Of choice of Opportunities.

I would further advise you, when you have any point to carry which depends on the will of another, to chuse the minute of application with all the sagacity you are master of: for there is no man living whose temper is so even, as not to be sometimes more liable to impression than at others. Even contingencies govern us; we are more inclined to generosity, when a prosperous gale has breathed upon us; and more prone to peevishness and obstinacy, when ruffled by perplexities or misfortune. Some men are even so irritated by hunger, that, till they are appeased by a hearty dinner, they are inaccessible; and others so reserved and sullen, that till a bottle or two has thawed their frozen humours, they have neither eyes, ears, reflection, or understanding. Such as these, therefore, are not to be esteemed the same meu in one mood, as they are in another; and, if you happen to mistake the moment, do not immediately give out in despair, but renew the attack, till you find the soul open, and apt to receive what direction you please to give it.

Of behaviour to the Choleric.

At all adventures, never take fire from an angry man, and oppose fury to fury; but give the frenzy way; and it will melt into a tame

ness that you yourself will wonder at. From being fiery and untractable, he will become pliant and gentle; and fearful that, during his transport, he has broken the rules of decency and decorum, he will make a thousand concessions to re-establish himself in your good opinion, the least of which he would not have borne the mention of before: whereas, if on the first provocation, you had flung away with resentment, you had not only lost your point, but your interest in the man forever.

[To indulge a spirit of resentment, is unwise and dangerous. We learn from Hierocles, it was a common saying among the heathen, that the wise man hates nobody, but only loves the virtuous.]

Safest to deal with those on one's own level.

It is best, however, to confine your dealings, if possible, to such as are pretty near on your own level; where dependence may be mutual; and no great consequence to be feared from the over-bearing humour of a would-be lion, without teeth or claws. But, where such a temper happens to meet with large power, carefully avoid coming within the reach of it; such tyrants delighting in making a prey of their fellow-creatures; pleading their humour as a sufficient excuse for all manner of mischief, and making use of their odds of strength to cut off

every mean of reparation. In the days of Queen Mary, Philip, king of Spain, her husband, demanded the guardianship of her heir, if she should have one, with certain places of strength, to confirm his authority; offering at the same time his bond, to deliver up his trust, in case the child died, immediately. But when the house, out of a false complaisance to the throne, was on the point of conceding, an unlucky question of Lord Paget's, Who should put the king's bond in suit, in case he trespassed on the conditions? turned the tide at once, and the propo sal was rejected, I think unanimously. Public transactions may sometimes be applied to private; never enter into articles, therefore, but where there is a reasonable prospect of recovering the penalty.

Important Affairs to be managed in Person.

I farther recommend it to you, as another wholesome rule for your conduct, to manage all your important affairs in person, if possible. More deference is generally paid to the principal, than to any delegate whatever: nor can any other person be either so well instructed in your views, or so capable to improve every advantage that may arise, as yourself. But, if want of health or any other equal incapacity should prevent your own attendance, rather negociate by letter, than by the mouth of another.

Your meaning may be ill understood, and worse delivered offence may be taken at omissions or additions, of which you are wholly innocent; your very apologies may be so misrepresented, as to inflame, instead of appease; and you may be defeated in your designs, by a series of blunders, more deserving laughter than serious and passionate expostulation. But, if ever you should happen to be entangled in such a ridiculous labyrinth, take it immediately upon yourself to wind your way out. A few minutes conversation will clear up the misunderstandings of a year, if there is no rancour at the bottom; for which reason, never conclude either to your friend's disadvantage, or your own, till you have had the satisfaction of canvassing the affair face to face.

Of Rumours and Tales.

For the same reason, do not suffer yourself to be misled by idle rumours, and gossipping tales. Expressions, harmless when first let fall, receive their venom from the channel through which they are conveyed; and, by concluding at second hand, you are governed, not by the fact itself, but by the apprehensions, humours, passions, follies, and even wantonness of other people. If then you will give these officious talebearers the pleasure of listening to them, let it be with a guard upon your heart, not to suffer it

to be seduced by what perhaps is a downright forgery, or at least the grossest misrepresentation. But weigh well the character of him that speaks, against his spoken of; the circumstances, views, interest of both; and whatever else may help you to come at the truth, clear of prejudice or disingenuity.

Of Letters.

Having advised you to treat by letters rather than message, when hindered by inconvenienees from attending in person, I must take a step back to caution you to write with the utmost deliberation, seldom without taking copies, and never without reading what you have written twice or thrice over. Letters are generally preserved, and thence are always at hand, as a sort of evidence against you. You cannot, therefore, write too cautiously; I will not say ambiguously, according to the maxim of Tiberius, who sometimes wrote in that manner to the senate by design, to answer his own corrupt purposes. In a word, write so as not to deceive others, or expose yourself; with all the subtlety of the serpent, but the innocence of the dove.

God only knows whether I shall live to see you set up in the world; but, if I do not, this legacy will be almost of as much service to you, as your fortune, if you resolve to be so much your own friend, as to regard it as it deserves.