perfection; ‘Nil actum reputans, si quid superesset agendum’; and in those shining parts of the character of a gentleman, there is always something remaining to be acquired.  Modes and manners vary in different places, and at different times; you must keep pace with them, know them, and adopt them, wherever you find them.  The great usage of the world, the knowledge of characters, the brillant dun ‘galant homme,’ is all that you now want.  Study Marcel and the ‘beau monde’ with great application, but read Homer and Horace only when you have nothing else to do.  Pray who is ‘la belle Madame de Case’, whom I know you frequent?  I like the epithet given her very well:  if she deserves it, she deserves your attention too.  A man of fashion should be gallant to a fine woman, though he does not make love to her, or may be otherwise engaged.  On ’lui doit des politesses, on fait l’eloge de ses charmes, et il n’en est ni plus ni moins pour cela’:  it pleases, it flatters; you get their good word, and you lose nothing by it.  These ‘gentillesses’ should be accompanied, as indeed everything else should, with an air:  ’un air, un ton de douceur et de politesse’.  Les graces must be of the party, or it will never do; and they are so easily had, that it is astonishing to me that everybody has them not; they are sooner gained than any woman of common reputation and decency.  Pursue them but with care and attention, and you are sure to enjoy them at last:  without them, I am sure, you will never enjoy anybody else.  You observe, truly, that Mr.------is gauche; it is to be hoped that will mend with keeping company; and is yet pardonable in him, as just come from school.  But reflect what you would think of a man, who had been any time in the world, and yet should be so awkward.  For God’s sake, therefore, now think of nothing but shining, and even distinguishing yourself in the most polite courts, by your air, your address, your manners, your politeness, your ‘douceur’, your graces.  With those advantages (and not without them) take my word for it, you will get the better of all rivals, in business as well as in ‘ruelles’.  Adieu.  Send me your patterns, by the next post, and also your instructions to Grevenkop about the seal, which you seem to have forgotten.

LETTER CXLIII

London, May 16, O. S. 1751.

My dear friend:  In about three months from this day, we shall probably meet.  I look upon that moment as a young woman does upon her bridal night; I expect the greatest pleasure, and yet cannot help fearing some little mixture of pain.  My reason bids me doubt a little, of what my imagination makes me expect.  In some articles I am very sure that my most sanguine wishes will not be disappointed; and those are the most material ones.  In others, I fear something or other, which I can better feel than describe.  However, I will attempt it.  I fear the want of that amiable and engaging ‘je