Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/217

 they were in general only honourary: men of the greatest genius were often members of many academies, but almost starving for want: George therefore found no want of fresh establishments, but only the fixing certain salaries on the seats of those already in being. This he did with a liberality unknown in France, and greatly to his honour: few conquerours were ever celebrated for such excellencies as this great Monarch; the panegyrics on him, which were numerous and just, did not turn on his victories, but his philosophic disposition, and his civil virtues.

Prejudice and partiality, which so often throw a veil over the real characters of princes, can find few faults with this great king's administration. His conduct, especially in France, has been blamed by many politicians, but no philosophers. In fact, George ought rather