used to write down the shining passages, and then translate them, as well and as elegantly as ever I could; if Latin or French, into English; if English, into French.  This, which I practiced for some years, not only improved and formed my style, but imprinted in my mind and memory the best thoughts of the best authors.  The trouble was little, but the advantage I have experienced was great.  While you are abroad, you can neither have time nor opportunity to read pieces of English or parliamentary eloquence, as I hope you will carefully do when you return; but, in the meantime, whenever pieces of French eloquence come in your way, such as the speeches of persons received into the Academy, ‘orasions funebres’, representations of the several parliaments to the King, etc., read them in that view, in that spirit; observe the harmony, the turn and elegance of the style; examine in what you think it might have been better; and consider in what, had you written it yourself; you might have done worse.  Compare the different manners of expressing the same thoughts in different authors; and observe how differently the same things appear in different dresses.  Vulgar, coarse, and ill-chosen words, will deform and degrade the best thoughts as much as rags and dirt will the best figure.  In short, you now know your object; pursue it steadily, and have no digressions that are not relative to, and connected with, the main action.  Your success in parliament will effectually remove all other objections; either a foreign or a domestic destination will no longer be refused you, if you make your way to it through Westminster.

I think I may now say, that I am quite recovered from my late illness, strength and spirits excepted, which are not yet restored.  Aix-la-Chapelle and Spa will, I believe, answer all my purposes.

I long to hear an account of your reception at Berlin, which I fancy will be a most gracious one.  Adieu.

LETTER CXCVI

London, February 15, 1754

My dear friend:  I can now with great truth apply your own motto to you, ‘Nullum numen abest, si sit Prudentia’.  You are sure of being, as early as your age will permit, a member of that House; which is the only road to figure and fortune in this country.  Those, indeed, who are bred up to, and distinguish themselves in particular professions, as the army, the navy, and the law, may, by their own merit, raise themselves to a certain degree; but you may observe too, that they never get to the top, without the assistance of parliamentary talents and influence.  The means of distinguishing yourself in parliament are, as I told you in my last, much more easily attained than I believe you imagine.  Close attendance to the business of the House will soon give you the parliamentary routine; and strict attention to your style will soon make you, not only a speaker, but a good one.  The vulgar look upon