attacher, d’en approcher la veue de plus pres, sans la permission de celuy a qui la chose appartient, aussi bien que de leur donner des loueanges, ou les censurer, auant que l’on vous en demande vostre sentiment; de s’approcher trop pres, & d’incommoder celuy de qui ou est voisin, lors qu’il prend la lecture de ses lettres ou de quelqu’-autre chose.

It is an act directly opposed to politeness to read a book, letters or anything else during ordinary conversation, if it be not a pressing matter, or only for a few moments, and even in that case it is proper to ask leave unless you are, possibly, the highest in rank of the company.  It is even worse to handle other people’s work, their books or other things of that nature, to go close to them, to look at them closely without the permission of the owner, and also to praise or find fault with them before your opinion has been asked; to come too close to any one near by, when he is reading his letters or anything else.

19th let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave

Chapter ii. 29.  Que le visage ne paroisse point fantastique, changeant, egare, rauy en admiration, couuert de tristesse, divers & volage, & ne fasse paroitre aucun signe d’vn esprit inquiet:  Au contraire, qu’il soil ouuert & tranquille, mais qu’il ne soit pas trop epanouey de joye dans les affaires serieuses, ny trop retire par vne grauite affectee dans la conversation ordinaire & familiere de la vie humaine.

The face should not look fantastic, changeable, absent, rapt in admiration, covered with sadness, various and volatile, and it should not show any signs of an unquiet mind.  On the contrary, it should be open and tranquil, but not too expansive with joy in serious affairs, nor too self-contained by an affected gravity in the ordinary and familiar conversation of human life.

20th The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon

     Hawkins i. 30.  Let the gestures of thy body, be agreeable to the
     matter of thy discourse.  For it hath been ever held a solaesime in
     oratory, to poynt to the Earth, when thou talkest of Heaven.

(The nearest Maxim to this is one directed against excessive and awkward gesticulation in speaking, in which it is said:  “Parmy les discours regardez a mettre vostre corps en belle posture” (While speaking be careful to assume an elegant posture). 21st.  Reproach none for the Infirmaties of Nature, nor Delight to Put them that have in mind thereof.)

     Chapter iv. 6.  Ne reprochez les defauts a personne, non pas mesme
     de la nature, & ne prenez plaisir a faire confusion a qui que ce
     soit, par vos paroles.

[Sidenote:  Hawkins adds:  “which by no Art can be amended.”]

     Reproach none for their Infirmities—­avoid it equally when they are
     natural ones—­and do not take pleasure in uttering words that cause
     any one shame, whoever it may be.