The great Secret of succeeding in Conversation, is, To admire
little, to hear much; allways to distrust our own Reason, and
sometimes that of our Friends; never to pretend to Wit, but to make
that of others appear as much as possibly we can: to hearken to
what is said, and to answer to the purpose.
In vain are musty Morals taught in Schools
By rigid Teachers, and as rigid Rules,
Where Virtue with a Frowning Aspect Stands,
And frights the pupil with her rough Commands.
But Woman ———
Charming Woman can true Converts make,
We love the Precepts for the Teacher’s Sake;
Virtue in them appears so bright and gay
We hear with Transport, and with Pride obey.
You may first write a Letter that may carry
good Sense, to your Friend, but let the Lines be wide asunder: Then
between these Lines write your Secret Letter with Gall Water only,
wherein the Galls have been infused but a little while. Dissolve
Copperas in fair Water, dip a pensil in the Water and moisten the
Paper in the Interlining.
Pennyworth of Spirit of Vitriol in a Thumb-bottle
[and] half as much Spring Water—Write—Fire.
I am about Courting a Girl I have had but
little Acquaintance with; how shall I come to a Knowledge of her
Fawlts? and whether she has the Virtues I imagine she has?
Answ. Commend her among her Female
Acquaintance.
If a sound Body and a sound Mind, which is as
much as to say Health and Virtue are to be preferred before all
other Considerations; Ought not Men in choosing of a Business
either for themselves or Children to refuse such as are unwholesome
for the Body; and such as make a Man too dependent, too much
oblig’d to please others, and too much subjected to their Humours
in order to be recommended and get a Livelihood.