of all that has been created, of all that shall Nor will a truly pious prince ever be eventhave an end; by carrying on their views to ually defeated in his designs; he may not inthat invisible, eternal world, which to us deed be successful in every negotiation, he shall then emphatically begin to be, when may not be victorious in every battle; yet all which we behold shall be no more. in his leading purpose he will never be disHe, therefore, is the only true politician appointed. For his ultimate end was to act who uniformly makes the eternal laws of conscientiously, to procure the favour of God, truth and rectitude, as revealed from heaven to advance the best interests of his people, the standard of his actions, and the measure and to secure his own eternal happiness.of his ambition. To do justly,' is peculiar- Whatever the event may be to others, to ly the high and holy vocation of a prince. himself it must be finally good. The effect And both princes and politicians would do of righteousness is peace Mark the perfect well to inquire, not only whether their man, and behold the upright for the end of that scheme was planned with sagacity, and exe- man is peace. And, to conclude in the words cuted with spirit, but whether they have so of the able and profound Barrow-If God conducted it, as to leave proper room, if shall not cease to be; if he will not let go we may so speak, for the favourable interfer the reins; if his word cannot deceive; if the ence of God; whether they have supplica- wisest men are not infatuated; if the comted his blessing, and given to him the glory mon sense of mankind is not extravagant ; of its happy issue? Perhaps more well- if the main props of life, if the great pillars meant endeavours fail through neglect in of society do not fail;--he that walketh upthese respects, particularly of fervent pray-rightly doth proceed on sure grounds.' er for success, than through any deficiency in the wisdom of the plan itself. But because under a fanatic usurpation, in the seventeenth century, hypocrites abused this duty, and degraded its sanctity, by what they profanely called seeking the Lord; the friends of the restored constitution too generally took up the notion, that irreligion was a proof of sincerity, and that the surest way to avoid the hypocrisy, was to omit the duty. We cannot too strongly censure that most mistaken practice, which, at the period before mentioned, reduced the language of Scripture to that of common conversation; nor too warmly condemn that false taste, which, by quaint allusions, forced conceits, and strained allegories, wrested the Bible to every ordinary purpose, and debased its dignity, by this colloquial familiarity. But is there no danger of falling into the opposite error? If some have unseasonably forced it into the service, on occasions to which it could never apply; may not others acquire the habit of thinking it seasonable on no occasion at all?

CHAP. XX.

On the true arts of Popularity.

CICERO says, that it is the property of justice not to injure men, and of politeness not to offend them.' True Christianity not only unites, but perfects both these qualities; and renders them, thus associated and exalted, powerful instruments, especially in princes, for the acquisition of popularity.

The desire of praise and reputation is commonly the first motive of action in second rate, and a secondary motive in first rate characters That, in the former case, men who are not governed by a higher principle, are often so keenly alive to human opinion, as to be restrained by it from such vices as would disturb the peace of society, is an instance of the useful provision made by the great Governor of all things, for the good order of the world.

But in princes, none of whose actions are indifferent, who are the observed of all obAgain-how strangely do we overlook the servers,' reputation cannot be too highly consummate wisdom, as well as goodness of prized. A negligence respecting public God, in having made that practice of prayer, opinion, or a contempt for the judgment of the instrument of obtaining his blessing, posterity, would be inexcusable in those, which is so powerfully operative in purifying whose conduct must, in no inconsiderable and elevating our own hearts. Politicians, degree, give, in their own time, the law to with all their sagacity, would do well to manners, and whose example will hereafter learn, that it is likewise one of the many be adduced, by future historians, either to beneficial effects of prayer, that it not only illustrate virtue, or to exemplify vice, and reasonably increases our hopes of success, to stimulate the good or evil, monarchs yet but teaches us to acquiesce in disappoint- unborn. ment. They should learn also, not to wonA prince,' however, as a late eloquent der, if God refuses to answer those prayers, statesman* observed in his own case, 'should which are occasionally put up on great pub- love that fame which follows, not that which lic emergencies, when those who offer them is pursued.' He should bear in mind, that do not live in the exercise of habitual devo- shadows owe their being to substances; that tion. They should take it as an axiom of true fame derives its existence from somegood experience from the incomparable thing more solid than itself; that reputation Hooker, that All things religiously begun is not the precursor, nor the cause, but the are prosperously ended; because whether fruit and effect of merit.

·

men, in the end, have that which religion But though, in superficial characters, the allowed them to desire, or that which it hunger of popularity is the mainspring of teacheth them contentedly to suffer, they are, *The first earl of Mansfield

in neither event, unfortunate.'

action and though the vain-glorious too of A desire of popularity is still more honest ten obtain, what they so sedulously seek, the in princes than in other men. And when acclamations of the vulgar; yet a temperate the end for which it is sought, and the means desire to be loved and esteemed is so far by which it is pursued. are strictly just, the from being a proof of vanity, that it even desire is not only blameless, but highly lauindicates the contrary propensity for readable. Nor is it ever censurable, except sonably to wish for the good opinion of oth- where the affection of the people is sought, ers, evinces that a man does not overvalue by plausible means, for pernicious purposes. and sit down contented with his own. It is On the part of the people attachment is a an over estimation of himself, an undue com- natural feeling, which nothing but perseverplacency in his own merit, which is one of ing misconduct in their rulers can ever wear the causes of his disdain of public opinion. out. A prince should learn not to listen to In profligate characters, another cause is, those flatterers who would keep him ignorant that, anticipating the contempt which they of the public opinion. The discontents of must be aware, they have deserved, they are the people should not he stifled before they willing to be beforehand with the world in reach the royal ear; nor should their affecproclaiming their disdain of that reputation, tion, be represented as a fund which can which they know that their course of life has never be drained. It is a rich and precious made unattainable. stock, which should not be too often drawn Pagan philosophy, indeed, overrated the upon. Imprudence will diminish, oppression honour which cometh from man. But even will exhaust it. A prince should never the sacred scripture, which, as it is the only measure his rights over a people by the true fountain, is also the only just standard, greatness of their attachment; the warmth of all excellence, does not teach us to de- of their zeal being call for his kindness, spise, but only not to set an undue value upon it. It teaches us to estimate this honour in its due order and just measure; and above all, it exhorts us to see that it be sought on right grounds; to take care that it tempt Britons, in general, possess that obsequium not to vanity, by exciting to trifling pur- erga reges, which Tacitus ascribes to the suits; nor to vice, by stimulating to such as Swedes While they passionately love libare base; nor to false honour, by seeking it erty, they also patiently bear those reasonain the paths of ambition. A prince must ble burdens which are necessary in order to not be inordinate in the desire, nor irregular preserve it. But this character of our counin the pursuit, nor immoderate in the enjoy- trymen seems not to have been so well unment, nor criminally solicitous for the pre-derstood, at least not so fairly represented, servation of fame; but he must win it fairly, by one of their own sovereigns, as by a forand wear it temperately. He should pursue it not as the ultimate end of life, but as an object, which, by making life honourable makes it useful. It must not, however, be omitted that the scriptures exhort, that when reputation can only be attained or preserved by the sacrifice of duty, it must then be renounced; that we must submit to the loss even of this precious jewel, rather than by retaining it, wound the conscience, or offend God. Happily, however, in a country in which religion and laws are established on so firm a basis, a prince is little likely to be called to such an absolute renunciation, though he may be called to many trials.

not a signal for his exactions. Improvident rigour would wear out that affection, which justice would increase, and consideration confirm.

eigner and an enemy. The unfortunate James calls them a fickle, giddy, and rebellious people.' If the charge were true, he and his family rather made, than found them such. Agricola had pronounced them to be a people, who cheerfully complied with the levies of men. and the imposition of taxes, and with all the duties enjoined by government, provided they met with just and lawful treatment from their governors.'Nor have the Romans,' continues he, any farther conquered them, than only to form them to obedience. They never will submit to be slaves.'* It is pleasant to behold the freest of nations, even now, acting up the character given them by the first of historians, on such unquestionable authority as that of their illustrious invader, near two thou

But all these dangers being provided for, and all abuses guarded against, the word of God does not scruple to pronounce reputation to be a valuable possession. In a com-sand years ago. petition with riches, the pre-eminence is as- Even the fatal catastrophe of Charles I. signed to a good name; and wisdom, that is, was not a national act, but the act of a faReligion in the bold language of eastern natical party. The kingdom at large beheld imagery, is described as bearing honour in the deed with deep abhorrence, and deplored her left hand. Nor has the sacred volume it with unfeigned sorrow. The fascinating been altogether silent, respecting even that manners of his son and successor so won the posthumous renown which good princes may hearts of every one who approached him, expect in history. That the memory of the just shall be blessed, was the promise of one who was himself both an author and a monarch. And that the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance, was the declaration of another royal author.*

* See an admirable sermon of Dr. Barrow, on the reward of honouring God.

that it required all his vices to alienate them. If that gracious outward deportment was of so much use to him, in veiling for a time the most corrupt designs, how essentially must it serve a prince who meditates only such as are beneficial! William was not so happy as to find out this secret. Satisfied with Tacitus's life of Agricola.

having saved the country, he forgot that it was another party against him; whereas the was important to please it; and he in some king prudently desired not to have it thought measure lost, by his forbidding manners, and that there were any parties at all. And, inhis neglect of studying our national charac-deed, wise sovereigns will study carefuliy ter, the hearts of a people who owed him to repress all narrowing terms, and dividing their best blessings. ideas. Of such sovereigns the people are the party.

-Charles, the abject tool of France, Came back to smile his subjects into slaves, While Belgic William, with his warrior frown, Coldly declared them free.

Princes will have read history with little attention, if they do not learn from it, that their own true greatness is so closely conThe charming frankness and noble sim- nected with the happiness of their subjects, plicity of manners, which distinguished as to be inseparable from it. There they will Henry IV. of France, gained the affections of see that while great schemes of conquest his subjects more than all the refinements of have always been productive of extreme sufartifice could have done. He had establish-fering to the human race, in their execution, ed such a reputation for sincerity, that when, and ruin to the monarchs themselves. Herethey have often lead to ultimate dishonour on a certain occasion, he offered hostages to in a pious mind will recognise the goodness his mortal enemies the Spartans, they refu- of the Almighty, which, notwithstanding the sed to accept them, and would only take his word. He frequently declared, that he temptations and impediments that, in this would lose his crown, rather than give, even probationary state, obstruct the progress, to his worst foe, the least suspicion of his fi- and render difficult the practice of virtue in delity to his engagements. So happily infec-private life, has yet held out to those, who tious is this principle in a king, that not only ducement to use it for the promotion of their are endowed with kingly power, a strong inSully, but his other minister. Jeannin, was people's happiness, by rendering such designs distinguished by the same strict regard to truth; and the popularity both of the king as tend to the gratification of many vicious and his ministers was proportionably great. appetites which they are most tempted to The only way then for a prince to secure such as are prompted by benevolent emoindulge, far more difficult of execution, than the affection of the people, is to deserve it: tions, and have in view the advancement of by letting them see that he is steadily con- civil and social happiness. sulting their interests, and invariably maintaining them. What but this so long pre served to Elizabeth, that rooted regard in the hearts of her subjects? Certainly no pliancy of manners, no gracious complaisance. She treated even her parliaments in so peremptory a manner, that they sometimes only bore with it from a thorough conviction that the interests of the country were secure in her hands, and its happiness as dear to her as her own. These are the true foundatons of popularity. He, who most consults the good of his people, will, in general be most trusted by them; he who best merits their affection, will be most sure to obtain it, in spite of the arts of a cabal, or the turbu lence of a faction.

Thus, projects of conquest and ambition are circumscribed and obstructed by a thousand inherent and unavoidable difficulties. They are often dependant for their success on the life of a single man, whose death perhaps, when least expected, at once disconCerts them. Often they depend on what is still more uncertain,-the caprice or humour of an individual. When all is conceived to be flourishing and successful, when the prosperous enterpriser fancies that he is on the very point of gaining the proud summit to which he has so long aspired; or at the very moment when it is attained, and he is exulting in the hope of immediate enjoyment,-at once he is dashed to the ground, his triumphs are defeated, his laurels are blasted, and he himself only remains,

To point a moral, or adorn a tale,

Pagan fable relates, that when the inferior gods had once formed a conspiracy to bind Jupiter, Minerva advised him to send for Briareus, the monster with the hundred a lasting monument of the folly of ambition, hands, to come to his assistance; the poets, and of the uncertainty of all projects of worlddoubtless, intimating by this fiction, that wis-ly grandeur. dom will always suggest to a prince, that his best security will ever be found in the ready attachment and assistance of the people And it was a good practice which the famous Florentine secretary records of the then king of France, that he would never allow any person to say, that he was of the king's party, which would always imply, that there

*You have lived,' says Lord Thomas Howard to his friend in James I.'s reign, to see the trim of old times, and what passed in the queen's days These things are no more the same; your queen did not talk of her subjects' love and good affections, and in good truth she aimed well: our king talketh of his subjects' fear and subjection,' &c. &c. + Machiavel.

But the monarch, on the contrary, whose nobler and more virtuous ambition prompts him to employ his superior power of promoting the internal prosperity and comforts of his subjects, is not liable to such defeats. His path is plain; his duty is clear. By a vigilant, prompt, and impartial administration of justice, his object is to secure to the industrious the enjoyment of their honest gains; by a judicious use of his supreme power, to remove difficulties and obstructions, out of the way of commercial enterprise, and to facilitate its progress; to reward and foster ingenuity; and to encourage and promote the various arts by which civilized societies are distinguished and em

bellished; above all, to countenance and fa- [duct of the prince will make others virtuous; vour religion, morality, good order, and all and the virtuous are always the peaceable. the social and domestic virtues. A monarch, It is the voluptuous, the prodigal, and the liwho makes these benevolent ends the objects centious, who are the needy, the unsettled, of his pursuit, will not so easily be disappoint- and the discontented, who love change and ed. The reason is obvious; nothing depends promote disturbance. If sometimes the afon a single individual. His plans are car fluent, and the independent, swell the catarying on through ten thousand channels, and logue of public disturbers, they will fre-. by ten thousand agents, who, while they are quently be found to be men of inferior abiliall labouring for the promotion of their own ties, used by the designing as necessary impeculiar object, are, at the same time, un-plements to accomplish their work. The one consciously performing their function in the great machine of civil society. It is not, if we may change the metaphor, a single plant, perhaps an exotic, in a churlish climate, and an unwilling soil, which raised with anxious care, a sudden frost may nip, or a sudden blight may wither; but it is the wide-spread vegetation of the meadow, which abundantly springs up in one unvaried ace of verdure, beauty, and utility. While the happy monarch, whose large and liberal mind has projected and promoted this scene of peaceful industry, has the satisfaction of witnessing the gradual diffusion of comfort; of comfort which, enlarging with the progress of his plans to their full establishment, has been completed; not like the successful projects of triumphant ambition, in the oppression and misery of subjugated slaves, but in the freedom and happiness of a contented people.

set furnish mischief, the other means. Sallust has, in four exquisitely chosen words, given, in the character of one innovator, that of almost the whole tribe,-Alieni appetens, sui profusus. But allegiance is the fruit of sober integrity; and fidelity grows on the stock of independent honesty. As there is little public honour, where there is little private principle; so it is to be feared there will be little private principle, at least, among young persons of rank, where the throne holds out the example of a contrary conduct.

It is true, that public virtue and public spirit are things, which all men, of all parties, and all characters, equally agree to extol, equally desire to have the credit of possess ing. The reputation of patriotism is eagerly coveted by the most opposite characters; and pursued by the most contradictory means; by those who sedulously support the throne and constitution, and by those who labour no less sedulously to subvert them. Even the most factious, those who are governed by the basest selfishness, aspire to the dignity of a character, against which their leading principle and their actual practice constantly militate.

To the above important objects of royal attention, such a sovereign as we are contemplating, will naturally add a disposition for the promotion of charitable and religious institutions, as well as of those whose more immediate object is political utility, proportioning, with a judicious discrimination, the measure of support, and countenance, to the But patriots of this stamp are chiefly on respective degree of excellence. To these the watch to exemplify their public spirit in will be superadded a beneficent patronage to their own restless way; they are anxiously men of genius, learning, and science. Roy-looking out for some probable occurrence, al patronage will be likely not only to con- which may draw them into notice, and are tribute to the carrying of talents into bene-more eager to fish for fame, in the troubled ficial channels, but may be the means of pre-waters of public commotion, than disposed to venting them from being diverted into such live in the quiet exercise of those habitual as are dangerous. And when it is received as an universally established principle, that the direction of the best abilities to none but the soundest purposes, is the way to insure the favour of the prince, it will be an additional spur to genius to turn its efforts to the promotion of virtue and of public utility.— Such are the views, such the exertions, such the felicities of a patriot king, of a Christian politician!

CHAP. XXI.

virtues, which, if general, would preclude the possibility of any commotion at all. These innovating reformers always affect to suppose more virtue in mankind, than they know they shall find, while their own practice commonly exhibits a low standard of that imaginary perfection on which their fallacious reasonings are grounded. There is scarcely any disposition which leads to this factious spirit more than a restless vanity, because it is a temper which induces a man to be making a continual comparison of himself with others. His sense of his own supemind with perpetual competition with the inrior merit and inferior fortune, will fill his ferior merit and superior fortune of those above him. He will ever prefer a storm in A WISE prince will be virtuous, were it which he may become conspicuous, to a calm only through policy The measure of his in which he is already secure. Such a soipower is the rule of his duty He who prac-disant patriot does not feel for the general tises virtue and piety himself, not only holds out a broad shelter to the piety and virtue of others, but his example is a living law. effi cacious to many of those who would treat written laws with contempt. The good con

The importance of royal example in promoting loyalty.-On false patriotism —Pub lic spirit.

interests of his country, but only for that portion of it which he himself may have a chance of obtaining Though a loud de claimer for the privileges of universal man, he really sees no part of the whole cirole of

human happiness, except that segment which In all the graces of deportment, whatever he is carving for himself. He does not re- appears outwardly engaging, should always joice in those plentiful dews of heaven which proceed from something deeper than itself. are fertilizing the general soil, but in those The fair fabric, which is seen, must be sup which fatten his own pastures. It is not,' ported by a solid foundation which is out of says the admirable South, from the common, sight; the loftiest pyramid must rise from but the inclosure, from which he calculates the broadest base; the most beautiful flower his advantages.' from the most valuable root; sweetness of But true public spirit is not the new-born manners must be the effect of benevolence offspring of sudden occasion, nor the inciden- of heart; affability of speech should proceed tal fruit of casual emergency, nor the golden from a well regulated temper; a solicitude apple thrown out to contentious ambition. to oblige should spring from an inward sense It is that genuine patriotism, which best pre- of the duty owing to our fellow-creatures; vents disturbance, by discouraging every the bounty of the hands must result from the vice that leads to it. It springs from a com- feelings of the heart; the proprieties of conbination of disinterestedness, integrity and versation, from a sound internal principle; content. It is the result of many long cher- kindness, attention, and all the outward graished domestic charities. Its seminal princi- ces, should be the effect of habits and dispoples exist in a sober love of liberty, order, sitions lying in the mind, and ready to show law, peace, and justice, the best safeguards themselves in action, whenever the occasion of the throne, and the only happiness of the presents itself. people. Instead of that selfish patriotism which, in ancient Rome, consisted in subverting the comfort of the rest of the world, the public spirit of a British patriot is not only consistent with Christianity, but (maugre the assertion of a wit already quoted) in a good degree dictated by it. His religion, so far from forbidding, even enjoins him to consider himself as such a member of the body politic, such a joint of the great machine, that, remembering the defect of a pin may disconcert a system, he labours to fill up his individual part as assiduously as if the motion of every wheel, the effect of every spring, the success of the whole operation, the safety ing any. This genuine politeness resulting of the entire community depended on his single conduct This patriotism evinces itself by sacrifices in the rich, by submission in the poor, by exertions in the able, strong in their energy, but quiet in their operation; it evin ces itself by the sober satisfaction of each in cheerfully filling the station which is assigned him by Providence, instead of aspiring to that which is pointed out by ambition, by each man performing with conscientious strictness his own proper duty, instead of descanting with misleading plausibility, and unprofitable eloquence on the duties of other men.

CHAP. XXII.

On the graces of deportment.-The dispositions necessary for business.—Habits of domestic life.

THOSE,' says lord Bacon, who are accomplished in the forms of urbanity, are apt to please themselves in it so much as seldom to aspire to higher virtue' Notwithstanding the general truth of the maxim, and the high authority by which it comes recommended, yet condescending and gracious manners should have their full share in finishing the royal character; but they should have only their due share. They should never be resorted to as a substitute for that worth, of which they are the best decoration.

* Soame Jenyns.

Just views of herself, and of what she owes to the world, of that gentleness which Christianity inculcates, and that graciousness which her station enjoins, will, taking the usual advantages into the account, scarcely fail to produce in the royal pupil a deportment, at once, dignified and engaging. The firmest substances alone are susceptible of the most exquisite polish, 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 struggling to conceal its faults; nor of that pride, which is not conscious of possess

from illustrious birth, inherent sense, and implanted virtue, will render superfluous the documents of Chesterfield, and the instructions of Castiglione

But the acquisition of engaging manners, and all the captivating graces of deportment, need less occupy the mind of the royal, person, as she will acquire these attractions by a sort of instinct, almost without time or pains. They will naturally be copied from those illustrious examples of grace, ease, and condescending dignity, which fill, and which

surround the throne And she will have the less occasion for looking to remote, or foreign examples, to learn the true arts of popularity, while the illustrious personage who wears the crown, continues to exhibit not the warm affections of a people are won, only a living pattern by what honest means but by what rectitude, piety, and patriotism, they may be preserved, and increased, under every succession of trial, and every vicissitude of circumstance

Among the habits which it is important for a prince to acquire, there is not one more essential than a love of business.Lord Bacon has, among his essays, an admirable chapter, both of counsel and caution, respecting despatch in affairs, which as it is short and pointed, the royal pupil, might commit to memory. He advises to measure despatch not by the time of sitting to business, but by the advancement of the business itself; and reprobates the affectation of those, who, to gain the reputation of men