anxious with relation to the disrespect they accufe me of to my royal Mistress. All that can be wrefted to my disadvantage is, that the Queen is concerned when any thing is to be imputed to her fervants; but I deny that, and perlift in it, that it is no manner of diminution of the wisdom of a Prince, that he is obliged to act by the information of others. If I might make an abrupt digreffion from great things to finall, I fhould on this occafion mention a little circumftance which happened to the late King William. He had a Frenchman who took care of the gun-dogs, whose bufiness it was also to charge and deliver the piece to the King. This minifter forgot to bring out fhot into the field; but did not think fit to let fo paffionate a man and eager a sportsman as the King know his offence, but gave his Majefty the gun loaded only with powder. When the King miffed his aim, this impudent cur stood chattering, admiring, commending the King's fkill in fhooting, and, holding up his hands, "he had never seen sa Majesté miss before in his "whole life." This circumftance was no manner of argument to those (who afterwards found out the fellow's iniquity) against the King's reputation for a quick eye, and fhooting very finely. I am, with refpect to the Borough and yourself, Sir, your most humble, and most obedient fervant, RICHARD STEELE. LETTER CCCCXXVI *. LETTER To Lieutenant-general CADOGAN †. SIR, [1713.] N the character of GUARDIAN, it behoves me IN to do honour to fuch as have deserved well of fociety, and laid out worthy and manly qualities in the fervice of the publick. No man has more eminently diftinguifhed himself this way than Mr. Cadogan. With a contempt of pleasure, reft, and eafe, when called to the duties of your glorious profeffion, you have lived in a familiarity with dangers, and, with a strict eye upon the final purpose of the attempt, have wholly difregarded what fhould befall yourself *Prefixed to the first volume of "The Guardian." + Wm. Cadogan, efq. (see p. 113.) Quarter-mafter-general in 1701; Colonel of a regiment of horse in 1703; Brigadier-general in 1704; Plenipotentiary to the Spanish Netherlands, and Majorgeneral, in 1706; Lieutenant-general in 1709; on the acceffion of King George, Mafter of the Robes, and Colonel of the fecond regiment of horse-guards; Knight of the Thistle in 1715; Governor of the fle of Wight, and Plenipotentiary to Holland, in 1716; created Lord Cadogan, June 21, that year; Baron Oakley, Vifcount Caversham, and Earl Cadogan, April 17, 1718. On the death of the Duke of Marlborough in 1722, he was made Mafter general of the Ordnance, and Colonel of the first regiment of foot-guards. He died July 17, 1726.-No officer was ever fo much relied on by the Duke of Marlborough as General Cadogan. He had the care of marking out almost every camp during the war in the Netherlands and Germany; which he executed fo fkilfully, that, it was obferved, the Duke was never furprized or at tacked in his camp during the whole war. in the prosecution of it. Thus has life risen to you as faft as you refigned it; and every new hour, for having fo frankly lent the preceding moments to the cause of justice and of liberty, has come home to you, improved with honour. This happy diftinction, which is so very peculiar to you, with the addition of industry, vigilance, patience of labour, thirst and hunger, in common with the meaneft foldier, has made your present fortune unenvied. For the publick always reap greater advantage from the example of fuccefsful merit, than the deferving man himself can poffibly be poffeffed of; your country knows how eminently you excell in the feveral parts of military skill, whether in affigning the encampment, accommodating the troops, leading to the charge, or pursuing the enemy: -the retreat being the only part of the profeffion which has not fallen within the experience of those who learned their warfare under the Duke of Marlborough. But the true and honeft purpose of this epiftle is, to defire a place in your friendship, without pretending to add any thing to your reputation, who, by your own gallant actions, have acquired that your name through all ages fhall be read with honour, where-ever mention fhall be made of that illustrious Captain. I am, Sir, your moft obedient, and most humble fervant, THE GUARDIAN. LETTER LETTER CCCCXXVII *. SIR, TH [1713]. HE greatest honour of human life, is to live well with men of merit; and I hope you will pardon me the vanity of publishing, by this means, my happiness in being able to name you among my friends. The converfation of a gentleman, that has a refined tafte of letters, and a difpofition in which those letters * Prefixed to the second volume of "The Guardian." + William Pulteney, efq born in 1682, had early a feat in the Houfe of Commons, and distinguished himself in oppofition to Queen Anne's last ministry. On the acceffion of King George, he was appointed Secretary at War, Sept. 27, 1714; and afterward Cofferer of the Houfhold. He was at this time the intimate friend of Sir Robert Walpole; but in 1725, that Minifter being suspected of a defire to extend the bounds of prerogative, Mr. Pulteney entered fteadily into oppofition; and at last became fo obnoxious to the Crown, that, July 1, 1731, King George II. with his own hand, ftruck him out of the lift of Privy Counsellors, and ordered him to be put out of the list of all commiffions of the peace. A proceeding fo violent in the Miniftry served only to inflame his refentment, and increase his popularity. Sir Robert refigning his employments in 1741, Mr. Pulteney was again fworn of the Privy Council; and created Baron of Heydon, Viscount Pulteney, and Earl of Bath. From that moment his favour with the people was at an end; and the reft of his life was spent in contemning that applause which he no longer could fecure. William Viscount Pulteney, his only fon, who was a Lord of the Bedchamber, Aid-de-camp to the King, and Colonel of the Royal Volunteers, going over with his regiment in the defence of Portugal, died Feb. 16, 1763; and the Earl dying July 7, 1764, the titles became extinct. found nothing to correct, but very much to exert, is a good fortune too uncommon to be enjoyed in filence: in others, the greatest business of learning is to weed the foil; in you, it had nothing else to do but to bring forth fruit. Affability, complacency, and generofity of heart, which are natural to you, wanted nothing from literature, but to refine and direct the application of them. After I have boafted I had fome fhare in your familiarity, I know not how to do you the juftice of celebrating you for the choice of an elegant and worthy acquaintance, with whom you live in the happy communication of generous fentiments, which contribute, not only to your own mutual entertainment and improvement, but to the honour and fervice of country. Zeal for the public good is the characteristick of a man of honour and a gentleman, and must take place of pleafures, profits, and all other private gratifications. Whoever wants this motive, is an open enemy, or an inglorious neuter, to mankind, in proportion to the mifapplied advantages with which Nature and Fortune have bleffed him. But you have a foul animated with nobler views, and know that the diftinction of wealth and plenteous circumftances is a tax upon an honeft mind, to endea vour, as much as the occurrences of life will give him leave, to guard the properties of 2 your others, |