheKingofSpainwillbepossessedof;andIespyatownatadistance,whichItaketobeSurinam,atownbelongingtotheDutch。Wearenowattheendofourtroubles,andatthebeginningofhappiness。"
  AstheydrewnearthetowntheysawaNegrostretchedonthegroundwithonlyonehalfofhishabit,whichwasakindoflinenfrock;forthepoormanhadlosthisleftlegandhisrighthand。
  "GoodGod",saidCandideinDutch,"whatdostthouhere,friend,inthisdeplorablecondition?"
  "Iamwaitingformymaster,MynheerVanderdendur,thefamoustrader",answeredtheNegro。
  "WasitMynheerVanderdendurthatusedyouinthiscruelmanner?"
  "Yes,sir",saidtheNegro;"itisthecustomhere。Theygivealinengarmenttwiceayear,andthatisallourcovering。Whenwelaborinthesugarworks,andthemillhappenstosnatchholdofafinger,theyinstantlychopoffourhand;andwhenweattempttorunaway,theycutoffaleg。Boththesecaseshavehappenedtome,anditisatthisexpensethatyoueatsugarinEurope;andyetwhenmymothersoldmefortenpatacoonsonthecoastofGuinea,shesaidtome,’Mydearchild,blessourfetishes;
  adorethemforever;theywillmaketheelivehappy;thouhastthehonortobeaslavetoourlordsthewhites,bywhichthouwiltmakethefortuneofusthyparents。’
  "Alas!IknownotwhetherIhavemadetheirfortunes;buttheyhavenotmademine;dogs,monkeys,andparrotsareathousandtimeslesswretchedthanI。TheDutchfetisheswhoconvertedmetellmeeverySundaythattheblacksandwhitesareallchildrenofonefather,whomtheycallAdam。Asforme,Idonotunderstandanythingofgenealogies;
  butifwhatthesepreacherssayistrue,weareallsecondcousins;
  andyoumustallowthatitisimpossibletobeworsetreatedbyourrelationsthanweare。"
  "OPangloss!"criedoutCandide,"suchhorriddoingsneverenteredthyimagination。Hereisanendofthematter。Ifindmyself,afterall,obligedtorenouncethyOptimism。"
  "Optimism",saidCacambo,"whatisthat?"
  "Alas!"repliedCandide,"itistheobstinacyofmaintainingthateverythingisbestwhenitisworst。"
  AndsosayingheturnedhiseyestowardsthepoorNegro,andshedafloodoftears;andinthisweepingmoodheenteredthetownofSurinam。
  ImmediatelyupontheirarrivalourtravelersinquirediftherewasanyvesselintheharborwhichtheymightsendtoBuenosAyres。ThepersontheyaddressedthemselvestohappenedtobethemasterofaSpanishbark,whoofferedtoagreewiththemonmoderateterms,andappointedthemameetingatapublichouse。ThitherCandideandhisfaithfulCacambowenttowaitforhim,takingwiththemtheirtwosheep。
  Candide,whowasallfranknessandsincerity,madeaningenuousrecitalofhisadventurestotheSpaniard,declaringtohimatthesametimehisresolutionofcarryingoffMissCunegondefromtheGovernorofBuenosAyres。
  "Oh,ho!"saidtheshipmaster,"ifthatisthecase,getwhomyoupleasetocarryyoutoBuenosAyres;formypart,Iwashmyhandsoftheaffair。Itwouldproveahangingmattertousall。ThefairCunegondeistheGovernor’sfavoritemistress。"
  ThesewordswerelikeaclapofthundertoCandide;heweptbitterlyforalongtime,and,takingCacamboaside,hesaidtohim,"I’lltellyou,mydearfriend,whatyoumustdo。Wehaveeachofusinourpocketstothevalueoffiveorsixmillionsindiamonds;youareclevereratthesemattersthanI;youmustgotoBuenosAyresandbringoffMissCunegonde。
  IftheGovernormakesanydifficultygivehimamillion;ifheholdsout,givehimtwo;asyouhavenotkilledanInquisitor,theywillhavenosuspicionofyou。I’llfitoutanothershipandgotoVenice,whereIwillwaitforyou。
  Veniceisafreecountry,whereweshallhavenothingtofearfromBulgarians,Abares,JewsorInquisitors。"
  Cacambogreatlyapplaudedthiswiseresolution。Hewasinconsolableatthethoughtsofpartingwithsogoodamaster,whotreatedhimmorelikeanintimatefriendthanaservant;butthepleasureofbeingabletodohimaservicesoongotthebetterofhissorrow。Theyembracedeachotherwithafloodoftears。Candidechargedhimnottoforgettheoldwoman。Cacambosetoutthesameday。ThisCacambowasaveryhonestfellow。
  CandidecontinuedsomedayslongeratSurinam,waitingforanycaptaintocarryhimandhistworemainingsheeptoItaly。Hehireddomestics,andpurchasedmanythingsnecessaryforalongvoyage;atlengthMynheerVanderdendur,skipperofalargeDutchvessel,cameandofferedhisservice。
  "Whatwillyouhave",saidCandide,"tocarryme,myservants,mybaggage,andthesetwosheepyouseehere,directlytoVenice?"
  Theskipperaskedtenthousandpiastres,andCandideagreedtohisdemandwithouthestitation。
  "Ho,ho!"saidthecunningVanderdendurtohimself,"thisstrangermustbeveryrich;heagreestogivemetenthousandpiastreswithouthesitation。"
  Returningalittlewhileafter,hetoldCandidethatuponsecondconsiderationhecouldnotundertakethevoyageforlessthantwentythousand。
  "Verywell;youshallhavethem",saidCandide。
  "Zounds!"saidtheskippertohimself,"thismanagreestopaytwentythousandpiastreswithasmucheaseasten。"
  Accordinglyhewentbackagain,andtoldhimroundlythathewouldnotcarryhimtoVeniceforlessthanthirtythousandpiastres。
  "Thenyoushallhavethirtythousand",saidCandide。
  "Odso!"saidtheDutchmanoncemoretohimself,"thirtythousandpiastresseematrifletothisman。Thosesheepmustcertainlybeladenwithanimmensetreasure。I’lle’enstophereandasknomore;
  butmakehimpaydownthethirtythousandpiastres,andthenwemayseewhatistobedonefarther。"
  Candidesoldtwosmalldiamonds,theleastofwhichwasworthmorethanalltheskipperasked。Hepaidhimbeforehand,thetwosheepwereputonboard,andCandidefollowedinasmallboattojointhevesselintheroad。
  Theskippertookadvantageofhisopportunity,hoistedsail,andputouttoseawithafavorablewind。Candide,confoundedandamazed,soonlostsightoftheship。
  "Alas!"saidhe,"thisisatricklikethoseinouroldworld!"
  Hereturnedbacktotheshoreoverwhelmedwithgrief;and,indeed,hehadlostwhatwouldhavemadethefortuneoftwentymonarchs。
  StraightwayuponhislandingheappliedtotheDutchmagistrate;
  beingtransportedwithpassionhethunderedatthedoor,whichbeingopened,hewentin,toldhiscase,andtalkedalittlelouderthanwasnecessary。Themagistratebeganwithfininghimtenthousandpiastresforhispetulance,andthenlistenedverypatientlytowhathehadtosay,promisedtoexamineintotheaffairontheskipper’sreturn,andorderedhimtopaytenthousandpiastresmoreforthefeesofthecourt。
  ThistreatmentputCandideoutofallpatience;itistrue,hehadsufferedmisfortunesathousandtimesmoregrievous,butthecoolinsolenceofthejudge,andthevillainyoftheskipperraisedhischolerandthrewhimintoadeepmelancholy。Thevillainyofmankindpresenteditselftohismindinallitsdeformity,andhissoulwasapreytothemostgloomyideas。Aftersometime,hearingthatthecaptainofaFrenchshipwasreadytosetsailforBordeaux,ashehadnomoresheeploadedwithdiamondstoputonboard,hehiredthecabinattheusualprice;andmadeitknowninthetownthathewouldpaythepassageandboardofanyhonestmanwhowouldgivehimhiscompanyduringthevoyage;besidesmakinghimapresentoftenthousandpiastres,onconditionthatsuchpersonwasthemostdissatisfiedwithhiscondition,andthemostunfortunateinthewholeprovince。
  Uponthisthereappearedsuchacrowdofcandidatesthatalargefleetcouldnothavecontainedthem。Candide,willingtochoosefromamongthosewhoappearedmostlikelytoanswerhisintention,selectedtwenty,whoseemedtohimthemostsociable,andwhoallpretendedtomeritthepreference。Heinvitedthemtohisinn,andpromisedtotreatthemwithasupper,onconditionthateverymanshouldbindhimselfbyanoathtorelatehisownhistory;declaringatthesametime,thathewouldmakechoiceofthatpersonwhoshouldappeartohimthemostdeservingofcompassion,andthemostjustlydissatisfiedwithhisconditioninlife;andthathewouldmakeapresenttotherest。
  Thisextraordinaryassemblycontinuedsittingtillfourinthemorning。
  Candide,whilehewaslisteningtotheiradventures,calledtomindwhattheoldwomanhadsaidtohimintheirvoyagetoBuenosAyres,andthewagershehadlaidthattherewasnotapersononboardtheshipbuthadmetwithgreatmisfortunes。EverystoryheheardputhiminmindofPangloss。
  "Myoldmaster",saidhe,"wouldbeconfoundedlyputtoittodemonstratehisfavoritesystem。Wouldhewerehere!Certainlyifeverythingisforthebest,itisinElDorado,andnotintheotherpartsoftheworld。"
  Atlengthhedeterminedinfavorofapoorscholar,whohadlaboredtenyearsforthebooksellersatAmsterdam:beingofopinionthatnoemploymentcouldbemoredetestable。
  Thisscholar,whowasinfactaveryhonestman,hadbeenrobbedbyhiswife,beatenbyhisson,andforsakenbyhisdaughter,whohadrunawaywithaPortuguese。Hehadbeenlikewisedeprivedofasmallemploymentonwhichhesubsisted,andhewaspersecutedbytheclergyofSurinam,whotookhimforaSocinian。Itmustbeacknowledgedthattheothercompetitorswere,atleast,aswretchedashe;butCandidewasinhopesthatthecompanyofamanofletterswouldrelievethetediousnessofthevoyage。AlltheothercandidatescomplainedthatCandidehaddonethemgreatinjustice,buthestoppedtheirmouthsbyapresentofahundredpiastrestoeach。
  chapter20CHAPTERXX
  WHATBEFELLCANDIDEANDMARTIN
  ONTHEIR
  PASSAGE
  Theoldphilosopher,whosenamewasMartin,tookshippingwithCandideforBordeaux。Bothhadseenandsufferedagreatdeal,andhadtheshipbeengoingfromSurinamtoJapanroundtheCapeofGoodHope,theycouldhavefoundsufficiententertainmentforeachotherduringthewholevoyage,indiscoursinguponmoralandnaturalevil。
  Candide,however,hadoneadvantageoverMartin:helivedinthepleasinghopesofseeingMissCunegondeoncemore;whereas,thepoorphilosopherhadnothingtohopefor。Besides,Candidehadmoneyandjewels,and,notwithstandinghehadlostahundredredsheepladenwiththegreatesttreasureoutsideofElDorado,andthoughhestillsmartedfromthereflectionoftheDutchskipper’sknavery,yetwhenheconsideredwhathehadstillleft,andrepeatedthenameofCunegonde,especiallyaftermealtimes,heinclinedtoPangloss’sdoctrine。
  "Andpray",saidhetoMartin,"whatisyouropinionofthewholeofthissystem?Whatnotionhaveyouofmoralandnaturalevil?"
  "Sir",repliedMartin,"ourpriestaccusedmeofbeingaSocinian;buttherealtruthis,IamaManichaean。"
  "Nay,nowyouarejesting",saidCandide;"therearenoManichaeansexistingatpresentintheworld。"
  "AndyetIamone",saidMartin;"butIcannothelpit。
  Icannotforthesoulofmethinkotherwise。"
  "SurelytheDevilmustbeinyou",saidCandide。
  "Heconcernshimselfsomuch",repliedMartin,"intheaffairsofthisworldthatitisveryprobablehemaybeinmeaswellaseverywhereelse;butI
  mustconfess,whenIcastmyeyeonthisglobe,orratherglobule,IcannothelpthinkingthatGodhasabandonedittosomemalignantbeing。IalwaysexceptElDorado。Iscarceeverknewacitythatdidnotwishthedestructionofitsneighboringcity;norafamilythatdidnotdesiretoexterminatesomeotherfamily。Thepoorinallpartsoftheworldbearaninveteratehatredtotherich,evenwhiletheycreepandcringetothem;andtherichtreatthepoorlikesheep,whosewoolandfleshtheybarterformoney;amillionofregimentedassassinstraverseEuropefromoneendtotheother,togettheirbreadbyregulardepredationandmurder,becauseitisthemostgentlemanlikeprofession。Eveninthosecitieswhichseemtoenjoytheblessingsofpeace,andwheretheartsflourish,theinhabitantsaredevouredwithenvy,care,andinquietudes,whicharegreaterplaguesthananyexperiencedinatownbesieged。Privatechagrinsarestillmoredreadfulthanpubliccalamities。Inaword",concludedthephilosopher,"IhaveseenandsufferedsomuchthatIamaManichaean。"
  "Andyetthereissomegoodintheworld",repliedCandide。
  "Maybeso",saidMartin,"butithasescapedmyknowledge。"
  Whiletheyweredeeplyengagedinthisdisputetheyheardthereportofcannon,whichredoubledeverymoment。Eachtookouthisglass,andtheyspiedtwoshipswarmlyengagedatthedistanceofaboutthreemiles。ThewindbroughtthembothsoneartheFrenchshipthatthoseonboardherhadthepleasureofseeingthefightwithgreatease。
  Afterseveralsmartbroadsidestheonegavetheotherashotbetweenwindandwaterwhichsunkheroutright。ThencouldCandideandMartinplainlyperceiveahundredmenonthedeckofthevesselwhichwassinking,who,withhandsupliftedtoHeaven,sentforthpiercingcries,andwereinamomentswallowedupbythewaves。
  "Well",saidMartin,"younowseeinwhatmannermankindtreatoneanother。"
  "Itiscertain",saidCandide,"thatthereissomethingdiabolicalinthisaffair。"Ashewasspeakingthushespiedsomethingofashiningredhue,whichswamclosetothevessel。Theboatwashoistedouttoseewhatitmightbe,whenitprovedtobeoneofhissheep。Candidefeltmorejoyattherecoveryofthisoneanimalthanhedidgriefwhenhelosttheotherhundred,thoughladenwiththelargediamondsofElDorado。
  TheFrenchcaptainquicklyperceivedthatthevictoriousshipbelongedtothecrownofSpain;thattheotherwasaDutchpirate,andtheverysamecaptainwhohadrobbedCandide。Theimmensericheswhichthisvillainhadamassed,wereburiedwithhiminthedeep,andonlythisonesheepsavedoutofthewhole。
  "Yousee",saidCandidetoMartin,"thatviceissometimespunished。Thisvillain,theDutchskipper,hasmetwiththefatehedeserved。"
  "Verytrue",saidMartin,"butwhyshouldthepassengersbedoomedalsotodestruction?Godhaspunishedtheknave,andtheDevilhasdrownedtherest。"
  TheFrenchandSpanishshipscontinuedtheircruise,andCandideandMartintheirconversation。Theydisputedfourteendayssuccessively,attheendofwhichtheywerejustasfaradvancedasthefirstmomenttheybegan。However,theyhadthesatisfactionofdisputing,ofcommunicatingtheirideas,andofmutuallycomfortingeachother。Candideembracedhissheepwithtransport。
  "SinceIhavefoundtheeagain",saidhe,"ImaypossiblyfindmyCunegondeoncemore。"
  chapter21CHAPTERXXI
  CANDIDEANDMARTIN,WHILETHUSREASONINGWITH
  EACHOTHER,DRAWNEARTOTHECOASTOFFRANCE
  AtlengththeydescriedthecoastofFrance,whenCandidesaidtoMartin,"PrayMonsieurMartin,wereyoueverinFrance?"
  "Yes,sir",saidMartin,"Ihavebeeninseveralprovincesofthatkingdom。Insome,onehalfofthepeoplearefoolsandmadmen;insome,theyaretooartful;inothers,again,theyare,ingeneral,eitherverygood-naturedorverybrutal;whileinothers,theyaffecttobewitty,andinall,theirrulingpassionislove,thenextisslander,andthelastistotalknonsense。"
  "But,pray,MonsieurMartin,wereyoueverinParis?"
  "Yes,sir,Ihavebeeninthatcity,anditisaplacethatcontainstheseveralspeciesjustdescribed;itisachaos,aconfusedmultitude,whereeveryoneseeksforpleasurewithoutbeingabletofindit;atleast,asfarasIhaveobservedduringmyshortstayinthatcity。AtmyarrivalIwasrobbedofallI
  hadintheworldbypickpocketsandsharpers,atthefairofSaint-Germain。I
  wastakenupmyselfforarobber,andconfinedinprisonawholeweek;
  afterwhichIhiredmyselfascorrectortoapressinordertogetalittlemoneytowardsdefrayingmyexpensesbacktoHollandonfoot。Iknewthewholetribeofscribblers,malcontents,andfanatics。
  Itissaidthepeopleofthatcityareverypolite;Ibelievetheymaybe。"
  "Formypart,IhavenocuriositytoseeFrance",saidCandide。"Youmayeasilyconceive,myfriend,thatafterspendingamonthinElDorado,IcandesiretobeholdnothinguponearthbutMissCunegonde。
  IamgoingtowaitforheratVenice。IintendtopassthroughFrance,onmywaytoItaly。Willyounotbearmecompany?"
  "Withallmyheart",saidMartin。"TheysayVeniceisagreeabletononebutnobleVenetians,butthat,nevertheless,strangersarewellreceivedtherewhentheyhaveplentyofmoney;nowIhavenone,butyouhave,thereforeI
  willattendyouwhereveryouplease。"
  "Nowweareuponthissubject",saidCandide,"doyouthinkthattheearthwasoriginallysea,aswereadinthatgreatbookwhichbelongstothecaptainoftheship?"
  "Ibelievenothingofit",repliedMartin,"anymorethanIdoofthemanyotherchimeraswhichhavebeenrelatedtousforsometimepast。"
  "Butthen,towhatend",saidCandide,"wastheworldformed?"
  "Tomakeusmad",saidMartin。
  "Areyounotsurprised",continuedCandide,"atthelovewhichthetwogirlsinthecountryoftheOreillonshadforthosetwomonkeys?-
  YouknowI
  havetoldyouthestory。"
  "Surprised?"repliedMartin,"notintheleast。Iseenothingstrangeinthispassion。Ihaveseensomanyextraordinarythingsthatthereisnothingextraordinarytomenow。"
  "Doyouthink",saidCandide,"thatmankindalwaysmassacredoneanotherastheydonow?Weretheyalwaysguiltyoflies,fraud,treachery,ingratitude,inconstancy,envy,ambition,andcruelty?
  Weretheyalwaysthieves,fools,cowards,gluttons,drunkards,misers,calumniators,debauchees,fanatics,andhypocrites?"
  "Doyoubelieve",saidMartin,"thathawkshavealwaysbeenaccustomedtoeatpigeonswhentheycameintheirway?"
  "Doubtless",saidCandide。
  "Wellthen",repliedMartin,"ifhawkshavealwayshadthesamenature,whyshouldyoupretendthatmankindchangetheirs?"
  "Oh",saidCandide,"thereisagreatdealofdifference;
  forfreewill-"andreasoningthustheyarrivedatBordeaux。
  chapter22CHAPTERXXII
  WHATHAPPENEDTOCANDIDE
  ANDMARTININ
  FRANCE
  CandidestayednolongeratBordeauxthanwasnecessarytodisposeofafewofthepebbleshehadbroughtfromElDorado,andtoprovidehimselfwithapost-chaisefortwopersons,forhecouldnolongerstirastepwithouthisphilosopherMartin。Theonlythingthatgivehimconcernwasbeingobligedtoleavehissheepbehindhim,whichheintrustedtothecareoftheAcademyofSciencesatBordeaux,whoproposed,asaprizesubjectfortheyear,toprovewhythewoolofthissheepwasred;
  andtheprizewasadjudgedtoanorthernsage,whodemonstratedbyAplusB,minusC,dividedbyZ,thatthesheepmustnecessarilybered,anddieofthemange。
  Inthemeantime,alltravelerswhomCandidemetwithintheinns,orontheroad,toldhimtoaman,thattheyweregoingtoParis。
  Thisgeneraleagernessgavehimlikewiseagreatdesiretoseethiscapital;anditwasnotmuchoutofhiswaytoVenice。
  HeenteredthecitybythesuburbsofSaint-Marceau,andthoughthimselfinoneofthevilesthamletsinallWestphalia。
  Candidehadnotbeenlongathisinn,beforehewasseizedwithaslightdisorder,owingtothefatiguehehadundergone。Asheworeadiamondofanenormoussizeonhisfingerandhadamongtherestofhisequipageastrongboxthatseemedveryweighty,hesoonfoundhimselfbetweentwophysicians,whomhehadnotsentfor,anumberofintimatefriendswhomhehadneverseen,andwhowouldnotquithisbedside,andtwowomendevotees,whowereverycarefulinprovidinghimhotbroths。
  "Iremember",saidMartintohim,"thatthefirsttimeIcametoParisIwaslikewisetakenill。Iwasverypoor,andaccordinglyI
  hadneitherfriends,nurses,norphysicians,andyetIdidverywell。"
  However,bydintofpurgingandbleeding,Candide’sdisorderbecameveryserious。Thepriestoftheparishcamewithallimaginablepolitenesstodesireanoteofhim,payabletothebearerintheotherworld。Candiderefusedtocomplywithhisrequest;butthetwodevoteesassuredhimthatitwasanewfashion。Candidereplied,thathewasnotonethatfollowedthefashion。Martinwasforthrowingthepriestoutofthewindow。TheclerksworeCandideshouldnothaveChristianburial。Martinsworeinhisturnthathewouldburytheclerkaliveifhecontinuedtoplaguethemanylonger。Thedisputegrewwarm;Martintookhimbytheshouldersandturnedhimoutoftheroom,whichgavegreatscandal,andoccasionedaproces-verbal。
  Candiderecovered,andtillhewasinaconditiontogoabroadhadagreatdealofgoodcompanytopasstheeveningswithhiminhischamber。Theyplayeddeep。Candidewassurprisedtofindhecouldneverturnatrick;andMartinwasnotatallsurprisedatthematter。
  AmongthosewhodidhimthehonorsoftheplacewasalittlespruceabbeofPerigord,oneofthoseinsinuating,busy,fawning,impudent,necessaryfellows,thatlaywaitforstrangersontheirarrival,tellthemallthescandalofthetown,andoffertoministertotheirpleasuresatvariousprices。ThismanconductedCandideandMartintotheplayhouse;theywereactinganewtragedy。Candidefoundhimselfplacednearaclusterofwits:this,however,didnotpreventhimfromsheddingtearsatsomepartsofthepiecewhichweremostaffecting,andbestacted。
  Oneofthesetalkerssaidtohimbetweenacts,"Youaregreatlytoblametoshedtears;thatactressplayshorribly,andthemanthatplayswithherstillworse,andthepieceitselfisstillmoreexecrablethantherepresentation。
  TheauthordoesnotunderstandawordofArabic,andyethehaslaidhissceneinArabia,andwhatismore,heisafellowwhodoesnotbelieveininnateideas。TomorrowIwillbringyouascoreofpamphletsthathavebeenwrittenagainsthim。"
  "Pray,sir",saidCandidetotheabbe,"howmanytheatricalpieceshaveyouinFrance?"
  "Fiveorsixthousand",repliedtheabbe。
  "Indeed!thatisagreatnumber",saidCandide,"buthowmanygoodonesmaytherebe?"
  "Aboutfifteenorsixteen。"
  "Oh!thatisagreatnumber",saidMartin。
  Candidewasgreatlytakenwithanactress,whoperformedthepartofQueenElizabethinadullkindoftragedythatisplayedsometimes。
  "Thatactress",saidhetoMartin,"pleasesmegreatly;
  shehassomesortofresemblancetoMissCunegonde。Ishouldbeverygladtopaymyrespectstoher。"
  TheabbeofPerigordofferedhisservicetointroducehimtoheratherownhouse。Candide,whowasbroughtupinGermany,desiredtoknowwhatmightbetheceremonialusedonthoseoccasions,andhowaqueenofEnglandwastreatedinFrance。
  "Thereisanecessarydistinctiontobeobservedinthesematters",saidtheabbe。"Inacountrytownwetakethemtoatavern;hereinParis,theyaretreatedwithgreatrespectduringtheirlifetime,providedtheyarehandsome,andwhentheydiewethrowtheirbodiesuponadunghill。"
  "How?"saidCandide,"throwaqueen’sbodyuponadunghill!"
  "Thegentlemanisquiteright",saidMartin,"hetellsyounothingbutthetruth。IhappenedtobeatPariswhenMissMonimiamadeherexit,asonemaysay,outofthisworldintoanother。Shewasrefusedwhattheycallheretheritesofsepulture;thatistosay,shewasdeniedtheprivilegeofrottinginachurchyardbythesideofallthebeggarsintheparish。
  TheyburiedheratthecornerofBurgundyStreet,whichmustcertainlyhaveshockedherextremely,asshehadveryexaltednotionsofthings。"
  "Thisisactingveryimpolitely",saidCandide。
  "Lord!"saidMartin,"whatcanbesaidtoit?Itisthewayofthesepeople。
  Figuretoyourselfallthecontradictions,alltheinconsistenciespossible,andyoumaymeetwiththeminthegovernment,thecourtsofjustice,thechurches,andthepublicspectaclesofthisoddnation。"
  "Isittrue",saidCandide,"thatthepeopleofParisarealwayslaughing?"
  "Yes",repliedtheabbe,"butitiswithangerintheirhearts;theyexpressalltheircomplaintsbyloudburstsoflaughter,andcommitthemostdetestablecrimeswithasmileontheirfaces。"
  "Whowasthatgreatovergrownbeast",saidCandide,"whospokesoilltomeofthepiecewithwhichIwassomuchaffected,andoftheplayerswhogavemesomuchpleasure?"
  "Averygood-for-nothingsortofamanIassureyou",answeredtheabbe,"onewhogetshislivelihoodbyabusingeverynewbookandplaythatiswrittenorperformed;hedislikesmuchtoseeanyonemeetwithsuccess,likeeunuchs,whodetesteveryonethatpossessesthosepowerstheyaredeprivedof;heisoneofthosevipersinliteraturewhonourishthemselveswiththeirownvenom;apamphlet-monger。"
  "Apamphlet-manger!"saidCandide,"whatisthat?"
  "Why,apamphlet-manger",repliedtheabbe,"isawriterofpamphlets-afool。"
  Candide,Martin,andtheabbeofPerigordarguedthusonthestaircase,whiletheystoodtoseethepeoplegooutoftheplayhouse。
  "ThoughIamveryanxioustoseeMissCunegondeagain",saidCandide,"yetIhaveagreatinclinationtosupwithMissClairon,forIamreallymuchtakenwithher。"
  Theabbewasnotapersontoshowhisfaceatthislady’shouse,whichwasfrequentedbynonebutthebestcompany。
  "Sheisengagedthisevening",saidhe,"butIwilldomyselfthehonortointroduceyoutoaladyofqualityofmyacquaintance,atwhosehouseyouwillseeasmuchofthemannersofParisasifyouhadlivedhereforfortyyears。"
  Candide,whowasnaturallycurious,sufferedhimselftobeconductedtothislady’shouse,whichwasinthesuburbsofSaint-Honore。
  Thecompanywasengagedatbasser;twelvemelancholypuntersheldeachinhishandasmallpackofcards,thecornersofwhichweredoubleddown,andweresomanyregistersoftheirillfortune。Aprofoundsilencereignedthroughouttheassembly,apalliddreadhadtakenpossessionofthecountenancesofthepunters,andrestlessinquietudestretchedeverymuscleofthefaceofhimwhokeptthebank;andtheladyofthehouse,whowasseatednexttohim,observedwithlynx’seyeseveryplaymade,andnotedthosewhotallied,andmadethemundoubletheircardswithasevereexactness,thoughmixedwithapoliteness,whichshethoughtnecessarynottofrightenawayhercustomers。ThisladyassumedthetitleofMarchionessofParolignac。Herdaughter,agirlofaboutfifteenyearsofage,wasoneofthepunters,andtookcaretogivehermammaahint,bysigns,whenanyoneoftheplayersattemptedtorepairtherigoroftheirillfortunebyalittleinnocentdeception。
  ThecompanywerethusoccupiedwhenCandide,Martin,andtheabbemadetheirentrance;notacreaturerosetosalutethem,orindeedtooktheleastnoticeofthem,beingwhollyintentuponthebusinessathand。
  "Ah!"saidCandide,"MyLadyBaronessofThunder-ten-tronckhwouldhavebehavedmorecivilly。"
  However,theabbewhisperedintheearoftheMarchioness,whohalfraisingherselffromherseat,honoredCandidewithagracioussmile,andgaveMartinanodofherhead,withanairofinexpressibledignity。ShethenorderedaseatforCandide,anddesiredhimtomakeoneoftheirpartyatplay;hedidso,andinafewdealslostnearathousandpieces;afterwhichtheysuppedveryelegantly,andeveryonewassurprisedatseeingCandidelosesomuchmoneywithoutappearingtobetheleastdisturbedatit。Theservantsinwaitingsaidtoeachother,"ThisiscertainlysomeEnglishlord。"
  ThesupperwaslikemostothersofitskindinParis。Atfirsteveryonewassilent;thenfollowedafewconfusedmurmurs,andafterwardsseveralinsipidjokespassedandrepassed,withfalsereports,falsereasonings,alittlepolitics,andagreatdealofscandal。Theconversationthenturneduponthenewproductionsinliterature。
  "Pray",saidtheabbe,"goodfolks,haveyouseentheromancewrittenbyacertainGauchat,DoctorofDivinity?"
  "Yes",answeredoneofthecompany,"butIhadnotpatiencetogothroughit。Thetownispesteredwithaswarmofimpertinentproductions,butthisofDr。Gauchat’soutdoesthemall。Inshort,IwassocursedlytiredofreadingthisvilestuffthatIevenresolvedtocomehere,andmakeapartyatbasset。"
  "ButwhatsayyoutothearchdeaconT-’smiscellaneouscollection",saidtheabbe。
  "OhmyGod!"criedtheMarchionessofParolignac,"nevermentionthetediouscreature!Onlythinkwhatpainsheisattotellonethingsthatalltheworldknows;andhowhelaborsanargumentthatishardlyworththeslightestconsideration!howabsurdlyhemakesuseofotherpeople’swit!
  howmiserablyhemangleswhathehaspilferedfromthem!
  Themanmakesmequitesick!Afewpagesofthegoodarchdeaconareenoughinconsciencetosatisfyanyone。"
  Therewasatthetableapersonoflearningandtaste,whosupportedwhattheMarchionesshadadvanced。Theynextbegantotalkoftragedies。Theladydesiredtoknowhowitcameaboutthattherewereseveraltragedies,whichstillcontinuedtobeplayed,thoughtheywouldnotbearreading?Themanoftasteexplainedveryclearlyhowapiecemaybeinsomemannerinterestingwithouthavingagrainofmerit。Heshowed,inafewwords,thatitisnotsufficienttothrowtogetherafewincidentsthataretobemetwithineveryromance,andthattodazzlethespectatorthethoughtsshouldbenew,withoutbeingfarfetched;frequentlysublime,butalwaysnatural;theauthorshouldhaveathoroughknowledgeofthehumanheartandmakeitspeakproperly;heshouldbeacompletepoet,withoutshowinganaffectationofitinanyofthecharactersofhispiece;heshouldbeaperfectmasterofhislanguage,speakitwithallitspurity,andwiththeutmostharmony,andyetsoasnottomakethesenseaslavetotherhyme。
  "Whoever",addedhe,"neglectsanyoneoftheserules,thoughhemaywritetwoorthreetragedieswithtolerablesuccess,willneverbereckonedinthenumberofgoodauthors。Thereareveryfewgoodtragedies;
  someareidylls,inverywell-writtenandharmoniousdialogue;
  andothersachainofpoliticalreasoningsthatsetoneasleep,orelsepompousandhigh-flownamplification,thatdisgustratherthanplease。Othersagainaretheravingsofamadman,inanuncouthstyle,unmeaningflights,orlongapostrophestothedeities,forwantofknowinghowtoaddressmankind;
  inawordacollectionoffalsemaximsanddullcommonplace。"
  Candidelistenedtothisdiscoursewithgreatattention,andconceivedahighopinionofthepersonwhodeliveredit;andastheMarchionesshadtakencaretoplacehimnearherside,hetookthelibertytowhisperhersoftlyintheearandaskwhothispersonwasthatspokesowell。
  "Heisamanofletters",repliedHerLadyship,"whoneverplays,andwhomtheabbebringswithhimtomyhousesometimestospendanevening。Heisagreatjudgeofwriting,especiallyintragedy;hehascomposedonehimself,whichwasdamned,andhaswrittenabookthatwasneverseenoutofhisbookseller’sshop,exceptingonlyonecopy,whichhesentmewithadedication,towhichhehadprefixedmyname。"
  "Ohthegreatman",criedCandide,"heisasecondPangloss。"
  Thenturningtowardshim,"Sir",saidhe,"youaredoubtlessofopinionthateverythingisforthebestinthephysicalandmoralworld,andthatnothingcouldbeotherwisethanitis?"
  "I,sir!"repliedthemanofletters,"Ithinknosuchthing,Iassureyou;Ifindthatallinthisworldissetthewrongenduppermost。
  Nooneknowswhatishisrank,hisoffice,norwhathedoes,norwhatheshoulddo。Withtheexceptionofourevenings,whichwegenerallypasstolerablymerrily,therestofourtimeisspentinidledisputesandquarrels,JansenistsagainstMolinists,theParliamentagainsttheChurch,andonearmedbodyofmenagainstanother;courtieragainstcourtier,husbandagainstwife,andrelationsagainstrelations。Inshort,thisworldisnothingbutonecontinuedsceneofcivilwar。"
  "Yes",saidCandide,"andIhaveseenworsethanallthat;
  andyetalearnedman,whohadthemisfortunetobehanged,taughtmethateverythingwasmarvelouslywell,andthattheseevilsyouarespeakingofwereonlysomanyshadesinabeautifulpicture。"
  "Yourhempensage",saidMartin,"laughedatyou;theseshades,asyoucallthem,aremosthorribleblemishes。"
  "Themenmaketheseblemishes",rejoinedCandide,"andtheycannotdootherwise。"
  "Thenitisnottheirfault",addedMartin。
  Thegreatestpartofthegamesters,whodidnotunderstandasyllableofthisdiscourse,amusedthemselveswithdrinking,whileMartinreasonedwiththelearnedgentlemanandCandideentertainedtheladyofthehousewithapartofhisadventures。
  AftersuppertheMarchionessconductedCandideintoherdressingroom,andmadehimsitdownunderacanopy。
  "Well",saidshe,"areyoustillsoviolentlyfondofMissCunegondeofThunder-ten-tronckh?"
  "Yes,madam",repliedCandide。
  TheMarchionesssaidtohimwithatendersmile,"YouanswermelikeayoungmanborninWestphalia;aFrenchmanwouldhavesaid,’Itistrue,madam,IhadagreatpassionforMissCunegonde;butsinceIhaveseenyou,IfearIcannolongerloveherasIdid。’"
  "Alas!madam",repliedCandide,"Iwillmakeyouwhatansweryouplease。"
  "Youfellinlovewithher,Ifind,instoopingtopickupherhandkerchiefwhichshehaddropped;youshallpickupmygarter。"
  "Withallmyheart,madam",saidCandide,andhepickeditup。
  "Butyoumusttieitonagain",saidthelady。
  Candidetieditonagain。
  "Lookye,youngman",saidtheMarchioness,"youareastranger;ImakesomeofmylovershereinParislanguishformeawholefortnight;butI
  surrendertoyouatfirstsight,becauseIamwillingtodothehonorsofmycountrytoayoungWestphalian。"
  Thefaironehavingcasthereyeontwoverylargediamondsthatwereupontheyoungstranger’sfinger,praisedtheminsoearnestamannerthattheywereinaninstanttransferredfromhisfingertohers。
  AsCandidewasgoinghomewiththeabbehefeltsomequalmsofconscienceforhavingbeenguiltyofinfidelitytoMissCunegonde。Theabbetookpartwithhiminhisuneasiness;hehadbutaninconsiderableshareinthethousandpiecesCandidehadlostatplay,andthetwodiamondswhichhadbeeninamannerextortedfromhim;andthereforeveryprudentlydesignedtomakethemosthecouldofhisnewacquaintance,whichchancehadthrowninhisway。HetalkedmuchofMissCunegonde,andCandideassuredhimthathewouldheartilyaskpardonofthatfaironeforhisinfidelitytoher,whenhesawheratVenice。
  TheabberedoubledhiscivilitiesandseemedtointeresthimselfwarmlyineverythingthatCandidesaid,did,orseemedinclinedtodo。
  "Andso,sir,youhaveanengagementatVenice?"
  "Yes,Monsieurl’Abbe",answeredCandide,"ImustabsolutelywaituponMissCunegonde",andthenthepleasurehetookintalkingabouttheobjectheloved,ledhiminsensiblytorelate,accordingtocustom,partofhisadventureswiththatillustriousWestphalianbeauty。
  "Ifancy",saidtheabbe,"MissCunegondehasagreatdealofwit,andthatherlettersmustbeveryentertaining。"
  "Ineverreceivedanyfromher",saidCandide;"foryouaretoconsiderthat,beingexpelledfromthecastleuponheraccount,Icouldnotwritetoher,especiallyassoonaftermydepartureIheardshewasdead;butthankGodIfoundafterwardsshewasliving。Ileftheragainafterthis,andnowIhavesentamessengertoherneartwothousandleaguesfromhere,andwaithereforhisreturnwithananswerfromher。"
  Theartfulabbeletnotawordofallthisescapehim,thoughheseemedtobemusinguponsomethingelse。Hesoontookhisleaveofthetwoadventurers,afterhavingembracedthemwiththegreatestcordiality。
  Thenextmorning,almostassoonashiseyeswereopen,Candidereceivedthefollowingbillet:
  "MyDearestLover-Ihavebeenillinthiscitytheseeightdays。Ihaveheardofyourarrival,andshouldflytoyourarmswereIabletostir。IwasinformedofyourbeingonthewayhitheratBordeaux,whereIleftthefaithfulCacambo,andtheoldwoman,whowillsoonfollowme。TheGovernorofBuenosAyreshastakeneverythingfrommebutyourheart,whichIstillretain。Cometomeimmediatelyonthereceiptofthis。Yourpresencewilleithergivemenewlife,orkillmewiththepleasure。"
  Atthereceiptofthischarming,thisunexpectedletter,Candidefelttheutmosttransportsofjoy;though,ontheotherhand,theindispositionofhisbelovedMissCunegondeoverwhelmedhimwithgrief。Distractedbetweenthesetwopassionshetookhisgoldandhisdiamonds,andprocuredapersontoconducthimandMartintothehousewhereMissCunegondelodged。Uponenteringtheroomhefelthislimbstremble,hisheartflutter,histonguefalter;heattemptedtoundrawthecurtain,andcalledforalighttothebedside。
  "Lordsir",criedamaidservant,whowaswaitingintheroom,"takecarewhatyoudo,Misscannotbeartheleastlight",andsosayingshepulledthecurtaincloseagain。
  "Cunegonde!mydearcriedCandide,bathedintears,"howdoyoudo?Ifyoucannotbearthelight,speaktomeatleast。"
  "Alas!shecannotspeak",saidthemaid。
  ThesickladythenputaplumphandoutofthebedandCandidefirstbatheditwithtears,thenfilleditwithdiamonds,leavingapurseofgoldupontheeasychair。
  Inthemidstofhistransportscameanofficerintotheroom,followedbytheabbe,andafileofmusketeers。
  "There",saidhe,"arethetwosuspectedforeigners。"Atthesametimeheorderedthemtobeseizedandcarriedtoprison。
  "TravelersarenottreatedinthismannerinthecountryofElDorado",saidCandide。
  "IammoreofaManichaeannowthanever",saidMartin。
  "Butpray,goodsir,whereareyougoingtocarryus?"
  saidCandide。
  "Toadungeon,mydearsir",repliedtheofficer。
  WhenMartinhadalittlerecoveredhimself,soastoformacooljudgmentofwhathadpassed,heplainlyperceivedthatthepersonwhohadactedthepartofMissCunegondewasacheat;thattheabbeofPerigordwasasharperwhohadimposeduponthehonestsimplicityofCandide,andthattheofficerwasaknave,whomtheymighteasilygetridof。
  CandidefollowingtheadviceofhisfriendMartin,andburningwithimpatiencetoseetherealMissCunegonde,ratherthanbeobligedtoappearatacourtofjustice,proposedtotheofficertomakehimapresentofthreesmalldiamonds,eachofthemworththreethousandpistoles。
  "Ah,sir",saidtheunderstrapperofjustice,"hadyoucommitedeversomuchvillainy,thiswouldrenderyouthehonestestmanliving,inmyeyes。
  Threediamondsworththreethousandpistoles!Why,mydearsir,sofarfromcarryingyoutojail,Iwouldlosemylifetoserveyou。Thereareordersforstoppingallstrangers;butleaveittome,IhaveabrotheratDieppe,inNormandy。Imyselfwillconductyouthither,andifyouhaveadiamondlefttogivehimhewilltakeasmuchcareofyouasImyselfshould。"
  "Butwhy",saidCandide,"dotheystopallstrangers?"
  TheabbeofPerigordmadeanswerthatitwasbecauseapoordevilofthecountryofAtrebataheardsomebodytellfoolishstories,andthisinducedhimtocommitaparricide;notsuchaoneasthatinthemonthofMay,1610,butsuchasthatinthemonthofDecemberintheyear1594,andsuchasmanythathavebeenperpetratedinothermonthsandyears,byotherpoordevilswhohadheardfoolishstories。
  Theofficerthenexplainedtothemwhattheabbemeant。
  "Horridmonsters",exclaimedCandide,"isitpossiblethatsuchscenesshouldpassamongapeoplewhoareperpetuallysinginganddancing?Istherenoflyingthisabominablecountryimmediately,thisexecrablekingdomwheremonkeysprovoketigers?Ihaveseenbearsinmycountry,butmenI
  havebeheldnowherebutinElDorado。InthenameofGod,sir",saidhetotheofficer,"domethekindnesstoconductmetoVenice,whereIamtowaitforMissCunegonde。"
  "Really,sir",repliedtheofficer,"IcannotpossiblywaitonyoufartherthanLowerNormandy。"
  Sosaying,heorderedCandide’sironstobestruckoff,acknowledgedhimselfmistaken,andsenthisfollowersabouttheirbusiness,afterwhichheconductedCandideandMartintoDieppe,andleftthemtothecareofhisbrother。
  TherehappenedjustthentobeasmallDutchshipintheharbor。TheNorman,whomtheotherthreediamondshadconvertedintothemostobliging,serviceablebeingthateverbreathed,tookcaretoseeCandideandhisattendantssafeonboardthisvessel,thatwasjustreadytosailforPortsmouthinEngland。ThiswasnotthenearestwaytoVenice,indeed,butCandidethoughthimselfescapedoutofHell,anddidnot,intheleast,doubtbutheshouldquicklyfindanopportunityofresuminghisvoyagetoVenice。
  chapter23CHAPTERXXIII
  CANDIDEANDMARTINTOUCHUPONTHEENGLISH
  COAST。WHATTHEYSEEHERE
  AhPangloss!Pangloss!ahMartin!ahmydearMissCunegonde!
  Whatsortofaworldisthis?"ThusexclaimedCandideassoonashegotonboardtheDutchship。
  "Whysomethingveryfoolish,andveryabominable",saidMartin。
  "YouareacquaintedwithEngland",saidCandide;"aretheyasgreatfoolsinthatcountryasinFrance?"
  "Yes,butinadifferentmanner",answeredMartin。"YouknowthatthesetwonationsareatwaraboutafewacresofbarrenlandintheneighborhoodofCanada,andthattheyhaveexpendedmuchgreatersumsinthecontestthanallCanadaisworth。Tosayexactlywhetherthereareagreaternumberfittobeinhabitantsofamadhouseintheonecountrythantheother,exceedsthelimitsofmyimperfectcapacity;Iknowingeneralthatthepeoplewearegoingtovisitareofaverydarkandgloomydisposition。"
  AstheywerechattingthustogethertheyarrivedatPortsmouth。
  Theshoreoneachsidetheharborwaslinedwithamultitudeofpeople,whoseeyesweresteadfastlyfixedonalustymanwhowaskneelingdownonthedeckofoneofthemen-of-war,withsomethingtiedbeforehiseyes。Oppositetothispersonagestoodfoursoldiers,eachofwhomshotthreebulletsintohisskull,withallthecomposureimaginable;andwhenitwasdone,thewholecompanywentawayperfectlywellsatisfied。
  "Whatthedevilisallthisfor?"saidCandide,"andwhatdemon,orfoeofmankind,lordsitthustyrannicallyovertheworld?"
  Hethenaskedwhowasthatlustymanwhohadbeensentoutoftheworldwithsomuchceremony。Whenhereceivedforanswer,thatitwasanadmiral。
  "Andpraywhydoyouputyouradmiraltodeath?"
  "Becausehedidnotputasufficientnumberofhisfellowcreaturestodeath。
  Youmustknow,hehadanengagementwithaFrenchadmiral,andithasbeenprovedagainsthimthathewasnotnearenoughtohisantagonist。"
  "But",repliedCandide,"theFrenchadmiralmusthavebeenasfarfromhim。"
  "Thereisnodoubtofthat;butinthiscountryitisfoundrequisite,nowandthen,toputanadmiraltodeath,inordertoencouragetheotherstofight。"
  Candidewassoshockedatwhathesawandheard,thathewouldnotsetfootonshore,butmadeabargainwiththeDutchskipper(wereheeventorobhimlikethecaptainofSurinam)tocarryhimdirectlytoVenice。
  Theskipperwasreadyintwodays。TheysailedalongthecoastofFrance,andpassedwithinsightofLisbon,atwhichCandidetrembled。