04 TÍíE ÍM$ttOt'EMEN7' dF THE MÍÑD. some oCession is given by a word or sentence fora new discóurse to be started, and that with the utmost ease and freedom.: Such a method as this would prevent the hours of a visit from running all to waste ; and by this means, even among scholars, they will seldom find occasion for that too just and bitter reflection, I have lost my time in the company of the learned. By such practice as this, young ladies may very honour- ably and' agreeably improve their hours, while one applies her- self to reading, the others employ their attention, even among, the various artifices of the needle : but let all of them make. their occasional remarks or inquiries. This will guard a great . deal of that precious time from modish trilling, impertinence or scandal, which might otherwise afford matter for painful re- pentance. Observe this rule in general, 'whensoever it lies in your power to lead the conversation, let it be directed Id some pro fitable point of knowledge or practice, so far as may be done with decency ; and let not the discourse and the hours be suffer- ed to run loose without aim or design : and when a subject is started, pass not hastily to another, before you have brought the present theme of discourse to some tolerable issue, or a joint consent to drop it. X. Attend with sincere diligence while any one of the company is declaring his sense of the question proposed ; hear' the argument with patience, though it differ ever so much from your sentiments, for you yourself are very desirous to be heard' with patience by others who differ from you. Let not your thoughts be active and busyall the while to find out something to contradict, and by what means to oppose the speaker, especially in matters which are not brought to au issue. This is a frequent and unhappy temper and practice. You should rather be intent and solicitous to takeup the mind and meaning of the speaker,' zealous to seize and approve all that is true in his discourse; nor yet should you want courage tooppose where it is necessary ; but let your modestyand patience, and a friendly temper, be as con- spicuous as your zeal. XI. When a man speaks with much freedom and ease, and gives his opinion in the plainest language of common sense, do not presently imagine you shall gain nothing by his company_ Sometimes you will find a person who in his conversation or his writings delis+ers his thoughts in so plain, so easy, so familiar and perspicuous a mariner, that you both understand and assent to every thing he saith, as fast as you read or hear it ; hereupon sorne hearers have been ready to conclude in haste, surely " this man saith"none but common things. I knew as much before, or I could have said all this myself." This is a frequent mistake.
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