The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — CompleteRousseau, Jean-Jacques
Philosophy
The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — Complete
Rousseau, Jean-Jacques
Authors, French -- 18th century -- Biography; Rousseau, Jean-Jacques, 1712-1778
I was convinced that the physicians (who understood nothing of
my disorder) looked on my complaint as imaginary, and treated me
accordingly, with their waters and whey. In this respect physicians and
philosophers differ widely from theologians; admitting the truth only
of what they can explain, and making their knowledge the measure
of possibilities. These gentlemen understood nothing of my illness,
therefore concluded I could not be ill; and who would presume to doubt
the profound skill of a physician? I plainly saw they only meant to
amuse, and make me swallow my money; and judging their substitute at
Saint-Andiol would do me quite as much service, and be infinitely more
agreeable, I resolved to give her the preference; full, therefore, of
this wise resolution, I quitted Montpelier.
I set off towards the end of November, after a stay of six weeks or
two months in that city, where I left a dozen louis, without either my
health or understanding being the better for it, except from a short
course of anatomy begun under M. Fitz-Morris, which I was soon obliged
to abandon, from the horrid stench of the bodies he dissected, which I
found it impossible to endure.
Not thoroughly satisfied in my own mind on the rectitude of this
expedition, as I advanced towards the Bridge of St. Esprit (which was
equally the road to Saint-Andiol and to Chambery) I began to reflect on
Madam de Warens, the remembrance of whose letters, though less frequent
than those from Madam de Larnage, awakened in my heart a remorse that
passion had stifled in the first part of my journey, but which became
so lively on my return, that, setting just estimate on the love of
pleasure, I found myself in such a situation of mind that I could listen
wholly to the voice of reason. Besides, in continuing to act the part
of an adventurer, I might be less fortunate than I had been in the
beginning; for it was only necessary that in all Saint-Andiol there
should be one person who had been in England, or who knew the English or
anything of their language, to prove me an impostor. The family of Madam
de Larnage might not be pleased with me, and would, perhaps, treat me
unpolitely; her daughter too made me uneasy, for, spite of myself, I
thought more of her than was necessary. I trembled lest I should fall
in love with this girl, and that very fear had already half done the
business. Was I going, in return for the mother’s kindness, to seek the
ruin of the daughter? To sow dissension, dishonor, scandal, and hell
itself, in her family? The very idea struck me with horror, and I took
the firmest resolution to combat and vanquish this unhappy attachment,
should I be so unfortunate as to experience it. But why expose myself
to this danger? How miserable must the situation be to live with the
mother, whom I should be weary of, and sigh for the daughter, without
daring to make known my affection! What necessity was there to seek this
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