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To Mounsieur de Piles Cleremont. LETTER XXXII.
SIR, having heard of the favourable words you used of me at the Court; I cannot any longer forbeare to give you thanks; nor stay till our next meeting from telling you, how highly I esteeme this favour, I cannot but con∣fesse, I did not looke to finde so great a graci∣ousnesse in the country of maliciousnesse; and seeing, that the greatest part, eveu of honest men, have so much love for them∣selves, that they have but little or none left for strangers; I thought with my selfe, that the in∣fection of the world had but lightly touched you; and that either you had no passions in you at all; or at least, but very coole and moderate: but I see n•…•…w, that you have more generous∣nesse in you than is fit to have, amongst men that are interessed; and that you put in practise the Maximes of our Ancestours, and the Rules of your Epictetus. It is I that am for this, ex∣ceedingly bound unto you; seeing it is I that re∣ceive the benefit of it, & that am the Object of your vertue You may then beleeve, I have not so unworthy a heart, as not to feele a resent∣ment answerable to so great an Obligation; at least Sir, I hope to shew you, that the Picture mine enemies have made of me, is not drawne after the life; and that their colours disfigure