XX. The blame of this abuse, whenever it happens, lies at the doors of
ill-intentioned ministers and vile flatterers. These are interested
in extending the acts of government beyond their bounds, because they
expect to be partakers in the sway and emoluments resulting from a
stretch of power; and they endeavour to gain the favour of the Prince,
by insinuating to him, that government being all force or seduction,
the most easy and eligible method of ruling, is by the King’s pleasure,
and that this at the same time, would be the most likely means of
raising the King’s authority to the highest pitch of elevation and
perfection. With this view, they also are continually representing to
him, that total independance is essential to a crown, and that laws and
customs are unworthy restrictions upon sovereigns; that a monarch is
the more respectable, the more absolute he reigns; and that the just
medium of the King’s authority, is the King’s will. That the dignity
of the crown is by so much the more exalted, by so much the more the
people are depressed and kept under. And to sum up the whole: that a
King is a deity upon earth, which maxim they enforce so strongly, that
as far as it is in their power, they would make him forget there is
another superior in Heaven.
XXI. A story related by John Reynaldo de Segrais in his anecdotes, is
very applicable to the present purpose. When Louis the XIVth of France
was but fifteen years old, some flatterers were one day entertaining
him at court, with a recital of, and endeavouring to instill into him,
such maxims of tyrannic policy as we have been just mentioning, though
I believe if he had been five or six years older, the least punishment
he would have inflicted on them for it, would have been banishing them
from his presence and court for ever; but the want of experience,
joined to his judgment not being then matured, and the ardour of his
lively spirit, occasioned him to listen to them with pleasure, as their
relations were suited to the grandeur of his heart, and his ideas of
unlimited power. Marechal d’Etré, an antient man, of great wisdom and
experience, was at the same time standing at a little distance from
the King, and listening with the highest indignation, to the language
of those flatterers. In the course of their conversation, they came
to talk of the Ottoman Emperors, and spoke with great approbation of
those monarchs being the despotic masters of the lives and fortunes of
their vassals. This is reigning in the true sense of the word, said
Louis; they must certainly be happy Princes; and he spoke this in a
manner, which indicated his good liking of that mode of government. His
words pierced through the heart of the good Marechal, who, reflecting
on the pernicious consequences that would result from his adopting such
principles, advanced quickly up to the King, and intrepidly said to
him: _But, Sir, I must inform your Majesty, that within my remembrance,
two or three of these Emperors have been strangled by the hands of
their own subjects._ Marechal Villeroi, the worthy guardian and
governor of the young King, who was at some distance, but had overheard
all that passed; in a transport of joy, broke through the crowd to get
at d’Etré, whom he publicly embraced, and gave him the most cordial
thanks for so opportune and useful a caution. Would to God that there
was always ready at the side of Princes, some man of such generous
and liberal sentiments, to apply the antidote, when flattery in the
alluring gilded cup of grandeur presents to them the poison of tyranny!