贝壳电子书 > 英文原著电子书 > letters to his son, 1752 >

第18章

letters to his son, 1752-第18章

小说: letters to his son, 1752 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



 that being utterly unknown to his M…; his objection could not be personal to you; and could only arise from circumstances which it was not in your power either to prevent or remedy; that if his Grace thought that your continuing any longer there would be disagreeable; you entreated him to tell you so; and that upon the whole; you referred yourself entirely to him; whose orders you should most scrupulously obey。  But this precaution; I dare say; is 'ex abundanti'; and will prove unnecessary; however; it is always right to be prepared for all events; the worst as well as the best; it prevents hurry and surprise; two dangerous; situations in business; for I know no one thing so useful; so necessary in all business; as great coolness; steadiness; and sangfroid: they give an incredible advantage over whoever one has to do with。

I have received your letter of the 15th; N。  S。; from Mayence; where I find that you have diverted yourself much better than I expected。  I am very well acquainted with Comte Cobentzel's character; both of parts and business。  He could have given you letters to Bonn; having formerly resided there himself。  You will not be so agreeably ELECTRIFIED where this letter will find you; as you were both at Manheim and Mayence ; but I hope you may meet with a second German Mrs。 F…d; who may make you forget the two former ones; and practice your German。  Such transient passions will do you no harm; but; on the contrary; a great deal of good; they will refine your manners and quicken your attention; they give a young fellow 'du brillant'; and bring him into fashion; which last is a great article at setting out in the world。

I have wrote; about a month ago; to Lord Albemarle; to thank him for all his kindnesses to you; but pray have you done as much?  Those are the necessary attentions which should never be omitted; especially in the beginning of life; when a character is to be established。

That ready wit; which you so partially allow me; and so justly Sir Charles Williams; may create many admirers; but; take my word for it; it makes few friends。  It shines and dazzles like the noon…day sun; but; like that too; is very apt to scorch; and therefore is always feared。 The milder morning and evening light and heat of that planet soothe and calm our minds。  Good sense; complaisance; gentleness of manners; attentions and graces are the only things that truly engage; and durably keep the heart at long run。  Never seek for wit; if it presents itself; well and good; but; even in that case; let your judgment interpose; and take care that it be not at the expense of anybody。  Pope says very truly:

          〃There are whom heaven has blest with store of wit;           Yet want as much again to govern it。〃

And in another place; I doubt with too much truth:

          〃For wit and judgment ever are at strife           Though meant each other's aid; like man and wife。〃

The Germans are very seldom troubled with any extraordinary ebullitions or effervescenses of wit; and it is not prudent to try it upon them; whoever does; 'ofendet solido'。

Remember to write me very minute accounts of all your transactions at Hanover; for they excite both my impatience and anxiety。  Adieu!




LETTER CLXXIV

LONDON; August 4; O。 S。  1752

MY DEAR FRIEND: I am extremely concerned at the return of your old asthmatic complaint; of which your letter from Cassel of the 28th July; N。 S。; in forms me。  I believe it is chiefly owing to your own negligence; for; notwithstanding the season of the year; and the heat and agitation of traveling; I dare swear you have not taken one single dose of gentle; cooling physic; since that which I made you take at Bath。 I hope you are now better; and in better hands。  I mean in Dr。 Hugo's at Hanover: he is certainly a very skillful physician; and therefore I desire that you will inform him most minutely of your own case; from your first attack in Carniola; to this last at Marpurgh; and not only follow his prescriptions exactly at present; but take his directions; with regard to the regimen that he would have you observe to prevent the returns of this complaint; and; in case of any returns; the immediate applications; whether external or internal; that he would have you make use of。  Consider; it is very worth your while to submit at present to any course of medicine or diet; to any restraint or confinement; for a time; in order to get rid; once for all; of so troublesome and painful a distemper; the returns of which would equally break in upon your business or your pleasures。  Notwithstanding all this; which is plain sense and reason; I much fear that; as soon as ever you are got out of your present distress; you will take no preventive care; by a proper course of medicines and regimen; but; like most people of your age; think it impossible that you ever should be ill again。  However; if you will not be wise for your own sake; I desire you will be so for mine; and most scrupulously observe Dr。 Hugo's present and future directions。

Hanover; where I take it for granted you are; is at present the seat and centre of foreign negotiations; there are ministers from almost every court in Europe; and you have a fine opportunity of displaying with modesty; in conversation; your knowledge of the matters now in agitation。 The chief I take to be the Election of the King of the Romans; which; though I despair of; heartily wish were brought about for two reasons。 The first is; that I think it may prevent a war upon the death of the present Emperor; who; though young and healthy; may possibly die; as young and healthy people often do。  The other is; the very reason that makes some powers oppose it; and others dislike it; who do not openly oppose it; I mean; that it may tend to make the imperial dignity hereditary in the House of Austria; which I heartily wish; together with a very great increase of power in the empire: till when; Germany will never be anything near a match for France。  Cardinal Richelieu showed his superior abilities in nothing more; than in thinking no pains or expense too great to break the power of the House of Austria in the empire。 Ferdinand had certainly made himself absolute; and the empire consequently formidable to France; if that Cardinal had not piously adopted the Protestant cause; and put the empire; by the treaty of Westphalia; in pretty much the same disjointed situation in which France itself was before Lewis the Eleventh ; when princes of the blood; at the head of provinces; and Dukes of Brittany; etc。; always opposed; and often gave laws to the crown。  Nothing but making the empire hereditary in the House of Austria; can give it that strength and efficiency; which I wish it had; for the sake of the balance of power。  For; while the princes of the empire are so independent of the emperor; so divided among themselves; and so open to the corruption of the best bidders; it is ridiculous to expect that Germany ever will; or can act as a compact and well…united body against France。  But as this notion of mine would as little please SOME OF OUR FRIENDS; as many of our enemies; I would not advise you; though you should be of the same opinion; to declare yourself too freely so。  Could the Elector Palatine be satisfied; which I confess will be difficult; considering the nature of his pretensions; the tenaciousness and haughtiness of the court of Vienna (and our inability to do; as we have too often done; their work for them); I say; if the Elector Palatine could be engaged to give his vote; I should think it would be right to proceed to the election with a clear majority of five votes; and leave the King of Prussia and the Elector of Cologne; to protest and remonstrate as much as ever they please。  The former is too wise; and the latter too weak in every respect; to act in consequence of these protests。  The distracted situation of France; with its ecclesiastical and parliamentary quarrels; not to mention the illness and possibly the death of the Dauphin; will make the King of Prussia; who is certainly no Frenchman in his heart; very cautious how he acts as one。 The Elector of Saxony will be influenced by the King of Poland; who must be determined by Russia; considering his views upon Pol

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的