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 sanguine, democrats, the nervous, aristocrats.  You are both sanguine and nervous, an excellent constitution, for it gives you a choice.  You may, for example, be an aristocrat in regard to yourself personally, and, at the same time, a democrat in relation to others; and in that you will not be exceptional.

“Make yourself master of every question likely to interest your contemporaries, but do not become absorbed in any yourself.  In reality, all principles are indifferent—­true or false according to the hour and circumstance.  Ideas are mere instruments with which you should learn to play seasonably, so as to sway men.  In that path, likewise, you will have associates.

   “Know, my son, that having attained my age, weary of all else, you
   will have need of strong sensations.  The sanguinary diversions of
   revolution will then be for you the same as a love-affair at twenty.