But among all the different "Ways of giving Counfel, I think the fineft, and that which pleafes ¶ the most universally, is Fable, in whatfoeyer Shape it appears. If { we confider this way of Inftruct fing, or giving Advice, it excels all others, because it is the leaft Shocking, and the leaft Subject to thofe Exceptions which I have before mention'd.

This will appear to us if we re, flect, in the firft Place, that upon reading of a Fable we are made to believe we advife our-felves. We perufe the Author for the Sake of the Story, and confider the Precepts rather as our own Conclufions, than his Inftructions. The • Moral infinuates itfelf imperceptibly, we are taught by furprize, and become wifer and better unawares. In fhort, by this Method a Man is fo far over-reach'd as to think he is directing himself, ' whilst

* whilft he is following theDictates of another, and confequently is not fenfible of that which is the moft unpleafing Circumftance in ' Advice.

'In the next Place, if we look into human Nature, we shall find, that the Mind is never fo much pleas'd, as when the exerts herfelf in any Action that gives her an Idea of her own Perfections and Abilities. This natural Pride and • Ambition of the Soul is very ' much gratified in the reading of a Fable: For in Writings of this Kind, the Reader comes in for half of the Performance; every Thing appears to him like a Difcovery of his own; he is bufied ' all the while in applying Charact'ers and Circumftances, and is in this Refpect both a Reader and a Compofer. It is noWonder there'fore that on fuch Occafions, when .. ⚫ the Mind is thus pleas'd with it

'felf,

felf, and amus'd with its own Discoveries, that it is highly delighted with the Writing which is the Occafion of it.

THE

THE

CONTENTS.

TH

CHAPTER I.

Hat whatfoever Condition we are in, the
Love of the World ought not to make us for-
get God.

CHA P. II.

That we cannot employ too much Time, or too many

Tutors, in the Education of a young Prince.

CHA P. III.

7

That Young Lords, especially Princes, should not

undertake any Thing without Counsel.

CHA P. IV.

13

That a Favourite never ought to abuse the Favour

of his Mafter.

CHAP. V.

20

That God and Nature oblige us to prefer our Parents

to every Thing else.

CHAP. VI.

54

That Good Men are belov'd, and esteem'd by all, while

on the contrary, the Wicked are the Object of

Hatred and Contempt.

CHAP. VII.

60

That Regal Power is of Divine Inflitution, and

therefore not to be transferr'd, according to the

Schemes of a turbulent and factious Rabble.

CHAP. VIII.

65

That Great Men should never tolerate Calumny and

Detraction at their Tables, or elsewhere.

CHAP. IX.

That good Morals, and a generous Temper, are both

highly requifite in a Sovereign Prince.

LL

CHAP.

CHAP. X.

That it is highly requifite, to the right Education of

a Young Prince, that the utmost Care fhould be

taken that all Perfons and Things, from which he

might poffibly receive any ill Impreffions, should

be remov'd far from him.

CHAP.

XI.

85

That Generofity, well apply'd, often prevents great

Misfortunes.

CHAP. XII.

94

That Children ought to be refpected on the Account

of their Fathers, and the Fathers on the Account

of their Children.

CHAP. XIII.

100

That thofe ought to live a part that cannot Agree

together.

CHAP. XIV.

106

That what belongs to Princes ought to be Ma

jeflick.

CHA P. XV.

That Jefts too often end in Earneft; or the Danger

of Mobbing.

CHAP. XVI.

123

If there be any fuch Thing as Fortune, the Court is

the likelieft Place to meet with it.

CHAP. XVII.

131

That good Masters ought to acknowledge the good

Offices of their old Servants.

CHAP. XVIII.

138

That we cannot, without Balenefs, forfake a Friend

in his Adverfity.

CHAP. XIX.

147

That the Officers of an Army fhould not appear in the

Field without Armour.

Of the difference between True and Falle Friends,

and of the Bounds of Friendship.

163

CHAP