743.

As Sir Edward

744.

was walking under queen Elizabeth's window, she asked what a man thinks of when he thinks of nothing? Sir Edward, who had not had the effects of the queen's grant so soon as he expected, answer'd, Madam, he thinks of a woman's promise. The queen shrunk in her head, but was heard to say, Sir Edward, I must not confute you: Anger makes dull men witty, but it keeps them poor.

Cardinal Mazarine used to say, Two to one in all things, against the angry man.

745. In telling a STORY observe time, place, persons, method, and expression.

746. Neither use tautologies, make any impertinent digressions, nor grow heavy in particulars.

747.

748.

749.

750.

"All that's superfluous carefully avoid,

The mind once satisfy'd is quickly cloy'd." The voice and the lute have their charms, yet in time they'll tire our ears.

Let your relations be modest and unconcern'd; and your discourse such as the company deserves, and your judgment can maintain: And never tell improbable truths, or talk to countrymen of flying fishes.

Sir WALTER RAWLEIGH says, "If you know more than another man, utter it when it may do you

honour, and not in assemblies of ignorant persons."

¶ Never WHISPER in company, especially of your betters: The more eminent the persons are the more it is uncivil; and the more suspicion it raises in them who own an interest in the exposition of all things done or said in their presence by those of meaner rank.

If we have private business with any one in company, we ought when no body is discoursing, to ask leave, and then take them aside, and carefully avoid eying any of the company whilst discoursing privately, lest it should be thought we talk of them.

The height of good breeding is shown rather in never giving offence, than in doing obliging things.

¶ In all DEBATES speak last, to be master of others strength before you shew your own.

He that won't hear cannot judge, and he that cannot bear contradiction may with all his wit miss the mark.

¶ Mould your arguments into QUERIES, rather than dogmatical assertions: Seem as if you were putting people in mind of what they had forgot, not as teaching them what they knew not.

Many are willing to be inform'd, that hate to be excell'd.

758. A man that in conversation modestly QUESTIONS much, may learn much, if he wisely applies his questions to the skill of the persons with whom he discourses, and puts them upon those things they understand best; for by giving them the pleasure of shewing their expertness, he may collect at ease the choicest things that others have acquired by long study and pains.

759.

¶ Shou'd you be obliged to enter upon an ARGUMENT, give your reasons with the utmost coolness and modesty, to the end that if you appear to have the worst end of the staff, you may make an honourable retreat, with an I was not positive, and am now glad to be better informed. (§ 202.)

760. When you have said a pleasant thing never REPEAT it; whether the company heard, or lost it, let it pass off as it came on, carelessly and easily, without laying any stress upon it. Why should you set up for a wit, to find laughter for others. (§ 673.) 761. Many by endeavouring to purchase the reputation of being WITTY, have lost the advantage of appearing wise; and by too often trying to excite laughter, made themselves ridiculous. (§ 47.) 762. LAUGHTER is a dangerous and pestilent sort of pleasure, that renders the mind indulging it, light, foolish, vain, and contrary to that seriousness and

thinkingness requisite to prudence, and gallantry of spirit.

763. To laugh first, much, loud, at serious matters, or at what you say your self, is the way to be derided by others.

764. 'Tis as ridiculous to laugh unseasonably as to sing out of tune; the former is rude, the latter impertinent and troublesome.

765. None can laugh or weep gracefully, without a due respect and proportion to the subject and occa

sion.

766. Loud mirth, or immoderate sorrow, inequality of behaviour, either in prosperity or adversity, are alike unbecoming in man that is born to die.

767. Nothing makes the wise laugh, but vice being suddenly deceived by it self.

768. ¶ UPBRAID no man with his weakness, neither report it to disparage him, or advance thy self. It's a wretched thing to establish our selves upon the ruin of others, and a very scandalous way to fame.

769. If we have any eminent qualities that outshine others, we ought to make them amends by a greater modesty.

770.

MODESTY makes men amiable to their friends, and respected by their very enemies: In all places,

771.

772.

773.

774.

775.

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and on all occasions, it attracts benevolence, and demands approbation.

Never REPROVE pride with pride, nor check passion with passion, nor speak against bitterness of spirit with a bitter spirit.

¶He that REPROVES too long does reproach and harden the criminal; he that does it too bitterly, betrays his own anger, and is guilty of railing; if he is too loud, he is immodest; if too publick, unmannerly; and if too personal, he is imprudent.

All blaming should be SECRETLY, lest you should force a man upon an unjust defence, to avoid a just shame; or be thought to hate the person more than his faults.-SEASONABLY, when the offender is neither drunk with wine or passion; 'tis profaning reason to urge it to a drunken man. -AFFECTIONATELY, sweeten'd with pleasing compellations, and self-including terms, free from all arrogance.

Who blows out the candle with too much strength of breath, does but make a stink, and blows it light again.

Lenity and moderation are the best means to bring back erring friends, and unreasonable people to their duty.

¶ When REPROACH'D, suppress the mutinies of