order that your Highness may suck thereout such advantage as those who
love your land chiefly desire both for yourself and for them to whose
government you shall in the future be called.

II.--_HOW A PRINCE IS TO GAIN REPUTATION._

To begin, then, I say it would be advantageous to be accounted both
liberal and of a like nature unto other men that are not Princes. For
although the majority of mankind be penurious and apt to hoard their
money, and although in their assembly the British make a show of
niggardliness, imputing it to themselves for a virtue, nevertheless,
if they discern in a Prince such inclinations as they praise in
themselves, no nation was ever quicker to blame or decry. For each
holds in private that while he himself is generous, the rest are
mean and covetous. Therefore, I counsel you let your conduct in the
bestowal both of snuff-boxes, which no man at this day uses, and of
scarf-pins, which are a delight to many, be so ordered that men may
think of you as one that with a true generosity performs such acts as
each of them, were he a Prince, would perform as well.

[Illustration]

Likewise if there be those who wish to read unto you addresses of
loyal welcome, it is not well to flout them publicly by showing signs
of sleep; since it is the fashion of municipalities and Mayors to
hold themselves to be of high importance, and a wise flattery of this
self-deception well becomes you. And in replying, let your speech
be both short and homely. The present German Emperor came lately
among this people, and, having spoken aloud of the kindness of his
Grandmamma, at once the hearts of all of them that are or hope to be