foolish things through accident and infirmity is a common evil; but to put out such things with settled purpose, is intolerable, and that they should be such as EDITORIAL NOTICE. WE have collected in one chapter, under the title of "Amusement," various fragments dispersed throughout the autograph MS., and all of them having the same title prefixed. The larger number have been published in the successive editions of the "Pensées" under the title, "Misery of Man;" but with considerable alterations and interpolations, which are now rectified. An instance of this is furnished in the three first paragraphs which commenced the chapter on the "Misery of Man," in these editions, which are not to be found at all in the MS., or copies; besides that they are wholly unlike the style of Pascal. The fragments on "Amusement," and some others connected with them, although they bear titles in the MS. somewhat different, were evidently intended to form portions of the first part of the Apology for Christianity, which proposed to treat of the Knowledge of Man. What, in fact, could better instruct us in the misery of his condition by nature, than this exhibition-so profoundly true, notwithstanding some exaggeration of colouring-of the need which all men experience of some species of diversion, in order to prevent their thoughts from settling too much upon themselves? We have placed this chapter first, because it refers to the condition of humanity under its most general aspect. In those which follow, the subject is no longer man in a state of misery merely, as regards his humanity; but man's reason, considered in its relations, on the one side with the sources of error with which he has to contend, and, on the other, with those necessary limits which bound his capacity of comprehension and knowledge. (French Editor.) AMUSEMENT. Amusement. I. WE burden men from infancy with the care of their honour, their property, their friends; and even with that of their friends' property and honour also. They are oppressed with business, and forced to drudge in languages and science; and are taught to believe that they can enjoy no happiness, unless their health, their honour, their fortune, and that of their friends also,—are in a prosperous condition; and that the failure of any one of these things will impair their comfort. Thus they are brimful of occupation, and impelled to incessant labour, from morning to night. This is a strange way, you will say, of securing their happiness! What more could be done to render men unhappy? What could be done? say you. You have but to take from them all these cares; for then they would be obliged to look into themselves : then they would have to consider what they are, whence they came, whither they are going; and therefore it is, that they cannot have too much occupation and distraction of mind. And it is for this reason also, that, after providing these multifarious engagements, if any leisure is yet left for relaxation, men are recommended to employ it in games and amusements; and thus to have their whole time completely filled up and absorbed.* + Amusement. II. When I have set myself sometimes to ruminate upon the various agitations in which men pass their lives, and the perils and toils to which they expose themselves, in courts or in war; whence arise so many conflicts, such clash of passions, such daring and often criminal enterprises; I have said to myself that all the misery of man springs from one source alone, which is, that he cannot endure to sit tranquilly at home, and be at rest. A man, having a sufficiency for his maintenance, if he could thus remain in quiet, would not go abroad, for adventures upon the ocean or the beleaguered field. + One person would not pay so high a price for a post in the army, were it not that he finds it insupportable to abide in his native town; and others would not seek the excitement of conversation, or play, but that they cannot remain without weariness in their own homes. But when I pondered more deeply upon the matter, and, after observing the more obvious causes, endeavoured to discover the deeper reasons of these disquietudes among men, I found one paramount over all,-namely, the evil inseparable from our natural and mortal condition; which, when maturely considered, it will be found that nothing can effectually remedy. Let us imagine to ourselves whatever state of life we may: collect around it all the advantages that can attach In the margin, "Que le cœur de l'homme est creux et plein d'ordure." |