CHAPTER IX. gI those who by a base and dishonest turn of mind wilfúlly per- vert the meaning of the sacred writers, or even of common authors, under the influence of culpable prejudices. See more, Logic, Part I. Chap. 6. Sec. 3. Directions concerning the De- finition of Names. CHAP. IX.Pules of Improvement by Conversation. I. IF we would improve our minds by conversation, it is a great happiness . to be acquainted with persons wiser than our- selves. It is a piece of useful advice therefore, to get the favour of their conversation frequently, as far as circumstances will allow : and if they happen to be a little reserved, use all ob- liging methods to draw out of them what may increase your own knowledge. II. Whatsoever company you are in, waste not the time in trifles and impertinence. If you spend some hours amongstchil- dren, talk with them according to their capacity : mark the young buddings of infant, reason ; observe the different motions and distinct workings of the animal and the mind, as far as you cats discern them ; take notice by what degrees the littlecrea- ture grows up to the use of his reasoning powers, and what early prejudices beset and endanger his understanding, . By this means you will learn how to address yourself to children for their benefit, and perhaps you may derive some useful philoso- phemes or theorems, for your own entertainment. III. If you happen to be in company with a merchant or a sailor, a farmer or a mechanic, amilk -maid or a spinster, lead them into a discourse of the matters of their own peculiar pro- vince or profession ; for every one knows, or should know, his own business best. In this sense a common mechanic is wiser than a philosopher. By this means you may gain some improve- ment in knowledge from every one you meet. IV. Confine not yourself always to one sort of company, or to persons of the sane party or opinion, either in matters of learning, religion, or the civil life, lest if you should happen to be nursed up or educated in early mistake, you should be con- firmed and established in the same mistake, by conversing only withpersons of the same sentiments. A free and general conversa- tion with men of very various countries and of different parties, opinions, and practices (sofar as it may be done safely) is ofex- cellent use to undeceive us in many wrong judgments'which we may have framed, and, to lead us into juster thoughts. It it said when the King of Siam, near China, first conversed with some European merchants, who sought the favour of trading on his coast, he enquired of them some of the commonappear-
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