32 



verned according to justice, and the laws of the kingdom. 

 On this occasion, he enlarged on his rojal virtues; ob- 

 serving that he was pious towards the gods, tender towards 

 his people; moderate, just, magnanimous, of strict veracit^s 

 liberal, master of himself, punishing below the magnitude 

 of the oft'ence, and rewarding above the pleasure of the 

 service. He then spoke with execration of the faults, which 

 the king might' have committed, through surprise or igno- 

 rance; at the same time absolving him, and laying the 

 blame* on his ministers and council. Thus they strove to 

 win the king to virtue; not by sharp admonitions, but by 

 the praises due to good actions. After the sacrifice, a 

 priest read, out of the sacred records, such actions of fa- 

 mous men as might be of use in life, and fit for imitation; 

 that the king might be instructed, and govern his state, 

 according to their maxims and examples. Even in the 

 economy of the king, all his actions were defined and re- 

 gulated, as to time and place, by laws and customs: by 

 them even his food and drink were prescribed. It is said, 

 that in a certain temple, in Thebes, Avas a pillar, on Avhich 

 were imprecations against a king, who had first introduced 

 luxury into Egypt. It was not in the power of the king 

 to wrong or oppress the subject: he could not punish any 



person 



* It is remarkable to see the conformity between this practice, and tlie 

 constitutional doctrine of a limited monarchy, as received in England. TAe 

 iiiig can do no wrong; his faults are those of his ministers; but these minis- 

 ters may be impeached and punished. 



