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your spirit, and keep your tongue in subjection. If what is said be true, correct your self; if false, let not the anguish you express, give it the credentials of truth.

Seeing there is no protection against the sting of a malevolent wit, and licentious tongue, if at any time you chance to be touch'd to the quick, turn wittily into a jest what was rudely said in earnest.

¶ He that REVENGETH himself by not seeming offended, retorts upon his adversary the grief and smart intended by the affront, with the additional sting of the disappointment.

¶ Be not startled at every foolish rumour, much less govern your self by DREAMS, and idle fancies, without any reasonable ground or conjecture; much less be so superstitious as to grow pale when there are thirteen at table, or at the over-turning a saltseller, and the like: The dread of which imaginary presages is a gross relick of heathenism.

Future things are concealed from us to humble our pride, or increase our dependance on providence.

The concern of the WISE is to retrench the evils of life by the reasonings of philosophy; the employment of FOOLS to multiply misfortunes by the sentiments of superstition.

782.

True WISDOM consists in exactly knowing and doing our duties; and whatever carries us farther than that, is generally either dangerous or unprofitable.

783. In speaking of the DEAD fold up your dis

course so handsomely as their vertues may be shown outwards, and their vices wrapt up in silence.

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DIVERTISEMENTS.

AVOID all DIVERTISEMENTS Contrary to law, health, or a good conscience.

Let your RECREATIONS be decent, becoming your person, place, and calling: SEASONABLE, obstructing neither duty nor business: Neither too CoSTLY, nor SCANDALOUS; us'd as a liberal exercise, not as a ordid trade.

¶ HUNTING is a royal pastime fit for princes, nuring their bodies to motion and exercise.

MACHIAVEL observes, Hunting acquaints with ariety of places and situations, as hills, dales, woods, plain and uneven, moorish and dry grounds; knowledge very useful for a military person.

SWIMMING was publickly taught at ATHENS, nd is an healthful exercise that saves many a man's fe.

The ROMANS thought it so necessary an accomlishment, that they rank'd it with letters: Their ›mmon phrase to speak one ill educated, and good

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for nothing, was, Nec literas didicit nec natare—he had neither learnt to read nor swim.

In SWIMMING for pleasure exceed not your depth, for fear of cramps, stitch, weeds, &c.

791. In seeking to save another beware of drowning your self.

792.

¶ DANCING gives a becoming confidence and behaviour, manly thoughts and carriage, and a freedom and easiness to all the motions of the body.

793. The antients us'd many dances; for instance, their EUMELIA, wherein they set forth the majesty of princes. Their ENOPLIE, shewing the manner of engaging an army.-Their CORDAX, used in comedies by men of base behaviour, probably not unlike our antick dances.-Their HORMUS, wherein young men and maidens danced together; the MAN expressing in his motion and countenance, fortitude and magnanimity; the MAIDEN, moderation and shamefac'dness.

794- It's fit a GENTLEMAN should be early taught the steps, but aim not at such perfection in dancing as may make people suspect you have transferr'd to your feet, the care you ought to have had for your head.

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¶ SINGING modulates the voice, gives a great

grace to elocution, and needs no instrument to remove or tune. Yet,

When king PHILIP heard his son ALEXANDER sing musically, he ask'd him, if he were

asham'd he cou'd sing so well.

-¶ MUSICK takes up much time to acquire to any considerable perfection; and to understand little of it, is neither graceful, satisfactory, or durable: It's used chiefly to please others, who may receive the same gust from a mercenary; consequently, is scarce worth a gentleman's time, which might be much better employ'd in the Mathematicks, or what else would qualify him for the service of his country. (§ 606.)

Those that are wasted and wearied with the business and employment of their calling, shou'd use such RECREATIONS as may relieve and refresh the part that has been most exercis'd and tired, and yet do something which besides the present delight and ease may produce what will afterwards be profitable.

¶ DRAWING is an admirable secret to give body to our thoughts, thereby to render them visible; a thing very useful to a gentleman, but especially if he travels, as helping him often to express in a few lines well put together, what a whole sheet of

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