A Character of King Charles the Second

. His Apprehension made him find Faults, and that led him to s

liarly, which added to his natural Genius, made him very apt

a Man who hath a good Stomach loveth generally to talk of Meat, so in the vigour of his Age, he began that style, which by degrees grew so natural to him, that after he ceased to do it out of Pleasure, he continued to do it out of Custom. The Hypocrisy of the former Times inclined Men to think they could not shew too great an Aversion to it, and that helped to encourage this unbounded liberty of Talking, wit

y be betrayed to exercise it too often. Stories are dangerous in this, that the best expose a Man most, by being oftenest repeated. It might pass for

d easy in Company; where he bore his part, and was acceptable e

refining his Thoughts, take off from their dignity, in applying them less to the governing part. There is a Charm in Wit,

ountenance. In the case of a King especially, it is m

was from Company, in which he was very capable to observe. He could not so properly be sa

had none. This leaneth more towards a Satire than a Compliment, in this respect, that

esence. However, if this was a Fault, it is arrogant for any of his Subjects to object to it, since it would look like defying such a piece of Indulgence. He must in some degree loosen the Strength of his Wit, by his Condescension to talk with Me

ents. Sharp and strong Wit will not always be so held in by Good-manners, as not to be a little troublesome in a Ruelle. But wherever Impertinence hath Wit en

Part, and perhaps not

ness, maketh them ready to be deceived by it: They are more ready to believe it a Homage paid

chewing the Pleasure, if another in his Sight should be just received as kindly, that Equality would presently after the Relish: The Pride of Mankind will have Distinction; till at last it cometh to Smile for Smile, meaning nothing of either Side; without any kind of Ef

by their Example learned to use the same. A King of Spain that will say nothing but Tiendro cuydado, will, to the generality, preserve more Respect; an Engine that will speak but sometimes, at the same time that it will draw the Raillery of the Few who jud

im no Good, encouraged in it

s. As there is a Crown Law, there is a Crown Wit too. To use it with Reserve is very good, and very rare. There is a Dignity in doing things seldom even without a

s Talent, for it betrayeth a Man to forget to judge himself, by being so eager to censure others: This doth so misguide Men the first Part of their Lives,

himself at the time, and by sending his Thoughts abroad to get Food for Laughing, they are less at leisure