Complete Works of Helvétius

sider the state of baseness and degradation in which the Portuguese find themselves, a people without arts, without industry, whom the English clothe from hat to shoe; and one will see how ruinous ignorance is for a nation. I am leaving tomorrow morning for my estate. I only have the time to assure you of my respect, and to pray to God that He may always have you in His holy keeping. Farewell, my illustrious master. Vale, et me semper ama. Farewell, and always love me.