Ixxvi 



•APVER.T1SEMENÎ. 



It was not my intention, then, to exalt myfelf on 

 the ruins of any one. I do not \vi(h to rear my 

 own pedeftal. A graffy turf is elevation fufficient 

 to him who afpires no longer after any thing but 

 repofe. Did I poflfefs the courage to prefent, my- 

 felf, the Hiftory of the weaknefs of my own mind, 

 rt would awaken the compaffion of thofe whofe 

 envy I may have perhaps provoked. Of how many 

 errors, from infancy upward, have I been the dupe f 

 By how many falfe perceptions, ill-founded con- 

 tempts, miftaken eftimations, treacherous friend- 

 fliips, have I praftifed illufion upon myfelf! Thofe 

 prejudices were not adopted by me on the faith of 

 another only, but on my own. It is not my ambi- 

 tion to attradl admirers, but to fecure indulgent 

 friends. I prize much more highly the man who 

 bears with my infirmities, than I do him who exag- 

 gerates my puny virtues. The one fuppo.its me in 

 my weaknefs, and the other fupports himfelf on my 

 ftrength ; the one loves me in my poverty, and the 

 other adheres to me in my pretended affluence. 

 Time was when I fought for friends among the 

 men of the world ; but of thefe I hardly found any 

 except perfonswho expeded from you unbounded 

 complailance ; proteftors, who lie heavy upon you, 

 inftead of fuftaining your weight, and who attempt 

 to cruQi you, if you prefume to aflert your own li- 

 berty. At prefent, I \vi(\\ for no friends but among 



thofe 



