the real situation of things, between men and their wives, parents and their children, seeming friends, etc., that, with the best intentions in the world, one often blunders disagreeably.
Remember, that the wit, humor, and jokes of most mixed companies are local. They thrive in that particular soil, but will not often bear transplanting. Every company is differently circumstanced, has its particular cant, and jargon; which may give occasion to wit and mirth, within that circle, but would seem flat and insipid in any other, and therefore will not bear repeating. [Same date.]
Good Fellows.—You will find, in most good
company, some people who only keep their place
there by a contemptible title enough; these are what
we call very good-natured fellows, and the French
bons diables. The truth is, they are people without
any parts or fancy, and who, having no will of their
own, readily assent to, concur in, and applaud, whatever
is said or done in the company; and adopt,
with the same alacrity, the most virtuous or the most
criminal, the wisest or the silliest scheme, that happens
to be entertained by the majority of the company.
This foolish, and often criminal, complaisance
flows from a foolish cause; the want of any
other merit. I hope you will hold your place in
