6$ THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. State; and make it appear to your friends, that it is no hard task for you to learn and pronounce those little words, I was mistaken, how hard soever it be for the bulk of n.nakiod to pro- nounce them. XIX. As you may sometimes raise enquiries for your own instruction and improvement, and draw out the learning, wisdom and fine sentiments of your friends, who perhaps may be too reserved or modest ; so at other times if you perceive a'person unskilful in the matter of debate ; you may by questions aptly proposed in the Socratic method, lead him into aclearer know- ledge of the subject ; then you become his instructor in such a manner as may not appear to make yourself his superior. XX. Take heed of affecting always to shine in company above the rest, and to display the riches of your own under- standingor your oratory, as though you would render yourself admirable to all that are present. This is seldom well taken in polite company; much less should you use such forms of speech as should insinuate the ignorance or dulness of those with whom you converse. XXI. Though you should not affect to flourish in a copious harangue and diffusive style in company, yet neither shouldyou rudely interrupt and reproach hinz that happens to use it : but when he has done speaking, reduce his sentiments into a more contracted form ; not with a shew of correcting, but as one who is doubtful whether you hitupon his true sense or no. 'Thus mat- ters may be brought more easily from a wild confusion intoa single point ; questions may be sooner determined, and difficulties more readily removed. XXII. Be not so ready to charge ignorance, prejudice, and mistake upon others, as you are to suspect yourself of it : and in order to skew how free you are from prejudices, learn to bear 'contradiction with patience: let it be easy to you to hear your own opinion strongly opposed, especially in matters which are doubt- ful and disputable amongst men of sobriety and virtue. Give a patient hearing to arguments on all sides, otherwise you give the company occasion to'suspect that it is not the evidence of truth has lead you into this opinion, but some lazy anticipation ofjudg- nient ; some beloved presumption; some long and rash possession of a party-scheine, in which you desir to rest undisturbed. If your assent has been established upon just and sufficient grounds, why should you be afraid to let the truth be put to the trial of argument ? XXIII. " Banish utterly out of all conversation, and espe- cially out of all learned and intellectual conference, every thing that tends toprovoke passion, or raise a fire in the blood." Let no sharp Language, no noisy exclamation, no sarcasms or biting jests be heard among you ; no perverseor invidious consequences
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