frivolous, without the least concern of mind or awkwardness of body; neither of which can appear to advantage, but when they are perfectly easy. [Same date.]
Filial Love to the Mother.—You owe her
not only duty, but likewise great obligations, for her
care and tenderness; and consequently cannot take
too many opportunities of showing your gratitude.[1]
[Same date.]
Consider your own Situation.—You have not
the advantage of rank and fortune to bear you up;
I shall, very probably, be out of the world before you
can properly be said to be in it. What then will
you have to rely on but your own merit? That
alone must raise you, and that alone will raise you,
if you have but enough of it. I have often heard
and read of oppressed and unrewarded merit, but I
have oftener (I might say always) seen great merit
make its way, and meet with its reward, to a certain
degree at least, in spite of all difficulties. By
merit I mean the moral virtues, knowledge, and
manners; as to the moral virtues, I say nothing to
you; they speak best for themselves; nor can I suspect
that they want any recommendation with you;
- ↑ Lord Chesterfield had been urging his son to send a Dresden tea-service to his mother, which he did.
