which, as near as you can, should be according to the humour of the persons you converse with. And this being various, it is requisite that your abilities be various also. As in all things else, so in this of speech, be a strict observer of decorum. Speak not scholastically to a lady, nor courtly to a plain man. And take heed of surfeiting the ears of your hearers, seeing that the best discourse, like sweetmeats, quickly cloy, if they become constant food; and like perpetual music, loses its charms. Therefore, still leave your company in an appetite to hear more, baiting them sometimes with short offers, so cunningly as that they may invite you, and press you to speak on: did I fear in you a poverty of speech, or should you find at any time a slender stock, I should entreat you to good husbandry; above all things avoid common places, they are fulsome and ridiculous.

3d. If your genius leads you, and I hope it does, to affect a pleasantness of wit, this will charm and win upon all companies. And let me tell you, that a story, and a fit well-chosen tale, well told, has effected that which a more serious and wise debate could never accomplish. The Spanish are singular in this kind, which renders them the best company in the world. And you have often heard me say, that it was the best music I ever heard in Spain. Their by dus ady

gravity in the narration sets off a story exceed ingly well imitate it if it be possible, and if you can, get the apparelling the same tale in a various dress; that if you should chance to tell the same again, either it will not be known in its disguise, or it may again please, because of its variety; neither were it amiss if you sometimes seem to forget to show your dexterity that way. By no means affect scurrility, and whet not your wit on a dull adversary. It is no way generous to raise mirth or triumph over a fool, whom to overcome can be no victory, when the contention itself was dishonourable. If you meet with a proud, vain, self-conceited man, it may become you well to put such a one out of countenance, so it be done handsomely, and like a person of honour, for all men are well pleased to see a vain man well rallied.

4th. Be not dogmatical and peremptory in your opinion-it will be long before that become you; but having spoken, as you think, reason, if it be not allowed of, speak it again, and leave it calmly to censure. Be very careful of falling into passion: for why should you be angry, that another is not able or willing to understand you. Let me tell you, it is the sign of a very feeble spirit, not to be able to endure contradiction; and therefore, if you have a mind to gain reputation upon any by dispute, try if he can be

moved: if he may be, then anger him, but without offence; you cannot wish for a greater advantage than his passion will give you; for anger, in dispute, is like an unquiet horse in a dusty way, it raises so much dust in the eyes of the understanding, that it blinds it, and puts it out. It will lay the enraged disputant so open, that you may hit him where you please, and he cannot put by one fallacy. Besides, many have overcome by suffering the enemy to beat himself out of breath. But if you would render yourself pleasing to any person you have a mind to oblige, propose then such a subject as you know he is very well skilled in, most men being desirous and pleased to show their own excellency; and you will not lose by it neither, for the experienced soldier shall tell you more of the art of war, and a well-practised lawyer of a judged case in law, in half an hour, than all the books of both professions can teach you in a month, if perhaps, at all. Again, if you have a desire to make a show of yourself, to discourse of that you are best known in, take heed of rushing or breaking in upon it: it will appear pedantical, and discover an affectation which you should carefully avoid; the slight of this must be by degrees, approaches, and goings about to steal upon the argument, and draw some of the company insensibly to begin it. To shut up this particular, take notice,

that some men are good at a short turn, or quick reply, who languish and are tired in a large discourse others are nothing quick at hand, but yet their strength of reason brings them up at last. Could you join both these together, and make them one ability, you would soon appear a great master of language. I could wish you had the skill to maintain paradoxes; not to that purpose, as some cross humorous wits employ them, merely for contradiction and ostentation, but for the sharpening and stretching of your wit, which, if discreetly and modestly handled, they will afford a sharp tickling delight, set you off handsomely, and render you, to quick apprehensions, very acceptable. If to these you add modesty of countenance and speech, in one of your birth and parts, they will render your conversation sweet and charming. Therefore fail not, upon occasion, to be master of a great modesty; but withal know when to be high; and when you show it, let it be with gentle temper, in a sweet and well-commanded spirit. So that now, Frank, you being thus fitted with comely presence, and furnished with good language, sufficiency, and dexterity of discourse:

EMPLOYMENT.

I will now oversee your employment, which at present is your study: and I shall be less care

ful herein, upon a presumption of your tutor's care and sufficiency in the kind hath prevented me; however, I shall tell you what I have heard a very learned man speak concerning books and the true use of them.

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1st. You are to come to your study as to the table, with a sharp appetite, whereby that which you read may the better digest. He that has no stomach to his book will very hardly thrive upon it.

2d. And because the rules of study do so exactly agree with those of the table, when you are from your tutor, take care that what you read be wholesome, and but sufficient. Not how much, but how good, is the best diet. Sometimes, for variety, and to refresh and please the palate of your understanding, you may read something that is choice and delicate; but make no meal thereon. You may be allowed also the music of poetry, so it be clear, chaste, and not effeminate.

3d. After you have read a little, make a stand upon it, and take not more in, nor that down, till it be well chewed and examined. Go not to another thing until the first be understood in some measure. If any thing stick with you, note down your doubts in a book for the purpose, and rest not till you be satisfied, then write that down

too.