Page 175 - A Jacobite Exile

"But the Poles have their virtues. They love their country, and are ready to
die for her. They are courteous, and even chivalrous, they are hospitable to

an excess, they are good husbands and kindly masters, they are recklessly
brave; and, if they are unduly fond of finery, I, who supply so many of

them, should be the last to find fault with them on that score. They are
proud, and look down upon us traders, but that does not hurt us; and, if they
were to take to trading themselves, there would be no place for us here. But

this has nothing to do with our present purpose.

"Certainly, if it was a question of Polish affairs, neither the foreign nor the
Jewish merchants here would move a finger one way or the other. We have
everything to lose, and nothing to gain. Suppose we took sides with one of

the parties, and the other got the upper hand. Why, they might make
ordinances hampering us in every way, laying heavy taxes on us,

forbidding the export of cattle or horses, and making our lives burdensome.
True, if they drove us out they would soon have to repeal the law, for all
trade would be at an end. But that would be too late for many of us.

"However, I do not say that, at the present time, many would not be

disposed to do what they could against Augustus of Saxony. We are
accustomed to civil wars; and, though these may cause misery and ruin, in
the districts where they take place, they do not touch us here in the capital.

But this is a different affair. Augustus has, without reason or provocation,
brought down your fiery King of Sweden upon us; and, if he continues on

the throne, we may hear the Swedish cannon thundering outside our walls,
and may have the city taken and sacked. Therefore, for once, politics
become our natural business.

"But, though you may find many well wishers, I doubt if you can obtain

any substantial aid. With Saxon troops in the town, and the nobles divided,
there is no hope of a successful rising in Warsaw."

"The king did not think of that," Charlie said. "His opinion was, that were it
evident that the citizens of Warsaw were strongly opposed to Augustus of

Saxony, it would have a great moral effect, and that, perhaps, they might
influence some of the nobles who, as you say, are deeply in their books, or