2 THE DUTY OF SOVEREIGNS, 



me to grant, to prostrate herself before me : but it is for those who im- 

 portune me for pardons and remissions, which are only matters of royal 

 o-race and favour." He then patiently listened to her complaint, and 

 promised that she should receive redress ; which was soon after per- 

 formed by the public execution of the offender, notwithstanding the in- 

 tercession of all his kindred and friends. 



We confess this version of the fact pleases us better than one which 

 is told by Millot, and others, of Henry IV., as a striking proof of that 

 prince's consideration for the lower class of his subjects. Having been 

 informed that some peasants at Campagne, had been plundered by his 

 soldiers, he wrote thus to their officers, who were in Paris : — " Set oft' 

 immediately — let the matter be rectified — you shall answer for it. 

 What ! if my people be ruined, who are to maintain me ? who are to 

 bear the public burdens ? who are to pay your pensions, gentlemen ? 

 Bv heavens ! to quarrel with my people, is to quarrel with me !" Tliese 

 words, as Millot observes, are those of an enlightened politician ! and 

 we know from other facts that they were spoken by a prince of great 

 humanity. But, considered in themselves, they imply nothing more 

 than a prudent regard to his own interest. For, might not the owner 

 of a flock of sheep, who had been informed that his servants jjlucked off 

 their wool for their own profit, say to them, " If my sheep are fleeced, 

 how am I to be maintained ? how are my rents, and your wages, to be 

 paid? to rob my sheep, is to rob me!" Yet this very master, at the 

 " shearing season," will have them clipped to the skin, or will sell them to 

 a butcher, if he think it for his own advantage. If a monarch comes to 

 consider his subjects merely as his property, he can have no claim to 

 patriotism or philanthropy, or any exertions to promote their prosperity, 

 any more than a West Indian planter, for keeping his slaves in health 

 and vigour. It is true this is " a policy" which mean and little minds 

 do not readily adopt, yet it is compatible with the most perfect selfish- 

 ness. Its principle betrays itself as soon as some favourite object is em- 

 braced by the monarch, which opposes the happiness of his people ; for 

 then, the sacrifice of the latter to the former, is made without hesitation. 

 Thus, this very Henry IV., after he had brought his kingdom, by the 

 assistance of Sullv, into such a flourishing state, that he was able by 

 heavy imposts to fill his cofters, was about to put the public welfare to 

 hazard, in pursuit either of a grand scheme of ambition, or of a licen- 

 tious passion, disgraceful to his age and station. 



The prince who says my peo^^le, in the same sense that he would say 



