This I should not be so much surprised or concerned at, if it related only to the English language; which hitherto you have had no opportunity of studying, and but few of speaking, at least to those who could correct your inaccuracies.  But if you do not express yourself elegantly and delicately in French and German, (both which languages I know you possess perfectly and speak eternally) it can be only from an unpardonable inattention to what you most erroneously think a little object, though, in truth, it is one of the most important of your life.  Solidity and delicacy of thought must be given us:  it cannot be acquired, though it may be improved; but elegance and delicacy of expression may be acquired by whoever will take the necessary care and pains.  I am sure you love me so well; that you would be very sorry when we meet, that I should be either disappointed or mortified; and I love you so well, that I assure you I should be both, if I should find you want any of those exterior accomplishments which are the indispensably necessary steps to that figure and fortune, which I so earnestly wish you may one day make in the world.

I hope you do not neglect your exercises of riding, fencing, and dancing, but particularly the latter:  for they all concur to ‘degourdir’, and to give a certain air.  To ride well, is not only a proper and graceful accomplishment for a gentleman, but may also save you many a fall hereafter; to fence well, may possibly save your life; and to dance well, is absolutely necessary in order to sit, stand, and walk well.  To tell you the truth, my friend, I have some little suspicion that you now and then neglect or omit your exercises, for more serious studies.  But now ‘non est his locus’, everything has its time; and this is yours for your exercises; for when you return to Paris I only propose your continuing your dancing; which you shall two years longer, if you happen to be where there is a good dancing-master.  Here I will see you take some lessons with your old master Desnoyers, who is our Marcel.

What says Madame du Pin to you?  I am told she is very handsome still; I know she was some few years ago.  She has good parts, reading, manners, and delicacy:  such an arrangement would be both creditable and advantageous to you.  She will expect to meet with all the good-breeding and delicacy that she brings; and as she is past the glare and ‘eclat’ of youth, may be the more willing to listen to your story, if you tell it well.  For an attachment, I should prefer her to ‘la petite Blot’; and, for a mere gallantry, I should prefer ‘la petite Blot’ to her; so that they are consistent, et ‘l’un n’emplche pas l’autre’.  Adieu.  Remember ’la douceur et les graces’.

LETTER CXLIV

London, May 23, O. S. 1751.

My dear friend:  I have this moment received your letter of the 25th N. S., and being rather something more attentive to my commissions than you are to yours, return you this immediate answer to the question you ask me about the two pictures:  I will not give one livre more than what I told you in my last; having no sort of occasion for them, and not knowing very well where to put them if I had them.