14.  I recommend it in a more particular manner to my countrywomen, as the greatest ornament to such of them as have beauty, and the safest refuge for those who have not.  It facilitates the victories, decorates the triumphs, and secures the conquests of beauty; or in some degree atones for the want of it.  It almost deifies a fine woman, and procures respect at least to those who have not charms enough to be admired.  Upon the whole, though good-breeding cannot, strictly speaking, be called a virtue, yet it is productive of so many good effects, that, in my opinion, it may be justly reckoned more than a mere accomplishment.

WORLD, No. 143.

Further Remarks, taken from Lord Chesterfield’s Letters to his Son.

15.  Good-Breeding has been very justly defined to be “the result of much good-sense, some good nature and a little self-denial for the sake of others, and with a view to obtain the same indulgence from them.”

Good-breeding alone can prepossess people in our favour at first sight; more time being necessary to discover greater talents.  Good-breeding, however, does not consist in low bows, and formal ceremony; but in an easy civil, and respectful behaviour.

16.  Indeed, good-sense, in many cases, must determine good-breeding; for what would be civil at one time, and to one person, would be rude at another time, and to another person:  there are, however, some general rules of good-breeding.  As for example; to answer only yes, or no, to any person, without adding sir, my lord, or madam, (as it may happen) is always extremely rude; and it is equally so not to give proper attention and a civil answer, when spoken to:  such behaviour convinces the person who is speaking to us, that we despise him, and do not think him worthy of our attention or answer.

17.  A well-bred person will take care to answer with complaisance when he is spoken to; will place himself at the lower end of the table, unless bid to go higher; will first drink to the lady of the house, and then to the master; he will not eat aukwardly or dirtily, nor sit when others stand; and he will do all this with an air of complaisance, and not with a grave ill-natured look, as if he did it all unwillingly.

18.  There is nothing more difficult to attain, or so necessary to possess, as perfect good-breeding; which is equally inconsistent with a stiff formality, an impertinent forwardness, and an aukward bashfulness.  A little ceremony is sometimes necessary; a certain degree of firmness is absolutely so; and an outward modesty is extremely becoming.

19.  Virtue and learning, like gold, have their intrinsic value; but, if they are not polished, they certainly lose a great deal of their lustre:  and even polished brass will pass upon more people than rough gold.  What a number of sins does the cheerful, easy, good-breeding of the French frequently cover!

My Lord Bacon says, that “a pleasing figure is a perpetual letter of recommendation.”  It is certainly an agreeable fore-runner of merit and smooths the way for it.