at all. There are fome Perfons whofe Com pany we cannot too much frequent; 'tis certain, by feeing them often, befides the Improvement we have by being with them, we gain a good Esteem to ourselves, as we perfume ourselves unawares by walking amongst the Jeffamines and Orange-Trees. A Man of good. Breeding and good Morals hath folid Virtues in him; and when we once love him for thefe Endowments, we fhall always love him.

However we are fupplied with Wit and Learning, we ought still to be more willing to bear than to speak, to learn than to teach: It being a great Folly to be more ready to fhew all that is in us, rather than learn Knowledge of another; to Spend our own Stock, rather than to get new. Applause attends a Moderation in this Refpect; and we shall be valued while we are neither over filent, nor over talkative: The first Error may lay us open to a Cenfure of Stupidity or Scorn; and the latter will render us accufable of Giddiness of the Brain.

There is one Unhappiness of mix'd Converfation, which reigns too much in all Companies; an Affectation of being reputed Orators, and fpeaking above the Pitch of Comprehenfion. The beft Art of Speech fhews itfelf under a natural Drefs. Our Difcourse fhould never fmell of Study and Elaboratenefs:

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borateness: It is a Pedantry that deferves not the Benefit of Pardon: For unlefs our Speech be fitted to the Capacities of those we difcourfe with, though it be never fo elaborate, it will rather confound than edify. Too much Fancy is not neceffary in our Conversation; it begets vain and puerile Ideas, which tend neither to make us wifer nor better. Our Thoughts fhould be produced by good Senfe and right Reafon, and ought always to be the Effect of our Judgment.

I do not know whether I am not in fome fort flipped from my Argument, and giving Directions, rather for our Manner of Speech, than Conversation in general: However, if this be not the main Body of the Subject, I dare fay it must be looked upon as a material Branch. We are obnoxious to fo many criminal Indecencies of Expref fion, that giddy and unintended Words frequently make the Danger of Society; and thefe habitual and uncorrected Faults, often contribute to pervert the Manners and debauch the Mind.

Our Words, and common Strain of Talking, may be very blameable and pernicious in many kinds; they may be froward, abufive, and fcurrilous; they may be wanton, vicious, and obfcene; they may be loaded with Oaths and Imprecations,

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or tower into a yet higher blafphemous Impiety.

To fpeak, and to offend with fome People, are one and the fame thing. Their Difposition is sharp and bitter, their Language mingled with Gall, and Wormwood; and Rattling, Injury, and Infolence, run from their Lips like Spittle. The little Vivacity and Wit they have, do more Hurt than other Mens Dulnefs; not always fatisfied with giving fharp Anfwers, they attack frequently with Arrogance; they ftrike whenever they speak, and wound the Prefent and Abfent, at least, in their Reputations. Instead of giving ourselves over to fuch rude and injurious Liberties, we fhould weigh our unborn Words in the Ballance, make our Speech temperate and decent, and keep it up to a Strain of Courtefy and Civility. Nothing can more charm than that Graciousness of Language, Que nè illos quidem quos damnat offendit, That gives no Offence, even where it gives Reproof. Good Words are afforded at the fame Price as ill; and are not only cheap, but prevalent upon all Occafions. The Air and Manner, which we neglect as little Things, are frequently what the World judge us by, and make them decide for or against us. A little Care to appear obliging and polite before Men, will prevent their making E 5 a bad

a bad Judgment of us. The leaft Thing in the World is enough to make People believe we are proud, uncivil, difdainful, and difobliging. On the other Hand, as lirtle is required to be efteemed the contrary. To make ourselves be heard with Pleasure, we must say fuch Things as others will be glad to hear, and fay them pleasantly; which is the best Way to make us be beloved: For Politeness feems to be a certain Care, by the Manner of our Words and Actions, to make others pleafed with us and themfelves. It gives a Man the Appearance of fuppofed Virtues; and makes him feem that without, which he ought to be within. In fhort, it puts Merit forward, and renders it agreeable; and a Man must have eminent Qualifications to fupport himself without it.

As to the fecond Vice of Speech, it is of a Nature no Apologies can excufe; and whenever introduced in Society, fhews Converfation at a very low Ebb indeed, or the Morals of the Company bad to a great Degree: It is very rare that an artful double Entendre can have a Grace; but a downright Obscenity must always be fhocking: Modesty is a Qualification that ought to reign in all Difcourfes: We fhould fuppofe her fitting at the Head of our Tables; and expect her Cenfure and fevere Correction,

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whenever we are rude enough to put her to the Blufh: Let us be cautious of offending fo nice a Miftrefs; nor let her fee us pleased at Wantonness. We ought to keep our Hearts from drawing in the Breath of obscene Difcourfes; which are the very Peft of Converfation. Let us guard our Ears, check the Pleasure in our Eyes, and preferve our Minds and Inclinations untainted. We fhould learn herein to imitate the Philofopher Xenocrates, who being asked an obscene Queftion, made no Reply: Being again importuned to answer, faid moft commendably, De tali re te bominem vanum interrogare decet, me autem refpondere nequaquàm; You should put your Questions of this Sort to fome vile and light Companion; it is fitting in me to give you no Anfwer.

In short, obfcene Speeches, like Oil falling upon Linnen, will fpread much; and as the Poison of the Body enters by the Mouth, fo the Poison of the Heart enters by the Ear; and therefore those who have Honesty in their Hearts, will have only civil and modest Words in their Mouths.

The too common Fashion of Oaths and Imprecations, favours ftrongly both of Levity and Prophanenefs: It is a Sin that flies in the Face of an exprefs Commandment: Our Oaths call the facred King of E 6 Hea