there is no place (continued the prefect) where these dissipations, supposed to supply the room of pure pleasure, are more necessary than at babylon; so there is no place where they are more frequent.
the babylonians are known not to be made for much thinking, and, for good reason, it is not desired they should think. a wise policy has always proposed to keep as many employed as possible, and to amuse the rest.
for these last it is, that the arts of amusement are incouraged, that publick 234walks are kept up at a great charge, that spectacles of all kinds are exhibited, and so many places tolerated, where gaming, drinking, and licentiousness serve for food to these heedless men, who, without these avocations, would not fail to disturb the society.
these various avocations fill up the moments of life to such a degree, that there is no time for recollection, and for counting the years that insensibly fly away. a man declines, decays, is bent under the load of years, and he has not once thought of it.
rather let us say, there is no old-age at babylon, for men of this kind: a perpetual youth runs through their life; the same agitations in the heart, the same dullness in the soul, and the 235same void in the mind. youths of twenty-five and of sixty, march with an equal pace to the same end. the desires, eagernesses, sallies, excesses are the same. all forgetful of themselves, still go on; and death alone is capable to stop the career of these decrepid youths.
it is remarkable, that one day, one of those young old men, bethought himself to make reflections. “when a man (said he) is come, like me, to a certain age, he does not fully live, he dies by degrees, and he ought successively to renounce whatever does not suit his state. there are things that become nobody, which however are connived at in youth; but which make an old man ridiculous. what business have i now with this costly 236furniture, these splendid equipages, with this table served with so much profusion? am i excusable for keeping a mistress, whose luxuriousness will not fail to ruin me in the end? does it become me to appear still in those places, where licentiousness carries inconsiderate youth? i will forsake a world for which i am no longer fit, and will embrace that peaceful and retired life to which my declining age invites me. what i shall retrench from my expences, i will give to my nephew, who is coming; into the world, and should set out with some figure. since i am dying by degrees, so by degrees he ought to inherit.”
237this resolution being taken and well taken, a friend of his comes to visit him, sees him thoughtful, asks the reason and learns his design. “what, (says he to him) have you not still spirit enough to withstand reason? she knocks, and it is going to be opened! what do you mean? reason may be of use to a young man, to curb the fury of his passions; but must be fatal to an old one, in totally extinguishing the little relish he has left for pleasures. what a fine sight will it be, to see plutarch’s morals, nicole’s essays, and pascal’s thoughts lodged in thy brain, close by bocace’s novels, la fontaine’s tales, and rousseau’s epigrams! believe me: reason is good only for those, who have cultivated it long ago; heads made 238like ours cannot suit it. our maxims and reason’s are too contradictory; and instead of regulating, it would throw all into disorder and confusion.”
“but (replied our new convert) dost thou know what thou art doing with thy extraordinary eloquence? never was so much reason used to prove, that we must act against reason. come, let us go, my dear marquis, a free supper waits us at the ... where the nymph, thou knowest, will compleat my conviction: from thence we will go to the ball. tomorrow, champagne at your cousin the countess’s, and lansquenet, at our friend the president’s.”
