s are made and hands
are kissed. Thus every court has some peculiarity, which those who visit
them ought previously to inform themselves of, to avoid blunders and
aukwardness.

21. Very few, scarce any, are wanting in the respect which they should
shew to those whom they acknowledge to be infinitely their superiors.
The man of fashion, and of the world, expresses it in its fullest
extent; but naturally, easily, and without concern: whereas a man, who
is not used to keep good company, expresses it aukwardly; one sees that
he is not used to it, and that it costs him a great deal: but I never
saw the worst bred man living, guilty of lolling, whistling, scratching
his head, and such-like indecencies, in company that he respected. In
such companies, therefore, the only point to be attended to is, to shew
that respect, which every body means to shew, in an easy, unembarrassed
and graceful manner.

22. In mixed companies, whoever is admitted to make part of them, is,
for the time at least, supposed to be upon a footing of equality with
the rest; and consequently, every one claims, and very justly, every
mark of civility and good-breeding. Ease is allowed, but carelessness
and negligence are strictly forbidden. If a man accosts you, and talks
to you ever so dully or frivolously, it is worse than rudeness, it is
brutality, to shew him, by a manifest inattention to what he says, that
you think him a fool or a blockhead, and not worth hearing.

23. It is much more so with regard to women; who, of whatever rank they
are, are entitled, in consideration of their sex, not only to an
attentive, but an officious good-breeding from men. Their little wants,
likings, dislikes, preferences, antipathies, fancies, whims, and even
impertinences, must be officiously attended to, flattered, and, if
possible, guessed at and anticipated, by a well-bred man. You must never
usurp to yourself those conveniences and _agremens_ which are of common
right; such as the best places, the best dishes, &c. but, on the
contrary, always decline themself yourself, and offer them to others;
who, in their turns, will offer them to you: so that, upon the whole,
you will, in your turn, enjoy your share of common right.

24. The third sort of good-breeding is local; and is variously modified,
in not only different countries, but in different towns in the same
country. But it must be founded upon the two former sorts: they are the
matter; to which, in this case, f