atters: for example, foods, the flavour and growth of
wines, and the chit-chat of the day. Such conversation will serve to
keep off serious subjects, that might some time create disputes. This
chit-chat is chiefly to be learned by frequenting the company of the
ladies.

_Observation_.

1. As the art of pleasing is to be learnt only by frequenting the best
companies, we must endeavour to pick it up in such companies, by
observation; for, it is not sense and knowledge alone that will acquire
esteem; these certainly are the first and necessary foundations for
pleasing, but they will by no means do, unless attended with manners and
attention.

There have been people who have frequented the first companies till
their life-time, and yet have never got rid of their natural stiffness
and aukwardness; but have continued as vulgar as if they were never out
of a servant's hall: this has been owing to carelessness, and a want of
attention to the manners and behaviour of others.

2. There are a great many people likewise who busy themselves the whole
day, and who in fact do nothing. They have possibly taken up a book for
two or three hours, but from a certain inattention that grows upon them
the more it is indulged, know no more of the contents than if they had
not looked into it; nay, it is impossible for any one to retain what he
reads, unless he reflects and reasons upon it as he goes on. When they
have thus lounged away an hour or two, they will saunter into company,
without attending to any thing that passes there; but, if they think at
all, are thinking of some trifling matter that ought not to occupy their
attention; thence perhaps they go to the play, where they stare at the
company and the lights, without attending to the piece, the very thing
they went to see.

3. In this manner they wear away their hours, that might otherwise he
employed to their improvement and advantage. This silly suspension of
thought they would have pass _absence of mind_--Ridiculous!--Wherever
you are, let me recommend it to you to pay attention to all that passes;
observe the characters of the persons you are with, and the subjects of
their conversation; listen to every thing that is said, see every thing
that is done, and (according to the vulgar saying) have your eyes and
your ears about you.

4. A continual inattention to matters that occur, is the characteristic
of a weak mind; the man who gives way to it, is little else than a