You think that the saying of your crown prince has more smartness than truth, more malice than honesty.

You think that the court has judged on false principles, and acted on an impulse rather than on reason; that the king has consulted his own ease in affecting to do justice; that the courtiers have paid a homage to their master, in affecting to pay a homage to merit; and that nothing in this life is pure or free from the taint of falsehood, selfishness, or vanity.

Alas! this is too much the case with us monikins, I must allow; though, doubtless, among men you manage a vast deal more cleverly.".