1793. on Eptcuruse “259 
infinite and intelligent spirit, whose nature and pro- 
pensity it was, and is, and ever will be, to connect 
wisdom and happinefs with order, and to blefs and 
make happy continually in the order of wisdom and 
conformity to universal nature. All these speculae 
tions are to me now as the playful mimickries of - 
children, or the wandering dreams of the contem- 
plative Hermit. But heaven has not deceived us. 
‘Truth and reason with us are purged of doubt and 
error, but are the same in substance as when they 
were dimly seen, through the grofser medium of ters 
restrial organs. 
I lived and [ taught in a garden, not that I might 
pafs my days in indolence and pleasure, but that I 
might habituate myself, and my disciples to the lef- 
sons and admonitions of nature, and live ivochnie J 
on her simplest productions. 
I did not abstain from the use of animal food, like 
the superstitious Indians, or the self macerating 
disciples of Zeno 3 or from blood, like the Egyptians 
who, fond of flefh, made a compromise with the fool- 
ifh superstition of the Indians; but I lived upon 
cakes made of maize, and drank from the living 
fountain, improving and enjoying without intem- 
perance all the cultivated fruits of the earth, and 
using wine only in the feasts of friendfhip and com- 
memoration of the illustrious dead. ‘* Occupavimus te 
Fortuna atque cepimus, omnets aditus tuos intercludere, 
conavimus, ut ad nos adspirare non pofses.”™ 1 taught 
that the desire of, pleasure or happinefs wes the 
* Tusc. quest 5. 
