, and confuse the piece so as not to be understood.

37. Digressions, likewise, should be guarded against. A story is always
more agreeable without them. Of this kind are, "_the gentleman I am
telling you of, is the son of Sir Thomas ----, who lives in
Harley-street;--you must know him--his brother had a horse that won the
sweepstakes at the last Newmarket meeting.--Zounds! if you don't know
him you know nothing_." Or, "_He was an upright tall old gentleman, who
wore his own long hair; don't you recollect him_?"--All this is
unnecessary, is very tiresome and provoking, and would he an excuse for
a man's behaviour, if he was to leave us in the midst of our narrative.

38. Some people have a trick of holding the persons they are speaking
to by the button, or the hands in order to be heard out; conscious, I
suppose, that their tale is tiresome. Pray, never do this; if the person
you speak to is not as willing to hear your story as you are to tell it,
you had much better break off in the middle: for if you tire them once,
they will be afraid to listen to you a second time.

39. Others have a way of punching the person they are talking to in the
side, and at the end of every sentence, asking him some questions as the
following--"Wasn't I right in that?"--"You know, I told you
so."--"What's your opinion?" and the like; or, perhaps, they will be
thrusting him, or jogging him with their elbow. For mercy's sake, never
give way to this: it will make your company dreaded.

40. Long talkers are frequently apt to single out some unfortunate man
present; generally the most silent one of the company, or probably him
who sits next them. To this man, in a kind of half whisper, they will
run on for half an hour together. Nothing can be more ill-bred. But, if
one of these unmerciful talkers should attack you, if you wish to oblige
him, I would recommend the hearing with patience: seem to do so at
least, for you could not hurt him more than to leave him in the middle
of his story, or discover any impatience in the course of it.

41. Incessant talkers are very disagreeable companions. Nothing can be
more rude than to engross the conversation to yourself, or to take the
words, as it were, out of another man's mouth. Every man in company has
an equal claim to bear his part in the conversation, and to deprive him
of it, is not only unjust, but a tacit declaration that he cannot speak
so well upon the subject as yourself: you will therefore