. The style in which the
story is told, and in which the advice is insinuated, is exquisite, is
beyond praise. The "soft delicious" stream of sound runs on, as from a
fountain, and like "linked sweetness long drawn out." Never had prose a
flow of melody more luscious. It is perpetual ravishment to the ear. The
invention, too, of incident is fruitful, while the landscape and
coloring are magical for beauty. We give a few extracts, to be read with
that application to Louis XIV., and the state of France, in mind, which,
when the book was first printed, gave it such an exciting interest in
the eyes of Europe. Telemachus, after the manner of AEneas to Queen Dido,
is relating to the goddess Calypso, into whose island he has come, the
adventures that have previously befallen him. He says that he, with
Mentor (Minerva in disguise), found himself in Crete. Mentor had been
there before, and was ready to tell Telemachus all about the country.
Telemachus was naturally interested to learn respecting the Cretan
monarchy. Mentor, he says, informed him as follows:--

The king's authority over the subject is absolute, but the
authority of the law is absolute over him. His power to do good is
unlimited, but he is restrained from doing evil. The laws have put
the people into his hands, as the most valuable deposit, upon
condition that he shall treat them as his children. It is the
intent of the law that the wisdom and equity of one man shall be
the happiness of many, and not that the wretchedness and slavery of
many should gratify the pride and luxury of one. The king ought to
possess nothing more than the subject, except what is necessary to
alleviate the fatigue of his station, and impress upon the minds of
the people a reverence of that authority by which the laws are
executed. Moreover, the king should indulge himself less, as well
in ease as in pleasure, and should be less disposed to the pomp and
the pride of life than any other man. He ought not to be
distinguished from the rest of mankind by the greatness of his
wealth, or the vanity of his enjoyments, but by superior wisdom,
more heroic virtue, and more splendid glory. Abroad he ought to be
the defender of his country, by commanding her armies; and at home
the judge of his people, distributing justice among them, improving
their morals, and increasing their felicity. It is not for h