JUSTICE.

Justice, like the liberal light of heaven,

Unpurchased, shines on all.

THOMSON.

THE

HE distribution of justice is the peculiar and most important function of royalty, and as its first principles are simple and immutable, they cannot too early form the subject of contemplation to a young Prince.

"The virtuous soul is a storehouse, in which are treasured up the rules of action, and the seeds of morality. All the laws of nations and wise decrees of state, the statutes of Solon, and the Twelve Tables, are but a paraphrase upon this standing rectitude of nature, this fruitful principle of justice, which is ready to run out and enlarge itself into suitable determinations, upon all emergent objects and occasions."

DR. SOUTH.

HENRY, PRINCE OF WALES, SON OF JAMES

THE FIRST.

HENRY, Prince of Wales, son of James the First,

was remarkable for his adherence to justice upon all occasions, and never suffered himself to determine rashly, or till after a due examination of both parties. This love of justice shewed itself very early, in his favoring and rewarding those among his pages, and other young gentlemen placed about him, who, by men of great judgment, were thought to be of the best behaviour, and most merit. And when he was but a little above five years of age, and a son of the Earl of Mar, somewhat younger than himself, falling out with one of his Highness's pages, did him some wrong, the Prince reproved him for it, saying, "I love you, because you are my lord's son, and my cousin; but if you are not better conditioned, I will love such a one better:" naming the child who had complained of him.

The love of justice shewed itself, as he grew older, in more important points. In his removal from one of his houses to another, and in his attendance upon the king on the same occasions, or in progresses, he would suffer no provisions or carriages to be taken up for his use, without full contentment given to the parties. And he was so solicitous to prevent any person from being prejudiced or annoyed by himself or any of his

train, that whenever he went out to hawk before harvest was ended, he would take care that none should pass through the corn; and, to set them an example, would himself rather ride a furlong about.

In the government of his household and management of his revenues, the same love of order and justice were perceptible. He not only gave orders, but saw almost every thing done himself, so that there were scarce any of his domestics whom he did not know by name; and though he loved plenty and magnificence in his house, he restrained them within the rules of frugality and moderation. He ordered to be

set down in writing the several heads of all his annual charges; the ordinary expense of his house and his stables; that of his apparel and wardrobe; his rewards, and every thing else that was to be issued yearly out of his coffers. These he compared with his annual revenue, and so judiciously proportioned them by retrenching what he found superfluous, and adding what was wanting, that he reduced the whole to a certainty, such as his revenues would defray, besides a yearly saving of some thousands of pounds, which he reserved for contingent and occasional exigencies.

By this economy he avoided the necessity of being rigid to his tenants, either by raising their farms or fines, or seeking or taking advantage of forfeitures.

A

GUSTAVUS THE THIRD OF SWEDEN..

PERSON asked an audience of Gustavus the Third, the young King of Sweden, and told him he came to apprise him that a certain man attached to the court, was forming projects against his majesty. The king, aware that the informer was the enemy of the accused person, dismissed him saying, "Go and be reconciled to your enemy, and then I may, perhaps, listen to you, and believe you."

CYRUS THE GREAT.

XENOPHON tells us, that among the ancient Per

sians, the boys who frequented the public places of instruction, passed their time in learning Justice, and would tell you that they went for that purpose, as those with us who go to learn letters, tell you that they go for that purpose. And he gives us the following dialogue between Cyrus and his mother, illustrative of this.

When Mandane was about to return home, and Cyrus expressed his desire to remain in Media with his grandfather, Mandane said, "But how, child, will you be instructed here in the knowledge of justice when teachers are in Persia?" "O mother," said Cyrus,

your

"that I understand exactly already!" "How so?" said Mandane. "Because my teacher," said he, "appointed me judge over others, as being very exact in the knowledge of justice myself. But yet, I had some stripes given me, as not determining right in one judgment that I gave; the case was this: A bigger boy, who had a little coat, stripping a less boy who had a larger, puts upon the little boy the coat that was his own, and puts on himself the coat that was the little boy's. I therefore passing judgment upon them, decreed that it was best that each should keep the coat that best fitted him. Upon which my teacher thrashed me, and told me, that if I had been constituted judge of what fitted best, I ought to have determined in this manner: but when I was to judge whose coat it was, then, said he, it must be inquired what right possession is; whether he that took a thing by force, should have it, or whether he who made it, or purchased it, should possess it; and then he told me, that what was according to law was just; and that what was contrary to law was violent: he bid me take notice, therefore, that a judge ought to give his opinion with the law. So, mother," said Cyrus, "I now understand exactly what is just."