distance of
England and Persia, in good time operate extraordinary effects; for
the magnetism of two souls, rightly touched, works beyond all
natural limits, and it would be indeed too unequal, if good nature
should not have at least as large a sphere of activity, as malice,
envy, and detraction, which are, it seems, part of the returns from
Gombroon and Surat. All I can say to you in that matter is, that you
must, seeing it will not be better, stand upon your guard; for in
this world a good cause signifys little, unless it be as well
defended. A man may starve at the feast of good conscience. My
fencing master in Spain, after he had instructed me all he could,
told me, I remember, there was yet one secret, against which there
was no defence, and that was, to give the first blow. I know your
maxim, _Qui festinat ditescere, non erit innocens_. Indeed while you
preserve that mind, you will have the blessing both of God and man.
In general I perceive, and am very glad of it, that by your good
management, your friends here get ground, and the flint in your
adversarys' hearts begins to be mollifyed. Now after my usual
method, leaving to others what relates to busyness, I address
myself, which is all I am good for, to be your gazettier. I am sorry
to perceive that mine by the Armenian miscarryed. Tho' there was
nothing material in it, the thoughts of friends are too valuable to
fall into the hands of a stranger. I wrote the last February at
large, and wish it a better passage. In this perhaps I may interfere
something with that, chusing rather to repeat than omit. The King
having, upon pretence of the great preparations of his neighbours,
demanded three hundred thousand pounds for his navy (though in
conclusion he hath not set out any) and that the Parliament should
pay his debts, which the ministers would never particularize to the
House of Commons, our House gave several bills. You see how far
things were stretched, though beyond reason, there being no
satisfaction how those debts were contracted, and all men foreseeing
that what was given would not be applyed to discharge the debts,
which I hear are at this day risen to four millions, but diverted as
formerly. Nevertheless such was the number of the constant courtiers
increased by the apostate patriots, who were bought off, for that
turn, some at six, others ten, one