Mypresentfriendsarethechildrenandgrandchildrenofthefriendsofmyyouth, whoarenow, alas, nomore!AndImustsoonfollowthem;for, bythecourseofnature, thoughstillinhealth, -dewonthisleaf, whichIcannotlivetoenjoy!WhatpoliticalstrugglesIhavebeenengagedinforthegoodofmycompatriotinhabitantsofthisbushofmyphilosophicalstudiesforthebenef?itofourraceingeneral!Forinpoliticswhatcanlawsdowithoutmorals?Ourpresentraceofephemeraewillinacourseofminutesbecomecorrupt, likethoseofotherandolderbushes, !Alas!Artislong, andlifeisshort!MyfriendswouldcomfortmewiththeideaofanametheysayIshallleavebehindme;?Andwhatwillbecomeofallhistoryintheeighteenthhour, whentheworlditself, eventhewholeMoulinJoly, shallcometoanend, andbeburiedinuniversalruin?
Tome, afterallmyeagerpursuits, nosolidpleasuresnowremain, buttheref?lectionofalonglifespentinmeaningwell, thesensibleconversationofafewgoodladyephemerae, andnowandthenakindsmileandatunefromtheeveramiableBrillante.
