We now come to a second branch of the subject—­namely, as regards our conduct and manners in the scenes of social life.  One might suppose it to be a very clear thing, that a person possessing no pleasing accomplishment could never be so agreeable a member of society as one who possessed one or more of such qualifications.  It might seem very evident, that a person who had never taken any trouble to acquire such accomplishments, did not deserve so much of society as one who had taken such trouble.  Yet such is the blinding influence of self-love, that we continually find the dull and unaccomplished speaking and acting as if they considered themselves entitled to equal regard with others who, on the contrary, can contribute greatly to the enjoyments of their fellow-creatures.  This is surely most unreasonable—­it is, as in the case of the unnecessary shopkeeper or weaver, to desire the reward and yet not perform the service.  Were such persons to clear themselves of prejudice, and take an unflattering view of their relation to society, they would see that the reward can only be properly expected where it has been worked for.  They might in some instances be prompted to make efforts to attain some of those accomplishments which contribute to make the social hour pass agreeably, and thus attain to a true desert, besides ’advancing themselves in the scale of thinking beings.’  If not, they might at least learn to submit unrepiningly to that comparatively moderate degree of notice and regard which is the due of those who are perfectly ordinary in their minds, and fit only to take a place amongst the audience.

Society, as is well known, has its favourites, and also its unpopular characters.  If we dissect the character of the favourite, we shall invariably find a great substratum of the amiable.  He will probably have accomplishments also, and thus be able to add to the happiness of his fellows.  It is not improbable that in many cases a good share of love of approbation will be detected; but this is of no consequence in the matter.  The general fact we assume to be, that the genuinely amiable is there in some force.  It will, I believe, be likewise found that the unpopular character has something too much of the centripetal system about him—­that is to say, desires things to centre in himself as much as possible—­and neither has any great natural impulse to the amiable, nor will take the trouble to assume the complaisant.  Now, it is not uncommon to observe traces of dissatisfaction in the unpopular characters, as if they felt themselves to be treated unjustly by the world.  But can these persons reasonably expect to be received with the same favour as men who are at once gentle and inoffensive in their ordinary demeanour, and actively good among their fellow-creatures?  Certainly not.  Let us see here, too, the complaining party take an unprejudiced view of his relation to society.  Let him understand that he only will be loved if he is lovable, and we may hope to see him taking some pains to correct his selfishness, and both seem and be a kind and genial man.  Most assuredly, in no other way will his reputation and his treatment by the world be reversed.