her
part, she would rather follow me to the grave than see me tear my
clothes, and hang down my head, and sneak about with dirty shoes and
blotted fingers, my hair unpowdered, and my hat uncocked.

5. My father, who had no other end in his proposal than to appear wise
and manly, soon acquiesced, since I was not to live by my learning; for
indeed he had known very few students that had not some stiffness in
their manner. They therefore agreed that a domestic tutor should be
procured, and hired an honest gentleman of mean conversation and narrow
sentiments, but who having passed the common forms of literary
education, they implicitly concluded qualified to teach all that was to
be learned from a scholar. He thought himself sufficiently exalted by
being placed at the same table with his pupil, and had no other view
than to perpetuate his felicity by the utmost flexibility of submission
to all my mother's opinions and caprices. He frequently took away my
book, lest I should mope with too much application, charged me never to
write without turning up my ruffles, and generally brushed my coat
before he dismissed me into the parlour.

6. He had no occasion to complain of too burthensome an employment; for
my mother very judiciously considered that I was not likely to grow
politer in his company, and suffered me not to pass any more time in his
apartment, than my lesson required. When I was summoned to my task, she
enjoined me not to get any of my tutor's ways, who was seldom mentioned
before me but for practices to be avoided. I was every moment admonished
not to lean on my chair, cross my legs, or swing my hands like my tutor;
and once my mother very seriously deliberated upon his total dismission,
because I began, said she, to learn his manner of sticking on my hat,
and had his bend in my shoulders, and his totter in my gait.

7. Such, however, was her care, that I escaped all these depravities,
and when I was only twelve years old, had rid myself of every appearance
of childish diffidence. I was celebrated round the country for the
petulence of my remarks, and the quickness of my replies; and many a
scholar five years older than myself, have I dashed into confusion by
the steadiness of my countenance, silenced by my readiness of repartee,
and tortured with envy by the address with which I picked up a fan,
presented a snuff-box, or received an empty tea-cup.

8. At fourteen I was completely skilled in all the niceties of