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ESSAY LI. OF FACTION.

ANY have an opinion not wise, that for a prince to govern

MANY

his estate,' or for a great person to govern his proceedings, according to the respect to factions, is a principal part of policy, whereas, contrariwise, the chiefest3 wisdom is, either in ordering those things which are general, and wherein men of several factions do nevertheless agree, or in dealing with correspondence to particular persons one by one; but I say not that the consideration of factions is to be neglected. Mean men, in their rising, must adhere, but great men, that have strength in themselves, were better to maintain themselves indifferent' and neutral; yet even in beginners, to adhere so moderately, as he be a man of the one faction, which is most passable' with the other, commonly giveth best way. The lower and weaker faction is the firmer in conjunction; and it is often seen, that a few that are stiff, do tire out a greater number that are more moderate. When one of the factions is extinguished, the remaining subdivideth; as the faction between Lucullus and the rest of the nobles of the senate (which they called optimates) held out awhile against the faction of Pompey and Cæsar; but when the Senate's authority was pulled down, Cæsar and Pompey soon after brake. The faction, or party, of Antonius and Octavius Cæsar against Brutus and Cassius, held out likewise for a time; but when Brutus and Cassius were overthrown, then soon after Antonius and Octavius brake and subdivided. These examples are of wars, but the same holdeth in private factions, and, therefore, those that are seconds in factions, do many times, when the faction subdivideth, prove principals; but many times also they prove cyphers and cashiered; for many a man's strength is in opposition, and,

1 Estate. State. See page 114. 2 Contrariwise. On the contrary. See page 77+ 3 Chiefest. Chief. Not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles.'-2 Cor. xi. 5 'Antiochus the Great

4 Indifferent.

Built up this city for his chiefest seat.'-Shakespere.

See page 186.

5 Passable. Capable of being received. 'It is with men as with false money; one piece is more or less passable than another.'-L'Estrange.

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when that faileth, he groweth out of use. It is commonly seen, that men once placed, take in with the contrary faction to that by which they enter: thinking, belike,' that they have their first sure, and now are ready for a new purchase. The traitor in faction lightly goeth away with it, for when matters have stuck long in balancing, the winning of some one man casteth them, and he getteth all the thanks. The even carriage between two factions proceedeth not always of moderation, but of a trueness to a man's self, with end to make use of both. Certainly, in Italy, they hold it a little suspect' in popes, when they have often in their mouth, Padre commune;' and take it to be a sign of one that meaneth to refer all to the greatness of his own house. Kings had need beware how they side themselves, and make themselves as of a faction or party; for leagues within the State are ever pernicious to monarchies; for they raise an obligation paramount to obligation of sovereignty, and make the king 'tanquam unus ex nobis ;' as was to be seen in the league of France. When factions are carried too high and too violently, it is a sign of weakness in princes, and much to the prejudice both of their authority and business. The motions of factions under kings ought to be like the motions (as the astronomers speak) of the inferior orbs, which may have their proper motions, but yet still are quietly carried by the higher motion of primum mobile.'

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1 Belike. Probably. That good Earl of Huntingdon, who well esteemed my father; having, belike, heard some better words of me than I could deserve; made earnest enquiry after me.'-Bishop Hall.

2 Lightly. Easily; readily.

'Believe 't not lightly that your son

Will not exceed the common.'-Shakespere.

From. See page 237.
Suspicious.

3 Of. 4 Suspect.

'Certes, it is to mee suspect.'-Chaucer.

5 Common Father.'

6 Side.

To take a side. 'As soon as discontents drove men into siding.

7 As one of us.'

s Primum mobile. See page 120.

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ESSAY LII. OF CEREMONIES AND

RESPECTS.1

E that is only real had need have exceeding great parts of virtue, as the stone had need to be rich that is set without foil; but if a man mark it well, it is in praise and commendation of men as it is in gettings and gains; for the proverb is true, 'That light gains make heavy purses,' for light gains come thick, whereas great come but now and then; so it is true, that small matters win great commendation, because they are continually in use and in note, whereas the occasion of any great virtue cometh but on festivals. Therefore it doth much add to a man's reputation, and is (as Queen Isabella said) like perpetual letters commendatory, to have good forms. To attain them, it almost sufficeth not to despise them; for so shall a man observe them in others, and let him trust himself with the rest; for if he labour too much to express them, he shall lose their grace, which is to be natural and unaffected. Some men's behaviour is like a verse, wherein every syllable is measured. How can a man comprehend great matters, that breaketh his mind too much to small observations ? Not to use ceremonies at all, is to teach others not to use them again, and so diminish respect to himself; especially they are not to be omitted to strangers and formal natures; but the dwelling upon them, and exalting them above the moon, is not only tedious, but both diminish the faith and credit of him that speaks; and, certainly, there is a kind of conveying of effectual and imprinting passages amongst compliments, which is of singular use, if a man can hit upon it. Amongst a man's peers a man shall be sure of familiarity, and therefore it is good a little to keep state; amongst

1 Ceremonies and respects. Conventional forms of politeness, and rules of etiquette.

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The sauce to meat is ceremony;

Meeting were bare without it.'-Shakespere.

What art thou, thou idle ceremony?

Art thou aught else but place, degree and form ?—Shakespere.

The Duke's carriage to the gentlemen was of fair respects.'-Wotton.

2 Observations. Observances. He freed the christian Church from the external observation.— White.

Imprinting. Impressive.

a man's inferiors one shall be sure of reverence, and therefore it is good a little to be familiar. He that is too much in any thing, so that he giveth another occasion of satiety, maketh himself cheap. To apply one's self to others is good, so it be with demonstration, that a man doth it upon' regard and not upon facility. It is a good precept generally in seconding another, yet to add somewhat of one's own; as if you will grant his opinion, let it be with some distinction; if you will follow his motion, let it be with condition; if you allow his counsel, let it be with alleging farther reason. Men had need beware how they be too perfect in compliments, for be they never so sufficient otherwise, their enviers will be sure to give them that attribute, to the disadvantage of their greater virtues. It is loss also in business to be too full of respects, or to be too curious3 in observing times and opportunities. Solomon saith, 'He that considereth the wind shall not sow, and he that looketh to the clouds shall not reap." A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. Men's behaviour should be like their apparel, not too strait or point device, but free for exercise or motion.

ANTITHETA ON CEREMONIES AND RESPECTS.

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1 Upon. In consequence of. See page 425.

2 Sufficient. Able. Who is sufficient for these things?'-2 Cor. ii. 16.

3 Curious. Exact; precise. Both these senses embrace their objects with a more curious discrimination.'-Holder. 4 Eccles. xi. 4.

Point device. Extremely exact (with the nicety and precision of a stitch (French point) devised or made with the needle). Everything about you should demonstrate a careless desolation; but you are rather point de vise in your accoutrements, as loving yourself, than the lover of another.'-Shakespere.

ANNOTATIONS.

Good manners are a part of good morals; and when form is too much neglected true politeness suffers diminution; then we are obliged to bring some back, or we find the want of them. The same holds good in a higher department. Mankind are not formed to live without ceremony and form: the 'inward spiritual grace' is very apt to be lost without the 'external visible sign.' Many are continually setting up for the expulsion of ceremonies from this or that, and often with advantage, when they have so multiplied as to grow burdensome; but, if ever they have carried this too far they have been forced to bring back some ceremonies. Upon the whole, we may conclude that ceremony and form of every kind derive their necessity from our imperfection. If we were perfectly spiritual, we might worship God without any form at all, without even uttering words; as we are not, it is a folly to say, 'One may be just as pious on one day as another, in one place, or posture, as another,' &c., I answer, angels may; man cannot. Again, if we were all perfectly benevolent, good-tempered, attentive to the gratifying of others, &c., we might dispense with all the forms of goodbreeding; as it is, we cannot; we are not enough of heroes to fight without discipline. Selfishness will be sure to assail us if we once let the barriers be broken down. At the same time it is evident from what has been said, that the higher our nature is carried, the less form we need.

But though we may deservedly congratulate society on being able to dispense with this or that ceremony, do not let us be in a hurry to do so, till we are sure we can do without it. It is taking away crutches, to cure the gout. The opposite extreme of substituting the external form for the thing signified, is not more dangerous or more common than the neglect of that form. It is all very well to say, 'There is no use in bidding goodmorrow or good-night, to those who know I wish it; of sending one's love, in a letter, to those who do not doubt it,' &c. this sounds very well in theory, but it will not do for practice. Scarce any friendship, or any politeness, is so strong as to be able to subsist without any external supports of this kind; and it is even better to have too much form than too little.

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