40O STUDIES OF NATURE. 



they are weary of the pleafures of glory. But I 

 can beheve them fenfible to thofe of humanity, of 

 ■which they are perpetually deprived. They are 

 for ever conftrained to be Kings, and never per- 

 mitted to be Men. What delight might it not 

 procure them to fpread a veil over their greatnefs^ 

 like the Gods, and to make their appearance in the 

 midft of a virtuous family, like Jupiter^ at the fire- 

 fide of Philemon and Baucis ! How little would it coft 

 them to make happy people every day of their 

 lives 1 In many cafes, what they lavifh on a fmgle 

 family of courtiers, would fupply the means of 

 happinefs to a whole Province. On many occa- 

 fions, their appearance merely, would overawe all 

 the tyrants of the diftriâ:, and confole all the mi- 

 ferable. They would be confidered as omnipre- 

 fent, when they were not known as confined to a 

 particular fpot. One confidential friend, a few 

 hardy fervants, would be fufficient to bring within 

 their reach all the pleafures of travelling from place 

 to place, and to fcreen them from all the incon- 

 veniencies of it. 



They have it in their power to vary the feafons 

 as they will, without ftirring out of the kingdom, 

 and to extend their pleafures to the utmoft extent 

 of their authority. Inftead of inhabiting country- 

 reiidences on the banks of the Seine, or amidft the 

 rocks of Fontainbleau, they might have them on 



the 



