much an ill-spoken one has disgusted you.

27. 'Tis the same in common conversation; he who speaks deliberately,
distinctly and correctly; he who makes use of the best words to express
himself, and varies his voice according to the nature of the subject,
will always please, while the thick or hasty speaker, he who mumbles out
a set of ill-chosen words, utters them ungrammatically, or with a dull
monotony, will tire and disgust. Be assured then, the air, the gesture,
the looks of a speaker, a proper accent, a just emphasis, and tuneful
cadence, are full as necessary, to please and to be attended to, as the
subject matter itself.

28. People may talk what they will of solid reasoning and sound sense;
without the graces and ornaments of language, they will neither please
nor persuade. In common discourse, even trifles elegantly expressed,
will be better received, than the best of arguments homespun and
unadorned.

29. A good way to acquire a graceful utterance, is to read aloud to some
friend every day, and beg of him to set you right, in case you read too
fast, do not observe the proper stops, lay wrong emphasis, or utter your
words indistinctly. You may even read aloud to yourself where such a
friend is not at hand, and you will find your own ear a good corrector.
Take care to open your teeth when you read or speak, and articulate
every word distinctly; which last cannot be done but by sounding the
final letter. But above all, endeavour to vary your voice according to
the matter, and avoid a monotony. By a daily attention to this, it will
in a little time become easy and habitual to you.

30. Pay an attention also to your looks and your gesture, when talking
even on the most trifling subjects: things appear very different
according as they are expressed, looked and delivered.

Now, if it is necessary to attend so particularly to our _manner_ of
speaking, it is much more so with regard to the _matter_. Fine turns of
expression, a genteel and correct style, are ornaments as requisite to
common sense, as polite behaviour and an elegant address are to common
good manners; they are great assistants in the point of pleasing. A
gentleman, 'tis true, may be known in the meanest garb, but it admits
not of a doubt, that he would be better received into good company
genteely and fashionably dressed, than was he to appear in dirt and
tatters.

31. Be careful, then, of your style upon all occasions; whether you
write or speak,