consequences.  For instance, there is a most excellent, though very short history of France, by Le Gendre.  Read that with attention, and you will know enough of the general history; but when you find there such remarkable periods as are above mentioned, consult Mezeray, and other of the best and minutest historians, as well as political treatises upon those subjects.  In later times, memoirs, from those of Philip de Commines, down to the innumerble ones in the reign of Louis the Fourteenth, have been of great use, and thrown great light upon particular parts of history.

Conversation in France, if you have the address and dexterity to turn it upon useful subjects, will exceedingly improve your historical knowledge; for people there, however classically ignorant they may be, think it a shame to be ignorant of the history of their own country:  they read that, if they read nothing else, and having often read nothing else, are proud of having read that, and talk of it willingly; even the women are well instructed in that sort of reading.  I am far from meaning by this that you should always be talking wisely in company, of books, history, and matters of knowledge.  There are many companies which you will, and ought to keep, where such conversations would be misplaced and ill-timed; your own good sense must distinguish the company and the time.  You must trifle only with triflers; and be serious only with the serious, but dance to those who pipe.  ‘Cur in theatrum Cato severs venisti?’ was justly said to an old man:  how much more so would it be to one of your age?  From the moment that you are dressed and go out, pocket all your knowledge with your watch, and never pull it out in company unless desired:  the producing of the one unasked, implies that you are weary of the company; and the producing of the other unrequired, will make the company weary of you.  Company is a republic too jealous of its liberties, to suffer a dictator even for a quarter of an hour; and yet in that, as in republics, there are some few who really govern; but then it is by seeming to disclaim, instead of attempting to usurp the power; that is the occasion in which manners, dexterity, address, and the undefinable ’je ne sais quoi’ triumph; if properly exerted, their conquest is sure, and the more lasting for not being perceived.  Remember, that this is not only your first and greatest, but ought to be almost your only object, while you are in France.

I know that many of your countrymen are apt to call the freedom and vivacity of the French petulancy and illbreeding; but, should you think so, I desire upon many accounts that you will not say so; I admit that it may be so in some instances of ‘petits maitres Etourdis’, and in some young people unbroken to the world; but I can assure you, that you will find it much otherwise with people of a certain rank and age, upon whose model you will do very well to form yourself.  We call their steady assurance, impudence why?  Only because what we call modesty