ff to delivér the contingent reqüited from the whole aggregate. It may
f< easily be conceived, How oppressively this demand must-fall uponJöïosè
«* üühapp'y individuals; and ho w'greatly-thésë and-other' acts of'Injustice',
“ which are the natural consequences óf the present faulty administration,
V fhdt tend to the ruin of the’ country, it Would bè superfluous Seasoning
“ to prove, (I
The only restraint upon-the will of the head of the gO v e rn i^ Égihè
custom óf the country, and the regard which he has for his-character among
hisètibjeets, ' To shew.wh&tthat character ought to bè, what is expected of
a good prince, ahd what are the reciprocal duties of a prince, prime mitifeter,
and people/ I may hóre quote a few sehtfefifces out of the Niü P r^ë , a Work
in very high esteem and constantly referred to;by- the Javans.
m m 83.ob A good prince must protect his subjects against all unjust persechttorifc
Ég and'oppressions, and should be'the light of his. Subjects, even asth'e-su“h
« i i |h’e light of the -World: His goodness must «flow clear knd frfll, -likefthe
ft tuountain strain, Which in'its cohrse I towards %fee sea enriches fahif&fi-
Or iizeg th'e land Ss it descend^. He must considef; -that as -the -withered
« fèliage of the' trees awaiteth-the coming of rain to flourish aneiy, jscuare
«« his subjects waiting for his benevolence* to , be: provided with food,' with
« ■ra-imevit, and with beautiful women. If,-èfi ;the contrary-, a prin&eneg*
<* Sects' to 'èxitehd bïs benevolence and protection towards^ his 'stfbjhcts,' ‘he
“ exposes himself to be abandoned by them^ or at anyi rate tfc^iQse their
ft confidence; for it-is an undeniable truth, that npPqne wjlL be f%ithfiil or
“ attached to a man upon whom no dependence Can be placed. .
,4: When a prince gives audiêfteé to the public, ¥ i i -cöndö'Ct ;fiiu"st he dig?
<t nified. He inusïYit upright and not in a'bendffig 'poftfiïè, "and say^littlfe,
“ neither looking on ope sideor the other, beca^sg^jJ^jiSfcase,t,t^peóple
“ would -net«have a proper sight, of .him; .He musti .assaame^.a pleasing
appearance, which will enable him to observe hi$ subjeStsowfio-surround
« him, and then inqüire if any one has any’thihg'to fcajdto huh ;-hSd if
“ there is, he must animate Kim to speak openly.,
ft In his discourse he must, not speak loud, but low and y^ith-dignity,
ft and mot more than is necessary-fdr-the purpose j .for-it’does not become
■ tt a prince to withdraw his wofds'if-onée given, and much -less to givefhem
“ another turn,
“ It is, above all, the duty of- a prince to take notice of every thing
tt going on in his country and among hig subjects* and if possible to turn
: “ every
“ evefy, thing to a IppSj end: if he passes over unnoticed the least crime,
f* -he ■PttMferQQ8 enemies. It is further the duty: of a pimpe*
“■^.besides knowing the^ejits'ofi his subjects and the state of his country*
tf to explain :a}l abstract had difficult expressions, particularly such as occur
“ jm writings.
*f I t is a disgrace to a prime minister,* far any hostile attackto he ffiade'ob mfam
cf, the. pountry intrusted tq his charge ‘Without his knowledge,, or that he
“/should be j careless or inattentive .to the same, rather thinking hoW to
“ .obtain the favour of-hi® prince' than, to; secure the safety of the country.
friSo i-it is wheathes does not understand how to administer the country pro-
if.perly, of fails to invent iWhat is useful * when he makes many-promises*
ft butfulfils, few; when beds careless with regard to.public affairs, and talks
ft much', about What is of no-consequence!,.seeking -to be admired by the
“ people, and putti-ng' on fair appearances when his intentions do not corres»
« pond.-; when he cares nothing about the misfortunes of his inferiors, pro-
(( vided hebgets money himself * when, finally, he is: not faithful but deceit-
ft ful. Such a prime minister is Kke the hawk, which soads, high sift, the air,
tt (jut descends low on'the earth to seize and steals its food.
But hr good prime- minister is he who is upright in his heart, moderate
i&in his fear of the prince, faithfully obedient to all -his orders,, kind-
ff hearted, nOb oppressive to the people, and always exerting himself to the
“ utmost for the happiness of-tbe people and the4welfare of the.country. • •
.And-a prime minister is good beyond measure, Who can.always -please
“ > his> prince in every thing that is good; who knows every thirig that is
«?-going -on in the« country, and takes proper measures accordingly *; who
always exerts himself to avert whatever is likely.;to1 be injurious;. who
‘t/ednsid'ers nothing too trifling to merit his,attention-;, who accumulates
« 'tnofcwealth/ but offers to his prince whatever cornea in his way that is
“■ curious; who-heedsrrot his own 3ifr.in efieoting what,is right; who eonsC
aiders snbither- friends, family, nor, enemies, butt does justice alike to all j
“ who. cares ndt^when he is praised or reviled, but trusts to the dispensa-
“ tions ^P rovidence; who possess^ much experience; who. can bear
“ poverty, and cares not'for the enjoyment of pleasures; who is.polite to
i every one; who with good;will gives alms to the poor and helpless.;..who
consults-mu oh withhis'brother .officers, with iwhom- he.ought always to
“ advise cm afiairs of business. Against such a prime minister it is impassi-
i ble for any one to speak, for he will be feared at the same that the people
: I f f * “ Wifi