The vanity I mean, is that of being the first of the company.  This pride, though too common, is idle to the last degree.  Nothing in the world lets a man down so much.  For the sake of dictating, being applauded and admired by this low company, he is disgraced and disqualified for better.  Depend upon it, in the estimation of mankind you will sink or rise to the level of the company you keep.

7.  Be it then your ambition to get into the best company; and, when there, imitate their virtues, but not their vices.  You have no doubt, often heard of genteel and fashionable vices.  These are whoring, drinking, and gaming.  It has happened that some men even with these vices, have been admired and esteemed.  Understand this matter rightly; it is not their vices for which they are admired; but for some accomplishments they at the same time possess; for their parts, their learning, or their good-breeding.  Be assured, were they free from their vices, they would be much more esteemed.  In these mixed characters, the bad part is overlooked, for the sake of the good.

8.  Should you be unfortunate enough to have any vices of your own, add not to their number by adopting the vices of others.  Vices of adoption are of all others the most unpardonable, for they have not inadvertency to plead.  If people had no vices but their own, few would have so many as they have.

Imitate, then, only the perfections you meet with; copy the politeness, the address, the easy manners of well-bred people; and remember, let them shine ever so bright, if they have any vices, they are so many blemishes, which it would be as ridiculous to imitate, as it would to make an artificial wart on one’s face, because some very handsome man had the misfortune to have a natural one upon his.

Laughter.

1.  Let us now descend to minuter matters, which, tho’ not so important as those we have mentioned, are still far from inconsiderable.  Of these laughter is one.

Frequent and loud laughter is a sure sign of a weak mind, and no less characteristic of a low education.  It is the manner in which low-bred men express their silly joy, at silly things, and they call it being merry.

2.  I do not recommend upon all occasions a solemn countenance.  A man may smile; but if he would be thought a gentleman and a man of sense, he would by no means laugh.  True wit never yet made a man of fashion laugh; he is above it.  It may create a smile; but as loud laughter shews that a man has not the command of himself, every one who would with to appear sensible, must abhor it.

A man’s going to set down, on a supposition that he has a chair behind him, and falling for want of one, occasions a general laugh, when the best piece of wit would not do it:  a sufficient proof how low and unbecoming laughter is.

3.  Besides, could the immoderate laugher hear his own noise, or see the face he makes, he would despise himself for his folly.  Laughter being generally supposed to be the effect of gaity, its absurdity is not properly attended to; but a little reflection will easily restrain it, and when you are told it is a mark of low-breeding, I persuade myself you will endeavour to avoid it.