moral God-witness, sanction, and judge,—­is virtually extinct; and yet hardly a word is said, or a line written, or a gesture made, in public or private life, which does not ever affirm that chimera.  This may have its uses perchance, but it is nevertheless despicable.  Slip forth from the common herd, my son, think for yourself, and write your own catechism upon a virgin page.

“As for myself, my life has been a failure, because I was born many years too soon.  As yet the earth and the heavens were heaped up and cumbered with ruins, and people did not see.  Science, moreover, was relatively still in its infancy.  And, besides, I retained the prejudices and the repugnance to the doctrines of the new world that belonged to my name.  I was unable to comprehend that there was anything better to be done than childishly to pout at the conqueror; that is, I could not recognize that his weapons were good, and that I should seize and destroy him with them.  In short, for want of a definite principle of action I have drifted at random, my life without plan—­I have been a mere trivial man of pleasure.

   “Your life shall be more complete, if you will only follow my
   advice.

   “What, indeed, may not a man of this age become if he have the good
   sense and energy to conform his life rigidly to his belief!

“I merely state the question, you must solve it; I can leave you only some cursory ideas, which I am satisfied are just, and upon which you may meditate at your leisure.  Only for fools or the weak does materialism become a debasing dogma; assuredly, in its code there are none of those precepts of ordinary morals which our fathers entitled virtue; but I do find there a grand word which may well counterbalance many others, that is to say, Honor, self-esteem!  Unquestionably a materialist may not be a saint; but he can be a gentleman, which is something.  You have happy gifts, my son, and I know of but one duty that you have in the world—­that of developing those gifts to the utmost, and through them to enjoy life unsparingly.  Therefore, without scruple, use woman for your pleasure, man for your advancement; but under no circumstances do anything ignoble.

“In order that ennui shall not drive you, like myself, prematurely from the world so soon as the season for pleasure shall have ended, you should leave the emotions of ambition and of public life for the gratification of your riper age.  Do not enter into any engagements with the reigning government, and reserve for yourself to hear its eulogium made by those who will have subverted it.  That is the French fashion.  Each generation must have its own prey.  You will soon feel the impulse of the coming generation.  Prepare yourself, from afar, to take the lead in it.

“In politics, my son, you are not ignorant that we all take our principles from our temperament.  The bilious are demagogues, the