laudable when, in contradistinction to the multitude, it adheres to the dictates of honor, conscience, and morality; and is vicious when it makes men act contrary to reason, or puts them upon distinguishing themselves by trifles and follies. For instance, it is vicious, in a modest young gentleman who has not confidence to refuse his glass at an entertainment; it is vicious, in any one that is afraid to refuse an invitation to a tavern to dinner, to go to any improper place, or to commit any extravagance proposed; and this under fear of being thought covetous, to have no money, or to be under the control of his parents or friends, when in fact his pride should be in the free exercise of his understanding, and in daring to declare his real sentiments on the occasion. Never suffer yourself to be tempted by the bad example of other young men, nor to be laughed out of what your judgment tells you is right.

Resolution is the foundation of every virtue; without it there is none; even those who may presume to ridicule or laugh at you at first, will soon treat you with greater respect than they do each other, when they perceive that your conduct is always uniform, steady, and firm. Rest assured, that you will be respected by others, when they find that you respect yourself. Let a good resolution, therefore, be your rule of conduct.

FURTHER HINTS ON MANNERS.

Ir may not be useless to some of our younger readers to particularize a few instances, in which they are liable, through carelessness, or from early disadvantages to violate the principles of good manners.

If in company with an inferior, do

not let him feel his inferiority; if he discover it himself, without your endeavors, the fault is not yours, and he will not blame you but if you take pains to mortify him, or to make him feel himself inferior to you in abilities, fortune, or rank, it is an insult to him. In point of abilities, it would be unjust, if they are out of his power; in rank or fortune, it is ill-natured and illbred. We should rather treat such a person with additional respect, lest he should suppose himself neglected.

Never indulge the idle inclination to laugh at, or ridicule the weaknesses or infirmities of others, by way of diverting the company, or displaying your own superiority. Most people have their weaknesses; some cannot bear the sight of a cat, others the smell of cheese, and so on were you to laugh at these persons for their antipathies, or, by design or inattention, to bring them in their way, you could not insult them more.

Whispering in company is another act of ill-manners; it seems to insinuate either that the persons whom we do not wish to hear are unworthy of our confidence, or it may lead them to suppose that we are speaking improperly of them. On both accounts therefore abstain from it.

Pulling out one letter after another, and reading them in company, or cutting and paring one's nails, is unpolite and rude. It seems to say, we are weary of the conversation, and are in want of some amusement to pass away the time.

Humming a tune to ourselves, drumming with our fingers on the table, making a noise with our feet, and such like, are all breaches of good manners, and indications of contempt for the persons present.

Romping, loud and frequent laughing, punning, joking, mimickry, waggery, and too great familiarity, will render any man contemptible, in spite

of knowledge or merit. These may constitute a merry fellow, but a merry fellow was never considered a gentleman.

Mimickry, the favorite amusement of weak minds, has ever been the contempt of noble ones. to it yourself, nor others.

Never give way encourage it in

An absent-minded man is generally a very affected one, or a very weak one; but, whether weak or affected, he is in company a very disagreeable man. Absence of mind is a tacit declaration that those we are in company with are not worth attending to, and what is a greater affront? Besides, can an absent man improve by what is said or done in his presence ? A man is fit for neither business nor conversation, unless he can attend to the object before him.

It is inconsistent with good manners, when another person is speaking, that you should contrive, either by showing