Charles the Second asking the famous Bishop Stillingfleet, how it came
to pass, that although he was informed he always preached _without book_
elsewhere, yet he always read his Sermons before the Court? The Bishop
replied, that the awe of so wise an audience, where he saw nothing that
was not greatly superior to himself, made him afraid to trust his
memory. “But will your majesty (continued Stillingfleet) permit me to
ask you a question in my turn?---Why do you read your Speeches, when you
can have no such reasons?”---“Why, truly, Doctor, (said the King) your
question is a very pertinent one, and so shall be my answer.---I have
asked the Parliament so often, and for so much money, _that I am afraid
to look them in the face_.”
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_For the +New-York Weekly Magazine+._