the more time for
reflection. Nor can we help observing with a smile that all persons
who have good reasons to see us themselves make the necessary
journey after they discover that we remain fixed.

Again, people about us are continually doing this service and that
for some other people--running errands, mending fences, bearing
messages, building, and tearing down; and they all demand equal
service in return. Thus a large part of mankind keeps itself in
constant motion like bubbles of water racing around a pool at the
foot of a water-fall--or like rabbits hurrying into their warrens
and immediately hurrying out again. Whereas, while these antics
amuse and sadden us, we for the most part remain where we are.
Hence our wants are few; they are generally most courteously
supplied without our asking; or, if we happen to be momentarily
forgotten, we can quickly secure anything in the neighbourhood by a
little judicious squalling. Why, then, should we whirl as bubbles
or scurry as rabbits? Our conquering self-possession gives a
masterful charm to life that the victims of perpetual locomotion
never seem to attain.

You have discovered, and my experience confirms yours, that a
perpetual self-consciousness brings most of the misery of the
world. Men see others who are richer than they; or more famous, or
more fortunate--so they think; and they become envious. You have
not reached the period of such empty vanity, and I have long passed
it. Let us, therefore, make our mutual vows not to be disturbed by
the good luck or the good graces of others, but to continue,
instead, to contemplate the contented cat on the rug and the
unenvious sky that hangs over all alike.

This mood will continue to keep our lives simple. Consider our
diet. Could anything be simpler or better? We are not even tempted
by the poisonous victuals wherewith mankind destroys itself. The
very first sound law of life is to look to the belly; for it is
what goes into a man that ruins him. By avoiding murderous food, we
may hope to become centenarians. And why not? The golden streets
will not be torn up and we need be in no indecent haste to travel
even on them. The satisfactions of this life are just beginning for
us; and we shall be wise to endure this world for as long a period
a