[Sidenote: REFLECTIONS.] A few reflections, written at intervals of time, might assist us in passing judgment on a life of so rare adventure, for t’were well, if we would be just, to estimate each touch of character at its true proportions, for entry whether on the credit or on the debtor side of the moralist’s ledger. ‘1. So long as a kingdom is under the domination of a woman, all will go well. Why? Because it is then that men will govern. (Written at St. Petersburg.) ‘2. Nothing so much shows the sound judgment of a man, as to know how to choose between two evils. ‘3. Freedom may be preserved, even where there is esteem and regard. ‘4. An energetic will suffices to put into execution an object in view, but should anything chance to check it, force must absolutely be resorted to; and when I speak of force, I mean the force that is to be obtained from the consideration in which one is held, by those very persons who have occasioned the wrong sought to be remedied, and of which they cannot deprive you since it already belongs to you, notwithstanding any personal dislike they may entertain, and which has arisen solely because of the opposition to their wishes. ‘5. It is the destiny of popular governments to be believed in only when they make themselves felt; and it is often to their interest and honour rather to make themselves believed in than felt. ‘6. Power in a people is to be deplored, since they do not consider themselves answerable even for acts they commit in spite of us. ‘7. Does familiarity with great dangers accustom us to be ready in resources? Well, do brilliant motives, glory, exertions, great sights, the destiny of nations in one’s power, raise humanity and elevate the soul by the vigorous exercise of all its faculties?’ And here we have a reflection after Raphael Aben-Ezra’s own heart! ‘8. ’Tis said, truthfully enough, that death makes all men equal; but it might also be said, with even greater truth, that it is his origin should humiliate man; for we are nothing but vile insects, more agile and more fortunate than thousands of millions of other similar insects, who have succeeded in insinuating ourselves into worthless vehicles where we have grown, and where we have become worthy of receiving from God a soul, that raises us to the dignity of humanity. ‘9. The absent are ever in the wrong, and untruths told with assurance easily silence truths told with disdain. ‘10. He who writes is certain to have as many judges as readers; but among this great number of judges, how many, may it be said, are really competent? ‘11. A master-mind looks upon minor incidents as victims to be sacrificed to affairs of greater importance.