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like popular compliments, which will prepare your way to advancement, bespeak you a man well bred, and gain a good report; which once got is easily kept. For civility and humanity take deep root in the minds of the populace, who are easier gained by small courtesies than by churlish benefits; yet affect not, nor neglect popularity too much.

Trust not any man with any secrets of your mind, that may nearly concern your life, honour, credit, or estate; for it is the greatest folly so far to discover and enslave yourself to your friend, as, if occasion should offer, you should not dare to become his enemy.

Be not scurrilous in conversation, nor satirical in your jests; for when any of them savour too much of truth, they leave a bitterness in the minds of those that are touched by them. Some are so prone to this kind of behaviour, that they choose rather to lose their friend than their jest; but I advise you to avoid all such satirical jests as may be disagreeable to the company, engage you in disputes, and draw on you the hatred of friends, if not quarrels also.

It is very commendable to have comely men to serve you; but have none that is either a Puritan or Jesuit. Next to them a musician is very troublesome. And many boys to wait on your servants are sluttish, given to pilfer and steal, and disgrace your house: I would have all those under the yeomen in livery, whether yours, or any of your chief retinue.

Have a good steward of your house, and clerk of the kitchen, who make themselves awed by the servants, even as much as yourself. And while they serve you well, you must give them countenance; so will your house be orderly.

I would, as much as I could, keep my own cash myself; so shall I better husband what I have, as knowing on what occasions I part with it. And as it is a custom sometime to reward good servants, consider well before you give, what it is, and to whom, and for what; for certainly when you give to a good man, because he is good, it is likely to

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keep him so, and make others good from his example. I would not have many in my house, too near akin, for you will be apt to encourage one too much, for another's sake;: nor would I have many married in my house, for so you may come to have the children also,

When a servant minds himself more than your business, then you may be sure he is growing rich, gaining reputation at your cost, and then you may observe men making their addresses to him, rather than you: his followers attend him bareheaded, which puffs him up to slight your service. And if you respect him, may be he will honour you; otherwise he can live of his own, and may have the vanity to give out, it was his father's legacy, though he came to you a beggar.

If a servant be prodigal, neglecting his own affairs, assuredly he will neglect yours; and this you may see if he be needy, a gamester, a company keeper, or otherwise vicious, and the like. Dismiss such a one from your

house and service.

Another sort delight to keep you in suits and troubles, that he may never want employment, exclaiming against all others as unfit for your service. But in this case the rule of Machiavell is to be remembered, Fortier calumniari aliquid addet. More dangerous than this is a flattering servant, who endeareth himself to you by applauding and approving all you like, say, or do, which may prevaił with you to think you have one after your own heart, but will in time gnaw you to the very bone. But observe this rule, and there is less danger of being deceived: When any praiseth you, be jealous you deserve it not; or if you do, think he does not always love you best that praiseth you most. And remember the Italian proverb, that after eating salt with one seven years, you may then judge of his sincerity, and how far you may trust him. Those you trust with your money, or any receipts or disbursements of it, bring often to account, which will keep them just, and make you easy.

Most of these misfortunes I have met with in servants, which have given me great vexation; therefore pray then by my experience avoid them as much as possible. I thought to have enlarged myself on many passages and observations, wherein I have been exercised enough to have given you examples, both of pride and corruption in those employed about you, but am loath to dwell too long on one subject, not knowing how little time I may dwell here myself; so shall omit them for the present, and only give you a few general aphorisms and maxims in life, for your instruction and observation in the course of it, which I exhort you always to remember and practise as a sure monitor and guide of all your actions, conduct, and behaviour to God, your prince, and your neighbour.

Instructions by James, Earl of Derby, to his Son the Lord Strange, by way of Aphorism; for his observation in life.

I. Of all things seek ye to know the Word of God, and the kingdom of God.

II. Know that about God there is neither greatness, place, quality, figure, or time, for he is all, through all, and about all.

III. This Word, O son! worship and adore: and the only service of God is not to be evil.

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IV. Remember that virtue, honesty, and religion, are the grounds and ends of all good men's actions.

V. Build more upon an honest man's word than a bad man's bond.

VI. Trust not any man that has not approved himself a man of sound principles, and a good conscience; for he who is false to God can never be true to man.

VII. Remember that he is a happy king who loves his people, and is beloved by them...

VIII. That the strength of a king is in the love of his people.

IX. That princes ought to be better than other men, because they command and rule all.

X. That a good prince ought first to preserve the service of God and his church, and next the common wealth, before his own pleasure.

XI. That he can never be a good statesman that regardeth not the public more than his own advantage.

XII. That honour is the reward of virtue, but gotten with labour, and held with danger.

XIII. That counsel without resolution and execution is but wind..

XIV. That division in council is most dangerous.

XV. That attempts are most probable when wisely formed, and secretly and speedily executed.

XVI. That union is the strength, and division the ruin of any body politic.

XVII. That the taking or losing an opportunity was the gaining or losing a project or fortune.

XVIII. That war is soon kindled, but peace very hardly procured.

XIX. That war is the curse, and peace the blessing of God upon a nation.

XX. That a nation gaineth more by one year's peace than ten years' war.

XXI. That a nation can never be rich that hath not trade and commerce with other nations.

XXII. That no man can get riches of himself, but by means and assistance of others.

XXIII. That riches are God's blessing tos uch that use them well, and his curse to such that do not.

XXIV. That all things in the world are valuable as we esteem them; for a little to him that thinketh it enough is great riches.

XXV. That wild, lewd, and unthrifty youth, is fre

quently the parents' fault in making them men seven years

too soon.

XXVI. That youth are guilty of much folly and extravagance, having but children's judgments; therefore should be instructed and governed with the greatest prudence and tenderness.

XXVII. That the better to prevent the follies of youth, the ancient Romans had a law, by which their sons were not permitted to possess their father's estate until they arrived at the age of twenty-five years.

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