by the rest of the World with Welcome where-ever he appears.  It is very ordinary with those of this Character to be attentive only to their own Satisfactions, and have very little Bowels for the Concerns or Sorrows of other Men; nay, they are capable of purchasing their own Pleasures at the Expence of giving Pain to others.  But they who do not consider this sort of Men thus carefully, are irresistibly exposed to his Insinuations.  The Author of the following Letter carries the Matter so high, as to intimate that the Liberties of England have been at the Mercy of a Prince merely as he was of this pleasant Character.

  Mr. Spectator,

’There is no one Passion which all Mankind so naturally give into as Pride, nor any other Passion which appears in such different Disguises:  It is to be found in all Habits and all Complexions.  Is it not a Question, whether it does more Harm or Good in the World?  And if there be not such a Thing as what we may call a virtuous and laudable Pride?

  ’It is this Passion alone, when misapplyed, that lays us so open to
  Flatterers; and he who can agreeably condescend to sooth our Humour or
  Temper, finds always an open Avenue to our Soul; especially if the
  Flatterer happen to be our Superior.

’One might give many Instances of this in a late English Monarch, under the Title of, The Gayeties of King Charles II.  This Prince was by Nature extreamly familiar, of very easie Access, and much delighted to see and be seen; and this happy Temper, which in the highest Degree gratified his Peoples Vanity, did him more Service with his loving Subjects than all his other Virtues, tho’ it must be confessed he had many.  He delighted, tho’ a mighty King, to give and take a Jest, as they say; and a Prince of this fortunate Disposition, who were inclined to make an ill Use of his Power, may have any thing of his People, be it never so much to their Prejudice.  But this good King made generally a very innocent Use, as to the Publick, of this ensnaring Temper; for, ’tis well known, he pursued Pleasure more than Ambition:  He seemed to glory in being the first Man at Cock-matches, Horse-races, Balls, and Plays; he appeared highly delighted on those Occasions, and never failed to warm and gladden the Heart of every Spectator.  He more than once dined with his good Citizens of London on their Lord-Mayor’s Day, and did so the Year that Sir Robert Viner was Mayor.  Sir Robert was a very loyal Man, and, if you will allow the Expression, very fond of his Sovereign; but what with the Joy he felt at Heart for the Honour done him by his Prince, and thro’ the Warmth he was in with continual toasting Healths to the Royal Family, his Lordship grew a little fond of his Majesty, and entered into a Familiarity not altogether so graceful in so publick a Place.  The King understood very well how to extricate himself on all kinds of