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is XIV. during the greater part of his reign, was regarded, not only in France, but over all Europe, as the moſt perfect model of a great prince. But what were the talents and virtues by which he acquired this great reputation? Was it by the ſcrupulous and inflexible juſtice of all his undertakings, by the immenſe dangers and difficulties with which they were attended, or by the unwearied and unrelenting application with which he purſued them? Was it by his extenſive knowledge, by his exquiſite judgment, or by his heroic valour? It was by none of theſe qualities. But he was, firſt of all, the moſt powerful prince in Europe, and conſequently held the higheſt rank among kings; and then, ſays his hiſtorian, "he ſurpaſſed all his courtiers in the gracefulneſs of his ſhape, and the majeſtic beauty of his features. The ſound of his voice, noble and affecting, gained thoſe hearts which his preſence intimidated. He had a ſtep and a deportment which could ſuit only him and his rank, and which would have been ridiculous in any other perſon. The embarraſſment which he occaſioned to thoſe who ſpoke to him, flattered that ſecret ſatiſfaction with which he felt his own ſuperiority." Theſe frivolous accompliſhments, ſupported by his rank, and, no doubt too, by a degree of other talents and virtues, which ſeems, however, not to have been much above mediocrity, eſtabliſhed this prince in the eſteem of his own age, and have drawn, even from poſterity, a good deal of reſpect for his memory. Compared with theſe, in his own times, and in

his