mmon ways. He preferred beef, salt fish, and bread of the second
quality, well risen, to the foods commonly regarded as delicacies:
otherwise he was by no means averse to all sources of innocent pleasure,
even to the appetite. He has always had a great liking for milk foods
and fruit: he enjoys eating eggs. His voice is neither strong nor at all
weak, but easily audible, by no means soft or melodious, but the voice
of a clear speaker; for he seems to have no natural gift for vocal
music, although he delights in every kind of music. His speech is
wonderfully clear and distinct, with no trace of haste or hesitation.

He likes to dress simply and does not wear silk or purple or gold
chains, excepting where it would not be decent not to wear them. It is
strange how careless he is of the formalities by which the vulgar judge
good manners. He neither insists on these from any, nor does he
anxiously force them on others whether at meetings or at entertainments,
although he knows them well enough, should he choose to indulge in them;
but he considers it effeminate and not becoming masculine dignity to
waste a good part of one's time in suchlike inanities.

Formerly he disliked Court life and the company of princes, for the
reason that he has always had a peculiar loathing for tyranny, just as
he has always loved equality. (Now you will hardly find any court so
modest that has not about it much noisy ostentation, dissimulation and
luxury, while yet being quite free of any kind of tyranny.) Indeed it
was only with great difficulty that he could be dragged into the Court
of Henry VIII, although nothing more courteous and unassuming than this
prince could be desired. He is by nature somewhat greedy of independence
and leisure; but while he gladly takes advantage of leisure when it
comes his way, none is more careful or patient whenever business demands
it.

He seems born and created for friendship, which he cultivates most
sincerely and fosters most steadfastly. He is not one to be afraid of
the 'abundance of friends' which Hesiod does not approve; he is ready to
enter into friendly relations with any. He is in no way fastidious in
choosing friends, accommodating in maintaining them, constant in keeping
them. If he chances on anyone whose defects he cannot mend, he dismisses
him when the opportunity offers, not breaking but gradually dissolving
the friendship. Whenever he finds any sincere and suited to his
disposition he so deli