humiliation and confusion of their author, who is sure to be detected.  These are chiefly narrative and historical lies, all intended to do infinite honor to their author.  He is always the hero of his own romances; he has been in dangers from which nobody but himself ever escaped; he has seen with his own eyes, whatever other people have heard or read of:  he has had more ‘bonnes fortunes’ than ever he knew women; and has ridden more miles post in one day, than ever courier went in two.  He is soon discovered, and as soon becomes the object of universal contempt and ridicule.  Remember, then, as long as you live, that nothing but strict truth can carry you through the world, with either your conscience or your honor unwounded.  It is not only your duty, but your interest; as a proof of which you may always observe, that the greatest fools are the greatest liars.  For my own part, I judge of every man’s truth by his degree of understanding.

This letter will, I suppose, find you at Leipsig; where I expect and require from you attention and accuracy, in both which you have hitherto been very deficient.  Remember that I shall see you in the summer; shall examine you most narrowly; and will never forget nor forgive those faults, which it has been in your own power to prevent or cure; and be assured that I have many eyes upon you at Leipsig, besides Mr. Harte’s.  Adieu!

LETTER XV

London, October 2, O. S. 1747

Dear boy:  By your letter of the 18th past, N. S., I find that you are a tolerably good landscape painter, and can present the several views of Switzerland to the curious.  I am very glad of it, as it is a proof of some attention; but I hope you will be as good a portrait painter, which is a much more noble science.  By portraits, you will easily judge, that I do not mean the outlines and the coloring of the human figure; but the inside of the heart and mind of man.  This science requires more attention, observation, and penetration, than the other; as indeed it is infinitely more useful.  Search, therefore, with the greatest care, into the characters of those whom you converse with; endeavor to discover their predominant passions, their prevailing weaknesses, their vanities, their follies, and their humors, with all the right and wrong, wise and silly springs of human actions, which make such inconsistent and whimsical beings of us rational creatures.  A moderate share of penetration, with great attention, will infallibly make these necessary discoveries.  This is the true knowledge of the world; and the world is a country which nobody ever yet knew by description; one must travel through it one’s self to be acquainted with it.  The scholar, who in the dust of his closet talks or writes of the world, knows no more of it, than that orator did of war, who judiciously endeavored to instruct Hannibal in it.  Courts and camps are the only places to learn the world in.