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solicitude and labour。 This； at least； was true with regard to minds
ordinarily constituted； I； perhaps； deserved to be regarded as an exception；
and might be able to accomplish in a few months that for which others
were obliged to toil during half their lives。
Man； continued he； is the slave of habit。 Convince him to…day that
his duty leads straight forward： he shall advance； but at every step his
belief shall fade； habit will resume its empire； and tomorrow he shall turn
back； or betake himself to oblique paths。
We know not our strength till it be tried。 Virtue； till confirmed by
habit； is a dream。 You are a man imbued by errors； and vincible by slight
temptations。 Deep enquiries must bestow light on your opinions； and the
habit of encountering and vanquishing temptation must inspire you with
fortitude。 Till this be done； you are unqualified for that post； in which
you will be invested with divine attributes； and prescribe the condition of a
large portion of mankind。
Confide not in the firmness of your principles； or the stedfastness of
your integrity。 Be always vigilant and fearful。 Never think you have
enough of knowledge； and let not your caution slumber for a moment； for
you know not when danger is near。
I acknowledged the justice of his admonitions； and professed myself
willing to undergo any ordeal which reason should prescribe。 What； I
asked； were the conditions； on the fulfilment of which depended my
advancement to the station he alluded to？ Was it necessary to conceal
from me the nature and obligations of this rank？
These enquiries sunk him more profoundly into meditation than I had
ever before witnessed。 After a pause； in which some perplexity was
visible； he answered：
I scarcely know what to say。 As to promises； I claim them not from
you。 We are now arrived at a point； in which it is necessary to look
around with caution； and that consequences should be fully known。 A
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
number of persons are leagued together for an end of some moment。 To
make yourself one of these is submitted to your choice。 Among the
conditions of their alliance are mutual fidelity and secrecy。
Their existence depends upon this： their existence is known only to
themselves。 This secrecy must be obtained by all the means which are
possible。 When I have said thus much； I have informed you； in some
degree； of their existence； but you are still ignorant of the purpose
contemplated by this association； and of all the members； except myself。
So far no dangerous disclosure is yet made： but this degree of
concealment is not sufficient。 Thus much is made known to you； because
it is unavoidable。 The individuals which compose this fraternity are not
immortal； and the vacancies occasioned by death must be supplied from
among the living。 The candidate must be instructed and prepared； and
they are always at liberty to recede。 Their reason must approve the
obligations and duties of their station； or they are unfit for it。 If they
recede； one duty is still incumbent upon them： they must observe an
inviolable silence。 To this they are not held by any promise。 They must
weigh consequences； and freely decide； but they must not fail to number
among these consequences their own death。
Their death will not be prompted by vengeance。 The executioner will
say； he that has once revealed the tale is likely to reveal it a second time；
and； to prevent this； the betrayer must die。 Nor is this the only
consequence： to prevent the further revelation； he； to whom the secret
was imparted； must likewise perish。 He must not console himself with
the belief that his trespass will be unknown。 The knowledge cannot； by
human means； be withheld from this fraternity。 Rare； indeed； will it be
that his purpose to disclose is not discovered before it can be effected； and
the disclosure prevented by his death。
Be well aware of your condition。 What I now； or may hereafter
mention； mention not again。 Admit not even a doubt as to the propriety
of hiding it from all the world。 There are eyes who will discern this
doubt amidst the closest folds of your heart； and your life will instantly be
sacrificed。
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MEMOIRS OF CARWIN THE BILOQUIST ＇A fragment＇
At present be the subject dismissed。 Reflect deeply on the duty
which you have already incurred。 Think upon your strength of mind； and
be careful not to lay yourself under impracticable obligations。 It will
always be in your power to recede。 Even after you are solemnly enrolled
a member； you may consult the dictates of your own understanding； and
relinquish your post； but while you live； the obligation to be silent will
perpetually attend you。
We seek not the misery or death of any one； but we are swayed by an
immutable calculation。 Death is to be abhorred； but the life of the
betrayer is productive of more evil than his death： his death； therefore；
we chuse； and our means are instantaneous and unerring。
I love you。 The first impulse of my love is to dissuade you from
seeking to know more。 Your mind will be full of ideas； your hands will
be perpetually busy to a purpose into which no human creature； beyond
the verge of your brotherhood； must pry。 Believe me； who have made the
experiment； that compared with this task； the task of inviolable secrecy； all
others are easy。 To be dumb will not suffice； never to know any
remission in your zeal or your watchfulness will not suffice。 If the
sagacity of others detect your occupations； however strenuously you may
labour for concealment； your doom is ratified； as well as that of the wretch
whose evil destiny led him to pursue you。
Yet if your fidelity fail