is seventy-fifth year, cannot really be called
life, but death: but this is a great mistake, as I shall fully
prove; and it is my sincere wish, that all men would endeavour to
attain my old age, in order that they too may enjoy that period of
life, which of all others is the most desirable.

I will therefore give an account of my recreations, and the relish
which I find at this stage of life, in order to convince the public
(which may likewise be done by all those who know me) that the state
I have now attained to is by no means death, but real life; such a
life, as by many is deemed happy, since it abounds with all the
felicity that can be enjoyed in this world. And this testimony
they will give, in the first place, because they see, and not
without the greatest amazement, the good state of health and
spirits I enjoy; how I mount my horse without any assistance, or
advantage of situation; and how I not only ascend a single flight
of stairs, but climb up an hill from bottom to top, afoot, and
with the greatest of ease and unconcern; then how gay, pleasant,
and good-humoured I am; how free from every perturbation of mind,
and every disagreeable thought; in lieu of which, joy and peace
have so firmly fixed their residence in my bosom, as never to
depart from it. Moreover, they know in what manner I pass my
time, so as not to find life a burden; seeing I can contrive to
spend every hour of it with the greatest delight and pleasure,
having frequent opportunities of conversing with many honourable
gentlemen, men valuable for their good sense and manners, their
acquaintance with letters, and every other good quality. Then,
when I cannot enjoy their conversation, I betake myself to the
reading of some good book. When I have read as much as I like,
I write; endeavouring, in this as in everything else, to be of
service to others, to the utmost of my power. And all these
things I do with the greatest ease to myself, at their proper
seasons, and in my own house; which, besides being situated in
the most beautiful quarter of this noble and learned city of
Padua, is, in itself, really convenient and handsome, such, in a
word, as it is no longer the fashion to build; for, in one part
of it, I can shelter myself from extreme heat; and, in the other,
from extreme cold, having contrived the apartments according to
the rules of architecture, which teach us what is to be observed
in practice. Besides this house, I have my several