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600 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
fortune. Moreover, suppose the disease thorowly
cured, how shall he rest assured hut that either the
evill was come to his utmost period, or that an effect of
the hazard caused the same health ? Or the operation
of some other thing, which that day he had either
eaten, drunke or touched ? or whether it were by the
merite of his grandmothers prayers ? Besides, suppose
this experiment to have beene perfect, how many
times was it applied and begun anew; and how often
was this long and tedious web of fortunes and encounters
woven over againe, before a certaine rule
might be concluded ? And being concluded, by whom
is it I pray you ? Amongst so many millions of men
you shall scarce meet with three or foure that will
duely observe and carefully keepe a register of their
experiments: shall it be your or his happe to light
truely, or hit just with one of them three or foure?
What if another man, nay, what if a hundred other
men, have had and made contrary experiments, and
cleane opposite conclusions, and yet have sorted well ?
We should peradventure discerne some shew of light if
all the judgements and consultations of men were
knowne unto us. But that three witnesses and three
doctors shall sway all mankind, there is no reason. It
were requisite humane nature had appointed and made
speciall choise of them, and that by expresse procuration
and letter of attuniy they were by her
declared our judges and deputed our atturnies.