’Yetistheresometasteintheceiling，’saidGlaucus，whowasinamoodtobepleasedwitheverything；pointingtothestarswhichstuddedtheroof。
　　Lepidusshruggedhisshoulders，butwastoolanguidtoreply。
　　Theynowenteredasomewhatspaciouschamber，whichservedforthepurposesoftheapodyterium（thatis，aplacewherethebatherspreparedthemselvesfortheirluxuriousablutions）。Thevaultedceilingwasraisedfromacornice，glowinglycoloredwithmotleyandgrotesquepaintings；theceilingitselfwaspaneledinwhitecompartmentsborderedwithrichcrimson；theunsulliedandshiningfloorwaspavedwithwhitemosaics，andalongthewallswererangedbenchesfortheaccommodationoftheloiterers。ThischamberdidnotpossessthenumerousandspaciouswindowswhichVitruviusattributestohismoremagnificentfrigidarium。ThePompeians，asallthesouthernItalians，werefondofbanishingthelightoftheirsultryskies，andcombinedintheirvoluptuousassociationstheideaofluxurywithdarkness。Twowindowsofglassaloneadmittedthesoftandshadedray；andthecompartmentinwhichoneofthesecasementswasplacedwasadornedwithalargereliefofthedestructionoftheTitans。
　　InthisapartmentFulviusseatedhimselfwithamagisterialair，andhisaudiencegatheringroundhim，encouragedhimtocommencehisrecital。
　　Thepoetdidnotrequiremuchpressing。Hedrewforthfromhisvestarollofpapyrus，andafterhemmingthreetimes，asmuchtocommandsilenceastoclearhisvoice，hebeganthatwonderfulode，ofwhich，tothegreatmortificationoftheauthorofthishistory，nosingleversecanbediscovered。
　　Bytheplauditshereceived，itwasdoubtlessworthyofhisfame；andGlaucuswastheonlylistenerwhodidnotfinditexcelthebestodesofHorace。
　　Thepoemconcluded，thosewhotookonlythecoldbathbegantoundress；theysuspendedtheirgarmentsonhooksfastenedinthewall，andreceiving，accordingtotheircondition，eitherfromtheirownslavesorthoseofthethermae，looserobesinexchange，withdrewintothatgracefulcircularbuildingwhichyetexists，toshametheunlavingposterityofthesouth。
　　Themoreluxuriousdepartedbyanotherdoortothetepidarium，aplacewhichwasheatedtoavoluptuouswarmth，partlybyamovablefireplace，principallybyasuspendedpavement，beneathwhichwasconductedthecaloricofthelaconicum。
　　Herethisportionoftheintendedbathers，afterunrobingthemselves，remainedforsometimeenjoyingtheartificialwarmthoftheluxuriousair。
　　Andthisroom，asbefitteditsimportantrankinthelongprocessofablution，wasmorerichlyandelaboratelydecoratedthantherest；thearchedroofwasbeautifullycarvedandpainted；thewindowsabove，ofgroundglass，admittedbutwanderinganduncertainrays；belowthemassivecorniceswererowsoffiguresinmassiveandboldrelief；thewallsglowedwithcrimson，thepavementwasskillfullytessellatedinwhitemosaics。Herethehabituatedbathers，menwhobathedseventimesaday，wouldremaininastateofenervateandspeechlesslassitude，eitherbeforeor（mostly）afterthewater—bath；andmanyofthesevictimsofthepursuitofhealthturnedtheirlistlesseyesonthenewcomers，recognizingtheirfriendswithanod，butdreadingthefatigueofconversation。
　　>Fromthisplacethepartyagaindiverged，accordingtotheirseveralfancies，sometothesudatorium，whichansweredthepurposeofourvapor—baths，andthencetothewarm—bathitself；thosemoreaccustomedtoexercise，andcapableofdispensingwithsocheapapurchaseoffatigue，resortedatoncetothecalidarium，orwater—bath。
　　Inordertocompletethissketch，andgivetothereaderanadequatenotionofthis，themainluxuryoftheancients，wewillaccompanyLepidus，whoregularlyunderwentthewholeprocess，saveonlythecoldbath，whichhadgonelatelyoutoffashion。Beingthengraduallywarmedinthetepidarium，whichhasjustbeendescribed，thedelicatestepsofthePompeianelegantwereconductedtothesudatorium。Hereletthereaderdepicttohimselfthegradualprocessofthevapor—bath，accompaniedbyanexhalationofspicyperfumes。Afterourbatherhadundergonethisoperation，hewasseizedbyhisslaves，whoalwaysawaitedhimatthebaths，andthedewsofheatwereremovedbyakindofscraper，which（bytheway）amoderntravelerhasgravelydeclaredtobeusedonlytoremovethedirt，notoneparticleofwhichcouldeversettleonthepolishedskinofthepractisedbather。
　　Thence，somewhatcooled，hepassedintothewater—bath，overwhichfreshperfumeswereprofuselyscattered，andonemergingfromtheoppositepartoftheroom，acoolingshowerplayedoverhisheadandform。Thenwrappinghimselfinalightrobe，hereturnedoncemoretothetepidarium，wherehefoundGlaucus，whohadnotencounteredthesudatorium；andnow，themaindelightandextravaganceofthebathcommenced。Theirslavesanointedthebathersfromvialsofgold，ofalabaster，orofcrystal，studdedwithprofusestgems，andcontainingtherarestunguentsgatheredfromallquartersoftheworld。Thenumberofthesesmegmatausedbythewealthywouldfillamodernvolume——especiallyifthevolumewereprintedbyafashionablepublisher；Amaracinum，Megalium，Nardum——omnequodexitinum——whilesoftmusicplayedinanadjacentchamber，andsuchasusedthebathinmoderation，refreshedandrestoredbythegratefulceremony，conversedwithallthezestandfreshnessofrejuvenatedlife。
　　’Blessedbehewhoinventedbaths！’saidGlaucus，stretchinghimselfalongoneofthosebronzeseats（thencoveredwithsoftcushions）whichthevisitortoPompeiiseesatthisdayinthatsametepidarium。’WhetherhewereHerculesorBacchus，hedeserveddeification。’
　　’Buttellme，’saidacorpulentcitizen，whowasgroaningandwheezingundertheoperationofbeingrubbeddown，’tellme，OGlaucus！——evilchancetothyhands，Oslave！whysorough？——tellme——ugh——ugh！——arethebathsatRomereallysomagnificent？’Glaucusturned，andrecognizedDiomed，thoughnotwithoutsomedifficulty，soredandsoinflamedwerethegoodman’scheeksbythesudatoryandthescrapinghehadsolatelyundergone。’Ifancytheymustbeagreatdealfinerthanthese。Eh？’Suppressingasmile，Glaucusreplied：
　　’ImagineallPompeiiconvertedintobaths，andyouwillthenformanotionofthesizeoftheimperialthermaeofRome。Butanotionofthesizeonly。
　　Imagineeveryentertainmentformindandbody——enumerateallthegymnasticgamesourfathersinvented——repeatallthebooksItalyandGreecehaveproduced——supposeplacesforallthesegames，admirersforalltheseworks——addtothis，bathsofthevastestsize，themostcomplicatedconstruction——interspersethewholewithgardens，withtheatres，withporticoes，withschools——suppose，inoneword，acityofthegods，composedbutofpalacesandpublicedifices，andyoumayformsomefaintideaofthegloriesofthegreatbathsofRome。’
　　’ByHercules！’saidDiomed，openinghiseyes，’why，itwouldtakeaman’swholelifetobathe！’
　　’AtRome，itoftendoesso，’repliedGlaucus，gravely。’Therearemanywholiveonlyatthebaths。Theyrepairtherethefirsthourinwhichthedoorsareopened，andremaintillthatinwhichthedoorsareclosed。TheyseemasiftheyknewnothingoftherestofRome，asiftheydespisedallotherexistence。’
　　’ByPollux！youamazeme。’
　　’Eventhosewhobatheonlythriceadaycontrivetoconsumetheirlivesinthisoccupation。Theytaketheirexerciseinthetennis—courtortheporticoes，topreparethemforthefirstbath；theyloungeintothetheatre，torefreshthemselvesafterit。Theytaketheirprandiumunderthetrees，andthinkovertheirsecondbath。Bythetimeitisprepared，theprandiumisdigested。Fromthesecondbaththeystrollintooneoftheperistyles，tohearsomenewpoetrecite：orintothelibrary，tosleepoveranoldone。
　　Thencomesthesupper，whichtheystillconsiderbutapartofthebath：andthenathirdtimetheybatheagain，asthebestplacetoconversewiththeirfriends。’
　　’PerHercle！butwehavetheirimitatorsatPompeii。’
　　’Yes，andwithouttheirexcuse。ThemagnificentvoluptuariesoftheRomanbathsarehappy：theyseenothingbutgorgeousnessandsplendor；theyvisitnotthesqualidpartsofthecity；theyknownotthatthereispovertyintheworld。AllNaturesmilesforthem，andheronlyfrownisthelastonewhichsendsthemtobatheinCocytus。Believeme，theyareyouronlytruephilosophers。’
　　WhileGlaucuswasthusconversing，Lepidus，withclosedeyesandscarceperceptiblebreath，wasundergoingallthemysticoperations，notoneofwhichheeversufferedhisattendantstoomit。Aftertheperfumesandtheunguents，theyscatteredoverhimtheluxuriouspowderwhichpreventedanyfurtheraccessionofheat：andthisbeingrubbedawaybythesmoothsurfaceofthepumice，hebegantoindue，notthegarmentshehadputoff，butthosemorefestiveonestermed’thesynthesis’，withwhichtheRomansmarkedtheirrespectforthecomingceremonyofsupper，ifrather，fromitshour（threeo’clockinourmeasurementoftime），itmightnotbemorefitlydenominateddinner。Thisdone，heatlengthopenedhiseyesandgavesignsofreturninglife。
　　Atthesametime，too，Sallustbetokenedbyalongyawntheevidenceofexistence。
　　’Itissuppertime，’saidtheepicure；’you，GlaucusandLepidus，comeandsupwithme。’
　　’Recollectyouareallthreeengagedtomyhousenextweek，’criedDiomed，whowasmightilyproudoftheacquaintanceofmenoffashion。
　　’Ah，ah！werecollect，’saidSallust；’theseatofmemory，myDiomed，iscertainlyinthestomach。’
　　Passingnowonceagainintothecoolerair，andsointothestreet，ourgallantsofthatdayconcludedtheceremonyofaPompeianbath。
　　ChapterVIII
　　ARBACESCOGSHISDICEWITHPLEASUREANDWINSTHEGAME。
　　THEeveningdarkenedovertherestlesscityasApaecidestookhiswaytothehouseoftheEgyptian。Heavoidedthemorelightedandpopulousstreets；
　　andashestrodeonwardwithhisheadburiedinhisbosom，andhisarmsfoldedwithinhisrobe，therewassomethingstartlinginthecontrast，whichhissolemnmienandwastedformpresentedtothethoughtlessbrowsandanimatedairofthosewhooccasionallycrossedhispath。
　　Atlength，however，amanofamoresoberandstaiddemeanor，andwhohadtwicepassedhimwithacuriousbutdoubtinglook，touchedhimontheshoulder。
　　’Apaecides！’saidhe，andhemadearapidsignwithhishands：itwasthesignofthecross。
　　’Well，Nazarene，’repliedthepriest，andhisfacegrewpaler；’whatwouldstthou？’
　　’Nay，’returnedthestranger，’Iwouldnotinterruptthymeditations；butthelasttimewemet，Iseemednottobesounwelcome。’
　　’Youarenotunwelcome，Olinthus；butIamsadandweary：noramIablethiseveningtodiscusswithyouthosethemeswhicharemostacceptabletoyou。’
　　’Obackwardofheart！’saidOlinthus，withbitterfervor；andartthousadandweary，andwiltthouturnfromtheveryspringsthatrefreshandheal？’
　　’Oearth！’criedtheyoungpriest，strikinghisbreastpassionately，’fromwhatregionsshallmyeyesopentothetrueOlympus，wherethygodsreallydwell？AmItobelievewiththisman，thatnonewhomforsomanycenturiesmyfathersworshippedhaveabeingoraname？AmItobreakdown，assomethingblasphemousandprofane，theveryaltarswhichIhavedeemedmostsacred？oramItothinkwithArbaces——what？’Hepaused，andstroderapidlyawayintheimpatienceofamanwhostrivestogetridofhimself。ButtheNazarenewasoneofthosehardy，vigorous，andenthusiasticmen，bywhomGodinalltimeshasworkedtherevolutionsofearth，andthose，aboveall，intheestablishmentandinthereformationofHisownreligion——menwhowereformedtoconvert，becauseformedtoendure。Itismenofthismouldwhomnothingdiscourages，nothingdismays；inthefervorofbelieftheyareinspiredandtheyinspire。Theirreasonfirstkindlestheirpassion，butthepassionistheinstrumenttheyuse；theyforcethemselvesintomen’shearts，whiletheyappearonlytoappealtotheirjudgment。Nothingissocontagiousasenthusiasm；itistherealallegoryofthetaleofOrpheus——itmovesstones，itcharmsbrutes。Enthusiasmisthegeniusofsincerity，andtruthaccomplishesnovictorieswithoutit。
　　OlinthusdidnotthensufferApaecidesthuseasilytoescapehim。Heovertookandaddressedhimthus：
　　’Idonotwonder，Apaecides，thatIdistressyou；thatIshakealltheelementsofyourmind：thatyouarelostindoubt；thatyoudrifthereandthereinthevastoceanofuncertainandbenightedthought。Iwondernotatthis，butbearwithmealittle；watchandpray——thedarknessshallvanish，thestormsleep，andGodHimself，asHecameofyoreontheseasofSamaria，shallwalkoverthelulledbillows，tothedeliveryofyoursoul。Oursisareligionjealousinitsdemands，buthowinfinitelyprodigalinitsgifts！
　　Ittroublesyouforanhour，itrepaysyoubyimmortality。’
　　’Suchpromises，’saidApaecides，sullenly，’arethetricksbywhichmanisevergulled。Oh，gloriouswerethepromiseswhichledmetotheshrineofIsis！’
　　’But，’answeredtheNazarene，’askthyreason，canthatreligionbesoundwhichoutragesallmorality？Youaretoldtoworshipyourgods。Whatarethosegods，evenaccordingtoyourselves？Whattheiractions，whattheirattributes？Aretheynotallrepresentedtoyouastheblackestofcriminals？yetyouareaskedtoservethemastheholiestofdivinities。
　　Jupiterhimselfisaparricideandanadulterer。Whatarethemeanerdeitiesbutimitatorsofhisvices？Youaretoldnottomurder，butyouworshipmurderers；youaretoldnottocommitadultery，andyoumakeyourprayerstoanadulterer！Oh！whatisthisbutamockeryoftheholiestpartofman’snature，whichisfaith？TurnnowtotheGod，theone，thetrueGod，towhoseshrineIwouldleadyou。IfHeseemtoyoutoosublime，twoshadowy，forthosehumanassociations，thosetouchingconnectionsbetweenCreatorandcreature，towhichtheweakheartclings——contemplateHiminHisSon，whoputonmortalitylikeourselves。Hismortalityisnotindeeddeclared，likethatofyourfabledgods，bythevicesofournature，butbythepracticeofallitsvirtues。InHimareunitedtheausterestmoralswiththetenderestaffections。IfHewerebutamereman，Hehadbeenworthytobecomeagod。YouhonourSocrates——hehashissect，hisdisciples，hisschools。ButwhatarethedoubtfulvirtuesoftheAthenian，tothebright，theundisputed，theactive，theunceasing，thedevotedholinessofChrist？IspeaktoyounowonlyofHishumancharacter。Hecameinthatasthepatternoffutureages，toshowustheformofvirtuewhichPlatothirstedtoseeembodied。ThiswasthetruesacrificethatHemadeforman；butthehalothatencircledHisdyinghournotonlybrightenedearth，butopenedtousthesightofheaven！Youaretouched——youaremoved。Godworksinyourheart。HisSpiritiswithyou。Come，resistnottheholyimpulse；comeatonce——unhesitatingly。AfewofusarenowassembledtoexpoundthewordofGod。Come，letmeguideyoutothem。Youaresad，youareweary。Listen，then，tothewordsofGod："Cometome"，saithHe，"allyethatareheavyladen，andIwillgiveyourest！"’
　　’Icannotnow，’saidApaecides；’anothertime。’
　　’Now——now！’exclaimedOlinthus，earnestly，andclaspinghimbythearm。
　　ButApaecides，yetunpreparedfortherenunciationofthatfaith——thatlife，forwhichhehadsacrificedsomuch，andstillhauntedbythepromisesoftheEgyptian，extricatedhimselfforciblyfromthegrasp；andfeelinganeffortnecessarytoconquertheirresolutionwhichtheeloquenceoftheChristianhadbeguntoeffectinhisheatedandfeverishmind，hegathereduphisrobesandfledawaywithaspeedthatdefiedpursuit。
　　Breathlessandexhausted，hearrivedatlastinaremoteandsequesteredpartofthecity，andthelonehouseoftheEgyptianstoodbeforehim。Ashepausedtorecoverhimself，themoonemergedfromasilvercloud，andshonefulluponthewallsofthatmysterioushabitation。
　　Nootherhousewasnear——thedarksomevinesclusteredfarandwideinfrontofthebuildingandbehinditroseacopseofloftyforesttrees，sleepinginthemelancholymoonlight；beyondstretchedthedimoutlineofthedistanthills，andamongstthemthequietcrestofVesuvius，notthensoloftyasthetravelerbeholdsitnow。
　　Apaecidespassedthroughthearchingvines，andarrivedatthebroadandspaciousportico。Beforeit，oneithersideofthesteps，reposedtheimageoftheEgyptiansphinx，andthemoonlightgaveanadditionalandyetmoresolemncalmtothoselarge，andharmonious，andpassionlessfeatures，inwhichthesculptorsofthattypeofwisdomunitedsomuchoflovelinesswithawe；halfwayuptheextremitiesofthestepsdarkenedthegreenandmassivefoliageofthealoe，andtheshadowoftheeasternpalmcastitslongandunwavingboughspartiallyoverthemarblesurfaceofthestairs。
　　Somethingtherewasinthestillnessoftheplace，andthestrangeaspectofthesculpturedsphinxes，whichthrilledthebloodofthepriestwithanamelessandghostlyfear，andhelongedevenforanechotohisnoiselessstepsasheascendedtothethreshold。
　　Heknockedatthedoor，overwhichwaswroughtaninscriptionincharactersunfamiliartohiseyes；itopenedwithoutasound，andatallEthiopianslave，withoutquestionorsalutation，motionedtohimtoproceed。
　　Thewidehallwaslightedbyloftycandelabraofelaboratebronze，androundthewallswerewroughtvasthieroglyphics，indarkandsolemncolors，whichcontrastedstrangelywiththebrighthuesandgracefulshapeswithwhichtheinhabitantsofItalydecoratedtheirabodes。Attheextremityofthehall，aslave，whosecountenance，thoughnotAfrican，wasdarkerbymanyshadesthantheusualcolorofthesouth，advancedtomeethim。
　　’IseekArbaces，’saidthepriest；buthisvoicetrembledeveninhisownear。Theslavebowedhisheadinsilence，andleadingApaecidestoawingwithoutthehall，conductedhimupanarrowstaircase，andthentraversingseveralrooms，inwhichthesternandthoughtfulbeautyofthesphinxstillmadethechiefandmostimpressiveobjectofthepriest’snotice，Apaecidesfoundhimselfinadimandhalf—lightedchamber，inthepresenceoftheEgyptian。
　　Arbaceswasseatedbeforeasmalltable，onwhichlayunfoldedseveralscrollsofpapyrus，impressedwiththesamecharacterasthatonthethresholdofthemansion。Asmalltripodstoodatalittledistance，fromtheincenseinwhichthesmokeslowlyrose。Nearthiswasavastglobe，depictingthesignsofheaven；anduponanothertablelayseveralinstruments，ofcuriousandquaintshape，whoseuseswereunknowntoApaecides。Thefartherextremityoftheroomwasconcealedbyacurtain，andtheoblongwindowintheroofadmittedtheraysofthemoon，minglingsadlywiththesinglelampwhichburnedintheapartment。
　　’Seatyourself，Apaecides，’saidtheEgyptian，withoutrising。
　　Theyoungmanobeyed。
　　’Youaskme，’resumedArbaces，afterashortpause，inwhichheseemedabsorbedinthought——’Youaskme，orwoulddoso，themightiestsecretswhichthesoulofmanisfittedtoreceive；itistheenigmaoflifeitselfthatyoudesiremetosolve。Placedlikechildreninthedark，andbutforalittlewhile，inthisdimandconfinedexistence，weshapeourspectresintheobscurity；ourthoughtsnowsinkbackintoourselvesinterror，nowwildlyplungethemselvesintotheguidelessgloom，guessingwhatitmaycontain；stretchingourhelplesshandshereandthere，lest，blindly，westumbleuponsomehiddendanger；notknowingthelimitsofourboundary，nowfeelingthemsuffocateuswithcompression，nowseeingthemextendfarawaytilltheyvanishintoeternity。Inthisstateallwisdomconsistsnecessarilyinthesolutionoftwoquestions："Whatarewetobelieve？andWhatarewetoreject？"Thesequestionsyoudesiremetodecide。’
　　Apaecidesbowedhisheadinassent。
　　’Manmusthavesomebelief，’continuedtheEgyptian，inatoneofsadness。
　　’Hemustfastenhishopetosomething：isourcommonnaturethatyouinheritwhen，aghastandterrifiedtoseethatinwhichyouhavebeentaughttoplaceyourfaithsweptaway，youfloatoveradrearyandshorelessseaofincertitude，youcryforhelp，youaskforsomeplanktoclingto，someland，howeverdimanddistant，toattain。Well，then，havenotforgottenourconversationofto—day？’
　　’Forgotten！’
　　’Iconfessedtoyouthatthosedeitiesforwhomsmokesomanyaltarswerebutinventions。Iconfessedtoyouthatourritesandceremonieswerebutmummeries，todeludeandluretheherdtotheirpropergood。Iexplainedtoyouthatfromthosedelusionscamethebondsofsociety，theharmonyoftheworld，thepowerofthewise；thatpowerisintheobedienceofthevulgar。
　　Continuewethenthesesalutarydelusions——ifmanmusthavesomebelief，continuetohimthatwhichhisfathershavemadedeartohim，andwhichcustomsanctifiesandstrengthens。Inseekingasubtlerfaithforus，whosesensesaretoospiritualforthegrossone，letusleaveothersthatsupportwhichcrumblesfromourselves。Thisiswise——itisbenevolent。’
　　’Proceed。’
　　’Thisbeingsettled，’resumedtheEgyptian，’theoldlandmarksbeingleftuninjuredforthosewhomweareabouttodesert，wegirdupourloinsanddeparttonewclimesoffaith。Dismissatoncefromyourrecollection，fromyourthought，allthatyouhavebelievedbefore。Supposethemindablank，anunwrittenscroll，fittoreceiveimpressionsforthefirsttime。Lookroundtheworld——observeitsorder——itsregularity——itsdesign。Somethingmusthavecreatedit——thedesignspeaksadesigner：inthatcertaintywefirsttouchland。Butwhatisthatsomething？——Agod，youcry。Stay——noconfusedandconfusingnames。Ofthatwhichcreatedtheworld，weknow，wecanknow，nothing，savetheseattributes——powerandunvaryingregularity——stern，crushing，relentlessregularity——heedingnoindividualcases——rolling——sweeping——burningon；nomatterwhatscatteredhearts，severedfromthegeneralmass，fallgroundandscorchedbeneathitswheels。
　　Themixtureofevilwithgood——theexistenceofsufferingandofcrime——inalltimeshaveperplexedthewise。Theycreatedagod——theysupposedhimbenevolent。Howthencamethisevil？whydidhepermitit——nay，whyinvent，whyperpetuateit？Toaccountforthis，thePersiancreatesasecondspirit，whosenatureisevil，andsupposesacontinualwarbetweenthatandthegodofgood。InourownshadowyandtremendousTyphon，theEgyptiansimageasimilardemon。Perplexingblunderthatyetmorebewildersus！——follythatarosefromthevaindelusionthatmakesapalpable，acorporeal，ahumanbeing，ofthisunknownpower——thatclothestheInvisiblewithattributesandanaturesimilartotheSeen。No：tothisdesignerletusgiveanamethatdoesnotcommandourbewilderingassociations，andthemysterybecomesmoreclear——thatnameisNECESSITY。Necessity，saytheGreeks，compelsthegods。Thenwhythegods？——theiragencybecomesunnecessary——dismissthematonce。Necessityistherulerofallwesee——power，regularity——thesetwoqualitiesmakeitsnature。Wouldyouaskmore？——youcanlearnnothing：whetheritbeeternal——whetheritcompelus，itscreatures，tonewcareersafterthatdarknesswhichwecalldeath——wecannottell。Thereleavewethisancient，unseen，unfathomablepower，andcometothatwhich，tooureyes，isthegreatministerofitsfunctions。
　　Thiswecantaskmore，fromthiswecanlearnmore：itsevidenceisaroundus——itsnameisNATURE。Theerrorofthesageshasbeentodirecttheirresearchestotheattributesofnecessity，whereallisgloomandblindness。
　　HadtheyconfinedtheirresearchestoNature——whatofknowledgemightwenotalreadyhaveachieved？Herepatience，examination，areneverdirectedinvain。Weseewhatweexplore；ourmindsascendapalpableladderofcausesandeffects。Natureisthegreatagentoftheexternaluniverse，andNecessityimposesuponitthelawsbywhichitacts，andimpartstousthepowersbywhichweexamine；thosepowersarecuriosityandmemory——theirunionisreason，theirperfectioniswisdom。Well，then，IexaminebythehelpofthesepowersthisinexhaustibleNature。Iexaminetheearth，theair，theocean，theheaven：Ifindthatallhaveamysticsympathywitheachother——thatthemoonswaysthetides——thattheairmaintainstheearth，andisthemediumofthelifeandsenseofthings——thatbytheknowledgeofthestarswemeasurethelimitsoftheearth——thatweportionouttheepochsoftime——thatbytheirpalelightweareguidedintotheabyssofthepast——thatintheirsolemnlorewediscernthedestiniesofthefuture。Andthus，whileweknownotthatwhichNecessityis，welearn，atleast，herdecrees。Andnow，whatmoralitydowegleanfromthisreligion？——forreligionitis。Ibelieveintwodeities——NatureandNecessity；Iworshipthelastbyreverence，thefirstbyinvestigation。Whatisthemoralitymyreligionteaches？This——allthingsaresubjectbuttogeneralrules；thesunshinesforthejoyofthemany——itmaybringsorrowtothefew；thenightshedssleeponthemultitude——butitharborsmurderaswellasrest；
　　theforestsadorntheearth——butsheltertheserpentandthelion；theoceansupportsathousandbarks——butitengulfstheone。Itisonlythusforthegeneral，andnotfortheuniversalbenefit，thatNatureacts，andNecessityspeedsonherawfulcourse。Thisisthemoralityofthedreadagentsoftheworld——itismine，whoamtheircreature。Iwouldpreservethedelusionsofpriestcraft，fortheyareserviceabletothemultitude；IwouldimparttomantheartsIdiscover，thesciencesIperfect；Iwouldspeedthevastcareerofcivilizinglore：inthisIservethemass，Ifulfillthegenerallaw，IexecutethegreatmoralthatNaturepreaches。FormyselfIclaimtheindividualexception；Iclaimitforthewise——satisfiedthatmyindividualactionsarenothinginthegreatbalanceofgoodandevil；satisfiedthattheproductofmyknowledgecangivegreaterblessingstothemassthanmydesirescanoperateevilonthefew（forthefirstcanextendtoremotestregionsandhumanizenationsyetunborn），Igivetotheworldwisdom，tomyselffreedom。Ienlightenthelivesofothers，andIenjoymyown。Yes；
　　ourwisdomiseternal，butourlifeisshort：makethemostofitwhileitlasts。Surrenderthyyouthtopleasure，andthysensestodelight。Sooncomesthehourwhenthewine—cupisshattered，andthegarlandsshallceasetobloom。Enjoywhileyoumay。Bestill，OApaecides，mypupilandmyfollower！IwillteachtheethemechanismofNature，herdarkestandherwildestsecrets——thelorewhichfoolscallmagic——andthemightymysteriesofthestars。Bythisshaltthoudischargethydutytothemass；bythisshaltthouenlightenthyrace。ButIwillleadtheealsotopleasuresofwhichthevulgardonotdream；andthedaywhichthougivesttomenshallbefollowedbythesweetnightwhichthousurrenderesttothyself。’