ittle self-denial for the sake of
others, and with a view to obtain the same indulgence from them."

Good-breeding alone can prepossess people in our favour at first sight;
more time being necessary to discover greater talents. Good-breeding,
however, does not consist in low bows, and formal ceremony; but in an
easy civil, and respectful behaviour.

16. Indeed, good-sense, in many cases, must determine good-breeding; for
what would be civil at one time, and to one person, would be rude at
another time, and to another person: there are, however, some general
rules of good-breeding. As for example; to answer only yes, or no, to
any person, without adding sir, my lord, or madam, (as it may happen) is
always extremely rude; and it is equally so not to give proper attention
and a civil answer, when spoken to: such behaviour convinces the person
who is speaking to us, that we despise him, and do not think him worthy
of our attention or answer.

17. A well-bred person will take care to answer with complaisance when
he is spoken to; will place himself at the lower end of the table,
unless bid to go higher; will first drink to the lady of the house, and
then to the master; he will not eat aukwardly or dirtily, nor sit when
others stand; and he will do all this with an air of complaisance, and
not with a grave ill-natured look, as if he did it all unwillingly.

18. There is nothing more difficult to attain, or so necessary to
possess, as perfect good-breeding; which is equally inconsistent with a
stiff formality, an impertinent forwardness, and an aukward bashfulness.
A little ceremony is sometimes necessary; a certain degree of firmness
is absolutely so; and an outward modesty is extremely becoming.

19. Virtue and learning, like gold, have their intrinsic value; but, if
they are not polished, they certainly lose a great deal of their lustre:
and even polished brass will pass upon more people than rough gold. What
a number of sins does the cheerful, easy, good-breeding of the _French_
frequently cover!

My Lord _Bacon_ says, that "a pleasing figure is a perpetual letter of
recommendation." It is certainly an agreeable fore-runner of merit and
smooths the way for it.

20. A man of good-breeding should be acquainted with the forms and
particular customs of courts. At _Vienna_ men always make courtesies,
instead of bows, to the emperor; in _France_ nobody bows to the king, or
kisses his hand; but in _Spain_ and _England_ bow