AndIsay,thatsuchfactionsasthesecannevercreateanyobstructiontoaprincewhopursuestheunionofhissubjects,nordisturbthepeaceofhisgovernment。Themenwhocomposethemmustbedesperate,andimpotent;
  themostdespicableofallcharacters,whentheygotogetherEveryhonestandsensiblemanwilldistinguishhimselfoutoftheirnumber:andtheywillremain,astheydeservetobe,hewersofwood,anddrawersofwater,totherestoftheirfellowsubjects。
  Theywillremainsuch,iftheyareabandonedtothemselves,andtothathabitualinfatuationwhichtheyhavenotsenseandspiritenoughtobreak。
  Butifaprince,outofgoodnessorpolicy,shouldthinkitworthhiswhiletotakethemfromunderthisinfluence,andtobreakthesehabits;eventhisdivision,themostabsurdofallothers,willnotbefoundincurable。Amanwhohasnotseentheinsideofparties,norhadopportunitiestoexaminenearlytheirsecretmotives,canhardlyconceivehowlittleashareprincipleofanysort,thoughprincipleofsomesortorotherbealwayspretended,hasinthedeterminationoftheirconduct。Reasonhassmalleffectonnumbers。
  Aturnofimagination,oftenasviolentandassuddenasagustofwind,determinestheirconduct:andpassionistaken,byothers,andbythemselvestoo,whenitgrowsintohabitespecially,forprinciple。WhatgavestrengthandspirittoaJacobitepartyafterthelateKing’saccession?Thetrueansweris,asuddenturnoftheimaginationsofawholepartytoresentmentandrage,thatwereturnedalittlebeforetoquietsubmission,andpatientexpectation。Principlehadaslittleshareinmakingtheturn,asreasonhadinconductingit。Menwhohadsense,andtempertoo,beforethatmoment,thoughtofnothing,afterit,butsettingupaTorykingagainstaWhigking:
  andwhensomeofthemwereasked,iftheyweresureapopishkingwouldmakeagoodToryking,orwhethertheyweredeterminedtosacrificetheirreligionandlibertytohimtheanswerwas,no;thattheywouldtakearmsagainsthimifhemadeattemptsoneither;thatthismightbethecase,perhaps,insixmonthsafterhisrestoration,butthat,inthemeantime,theywouldendeavourhisrestoration。Thisisnoexaggeratedfact:andIleaveallmentojudge,towhatsuchsentimentsandconductmustbeascribed,toprincipleorpassion,toreasonormadness?Whatgivesobstinacywithoutstrength,andsullennesswithoutspirit,totheJacobiteToriesatthistime?Anotherturnofimagination,orratherthesameshowingitselfinanotherform;afactioushabit,andafactiousnotion,convertedintoanotionofpolicyandhonour。Theyaretaughttobelieve,thatbyclingingtogethertheyareaconsiderableweight,whichmaybethrownintoturnthescaleinanygreatevent;andthatinthemeantime,tobeasteadysufferingpartyisanhonourtheymayflatterthemselveswithveryjustly。Thus,theycontinuesteadytoengagementswhichmostofthemwishintheirheartstheyhadnevertaken;
  andsufferforprinciples,insupportofwhichnotoneofthemwouldventurefurther,thantalkingthetreasonthatclaretinspires。
  Itresults,therefore,fromallthathasbeensaid,andfromthereflectionswhichthesehintsmaysuggest,thatinwhateverlightweviewthedividedstateofapeople,thereisnoneinwhichthesedivisionswillappearincurable,noranunionofthemembersofagreatcommunitywithoneanother,andwiththeirhead,unattainable。Itmayhappeninthiscaseasitdoesinmanyothers,thatthingsuncommonmaypassforimprobableorimpossible:and,asnothingcanbemoreuncommonthanaPatriotKing,therewillbenoroomtowonderifthenaturalandcertaineffectsofhisconductshouldappearimprobableorimpossibletomany。Butthereisstillsomethingmoreinthiscase。Thoughtheunionwespeakofbesomuchfortheinterestofeverykingandeverypeople,thattheirgloryandtheirprosperitymustincrease,ordiminish,inproportionastheyapproachnearertoit,orarefurtherremovedfromit;yetisthereanotherinterest,bywhichprincesandpeoplebothareoftenimposeduponsofar,astomistakeitfortheirown。TheinterestImean,isthatofprivateambition。Itwouldbeeasytoshowinmanyinstances,andparticularlyinthis,ofunitinginsteadofdividing,andofgoverningbyanationalconcurrenceinsteadofgoverningbythemanagementofpartiesandfactionsinthestate,howwidelydifferent,nayhowrepugnant,theinterestsofprivateambitionandthoseofrealpatriotismare。Men,therefore,whoarewarmedbythefirst,andhavenosenseofthelast,willdeclarefordivisionastheydoforcorruption,inoppositiontounionandtointegrityofgovernment。Theywillnotindeeddeclaredirectly,thatthetwoformerareintheabstractpreferable;buttheywillaffirm,withgreatairsofsufficiency,thatbothareincurable;andconcludefromhence,thatinpracticeitisnecessarytocomplywithboth。Thissubterfugeonceopen,thereisnofalseandimmoralmeasureinpoliticalmanagementwhichmaynotbeavowedandrecommended。Buttheverymen,whohopetoescapebyopeningit,shutitupagain,andsecuretheirowncondemnation,whentheylabourtoconfirmdivisions,andtopropagatecorruption,andtherebytocreatetheverynecessitythattheypleadintheirexcuse。Necessityofthiskindthereisinrealitynone;foritseemsfullasabsurdtosay,thatpopulardivisionsmustbecultivated,becausepopularunioncannotbeprocured,asitwouldbetosaythatpoisonmustbepouredintoawound,becauseitcannotbehealed。Thepracticeofmorality,inprivatelife,willneverarriveatidealperfection:
  mustwegiveupourselves,therefore,toallmannerofimmorality?Andmustthosewhoarechargedwithourinstructionendeavourtomakeusthemostprofligateofmen,becausetheycannotmakeussaints?
  Experienceofthedepravityofhumannaturemademendesiroustouniteinsocietyandundergovernment,thattheymightdefendthemselvesthebetteragainstinjuries;butthesamedepravitysooninspiredtosomethedesignofemployingsocietiestoinvadeandspoilsocieties;andtodisturbthepeaceofthegreatcommonwealthofmankind,withmoreforceandeffectinsuchcollectivebodies,thantheycoulddoindividually。Justsoithappensinthedomesticeconomyofparticularstates:andtheirpeaceisdisturbedbythesamepassions。Someoftheirmemberscontentthemselveswiththecommonbenefitsofsociety,andemployalltheirindustrytopromotethepublicgood:butsomeproposetothemselvesaseparateinterest,and,thattheymaypursueitthemoreeffectually,theyassociatewithothers。Thusfactionsareinthem,whatnationsareintheworld;theyinvadeandroboneanother:
  and,whileeachpursuesaseparateinterest,thecommoninterestissacrificedbythemall:thatofmankindinonecase,thatofsomeparticularcommunityintheother。Thishasbeen,andmustalwaysbe,insomemeasure,thecourseofhumanaffairs,especiallyinfreecountries,wherethepassionsofmenarelessrestrainedbyauthority:andIamnotwildenoughtosupposethataPatriotKingcanchangehumannature。ButIamreasonableenoughtosuppose,that,withoutalteringhumannature,hemaygiveachecktothiscourseofhumanaffairs,inhisownkingdomatleast;thathemaydefeatthedesigns,andbreakthespiritoffaction,insteadofpartakinginone,andassumingtheother;andthat,ifhecannotrendertheunionofhissubjectsuniversal,hemayrenderitsogeneralastoansweralltheendsofgoodgovernment,privatesecurity,publictranquillity,wealth,power,andfame。
  Iftheseendswereeveranswered,theywereso,surely,inthiscountry,inthedaysofourElizabeth。Shefoundherkingdomfulloffactions,andfactionsofanotherconsequenceanddangerthantheseofourdays,whomshewouldhavedispersedwithapuffofherbreath。Shecouldnotre—unitethem,itistrue:thepapistcontinuedapapist,thepuritanapuritan;onefurious,theothersullen。Butsheunitedthegreatbodyofthepeopleinherandtheircommoninterest,sheinflamedthemwithonenationalspirit,and,thusarmed,shemaintainedtranquillityathome,andcarriedsuccourtoherfriendsandterrortoherenemiesabroad。Therewerecabalsathercourt,andintriguesamongherministers。Itissaidtoo,thatshedidnotdislikethatthereshouldbesuch。Butthesewerekeptwithinhercourt。Theycouldnotcreepabroad,tosowdivisionamongherpeople,andhergreatestfavouritetheEarlofEssexpaidthepriceofattemptingitwithhishead。Letourgreatdoctorsinpolitics,whopreachsolearnedlyonthetritetextdivideetimpera,comparetheconductofElizabethinthisrespectwiththatofhersuccessor,whoendeavouredtogovernhiskingdombythenotionsofafactionthatheraised,andtomanagehisparliamentbyundertakers:andtheymustbeveryobstinateindeed,iftheyrefusetoacknowledge,thatawiseandgoodprincecanuniteadividedpeople,thoughaweakandwickedprincecannot;
  andthattheconsequencesofnationalunionaregloryandhappinesstotheprinceandtothepeople,whilstthoseofdisunionbringshameandmiseryonboth,andentailthemtooonposterity。
  Ihavedweltlongonthelasthead,notonlybecauseitisofgreatimportanceinitself,andatalltimes,butbecauseitisrenderedmoresothaneveratthistime,bytheunexampledavowalofcontraryprinciples。Hithertoithasbeenthoughtthehighestpitchofproligacytoown,insteadofconcealing,crimes,andtotakeprideinthem,insteadofbeingashamedofthem。Butinouragemenhavesoaredtoapitchstillhigher。Thefirstiscommon,itisthepracticeofnumbers,andbytheirnumberstheykeeponeanotherincountenance。Butthechoicespiritsofthesedays,themenofmodeinpolitics,arefarfromstoppingwherecriminalsofallkindshavestopped,whentheyhavegoneeventothispoint;forgenerallythemosthardenedoftheinhabitantsofNewgatedonotgosofar。ThemenIspeakofcontend,thatitisnotenoughtobeviciousbypracticeandhabit,butthatitisnecessarytobesobyprinciple。Theymakethemselvesmissionariesoffactionaswellasofcorruption:theyrecommendboth,theyderideallsuchasimagineitpossible,orfittoretaintruth,integrity,andadisinterestedregardtothepublicinpubliclife,andpronounceeverymanafoolwhoisnotreadytoactlikeaknave。Ihopethatenoughhasbeensaid,thoughmuchmoremighthavebeensaid,toexposethewickednessofthesemen,andtheabsurdityoftheirschemes;andtoshowthataPatriotKingmaywalkmoreeasilyandsuccessfullyinotherpathsofgovernment,pertutumplanumqueiterreligionis,justitiae,honestatis,virtutumquemoralium。Letmeproceed,therefore,tomentiontwootherheadsoftheconductthatsuchakingwillhold,anditshallbemyendeavournottofallintothesameprolixity。
  Akingwhoesteemsithisdutytosupport,ortorestore,ifthatbeneedful,thefreeconstitutionofalimitedmonarchy;whoformsandmaintainsawiseandgoodadministration;whosubduesfaction,andpromotestheunionofhispeople:andwhomakestheirgreatestgoodtheconstantobjectofhisgovernment,maybesaid,nodoubt,tobeinthetrueinterestofhiskingdom。Alltheparticularcases,thatcanarise,areincludedinthesegeneralcharacteristicsofawiseandgoodreign。Andyetitseemspropertomention,underadistincthead,someparticularinstancesthathavenotbeentouched,whereinthiswisdomandgoodnesswillexertthemselves。
  Now,thoughthetrueinterestofseveralstatesmaybethesameinmanyrespects,yetistherealwayssomedifferencetobeperceived,byadiscerningeye,bothintheseinterests,andinthemannerofpursuingthem;adifferencethatarisesfromthesituationofcountries,fromthecharacterofpeople,fromthenatureofgovernment,andevenfromthatofclimateandsoil;fromcircumstancesthatare,likethese,permanent,andfromothersthatmaybedeemedmoreaccidental。Toillustrateallthisbyexamples,wouldbeeasy,butlong。Ishallcontentmyselfthereforetomention,insomeinstancesonly,thedifferencethatarisesfromthecausesreferredto,betweenthetrueinterestofourcountry,andthatofsomeorallourneighboursonthecontinent:andleavetoextendandapplyinownthoughtsthecomparisonI
  shallhintat,ratherthanenlargeupon。
  ThesituationofGreatBritain,thecharacterofherpeople,andthenatureofhergovernment,fitherfortradeandcommerce。Herclimateandhersoilmakethemnecessarytoherwellbeing。Bytradeandcommercewegrowarichandpowerfulnation,andbytheirdecaywearegrowingpoorandimpotent。
  Astradeandcommerceenrich,sotheyfortify,ourcountry。Theseaisourbarrier,shipsareourfortresses,andthemariners,thattradeandcommercealonecanfurnish,arethegarrisonstodefendthem。Franceliesundergreatdisadvantagesintradeandcommerce,bythenatureofhergovernment。Heradvantages,insituation,areasgreatatleastasours。Thosethatarise,fromthetemperandcharacterofherpeople,arealittledifferentperhaps,andyetuponthewholeequivalent。Thoseofherclimateandhersoilaresuperiortoours,andindeedtothoseofanyEuropeannation。TheUnitedProvinceshavethesameadvantagesthatwehaveinthenatureoftheirgovernment,moreperhapsinthetemperandcharacteroftheirpeople,lesstobesureintheirsituation,climate,andsoil。But,withoutdescendingintoalongerdetailoftheadvantagesanddisadvantagesattendingeachofthesenationsintradeandcommerce,itissufficientformypresentpurposetoobserve,thatGreatBritainstandsinacertainmiddlebetweentheothertwo,withregardtowealthandpowerarisingfromthesesprings。Aless,andalessconstant,applicationtotheimprovementofthesemayservetheendsofFrance;
  agreaterisnecessaryinthiscountry。andagreaterstillinHolland。TheFrenchmayimprovetheirnaturalwealthandpowerbytheimprovementoftradeandcommerce。Wecanhavenowealth,norpowerbyconsequence,asEuropeisnowconstituted,withouttheimprovementofthem,norinanydegreebutproportionablytothisimprovement。TheDutchcannotsubsistwithoutthem。
  Theybringwealthtoothernations,andarenecessarytothewellbeingofthem;buttheysupplytheDutchwithfoodandraiment,andarenecessaryeventotheirbeing。
  Theresultofwhathasbeensaidisingeneral,thatthewealthandpowerofallnationsdependingsomuchontheirtradeandcommerce,andeverynationbeing,likethethreeIhavementioned,insuchdifferentcircumstancesofadvantageordisadvantageinthepursuitofthiscommoninterest;agoodgovernment,andthereforethegovernmentofaPatriotKing,willbedirectedconstantlytomakethemostofeveryadvantagethatnaturehasgiven,orartcanprocure,towardstheimprovementoftradeandcommerce。Andthisisoneoftheprincipalcriterionsbywhichwearetojudge,whethergovernorsareinthetrueinterestofthepeopleornot。
  Itresults,inparticular,thatGreatBritainmightimproveherwealthandpowerinaproportionsuperiortothatofanynationwhocanbedeemedherrival,iftheadvantagesshehaswereaswiselycultivated,astheywillbeinthereignofaPatriotKing。Tobeconvincedmorethoroughlyofthistruth,averyshortprocessofreasoningwillsuffice。Letanymanwhohasknowledgeenoughforit,firstcomparethenaturalstateofGreatBritain,andoftheUnitedProvinces,andthentheirartificialstatetogether。thatis,lethimconsiderminutelytheadvantageswehavebythesituation,extent,andnatureofourisland,overtheinhabitantsofafewsaltmarshesgainedonthesea,andhardlydefendedfromit:andafterthat,lethimconsiderhownearlytheseprovinceshaveraisedthemselvestoanequalityofwealthandpowerwiththekingdomofGreatBritain。Fromwhencearisesthisdifferenceofimprovement?Itarisesplainlyfromhence:theDutchhavebeen,fromthefoundationoftheircommonwealth,anationofpatriotsandmerchants。Thespiritofthatpeoplehasnotbeendivertedfromthesetwoobjects,thedefenceoftheirliberty,andtheimprovementoftheirtradeandcommerce:whichhavebeencarriedonbythemwithuninterruptedandunslackenedapplication,industry,order,andeconomy。InGreatBritainthecasehasnotbeenthesame,ineitherrespect;buthereweconfineourselvestospeakofthelastalone。
  Tradeandcommerce,suchastheywereinthosedays,hadbeensometimes,andinsomeinstances,beforethereignofQueenElizabeth,encouragedandimproved:butthegreatencouragementsweregiven,thegreatextensionsandimprovementsweremade,bythatgloriousprincess。Toherweowethatspiritofdomesticandforeigntradewhichisnotquiteextinguished。Itwasshewhogavethatrapidmotiontoourwholemercantilesystemwhichisnotentirelyceased。Theybothflaggedunderhersuccessor。werenotrevivedunderhisson;werechecked,diverted,clogged,andinterrupted,duringourcivilwars;
  andbegantoexertnewvigouraftertheRestoration,inalongcourseofpeace;butmetwithnewdifficulties,too,fromtheconfirmedrivalryoftheDutch,andthegrowingrivalryoftheFrench。TooneofthesethepusillanimouscharacterofJamestheFirstgavemanyscandalousoccasions:andtheotherwasfavouredbytheconductofCharlestheSecond,whoneverwasinthetrueinterestofthepeoplehegoverned。FromtheRevolutiontothedeathofQueenAnne,howevertradeandcommercemightbeaidedandencouragedinotherrespects,theywerenecessarilysubjectedtodepredationsabroad,andoverloadedbytaxesathome,duringthecourseoftwogreatwars。Fromtheaccessionofthelatekingtothishour,inthemidstofafullpeace,thedebtsofthenationcontinuemuchthesame,thetaxeshavebeenincreased,andforeighteenyearsofthistimewehavetamelysufferedcontinualdepredationsfromthemostcontemptiblemaritimepowerinEurope,thatofSpain。
  APatriotKingwillneitherneglectnorsacrificehiscountry’sinterest。
  Nootherinterest,neitheraforeignnoradomestic,neitherapublicnoraprivate,willinfluencehisconductingovernment。Hewillnotmultiplytaxeswantonlynorkeepupthoseunnecessarilywhichnecessityhaslaid,thathemaykeepuplegionsoftax—gatherers。Hewillnotcontinuenationaldebts,byallsortsofpoliticalandotherprofusion;nor,morewickedlystill,byasettledpurposeofoppressingandimpoverishingthepeople;thathemaywithgreatereasecorruptsome,andgovernthewhole,accordingtothedictatesofhispassionsandarbitrarywill。Togiveeaseandencouragementtomanufactoryathome,toassistandprotecttradeabroad,toimproveandkeepinheartthenationalcolonies,likesomanyfarmsofthemothercountry,willbeprincipalandconstantpartsoftheattentionofsuchaprince。Thewealthofthenationhewillmostjustlyesteemtobehiswealth,thepowerhispower,thesecurityandthehonour,hissecurityandhonour;and,bytheverymeansbywhichhepromotesthetwofirst,hewillwiselypreservethetwolast;forbythesemeans,andbythesealone,canthegreatadvantageofthesituationofthiskingdombetakenandimproved。
  GreatBritainisanisland:and,whilstnationsonthecontinentareatimmensechargeinmaintainingtheirbarriers,andperpetuallyontheirguard,andfrequentlyembroiled,toextendorstrengthenthem,GreatBritainmay,ifhergovernorsplease,accumulatewealthinmaintaininghers;makeherselfsecurefrominvasions,andbereadytoinvadeotherswhenherownimmediateinterest,orthegeneralinterestofEuroperequireit。OfallwhichQueenElizabeth’sreignisamemorableexample,andundeniableproof。IsaidthegeneralinterestofEurope;becauseitseemstomethatthis,alone,shouldcallourcouncilsofffromanalmostentireapplicationtotheirdomesticandproperbusiness。Othernationsmustwatchovereverymotionoftheirneighbours;penetrate,iftheycan,everydesign;foreseeeveryminuteevent;
  andtakepartbysomeengagementorotherinalmosteveryconjuncturethatarises。Butaswecannotbeeasilynorsuddenlyattacked,andasweoughtnottoaimatanyacquisitionofterritoryonthecontinent,itmaybeourinteresttowatchthesecretworkingsoftheseveralcouncilsabroad;toadvise,andwarn;toabet,andoppose;butitnevercanbeourtrueinteresteasilyandofficiouslytoenterintoaction,muchlessintoengagementsthatimplyactionandexpense。Othernations,likethevelitesorlight—armedtroops,standforemostinthefield,andskirmishperpetually。Whenagreatwarbegins,weoughttolookonthepowersofthecontinent,towhomweincline,likethetwofirstlines,theprincipesandhastatiofaRomanarmy:andonourselves,likethetriarii,thatarenottochargewiththeselegionsoneveryoccasion,buttobereadyfortheconflictwheneverthefortuneoftheday,beitsoonerorlater,callsustoit,andthesumofthings,orthegeneralinterest,makesitnecessary。
  Thisisthatpostofadvantageandhonour,whichoursingularsituationamongthepowersofEuropedeterminesus,orshoulddetermineus,totake,inalldisputesthathappenonthecontinent。Ifweneglectit,anddissipateourstrengthonoccasionsthattouchusremotelyorindirectly,wearegovernedbymenwhodonotknowthetrueinterestofthisisland,orwhohavesomeotherinterestmoreatheart。Ifweadheretoit,soatleastastodeviatelittleandseldomfromit,asweshalldowheneverwearewiselyandhonestlygoverned,thenwillthisnationmakeherproperfigure:andagreatoneitwillbe。Byacontinualattentiontoimprovehernatural,thatishermaritimestrength,bycollectingallherforceswithinherself,andreservingthemtobelaidoutongreatoccasions,suchasregardherimmediateinterestsandherhonour,orsuchasaretrulyimportanttothegeneralsystemofpowerinEurope;shemaybethearbitratorofdifferences,theguardianofliberty,andthepreserverofthatbalance,whichhasbeensomuchtalkedof,andissolittleunderstood。
  ’Arewenevertobesoldiers?’youwillsay。Yes,constantly,insuchproportionasisnecessaryforthedefenceofgoodgovernment。Toestablishsuchamilitaryforceasnonebutbadgovernorscanwant,istoestablishtyrannicalpowerintheKingorintheministers;andmaybewantedbythelatter,whentheformerwouldbesecurewithouthisarmy,ifhebrokehisminister。Occasionallytoowemustbesoldiers,andforoffenceaswellasdefence;butinproportiontothenatureoftheconjuncture,consideredalwaysrelativelytothedifferencehereinsisteduponbetweenoursituation,ourinterest,andthenatureofourstrength,comparedwiththoseoftheotherpowersofEurope;andnotinproportiontothedesires,oreventothewants,ofthenationswithwhomweareconfederated。Likeotheramphibiousanimals,wemustcomeoccasionallyonshore,butthewaterismoreproperlyourelement,andinit,likethem,aswefindourgreatestsecurity,soweexertourgreatestforce。
  WhatItouchuponhere,veryshortly,deservestobeconsidered,andreconsidered,byeverymanwhohas,ormayhave,anyshareinthegovernmentofGreatBritain。
  Forwehavenotonlydepartedtoomuchfromourtruenationalinterestinthisrespect;butwehavedonesowiththegeneralapplauseevenofwell—meaningmen,whodidnotdiscernthatwewastedourselvesbyanimproperapplicationofourstrengthinconjunctureswhenwemighthaveservedthecommoncausefarmoreusefully,naywithentireeffect,byaproperapplicationofournaturalstrength。Therewassomethingmorethanthis。Armiesgrewsomuchintofashion,intimeofwar,amongmenwhomeantwelltotheircountry,thattheywhomeanilltoithavekept,andkeepthemstillupintheprofoundestpeace:andthenumberofoursoldiers,inthisislandalone,isalmostdoubletothatofourseamen。Thattheyarekeptupagainstforeignenemies,cannotbesaidwithanycolour。Iftheyarekeptforshow,theyareridiculous。
  Iftheyarekeptforanyotherpurposewhatever,theyaretoodangeroustobesuffered。APatriotKing,secondedbyministersattachedtothetrueinterestoftheircountry,wouldsoonreformthisabuse,andsaveagreatpartofthisexpense;orapplyit,inamannerpreferableeventothesavingit,tothemaintenanceofabodyofmarinefoot,andtothechargeofaregisterofthirtyorfortythousandseamen。Butnothoughtslikethese,nogreatdesignsforthehonourandinterestofthekingdom,willbeentertained,tillmenwhohavethishonourandinterestatheartarisetopower。
  IcomenowtothelastheadunderwhichIshallconsiderthecharacterandconductofaPatriotKing;andletitnotbethoughttobeoftheleastimportance,thoughitmayseem,atthefirstmention,toconcernappearancesratherthanrealities,andtobenothingmorethanacircumstancecontainedinorimpliedbythegreatpartsofthecharacterandconductofsuchaking。
  Itisofhispersonalbehaviour,ofhismanneroflivingwithothermen,and,inaword,ofhisprivateaswellaspubliclifethatImeantospeak。
  Itisofthatdecencyandgrace,thatbiensé;anceoftheFrench,thatdecorumoftheLatins,that{pirhoetapiomicronnu,oftheGreeks,whichcanneverbereflectedonanycharacterthatisnotlaidinvirtue:butforwantofwhich,acharacterthatissolaidwilllose,atalltimes,partofthelustrebelongingtoit,andmaybesometimesnotalittlemisunderstoodandundervalued。Beautyisnotseparablefromhealth,northislustre,saidtheStoics,fromvirtue;butasamanmaybehealthfulwithoutbeinghandsome,sohemaybevirtuouswithoutbeingamiable。
  Therearecertainfinishingstrokes,alasthandaswecommonlysay,tobegiventoalltheworksofart。Whenthatisnotgiven,wemayseetheexcellencyofageneraldesign,andthebeautyofsomeparticularparts。
  Ajudgeoftheartmayseefurther;hemayallowforwhatiswanting,anddiscernthefullmeritofacompleteworkinonethatisimperfect。Butvulgareyeswillnotbesostruck。Theworkwillappeartothemdefective,becauseunfinished:sothatwithoutknowingpreciselywhattheydislike,theymayadmire,buttheywillnotbepleased。Thusinmoralcharacters,thougheverypartbevirtuousandgreat,orthoughthefewandsmalldefectsinitbeconcealedundertheblazeofthoseshiningqualitiesthatcompensateforthem;yetisnotthisenougheveninprivatelife:itislesssoinpubliclife,andstilllesssointhatofaprince。
  Thereisacertainspeciesliberalis,moreeasilyunderstoodthanexplained,andfeltthandefined,thatmustbeacquiredandrenderedhabitualtohim。
  Acertainproprietyofwordsandactions,thatresultsfromtheirconformitytonatureandcharacter,mustalwaysaccompanyhim,andcreateanairandmannerthatrununiformlythroughthewholetenorofhisconductandbehaviour:
  whichairandmanneraresofarfromanykindordegreeoraffectation,thattheycannotbeattainedexceptbyhimwhoisvoidofallaffectation。Wemayillustratethistoourselves,andmakeitmoresensible,byreflectingontheconductofgooddramaticorepicwriters。Theydrawthecharacters,whichtheybringonthescene,fromnature,theysustainthemthroughthewholepiece,andmaketheiractorsneithersaynordoanythingthatisnotexactlypropertothecharactereachofthemrepresents。Oderintdummetuantcameproperlyoutofthemouthofatyrant;butEuripideswouldneverhaveputthatexecrablesentenceintothemouthofMinosorAeacus。
  Amanofsenseandvirtuebothwillnotfallintoanygreatimproprietyofcharacter,orindecencyofconduct:buthemayslideorbesurprisedintosmallones,fromathousandreasons,andinathousandmanners,whichIshallnotstaytoenumerate。Againstthese,therefore,evenmen,whoareincapableoffallingintotheothers,mustbestillontheirguard,andnomensomuchasprinces。Whentheirmindsarefilledandtheirheartswarmedwithtruenotionsofgovernment,whentheyknowtheirduty,andlovetheirpeople,theywillnotfailinthegreatpartstheyaretoact,inthecouncil,inthefield,andinallthearduousaffairsthatbelongtotheirkinglyoffice:
  atleasttheywillnotbegintofail,byfailinginthem。Butastheyaremensusceptibleofthesameimpressions,liabletothesameerrors,andexposedtothesamepassions,sotheyarelikewiseexposedtomoreandstrongertemptationsthanothers。Besides,theelevationinwhichtheyareplaced,asitgivesthemgreatadvantages,givesthemgreatdisadvantagestoo,thatoftencountervailtheformer。Thus,forinstance,alittlemeritinaprinceisseenandfeltbynumbers:itismultiplied,asitwere,andinproportiontothiseffecthisreputationisraisedbyit。Butthen,alittlefailingisseenandfeltbynumberstoo:itismultipliedinthesamemanner,andhisreputationsinksinthesameproportion。
  Ispokeaboveofdefectsthatmaybeconcealedundertheblazeofgreatandshiningqualities。Thismaybethecase;ithasbeenthatofsomeprinces。
  TheregoesatraditionthatHenrytheFourthofFranceaskedaSpanishambassador,whatmistressesthekingofSpainhad?Theambassadorreplied,likeaformalpedant,thathismasterwasaprincewhofearedGod,andhadnomistressbutthequeen。HenrytheFourthfeltthereflection,andaskedhiminreturn,withsomecontempt,’Whetherhismasterhadnotvirtuesenoughtocoveronevice?’Thefaultsordefects,thatmaybethuscoveredorcompensated,are,Ithink,thoseoftheman,ratherthanthoseoftheking;suchasarisefromconstitution,andthenaturalratherthanthemoralcharacter;suchasmaybedeemedaccidentalstartsofpassion,oraccidentalremissnessinsomeunguardedhours;surprises,ifImaysayso,ofthemanontheking。Whenthesehappenseldom,andpasssoon,theymaybehidlikespotsinthesun:
  buttheyarespotsstill。Hewhohasthemeansofseeingthem,willseethem:
  andhewhohasnot,mayfeeltheeffectsofthemwithoutknowingpreciselythecause。Whentheycontinue(forhereisthedanger,because,iftheycontinue,theywillincrease)theyarespotsnolonger:theyspreadageneralshade,andobscurethelightinwhichtheyweredrownedbefore。Thevirtuesofthekingarelostinthevicesoftheman。
  Alexanderhadviolentpassions,andthoseforwineandwomenwerepredominant,afterhisambition。Theywerespotsinhischaracterbeforetheyprevailedbytheforceofhabit:assoonastheybegantodoso,thekingandtheheroappearedless,therakeandbullymore。PersepoliswasburntattheinstigationofThais,andClytuswaskilledinadrunkenbrawl。Herepentedindeedofthesetwohorribleactions,andwasagainthekingandherouponmanyoccasions;
  buthehadnotbeenenoughonhisguard,whenthestrongestincitementstovanityandtosensualpleasuresofferedthemselvesateverymomenttohim:
  and,whenhestoodinallhiseasyhourssurroundedbywomenandeunuchs,bythepanders,parasites,andbuffoonsofavoluptuouscourt,they,whocouldnotapproachtheking,approachedtheman,andbyseducingtheman,theybetrayedtheking。Hisfaultsbecamehabits。TheMacedonians,whodidnotorwouldnotseetheone,sawtheother;andhefellasacrificetotheirresentments,totheirfears,andtothosefactionsthatwillariseunderanodiousgovernment,aswellasunderonethatgrowsintocontempt。
  Othercharactersmightbebroughttocontrastwiththis;thefirstScipioAfricanus,forexample,ortheeldestCato:andtherewillbenoobjectiontoacomparisonofsuchcitizensofRome,asthesewere,withkingsofthefirstmagnitude。NowthereputationofthefirstScipiowasnotsoclearanduncontrovertedinprivateasinpubliclife;norwasheallowedbyall,tobeamanofsuchseverevirtue,asheaffected,andasthatagerequired。
  NaeviuswasthoughttomeanhiminsomeversesGelliushaspreserved:andValeriusAntiasmadenoscrupletoassert,that,farfromrestoringthefairSpaniardtoherfamily,hedebauchedandkepther。Notwithstandingthis,whatauthoritydidhenotmaintain?Inwhatesteemandvenerationdidhenotliveanddie?Withwhatpanegyricshasnotthewholetorrentofwritersrolleddownhisreputationeventothesedays?Thiscouldnothavehappened,iftheviceimputedtohimhadshownitselfinanyscandalousappearances,toeclipsethelustreofthegeneral,theconsul,orthecitizen。ThesamereJectionmightbeextendedtoCato,wholovedwineaswellasScipiolovedwomen。MendidnotjudgeinthedaysoftheelderCatoperhaps,asSenecawasreadytodointhoseoftheyounger,thatdrunkennesscouldbenocrimeifCatodrank:butCato’spassion,aswellasthatofScipio,wassubduedandkeptunderbyhispubliccharacter。Hisvirtuewarmedinsteadofcooling,bythisindulgencetohisgeniusornaturaltemper:andonemaygather,fromwhatTullyputsintohismouth,inthetreatiseconcerningoldage,thatevenhisloveofwinewasrenderedsubservient,insteadofdoinghurt,tothemeasureshepursuedinhispubliccharacter。
  GivemeleavetoinsistalittleonthetwofirstCaesars,andonMarkAntony。Iquotenoneofthemasgoodmen,butImayquotethemallasgreatmen,andthereforeproperlyinthisplace;sinceaPatriotKingmustavoidthedefectsthatdiminishagreatcharacter,aswellasthosethatcorruptagoodone。OldCuriocalledJuliusCaesarthehusbandofeverywife,andthewifeofeveryhusband,referringtohisknownadulteries,andtothecompliancesthathewassuspectedofinhisyouthforNicomedes。Evenhisownsoldiers,inthelicenceofatriumph,sunglampoonsonhimforhisprofusionaswellaslewdness。TheyouthofAugustuswasdefamedasmuchasthatofJuliusCaesar,andbothasmuchasthatofAntony。WhenRomewasransackedbythepandersofAugustus,andmatronsandvirginswerestrippedandsearched,likeslavesinamarket,tochoosethefittesttosatisfyhislust,didAntonydomore?WhenJuliussetnoboundstohisdebauchesinEgypt,exceptthosethatsatietyimposed,postquamepulisbacchoquemodumlassatavoluptasimposuit,whenhetrifledawayhistimewithCleopatraintheverycrisisofthecivilwar,andtillhistroopsrefusedtofollowhimanyfurtherinhiseffeminateprogressuptheNile——didAntonydomore?No;allthreehadviceswhichwouldhavebeensolittleborneinanyformerageofRome,thatnomancouldhaveraisedhimself,undertheweightofthem,topopularityandtopower。
  Butwemustnotwonderthatthepeople,whoborethetyrants,borethelibertines;
  northatindulgencewasshowntothevicesofthegreat,inacitywhereuniversalcorruptionandprofligacyofmannerswereestablished:andyeteveninthiscity,andamongthesedegenerateRomans,certainitis,thatdifferentappearances,withthesamevices,helpedtomaintaintheCaesars,andruinedAntony。Imightproducemanyanecdotestoshowhowthetwoformersavedappearanceswhilsttheirviceswerethemostflagrant,andmadesomuchamendsfortheappearancestheyhadnotsaved,bythoseofacontrarykind,thatagreatpartatleastofallwhichwassaidtodefamethemmightpass,anddidpass,forthecalumnyofparty。
  ButAntonythrewoffalldecorumfromthefirst,andcontinuedtodosotothelast。Notonlyvice,butindecencybecamehabitualtohim。Heceasedtobeageneral,aconsul,atriumvir,acitizenofRome。HebecameanEgyptianking,sunkintoluxuriouseffeminacy,andprovedhewasunfittogovernmen,bysufferinghimselftobegovernedbyawoman。Hisviceshurthim,buthishabitsruinedhim。Ifapoliticalmodestyatleasthadmadehimdisguisethefirst,theywouldhavehurthimless,andhemighthaveescapedthelast:
  buthewassolittlesensibleofthis,thatinafragmentofoneofhisletterstoAugustus,whichSuetoniushaspreserved,heendeavourstojustifyhimselfbypleadingthisveryhabit。’Whatmatterisitwhomweliewith?’sayshe:
  ’thislettermayfindyouperhapswithTertulla,orTerentilla’,orothersthathenames。’IliewithCleopatra,andhaveInotdonesothesenineyears?’
  Thesegreatexamples,whichIhaveproduced,nottoencouragevice,buttoshowmorestronglytheadvantagesofdecencyinprivatebehaviour,mayappearinsomesortfiguresbiggerthanthelife。Fewvirtuesandfewvicesgrowup,inthesepartsoftheworldandtheselatterages,tothesizeofthoseIhavementioned;andnonehavesuchsceneswhereintoexertthemselves。
  ButthetruthsIamdesiroustoinculcatewillbeasjustlydeliveredinthismanner,andperhapsmorestronglyfelt。Failingsorvicesthatflowfromthesamesourceofhumannature,thatrunthesamecoursethroughtheconductofprinces,andhavethesameeffectsontheircharacters,andconsequentlyontheirgovernmentandtheirfortune,havealltheproportionnecessarytomyapplicationofthem。Itmatterslittlewhetheraprince,whoabandonsthatcommondecorumwhichresultsfromnatureandwhichreasonprescribes,abandonstheparticulardecorumsofthiscountryorthat,ofthisageorthat,whichresultfrommode,andwhichcustomexacts。Itmatterslittle,forinstance,whetheraprincegiveshimselfuptothemoregrossluxuryofthewest,ortothemorerefinedluxuryoftheeast;whetherhebecometheslaveofadomesticharlot,orofaforeignqueen;inshort,whetherheforgethimselfinthearmsofonewhoreoroftwenty;andwhetherheimitateAntony,orakingofAchin,whoisreportedtohavepassedhiswholetimeinaseraglio,eating,drinking,chewingbetel,playingwithwomen,andtalkingofcockfighting。
  Tosumupthewholeanddrawtoaconclusion:thisdecency,thisgrace,thisproprietyofmannerstocharacter,issoessentialtoprincesinparticular,thatwheneveritisneglectedtheirvirtuesloseagreatdegreeoflustre,andtheirdefectsacquiremuchaggravation。Naymore;byneglectingthisdecencyandthisgrace,andforwantofasufficientregardtoappearances,eventheirvirtuesmaybetraythemintofailings,theirfailingsintovices,andtheirvicesintohabitsunworthyofprincesandunworthyofmen。
  Theconstitutionsofgovernments,andthedifferenttempersandcharactersofpeople,maybethoughtjustlytodeservesomeconsideration,indeterminingthebehaviourofprincesinprivatelifeaswellasinpublic;andtoputadifference,forinstance,betweenthedecorumofakingofFrance,andthatofakingofGreatBritain。
  LouistheFourteenthwaskinginanabsolutemonarchy,andreignedoverapeoplewhosegeniusmakesitasfitperhapstoimposeonthembyadmirationandawe,astogainandholdthembyaffection。Accordinglyhekeptgreatstate;washaughty,wasreserved;andallhesaidordidappearedtobeforethoughtandplanned。Hisregardtoappearanceswassuch,thatwhenhismistresswasthewifeofanotherman,andhehadchildrenbyhereveryyear,heendeavouredtocoverherconstantresidenceatcourtbyaplaceshefilledaboutthequeen:andhedinedandsuppedandcohabitedwiththelatterineveryapparentrespectasifhehadhadnomistressatall。Thusheraisedagreatreputation;
  hewasreveredbyhissubjects,andadmiredbyhisneighbours:andthiswasdueprincipallytotheartwithwhichhemanagedappearances,soastosetoffhisvirtues,todisguisehisfailingsandhisvices,andbyhisexampleandauthoritytokeepaveildrawnoverthefutilityanddebauchofhiscourt。
  Hissuccessor,nottothethrone,buttothesovereignpower,wasamererake,withsomewit,andnomorals;nay,withsolittleregardtothem,thathemadethemasubjectofridiculeindiscourse,andappearedinhiswholeconductmoreprofligate,ifthatcouldbe,thanhewasinprinciple。Thedifferencebetweenthesecharacterssoonappearedinabominableeffects;
  suchas,crueltyapart,mightrecallthememoryofNero,or,intheothersex,thatofMessalina,andsuchasIleavethechroniclersofscandaltorelate。
  OurElizabethwasqueeninalimitedmonarchy,andreignedoverapeopleatalltimesmoreeasilyledthandriven;andatthattimecapableofbeingattachedtotheirprinceandtheircountry,byamoregenerousprinciplethananyofthosewhichprevailinourdays,byaffection。Therewasastrongprerogativetheninbeing,andthecrownwasinpossessionofgreaterlegalpower。Popularitywas,however,then,asitisnow,andasitmustbealwaysinmixedgovernment,thesoletruefoundationofthatsufficientauthorityandinfluence,whichotherconstitutionsgivetheprincegratis,andindependentlyofthepeople,butwhichakingofthisnationmustacquire。Thewisequeensawit,andshesawtoo,howmuchpopularitydependsonthoseappearances,thatdependonthedecorum,thedecency,thegrace,andtheproprietyofbehaviourofwhichwearespeaking。Awarmconcernfortheinterestandhonourofthenation,atendernessforherpeople,andaconfidenceintheiraffections,wereappearancesthatranthroughherwholepublicconduct,andgavelifeandcolourtoit。Shedidgreatthings,andsheknewhowtosetthemoffaccordingtotheirfullvalue,byhermannerofdoingthem。Inherprivatebehavioursheshowedgreataffability,shedescendedeventofamiliarity’。
  butherfamiliaritywassuchascouldnotbeimputedtoherweakness,andwas,therefore,mostjustlyascribedtohergoodness。Thoughawoman,shehidallthatwaswomanishabouther:andifafewequivocalmarksofcoquetryappearedonsomeoccasions,theypassedlikeflashesoflightning,vanishedassoonastheywerediscerned,andimprintednoblotonhercharacter。Shehadprivatefriendships,shehadfavourites:butsheneversufferedherfriendstoforgetshewastheirqueen;andwhenherfavouritesdid,shemadethemfeelthatshewasso。
  Hersuccessorhadnovirtuestosetoff,buthehadfailingsandvicestoconceal。Hecouldnotconcealthelatter;and,voidoftheformer,hecouldnotcompensateforthem。Hisfailingsandhisvicesthereforestandinginfullview,hepassedforaweakprinceandanillman;andfellintoallthecontemptwhereinhismemoryremainstothisday。Themethodshetook,topreservehimselffromit,servedbuttoconfirmhiminit。Nomancankeepthedecorumofmannersinlife,whoisnotfreefromeverykindofaffectation,asithasbeensaidalready:buthewhoaffectswhathehasnopretensionsto,orwhatisimpropertohischaracterandrankintheworld,isguiltyofmostconsummatefolly;hebecomesdoublyungracious,doublyindecent,andquiteridiculous。JamestheFirst,nothavingonequalitytoconciliatetheesteemoraffectionofhispeopletohim,endeavouredtoimposeintheirunderstandings;andtocreatearespectforhimself,bypreachingthemostextravagantnotionsaboutkingsingeneral,asiftheyweremiddlebeingsbetweenGodandothermen;andbycomparingtheextentandunsearchablemysteriesoftheirpowerandprerogativetothoseofthedivineprovidence。Hislanguageandhisbehaviourwerecommonlysuitedtosuchfoolishpretensions;andthus,byassumingaclaimtosuchrespectandsubmissionaswerenotduetohim,helostagreatpartofwhatwasduetohim。Inshort,hebegunatthewrongend;forthoughtheshiningqualitiesofthekingmaycoversomefailingsandsomevicesthatdonotgrowuptostronghabitsintheman,yetmustthecharacterofagreatandgoodkingbefoundedinthatofagreatandgoodman。Akingwholivesoutofthesightofhissubjects,orisneverseenbythemexceptonhisthrone,canscarcebedespisedasaman,thoughhemaybehatedasaking。Butthekingwholivesmoreintheirsight,andmoreundertheirobservation,maybedespisedbeforeheishated,andevenwithoutbeinghated。ThishappenedtoKingJames:athousandcircumstancesbroughtittopass,andnonemorethantheindecentweaknesseshehadforhisminions。Hedidnotendeavourtocurethiscontemptandraisehischaracter,onlybyaffectingwhathehadnopretensionsto,asintheformercase;butheendeavouredlikewisemostvainlytodoitbyaffectingwhatwasimpropertohischaracterandrank。Hedidnotendeavourindeedtodisguisehisnaturalpusillanimityandtimidityunderthemaskofabully,whilsthewasimposeduponandinsultedbyallhisneighbours,andaboveallbytheSpaniards;
  butheretailedthescrapsofBuchanan,affectedtotalkmuch,figuredinchurchcontroversies,andputonallthepedanticappearancesofascholar,whilstheneglectedallthoseofagreatandgoodman,aswellasking。
  Letnotprincesflatterthemselves。Theywillbeexaminedclosely,inprivateaswellasinpubliclife:andthose,whocannotpiercefurther,willjudgeofthembytheappearancestheygiveinboth。Toobtaintruepopularity,thatwhichisfoundedinesteemandaffection,theymust,therefore,maintaintheircharactersinboth;andtothatendneglectappearancesinneither,butobservethedecorumnecessarytopreservetheesteem,whilsttheywintheaffectionsofmankind。Kings,theymustneverforgetthattheyaremen;
  men,theymustneverforgetthattheyarekings。Thesentiments,whichoneofthesereflectionsofcourseinspires,willgiveahumaneandaffableairtotheirwholebehaviour,andmakethemtasteinthathighelevationallthejoysofsociallife。Thesentiments,thattheotherreJectionsuggests,willbefoundverycompatiblewiththeformer:andtheymayneverforgetthattheyarekings,thoughtheydonotalwayscarrythecrownontheirheads,northesceptreintheirhands。Vanityandfollymustentrenchthemselvesinaconstantaffectationofstate,topreserveregaldignity:awiseprincewillknowhowtopreserveitwhenhelayshismajestyaside。Hewilldaretoappearaprivateman,andinthatcharacterhewilldrawtohimselfarespectlessostentatious,butmorerealandmorepleasingtohim,thananywhichispaidtothemonarch。Byneversayingwhatisunfitforhimtosay,hewillneverhearwhatisunfitforhimtohear。Byneverdoingwhatisunfitforhimtodo,hewillneverseewhatisunfitforhimtosee。Decencyandproprietyofmannersaresofarfromlesseningthepleasuresoflife,thattheyrefinethem,andgivethemahighertaste:theyaresofarfromrestrainingthefreeandeasycommerceofsociallife,thattheybanishthebaneofit,licentiousnessofbehaviour。Ceremonyisthebarrieragainstthisabuseoflibertyinpublic;politenessanddecencyaresoinprivate:
  andtheprince,whopractisesandexactsthem,willamusehimselfmuchbetter,andobligethose,whohavethehonourtobeinhisintimacyandtosharehispleasureswithhim,muchmore,thanhecouldpossiblydobythemostabsoluteandunguardedfamiliarity。
  Thatwhichishererecommendedtoprinces,thatconstantguardontheirownbehavioureveninprivatelife,andthatconstantdecorumwhichtheirexampleoughttoexactfromothers,willnotbefoundsodifficultinpracticeasmaybeimagined;iftheyuseaproperdiscernmentinthechoiceofthepersonswhomtheyadmittothenearestdegreesofintimacywiththem。Aprinceshouldchoosehiscompanionswithasgreatcareashisministers。Ifhetruststhebusinessofhisstatetothese,hetrustshischaractertothose;andhischaracterwilldependontheirsmuchmorethaniscommonlythought。Generalexperiencewillleadmentojudgethatasimilitudeofcharacterdeterminedthechoice;evenwhenchance,indulgencetoassiduity,goodnature,orwantofreflection,hadtheirshareintheintroductionofmenunworthyofsuchfavour。But,insuchcases,certainitisthatthey,whojudgedwrongatfirstconcerninghim,willjudgerightatlast。Heisnotatrifler,forinstance。Beitso:butifhetakestrifling,futilecreatures,menofmeancharacters,orofnocharacter,intohisintimacy,heshowsadispositiontobecomesuch;andwillbecomesuch,unlesshebreaksthesehabitsearly,andbeforepuerileamusementsaregrownuptobethebusinessofhislife。
  Imean,thatthemindsofprinces,likethemindsofothermen,willbebroughtdowninsensiblytothetoneofthecompanytheykeep。
  Aworseconsequence,eventhanthis,mayfollowawantofdiscernmentinprinceshowtochoosetheircompanions,andhowtoconductthemselvesinprivatelife。Sillykingshaveresignedthemselvestotheirministers,havesufferedthesetostandbetweenthemandtheirpeople,andhaveformednojudgments,nortakenanymeasuresontheirownknowledge,butallimplicitlyontherepresentationsmadetothembytheirministers。Kingsofsuperiorcapacityhaveresignedthemselvesinthesamemannertotheirfavourites,maleandfemale,havesufferedthesetostandbetweenthemandtheirmostableandfaithfulcounsellors:theirjudgmentshavebeeninfluenced,andtheirmeasuresdirectedbyinsinuationsofwomen,orofmenaslittlefittedaswomen,bynatureandeducation,tobehearkenedto,inthegreataffairsofgovernment。Historyisfullofsuchexamples;allmelancholy,manytragical!
  Sufficient,onewouldimagine,todeterprinces,ifattendedto,frompermittingthecompanionsoftheiridlehours,ortheinstrumentsoftheirpleasures,toexceedtheboundsofthoseprovinces。Shouldaministerofstatepretendtoviewithanyofthese,abouttheformsofadrawing—room,theregulationofaruelle,thedecorationofaball,orthedressofafinelady,hewouldbethoughtridiculous,andhewouldbetrulyso。Butthenarenotanyoftheseimpertinent,whentheypresumetomeddleinthingsatleastasmuchabovethem,asthosethathavebeenmentionedarebelowtheothers?Andarenotprinces,whosufferthemtodoso,unaccountablyweak?
  WhatshallIsayfurtheronthishead?Nothingmoreisnecessary。Letmewinditup,therefore,byassertingthisgreattruth,thatresultsfromwhathasbeenalreadysaid。AshecanneverfillthecharacterofaPatriotKing,thoughhispersonalgreatandgoodqualitiesbeineveryotherrespectequaltoit,wholiesopentotheflatteryofcourtiers,totheseductionofwomen,andtothepartialitiesandaffectionswhichareeasilycontractedbytoogreatindulgenceinprivatelife;sotheprince,whoisdesiroustoestablishthischaracter,mustobservesuchadecorum,andkeepsuchaguardonhimself,asmaypreventeventhesuspicionofbeingliabletosuchinfluences。
  Forastherealitywouldruin,theverysuspicionwilllessenhimintheopinionofmankind:andtheopinionofmankind,whichisfameafterdeath,issuperiorstrengthandpowerinlife。
  Andnow,iftheprinciplesandmeasuresofconduct,laiddowninthisdiscourse,asnecessarytoconstitutethatgreatestandmostgloriousofhumanbeings,aPatriotKing,besufficienttothispurpose;letusconsider,too,howeasyitis,oroughttobe,toestablishtheminthemindsofprinces。
  Theyarefoundedontruepropositions,allofwhichareobvious,nay,manyofthemself—evident。Theyareconfirmedbyuniversalexperience。Inaword,nounderstandingcanresistthem,andnonebuttheweakestcanfail,orbemisled,intheapplicationofthem。Toaprince,whoseheartiscorrupt,itisinvaintospeak:and,forsuchaprince,Iwouldnotbethoughttowrite。Butiftheheartofaprincebenotcorrupt,thesetruthswillfindaneasyingression,throughtheunderstanding,toit。Letusconsideragain,whatthesure,thenecessaryeffectsofsuchprinciplesandmeasuresofconductmustbe,totheprince,andtothepeople。Onthissubjectlettheimaginationrangethroughthewholeglorioussceneofapatriotreign:thebeautyoftheideawillinspirethosetransports,whichPlatoimaginedthevisionofvirtuewouldinspire,ifvirtuecouldbeseen。Whatintruthcanbesolovely,whatsovenerable,astocontemplateakingonwhomtheeyesofawholepeoplearefixed,filledwithadmiration,andglowingwithaffection?Aking,inthetemperofwhosegovernment,likethatofNerva,thingssoseldomalliedasempireandlibertyareintimatelymixed,co—existtogetherinseparably,andconstituteonerealessence?Whatspectaclecanbepresentedtotheviewofthemindsorare,sonearlydivine,asakingpossessedofabsolutepower,neitherusurpedbyfraud,normaintainedbyforce,butthegenuineeffectofesteem,ofconfidence,andaffection;thefreegiftofliberty,whofindshergreatestsecurityinthispower,andwoulddesirenootheriftheprinceonthethronecouldbe,whathispeoplewishhimtobe,immortal?Ofsuchaprince,andofsuchaprincealone,itmaybesaidwithstrictproprietyandtruth,VolentesPerpopulosdatjura,viamqueaffectatOlympo。
  Civilfurywillhavenoplaceinthisdraft:or,ifthemonsterisseen,hemustbeseenasVirgildescribeshim,CentumvinctusahenisPosttergumnodis,fremithorridusorecruento。
  Hemustbeseensubdued,bound,chained,anddeprivedentirelyofpowertodohurt。Inhisplace,concordwillappear,broodingpeaceandprosperityonthehappyland;joysittingineveryface,contentineveryheart;apeopleunoppressed,undisturbed,unalarmed;busytoimprovetheirprivatepropertyandthepublicstock;fleetscoveringtheocean,bringinghomewealthbythereturnsofindustry,carryingassistanceorterrorabroadbythedirectionofwisdom,andassertingtriumphantlytherightandthehonourofGreatBritain,asfaraswatersrollandaswindscanwaftthem。
  Thosewholivetoseesuchhappydays,andtoactinsogloriousascene,willperhapscalltomind,withsometendernessofsentiment,whenheisnomore,aman,whocontributedhismitetocarryonsogoodawork,andwhodesiredlifefornothingsomuch,astoseeakingofGreatBritainthemostpopularmaninhiscountry,andaPatriotKingattheheadofanunitedpeople。