In addressing any one, always look at him; and if there are several present, you will please more by directing some portion of your conversation, as an anecdote or statement, to each one individually in turn.  This was the great secret of Sheridan’s charming manner.  His bon-mots were not numerous.

Never ask a question under any circumstances.  In the first place it is too proud; in the second place, it may be very inconvenient or very awkward to give a reply.  A lady lately inquired of what branch of medical practice a certain gentleman was professor.  He held the chair of midwifery!

It is indispensable for conversation to be well acquainted with the current news and the historical events of the last few years.  It is not convenient to be quite so far behind the rest of the world in such matters, as the Courier des Etats-Unis.  That sapient journal lately announced the dethronement of Charles X. We may expect soon to hear of the accession of Louis Philippe.

In society never quote.  If you get entangled in a dispute with some learned blockhead, you may silence him with a few extemporary quotations.  Select the author for whom he has the greatest admiration, and give him a passage in the style of that writer, which most pointedly condemns the opinion he supports.  If it does not convince him, he will be so much stunned with amazement that you can make your escape, and avoid the unpleasant necessity of knocking him down.

The ordinary weapons which one employs in social encounter, are, whether dignified or not, always at least honourable.  There are some, however, who habitually prefer to bribe the judge, rather than strengthen their cause.  The instrument of such is flattery.  There are, indeed, cases in which a man of honour may use the same weapon; as there are cases in which a poisoned sword may be employed for self-defence.

Flattery prevails over all, always, and in all places; it conquers the conqueror of Dan"e:  few are beneath it, none above it:  the court, the camp, the church, are the scenes of its victories, and all mankind the subjects of its triumphs.  It will be acknowledged, then, that a man possesses no very contemptible power who can flatter skillfully.

The power of flattery may be derived from several sources.  It may be, that the person flattered, finding himself gratified, and conscious that it is to the flatterer that he is indebted for this gratification, feels an obligation to him, without inquiring the reason; or it may be, that imagining ourselves to stand high in the good opinion of the one that praises us, We comply with what he desires, rather than forfeit that esteem:  or, finally, flattery may be only a marked politeness, and we submit ourselves to the control of the flatterer rather than be guilty of the rudeness of opposing him.