I will, therefore, only assure you that, without them you will be most unhappy. [May 27, 1748.]
Diplomatic Education.—You must absolutely
speak all the modern languages, as purely and correctly
as the natives of the respective countries; for
whoever does not speak a language perfectly and
easily, will never appear to advantage in conversation,
nor treat with others in it upon equal terms.
As for French, you have it very well already; and
must necessarily, from the universal usage of that
language, know it better and better every day; so
that I am in no pain about that. German, I suppose,
you know pretty well by this time, and will be quite
master of it before you leave Leipsic; at least I am
sure you may. Italian and Spanish will come in
their turns; and, indeed, they are both so easy, to
one who knows Latin and French, that neither of
them will cost you much time or trouble. [Same date.]
Advantages of Manners.—Manners, though
the last, and it may be the least ingredient of real
merit, are, however, very far from being useless in
its composition; they adorn, and give an additional
force and lustre to both virtue and knowledge. They
prepare and smooth the way for the progress of
both; and are, I fear, with the bulk of mankind,
