’Pharamond, says my Author, was a Prince of infinite Humanity and Generosity, and at the same time the most pleasant and facetious Companion of his Time.  He had a peculiar Taste in him (which would have been unlucky in any Prince but himself,) he thought there could be no exquisite Pleasure in Conversation but among Equals; and would pleasantly bewail himself that he always lived in a Crowd, but was the only man in France that never could get into Company.  This Turn of Mind made him delight in Midnight Rambles, attended only with one Person of his Bed-chamber:  He would in these Excursions get acquainted with Men (whose Temper he had a Mind to try) and recommend them privately to the particular Observation of his first Minister.  He generally found himself neglected by his new Acquaintance as soon as they had Hopes of growing great; and used on such Occasions to remark, That it was a great Injustice to tax Princes of forgetting themselves in their high Fortunes, when there were so few that could with Constancy bear the Favour of their very Creatures.’

My Author in these loose Hints has one Passage that gives us a very lively Idea of the uncommon Genius of Pharamond.  He met with one Man whom he had put to all the usual Proofs he made of those he had a mind to know thoroughly, and found him for his Purpose:  In Discourse with him one Day, he gave him Opportunity of saying how much would satisfy all his Wishes.  The Prince immediately revealed himself, doubled the Sum, and spoke to him in this manner.

’Sir, You have twice what you desired, by the Favour of Pharamond; but look to it, that you are satisfied with it, for ’tis the last you shall ever receive.  I from this Moment consider you as mine; and to make you truly so, I give you my Royal Word you shall never be greater or less than you are at present.  Answer me not, (concluded the Prince smiling) but enjoy the Fortune I have put you in, which is above my own Condition; for you have hereafter nothing to hope or to fear.’

His Majesty having thus well chosen and bought a Friend and Companion, he enjoyed alternately all the Pleasures of an agreeable private Man and a great and powerful Monarch:  He gave himself, with his Companion, the Name of the merry Tyrant; for he punished his Courtiers for their Insolence and Folly, not by any Act of Publick Disfavour, but by humorously practising upon their Imaginations.  If he observed a Man untractable to his Inferiors, he would find an Opportunity to take some favourable Notice of him, and render him insupportable.  He knew all his own Looks, Words and Actions had their Interpretations; and his Friend Monsieur Eucrate (for so he was called) having a great Soul without Ambition, he could communicate all his Thoughts to him, and fear no artful Use would be made of that Freedom.  It was no small Delight when they were in private to reflect upon all which had passed in publick.