The minute and constant watchfulness of Montaigne over his health and over himself might lead one to suspect that excessive fear of death which degenerates into cowardice.  But was it not rather the fear of the operation for the stone, at that time really formidable?  Or perhaps he was of the same way of thinking with the Greek poet, of whom Cicero reports this saying:  “I do not desire to die; but the thought of being dead is indifferent to me.”  Let us hear, however, what he says himself on this point very frankly:  “It would be too weak and unmanly on my part if, certain as I am of always finding myself in the position of having to succumb in that way,—­[To the stone or gravel.]—­and death coming nearer and nearer to me, I did not make some effort, before the time came, to bear the trial with fortitude.  For reason prescribes that we should joyfully accept what it may please God to send us.  Therefore the only remedy, the only rule, and the sole doctrine for avoiding the evils by which mankind is surrounded, whatever they are, is to resolve to bear them so far as our nature permits, or to put an end to them courageously and promptly.”

He was still at the waters of La Villa, when, on the 7th September 1581, he learned by letter that he had been elected Mayor of Bordeaux on the 1st August preceding.  This intelligence made him hasten his departure; and from Lucca he proceeded to Rome.  He again made some stay in that city, and he there received the letter of the jurats of Bordeaux, notifying to him officially his election to the Mayoralty, and inviting him to return as speedily as possible.  He left for France, accompanied by young D’Estissac and several other gentlemen, who escorted him a considerable distance; but none went back to France with him, not even his travelling companion.  He passed by Padua, Milan, Mont Cenis, and Chambery; thence he went on to Lyons, and lost no time in repairing to his chateau, after an absence of seventeen months and eight days.

We have just seen that, during his absence in Italy, the author of the Essays was elected mayor of Bordeaux.  “The gentlemen of Bordeaux,” says he, “elected me Mayor of their town while I was at a distance from France, and far from the thought of such a thing.  I excused myself; but they gave to understand that I was wrong in so doing, it being also the command of the king that I should stand.”  This the letter which Henry III. wrote to him on the occasion: 

Monsieur, de Montaigne,—­Inasmuch as I hold in great esteem your fidelity and zealous devotion to my service, it has been a pleasure to me to learn that you have been chosen mayor of my town of Bordeaux.  I have had the agreeable duty of confirming the selection, and I did so the more willingly, seeing that it was made during your distant absence; wherefore it is my desire, and I require and command you expressly that you proceed without delay to enter on the duties to which you have received so legitimate a call.  And so you will act in a manner very agreeable to me, while the contrary will displease me greatly.  Praying God, M. de Montaigne, to have you in his holy keeping.