Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-07-18
IL. hind n shield.


Great men have often found it advisa-
bile to work behind shield Lord Bacon
remarks that there are cases in which it is
wise "to borrow the name of the world
and say there is speech abroad, or
the world says &c.. when man wOuld
not be seen in the business himself. ;"
How often, in the days of the most des-
potic monarchs, has the nominal
king of country been merely the
shield behind which some greater man
reigned. Rlchelieu ruled France in the
name of Louis XIII., and at one time
Wolscy was nearly as absolute in Eng.
land until he committed the mistake Of
casting aside his shield and proclaiming
Ego" before "ReX meus." A name or
title has often strange influence over
the popular imagination, and acts which
would be bitterly resented if done on Il
MANI S own authority may be safely car
ried ON under the shield of some familiar
name. Cromwell found it advisable to
profess for time to work under the
direction of the Parliament, until the
him strong enough to throw off the mask.
Even then lie took refuge behind that
! often used shield "necessity" and a call
from Heaven to carry out his own wishes.
"A sense OF duty" is IA favorite shield
with many people, buckler which they
lnterpose between themselves ard many
| dlsagreeable claims. "Busness" also is
Il useful shield. Protected by this plea
a man can escape many domestic annoy
ances and indulge in many snug pleasure
expeditions. Health is also II most ad
mirable shield. 1t enables us to decline
disagreeable invitations, to shirk unpleas
ant duties, to throw off lawful responsible
ities-in fact, there may be truth in the
expression, 'enjoylng bad health.
Youth and age may be turned to accoun
as useful bucklers. "Too young to b,
expected to think of such things" or
"too old to lie troubled about these mat
ters." They said to the camelbird q. G..
Ostlich), Garry, andlt replied, 4 cannot
for am bird. They said to it, Fly,
and itreplied, Il cannot for am beast,
runs an Eastern proverb and many peo
pie are equally apt i'll their use Of varying
shields.
The shield bearer does not always sue
ceeG i'll perfectly sheltering himself be
hind his huckler. Sometimes his neigh
bors detect the device and resent it. !
is recorded that one of the rare occasion
on which the self controlled and craft
Philip OF Spain gave vent to burst G
rage was when the Prince of Orang
sheltered himself behind the name c
"The Estates" In 1853 the Prince ha
> an audience with the King at Flushing
, when Philip approached him with secre
= ly intriguing against Spanish interests
p The Prince replying that he only acted i
accordance to the will of the States Ger
8 eral, Philip, "boiling with rage, seize
$ the Prince by the wrists, exclaimiue
t Non los Estados, ma vos, vos, vos'
: c'Not the estates, but you, you, you" "
4 "vos' in Spanish being as disrespectful I
Y "toi" III French. There is story of
e Yorkshire parson of the last century ha'
Lg Il dispute with a neighbor, who salt
n angrlly, "Gour cloth is your protection
b alt may be mine, but it shall not |
g yours, was the indignant retort as I'll
parson pulled off his coat and prepare
n for battle. Horace Walpole relates
d story Of French officer who applied
g Marshal Toiras, ON the eve of battl
o for leave to 90 home and see his sic
father CO." said the Marshal, seeil
e through the prctext; 'you do not forg
j. that those who honor their parents sht
IT be rewarded by length of days"