Manito eBooks

" And if it be enquired by what arts of Machiavellian
astuteness he alone, of all Christian princes, contrived to maintain
friendly relations with these formidable Oriental sea-rovers, the
answer lies at hand. His device was one of extreme simplicity. He
appealed to their better natures by sending them, at convenient
intervals, shiploads of local delicacies, girls and lobsters--of
indifferent quality, it is true, but sufficiently appetizing to attest
his honourable intentions.
His predecessors, intent only upon their pleasures, had given no
thought to the possibility of a hostile invasion of their fair domain.
But the Good Duke, despite his popularity, was frequently heard to
quote with approval that wise old adage which runs "In peace, prepare
for war." Convinced of the instability of all mundane affairs and
being, moreover, a man of original notions as well as something of an
artist in costumery, he was led to create that picturesque body of men,
the local Militia, which survives to this day and would alone entitle
him to the grateful notice of posterity.


Pages:
364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388