In my Father's⁹ Conversation and Management I observ'd a smooth and inoffensive Temper; with great steadiness in keeping close to Measures judiciously taken: A Greatness proof against Vanity, and the Impressions of Pomp, and Power. From him a Prince might learn to love Business and Action, and be constantly at it. To be willing to Hear out any Proposal relating to Publick Advantage. To overlook no Bodies Merit, or Misbehaviour. To understand the Critical Seasons, and Circumstances for Rigour, or Remissness; when 'twas proper to take up, and when to slacken the Reins of Government. To have no He-Sweet-Hearts, and Boy-Favourites : Not to stand upon Points of State and Prerogative; but to leave his Nobility at perfect Liberty in their Visits, and Attendance : And when he was upon his Progress, no Man lost his Favour for not being at leisure to follow the Court. To debate matters nicely, and throughly at the Council-Board, and then to stand by what was Resolv'd on. To be constant to a Friend, without Tiring, or Fondness. To be always satisfied and chearful : To reach forward into the Future, and manage accordingly. Not to neglect the least Concerns, but all without Hurry, or being Embarrass'd . Farther, By observing his Methods and Administration, I had the opportunity of Learning, how much it was the part of a Prince to check the Excesses of Panegyrick, and Flattery. To have his Magazines and Exchequer well furnish'd. To be Frugal in his Favours and Expences, without minding being Lampoon'd for his pains. Not to Worship the Gods to Superstition, Not to Court the Populace, either by Prodigality, or Compliment; but rather to be Reserv'd, Vigilant, and welI-pois'd upon all Occasions, keeping things in a steady Decorum, without chopping and changing of Measures. To enjoy the Plenty and Magnificence of a Soveraign Fortune, without Pride or Epicurism; And yet if a Campaigne or Country happen to prove cross, not to be mortified at the loss of them : And to behave himself so, that no Man could charge him with Vanity, Flourish, and Pretendingness, with Buffooning, or being a Pedant; No, He was a Person Modest, Prudent, and well-weigh'd; scorn'd Flattery, and Fooling, and was throughly qualified both to govern himself, and others. In a word, he had nothing of the Sophist in him : And as for those that were Philosophers in earnest, he had a great Value for them, but without Reproaching those who were otherwife. To go on with him, He was Condescensive and Familiar in Conversation; and Pleasant too , but not to Tiresomeness and Excess. His Dress was neither Beauish, nor Negligent. As for his Health , he was not Anxious about it, like one fond of Living, and yet managed his Constitution with that Care as seldom to stand in need of the Assistances of Physick. Farther. He never envy'd and Brow-beat those that were Eminent in any Faculty, or Science ; either Orators, Historians, or Others¹⁰, but on the contrary, encourag'd them in their their way; and promoted their Reputation. He observ'd Decency and Custom in all his Actions, and yet did not seem to mind them: He was not Fickle and Fluttering in his Humour, but constant both to Place and Undertaking. And I have seen him after violent Fits of the Head-ach, return fresh, and vigorous to Business. He kepf but few Things to himself, and those Were Secrets of Government. He was very moderate and frugal in Publick Shews, Triumphal Arches, Liberalities, and such like; being one that did not so much regard the Popularity as the Reason of an Action: 'Twas none of his custom to Bath at unusual Hours, or to be overrun with the Fancy of Building, to study Eating and Luxury; to value the Curiosity of his Cloaths, or the Shape, and Person of his Servants. Indeed his Dress at his Country Palaces was very Ordinary and Plain, where he would scarcely so much as put on a Cloak without making an excuse for't. To take him altogether, There Was nothing of Ruggedness, Immodesty, or Eagerness in his Temper. Neither did he ever seem to Drudg and Sweat at the Helm. Things wore dispatch'd at leisure, and without being felt, and yet the Administration was carried on with great Order, Force, and Uniformity. Upon the whole; part of Socrates's Character is applicable to him; For he was so much Master of himself that he could either Take or Leave those Conveniences of Life with respect to which, most People are either uneasie without them, or intemperate with them. Now to hold on with Fortitude in one Condition, and Sobriety in the other, is an argument of a great Soul, and an impregnable Virtue. And lastly, when his Friend Maximus was Sick, he gave me an instance how I ought to behave my self upon the like occasion.