World, enter'd Befanfon (to speak in the Stile of Oliver de la Marche) in a Wheel-barrow; he was clothed in a pitiful Garment,made of courfe Woollen Cloth, his Head was cover'd with a white Cap, which was tied under his Chin with a String; and left any thing should be wanting to compleat this Triumph, he lean'd upon an old ragged Pillow, which was more proper for a fick Man in an Hofpital, than to fupport the Head of a Prince.

CHAP.

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CHAPTER XXIX.

That the Patronage of Great Men, is neceffary for the Advancement of their Inferiors.

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He Fable tells us of a large Elm, which for many Years had been planted in the Midst of an open Plain; The Paffengers and Shepherds, during the Heat of the Day, were wont to repofe and refresh themselves under the Shadow of its Branches. It happen'd likewife that a Crab-tree ftood near it, which had fprung up from fome Kernels driven there by the Wind. This worthlefs Tree bore an implacable Hatred against the Elm, because he faw every one was fond of his Shade, whilft himself and his Apples were wholly rejected, and fet at nought. However it happen'd, that a young Man very thirfty, and obferving the Fruit, which to the Eye feem'd very fine and beautiful, climbing up the Tree gather'd fome of them, thinking thereby to quench his Thirft. Scarce was he defcended, but the Crabtree, puffed up with this Honour and extraordianary Vifit, began thus to infult over the Elm: I do not, fays he, entertain my Guests with my Shade only, as you do, neither do I think it enough to make them partake of the Coolness of my Leaves; But Tam So hofpitable as to procure them real Nourishment, by quenching their Thirst, or fatisfying their Hunger. He had scarce spoke thefe Words, when the Young Man, having tafted one of the Apples, found it fo very Sowre, that he immediately fpit it out of his Mouth again, being unable to fwallow it; breathing out a Thousand Curfes and Ff

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Imprecations against the Tree. At this the Elm, though with much Modefty, replies in Answer to the Affront he had receiv'd from him: It must be acknowledg'd, that if your Prefents are bad, you still make them with a worse Grace; for my Part I do wot vaunt or boast of my Bounty, though I might Say, and that without Vanity, that I comfort Pallengers more by the Coolness of my hofpitable Shade, Than you profit them by your wild Apples. vr your boriq nood bef annoy yar abisigode hohe MORAL!Tasgo as to sloqur of tow show weder to trul si puu 2: We may learn from this Fable; that Things that are ufelels come without any Pains: That Men are often deceiv'd, and mistake Bad for Good : That thofe who do a fmall Kindaefsy contrary to their Cuftom, and the Bent of their Inclination, are continually bragging and boafting of it; and that a good Turn rather extorted than obtain'd rather difobliges than days an Obligation on the Receiver prov s gumoved bl YThere is no Doubt but Great Men have many Ways, whereby they are able to prefer theirInferiors as either by their own fpecial Favours, or by Recommendations: But the Beauty and Ornament of a Benefit lies in the Manner of conferring it: Some there are that temper their Bounties with fo much Good Nature and Chearfulness, that the Value of their Prefent is doubly improv'd; others have no fooner thed the benign Influence of their Favours upon the Indigent, but they immediately forget it because by along and con'tinu'd Habit of doing Good, they take Pleasure in cheaping up Benefits upon their Friends and Servants, not thinking that, by fo doing, they infinitely oblige the Receivers: From whence we may conclude, that Liberality is infeparably

inherent in thofe that are of a generous Spirit; even as Covetoufnefs and Villany (tick like Ruft, and leave an indelible ftain upon Souls bafe and fordid. If fometimes the Vanity of thefe Men makes them put their Hands to their Parfe they do it by knitting the Brow, and Embrace every Opportunity of reproaching and reminding thofe, whom they have been beneficial to, when they re-affume their Ill-Humour.This Way of obliging might be compar'd to a Stony-Piece of Bread, which a hungry Man is oblig'd to receive, but almofl choaks him in the going down.

But to return to our Text: How many do we fee, who had still continued in a mean and defpicable Condition, had they not been raised by the Support of fome Prince or Lord? What need has a Man of good Courage and Experience, more than of one fingle Word of his General, to advance him to an honourable Poft in the Army? All his Words carry Authority with them, and are able to give either Life or Death. Men in high Power and eminent Stations, are like great Trees, which caft a venerable Shade, who can proted when they pleafe, thofe who ftand in need of their Favours, chiefly when they are oppreffed with Want, or expos'd to the Storm.

The Favour of a Prince is like a Shield to di ftreffed Gentlemen, and alwaysGuards them againft the Rage and Fury of their Creditors or Oppofers, who dare not, without running wilfully into De ftruction, Arreft either their Perfons, or Seize upon their Heritages? Their Houfes, if they have committed any Crime, are a Sanctuary to them, and if they are under any Confinement, they obtain their Freedom and Pardon.

I remember to have read of one Inftance, mention'd in the Hiftory of Portugal, which is very Ff2 a propos

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a propos to my prefent Subject. Dom: Ruis de Sofa was a Man who was blefs'd with more Merit than Fortune. And as his Virtue was obfcure and unregarded, he liv'd among a great many Courtiers unknown, and undistinguish'd in the Crowd. One Day feeing King John in a very good Humour, hé approach'd towards him, and very refpectfully acquainted his Majefty, that he had fomething to communicate to him. Upon this the King giving him the Liberty to fpeak; that I request of your Majefty, fays he, for my long Services, is only that they fhould be gratify'd by a kind Look: I have only Need of that favourable Reception to re-establish my Affairs, and make my felf whole again. The King, as he was Courteous and Obliging, made him a Promife, which he afterwards perform'd.

One Day, the Court being very full, His Majefty call'd him by his Name, and with drawing in private towards a Window, detain'd him a long Time, Whispering in his Ear with much Familiarity. He continu'd his Favours on for fome time longer, but upon a certain Festival he took an Opportunity of manifefting, in a more Publick Manner, his extraordinary Kindness for him. As every One was big with Expectation to fee His Majefty, he iffued forth out of his Royal Palace Leaning upon his Shoulder; and thus gently croffing the High Street of Lisbon, every Body took it for granted, that Dom Ruis had, without Contradiction, the First place in the King's Affections: And accordingly the Project prov'd very Beneficial to him, and got him fuch Reputation, that a Rich Merchant, who before took but little or no Notice of him, feeing this, furnish'd him with what Goods foever he might have occafion for, either to adorn his Houfe, or fet up a magnificent Equipage."

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