on in every second thought, when the consciousness
is employed in too fondly approving a man's own conceptions; which sort
of consciousness is what we call affectation.

7. As the love of praise is implanted in our bosoms as a strong
incentive to worthy actions; it is a very difficult task to get above a
desire of it for things that should be wholly indifferent. Women, whose
hearts are fixed upon the pleasure they have in the consciousness that
they are the objects of love and admiration, are ever changing the air
of their countenances, and altering the attitude of their bodies, to
strike the hearts of their beholders with a new sense of their beauty.

8. The dressing part of our sex, whose minds are the same with the
sillier part of the other, are exactly in the like uneasy condition to
be regarded for a well tied cravat, an hat cocked with an unusual
briskness, a very well chosen coat, or other instances of merit, which
they are impatient to see unobserved.

9. But this apparent affectation, arising from an ill governed
consciousness, is not so much to be wondered at in such loose and
trivial minds as these. But when you see it reign in characters of worth
and distinction, it is what you cannot but lament, nor without some
indignation. It creeps into the heart of the wise man, as well as that
of the coxcomb.

10. When you see a man of sense look about for applause, and discover an
itching inclination to be commended; lay traps for a little incense,
even from those whose opinion he values in nothing but his own favour;
who is safe against this weakness? or who knows whether he is guilty of
it or not? The best way to get clear of such a light fondness for
applause is, to take all possible care to throw off the love of it upon
occasions that are not in themselves laudable; but, as it appears, we
hope for no praise from them.

11. Of this nature are all graces in men's persons, dress, and bodily
deportment; which will naturally be winning and attractive if we think
not of them, but lose their force in proportion to our endeavour to make
them such.

When our consciousness turns upon the main design of life, and our
thoughts are employed upon the chief purpose either in business or
pleasure, we should never betray an affectation, for we cannot be guilty
of it, but when we give the passion for praise an unbridled liberty, our
pleasure in little perfections robs us of what is due to us for great
virtues and worthy qual