GOod morrow , Cousin , What , up and ready too so early ? How do you like our Old English Country Air ?

Very well Sir , and indeed the pleasantness of this situation , with those many delights which appear round about it , are sufficient to raise any Man from his Bed , especially one who hath been so long a stranger to the happinesses of a Country retirement , and who loves them so much as I do .

I rather feared that notwithstanding our best endeavours here , your time would pass tediously away , for having seen all France and Italy ( which they call the Garden of Europe ) I apprehended that the best part of England , would have appeared no better to you , then an uncultivated Desert .

I am glad to find you so good an Englishman , the rather because we may now hope to keep you henceforward in a place which , it seems , you like so well .

Believe me , Tutto il mondo è pa●se . All Countries are in this alike , that they have their conveniences , and inconveniences , their particular delights , and their particular wants . And when we shall have made a just estimate of all the Kingdoms in Europe , I know none , which for pleasure and profit , ought to be preferr'd justly before our own .

Sir , I was always satisfied with my own Countrey , and the little encouragement you give me to exchange it for any other confirms me now so much in my Opinion , that I am resolv'd never to cross the Seas , except some greater Business , than I can foresee , should necessitate me .

I have now spent somewhat more than Eight years , ( as you know Cousin ) out of England . The first time I went abroad , I only learnt my Exercises , and made those Tours of France and Italy , which generally other Gentlemen use to do . I could then have told you who was the best Dancing Master of Paris , where liv'd the most fashionable Taylor , the airiest Perriwig-maker , and such like . In Italy , where the best Wines , and what Curiosities were particular to every City .

But having almost lost the bon goust , as they say , or rellish for those youthful pleasures , since I went last abroad , I have made other remarks , and grown more sullen possibly than I ought to be ; can tell you now of the pride and libertinage of the French Noblesse , the impertinence , coquetry and debauchery of the Gentry , the misery of the Commonalty , the extream poverty of most , and slavery of all . In Italy the restraint of their Wives and Women , the jealousie of Husbands and their general vindicative humour : At Venice the insupportable insolence of their Nobili Venetiani , and triumphant Vice . At Genoua the scandalous Mechanick Traffick and notorious Avarice o● their Grandees , insomuch that they starve even a Jew in his own Trade : Their frequent assassinations , pride and ill manners . The dull Bigotry of Florence , and hard impositions upon Subjects . The formalities of Rome , the lost Vertue and Courage , and natural Cowardize and Poltronery of the degenerated Romans ; the insolence of the Commonalty del regna , as they call it , or Kingdom of Naples , the Robberies of their Banditti , the great Titles , and small Estates of the Nobility ; the hereditary risses or quarrels of the Piedmontesi , and those of Monferat , and ( from their ill administration of Justice ) their eternal Processes . And to conclude , add to this , the arbitrary Government exercis'd generally all over Italy , and the heavy impositions upon their Subjects , greater than they ought to bear .

Now , Cousin , with all I have said , compare the extream happiness of the English Nation . The Riches of the Commonalty , insomuch that some have thought it to be the greatest part of our disease ; The vast trade and prosperous condition of our Merchants ; The Hospitality , Wealth and Modesty of our Gentry ; The high quality and true worth of our Nobility , their uncorrupted Loyalty to their Prince , and unaffected kindness for the People .

But above all let us reflect seriously upon the most happy security and liberty of our Persons and Estates , which all strangers are forc't both to admire and envy : Our freedom and exemption from all manner of Taxes and Impositions , but such as we our selves shall consent to .

And not to be too tedious upon a subject which is so large , let us truly consider , and at the same time bless God Almighty for our just Laws , and impartial execution of them , for the admirable & equal Constitution of our Government ; where the Prince hath so great a power , and the People such ample priviledges , that as our form of Government is Monarchy , and that as perfect and free as the Sun ever saw , so it is eternally secur'd from the corruption of Tyranny .

Over all this , our present Age enjoys a Prince so moderate and so just , that his mercy and goodness have been his greatest faults , and his Government over us hath been so modest , that his greatest Enemies are forc't to consess , That his present Majesty never did any Act of arbitrary Power , nor to●k from any particular Person the benefit of the Law ; Plato Red. p. 18 , 19.

These considerations have oblig'd all Persons of all Nations whom I have hapned to meet abroad , o● who have heard or read any thing concerning us , to congratulate with me the incomparable Constitution and easiness of the Government under which we live , and applying the happiness of Virgil's Husbandman to our own People , have often repeated :

Now , Cousin , if you have an inclination to leave all those general blessings , besides your particular ones of a noble House , a healthful & pleasant situation , delightful Garden , plenty of water & fresh springs , and many other great conveniences belonging to them , then Cousin , go abroad , and there learn to be wiser .

No , good Cousin , I intend to remain a fool and stay at home , & to speak plainly , if I had as good an Opinion of the present Constitution of our own Government , as I have an ill one of those which you have mention'd , all those foreign pleasures , which the most Frenchefi'd Traveller would make us believe were to be found amongst them , should not persuade me to leave Old England , not so much as for one single Month.

How , dear Cousin ? Is it possible that there should be any thing in the Constitution of our own Government which can displease a man of your sense , and solid Judgment , and one whom hitherto I have ever thought very well affected to it ?

Truly Sir , few men love their King and Countrey better than my self . I have never forwarded any irregular address to his Majesty , nor given my Vote for any notorious Phanatick , nor am I look'd upon as such amongst them . But I must confess , when I reflect upon the differences and animosities between the King and the House of Commons , the discontents of a great number of People , the Danger of Popery , and many other such considerations , which I have not at present in my mind , I cannot but think there is a fault somewhere , and where to lay it more modestly , and more reasonably than upon the Constitution of the Government itself , is what I cannot find out .

But we shall not want opportunity to discourse as much as you please of these matters , ere we return to London : And in the mean time , I think it a good hour to break your fast . What Drink do you choose for your Mornings draught ?

Good faith Cousin , a mouthful or two of good Air is to me the most acceptable Breakfast in the World .

Pray use no ceremonies . You know and believe , I hope , that our friendship , as well as near relation gives , you the same freedom in my House , as you have in your own . If therefore you will eat or drink any thing , speak what you like best , and the Butler shall bring it you immediately But if you be resolv'd to stay till Dinner , I will in the mean time carry you to a very pleasant walk , and shew you a little Arbour at the end , agreeable enough .

Most willingly . I 'll only put on my Cravat and Perriwig and wait upon you .

And I , until you are ready , will ( with your leave ) examine what curious Books you have brought down from beyond Sea .

Very few besides such as I carried over ; for I find London the best Library , and England the best University for learned men in Europe .

I am glad you think it so . Let 's see , what have we here ? Hugonis Grotii de Jure Belli ac Pacis ? This we have translated into English since you left us .

I heard so in Italy , but never saw the Book , I should have thought it a very difficult undertaking by reason of many expressions so particular to the Civil Law and Latin , that they are hard to be rendred into our Language .

It is very well done , and of good use , I can shew it you when ever you please . For in my vacant hours I love a little reading , especially when I meet with an Author , who is universally allow'd to be of a solid Judgment & great Learning .

You could not have met with one in my opinion who more truly possesses those two qualifications then Grotius did . Joseph Scaliger tells us , that he was prudens Politicus , optimus Groecus , Juris-consultus , modestus , proestantissimus in Epigrammatibus , and certainly he deserv'd all or more than he hath said of him .

What have you got next ? The holy Bible in English ? Nay then , Cousin , we may hope , that besides your English inclinations , you have brought over with you also your English Religion . For I think the Papists seldom make use of the Bible .

Sir , I assure you , I profess the same Religion which I ever did , and hope I ever shall . I mean the true Orthodox Protestant Religion of the Church of England , as it is by Law establish'd , and in my Heart do believe it , not only a safe Religion , but the most sound and the most pure in its Doctrine as well as in its discipline , that is profess'd this day in any part of the whole World .

As strong as Mustard , Cousin ; Children are afraid of it , because it bites them by the Nose , as they fancy . But those of riper years , easily discover the fallacy , for when examin'd , it leaves no impression behind it .

Have you read it Sir ?

Please to open it , and you will find whether I have or no.

I perceive indeed that your red Lead Pen hath examin'd it very strictly ; every leaf looks almost as dismal as a Martyr .

Not a Martyr , I beseech you ; but if you will say a Sacrifice , I will admit of the Comparison .

Why Cousin ? What distinction do you make between these two ?

Martyr , Sir , is generally taken in a good sense , and in a good cause , but a Sacrifice may be said to be offer'd either to God or to the Devil .

Which is as much as to say , That you believe the Author hath undertaken an ill cause .

Yes , Sir , and under any good Government besides our own , especially in that Republick , which he so much admires , both himself and his works would have been made publick Sacrifices to Justice , and to the quiet of the establish'd Government , long before now .

But is it not hard , that a Man of great Learning , should not have liberty to give his Judgment in a case of so great consequence , as the Peace and Security of our Government , under which our lives and fortunes , and our all , are to be preserv'd or shipwrack'd ; especially when his design is so apparently good and commendable ?

First , Cousin , as to our present Author , to deal plainly with you , I cannot possibly remark , either his great Learning ▪ or his good design . But supposing he had both ( which I shall hardly grant you ) yet I must maintain , that any private person , who unauthoriz'd by our lawful Government , shall publish either by words or writings , any arguments or discourse , against the Constitution of the Government by Law establish'd , is a pestilent , pragmatical Deceiver , a seditious Calumniator , and Perturbator of our Peace : His words and writings become scandalous Libels , and both deserve the extreamest punishments , which the rigour of the Law or Reason in that case provides .

Hold , hold , dear Cousin , be not so angry .

Sir , I ask your pardon ; for whilst you entertain me with so much kindness , it were indeed unreasonable that I should offend you in the Person of any Man , for whom you may bear the least respect .

No , no , Sir , you mistake me ; for in the first place I have no acquaintance with the author , supposing it , whom common fame speaks him : Besides , want of freedom in discourse , abates so much of the profit , as well as the pleasure of it , that I must conjure you to use all the liberty henceforward imaginable , and so with your good leave I intend to do my self . But I confess I wonder'd a little to see you so warm and vigorous in the Defence of a Government , under which we must needs agree , that even to our own knowledg , and possibly amongst our own friends , there have happen'd ▪ cases very severe ( not to say more ) which sure must be faults , either in the Governours , or the Government .

Perhaps in neither , for though as you say , we may have remembred many particular cases , which to us have seem'd hard , yet it may be , if we had fully examin'd the circumstances of each case , we should have found , either some mismanagment in the Person , or some very unlucky contingency , which neglects or misfortunes we presently throw upon the Government , that we may the easier discharge our selves .

Indeed such particular cases , how hard soever they may seem to those concerned , yet ought they not to over-bias or prejudice a Mans Reason or Justice , much less make him undermine , and endeavour to shake the very Constitution of our present Government ; which having subsisted so long , been constituted , approved , confirmed , by so many wise , just , and valiant Princes ; and consented to , established , and couragiously asserted by such a long Series of our grave , and learned Ancestors , remains the same at this day in the substantial part , which it ever hath been in the best of times , and under the administration of much greater Politicians than our quack Statesman , ( who ever he was ) seems to have been .

I know not what our former Constitution hath been . It is sufficient to mind you , that now the incertainty of grants , and Court favours hath been such , that many men have never enjoyed , what with great pains and expence they thought they had obtained ; and I still think that a fault .

I guess possibly what you mean , and I confess Machiavel above all things advises his Prince to avoid the imputation of easiness , or unsteadiness . He would not have him be , Varius , or Levis , as he calls it . But on the contrary , to be so firm and constant in all that he says , or resolves , as not to leave in any Man , so much as the hopes of moving or deceiving him . Ita sententiam suam quam semel pronuntiavit , ratam ac firmam haberi velit , ut ab ea nunquam deduci , aut dimoveri posse procerto teneant , ac talem de se opinionem sustineri ac retineri studeat , ut illorum nemo veniat , ut illum aut decipi aut flecti posse cogitet . This certainly is good advice , and possibly very proper in our circumstances ; and this exact care of a Prince in keeping his word , and not passing one grant over the head of another , might be more practicable in the little Government , under which Machiavel wrote , than in ours , which hath such numerous Offices depending upon his Majesties grace and favour . But still if this Fermete , be wanting , and hard cases do sometimes happen , yet nothing can be more ridiculous and unjust , than presently to accuse the Government : For such things have happen'd under the best forms of Government that ever have been , or ever will be , whether Monarchical or Democratical , and will ever happen , whilst we are govern'd by men , who are all more or less naturally subject to inevitable frailties . We must therefore distinguish between the Supream Governours , and the subordinate ones , and both from the Constitution of the Government . The first , as I said , are subject to weaknesses and infirmities , and when they are too frequent , I mean in the subordinate Officers , they may be easily remov'd or chang'd , without destroying or altering the Government .

For as a man would be justly thought mad , or highly imprudent , who finding that by the negligence of Servants , a Door-post , or Window , a Joyst , Beam or Rafter of his House had been decay'd , should immediately pull down the whole building , with a design to repair only those little breaches ; so that Politician is certainly most unfit for a Prince's Cabinet , or House of Parliament , who finding , it may be , some mismanagement in State-affairs , should presently resolve to pull down the Fabrick it self , I mean Monarchy , and in its place build up a phantastical Commonwealth , then transform that into an Optimacy , then an Oligarchy , till having past through all the misfortunes , which innovation and change have generally produc'd , we fall necessarily into confusion and Anarchy , and in that most miserable state , become either Slaves to some mechanical Tyrant , sprung up from the Lees of the people , and rais'd by the foul breath of vulgar applause , or made eternally a pittiful Province loaden with afflictions , and groaning under the heavy Taxes of a foreign Conquerour .

By this time , Cousin , I hope you understand the difference between Governours and Governments ; the solid Foundation , or the whole House it self , from its Ornaments , or some necessary or convenient parts of it , and the dangers which attend the change of the one , more than of the other . I shall endeavour to shew you next , if you command me , what unjust pretences our old neglected Politician has found out , to endeavour an alteration in either , and what false arguments he produces to favour his pretence .

Nothing can oblige me more ; And that we may not lose the advantage of this fine morning , since you are now ready , let us be walking . I 'le lead you through my Garden , which brings us into the walk I spake of , and in the Arbour , if you please , we may discourse farther of these matters .

Most willingly . And to help the unfaithfulness of my memory ; I 'le take my constant companion Grotius in my Pocket .

And I , that I may be able now and then to make some opposition , or at least ask some pertinent Questions , will take with me our friend Plato Redivivus .

Best of all : You will find , whatever is well or ill said by him already scor'd to your hand .

Come then , let us walk . You see , Cousin , that my Garden is but small , but the Soil is very proper for Fruit , and lies well enough to the South Sun , which is a great advantage to us .

Yes : And I see you have plasht your Vines upon Treilles ; which sure ripens the Fruit better than when they touch the Walls . Then your Gravel walks are particular to our Country , and finer than any thing I have seen of that kind , either in France or Italy .

It is indeed very pleasant and I suppose we see at the end of it the Arbour you mean .

The same . There we shall have a very fine prospect over a great part of our Country . But what will please me much better , I hope to have there the advantage of your Discourse , upon a subject , which will be no less delightful than profitable , to a man who has had neither time nor learning enough to examine those high points , which do not much belong to a man of my profession .

Sir , I am very well satisfied concerning your judgment and your learning also : For I remember you were reputed the best Scholar in Paul's School , when I was at Westminster . And if the death of your Father had not happen'd in the nick of time , you were design'd for Oxford , when I went to Cambridg . However having lately had occasion to read somewhat more of these matters , than it may be you have done , I shall be very willing to give you my opinion , as far as my reading goes , provided you will excuse my ignorance , and presumption , in seeming to inform you of what possibly you are better instructed than my self .

Pray , dear Cousin , let 's lose no time in complements , we are now in the Arbour , and here are seats convenient enough .

Sir , I am ready to obey your commands . And that we may proceed in some method , at least as good as your Author there has taken ; and because I suppose it is thought by some , that he has treated as fully and clearly upon that subject , as is necessary to satisfie a reasonable man , let us examine him from the beginning to the end .

That I fear will be too tedious for you .

No Sir , you have only to read those places , which are marked with the red lead Pen ; And if you please to add any arguments of your own ( which I am confident will have more weight , than many which he has produc'd ) I will endeavour to give you the most plain and satisfactory Answers I can .

Agreed ; And in the first place I find , you have wounded even Plato himself in the very Title of the Book .

No Sir , it is only his Ghost or Doemon , Plato Redivivus ; For to tell you the truth , I never was a friend to such troublesome spirits . But in earnest , do you not think it a little arrogance in our Polypragmatick ( notwithstanding the gentle excuse of the Publisher ) to assume the Title even of Plato himself . I am confident , could Plato look into the world again ▪ he would be much asham'd to see how ill a figure his Ghost makes among all sober men , and it would prove a second death more cruel than the first , to see himself so ill Travestie .

But Cousin , he that maintains Plato's opinions , may surely without offence call himself Plato's Friend and Disciple , and Honoris gratia , as our Author says , take upon himself the name of him , whom he admires and follows ; that is common enough at this day among our selves .

'T is true , but in that case he ought rather to have stiled himself Plato Britannicus : That would have made distinction enough between the Master and the Scholar , agreed better with the instances which you have brought on his behalf , and have been more modest than Redivivus .

However you must consider that Plato and others living then under Common-wealths , wrote in favour of that Form of Government , under which their lives and fortunes were protected . And besides , many of them , being but the late corruptions of Monarchy or Aristocracy , wanted the learn'd Philosopher's defence . But to alter , nay totally destroy the ancient establish'd Government , under which we enjoy all the blessings and liberties , which our Ancestors ever did , or we can reasonably desire , would have been so much contrary to the Wisdom and Judgment of Plato , that he would no more-have wrote in our days , for a Democracy in London , than for Monarchy at Athens .

Add to this the vast difference between the State of Greece in those days , and that of Great Britain in these : The first was divided into several different Governments , all aemulous of one anothers greatness , and were oftentimes forc'd to make great alterations in their Polities , according to the misfortunes , or success of their Neighbours , who besides were all upon the same Continent , and had no other bounds or separation between them , than a hedge or brook , or at most a little River .

But England having subsisted gloriously and happily , more than 1700 years , as authentick History can witness , under a Monarchical Government , and divided from the world by a Ditch which nature has made , not easily passable , Toto divisos orbe Britannos , fears no interruption whatsoever , in our Tranquillity or Government , but such as may proceed from seditious men , whom false mischievous and calumniating persons ( such as our Author may , if tolerated , decoy into some Rebellion as unnatural , as to themselves destructive .

To conclude , I appeal to all wise men , whether the Government of Athens in those days , be more applicable and necessary for us and ours in these , than to affirm , that the Government of France could not possibly subsist , except they introduce the Discipline of Geneva , or Polity of the little Commonwealth of Luca or Genoua .

I am much pleased with this way of reasoning , and am well satisfi'd , that times , and places , and circumstances , may alter our reason exceedingly , and that no one Polity , or Form of Governments or laws whatsoever , are universally proper for all places .

Plato , I think , introduc'd in his Commonwealth , a commonalty or common use of Wives or Women , as well as of all other Goods and Chattels . Lycurgus forbad the use of Gold and Silver , divided all the Lands equally amongst all , and permitted the noble exercise of stealing . Sure could these two learned men preach the same Doctrine in our days at London , as they did then in Sparta and Athens , they would be look'd upon rather as mad-men , than great Law-givers and Philosophers .

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or rapto vivere , was indeed commendable among the Aegyptians , and generally all the Grecians , as well as Spartans . But it was not , ad sumptum libidini proebendum , as Gellius observes , but only pro exercitio disciplináque reipublicoe factitatum . To accustom their youth to vigilance and agility , that thereby they might be initiated in some measure in military affairs , and learn the practical part of laying , as well as avoiding the snares and ambushes of their enemies .

This practice in Peace prepar'd them for War abroad , and the impossibility of gaining any thing at home , together with the small reward of Industry , so inclin'd them to it , that they fancied , they could be no where more miserable , than in their own Houses , nor ever lead a more unfortunate than a peaceable life , Ils estoient si malheureux en leurs maisons ( says my Author ) qu' ils ne demandoient que la guerre pour en sontir , & trouver dans la fatique des armes du soulagement a leurs maux . And I am confident , whosoever shall consider impartially the Laws and Constitutions of those older Democratical Governments , I mean of Rome , as well as Sparta and Athens , will find , that they were adapted , and contriv'd rather for the e●largement and conquest of other Countries , than the peace and security of their own , and in effect they were all three in contitinual Wars ; sometimes Conquerors , sometimes reduc'd to the utmost extremities of Conquest , untill at last , having past through all the miseries which Change and Wars produce , they were united all , and consolidated under a Monarchy , from which only true solid Form of Government , they at first proceeded .

Now how improper such Laws and Constitutions would prove for us , who are in no measure in their circumstances , and to whom all foreign acquisitions , have been justly thought rather chargeable , and prejudicial , than advantageous , I leave to you and all sober men to determin .

As for Plato , it is true , that he permitted the promiscuous use of Women , as may be seen in his 4 Repub. for which amongst other things Aristotle reprehends him in his 2 Polit. c. 5.

But that might proceed from the little respect which he had for that Sex , and great love for the other , which made him so great a Paederastist , or to speak plainer , a Sodomite that he wish'd himself as many eyes , as there were Stars in the Heavens , the better to admire his dear Alexis , his Phedius , or his Agathon ; witness ( amongst other tender expressions ) that celebrated Distich to his beloved Agathon .

I cannot pass by a memorable passage to this purpose of Philo , a great favourer of Plato , who tells us in his Book De vita Contemplatrice , that Plato's Convivia's were all spent in the affairs of love , not of Men towards Women , or Women towards Men , which the Law of nature doth very well approve , but of Men towards one another , or youths no way differing but in their Ages , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c.