1^03. anecdute. 215 



There Is no doubt that, by the universal practice 

 which prevails at present, one vcfsel may sink ano- 

 ther, when actually engaged ; but after a vefsel has 

 struck, and thus comes under the power of another, 

 it does not seem to be fully his property, until it 

 has been legally condemned, and adjudged to him ; 

 so that it would not seem that he had a right vo- 

 luntarily to destroy it. Were this restraint remo- 

 ved, wicked men might on some occasions wantonly 

 destroy much valuable property ; so that if no rule 

 be already establifiied on this head, it certainly 

 ought tc be so decreed by universal consent among 

 all civilised nations. 



ANECDOTE. 



According to the abbe de Choisi, Moliere took the 

 idea of his famous comedy, Tartuffe, from the fol- 

 lowing anecdote. One evening the prince de Conti 

 had drcfsed himself for a masquerade, in spite of 

 the remonstrances of the abbe de Conac ; who had 

 represented to him, that his health would be injured 

 by late hours. Seeing this advice disregarded, he 

 flatly told him, that made as he was, his fhape 

 would immediately discover him under any dis- 

 guise*. The prince, being drtfsed for the masque- 

 rade, the abbe de Roquette, entered the apartment 

 as he was leaving it : and addrefsing the prince ot 



* The I rince was misn<:'pcn, and of a weakly constitution 



