There is no depending upon a second-hand interest; unless we know
ourselves to be well with the principal, and are assured of his favour
and protection, we stand upon a slippery foundation. They are strangers
to the world who are so weak as to think they can be well with any
one by proxy; they may by this means be cajoled, bubbled, and imposed
upon, but are under great uncertainty as to gaining their point, and
may probably be treated with scorn and derision in the end. Yet there
are not wanting among the several species of fops, silly people of this
sort, who pride themselves in an imaginary happiness, from being in
the good graces of a great man’s friend’s friend. Alas! the great men
themselves are but too apt to deceive and fail in making good their
promises, how then can we expect any good from those who do but promise
and vow in their names? To place a confidence in such sparks, is
indeed so false a reliance, that we ought to be ashamed to be detected
in it; and, like the Dog in the Fable, rather own we had been well
treated, than let the world see how justly we had been punished for our
ridiculous credulity.
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