CHAP. XXII.

On the Graces of Deportment.-The Difpofi tions neceffary for Bufinefs.-Habits of domeftic Life.

«THOSE," HOSE," fays Lord Bacon, "who are accomplished in the forms of urbanity, are apt to please themselves in it fo much, as feldom to afpire to higher virtue." Notwithstanding the general truth of the maxim, and the high authority by which it comes recommended, yet condefcending and gracious manners fhould have their full fhare in finifhing the royal character; but they fhould have only their due fhare. They fhould never be reforted to as a fubftitute for that worth, of which they are the best -decoration. In all the graces of deportment, whatever appears outwardly engag ing, fhould always proceed from fomething deeper than itfelf.-The fair fabric, which

is feen, must be fupported by a folid foundation which is out of fight; the loftiest pyramid must rise from the broadest base ; the most beautiful flower from the most valuable root; fweetness of manners must be the effect of benevolence of heart; affability of speech fhould proceed from well-regulated temper; a folicitude to oblige fhould fpring from an inward fense of the duty owing to our fellow-creatures; the bounty of the hands muft refult from the feeling of the heart; the proprieties of conversation, from a found internal principle ; kindness, attention, and all the outward graces, fhould be the effect of habits and difpofitions lying in the mind, and ready to fhew themselves in action, whenever the occafion prefents itself.

Juft views of herself, and of what the owes to the world, of that gentleness which Christianity inculcates, and that graciousness which her station enjoins, will, taking the ufual advantages into the account, fcarcely fail to produce in the royal pupil a deport

ment,

ment, at once, dignified and engaging. The firmest substances alone are fufceptible of the most exquisite polifh, while the meanest materials will admit of being varnished. True fine breeding never betrays any tincture of that vanity, which is the effect of a mind ftruggling to conceal its faults; nor of that pride, which is not confcious of poffeffing any. This genuine politenefs refulting from illuftrious birth, inherent fenfe, and implanted virtue, will render fuperfluous the documents of Chesterfield, and the inftructions of Caftiglione.

But the acquifition of engaging manners, and all the captivating graces of deportment, need lefs occupy the mind of the royal perfon, as fhe will acquire thefe attractions by a fort of instinct, almost without time or pains. They will naturally be copied from thofe illustrious examples of grace, eafe, and condefcending dignity, which fill, and which furround the throne. And fhe will have the lefs occafion for looking to remate, or foreign examples,

to

to learn the true arts of popularity, while the illuftrious perfonage who wears the crown, continues to exhibit not only a living pattern by what honest means the warm affections of a people are won, but by what rectitude, piety, and patriotifm, they may be preferved, and increased, under every fucceffion of trial, and every viciffitude of circumstance.

Among the habits which it is important for a prince to acquire, there is not one more effential than a love of bufinefs. Lord Bacon has, among his Effays, an admirable chapter, both of counsel and caution, refpecting dispatch in affairs, which, as it is fhort and pointed, the royal pupil might commit to memory. He advises to meafure dispatch not by the time of fitting to business, but by the advancement of the bufinefs itself; and reprobates the affectation of those, who, " to gain the reputation of men of difpatch, are only anxious for the credit of having done a great deal in a little time; and who abbreviate, not by

con

contracting, but by cutting off."-On the other hand, procraftination wears out time, and accomplishes nothing. Indistinctness alfo in the framing of ideas, and confufion in the diforderly difpofition of them, perplex business as much as irrefolution impedes it. Julius Cæfar was a model in this refpect; with all his turbulence of ambition, with all his eagerness of enterprize, with all his celerity of difpatch, his judgment uniformly appears to have been cool and ferene; and even in the midst of the most complicated tranfactions, no perplexity is ever manifeft in his conduct, no entanglement in his thoughts, no confufion in his expreffions. Hence, we cannot but infer, that an unambiguous clearness in the planning of affairs, a lucid order in arranging, and a perfevering, but not precipitate, dispatch in conducting them, are the unequivocal marks of a fuperior mind.

Yet, though diftribution, order, and ar rangement, are the foul of business, even these must not be too minute, " for he that

does