books and the world.  They are commonly twenty years old before they have spoken to anybody above their schoolmaster, and the fellows of their college.  If they happen to have learning, it is only Greek and Latin, but not one word of modern history, or modern languages.  Thus prepared, they go abroad, as they call it; but, in truth, they stay at home all that while; for being very awkward, confoundedly ashamed, and not speaking the languages, they go into no foreign company, at least none good; but dine and sup with one another only at the tavern.  Such examples, I am sure, you will not imitate, but even carefully avoid.  You will always take care to keep the best company in the place where you are, which is the only use of traveling:  and (by the way) the pleasures of a gentleman are only to be found in the best company; for that not which low company, most falsely and impudently, call pleasure, is only the sensuality of a swine.

I ask hard and uninterrupted study from you but one year more; after that, you shall have every day more and more time for your amusements.  A few hours each day will then be sufficient for application, and the others cannot be better employed than in the pleasures of good company.  Adieu.

LETTER XXXIX

London, May 31, O. S. 1748.

Dear boy:  I received yesterday your letter of the 16th, N. S., and have, in consequence of it, written this day to Sir Charles Williams, to thank him for all the civilities he has shown you.  Your first setting out at court has, I find, been very favorable; and his Polish Majesty has distinguished you.  I hope you received that mark of distinction with respect and with steadiness, which is the proper behavior of a man of fashion.  People of a low, obscure education cannot stand the rays of greatness; they are frightened out of their wits when kings and great men speak to them; they are awkward, ashamed, and do not know what nor how to answer; whereas, ‘les honnetes gens’ are not dazzled by superior rank:  they know, and pay all the respect that is due to it; but they do it without being disconcerted; and can converse just as easily with a king as with any one of his subjects.  That is the great advantage of being introduced young into good company, and being used early to converse with one’s superiors.  How many men have I seen here, who, after having had the full benefit of an English education, first at school, and then at the university, when they have been presented to the king, did not know whether they stood upon their heads or their heels!  If the king spoke to them, they were annihilated; they trembled, endeavored to put their hands in their pockets, and missed them; let their hats fall, and were ashamed to take them up; and in short, put themselves in every attitude but the right, that is, the easy and natural one.  The characteristic of a well-bred man, is to converse with his inferiors without insolence, and