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to reason wrong, be inconsistent, trouble established order, overturn moral principles, and corrupt manners, without losing your consequence. If you be attacked, make no reply, beware of discussion. I permit you to declaim, to affirm, and to revile, but not to reason. Keep constantly repeating the same thing, Benevolence, Tolerance, Philosophy. Should it be proved that you are neither benevolent, tolerant, nor a philosopher, be not frightened; only repeat and cry with more force and obstinacy than ever, these three sacred and magic wards, Benevolence, Tolerance, Temperance, and you shall triumph over all your enemies, at least as long as I shall live. So spoke this great enchanter, and his promises had their full effect; but alas! we have had the misfortune to lose a chief so worthy of our regret; and, since his death, the talisman has lost its virtue, and our empire is no more. Deposed usurpers, as we are, our partisans are lost, we can excite no more disorders, and are fallen into obscurity.

As he ended, this pretended philosopher fetched a deep sigh.

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