A miscellany of sundry essayes, paradoxes, and problematicall discourses, letters and characters; together with politicall deductions from the history of the Earl of Essex, executed under Queen Elizabeth. / By Francis Osborn Esquire.

It is the condition of those in Power to be guided by Servants.

THey say of the Whale that she is steered in her course through the guidance of a far smaller Fish, and a lesser then that is reported to alter the Naturall gale of a Ship; looked upon as wonders in the deep, though few things are more usuall and Familiar upon Land. All our State-Leviathans being so far guided by their Servants, Wives, Mistresses or Favorites, that in a true sense there is no Monarchy, all things for the most part succeeding according to the perswasions of o∣thers, if not contrary to the will of the Prince: A Mischief not to be quite obviated, but at the perill of falling into Obstinacy, (as great if

not a more prejudiciall extream) nor hath any King under my expe∣rience, been able to drive on his Affayres, without grating upon one of these excesses. So as a Nation like that of Egypt, is not seldome gover∣ned by a Stranger or a Jew. There being no such thing in an unlimited sense, as an Absolute Government, or if possible to be found, it must be in that as improperly stiled Free. Which proves there is no reall Li∣berty, or Power totally Arbitrary, in the nature of Things. For though the Incomparable Prudence of the State of Venice, hath compounded for most of the errours committed by the Senators of Carthage; And Queen-Elizabeth shunned the great∣est Rocks of Tyranny (though as free from compulsion, as ever any Prince stood;) yet the Jurisdicti∣on of either was as remote from be∣ing purely or totally Absolute, as

the condition of their Subjects is uncapable of the name of Freedom. They being both too inestimable Jewels to be intrusted with passion, single, and without any mediation from Counsell or Law. I confess the Grand Signior can strangle whom he please; but it is seldom done at his own suit, no more then any desert is gratified: I my self have known many, so far Strangers to what was convenient, as they would scarce concede or deny any thing, out of the presence of their Secretary. And this proceeded not seldom from a distrust there was no cause for: Manifest in the Earl of Somerset, who though himself ow∣ner of a competent sufficiency, was so Inchanted with an opinion of Sir Thomas Overburies parts, that he preferred him from a Servant to such an intimate friendship, as he could think nothing well-educated

for imployment in his Office, that had not passed his Correction, nor secret safe laid up, but in his Bosom: which swelled him to such a Mon∣strosity in pride, that I have heard (not being my self then neer the English Court) how he offered to rant at his Servants, and did once beat the Coach-man; for putting his Commands under an inferiour ex∣postulation to his Masters. And through this intolerable arrogance in him, and remissness in the Earl, the sparks first flew, that kindled the ruine of them both: friend∣ship being no more able to main∣tain its interest against a feminine Affection, then so great a Pride was to confine it self within the tedder of Moderation. The Minions of my time (an epidemicall mischief over all the great Nations of Christendom where Monarchy swayes) did, du∣ring that Fortune, so far transcend

their Patrons felicity, as they could gratifie all the rest of their Passions (quite exempt from fear or danger) being screened from both by the person of their Prince, whom in rea∣son they ought to defend; It having been often averred in my experi∣ence, that all the Kings I have known, were found to do more for their Favorites, then they could be tempted to have done for them∣selves. Which may serve for a proof of this Assertion,

that the greatest are not Free, but led intri∣umph by the Affections of others, through the mediation of their own,

by which means Women come to Govern, and Children to dispose of Common-wealths. And thus the hand of Providence, though steady in it self, doth out of a desire to appear various (and so more beau∣tifull) not onely remove the great men, but the paunes so occultly,

in this huge Chesse-board of the world, as they seem to our giddy apprehensions, to be dandled in the Lap of a contingent Successe. Though good or bad Luck are meerly Imaginary, like the Ar∣ticke and Antarticke Poles, on which the world, as on the two ends of an Axletree, are feigned to depend. Wherefore the ap∣parent Reason why great men are ruled by more obscure fools, is want of Judgement or Suffi∣ciency. The hidden Justice of God upon the Nation in generall, or persons in particular, who are naturally unworthy through dis∣obedience, or have rendred them∣selves so, by a Male-administra∣tion of Affairs: The cause their Power is shared with meaner Peo∣ple, first sought to in all Suits in∣cident to their Places. And this Custom hath brought into such

credit amongst men, as forgetting how much it savours of weakness, they labour to make it Necessa∣ry in the Court of Heaven. As if God were more Importuned, or less affected by our immediate Addresses, then when we offer'd our Prayers through the interces∣sion of the blessed Virgin, or some other Saint: Consonant to a Me∣morable Answer to a Catholick, made by King James,

That the Ruler of all things was not subject to dote like him.

Yet wise men Govern in their own persons, as Ioseph is said to rule Egypt; for had not his Servants used to afford more obe∣dience then advice, so dishonest an action in outward appearance, could never have passed without expostulation, as the putting the Cup in Benjamins Sack. To end this Discourse, nothing plausible

ought to be referred to a Servant's dispatch, nor that whichis less Po∣pular done by a Master; since he that is used to rake in dirt must im∣ploy an Instrument, lest the filth should stick too apparently on his fingers. Thus Princes juggle by Confederacy, whilest meaner men rule in their own persons.