Are they then necessary, and worth acquiring, or not?  You will see many instances of this kind at Paris, particularly a glaring one, of a person—­[M. le Marechal de Richelieu]—­raised to the highest posts and dignities in France, as well as to be absolute sovereign of the ‘beau monde’, simply by the graces of his person and address; by woman’s chit-chat, accompanied with important gestures; by an imposing air and pleasing abord.  Nay, by these helps, he even passes for a wit, though he hath certainly no uncommon share of it.  I will not name him, because it would be very imprudent in you to do it.  A young fellow, at his first entrance into the ‘beau monde’, must not offend the king ’de facto’ there.  It is very often more necessary to conceal contempt than resentment, the former forgiven, but the latter sometimes forgot.

There is a small quarto book entitled, ’Histoire Chronologique de la France’, lately published by Le President Henault, a man of parts and learning, with whom you will probably get acquainted at Paris.  I desire that it may always lie upon your table, for your recourse as often as you read history.  The chronology, though chiefly relative to the history of France, is not singly confined to it; but the most interesting events of all the rest of Europe are also inserted, and many of them adorned by short, pretty, and just reflections.  The new edition of ’Les Memoires de Sully’, in three quarto volumes, is also extremely well worth your reading, as it will give you a clearer, and truer notion of one of the most interesting periods of the French history, than you can yet have formed from all the other books you may have read upon the subject.  That prince, I mean Henry the Fourth, had all the accomplishments and virtues of a hero, and of a king, and almost of a man.  The last are the most rarely seen.  May you possess them all!  Adieu.

Pray make my compliments to Mr. Harte, and let him know that I have this moment received his letter of the 12th, N. S., from Antibes.  It requires no immediate answer; I shall therefore delay mine till I have another from him.  Give him the inclosed, which I have received from Mr. Eliot.

LETTER CXX

London, November 1, O. S. 1750

My dear friend:  I hope that this letter will not find you still at Montpelier, but rather be sent after you from thence to Paris, where, I am persuaded, that Mr. Harte could find as good advice for his leg as at Montpelier, if not better; but if he is of a different opinion, I am sure you ought to stay there, as long as he desires.