the other.  He will not, like the Lacedemonians, think any measures honourable which accord with his inclinations, and just if they promote his views; but in all cases he will do that which is lawful and right, holding this for a certain truth, that in politics the straight path is the sure one!  Such a minister will hope for the best, and expect the best; by acting openly, steadily, and bravely, he will act always for the best:  and so acting, be the issue what it may, he will never dishonour himself or his country, nor fall under the “sharp judgment” of which they that are in “high places” are in danger.

Montesinos.—­I am pleased to hear you include hopefulness among the needful qualifications.

Sir Thomas More.—­It was a Jewish maxim that the spirit of prophecy rests only upon eminent, happy, and cheerful men.

Montesinos.—­A wise woman, by which I do not mean in vulgar parlance one who pretends to prophecy, has a maxim to the same effect:  Toma este aviso, she says, guardate de aquel que no tiene esperanza de bien! take care of him who hath no hope of good!

Sir Thomas More.—­“Of whole heart cometh hope,” says old Piers Plowman.  And these maxims are warranted by philosophy, divine and human; by human wisdom, because he who hopes little will attempt little—­fear is “a betrayal of the succours which reason offereth,” and in difficult times, pericula magna non nisi periculis depelli solent; by religion, because the ways of providence are not so changed under the dispensation of Grace from what they were under the old law but that he who means well, and acts well, and is not wanting to himself, may rightfully look for a blessing upon the course which he pursues.  The upright individual may rest his heal in peace upon this hope; the upright minister who conducts the affairs of a nation may trust in it; for as national sins bring after them in sure consequence their merited punishment, so national virtue, which is national wisdom, obtains in like manner its temporal and visible reward.

Blessings and curses are before you, and which are to be your portion depends upon the direction of public opinion.  The march of intellect is proceeding at quick time; and if its progress be not accompanied by a corresponding improvement in morals and religion, the faster it proceeds, with the more violence will you be hurried down the road to ruin.

One of the first effects of printing was to make proud men look upon learning as disgraced by being thus brought within reach of the common people.  Till that time learning, such as it was, had been confined to courts and convents, the low birth of the clergy being overlooked because they were privileged by their order.  But when laymen in humble life were enabled to procure books the pride of aristocracy took an absurd course, insomuch that at one time it was deemed derogatory for a nobleman if he could read or write.  Even scholars themselves complained that the reputation