i792^ a picture of the coiirt. 30 S 



placed, without the smallest appearance of any change. 

 This is the abode of envy and of hope ; while the one 

 torments, the other consoles, and gives birth to agreeable 

 chimeras. Death seizes the inhabitants in the midst of 

 hopes that have been disappointed for twenty years, — in the 

 midst of projects which would demand another life. Those 

 who do not know this country, believe it to be a place 

 filled with delights J those who inhabit it, speak ill of it,, 

 but cannot leave it. 



Serve the prince, said a wise man to his son, in his cm- 

 bafsies, in his armies, but never at court, whatever place, 

 or whatever appointments are afsigned to you. 



A courtier said, one day to one of his old college com- 

 panions, who was a labourer: Wherefore do you not' 

 learn to please ? you would then be no longer obliged to 

 live by the labour of your hands. And why, answered 

 the other, do you not learn to werk ? you would no longer 

 be obliged to be a slave,. 



On ambition. 

 The best of all good things, says M. Retz, is repose. 

 All the pleasures which nature can bestow, become 

 insipid to him who is agitated by ambition, who is tor- 

 mented by vanity, or torn by envy. You (hall see a maa 

 «n whom fortune has been prodigal of her choicest fa- 

 vours, to whom nature has given a sound and vigorous 

 body J wh.o is beloved by his wife, and his children, whom 

 he cherifhes ; whose presence spreads pleasure and joy ia 

 bis family, where he is only an apparition 5 who, if he 

 lived on his own domains, would enjoy the pleasure o£ 

 doing good to a set of numerous vafsals, but he there 

 makes his appearance only three or four times in a year j- 

 and is then scarcely seen till he is gone again. This maa 

 does not feel the value of health 3 he dots not enjoy his 



