ght fearless and brave: these wear a
black cravat, a short coat and waistcoat, an uncommon long sword hanging
to their knees, a large hat fiercely cocked, and are _flash_ all over.
Others affect to be country squires; these will go about in buckskin
breeches, brawn frocks, and great oaken cudgels in their hands, slouched
hats, with their hair undressed and tucked up behind them to an enormous
size, and imitate grooms and country boobies so well externally, that
there is not the least doubt of their resembling them as well
internally.

23. Others, again, paint and powder themselves so much, and dress so
finically, as leads us to suppose they are only women in boy's clothes.
Now a sensible man carefully avoids all this, or any other affectation.
He dresses as fashionable and well as persons of the best families and
best sense; if he exceeds them, he is a coxcomb; if he dresses worse, he
is unpardonable.

24. Dress yourself fine, then, if possible, or plain, agreeable to the
company you are in; that is, conform to the dress of others, and avoid
the appearance of being tumbled. Imitate those reasonable people of your
own age, whose dress is neither remarked as too neglected or too much
studied. Take care to have your clothes well made, in the fashion, and
to fit you, or you will, after all, appear aukward. When once dressed,
think no more of it; shew no fear of discomposing your dress, but let
all your motions be as easy and unembarrassed, as if you was at home in
your dishabille.

_Elegance of Expression._

25. Having mentioned elegance of person, I will proceed to elegance of
expression.

It is not one or two qualifications alone that will complete the
gentleman; it must be an union of many; and graceful speaking is as
essential as gracefulness of person. Every man cannot be an harmonious
speaker; a roughness or coarseness of voice may prevent it; but if there
are no natural imperfections, if a man does not stammer or lisp, or has
not lost his teeth, he may speak gracefully; nor will all these defects,
if he has a mind to it, prevent him from speaking correctly.

26. Nobody can attend with pleasure to a bad speaker. One who tells his
story ill, be it ever so important, will tire even the most patient. If
you have been present at the performance of a good tragedy, you have
doubtless been sensible of the good effects of a speech well delivered;
how much it has interested and affected you; and on the contrary, how