some old field-marshal bedridden, who hears two grenadier sentinels
at his door call, "Who goes there?" My honour, indeed, was still
greater; for, during my last year's imprisonment, my door was
guarded by no less than four. My vanity also might have been
flattered: I might hence conclude how high was the value set upon
my head, since all this trouble was taken to hold me in security.
Certain it is that in my chains I thought more rationally, more
nobly, reasoned more philosophically on man, his nature, his zeal,
his imaginary wants, the effects of his ambition, his passions, and
saw more distinctly his dream of earthly good, than those who had
imprisoned, or those who guarded me. I was void of the fears that
haunt the parasite who servilely wears the fetters of a court, and
daily trembles for the loss of what vice and cunning have acquired.
Those who had usurped the Sclavonian estates, and feasted
sumptuously from the service of plate I had been robbed of, never
ate their dainties with so sweet an appetite as I my ammunition
bread, nor did their high-flavoured wines flow so limpid as my cold
water.

Thus, the man who thinks, being pure of heart, will find consolation
when under the most dreadful calamities, convinced, as he must be,
that those apparently most are frequently least happy, insensible as
they are of the pleasures they might enjoy. Evil is never so great
as it appears.


"Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head."
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