the end of my rod by chance fell upon an assembly, where they were talking of happiness. each declared his opinion as follows:

“at length (says one) this superb colonnade is laid open; they think of removing those pitiful little houses which darken that grand and beautiful front; they repent of having built under ground to adorn a place; taste is reviving; the arts are going to flourish: very shortly babylon will proclaim the magnificence of the monarch and the happiness of the people.... it is a great question 47whether colonnades, fine squares, and large cities, will make a nation happy: they must be enriched. industry must be excited, agriculture incouraged, manufactures increased, and trade made to flourish: without which, all the rest is nothing.... nonsense! i have said it, and i say it again: if we will be happy, our manners must be more simple; the circle of our wants contracted; and, in a country-life, we must withdraw from the vices which attend the luxury of cities.... i do not know wherein consists the happiness of nations; but i think the happiness of individuals consists in the health of the body and peace of the mind.... assuredly not. health causes no lively impression, and tranquility is tiresome. to be happy, you must enjoy a great 48reputation; for, at every instant, your ear will be tickled with encomiums.... yes! and at every instant your ear will be grated with censures, because there is no pleasing every body. it is my opinion, every man is happy in proportion to his authority and power: for one can gratify oneself in the same proportion.... yes! but then that eagerness will be wanting which stamps a value upon things: if all was in our power, we should care for nothing. for my part, i am of opinion, that to be happy we must despise all things; that is the only way to avoid all kind of vexation and trouble whatsoever.... and i think, we should concern ourselves with every thing: by that means we shall partake of every occasion of joy.... now i think we should be indifferent to every 49thing: as the means of enjoying an unchangeable happiness.... i take wisdom to be the thing, for that alone will set us above all events.... and i say, it must be folly: for folly creates her own happiness, independently of any thing cross or disagreeable about her.... you are all of you in the wrong. nothing general can be assigned that may be productive of the happiness of particular persons. so many men, so many minds: this desires one kind of happiness, and that another: one wishes for riches, another is content with necessaries; this would love and be loved; that considers the passions as the bane of the soul. every one must study himself and follow his own inclination.... not at all; and you are as much mistaken as the rest. in vain do i persuade 50myself that i should be happy, if i possessed such a thing; the moment i have it, i find it insufficient, and wish for another. we desire without end; and never enjoy. a certain man was continually travelling about, and always on foot: quite tired out, he said: if i had a horse i should be contented. he had a horse; but the rain, the cold, the sun were still troublesome to him. a horse (says he) is not sufficient; a chariot only can screen me from the inclemencies of the air. his fortune increased, and a chariot was bought. what followed? exercise till then had kept our traveller in health: as soon as that ceased, he grew infirm and gouty, and presently after, it was not possible for him to travel either on foot or on horseback or in a chariot.”