s in
robbery; the receiver is as bad as the thief. Besides, it will lead
people to shun your company, supposing that you would speak ill of them
to the next acquaintance you meet.

56. Carefully avoid talking either of your own or other people's
domestic concerns. By doing the one you will be thought vain; by
entering into the other, you will be considered as officious. Talking of
yourself is an impertinence to the company; your affairs are nothing to
them; besides, they cannot be kept too secret. And as to the affairs of
others, what are they to you? In talking of matters that no way concern
you, you are liable to commit blunders, and, should you touch any one in
a sore part, you may possibly lose his esteem. Let your conversation,
then, in mixed companies, always be general.

57. Jokes, _bon-mots_, or the little pleasantries of one company, will
not often bear to be told in another; they are frequently local, and
take their rise from certain circumstances; a second company may not be
acquainted with these circumstances, and of course your story may not be
understood, or want explaining; and if, after you have prefaced it with,
"I will tell you a good thing," the sting should not be immediately
perceived, you will appear exceedingly ridiculous, and wish you had not
told it. Never, then, repeat in one place what you hear in another.

58. In most debates, take up the favourable side of the question;
however, let me caution you against being clamorous; that is, never
maintain an argument with heat though you know yourself right; but offer
your sentiments modestly and coolly; and, if this does not prevail, give
it up, and try to change the subject, by saying something to this
effect, "I find we shall hardly convince one another, neither is there
any necessity to attempt it; so let us talk of something else."

59. Not that I would have you give up your opinion always; no, assert
your own sentiments, and oppose those of others when wrong, but let your
manner and voice be gentle and engaging, and yet no ways affected. If
you contradict, do it with, _I may be wrong, but--I won't be positive,
but I really think--I should rather suppose--If I may be permitted to
say_--and close your dispute with good humour, to shew you are neither
displeased yourself, nor meant to displease the person you dispute with.

60. Acquaint yourself with the character and situation of the company
you go into, before you give a loose to your tongue;