at a time when we more sensibly feel whatever offends us, as in proportion we become less nice in the pursuit of what pleases us, or are less tender in relation to what affects us. These conveniences, desirable in old Age, ought to be as far remov'd from plenty, that causes perplexity, as from want, which creates anxiety. To explain my thoughts more clearly, I would have in a Convent, a cleanly and well-manag'd frugality; where God should not be look'd upon as a morose Master, who forbids agreeable things, because they are pleasing; but where nothing should please sound minds, but what's just, or entirely innocent.
When Monsieur Fouquet was in prison, the Mareschal de Clerembaut had his head full of these thoughts about Retirement. "How happy might a Man live," said he, "in a Society, where he could divest fortune of that jurisdiction she pretends to have over him! We sacrifice to this fortune, our estates, our repose, our years, perhaps unprofitably; and if we arrive to possess its favours, we purchase the short-liv'd enjoyment, sometimes at the expence of our liberty, and sometimes of our lives. But, suppose all our greatness should continue as long as we liv'd, yet it would at least expire with our selves. And what use of their Grandeur have those great Favourites made, who never beheld the course of their fortune interrupted? Don't they seem to have acquir'd this mighty stock of glory, and to have heap'd these prodigious riches for no other end, than to make themselves more sensible of the torment of being neither able to quit nor keep them?" This was his usual discourse for a whole month we were together; and that agreeable Courtier, whose conversation was the nicest delight his friends enjoy'd, suffer'd himself to
