ashion and custom only give the
different shapes and impressions. Whoever has the two first sorts, will
easily acquire this third sort of good-breeding, which depends singly
upon attention and observation. It is properly the polish, the lustre,
the last finishing strokes of good-breeding. A man of sense, therefore,
carefully attends to the local manners of the respective places where he
is, and takes for his models those persons, whom he observes to be at
the head of the fashion and good-breeding.

25. He watches how they address themselves to their superiors, how they
accost their equals, and how they treat their inferiors: and lets none
of those little niceties escape him; which are to good-breeding, what
the last delicate and masterly touches are to a good picture, and which
the vulgar have no notion of, but by which good judges distinguish the
master. He attends even to their airs, dress, and motions, and imitates
them liberally, and not servilely; he copies, but does not mimic. These
personal graces are of very great consequence. They anticipate the
sentiments, before merit can engage the understanding: they captivate
the heart, and give rise, I believe, to the extravagant notions of
charms and philtres. Their effects were so surprising, that they were
reckoned supernatural.

26. In short, as it is necessary to possess learning, honor and virtue,
to gain the esteem and admiration of mankind, so politeness and
good-breeding are equally necessary to render us agreeable in
conversation and common life. Great talents are above the generality of
the world; who neither possess them themselves, nor are competent judges
of them in others; but all are judges of the lesser talents, such, as
civility, affability, and an agreeable address and manner; because they
feel the good effects of them, as making society easy and agreeable.

To conclude: be assured that the profoundest learning, without
good-breeding, is unwelcome and tiresome pedantry; that a man who is not
perfectly well-bred, is unfit for company, and unwelcome in it; and that
a man, who is not well-bred, is full as unfit for business as for
company.

Make, then, good-breeding the great object of your thoughts and actions.
Observe carefully the behaviour and manners of those who are
distinguished by their good-breeding; imitate, nay, endeavour to excel,
that you may at least reach them; and be convinced that good-breeding is
to all worldly qualifications, what ch