130 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



** porated aflbciations. The King is a luminary, 

 " furrounded by the nobihty, and by different 

 ** corps, as by fo many clouds, and it is hardly 

 *^ poffible that one of his rays (hould fall upon 

 '* you. Formerly, in an adminiftration lefs com- 

 *' plicated, fuch phenomena were to be feen. 

 ** Then, talents and merit were difclofed on every 

 *' fide, like as the frelh grounds, which have juft 

 *' been cleared, are productive with all their rich 

 ** juices. But great Kings, who know Mankind, 

 '' and how to make choice among them, are very 

 *' rare. Kings, in general, allow themfelves to be 

 ** biaffed by the grandees, and by the aflbciations 

 ** which furround them." 



Paul. 

 ** But probably I (ball find one of thofe great 

 *' men, who will take me under his proteftion." 



The Old Man. 

 " The proteflion of the great, is to be obtained 

 *' only by ferving either their ambition or their 

 ** pleafure. You can never fucceed with them, 

 ** for your birth is mean, and your probity is un- 

 " tainted." 



Paul. 

 " But I will perform adlions fo daring, 1 will 

 " keep my promifes fo inviolate, I will fo punc- 

 tually 



