LETTER XXXIl. 



PALSE GODS. 



When I admire certain flowers produced by bulbs, and 

 when I reflect upon the things which men of all times and all 

 countries have worshipped and still do worship, I really have 

 not the courage to think the Egyptians very unreasonable in 

 their adoration of flowers. 



Here is a god I have just had sent to me ; it is a 

 piece of chipped wood — it is an Indian god. I cannot think 

 it gains much in comparison with a hyacinth or a tulip. 



But without speaking of wooden gods or stone gods, with- 

 out speaking of amulets worn to avert destinies, and a thou- 

 sand similar childish superstitions, don't we see all the world 

 worshipping money? And let it not be objected, that it is 

 not money that is worshipped, but the pleasures of which it 

 is the representative ; all that can be procured in exchange 

 for it. I answer, that there is nobody who is not acquainted 



