has an enlarged mind, and a good stock of information, need not, and ought not, to converse five minutes in any company without throwing out something calculated to be thought of afterwards with profit. Nay, if we had the spirit of our Master, we should endeavour to make every word we utter useful.

S. Do not disdain to PREPARE YOURSELF TO CONVERSE in an intelligent and profitable manner on whatever may be the popular topicks of the day. Whenever any interesting occurrence, renders a particular place, or a particular event in history, an object of general atten. tion, if you are not already accurately informed concerning the place or event in question, make a point of obtaining correct information as speedily as you can. You may be publickly appealed to for information in the presence of those to whom you would be unwilling to appear ignorant. And even if this should not be the case, you may lose many an opportunity of instructing and gratifying those with whom

you converse.

There is some danger, indeed, that he who has thus taken pains to inform himself in relation to popular topicks, may be tempted by vanity to make a display of his knowledg; but this is no more an argument against his gaining the knowledge, and being ready to impart it in a proper manner, and on proper occasions, than the proneness of many

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to pedantry, is an argument against all endeavours to cultivate and store the mind.

9. One of the most important habits to be acquired in conversation is that of PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION to the individual with whom you are conversing. Nothing is more common than the violation of this plain dictate of propriety. Many are in the constant habit of either entirely withdrawing their attention, or, at least, bestowing a very small share of it, on the person who is speaking to them. In the midst of the most important remarks, which they are expected to understand and to answer, they plainly manifest, by the vacant countenance, by the averted eye, and, sometimes, even by the indecency of humming a tune, in a halfsmothered manner, that they are thinking of nothing less than the speaker or his discourse. This is a great breach of decorum; and as unwise as it is ill-bred. It is impossible to understand or answer that which we do not hear ; and very often, by allowing ourselves to indulge this absence of mind, we lose many a wise and weighty observation; we suffer many an important link in a chain of argument to escape us, by which we might, had we secured it, been largely profited; and even if what is said to us be altogether erroneous, we can never refute, or dispose of it in any way, as we ought, if we do not attentively listen to it. If you think

proper to take the time to sit down by a person, and to pretend to listen to him, make a point of listening to him really. When you think that the conversation ought to be broken off, break it off; but, while it continues, attend to what is said. Unless you do this, it is impossible to estimate its value, or to frame a proper reply, or to adopt the most wise and delicate method of bringing it to a close. Many a conversation has been prolonged to an hour, and, after all, has proved desultory and useless, when it might have terminated in ten minutes, and been mutually beneficial, had the parties only given to each other, for that short space of time, their undivided attention. I repeat it, then-if you would treat your friends with good manners; if you would profit by what they say; if you would gain the highest possible advantage from would save time; every conversation you if you would benevolently impart pleasure as well as receive it; if you would reply to what is said to you, in the wisest and most instructive manner; then pay strict and undivided attention to every word that is uttered, as long as you think proper to continue any conversa

tion.

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10. The foregoing remarks are intended to apply where another person is addressing yourself individually. The same general principle applies where an individual is addressing a

company of which you form a part. In such case, as long as you continue to occupy your seat, ATTEND TO WHAT IS SAYING. I have known many persons who, in such circumstances in the midst of an interesting series of remarks addressed to them equally with the rest of the company, turned aside their heads; began to whisper to the person who sat next to them, on an entirely new subject; and thus diverted his attention as well as their own from the speaker. This is, undoubtedly, a gross offence against good manners. It is practically telling the speaker that you do not think him. worth listening to, and is certainly calculated to embarrass, and even to interrupt him in his remarks Surely those who are desirous of doing to others, as they would that others, in like circumstances, should do to them, will endeavour to avoid such a palpable indecorum.

11. Another radical maxim of good manners, in conversation, is TO TREAT WHAT IS SAID BY OTHERS RESPECTFULLY. This maxim, as well as the last, is perpetually disregarded. To say nothing of the practice indulged by many, of habitually withdrawing their attention from those with whom they are conversing; there are others, who testify their want of respect for what is said to them, in conversation, in a great variety of ways: by a smile of contempt; by a half-concealed sneer; by a manifest un

willingness to hear the speaker to the end; by interrupting him; by hints that his opinions are frivolous; in a word, by some look, tone, or gesture, not easily specified, or clothed in language, by which we may intimate to another that we regard what he is saying as unworthy of being seriously considered. In all these ways, do proud men, impatient men, obstinate, opinionated, vulgar men, treat with disrespect many remarks which are worthy of their notice, and wound the feelings of many a modest, timid speaker.

If you so far put yourself on a level with any one, as to converse with him at all, listen respectfully to what he has to say. It is very possible that when he has finished, and before he has finished, you may be constrained to think very little of his remarks. But do not wound his feelings, by giving him to understand, before hand, that you expect very little from him to the purpose; or by any thing that shall indicate sneer or contempt. Do not practically tell him, that you have no respect for what he is saying. Not only listen to him, but give every thought and word which he may utter, its due weight. Treat him, in short, as you would wish and expect, in like circumstances, to be treated by him. In no other way will you be able, when he has done, to answer his remarks, in such a manner as will be likely to