sm must, I think, have been composed by Ferdinand himself. His
writing is always exceedingly concise and to the purpose.)

That he should not listen to tale-bearers, (parleros) either of his own
household or to those out of it; nor take vengeance upon anybody who had
spoken ill of him, it being "an ugly thing to believe that anybody could
speak ill of one who did ill to no one, but good to all," That it is one
of the conditions of bad governors, "moved therein by their own
consciences" to give heed to what they hear is said of them, and to take
ill that, which if it had been said, they had better not have heard.
Rather let injurious sayings be overcome by magnanimity.

That it would be good for him to give free audience to all, and to hear
what they had to say; and if their counsel turned out ill, not to look
coldly upon them for that. The same in war, or in any other undertaking:
his agents must not have to fear punishment for failure, nor calumny for
success: "for there were many persons who, to avoid the envy of their
superiors, sought rather to lose a victory than to gain it," (Here
Ferdinand ought to have looked a little ashamed, being conscious that his
own practice by no means came up to what he perceives to be noble and wise
policy in the matter.)

That he (Ovando) should look to what example he gives both in word and
deed,--governors living, as in a theatre, in the midst of the world. If he
does ill, even those who follow him in that, will not the less disesteem
him.

That although it is necessary for him to know the life of everyone, yet he
must not be over-inquisitive about it, nor rout up offences which are not
brought before him officially. "Since if all offences were looked into,
few men, or none, would be without punishment." Besides, for secret faults
men may correct themselves: if those faults are made known, and especially
if they are punished in excess, shame is lost, and men give way to their
bad impulses.

That he is to encourage those who work, and to discourage the idle, as the
universal Father does.

That, as regards liberality, he should so conduct himself, that men should
not dare to ask him for things which they would know he must deny: this
would be a great restraint upon them, and a great proof of good reputation
in a governor.

That, in fine, all that had been said consisted in this, that he was to
govern as he would be, governed: and that "it behoved him to be intent in
business, t