A Character of King Charles the Second

s a Defect not to have it at all, and a Fault to have it too much. Human Nature will not allow the Mean: like all other things, as soon a

es; A King upon the Throne hath as great Temptations (though of another kind) to dissemble, as a King in Exile. The King of Fran

essary, and yet it is dangerous too. To have none at all layeth a Man open to Contempt, to have too much exposeth him to Suspicion, which is only the less dishonourable Inconvenience. If a Man doth not take v

e Rooks at play, they will cheat for Shillings they are so used to it. The vulgar Definition of Dissembling is downright Lying; that kind of it which is less ill

ance to see, than to hear what he said. His Face was as little a Blab as most Mens, yet though it could not be called a prattling Face, it would sometimes tell Tales to a good Observer. When he thought fit to be angry, he had a very peevish Memory; there was hardly a Blot that escaped him. At the same time that this shewed the Strengt