'Do the great seem insensible of the easy price at which they may
acquire the publick admiration; or do they seem to imagine that
to them, as to other men, it must be the purchase either of sweat
or of blood? By what important accomplishments is the young
nobleman instructed to support the dignity of his rank, and to
render himself worthy of that superiority over his
fellow-citizens, to which the virtue of his ancestors had raised
them? Is it by knowledge, by industry, by patience, by
self-denial, or by virtue of any kind? As all his words, as all
his motions are attended to, he learns an habitual regard to
every circumstance of ordinary behaviour, and studies to perform
all those small duties with the most exact propriety. As he is
conscious how much he is observed, and how much mankind are
disposed to favour all his inclinations, he acts, upon the most
indifferent occasions, with that freedom and elevation which the
thought of this naturally inspires. His air, his manner, his
deportment, all mark that elegant and graceful sense of his own
superiority, which those who are born to inferior station can
hardly ever arrive at. These are the arts by which he proposes to
make mankind more easily submit to his authority, and to govern
their inclinations according to his own pleasure: and in this he
is seldom disappointed. These arts, supported by rank and
pre-eminence, are, upon ordinary occasions, sufficient to govern
the world. Lewis XIV during the greater part of his reign, was
regarded, not only in France, but over all Europe, as the most
perfect model of a great prince. But what were the talents and
virtues by which he acquired this great reputation? Was it by the
scrupulous and inflexible justice of all his undertakings, by the
immense dangers and difficulties with which they were attended,
or by the unwearied and unrelenting application with which he
pursued them? Was it by his extensive knowledge, by his exquisite
judgment, or by his heroic valour? It was by none of these
qualities. But he was, first of all, the most powerful prince in
Europe, and consequently held the highest rank among kings; and
then, says his historian, "he surpassed all his courtiers in the
gracefulness of his shape, and the majestic beauty of his
features. The sound of his voice, noble and affecting, gained
those hearts which his presence intimidated. He had a step and a
deportment which could suit only him and his rank, and which
would have been ridiculous in any other person. The embarrassment
which he occasioned to those who spoke to him, flattered that
secret satisfaction with which he felt his own superiority."
These frivolous accomplishments, supported by his rank, and, no
doubt too, by a degree of other talents and virtues, which seems,
however, not to have been much above mediocrity, established this
prince in the esteem of his own age, and have drawn, even from
posterity, a good deal of respect for his memory. Compared with
these, in his own times, and in his own presence, no other
virtue, it seems, appeared to have any merit. Knowledge,
industry, valour, and beneficence, trembled, were abashed, and
lost all dignity before them.'
