which you yourself excel?" The motive is surely selfish, that, whether you deserve it or not, you may thus, either way, be certain of securing the superiority to yourself. If censure wants the tenderness of charity to make it useful, praise requires the modesty of truth, and the sanctity of justice, to render it safe. It is observable, that in the sacred scriptures, which we should do well always to consult as our model, though there is sometimes simple commendation, yet there is no excessive praise, nor ever the slightest tincture of exaggeration.

But there is a fault, the direct opposite to flattery, which should with equal vigilance be guarded against. There is nothing which more effectually. weans attachment, and obstructs popularity, than the indulgence of intemperate speech, and petulant wit. And they who, in very exalted stations, unfortunately feel a propensity to impetuosity or sarcasm, would do well, if they will not repress the feeling (which would be the shortest way) not to let it break out in pointed sentences, or cutting sayings, sharp enough to give pain, and short enough to be remembered. It has this double disadvantage; every wound made by a royal hand is mortal to the feelings of those on whom it is inflicted; and every heart which is thus wounded, is alienated. Besides, it is an evil, which "gathers strength by going." The sayings of princes are always repeated, and they are not always repeated faithfully. Lord Bacon records several instances of sovereigns who ruined themselves by this sententious indiscretion. The mischief of concise sayings, he observes, is that "they are darts, supposed to be shot from their secret intentions, while long discourses are flat, less noticed, and little remembered."

CHAPTER XXIII.

On the choice of society.—Sincerity the bond of familiar intercourse.-Liberality.—Instances of ingratitude in princes.-On raising the tone of conversation and of manners.

PRINCES can never fall into a more fatal error, than when, in mixing with dishonourable society, they fancy, either that their choice can confer merit, or their presence compensate for the want of it. It is, however, sometimes very difficult for them to discover the real character of those around them, because there may be a kind of conspiracy to keep them in the dark. But there is one principle of selection, which will in general direct them well in the choice of their companions-that of chusing persons who, in their ordinary habits, and in selecting the companions of their own hours of relaxation, shew their regard for morality and virtue. From such men as these, princes may more reasonably expect to hear the language of truth. Such persons will not be naturally led to connive at the vices of their master, in order to justify their own; they have no interest in being dishonest.

The people are not unnaturally led to form their judgment of the real principles and character of the prince, from the conduct and manners of his companions and favourites. Were not the subjects of the unhappy Charles I. in some degree excusable, for not doing full justice to the piety and moral worth, which really belonged to his character, when they saw that those who were his most strenuous advocates, were, in general, avowedly profligate and profane?--If a monarch have the especial happiness of possessing a friend, let him be valued as

the most precious of all his possessions. Let him be encouraged to discharge the best office of friendship, by finding, that the frankest reproofs, instead of generating a formality too fatally indicative of decaying affection, are productive, even when they may be conceived to be misplaced, of warmer returns of cordiality.

But kings, whether actual or expectant, must not hope, in general, to find this honest frankness. They must not expect to have their opinions controverted, or their errors exposed, directly or openly. They should, therefore, accustom themselves to hear and understand the still small voice, in which any disapprobation will be likely to be conveyed; they should use themselves to catch a hint, and to profit from an analogy; they should be on the watch to discover the sense which is entertained of their own principles or conduct, by observing the language which is used concerning similar principles and conduct in others. They must consider themselves as lying under special disadvantages, in respect to the discovery of truth, wherever they are themselves concerned; and must, therefore, strive to become possessed of it, with proportionate diligence and caution.

If an insinuating favourite find it more advantageous to himself to flatter than to counsel his prince, counsel will be withheld, and obsequiousness will be practised. The prince, in return, will conclude himself to be always in the right, when he finds that he is never opposed; and the remembrance of his faults, and the duty of correcting them, will be obliterated in the constant approbation which he is confident of receiving.

Discretion is a quality so important in a royal person, that he should early be taught the most absolute control over his own mind. He should learn, that no momentary warmth of feeling should

ever betray a prince into the disclosure of any thing which wisdom or duty requires him to conceal. But, while he is thus vigilantly careful not to commit himself, he should seldom appear to entertain any distrust of those, in whom prudence forbids him to confide. There is scarcely a more unquestionable evidence of sound sense and self-possession, than never to seem burdened with a secret of one's own; nor a surer mark of true politeness, than not to pry curiously into that of another. "The perfection of behaviour," says Livy, though he said it on another occasion, is for a man (he might have said a prince) to retain his own dignity, without intruding on the liberty of another."

Those who have solicitations to make, should never have reason given them to suspect that they can work their way to the royal favour by flatteries which soothe, rather than by truths which enlighten. Above all, a prince should avoid discovering such weaknesses as may encourage suitors to expect success in their applications, by such a spirit of accommodation, such silly compliments, servile sacrifices, and unworthy adulation, as are derogatory to his understanding, and disgraceful to his character.*

*It would seem superfluous to guard the royal mind against such petty dangers, did not history furnish so many instances of their ill effects. How much the weak vanity of king James I. laid him open to these despicable flatteries, we have some curious specimens in a letter of Lord Thomas Howard to Sir John Harrington, from which we extract the following passage. In advising his friend how to conduct himself in the king's presence, in order to advance his fortune, after some other counsel, he adds, "Touch but lightly on religion. Do not of yourself say, 'this is good or bad;' but if it were your majesty's good opinion, I myself should think so. In private discourse, the king seldom speaketh of any man's temper, discretion, or good virtues; so meddle not at all; but find out a clue to guide you to the heart most delightful to his mind.-I will advise one thing; the roan Jennet, whereon the king rideth every day, must not be forgotten to be praised, and the good furniture above all. What

A royal person should early be taught that it is no small part of wisdom and virtue to repel improper requests. But, while firm in the principle as Christian duty requires, it is no violation of that duty to be as gentle in the expression, as Christian kindness demands; never forgetting the well-known circumstance, that of two sovereigns of the house of Stuart, one refused favours in a more gracious manner than the other granted them. It is, therefore, not enough that a prince should acquire the disposition to confer favours, he should also cultivate the talent. He should not only know how and when to commend, and how and when to bestow, but also how and when to refuse; and should carefully study the important and happy art of discriminating between those whose merit deserves favour, and those whose necessities demand relief. It should be established into a habit, to make no vague promises, raise no false hopes, and disappoint no hopes which have been fairly raised.

. Princes should never shelter their meaning under ambiguous expressions; nor use any of those equivocal or general phrases, which may be interpreted any way, and which, either from their ambiguity or indeterminate looseness, will be translated into that language which happens to suit the hopes or the

lost a great man much notice the other day-a noble did come in suit of a place, and saw the king mounting the roan, delivered his petition; which was heeded and read, but no answer given. The noble departed, and came to courte the next day, and got no answer again. The Lord Treasurer was then pressed to move the king's pleasure touching the petition. When the king was asked for answer thereto, he said, in some wrath, Shall a king give heed to a dirty paper, when the beggar noticeth not his gilt stirrups?' Now it fell out, that the king had new furniture, when the noble saw him in the courte yard, but he being overcharged with confusion, passed by admiring the dressing of the horse. Thus, good knight, our noble failed in his suit."

Nuga Antiquæ.